Page 40 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘Tell you what? Timira-ssi seems to be in the middle of a personal crisis …’
Yes, I know. You don’t have to tell me! Has this guy been eavesdropping on Seonbae?Hanee asks herself.
‘… so perhaps we ought to give her some space?’
Remembering the hot beverages that were still untouched, he adds, ‘I’ve got drinks and some free time on hand. Shall we play catch-up? The air between us needs a little clearing, don’t you think?’ he smiles at Hanee, sounding harmless but with a naughty glint in his eyes.
Oh, no. How am I going to get away?Hanee thinks nervously.
Before Hanee can reply, he has led her away.
‘Why do you look nervous? Here, have a sip,’ Haneul says in a kind voice, holding his arm out, feeling a little guilty for having discovered Hanee’s weak spot and taking undue advantage of it.
What’s wrong with Daepyonim? It’s coffee! It’ll do the exact opposite of calming me down. Ah, massda! He doesn’t drink coffee. What a clueless guy! Why is he here though? I wonder if he’s interested in her. Wait, what? No way! That’s impossible. And, so what if he does? She loves coffee, and will never be able to go on coffee dates with him. I, on the other hand … no, no, stop! Hanee, stop! This isn’t the time to fantasize.
She meekly accepts the cup but doesn’t drink.
Should I tell him I’m needed downstairs and escape? I can make up a story about Bujangnim … guerae,let’s do it!
‘Daepyonim, actually, Bujangnim had sent me here to bring Seonbae back with me. He must be waiting. I should probably head back.’
This guy Choi! Jeez! Why is he everywhere, butting into everything???
‘I’m sure he won’t mind if you tell him I kept you.’
Haneul isn’t willing to lose this round to Mr Choi.
Her escape plan thwarted, Hanee now nervously bites her lower lip and sends up a silent prayer.
‘Don’t worry. I’m not going to ask you why you have Timira-ssi’s photos on your camera roll!’ Haneul says coolly but feelsa surprising pang of jealousy.He saw WHAAAAT?!Hanee is screaming inside.I am SO DEAD!
Good grief, what have I gotten myself into! First Hanee-ssi and now her ex, I wonder how many more I will have to compete with!
But Haneul pretends to be unbothered and decides to make an effort to show it.
‘Like I said before, your secret’s safe with me. But you see, I’m a businessman and will strike a deal whenever I sense an opportunity. And I can smell a rather potent one right here.’
Hanee looks up to lock eyes with Haneul and the latter can sense extreme desperation in her eyes.
Aww, poor Hanee-ssi. I know how you feel, little one. But love is war. I gotta do what I gotta do!
‘Don’t worry, your part of it is rather simple,’ he adds deliberately, softly, looking Hanee directly in her panic-stricken eyes.
Realizing that she is caught on a sticky wicket, Hanee conveys her assent through silence.
‘What was it that your dear Seonbae was reading on your phone and trying to desperately hide?’
Huh? But he saw my phone at the time! Oh, wait. Hang on, hang on, he saw the photos. Not the news report. Of course. My cursed luck!
‘Is it not something that I can see?’ Haneul presses.
‘Um, it’s not like that, Daepyonim. The thing is …’
I can get him off my back, at least for a while. He’ll anyway hear about it. And in any case, he deserves to know. Fine, I’ll just be the bearer of bad news. Whatever, meolla meolla!
Hanee unlocks her phone and looks up the article online. Holding it out, she says, ‘This.’
Should I tell him about Seonbae’s connection with Rodrigo? Uh, no, that’s her personal business. I shouldn’t be interfering.
