16. Crush

The streets of Seoul that evening were bathed in the golden sunlight that began to sink into the western horizon. Ha-neul drove slowly, letting his gaze sweep over the bustling yet captivating cityscape. Along the road, skyscrapers stood neatly in rows, their windows sparkling with the reflections of twilight.

The sidewalks were crowded with pedestrians hurrying along, each immersed in their daily routines. Some small shops along the roadside emitted the aroma of fresh coffee and newly baked bread, catching the attention of passersby. Spring flowers bloomed in bright colors, adorning street corners with natural beauty.

Traffic lights blinked alternately, regulating the constant flow of vehicles. Occasionally, honking horns added to the city’s never-ending buzz. Ha-neul felt a sense of peace within him. He turned on the radio, letting soft music fill his car and create a calming atmosphere.

“What should I get for her?” Ha-neul murmured as he drove slowly through the Seoul traffic jam. His mind raced, searching for the perfect gift for Starla, a friend who meant so much to him. He wanted to give something special.

Waiting for the traffic light to turn green, memories of Starla began to play in his mind. He remembered how enthusiastically she talked about her love for books and how much she enjoyed places filled with literary wonders. Ha-neul smiled, recalling how Starla’s eyes always sparkled when she spoke about it.

“Yes, that’s it,” he affirmed to himself, nodding decisively. A brilliant idea formed in his mind—to gift Starla her favorite novel, “Summer Triangle.” With renewed enthusiasm, Ha-neul changed his route and decided to head to Arc N Book, one of Seoul’s favorite bookstores.

Arriving at Arc N Book, Ha-neul was impressed by the neatly arranged collection of books. The warm interior with dim lights created a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Ha-neul stepped in with enthusiasm, feeling the calm and inspirational atmosphere.

Shelves were filled with a variety of books from every genre and theme. Ha-neul browsed through the store’s aisles, gently running his fingers over the spines of the lined-up books. Each book emitted the distinctive scent of paper and ink, creating an unforgettable experience.

He stopped at the section of novels, then searched for the book he was looking for. Carefully, Ha-neul took the novel from the shelf and brought it to the cashier. After paying, he asked the cashier to wrap the book beautifully in gift paper. While waiting, Ha-neul wrote a small note on a piece of paper that he would slip inside the book: “For Starla, may each page bring you inspiration and happiness. From Ha-neul.”

With the book neatly wrapped, Ha-neul felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He returned to the car with a light heart, carefully placing the gift on the passenger seat. His journey home felt quicker, the once crowded Seoul streets now beginning to empty.

Imagining Starla’s expression upon receiving the gift filled Ha-neul with excitement for their upcoming meeting in London. As he drove under the darkening Seoul sky, Ha-neul felt an unmatched warmth. It had been a long time since he had felt this way—perhaps because before he met Starla, Ha-neul had not been so busy with work that he did not have a friend other than at work.

“I hope Starla likes the book,” whispered Ha-neul with genuine hope.

...

Min-joon’s footsteps echoed through the quiet corridors. He wore a dark blue jacket, symbolizing simplicity yet a strong presence among the orderly office rooms.

Along the way to his office, Min-joon greeted every employee he passed with a friendly smile. He nodded warmly and smiled to his coworkers, who were focused on their tasks. A calm and confident aura radiated from his every move, showing maturity and experience.

At the information desk, a female employee named Hye-jin greeted him cheerfully.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Min-joon!” Hye-jin greeted with a bright smile.

Min-joon returned her greeting warmly, “Good afternoon, Hye-jin.” His gaze was warm, reinforcing the harmonious working relationship between them.

After chatting briefly, Min-joon continued his steps carefully. The door to his office was open, awaiting his arrival. This room was where he spent much of his time, planning strategies, making important decisions, and fulfilling the company’s vision with dedication.

His office was neatly organized with books and documents neatly arranged on his desk. An abstract painting adorned the wall, adding an artistic touch and inspiration amid his busy schedule. In the corner of the room, a potted plant that Min-joon always cared for lovingly reflected his concern for the environment. Min-joon sat in his white chair behind his desk, carefully taking off his jacket and placing it neatly behind the chair. He opened his laptop carefully, checking his schedule for the next day.

“Great, You’re going on a trip tomorrow?” said Bryan, one of his staff and close friends, suddenly appearing at the door.

“A trip? Man, if it was really a holiday, I wouldn’t be this tired right now,” he replied, while taking care of the things he needed.

Bryan sighed in frustration, then sat down in a chair not far from where he had been standing. “Chill bro. Take a dive, have a drink. Isn’t that right?”

“You’ll drown instead, Bryan,” he replied, his voice filled with humor that made Bryan burst out laughing.

“By the way, this is the new contract from yesterday, right? Who’s the artist... Luna?” Bryan asked uncertainly, trying to recall the information he had heard.

Sitting across from Bryan at the table, he nodded slowly while picking up the contract in question from the stack of papers on his desk. He examined the contract for a moment before answering, “Yeah, it’s from the project yesterday. I went there because there were a few things I needed to discuss with her and her manager.”

Bryan furrowed his brow, trying to remember Luna’s face or voice that he had heard before. “Ah, I remember now. She’s that famous artist in London, right?”

Ha-neul smiled proudly. “Yes, we’re all very optimistic about Luna’s potential. And we’ll provide all the support she needs to develop and succeed in her acting career.”

“Is she pretty, though?” Bryan teased, nudging Min-joon who was busy. Min-joon smiled and nodded, “Yeah, not bad. Maybe you should try to get closer to her.”

Min-joon shook his head with a faint smile, “You’re something else!”

Bryan laughed, teasing further, “Besides, how long are you going to stay single? Your younger sister already has a kid, and here you are.”

Bryan continued teasing, “Or maybe you already have a girlfriend but haven’t told me, huh?!”

Min-joon answered seriously, “You’re so nosy! Instead, help me tidy up here.”

“Seriously, though, do you have a girlfriend? Who is it?” Bryan persisted.

Min-joon answered honestly, “Not a girlfriend, I just have a crush on someone.”

Bryan nodded approvingly, satisfied with the answer. “Oh, really? Who’s the lucky one who melted your heart?”

Min-joon smiled shyly, “It’s no one special. Just a crush.”

Bryan shrugged, “Alright, no pressure from me. But you’ll have to tell me more about her later so I can help you set up a date!”

They both laughed together, the atmosphere of jokes and camaraderie warm between them. Although Bryan liked to tease, Min-joon knew he could rely on his friend in any situation. Their light-hearted conversation helped Min-joon feel more relaxed and happy, even though he wasn’t fully ready to open his heart completely to anyone yet. However, soon his activity paused as he realized what he had just said. Like, he said? Was it true that the feelings he had long felt for that woman were indeed liking her?