The two remained silent after Secretary Yoo left. Announcement after announcement rang through the speakers. People passed them by. Others ran hurriedly while some calmly made their way to check in their luggage. After minutes, Eun Young was the first to break the ice.
"You missed your flight." She said out of the blue. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself and crossed her arms.
"I didn't." Min Jae nonchalantly stated. "I'll be having a... private flight." He cleared.
"Oh..." Eun Young muttered.
Sighing, she thought to herself. She was really embarrassed going all the way here. And for what reason? Perhaps she was expecting something. Perhaps she was looking forward to something. At the back of her mind, she visualized that her husband would at least be happy to see her. But in the end, she just ended up feeling ashamed. So much for hoping...
On the other hand, Min Jae did his best to mask his expression. He was really surprised to see her. When she said that she was there to fetch a friend, he mentally scolded himself for even guessing that she might be there to see him. There's no reason for her to see him off in the first place. But if what Secretary Yoo said was true... did she really come to see him? Did she really come all the way here in the middle of the night for him? The chances were slim. Nevertheless, her mere presence somehow felt like an oasis in the midst of all the stress.
"I'll go now. It's already late." Eun Young announced. Without sparing him another glance, she briskly made her way around him and began to walk away. It wasn't until her wrist was held back by a strong grip.
"Wait." Min Jae said almost inaudibly. Suddenly realizing that his hold was tight, he slowly loosened his grip.
Eun Young didn't turn to face him. Instead, she stood there frozen. Her heartbeat instantly picked up the pace. And if she were to look at him now, she could easily collapse to the ground!
Min Jae noticed that Eun Young made no move to look at him. Hence, he cautiously stepped in front of her so that they were facing each other. Initially, he didn't know why he stopped her from leaving in the first place. He was shocked himself!
"What?" Eun Young firmly asked, still avoiding his stares.
A few moments later, she felt something soft and warm around her neck. She looked up to see Min Jae casually tying the scarf she now wore. Eun Young was lost for words. She knew it was his, even the scent of it was his! Why was he suddenly giving it to her?
Min Jae was focused on singlehandedly knotting the cloth that he didn't notice Eun Young watching him. He purposely arranged the scarf to somehow hide her bare skin as she was only wearing her night gown. When he finished, he went to look at his work and then at her. But by that time her head was already hung to hide her reddening face.
"Have the driver take you home. It's dangerous if you drive alone at this time." He said. And without even asking for her response, he was immediately on the phone. The call lasted for only a few seconds.
"Y-You didn't have to do that. I brought my car, I can drive myself well." Eun Young declared nonetheless.
"I'll just have someone bring it back." He said. Min Jae quickly glanced at his watch before speaking again. "Follow me." He muttered and soon, he was already walking past her.
Eun Young had no qualms following him but she was still utterly confused. She haven't even recovered from the fact that he gave her his scarf yet. If he plans on doing something else she wasn't expecting, she might as well lose her chances of getting a proper rest tonight.
They stopped in front of a coffee shop. It was the same brand where Secretary Yoo bought Min Jae's cup of coffee. Guessing that he's about to buy her the same thing, Eun Young made a move to once again decline. However, her husband was quick to proceed to the counter and place his order.
Eun Young watched him from a few steps behind. Her heart was beating so fast. Even though it was cold, she felt warm and cozy on the inside. This was a very unusual feeling yet it was one that truly made her happy.
She was joyfully floating on cloud nine until she suddenly noticed something. The barista behind the counter was definitely making moves on her husband. She knew those kind of flirty smiles. She knew those kinds of provocative eyes. She wasn't dumb to not realize that her husband was already being hit on.
Eun Young rolled her eyes as she saw the barista write her number on the cup. The woman was so flattered that her face was beginning to redden. Disappointed, Eun Young thought that Min Jae must've said something to trigger her emotions. Else she wouldn't react like that. How did it even slip her mind in the first place that her husband was a player?
"Eun Young!" Min Jae suddenly called out for her and gestured her to come over. Eun Young transparently had a bitter expression. Nevertheless, she approached him anyway.
"What?" She smugly replied. Eun Young shortly glanced at the barista who was now as pale as a sheet of paper. "You don't expect me to pay for the tip now, are you?" Eun Young sarcastically asked.
However, Min Jae's attention was on the disordered scarf that clung to her neck. "You ruined it." He said. His brows furrowed and in an instant, he placed his coffee on the counter and tugged Eun Young closer. Eun Young was surprised. Just as she thought that it was the worse he would do, Min Jae leaned closer to her as he carefully rearranged the cloth. He was so close that their forheads were almost touching! His cold fingers brushed against her skin and the contact instantly sent shivers down her spine.
"There." He whispered after he was finished. Min Jae slowly stepped back and just in time, his order finally arrived. The barista hid her face as she served the drink, neither looking at Min Jae or Eun Young. "Please call the manager for me." Min Jae said out of the blue. The barista's head shot up and she instantly offered her apologies for the misunderstanding. But then, Min Jae was adamant on his instruction. He calmly asked for the manager again.
When the manager arrived, he directly accommodated Min Jae. "How can I help you sir? Is there a problem?" The man asked.
Min Jae sighed before pointing at his newly ordered beverage. "Please, replace the container." He said and it was at that moment that the manager saw a string of numbers written on the cup. The manager quickly mumbled his apologies before replacing the container himself. "I'm terribly sorry sir. I will assure you that this will never happen again." The man said as he bowed in respect.
With the cup now replaced, Min Jae gave it to Eun Young. "I... I don't want coffee." Eun Young refused. Honestly, she was still a bit annoyed at him. At least he turned the woman down but maybe he was just doing that because she was there. What if she weren't anymore? Could he have done the same thing?
Min Jae gently responded. "It's not coffee. It's warm milk... to help you sleep later when you get back."