Sumbisori

Saturday.

Seoul.

Weather: Cloudy.

Temperatures slightly chilly compared to the seasonal average.

"The foliage in the garden has turned such a beautiful color, all in just a few days."

That was the first greeting from the housekeeper who arrived to take care of the house. Liu, who greeted her at the front door, glanced out through the gap in the open door.

"I guess it got cold quickly. Was it a difficult trip, coming so early?"

"It's not early for me at all. I had breakfast and even enjoyed a leisurely cup of tea before coming. Director Liu must be swamped preparing for the group exhibition. Is the official opening next Friday?"

"Yes, that's right. That's why there's a lot of laundry piled up, and the second-floor dressing room is a bit of a mess… I'm sorry."

"That's my job, so don't worry about it. Or should I have checked in more often? Have you been eating properly?"

"I've mostly been eating out."

"But you're off on another trip without even a moment to catch your breath? Going away every weekend like this — your body won't hold up."

She clicked her tongue worriedly, looking down at the Boston bag placed on the stool by the front door. Although it was an excuse he'd cooked up himself, Liu offered a sheepish smile at the word "trip" and changed the subject.

"You know I'm healthy."

"You can't be that overconfident. What about the herbal medicine I had made for you before? Are you taking it regularly?"

"Oh? I think I need to get going because of my flight time."

Glancing at his wristwatch by pulling up the cuff of his trench coat, Liu put on an exaggerated show of urgency.

"You're just trying to dodge the nagging, aren't you?"

Liu grinned at her gently rolling eyes and patted her arm.

"I'll be back soon. I put a fig cake in the pantry — the one you said you liked last time. Please share it with your family."

"You said you were busy. Why did you go to the trouble? I'm always grateful."

Putting on his loafers and picking up the Boston bag, Liu added one last careful request before stepping out.

"I'm always grateful to you. And the basement… you know, right?"

"Of course. I won't touch the basement or even go down there, so don't worry."

"Thank you. Take good care of things. Okay, I'm leaving. Don't come out!"

Despite his plea, she stepped out the front door. Affectionate nagging followed him as he headed for the main gate.

"Great looks, thriving business, so thoughtful of others… How is someone this perfect still single? You can't have standards that are too high!"

"I'm leaving now!"

Pretending not to hear, he raised his arm high and waved at her.

That he was single because his standards were too high.

Getting into the back seat of the waiting sedan, Liu let out a small, dry laugh to himself.

Ah, but maybe she had a point. Waiting for and hoping for Seo Yeehyeon — that certainly meant his standards were impossibly high. That made sense.

With a bitter smile, he looked out the window. The foliage around the Han River was now showing the full colors of autumn.

It had already been several months since he started flying back and forth to Paris, spending over twenty-five hours round-trip on the plane every weekend. That was since he had used his summer vacation to visit Bali.

He had met Morae and Yeehan at Double Six Beach in Bali.

Meeting them had never been the initial goal. He hadn't expected them to recognize him at all. It was practically a scouting trip — perhaps he had just wanted to soothe his longing indirectly by watching over the people who were precious to Yeehyeon.

But Morae recognized Liu immediately and approached him. Then, pointing to the painting of Liu that Yeehyeon had done, she said:

"How could I not recognize him? Yeehyeon really has a talent."

The man in the painting — wearing large rabbit ears and looking at the pocket watch dangling from his vest. It was unmistakably Liu, from every angle.

Alice in Wonderland.

The White Rabbit with the pocket watch, leading her to Wonderland.

That was how Yeehyeon had depicted Liu.

Standing before that painting, he could no longer control his longing. In the very place he went to ease his feelings, he had completely broken down emotionally.

Up until that moment, Liu had been at a loss after letting Yeehyeon go.

Should he fly to Paris and cling to him selfishly? If he cried and begged, saying it felt like he would die or go mad, would Yeehyeon take him back, even out of pity? He had thought thoughts like that countless times a day. In fact, he had booked tickets to Paris several times.

But that wasn't the kind of reception he wanted from Yeehyeon.

Simple pity wasn't enough. He wanted Yeehyeon's entire heart.

After repeatedly booking and canceling plane tickets, Liu changed his mind following the Bali trip.

For now, he decided to focus only on surviving. He had to live and endure if he wanted to wait for him. To do that, he accepted the conclusion that he could only breathe by looking at Yeehyeon, even from afar.

He booked a ticket to Paris, and this time, he didn't cancel it.

That suspicious business trip began then.