The Textbook of a Lover - Chapter 23

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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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23.
“So you’re really dating Yun, the executive from Hyun Shin Department Store?”
Ah, I didn’t want to lie to Hye-jeong either, but I couldn’t exactly tell her the truth.
Do-a had no choice but to answer with her head bowed low.
“…Yes, it’s real.”
A complicated worry clouded Hye-jeong’s eyes.
“You’re an adult, so you’ll handle it well enough, but don’t forget—no matter what you do in love, you always come first.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”
The moment Hye-jeong left, Do-a’s phone buzzed softly in her jacket pocket. As soon as she checked the screen, her brow furrowed.
[Cha Gyeong, Executive]
This man couldn’t seem to take a hint.
Do-a let out a deep sigh and swiped the notification away.
* * *
‘Is it really okay to move this fast?’
Do-a clenched her hands together on her lap. She felt perspiration seeping into her palms.
‘We’re not… we’re not at that stage yet.’
Contrary to the anxiety coiled tight in Do-a’s chest, the car carrying her rushed forward without hesitation toward its destination.
“Don’t be nervous.”
As Do-a’s trembling hands shook on her lap, the man in the passenger seat spoke flatly.
“But I c-can’t help it.”
Her voice quivered as she answered, and Cha Gyeong let out an exasperated laugh.
“What, am I going to eat you?”
Actually, that’s exactly what you might do, she thought.
Do-a rolled the words she couldn’t say around in her mouth. Cha Gyeong glanced at her nervous expression, then sighed softly.
“If you tremble like that, people will think I dragged you here against your will.”
“That’s not… not what I…”
“I know. I’m just saying relax.”
As if mocking her wish that they’d never arrive, the car pulled up to their destination.
“Let’s go.”
“Executive, is this really okay for us?”
Cha Gyeong’s brow tightened slightly.
“My name.”
“How can I suddenly call you by your name…”
“Then you plan to keep calling me ‘executive’ inside too? I’m sure I told you to practice.”
Do-a struggled to part her lips while hiding her flushed face. Her throat felt parched.
“C-Cha Gyeong.”
“Good. Call me that from now on. If I hear ‘executive’ even once more—”
Cha Gyeong paused as if considering, then a slight smile tugged at his lips.
“I might impose a penalty.”
“A penalty?”
Do-a’s eyes widened.
“What would be good?”
Cha Gyeong tilted his chin up thoughtfully.
“Making eye contact with me for thirty seconds? Or should I have you speak informally instead?”
“What?! No, absolutely not.”
Calling him Cha Gyeong felt awkward enough—informal speech was out of the question. Do-a shook her head firmly.
“Then you’d better do it right to avoid the penalty.”
Cha Gyeong opened the car door with an infuriatingly relaxed smile.
The moment she saw that smile, Do-a felt a surge of indignation and snapped as she stepped out.
“Executive—no, Cha Gyeong—isn’t it unfair that only you get to give me penalties? This is supposed to be a mutual contract.”
Then she gasped and covered her mouth, startled by her own boldness.
Wait, this wasn’t a fair contract from the start. Obviously he had all the power. Why did you say that, Do-a?
Do-a anxiously awaited his response, but Cha Gyeong, after a moment’s consideration, nodded.
“Fine. Then you decide my penalty.”
“Really?”
“Didn’t you just raise your voice? Think carefully about what penalty fits what situation, and tell me.”
“I really get to decide?”
“I won’t repeat myself.”
Surprised by his unexpectedly cooperative attitude, Do-a stared at him blankly.
‘He has his fair side too, in his own way.’
As they began walking with that thought in mind, Do-a’s mind swam with possibilities for penalties.
Which would be best? Something too light seemed wrong, and something too heavy seemed worse.
Lost in thought as they walked, the two of them came to a sudden stop.
[⁛ ⁛ ⁛ Palace of Dreams ⁛ ⁛ ⁛]
Before them sprawled a landscape of pointed roofs stretching toward the sky and ribbon-like flags fluttering in the breeze.
* * *
Cha Gyeong stood in the shadow of a massive marble column, a few paces back from the dazzling plaza bathed in brilliant light.
With his arms crossed, leaning against the wall at an angle, he cut a cool, aloof figure distinct from the festive bustle around him.
Yet in his downcast gaze dwelt the image of a single woman completely absorbed in the celebration.
“And yet she didn’t want to come.”
Cha Gyeong had suggested this place to realize one of the items on Do-a’s bucket list—a theme park date.
Of course, it wasn’t purely for her sake.
There was also a calculated hope that if the place was somewhere she wanted to be, she might let down her guard a little.
“A theme park with you, Cha Gyeong? It’s too much. This is burdensome. Please, can’t we put it off?”
But Do-a had refused to come to the theme park, citing her discomfort and anxiety, until Cha Gyeong finally convinced her and brought her here.
While Do-a had started out as skittish as a calf led to slaughter, she was now utterly captivated by the spectacle before her.
“Wow, this headband is so cute.”
“Look at the cotton candy. It looks so fluffy.”
Do-a marveled at each shop they passed, yet made no move to buy anything.
Though she steadfastly refused, Cha Gyeong placed the cute headband and fluffy cotton candy she’d admired in passing into her hands.
“Oh, this must be so expensive…”
“Just take it.”
“But…”
“I dragged someone here who didn’t want to come. It’s the least I can do.”
Unable to refuse further, Do-a accepted the headband and cotton candy.
Now it was she who was enjoying the theme park, while he found himself unconsciously furrowing his brow at the loud, chaotic noise.
“It’s so, so incredibly beautiful…”
Do-a’s voice drifted across to him from a distance.
Above towering pillars that seemed to pierce the sky, fairies in dresses the color of the deep sea danced.
To Cha Gyeong, they were nothing but LED bulbs and plastic, yet Do-a gazed at the spectacle as if entranced.
As the parade ended, Do-a came rushing back to him.
“It was absolutely wonderful and beautiful! Cha Gyeong, did you see those fairies dancing?”
Her cheeks flushed a deep rose as she approached, her excitement undiminished.
Unaware that cotton candy powder clung to her lips, her bright smile kindled something unfamiliar in Cha Gyeong.
Yes, it was enough that one person enjoyed it.
But it was strange, somehow.
Could a grown adult find a parade so entertaining and moving?
Then words spilled from Do-a’s lips unbidden.
“I came to a theme park for the first time on a high school field trip, but it rained so heavily that day the parade got cancelled. I was so disappointed.”
“Seeing how much you enjoy it, I wish you’d come sooner.”
“Yes, really. I should have gone earlier. Why did I live without trying the things I wanted to try… I feel pathetic now.”
“You can do everything you want from now on.”
As Cha Gyeong offered his words of comfort, a voice he’d overheard by chance days ago drifted through his mind.
“That fool Do-a still thinks I’m her savior. It’s ridiculous. I pushed her and then pretended to save her, and she’s been grateful for seven years. Now she’s fed up? Hilarious.”
Gyeong-jun had been laughing about it as though it were some great achievement.
Cha Gyeong had not told Do-a this. And he had no intention of doing so.
She was a woman who had sacrificed seven years of her life sustained by the belief that he was her benefactor.
If she learned that even that belief was a lie, how hollow and futile would all those years seem?
It was better to keep silent.
“So what would you like to do next? Since we’re here, let’s do everything you want.”

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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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