Chapter 185: Warning

Not knowing what to make of this odd situation, Su-Jin eventually turned to her friend for help.

Noticing Su-Jin's questioning gaze, Yeon-Ah shook her head slowly.

"He's been like this since he came to work in the morning. Deputy Director Kim told him to go home a couple of times, but he refused."

"Did something happen..." Su-Jin hesitated for an instant, not knowing how to ask. "Could something have happened to his mother? I remember she was still in the hospital last week."

Yeon-Ah gave Jung Seok a hesitant glance from the corner of her eye, then shook her head.

Before Su-Jin could understand the meaning behind that answer, Yeon-Ah got up from her seat. She then gestured with her chin towards the kitchen.

"Let's go grab a cup of coffee. I already had one in the morning but, considering what is going on, I feel the need for a refill."

With that she turned on her heels and walked towards the door that led to the back office area.

Su-Jin followed her friend inside the kitchen and closed the door behind her. 

After making sure they were the only ones there, Yeon-Ah finally continued what she was saying before.

"About Jung Seok, I already asked about his mother. It appears that she had an intervention during the weekend and she's still in the ICU. But the doctors appeared to be hopeful, so there's still hope for recovery. At least that's what Jung Seok had told me this morning."

"I see." Su-Jin slumped on a chair, letting out a long sigh. "That must have been awful. Since his only remaining family is his mother, I am sure he must be worried sick right now."

Yeon-Ah nodded in understanding.

"Indeed. I can't even begin to understand what it must feel like." She said quietly.

The woman had said all that without any special meaning behind her words. She also didn't elaborate, merely bustling around the kitchen, making the coffee.

Yet, in spite of all that, Su-Jin knew very well that things were not so simple. She knew that her friend was very familiar with what Jung Seok was going through at the moment. After all, Yeon-Ah's mother had died in a hospital many years ago. So, who better to understand Jung Seok's pain and anxiety than her?

"You know what?" Su-Jin jumped to her feet and crossed the kitchen in a few strides. "I think I saw a nice collection of teabags in one of the cupboards. Let's make one for Jung Seok as well. Having a hot cup of tea will be good for him. It might not be much but, right now, this is all we can do to help."

"Mn, it's a good idea. Let's do that." Yeon-Ah smiled.

~~~

While the two friends were thus worrying over him, Jung Seok was sitting at his desk with his head still lowered. No one could see his expression but, based on the gloomy aura swirling around him, anyone could guess he looked distressed.

All of a sudden, he jumped to his feet. 

Along with his viguros movement, a loud clatter reverberated in the open space, causing several heads to turn in his direction. Ignoring the curious looks people were giving him, Jung Seok ran out of the office. He went along the corridor, walking with hurried steps and not stopping until he reached the men's room.

Pushing the door open, Jung Seok hurried inside quickly, looking like a person who was chased by someone. Once inside the restroom, he all but crumpled on the floor. 

A strangled sob escaped his throat and he half walked, half dragged himself towards the row of sinks. Ultimately, he stopped in front of one, facing the mirror.

The face that greeted him was ashen, with dark circles under his eyes and a sunken appearance. The eyes behind the black rimmed glasses were blank and without spark. There was almost no life inside the pupils, as though Jung Seok's soul had somehow vanished, leaving him behind as a mere puppet.

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Just then, a sound came from one of the cubicles behind him. 

Jung Seok whirled around only to be met with a handsome and extremely familiar face.

That person's eyes seemed to shine, their beautiful brown appearing even more outstanding under the bright lights of the restroom. And that pair of eyes was fixed on Jung Seok intently, not missing any of the man's movement, like two dazzling spotlights.

"Hi!" Ji-Su's pleasant voice echoed inside the restroom.

The greeting had been said quite joyfully and without any ill-intent. 

Even so, Jung Seok remained silent. He looked at the other person with a blank expression, acting as though he forgot how to speak.

"Aren't you going to say hi?" Ji-Su continued to address the other man casually.

In the meantime, he had approached the sink, slowly moving past Jung Seok. 

Even after that person walked past him, almost bumping shoulders with him, the latter merely stayed there, unmoving like a statue. He watched transfixed as the other man slowly turned the tap on and washed his hands.

Through the sound of running water, Jung Seok suddenly heard Ji-Su's deep voice.

"Are you really a masochist? Or else why would you do this to yourself?"

"What do you mean by that?" Jung Seok immediately snapped back.

"I just can't understand why you came to work today, when it's clear that you're not feeling well. Not to mention your appearance. That blank look on your face only goes to show that your mind is elsewhere at the moment."

"I… That is…" Jung Seok stuttered. "It's because I didn't sleep well last night." 

He thought that he finally came up with a plausible reason for his unsightly appearance. Little did Jung Seok know that his words would merely fuel the other person's amusement. 

Sure enough, as soon as he heard that anwer, Ji-Su began laughing. 

"Is that so? Then perhaps you shouldn't allow other people to control you. That way you might be able to sleep better at night. Don't you think so?" he asked between chuckles.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Jung Seok said through gritted teeth. He frowned and his fingers instinctively curled into fists.

"No need to act so defensive around me. I'm not your enemy." Ji-Su snickered. 

He raised his eyes and fixed Jung Seok through the reflection in the mirror.

"Since we are somewhat acquaintances, I wanted to give you a warning." Ji-Su's voice suddenly turned serious. "Be careful who you follow, Jung Seok. The person you chose this time will simply use you until you break. And when there is nothing left, you will end up discarded like a piece of dirty cloth. I've seen it happening more times than I can count. So, take my advice and walk away while you still can."

With that, Ji-Su finished washing his hands and turned to leave. 

Right before the door closed behind him, Ji-Su left another sentence, followed by a mirthless laugh.

"No matter how selfless you may think you are, Jung Seok, selling yourself will always make you a loser."

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