Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 92

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Epilogue 1.
The airport was always crowded, no matter when you visited. A place where departures and arrivals crossed, where anticipation mingled with relief.
Tap-tap. The sound of a cane striking the floor pulled Hee-ju from her thoughts.
She turned to look at Benjamin, who was walking beside her.
“I wanted to thank you once more. You’ve helped me so many times.”
Even amid the noise of the crowds, her voice reached the old man clearly.
Benjamin glanced at Liam, who was following a step behind, before speaking.
“I hear the USB Kim left behind sank to the bottom of the Han River.”
“That seemed for the best. Keeping it would only have caused trouble. Sometimes it’s better when certain things don’t exist at all.”
“Those two don’t seem to think so?”
Hee-ju shrugged, realizing who Benjamin meant. Hunter and Anthony’s faces flickered briefly behind Liam.
It wasn’t anything special. Whether they were walking, drinking coffee, or shopping, she could spot their faces.
“They’ll get tired of it in a few days.”
“Or perhaps, like me, they suspect the USB you threw into the river was a fake.”
“That can’t be.”
Hee-ju smiled with an innocent face. Benjamin studied her with sharp eyes. Then, as if remembering something, he asked.
“Was the USB you were going to give me also a fake?”
“That can’t be.”
Hee-ju repeated the same words.
“Hmm.” Benjamin let out a small sound and stopped in front of the departure gate.
“As long as it doesn’t fall into anyone else’s hands, I don’t mind.”
His secretary handed documents to an airport employee as Hee-ju watched, then she turned her attention back to the old man.
“You could stay a bit longer if you’d like. I’m no guide, but I’d love to show you around Seoul.”
“Shouldn’t you spend Christmas with family?”
At those words, Hee-ju glanced at Liam.
“Well, then shouldn’t Liam go with me too?”
“Ha ha. If I put that fellow on a plane, what complaints will I hear? He won’t even come to my funeral.”
Unable to deny it, Hee-ju offered an embarrassed smile.
“Safe travels. I hope you stay well.”
“Let’s meet again. That is, if you haven’t broken up with that fellow by then.”
“I think we’ll be stuck together even if we wanted to separate for a while.”
“Thoroughly caught, then.”
Benjamin burst into laughter. Hee-ju sighed as if in agreement with his words.
“Indeed.”
Truly, thoroughly caught—by some madman. And yet, there was no urge to escape. It seemed her nose was tied good and tight.
Hee-ju handed Benjamin a small paper bag. His white eyebrows twitched.
“What’s this?”
“Nothing special. It’s a traditional Korean snack. My parents like it too. If you’re bored during the long flight, please enjoy it.”
Benjamin’s stern eyes softened.
“A thank-you for sending a private jet twice?”
Hee-ju, muttering “a private jet twice,” shook her head with a pale face.
“Really, it’s nothing. It’s not even worth a single centimeter of a private jet.”
“Ha ha ha.”
A hearty laugh burst from Benjamin’s lips. He accepted the gift readily.
“Much obliged. Next time, I’ll invite you to my home. Feel free to bring that fellow along.”
“Yes, I will.”
Hee-ju nodded. Liam, standing beside her, watched Benjamin with the look of someone wondering when he would finally leave.
The secretary, who had been talking with the staff, cast a glance in their direction.
“I should go.”
“Take care.”
Benjamin nodded and walked slowly, and both he and the secretary disappeared beyond the departure gate with the airport staff.
Hee-ju exhaled the breath she’d been holding and turned to Liam.
“Let’s go.”
Instead of answering, Liam withdrew his hand from his pocket and extended it to Hee-ju.
Hee-ju narrowed her eyes as she looked down at that hand. Once she took it, she had a feeling there would be no more running away.
Liam raised his eyebrow slightly. As if asking, what are you doing?
Hee-ju grasped that hand firmly. She’d never really expected she could escape in the first place.
A madman who crossed the Atlantic and Indian oceans just because she told him to shut up—how could she?
Liam squeezed the clasped hand and took a step forward. They cut through the crowd and retraced their path.
Hee-ju asked in a casual tone.
“Don’t you need to spend Christmas with your family?”
“After sending me off to England, who would you spend Christmas with?”
“Huh?”
Hee-ju tilted her head, unsure if he was joking or serious. The curve of his eyes made it seem like a joke.
“Are you serious?”
Liam asked back in a cool voice.
It wasn’t a joke. Only then did Hee-ju quickly shake her head.
“It can’t be.”
“Right. You said you wanted to spend Christmas with me.”
Liam’s voice, half-muttered as if to himself, had softened. Hee-ju looked down at their joined hands with a meaningful gaze. More precisely, at Liam’s hand gripping hers tightly.
I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing.
Hee-ju deliberately shook her head and quickened her pace. The moment they left the airport, cold air cut through her collar.
Because of it, the warmth of their clasped hands felt all the more vivid. Liam tucked her hand into his jumper pocket.
Hee-ju’s eyes softened.
Well, it’s fine. It’s not like I’m going to die.
***
Winter brought short days. If it were summer, the world would still be bright at this hour, but darkness had settled over everything long ago.
The two of them walked side by side toward Hee-ju’s Officetel. They were part of the ordinary scenery among the passing crowds.
Each time, Hee-ju was seized by a strange feeling.
Were those days of gunfire and climbing down rock faces with her life on the line not a dream?
The man walking beside her didn’t fit with this peaceful everyday life. Could she walk the remaining days with him safely?
Hee-ju, thinking this far, scratched her cheek with an embarrassed expression.
She didn’t ask for much. Just the fortune of winning the lottery once and living without worry.
It wasn’t such a grand desire. Every working person dreams of that.
But the lottery she was supposed to win never came, and instead, this madman showed up.
There’s nothing to be done about it. If anything, the lucky part was that he was the gentlest of all the madmen.
Hee-ju stopped in front of the Officetel and turned to Liam.
“Want to come up for some ramen?”
“We just ate dinner. Are you hungry?”
At that, Hee-ju cast a glance at him with a sullen expression. A petulant tone escaped her lips.
“Who actually wants to eat ramen?”
“Then?”
“Do I really have to say it myself? That you should come up?”
Liam’s eyes narrowed as if he finally caught on.
“Ah. You’re flirting?”
“Suit yourself. I’ll just eat alone.”
“I really do want some ramen.”
Hee-ju turned sharply and said, “Follow me.” The moment Liam readily moved to follow.
“Hee-ju!”
Someone called her from behind. But the first to turn around wasn’t Hee-ju—it was Liam.
He watched the approaching man with cool eyes.
The thin man with silver-rimmed glasses had a fastidious expression. Behind him stood another man, slightly shorter than Liam but with a bulkier frame.
Two men who seemed utterly mismatched were staring at him with identical eyes full of displeasure.
Liam shoved his hand into his pants pocket and tilted his head to one side. Where did these mutts crawl out from?
The fastidious man kept his gaze on Liam as he opened his mouth.
“Who is this punk?”
The question was probably aimed at Hee-ju, not him. Although he didn’t turn around, he sensed her flustered reaction.
A soft laugh escaped between Liam’s teeth. He asked mockingly.
“And who are you?”
“Who are you?”
The fastidious man let out a derisive snort. The smaller one standing behind him suddenly butted in.
“What do you mean, ‘who are you’?”
“What’s this guy’s problem?”
Liam muttered quietly. The smaller one, picking up on his words, widened his eyes. Then he suddenly shouted at Hee-ju.
“Who the hell is this guy, Hee-ju!”
Hee-ju?
Only then did Liam slowly turn his head. Hee-ju, looking flustered, had wrapped her hands around her head.
After letting out a deep sigh, she lifted her head and moved her lips toward the fastidious man.
“Without even calling… What’s going on… You and Hyun-woo too?”
The fastidious man asked back in a fastidious voice.
“Who is this guy? What time is it, and you’re bringing him home?”
Hee-ju pouted her lips and protested.
“It’s only seven…”
“Hee-ju.”
The fastidious man’s voice dropped. Hee-ju obediently closed her mouth.
Liam understood who these two were. And at that same moment, he understood whose personality she had—the one who was so particular about reminding Noel to keep the door open.
Liam let out a soundless laugh. His sharp eyes landed on the man, then moved away.
Liam extended his right hand to the fastidious man.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Liam Cloph.”
Instead of shaking it, the man stared at that hand with a frown. He turned his gaze back to Hee-ju.
“I asked who you are.”
“It’s a long story…”
Hee-ju trailed off, her words carrying a silent plea to save this for later.
But her brother showed no sign of backing down. The man smiled softly.
“It’s fine. We have plenty of time, fortunately.”
“Yeah, I’ve got time too, Hee-ju.”
The younger brother bobbed his head in agreement. Liam tucked his extended hand back into his pants pocket and smiled softly.
“As you can see, I have time too.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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