Crash Landing on You - Amadeus

Chapter VIII

Gu Seung Jun rapped the door from outside. "Are you sure you don't want to grab something to eat?"

"No," she said steadying her voice. "You should go ahead. I'll catch you tomorrow."

"Sleep well then," she heard in response. To which she replied, "You too."

Though she'd been better off driving with Gu Seung Jun, it had been nothing short of a feat to keep a straight face through the journey. Having locked herself away from the world, she fell onto her bed, surrendering to the tempest of thoughts and regrets that had long assaulted her. Along with it, came the rivulet of tears too.

It'd felt right to choose self-preservation then, but she could no longer ignore the small part of her that still wanted the aimless dalliance they had begun accidentally. When being with him felt as consumed and dazed all at once, she had little choice but to reach for higher grounds. The familiarity was inexplicable. After all, they had never met or exchanged messages. There was no reason to want him and indulging herself with one intentional kiss was enough. And even that felt nothing short of having given in to her baser instincts.

This was only attraction and this too shall pass! And the chant continued all night to override the small part of her that missed him.

*****

Come morning, she was occupied with the pest that was her brother. He'd summoned her to the Defense security command office to introduce her to the new director. In reality, it was about handing over the men's fragrance she was ordered to bring along from Vienna. The only consolation about the trip would be ending it over lunch with her samchon.

Inside the antiquated building, her primary task involved plastering a gleeful smile onto her face, all the while nodding to everything the elder had to ask or suggest. Having kept up the farce for nearly half an hour, her facial muscles were beginning to hurt. She could use a break.

"I'll just be back," she said and excused herself. Wandering the hallways, she came across the men's restroom, but the ladies' room was missing. What did I expect in a building owned by a misogynistic establishment?

A lady comrade instructed her that the women's toilet was situated in the third floor and so, she took the stairs. During the climb, her mind wandered back to him. Tonight he would be accompanying Seo Dan to the port and help with the transfer to the ship.

Hopefully, the constant concern in his eyes will fade after that?

And she paused at the threshold that led into the third-floor hallway. For the life of her, she couldn't remember him ever smiling at her.

Have you really seen someone if you haven't seen them smile?

The collective thud of boots reached her from the far right. She flipped about to catch two men accompanying a tall imposing man towards her. Hoping the soldiers could direct her to the bathroom she decided to meet them half-way. Even as she took a few steps forward, the tall man's features appeared familiar. That markedly angled jaw and the searching in his eyes...

Ri Jeong Hyuk'sshi? Was he caught with Seo Dan?

She halted, stepping back to brace herself against the wall. Seo Dan was nowhere in sight and yet, the shock froze her to the spot. The trio came marching towards her and the icy indifference in his gaze was enough to understand that he didn't want her anywhere near him. Without so much as a side glance, he went past her and the helplessness was chocking at best.