My Ex-Boyfriends Fell in Love With Me

Chapter 2

TL: Jenn

“You think I didn’t recognize you?”

“……”

“Why are you underestimating me?”

Theo put the proposal on the table. Even though there were many things that were not conveyed, she understood the meaning behind his words.

Hana felt so embarrassed that she could only bite her lips.

“Be…because we’re only dating for a short time.”

Hana blurted out the words without thinking straight. Theo’s gaze turned sharp.

“You mean of the many people you can meet, why did it have to be me?”

“I didn’t think so. Maybe it’s you who think like that…”

“Yep, that’s right.”

“Huh, what?”

“If you didn’t put your university name in your profile, even when this meeting’s over I won’t recognize you.”

‘That means I’m right. But why did he speak like that?’

Hana managed to hold back her words that almost slipped out of her mouth. In this place, Theo is the team leader. So, Hana couldn’t do anything that might damage her reputation.

From the beginning, Theo Dan was not someone who Hana could fight against.

“Yes, that could happen. I understand.”

Hana tried to answer in a friendly manner but he stared at Hana and spoke with disdain.

“It looks like this meeting will fail.”

“Hm…fail?”

“Because I will be in the meeting with you and the atmosphere is not good, right?”

He implied that this meeting which haven’t even started will end badly. Hana couldn’t tolerant the man’s personal feeling and immediately defended herself.

“That’s nonsense. This has nothing to do with our past. This is a business between companies. I haven’t even shown my proposal yet. If you say I’m going to fail…”

“Those are the words that came out of your mouth.”

“What?”

“After seeing me, you immediately say that.”

‘He’s a petty guy! I can’t believe the words I spoke earlier made an impression on him.’

Hana held back her words from coming out and rolled her eyes as she stared at Theo. There’s a little bit of resentment in his eyes.

“About that…sorry.”

In the end, only words of apology were spoken.

She choose to give in and makes him satisfied because it is the reality that she can’t avoid.

“Then why did you appear in this place?”

Theo glanced at the woman who had provoked him.

“…so that I can survive and eat well.”

Hana answered the question very honestly.

One of Theo’s mouth corner is lifted up. Seeing the smirk on his face, she’s so sure that mean words are about to come out of his mouth.

“I…”

“Sorry, you guys waited for a long time, right?”

When Theo was about to talk, Chajun returned to the room, making Hana so happy that she felt like crying.

“Ah, good afternoon, sir!”

Hana greets Chajun cheerfully, very different from her attitude towards Theo. Chajun replied with an equally cheerful smile.

“Because you have welcomed me, I feel very happy.”

Because of Chajun’s smile, the black clous that enveloped Hana when she chatted with Theo dissapeared instantly.

Hana smiled softly, when the awkward and gloomy feeling she felt before changed to a happy one.

“……”

Although, of course, Theo Dan’s cold gaze managed to break her mood.

Chajun sat back on his chair. Hana took out a sample product from the wrapper. The woman took in a deep breath and said the first sentence she had been preparing for a long time.

“I will explain about the doorlock that Hanbom offered.”

Simultaneously, the two men’s eyes began to focus on her fingertips.

If your feelings are sensitive enought, you’ll notice that Chajun is like a soft fleece, whereas Theo Dan is like a hedghehog’s thorn.

That was what Hana felt right now.

“In my opinion, the handmade furniture that was newly designed by Woodrail and named “Lily” is very unique because it is brave enough to combine something antique, unlike the other furniture designs these days.

“Yes.”

“Our company, Hanbom doorlock tries to design a lever type door lock with a Lily, to make it look harmonious when combined with the furniture.”

“Is that so?”

Chajun still have his habit of answering all of Hana’s words. Everytime Chajun does this, Hana gets happier, so she doesn’t stop talking,

Those small memories of the past made Hana calmer.

“I will explain how to lock and unlock the door first…”

“I think the handle looks bad.”

Seeing Hana’s happy expression, Theo immediately destroys her happiness.

“What?”

“If you want to maintain it’s design, do you want to sacrifice the quality of the handle and the stability of the door lock?”

“No, the handle doesn’t look bad…”

“Should I bring this imperfect product to Woodrail? Let’s just end this meeting, I don’t want such a doorlock to be stuck in my work.”

‘Don’t interrupt my presentation. You’re a very wicked man, like the psychopath in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Hana tried to surpress her anger. But suddenly her anger subsided and was replaced with a cool breeze when she heard Chajun responding to Theo’s words.

“The designs made by the company is special. But the handle is a bit worrying.”

It turned out, the situation was getting worse for Hana. Chajun, who was observing the product sample apparently gave the same response as Theo’s. Hana’s face immediately turned cloudy.

“May I hold the sample?”

Chajun asked with a serious look while smiling.

“Of course!”

Hana’s hand shakes with nervousness while handing over the sample.

“Hmm….”

Chajun received the sample product carefully. He took a deep breath and then gave the assesment of the product with a serious tone.

“Seems like the grip is not as good as other products.”

That was obviously a negative response but strangely Hana didn’t feel offended. Maybe because the man had carefully asses the sample Hana brought before commenting.

In an instant, Hana could feel the man considering the kindest words he could give among the many word he wanted to convey.

Very different with Theo Dan who always spit out the words he wanted to say without thinking much.

“But I can see that this lock is made with great care, even to the smallest detail. Especially this lock. I was amazed to see the lock which is designed to move properly.”

“Is-Is that so?”

“If the curvature of the grip could be corrected so that it’ll feel more comfortable, it will be enough.”

As expected.

Chajun’s assesment is clever. He knew director Han prioritize his tools durability.

Hana smiled proudly when the assesment turn to a positive direction as expected.

“Sir Theo, do you want to check it?”

Chajun hand over the sample product to Theo who looked displeased.

Theo only saw Hana’s expression as Chajun spoke and looked away.

“…I saw it, my opinion is the same as director’s”

‘You’re a liar. You’re only looking at me.’

“If so, I want to discuss further in terms of business with you, Miss Bom. Please explain further about this.”

Hana got strength from Chajun’s encouragement. She straightened her back confidently and continued her presentation.

“Yes. I will present the plus point of the lock  that I have shown earlier to Director Sunwoo and Team Leader Dan.”

The voice that came out of Hana sounded more powerful that it was before.

Hana explained the content of the thick proposal without stopping. At the same time, she thought back to her memories with Chajun, when the man gives his time to accompany Hana just like this.

“Chajun, I really can’t ride a bicycle.”

“Just stay calm, don’t worry.”

“Don’t let go of my hand okay? I won’t move if you don’t push me.”

At that time Hana was afraid of trivial things.

“No, even without me, you can do it.”

After hearing Chajun’s words which were like a magic spell, all of Hana’s fear vanished.

“Hey! You let go of the bicycle right? What to do?”

“It’s okay. The bike is still moving though.”

“So now, I can ride a bicycle, right?”

In the end, like Chajun’s hand that let go of the bicycle that Hana rode…

“The presentation of Hanbom Doorlock ends here.”

Hana felt the same sensation as back then.

***

After work, in the Woodrail’s headquarter rooftop.

Theo is in a place where tired workers often rest.

The man leaned against the fence, while smoking a cigarette and recalling the face of the woman he met earlier.

“I’m looking forward to the positive response.”

After finishing the one hour meeting, the woman’s word was very formal.

After smiling at director Sunwoo Chajun, the woman turned her head to Theo.

“Nice to meet you.”

Seeing Hana’s expression, he knew that the woman did not mean her words. The woman stared at him with caution.

‘Liar. She was not happy to see me.’

Actually, he knew from a week ago that the person who will be meeting him is Hana Bom from Hanbom Doorlock. The man didn’t only realized it but since then, he was always counting the days when he will meet the woman.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“T…that?”

“What? Don’t disturb me.”

The woman passed Theo by chance, the Theo who always say whatever on his mind at that time.

“Your bag is open…”

“….”

“Can I close it?

The man reunites with Hana, who is like a butterfly.

Theo Dan had unrequited love for 4 years from the time he was 20 until 23 years old.

Finally, when his feeling are returned, he only needs two weeks to lose the woman who has a lot of fear. It seems like the woman is unable to keep up with Theo’s feeling which lasted for 4 years.

A one sided love that lasted for 4 years. His first love that he unable to forget for 5 years.

After 9 years passed, Hana appeared infront of him.

“I’m screwed.”

Hana’s reaction was so bad that Theo hoped that they’ll never pass each other again for a lifetime.

When he heard Hana’s words, to Theo that had hoped like a fool, finally he couldn’t stop his anger.

‘In front of me, how could you just say that… that’s very cruel of you.’

Because the first word that came out of Hana’s mouth was very painful. He unconsciously messed up, making their relationshio father away.

He knew that it was his fault for making Hana scared. There was absolutely no difference from his past behaviour.

Actually, Theo doesn’t know how to react to her. What if the woman throw hurtful words when she met him. He also didn’t know how to hide the frustration that had been buried in his heart for a long time.

‘Ah, I shouldn’t have shown such attitude when meeting her.’

For a moment the man looked regretful but soon he started to feel wronged.

‘Of course something hurtful will feel hurtful, so what should I do?’

“Ahh…”

Theo exhaled a long sigh along with the cigarette smoke he inhaled. As the smoke passed through his throat, his brows furrowed.

“Alright, according to her, it is really a chaotic day.”

Theo thought about Hana, who seemed happier to see Director Sunwoo that she had just met compared to him, that she already knew.

“Even so, I don’t want to be hostile with her.”

Those were the words that Theo wanted to say to Hana who looked scared when he was about to say it. But the director came in, so Theo cannot resolve the misunderstanding between him and Hana.

“Bad woman, is it that hard to greet me nicely?”

After speaking so, like a wave, he realized that he was indeed evil.

“I need to speak carefully.”

Even though all the words spoken by the woman annoyed him, she still looked beautiful.

Afterall, even though the woman is always stiff, her soft demeanour is still as soft as before.

“Team leader Dan, I like the doorlock from Hanbom doorlock, what do you think?”

After Hana left the room, Chajun asked for Theo’s opinion quietly.

Actually, I agree with Chajun’s opinion. But he was not so sure about his feelings. If the two company was cooperating, Theo will constantly face the woman. 

Theo turned off the cigarette and turned around lazily. The man had left a pile of work so he could join the meeting. He must return immediately.

He really work overtime but this time he was thankful because he was able to work all night without thinking about the woman.

***

<Hana’s room, which is filled with cute dolls, the house under Han Dong Seok name in Hwagok-dong, Seoul>

“Hana, please order a chicken.”

Said Director Han, who was admitted at the hospital due to his stomach pain.

Hana knew her father was adviced to do fasting for a day. She only shook her head at her father’s stubborn words.

“Dad, you have a colon infection today…”

“Ah, that was because I was so nervous. But after you meet them, I was healed instantly.”

“No way, just drink this berion drink for a while, okay?”

Director Han glanced at her daughter.

Then, Director Han asked carefully about something he was curious about.

“So, how’s the meeting?”

“Hmm…”

The answer that Hana gave was inconclusive. Director Han approached with a worried face.  He demanded answers from his daughter.

“Why? How’s the results?”  

“Hm …. How, huh?”  

“Failed?”  

“No, that’s not it …” 

“Ah, what then?”

 Director Han couldn’t wait for Hana’s answer.

However, because hana didn’t know the result yet, she returned to give an ambiguous answer. 

“If we are lucky, we will get the contract.”

 “What do you mean? Tell me more clearly.”  

“In attendance at the meeting were the directors and team leader. These two people’s responses were completely different.”  

After hearing Hana’s explanation, Director Han started to think. He also asked very nervously.

“A positive assessment from who?”  

“Director.”  

“Phew. Then, it’s safe.”

“R-really?”  

“Yes, definitely! Compared to the team leader, the director’s influence is stronger, right?”  

Director Han was very confident, but Hana could only shrug her shoulders.  

Even though the director’s influence is huge in the company, Hana can’t control her feelings when she comes face to face with team leader Theo Dan who is angry.  

Even when they were in college, the man was always angry.  

“What if you’re one year older me, want to fight on the field?”

“I told you five times already that I don’t want to drink alcohol right? Are you deaf?”

Professors, classmates, or seniors in class, will be opposed by him if he feels annoyed.

“Looks like now we can only wait. Surely they will soon inform us, either good news or bad news.”

Hana calms down director Han, who is very overconfident, to be honest, she is afraid of dissapointing her father. Moreover there is Theo who has an influence on Hana’s feelings.

Director Han who was already confident, shook his shoulder happily as he passed by Hana’s room.

“Lulu~Lala~ then tomorrow we’ll have a party.”

“What party?! The results are not out yet.”

“Tomorrow when I get to the office, I will notify the employees.”

“I told you, that we may not be able to cooperate with woodrail.”

She shouted behind the old man’s back.

At that time, the sound of her ringtone suddenly fills the room. Hana’s eyes turned towards her table.

“Ng, whose number is this?”

Hana carefully pressed the answer button when she saw a 9 digit number that she didn’t recognize.

“Hello?”

Then there was a brief pause,

“Hello, who is this?”

“I….”

The voice on the other end sounded a little nervous. Hana instinctively think about the man’s face.

Without saying anything, she’s waiting for the caller to speak first.

“Hello, miss Hana Bom.”

“Yes?”

“I happened to be in front of your house.”

‘No way, no way, no way!”

Hana walked to her window while still holding the phone. In front of her house, there stood a man in the yellow street light that is staring at her.

“Oh, I see you.”

Accompanied by the sweet sound from Hana’s phone, the man smiled beautifuly under the moonlight.

“Chajun?”

Hana called the man’s name with a trembling voice. Then Chajun deliberately imitate how Hana greeted him in the morning.

“Good night, miss Hana Bom.”

“Ah,ah…Yes.”

“Have you eaten dinner yet?”

Chajun throws that kind of sweet question by placing his hands on lips.

Hana didn’t want to repeat her mistake, she immediately answered without stopping.

“No, I haven’t. Let’s eat together!”