Pay With Your Heart

Chapter 313: Depressed?

It was another day that Eun-sun wanted to go by quickly. Each day she found herself not being enthusiastic about anything. Everything felt bland, and all she wanted was for each day to end so she could hit the bed and sleep off, totally forgetting about the current hurdles of her life.

“Eun-sun, are you okay?” Hye-jin asked when she saw her staring into space again. She has been zoning out a lot.

Eun-sun nodded her head.

“But you don’t seem fine. I think you look too distracted lately.” Eun-sun turned and looked at her. She could tell the girl was just concerned for her, but she’d appreciate it if she didn’t bother her now. She was too tired to talk. She was too tired for everything.

She revealed a small smile and said, “I’m fine, Hye-jin. I really am.”

Hye-jin didn’t think she was. She was far from alright. She had a feeling Eun-sun was mildly depressed, and if she was, then it wasn’t healthy. Her gaze remained fixed on her for a while before she sighed and shrugged, “Okay.” If she didn’t want to talk, then there was nothing she could do.

Eun-sun looked at the time and discovered it was almost their lunch break, and she was to meet In-Ha at a restaurant nearby. She wasn’t ready for that, but she had no choice.

.....

She picked up her phone and started for the door. In the past, she’d be riding the elevator to the highest floor to have lunch with him, but now...

“Eun-sun, please stop.” She chided herself. She had to stop thinking about him all the time. It wasn’t easy, but she had to.

She looked up when the elevator stopped on the 3rd floor. Someone was about to step in. She was surprised when she saw who it was. But the look on her face quickly turned into a frown when his lips curved up into a smile.

“I must say the universe has something in our favour.” He said as he stepped into the elevator.

“Good afternoon Mr Ji-Tae.” She bowed and looked away, making the man chuckled as he walked towards her.

Eun-sun shot a displeasing look at him when he stopped in front of her, but he didn’t care. His eyes trailed her from head to toes making her uncomfortable, and she took a step back, but he took a step closer, prompting Eun-sun to stand at alert.

“Mr Ji-Tae.” She called in a threatening tone.

“I haven’t heard from you about my offer.” He said, ignoring the warning signals she was darting at him.

Her frown deepened. She raised her eyes to him in anger. “I don’t need your help.” She drawled.

He tilted his head and asked, “Are you sure?”

Eun-sun felt like poking her hand into his eyes. Whenever she saw him, she felt the urge to warm his cheek with her hand and wipe that pathetic and annoying smile off his face, but she refrained from doing such.

“Thank you, but I’m sure.” She coldly replied, hinting him she didn’t want to talk to him.

“Hmm.” He sighed. “Then I guess she can have him back after all.” He faked a thoughtful look. His lips twitched when that got her attention, and her eyes responded, but she didn’t say a word.

He tsked and leaned forward. His finger playfully twirled the tip of her hair. “I can’t deny the fact that I’m getting intrigued by you each day. Now, I don’t know if I should mess with you or my brother.” He hissed. “It’s always difficult when a woman gets involved.” He asked. Eun-sun didn’t understand the meaning of his words, and she didn’t care. She snatched her hair away from his hands, her eyes narrowing intensely at him in a ferocious manner.

“Whatever sick game you’re trying to play, don’t get me involved, and don’t you dare do anything to hurt Dan-Han, else-”

“Else what? You’ll kiss me?” He inched a bit closer, but he sighed and moved away. She glared at him while he stared at her amusedly, making the urge to smack that face of his increase badly.

“You don’t have to be this way around me. Don’t believe whatever my sister said to you. I really want to help you.”

Eun-sun turned her eyes away from him. She couldn’t wait for the elevator to reach its destination. It was sure taking its sweet time. And as if her complaint had been heard, the elevator chimed on arrival.

She coldly glanced back at him.”Thanks for offering, but I don’t want your help.” She said and walked away from him. She didn’t care if he could help her or not. She was certain she didn’t want his help, everything about him screamed trouble, and she wanted no part of it.

Eun-sun had only stepped out of the elevator as it arrived on the ground floor when she caught sight of the man standing in the lobby with his back towards her. It was Dan-Han. But what caught her attention more was the lady standing in front of him with a coy smile. Who was she?

And as if Ji-Tae had heard her thoughts, he suddenly whispered into her. “Her name is Kwon-Nara.”

‘Kwon-Nara?’ She had never heard that name, neither has she seen her before, and Dan-Han has never spoken with any other woman, until now.

Eun-sun stood transfixed as she watched them. Dan-Han had his back turned to her, but the lady, she could see the way she was smiling at him.

“Kwon-Nara is one ambitious vixen you have never encountered before. She’s nothing like Choi Mi-Ok. Are you still sure you don’t need my help?” Eun-sun could hear the smile in his voice as he spoke, and it made her want to beat the hell out of him, but she was too tired even for that.

Eun-sun slightly turned her head sideways and firmly answered, “No.”

From how close they stood and from how Ji-Tae had spoken about her, it was apparent Dan-Han knew her.

She looked ahead and exhaled deeply to calm herself before walking towards the company door where Dan-Han and the girl were standing.

“Dan-Han?” She called, gaining Dan-Han’s attention as well as Kwon-Nara, who looked at her in a curious yet condescending manner.

Dan-Han was surprised when he saw her, but he frowned when he saw Ji-Tae standing beside her.

“Hello, brother.” He greeted with a sheepish grin. “Good to know you’re reconnecting back with the women in your life. I was telling Eun-sun about our dear Nara here. Wasn’t I?” He playfully raised a brow at Eun-sun, who had a lost look in her eyes.

‘Women in his life?’ She looked at Kwon-Nara before glancing at Dan-Han.

Dan-Han didn’t need to guess the thought going through her head. He already knew.

“Eun-”

“Eun-sun.” Dan-Han turned towards the door when he heard someone call her name. His brows furrowed at the sight of him. He looked at Eun-sun, who was too engrossed looking at his hand, and that was when he realised Kwon-Nara had her hand around his. When did she-

He felt enraged as he angrily snatched his hand away from hers before looking at Eun-sun again. He’d deal with Kwon-Nara later.

He looked at her, but before he could say a word, she bowed and turned towards In-Ha. “Let’s go.” She said.

“Park Eun-sun.” He called, but the girl walked ahead with hurried steps. He turned to In-ha, who shared a look with him before he glanced at Kwon-Nara and then at Ji-Tae, who had an amused look on his face. He walked away but not before shooting Dan-Han a disappointed look.

“Interesting,” Ji-Tae smiled as he observed everyone’s countenance.