Chapter Text
It is a half-hour to three in the afternoon.
Jung Jaehyun checks his watch–a discontinued silver Patek Philippe gifted to him on his eighteenth birthday–for the fifth time since stepping into the elevator lobby. He fiddles with the hem of his suit jacket, thumbing at the finely woven wool and its rayon stitching.
The elevator arrives before he’s caught. He doesn’t slow down until he’s a block away, taking a sharp left and heading down the sidewalk with renewed spirit. He lets his shoulders drop and his arms fall free, taking in deep breaths of Spring’s fresh air. The warmth curls in his lungs, filling them to replace the putrid smell of stale coffee and lingering nicotine.
Thankfully, Libre’s isn’t too far away. The quaint café hidden in the daunting alleys of Seoul’s haughty city streets has always been Jaehyun’s refuge, and today is no exception. Seven Seeds coffee beans roasted to perfection and homemade brownies with gooey chocolate chunks, Libre’s is the perfect escape.
At the crosswalk, his phone buzzes twice in his pocket.
Ignoring it, he looks ahead instead to the massive park across the street. Sprawling forty-five hectares, Grand Park is the only sight for sore eyes in a city of grey and suits. From lush trees of green to the array of flora lining stone paths, Grand Park is second on Jaehyun’s list of overtly covert hiding spots. It’s often visited by others equally in need of a fifteen-minute getaway from hectic schedules, or by afternoon dog-walkers and their friendly canines.
If they lived in proximity to Grand Park, they sure had the time to be walking their dogs in the middle of a workday.
Jaehyun considers taking a detour when the crosswalk light turns green.
The decision is fruitful. Two German Shepherds in black and brown sidle up to him when a walker notices his valiant staring. She kindly offers to let Jaehyun pet her dogs, assuring him that they’re nothing but friendly. He thanks her softly, going on one knee to meet them at eye-level, not caring that he’s going to get reprimanded for the dirt stains on his pants.
She tells him their names are Danmuji and Kkakdugi, after her husband’s favorite side dishes. Jaehyun comments on their soft fur and admits to always wanting a pet dog himself but never having enough time to care for one. She goes on to agree, sharing that she spends most of her time these days grooming Danmuji and Kkakdugi, or going around her apartment with a Dyson because their fur catches on every nameable surface.
Jaehyun eventually thanks her for her time, bidding goodbye to Danmuji and Kakkdugi, both of whom seem more than satisfied with the attention Jaehyun’s given them. He continues on his way to Libre’s, steps a little lighter than before.
It’s at the second crosswalk that his phone buzzes again.
Jaehyun checks the time–the detour didn’t take too long, but every minute away only increases the chances of his absence going noticed. He reaches to push the crosswalk button twice, hoping he doesn’t get anyone into trouble for sneaking off.
But could they really blame him? An entire day of meetings he’s supposed to sit through–knowing he has yet to earn the place to offer any actual value in them–yet being referred to as some integral piece of this giant, complicated puzzle? That his mere presence amongst men thrice his age is enough to command silence, even when he doesn’t need it, even when he has nothing worth to say?
How will you know how to run the company if you don’t spend any time in it? His father had sighed, It’s for your own good.
Jaehyun pushes the button again. The crosswalk light turns green, and he takes longer strides in muted hopes it would make a difference.