It makes me a little sad

"Sin, I'm really sorry"

I kept silent on our drive back home. 

As soon as Dr. Jeong brought us out of the premises and we were left by ourselves to leave, I stopped talking to her, or even acknowledging what she was saying. A potential disaster has turned into an interesting development, but it was way too reckless and I wanted her to reflect on that herself without me explicitly drilling that into her. The best way to do it was to keep silent about what I wasn't happy with so she would consider what she should be apologizing for. 

"Are you mad because I forced you to come up with ways to cooperate?"

Silence, Sin. Keep silent.

"I'm sorry about that. You were the only one there I could count on at the time"

Then maybe you should not have put yourself in the situation where you need to be rescued.

"Is it because I skipped the slides that you made?"

Come on, I'm not that petty. Although it irritated me a little.

"Is it because I sneaked in a slide without telling you about it?"

Now you are getting close. 

"You think I should have discussed it with you first, right? I'm really sorry about that, Sin"

Ok. She's thought things through a bit now. Maybe I'll just let it sit for a while and move on.

"I have an idea. Why don't we go and wind down with some beer and a few shots of tequila? It will be my treat"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT, MISS!"

Gees, I didn't mean to speak yet but she forced me into it.

This brat…

"Hehe. Now you are in a better mood"

"Just what about that told you I was in a 'better mood'?!"

Now Hina stopped talking and just looked outside the window whistling.

She knows what she's doing. 

Just calm down… she's a kid. She's my boss, but she is a kid. 

"Miss…"

She wasn't responding but she stopped whistling and turned to look at me. Her eyes told me that this time she was going to seriously consider what I would be telling her now.

"We could say many things about what you did. It was reckless, naive, risky - all that. But I can accept all of that, except one thing"

"And what would that be?"

"It was unprofessional"

That made her go quiet for a full five minutes. 

"Sin"

"Yes"

"You are right. I was being unprofessional"

"I'm glad you can see that now"

"But I also learned something very valuable today"

"Such as?"

"You are a top professional, Sin"

"It does not flatter me. Not after a day like today"

"But you really are"

I wasn't gonna answer to that anymore. She learned her lesson. Anything else coming out of my or her mouth is something unnecessary at this point. 

"It makes me a little sad"

Huh?

That makes her sad…?

"Never mind Sin. Please let me just sulk a little"

We then drove all the way back to the Chan Mansion without saying a single word to each other. 

When we got back, Ema came out to greet us and took Hina's jacket as we entered the house.

"So how was today, Miss?"

"Ema. Any gossip about me and Sin has surely died out by now, right?"

"Yes, Miss. I don't think you need to worry about that anymore"

"Then let's let Sin go home"

I was of course happy to go home. I always am. 

But this time it stung my heart a little when she said this. 

"Did Sin do anything wrong today, Miss…?", Ema asked, half suspicious and half concerned.

"No, I just think she needs her own time and space when she's not at work. And I probably need that too"

"Right, Miss. I will help Sin move out tonight then"

"Thank you"

With that, Hina headed toward her room and I followed her. 

"Miss-"

"It's okay, Sin. You do not need to follow me. This is not your work hours"

"Why all of sudden…?"

"Please, just go… I will see you in the office tomorrow"

My heart sank a little when I heard her say these words, but Hina continued to head towards her bedroom leaving me behind in the hallway.

After she went into her room she closed the door without looking back, and I was just left wondering what happened, standing under the sympathetic eyes of a man's portrait from a few centuries ago hanging on the wall. 

I just didn't know what to think anymore.

Maybe she held some resentment because I was angry with her?

Did I push things a little too far?

Maybe she wanted to be praised for what she did, rather than getting scolded?

Well. 

Forget it. 

She wanted me to go home, so that's what I will do.

When I went downstairs again Ema was waiting with my bags already packed. 

"I will help you to put them in the car"

"No need for that, Ema. They aren't too heavy"

"Is Miss really okay?"

"I don't know"

As Ema did not inquire any further, I just picked up my bags and loaded them into the back of our usual work car which I always drove Hina around with. I guess I come back tomorrow morning to pick her up then. Just business as usual. 

On the first night being finally back home though, I did not sleep well. 

Was it because the bed in the Chan Mansion was more luxurious and comfortable?

Was it because there were more urban noises around my flat than there were at Hina's place?

I tossed and turned but could not find the right position that made me feel comfortable for more than ten seconds. 

The next day I was feeling tired and groggy, but made sure that I wasn't late to pick Hina up at the right time. Well, that was one compliment she gave me I guess, that I was professional. I wasn't gonna let that side of me slip away.

When I arrived at the Chan Mansion though, Ema came out to the driveway looking puzzled.

"Sin?"

"Yes, it seems Miss is a little late?"

"No, she's gone to the office already. Why are you here?"

"Erm, what?"

"She had the family driver to drive her to work. I thought you'd know. :Sigh: Miss can be forgetful like that. She probably forgot to tell you"

Something didn't feel right. Especially considering how we parted the day before. It almost felt like she held some kind of grudge against me. 

I guess I'll get to work and find out.