chapter 48
laurel pov
It was a bright sunny morning.
I stood quietly by the glass window in my room, staring down at the city as it moved endlessly below me. Cars passed one another. People walked quickly across the streets. Somewhere out there, life was continuing normally.
"Hm."
A sigh escaped my lips.
"So many things to do."
A knock suddenly came from the door before it opened almost immediately.
Seo Hee walked in carrying a tray with coffee and toasted bread.
"Good morning," she said brightly.
I turned slightly and looked at her.
"You didn't even wait for me to say come in."
"Why should I wait?" she replied casually.
"What if I was"
"Dressing?" she cut in immediately before smiling. "I've already seen everything, and trust me, it all looks gorgeous."
I stared at her blankly.
"Your future boyfriend is going to enjoy a lot."
"My future boyfriend, my foot," I muttered. "And isn't that mine? Why are you eating it?"
She immediately lifted both hands dramatically.
"I've been taking care of you since yesterday. Who's going to take care of me?"
Then she took another bite.
"No one. So I have to do it myself."
I sighed softly before finally walking toward the table.
I sat down and ate a little while Seo Hee opened the drawer beside me and brought out my drugs.
She handed them over quietly.
I took them without complaining.
"How are you feeling now?" she asked.
"Like a brand-new person."
She nodded slowly.
"What?" I asked after noticing her staring. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing," she said softly. "I'm just glad to have you."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Do you want me to say thank you because you're helping me out?"
She smiled lightly and shook her head.
"No. I said it because that's how I genuinely feel."
Her eyes stayed on me calmly.
"I can tell you everything about me. In fact, you already know almost everything, and somehow I still don't worry about a thing."
I looked at her quietly.
"You're glad to have someone like me?"
"Hm." She nodded. "I told you already. The first day I saw you, I just knew."
"Don't you regret it?" I asked. "I'm not exactly the kind of friend people pray for."
"Friend?" she repeated before shaking her head slowly. "You stopped being just my friend a long time ago."
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"Then what am I?"
She smiled softly.
"My soulmate."
I blinked once.
"My other half. My sister."
A small smile escaped my lips despite myself.
"Don't you think Kang Dae would get jealous hearing that?"
"That's different," she replied immediately. "He's my boyfriend."
Then she pointed at me.
"But you? You're my soulmate."
"Why?" I asked while placing the coffee cup down.
"Because no matter how inconvenient it is, you always answer when I need you."
I scoffed quietly.
"That's because you disturb too much, and I don't have time to waste."
Then I added,
"Besides, I'm not even that good to you."
"I know," she replied easily.
"And you still don't care?"
She nodded without hesitation.
"Not even a little."
I smirked faintly.
"Even if I know the answer to the secret you've been looking for?"
Her smile disappeared for a second.
"I know you know something," she admitted quietly. "Honestly, I think everybody knows you do."
Then she looked directly at me.
"But if I'm meant to know, one day I'll find out. Even if it's not from you."
A small smile appeared on her face again.
"And that still won't change how I feel about you."
I looked away briefly.
"You're still my soulmate."
I clicked my tongue softly before shaking my head.
She stood up and began packing the plates together before stopping near the door.
"Hurry up and go back to the Laurel I know," she said lightly. "Sickness doesn't suit your personality."
I couldn't help smiling slightly after she left.
"She knows too much," I muttered to myself.
I picked up my phone immediately and dialed Eun Woo's number.
He answered almost instantly.
"Where are you?" I asked.
"At the company, ma."
"Come over."
Then a faint smile appeared on my lips.
"We have a game to play."
"Yes, ma."
I ended the call immediately.
My fingers moved again before stopping over Eric's number.
For a few seconds, I stared at it silently.
But I didn't call.
Instead, I locked the phone and looked back outside the glass window.
"I hope he's behaving himself," I murmured quietly.
Two hours later, Eun Woo arrived.
"What are you doing here?" Seo Hee asked immediately downstairs.
"I have reports to give Miss Laurel."
"Can't you handle it yourself?" she complained. "She's still sick."
"Sick?" I said calmly while standing upstairs with one hand resting against the railings.
"Yes."
Then I smiled slightly.
"But not handicapped."
"Laurel," Seo Hee called out in disbelief.
I ignored her completely before looking at Eun Woo.
"What are you still doing standing there?"
"Huh? I'm coming, ma," he replied quickly before rushing upstairs.
"Still not too late to take your words back," I said calmly while walking away. "But don't forget I can also do the same."
"Laurel!" Seo Hee shouted again.
I glanced back slightly.
"What? Didn't you say you missed the old me?"
Then I smiled.
"At least stand by your words to save your dignity."
I walked back into my room calmly.
Behind me, Seo Hee suddenly shouted loudly enough for me to hear,
"Yes! Miss Laurel Davis is definitely back!"
Back inside the room, my eyes shifted toward the clock.
11:45 AM.
By this time tomorrow…
the qualifications would already have started.
Eun Woo stood quietly in front of me with his head lowered.
"What is it?" I asked.
He hesitated briefly.
"I'm just wondering if this partnership is really worth risking your life for, ma."
I looked at him carefully.
For a moment, I almost scolded him.
But I stopped myself.
"From the moment I was born," I said quietly, "my life has always been in danger."
I walked slowly toward the window.
"The reason I've survived this long is because I learned how to control danger by becoming something even more dangerous."
Silence filled the room.
"I only have enemies," I continued calmly. "And if I stop reminding them that I can destroy them too…"
My eyes shifted toward him.
"They'll eventually come for me first."
"But you have people now," Eun Woo argued carefully. "Miss Seo Hee, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Kang Dae, Chairman Min, Mr. Lee Joon…"
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
"Only fools believe people never change."
His expression immediately fell silent.
"Where's the location for tomorrow's qualifications?"
"It'll be released thirty minutes before it starts."
I nodded slowly.
"But ma…" he hesitated again. "How are you going to stop everyone from finding out?"
A smile slowly appeared on my face.
"Easy."
Then I continued calmly.
"Nicholas has business to handle and Eric to take care of. He won't come looking for me."
"Kang Dae is leaving for a business trip."
"As for Lee Joon…"
My eyes landed directly on Eun Woo.
"You'll handle that."
"What?" he almost panicked immediately. "Mr. Lee Joon and I aren't even close."
"Says who?" I asked calmly. "You're closer than ever."
Then I tilted my head slightly.
"Didn't you already plan on spending the day with him today?"
His face froze instantly.
"Call him," I instructed. "Tell him something urgent came up at the office and you need to handle it."
Then I added,
"And tell him you'll be the first person he sees tomorrow morning."
Eun Woo blinked rapidly.
"Then cut the call before he finishes speaking."
He slowly brought out his phone and did exactly as I instructed.
Once the call ended, he looked nervous.
"Do you really think he'll fall for it?"
"Judging from his feelings," I replied calmly, "he'll be disappointed…"
Then I smiled slightly.
"But he won't want to pressure you."
"And he can't call me either."
I leaned back slightly.
"I'm sick, after all."
Eun Woo sighed heavily.
"What about Miss Seo Hee?"
"Nothing a glass of juice can't fix."
His expression shifted immediately.
"What do you mean, ma?"
I looked at him calmly.
"Do you expect me to watch my soulmate work herself to exhaustion while I rest comfortably?"
I tilted my head slightly.
"What kind of soulmate would that make me?"
Fear immediately flashed across his face.
I slowly walked closer.
"Aren't I a terrible person?" I asked softly. "Manipulating the people around me just to get what I want?"
"N-No, ma," he stuttered nervously. "You're wise… and intelligent."
"Of course there shouldn't be obstacles."
"I thought so too," I replied before stepping away from him.
"That's all. You can leave now."
He stood up quickly and bowed slightly.
But just before opening the door, he stopped.
"If things become too dangerous…"
He hesitated.
"Fake your death immediately."
I looked at him quietly for a few seconds.
Then I smiled.
"I will."
Relief almost flashed across his face immediately, but before he could speak again, I cut in calmly.
"But by all means, do not leave Lee Joon's side."
His expression froze.
"And don't act worried even for a second," I continued. "He notices the smallest changes."
I walked past him slowly before stopping beside the shelf near the wall.
"Do everything possible to keep his attention on you."
Then I added casually,
"Even if you have to play along with his feelings."
"Mr. Lee Joon doesn't have feelings like that for me, ma."
I stared at him blankly before turning my head slightly.
"Are you blind?"
He immediately lowered his head.
"Or do you only think properly when it comes to business?"
Silence.
I sighed softly.
"Lee Joon barely has time for his own personal assistant."
Then I looked directly at him again.
"So why exactly do you think he personally asked you to stay over until he gets back?"
Eun Woo opened his mouth slightly before closing it again.
For once, he genuinely looked speechless.
I clicked my tongue softly.
"Well, it's none of my business."
Then a faint smile appeared on my lips.
"Since you already have what he wants…"
I walked back toward the window slowly.
"Dance properly to the rhythm he's playing."
The room became quiet again.
Eun Woo stood there awkwardly for a while before finally bowing slightly.
"I understand, ma."
Then he quietly left the room.
The moment the door closed, the smile on my face disappeared completely.
Silence.
Heavy silence.
I stared at my reflection against the glass quietly.
Calm face.
Cold eyes.
Controlled expression.
Tomorrow…
either I would return home alive.
Or another version of Laurel Davis would be buried forever.