Chapter 73: Familiar Faces
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This time, he could easily recognize Su-Jin in the photograph.
Though she was evidently younger than how he knew her, Ji-Won could still recognize her bright smile and gleaming hazel eyes.
In that photograph, Su-Jin was standing next to Mi-Suk in front of a high school building. The young women were hugging each other, smiling brightly at the camera while showing a V sign.
Right next to this photograph there was another picture from what seemed to be Su-Jin's college graduation ceremony. She was wearing full black robes and was holding her diploma high for everyone to see.
Even through the picture, Ji-Won could still see the happiness glowing in her eyes. The emotion was bright and vivid like an inextinguishable flame, burning the hearts of all those who witnessed it.
Looking at that last image caused Ji-Won's face to break into a smile.
Despite himself, he reached out a hand and brushed a finger across the glass. He moved slowly and gently, as if he was caressing the woman's face, not just her reflection in a photograph.
"No matter how many times I see her smile, I can't seem to get enough of it." Ji-Won muttered to himself, his voice barely more than a tender whisper.
Just as Ji-Won was about to take back his hand, a voice called him from behind.
"Director Kang, I am so sorry to have kept you waiting." Su-Jin breathed out disconcertedly.
Su-Jin had just entered the living room. Seeing Ji-Won standing near one of the cabinets, she walked closer and stopped just a few steps away from him.
Hearing her voice sounding so close to him caused Ji-Won's smile to instantly disappear.
A prickling feeling of shame mixed with guilt suddenly took hold of him. Even though he hadn't done anything wrong, just the fact that he had been looking at her pictures was enough to throw him into a self-blaming disposition.
After schooling his expression, Ji-Won tried to turn around to face her. But because he had been too startled, his body didn't react as well as it should have. In his haste, Ji-Won knocked down several photographs from the surface of the cabinet.
Luckily, the carpet beneath his feet cushioned their fall and neither the glass, nor the frames broke. However, this incident succeeded in making Ji-Won break character.
Together with the first fallen photographs, his mask of total calmness instantly shattered into pieces. He looked horrified as several more photographs followed the first one, sliding down like a never-ending cascade.
Each thud made by the frames hitting the carpet echoed the wild thumpings of Ji-Won's heart.
By the time everything was over, Ji-Won's soul had almost flown out of his body. He almost wilted away right then and there.
As luck would have it, all the photographs were in one piece, just pitifully lying on the carpet between their feet, but the man's spirit couldn't be recovered.
"Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself just now?" Su-Jin asked with genuine worry.
She had noticed Ji-Won blanking out just now and thought something might have happened.
Who would have thought that the man she just worried about would look even more horrified by her question?
"No! I'm fine." Ji-Won replied hastily. "Just now, I accidentally touched a photograph and then they all... fell." he finished in a feeble voice. "I'm really sorry."
After saying that, and showing absolutely no regard to his image, Ji-Won quickly bent his knees and began collecting the fallen objects.
Seeing this, Su-Jin was startled out of her wits.
How could she allow her boss to crouch in her house just for some photographs?
Besides, what if he sees them? Did she still want her dignity or not?
Of course she did! And for that reason, Su-Jin quickly made a decision.
Putting on an expression that she was merely doing this out of consideration for Ji-Won's image as a boss, she hurried to his side to help.
"That's alright, I'll pick them up. Director Kang doesn't have to do this."
Just as she finished saying that, Su-Jin reached out to touch the corner of a frame. But her fingertips could barely make contact with the wooden surface, before the frame was snatched away from her hand.
"No, that's not right." Ji-Won argued in all seriousness. "I was the one who knocked them off the cabinet, so I should be the one to pick them up. Please, Miss Park, let me do this."
Being hit by both Ji-Won's sound arguments, as well as his stern gaze, Su-Jin felt like she had received one thousand life points worth of damage.
'Are you freaking serious right now?! Shouldn't you be the aloof and disinterested type? What are you doing, acting all righteous and remorseful? Director Kang, when this is all over, do you still want your face?'
Once again, Su-Jin found herself in a bind. What should she do now?
If she were to continue to argue, she might end up offending this big boss of hers, and who knew what would happen to her then.
But if she were to allow him to pick up all those photographs, won't she feel too ashamed to face him? Among those that had fallen were still pictures of her from high school, and she definitely didn't want him to see them.
Just as she was despairing over the situation, Su-Jin noticed that Ji-Won's movements seemed to have stopped. He was still bent down, his knees touching the carpet while one arm was stretched out. But he was indeed unmoving.
To be even more precise, Ji-Won had even stopped breathing for a second. And the reason was one of the photographs.
While randomly picking up the fallen pictures, Ji-Won's eyes were unexpectedly caught by a familiar image.
A young beautiful couple dressed in party clothes were standing close to each other. The man had an arm wrapped protectively around the woman's shoulders, while gazing down at her lovingly. The woman had one hand on the man's chest, while looking up at him with tenderness in her eyes.
Just from that picture alone one could see how much the two loved each other.
But what caused Ji-Won's movements to pause was the fact that he recognized those two people.. He had seen them before, long ago.
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This time, he could easily recognize Su-Jin in the photograph.
Though she was evidently younger than how he knew her, Ji-Won could still recognize her bright smile and gleaming hazel eyes.
In that photograph, Su-Jin was standing next to Mi-Suk in front of a high school building. The young women were hugging each other, smiling brightly at the camera while showing a V sign.
Right next to this photograph there was another picture from what seemed to be Su-Jin's college graduation ceremony. She was wearing full black robes and was holding her diploma high for everyone to see.
Even through the picture, Ji-Won could still see the happiness glowing in her eyes. The emotion was bright and vivid like an inextinguishable flame, burning the hearts of all those who witnessed it.
Looking at that last image caused Ji-Won's face to break into a smile.
Despite himself, he reached out a hand and brushed a finger across the glass. He moved slowly and gently, as if he was caressing the woman's face, not just her reflection in a photograph.
"No matter how many times I see her smile, I can't seem to get enough of it." Ji-Won muttered to himself, his voice barely more than a tender whisper.
Just as Ji-Won was about to take back his hand, a voice called him from behind.
"Director Kang, I am so sorry to have kept you waiting." Su-Jin breathed out disconcertedly.
Su-Jin had just entered the living room. Seeing Ji-Won standing near one of the cabinets, she walked closer and stopped just a few steps away from him.
Hearing her voice sounding so close to him caused Ji-Won's smile to instantly disappear.
A prickling feeling of shame mixed with guilt suddenly took hold of him. Even though he hadn't done anything wrong, just the fact that he had been looking at her pictures was enough to throw him into a self-blaming disposition.
After schooling his expression, Ji-Won tried to turn around to face her. But because he had been too startled, his body didn't react as well as it should have. In his haste, Ji-Won knocked down several photographs from the surface of the cabinet.
Luckily, the carpet beneath his feet cushioned their fall and neither the glass, nor the frames broke. However, this incident succeeded in making Ji-Won break character.
Together with the first fallen photographs, his mask of total calmness instantly shattered into pieces. He looked horrified as several more photographs followed the first one, sliding down like a never-ending cascade.
Each thud made by the frames hitting the carpet echoed the wild thumpings of Ji-Won's heart.
By the time everything was over, Ji-Won's soul had almost flown out of his body. He almost wilted away right then and there.
As luck would have it, all the photographs were in one piece, just pitifully lying on the carpet between their feet, but the man's spirit couldn't be recovered.
"Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself just now?" Su-Jin asked with genuine worry.
She had noticed Ji-Won blanking out just now and thought something might have happened.
Who would have thought that the man she just worried about would look even more horrified by her question?
"No! I'm fine." Ji-Won replied hastily. "Just now, I accidentally touched a photograph and then they all... fell." he finished in a feeble voice. "I'm really sorry."
After saying that, and showing absolutely no regard to his image, Ji-Won quickly bent his knees and began collecting the fallen objects.
Seeing this, Su-Jin was startled out of her wits.
How could she allow her boss to crouch in her house just for some photographs?
Besides, what if he sees them? Did she still want her dignity or not?
Of course she did! And for that reason, Su-Jin quickly made a decision.
Putting on an expression that she was merely doing this out of consideration for Ji-Won's image as a boss, she hurried to his side to help.
"That's alright, I'll pick them up. Director Kang doesn't have to do this."
Just as she finished saying that, Su-Jin reached out to touch the corner of a frame. But her fingertips could barely make contact with the wooden surface, before the frame was snatched away from her hand.
"No, that's not right." Ji-Won argued in all seriousness. "I was the one who knocked them off the cabinet, so I should be the one to pick them up. Please, Miss Park, let me do this."
Being hit by both Ji-Won's sound arguments, as well as his stern gaze, Su-Jin felt like she had received one thousand life points worth of damage.
'Are you freaking serious right now?! Shouldn't you be the aloof and disinterested type? What are you doing, acting all righteous and remorseful? Director Kang, when this is all over, do you still want your face?'
Once again, Su-Jin found herself in a bind. What should she do now?
If she were to continue to argue, she might end up offending this big boss of hers, and who knew what would happen to her then.
But if she were to allow him to pick up all those photographs, won't she feel too ashamed to face him? Among those that had fallen were still pictures of her from high school, and she definitely didn't want him to see them.
Just as she was despairing over the situation, Su-Jin noticed that Ji-Won's movements seemed to have stopped. He was still bent down, his knees touching the carpet while one arm was stretched out. But he was indeed unmoving.
To be even more precise, Ji-Won had even stopped breathing for a second. And the reason was one of the photographs.
While randomly picking up the fallen pictures, Ji-Won's eyes were unexpectedly caught by a familiar image.
A young beautiful couple dressed in party clothes were standing close to each other. The man had an arm wrapped protectively around the woman's shoulders, while gazing down at her lovingly. The woman had one hand on the man's chest, while looking up at him with tenderness in her eyes.
Just from that picture alone one could see how much the two loved each other.
But what caused Ji-Won's movements to pause was the fact that he recognized those two people.. He had seen them before, long ago.
This time, he could easily recognize Su-Jin in the photograph. Though she was evidently younger than how he knew her, Ji-Won could still recognize her bright smile and gleaming hazel eyes. In that photograph, Su-Jin was standing next to Mi-Suk in front of a high school building. The young women were hugging each other, smiling brightly at the camera while showing a V sign. Right next to this photograph there was another picture from what seemed to be Su-Jin's college graduation ceremony. She was wearing full black robes and was holding her diploma high for everyone to see. Even through the picture, Ji-Won could still see the happiness glowing in her eyes. The emotion was bright and vivid like an inextinguishable flame, burning the hearts of all those who witnessed it. Looking at that last image caused Ji-Won's face to break into a smile. Despite himself, he reached out a hand and brushed a finger across the glass. He moved slowly and gently, as if he was caressing the woman's face, not just her reflection in a photograph. "No matter how many times I see her smile, I can't seem to get enough of it." Ji-Won muttered to himself, his voice barely more than a tender whisper.Just as Ji-Won was about to take back his hand, a voice called him from behind."Director Kang, I am so sorry to have kept you waiting." Su-Jin breathed out disconcertedly.Su-Jin had just entered the living room. Seeing Ji-Won standing near one of the cabinets, she walked closer and stopped just a few steps away from him. Hearing her voice sounding so close to him caused Ji-Won's smile to instantly disappear. A prickling feeling of shame mixed with guilt suddenly took hold of him. Even though he hadn't done anything wrong, just the fact that he had been looking at her pictures was enough to throw him into a self-blaming disposition.After schooling his expression, Ji-Won tried to turn around to face her. But because he had been too startled, his body didn't react as well as it should have. In his haste, Ji-Won knocked down several photographs from the surface of the cabinet. Luckily, the carpet beneath his feet cushioned their fall and neither the glass, nor the frames broke. However, this incident succeeded in making Ji-Won break character. Together with the first fallen photographs, his mask of total calmness instantly shattered into pieces. He looked horrified as several more photographs followed the first one, sliding down like a never-ending cascade. Each thud made by the frames hitting the carpet echoed the wild thumpings of Ji-Won's heart.By the time everything was over, Ji-Won's soul had almost flown out of his body. He almost wilted away right then and there.As luck would have it, all the photographs were in one piece, just pitifully lying on the carpet between their feet, but the man's spirit couldn't be recovered. "Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself just now?" Su-Jin asked with genuine worry. She had noticed Ji-Won blanking out just now and thought something might have happened.Who would have thought that the man she just worried about would look even more horrified by her question? "No! I'm fine." Ji-Won replied hastily. "Just now, I accidentally touched a photograph and then they all... fell." he finished in a feeble voice. "I'm really sorry."After saying that, and showing absolutely no regard to his image, Ji-Won quickly bent his knees and began collecting the fallen objects. Seeing this, Su-Jin was startled out of her wits. How could she allow her boss to crouch in her house just for some photographs? Besides, what if he sees them? Did she still want her dignity or not? Of course she did! And for that reason, Su-Jin quickly made a decision. Putting on an expression that she was merely doing this out of consideration for Ji-Won's image as a boss, she hurried to his side to help. "That's alright, I'll pick them up. Director Kang doesn't have to do this." Just as she finished saying that, Su-Jin reached out to touch the corner of a frame. But her fingertips could barely make contact with the wooden surface, before the frame was snatched away from her hand. "No, that's not right." Ji-Won argued in all seriousness. "I was the one who knocked them off the cabinet, so I should be the one to pick them up. Please, Miss Park, let me do this." Being hit by both Ji-Won's sound arguments, as well as his stern gaze, Su-Jin felt like she had received one thousand life points worth of damage. 'Are you freaking serious right now?! Shouldn't you be the aloof and disinterested type? What are you doing, acting all righteous and remorseful? Director Kang, when this is all over, do you still want your face?'Once again, Su-Jin found herself in a bind. What should she do now? If she were to continue to argue, she might end up offending this big boss of hers, and who knew what would happen to her then. But if she were to allow him to pick up all those photographs, won't she feel too ashamed to face him? Among those that had fallen were still pictures of her from high school, and she definitely didn't want him to see them. Just as she was despairing over the situation, Su-Jin noticed that Ji-Won's movements seemed to have stopped. He was still bent down, his knees touching the carpet while one arm was stretched out. But he was indeed unmoving. To be even more precise, Ji-Won had even stopped breathing for a second. And the reason was one of the photographs.While randomly picking up the fallen pictures, Ji-Won's eyes were unexpectedly caught by a familiar image. A young beautiful couple dressed in party clothes were standing close to each other. The man had an arm wrapped protectively around the woman's shoulders, while gazing down at her lovingly. The woman had one hand on the man's chest, while looking up at him with tenderness in her eyes. Just from that picture alone one could see how much the two loved each other. But what caused Ji-Won's movements to pause was the fact that he recognized those two people.. He had seen them before, long ago.
