CH 163

The next morning, Muyeol showered and then grabbed his suit to wear like armor. He wore his underwear, shirt, and pants, and then buckled his belt. He put on the necktie which Yiyoung had gifted to him—it was a sign of good luck—and then tied a watch around his wrist.

Eyes that were calm yet filled with fear stared at Muyeol through the mirror as he put on his clothes.

Finally, it was the day. Muyeol took a deep breath.

After scanning his neat outfit, he prepared to leave the house. He wore his shoes. And before he closed the door after him, Muyeol looked at the empty house, taking in the mysterious vibe it was giving off. His eyes wandered over the different places inside, and without realizing, he said out loud, “I’ll be back.”

Then the door closed shut, Muyeol excitedly made his way to work.

Today was the day the next CEO would be nominated, so there was no seat vacant in the conference room. Though everyone already knew who the CEO would be, a public announcement would cement the position. Today was also the day Cha Muyeol would be freed from Mr. Cha’s clutches. People were already talking about how Muyeol would be the new CEO of the stockholding company after having successfully increased the company’s share price.

Mr. Cha sat down with a smile on his face, pretending that he was a good person. People congratulated him, and he acted as if he’d been personally waiting for this day. Next to him sat Madam Choi, who kept wiping her tears with a handkerchief as she looked at Muyeol.

Before entering the conference room, Muyeol had told Madam Choi, “Grandmother, please don’t worry. I’m different from Mr. Cha.”

Madam Choi had been nervous because she saw that Yiyoung was not next to him.

“Mr. Cha is a monster, but I’m Cha Muyeol. I’m Yoon Yiyoung’s husband, and at the same time, I’m your grandson, Cha Muyeol,” he had added.

And that was enough. Madam Choi realized how different Muyeol was now, and she was able to celebrate his big day without any concern.

The meeting began, and after all the ceremonies ended—and the long wait—the result was announced: Cha Muyeol was officially the new CEO of the stockholding company.

Muyeol received cheers from the audience as he went up to the podium, standing in front of the microphone to deliver a short speech that he’d prepared. But, he didn’t say anything. He stared into the distance, as if lost deep in thoughts.

Mr. Hong signaled Muyeol, telling him that he was recording, but Muyeol didn’t see him waving.

The pictures Yiyoung had sent him floated in his mind. The blue sky, the calm river, the sun hanging off a bridge, the wind blowing Yiyoung’s hair, the pond reflecting the lights on the top of the Alps… and Yoon Yiyoung, his wife, who was waiting for him in Hallstatt.

“I apologize,” Muyeol finally started delivering his speech,”I just realized that I’m a man full of weaknesses.”

He was determined not to make Yiyoung wait anymore.

“I will fulfill my duty as an employee of the S group, but right now, there is something more important to me than the position I just earned. I’m confident that I’ll be the best in the S group once I fix the weaknesses in me.”

“Of course, they will be. I’m definitely going to be a better doctor,” Yiyoung had said before.

Muyeol was confident he could change like Yiyoung. That was probably what Yiyoung wanted, too. He believed he could change into a better person.

“I believe it’s premature for me to be the CEO now. So I…” Muyeol couldn’t make Yiyoung any longer. He had to leave now.

Muyeol quickly climbed down the platform and addressed Mr. Hong, “I’m going to Germany.”

“Yes, sir.”

In that moment, what he really wanted was to be with Yiyoung. He wanted to kiss her entire body, make love with her, and enjoy a beautiful life with her.

Muyeol decided to run to her, filling all the vacant spaces in her pictures.