Page 120 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘I was unable to sleep last night so I came in early. Before the jingbang arrived.’
Rodrigo’s ‘proposal’ had thrown her off and she imagined Haneul wouldn’t be exactly thrilled about it either. She had contemplated calling Haneul last night to clear the air, but hadbeen unable to bring herself to do it. She had hoped to bump into him at work and talk in person. But Haneul is nowhere to be seen. They haven’t spoken since the interview fiasco involving Rodrigo, and Timira is now starting to worry about what could possibly be on his mind.
‘Good call, Seonbae. But it’s only going to get tougher hereon. Now that they know you, it’s only a matter of time until they find your home address. You will be followed wherever you go. They’ll camp outside your home.’
Timira groans.
‘I’m nobody. Why are they interested in me?’
‘They are interested in Rodrigo-ssi, and he is interested in you. Ergo, they are interested in you!’
‘Uff, my head hurts!’ Timira is unable to mask her annoyance.
‘Seonbae, I have a suggestion. Why don’t you come stay with me?’
‘And ruin your peace? And your family’s! Certainly not!’
‘Only until this blows over.’
‘If they can find my address, I’m sure they can find yours, too!’
‘We’ll find a way. I’ll ask Choi Bujangnim for help. I’m sure he will find a way to sneak you out!’
Mr Choi does, and, after work, Timira is smuggled out of the SecondSkin building in a truck full of boxes headed to their workshop.
Once at Hanee’s, Timira keeps trying to reach Haneul but to no avail. His phone has continued to be switched off for over seventy-two hours. And when she isn’t dialling his number, she’s having to dodge calls from Rodrigo. He has been calling her incessantly and tirelessly.
‘Seonbae, you can’t force someone to talk when they are not willing to. The same way you can’t make someone love you just because you love them.’
Timira, surprised by Hanee’s unusually cryptic remark, sits up. Hanee is, of course, speaking from first-hand experience, but Timira is yet to figure that out. Like a lot of other things, including her own heart and life.
‘Keep talking, Honey. I’m listening.’
‘I don’t mean to sermonize, Seonbae. Perhaps Daepyonim just needs a little time. Allow him that. Meanwhile, there’s someone trying to reach out, give him the chance to explain himself.’
‘Wow, Honey. Look at you! When did you grow up so much?’
Hanee smiles a little and, looking straight into Tim’s eyes, says,
‘I know how it feels to not be loved back. Rodrigo knows you don’t love him anymore. This isn’t easy for him, Seonbae. Cut him some slack maybe? He knows he’s dug his own grave and maybe he just wants a decent burial so he can peacefully sleep in there!’
Timira cannot hide her amusement at Hanee’s choice of words. She purses her lips in an attempt at hiding a laugh but her eyes are laughing, Hanee can tell.
‘I’m serious, Seonbae!’
‘Well, none of this would’ve happened had he kept his mouth shut and not spouted such nonsense on live TV!’ Timira retorts.
‘What he did was anything but cool, Seonbae, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you should forgive him. But he loves you, Seonbae!’
‘We aren’t in office, Honey. Drop the Seonbae.Jigeum!’
‘Yeah, okay, fine, Timiraeonni. Rodrigo loves you, and he’s an idiot for proclaiming it on national television. But that is how love is. It makes you brave and free, and an utter idiot!’
‘Really? Is that why you have yet to confess to your crush?’
Um, what?Hanee is a little alarmed.How does she know?
Hanee doesn’t know what has just hit her. She keeps gaping.
