The Fool's

The Biggest Fear's

That morning the apartment that Jae Hwan lived in all this time instantly had a new atmosphere, The cold air outside was so pleasant to enjoy

Jae Hwan sipped his warm tea while sitting down, he smiled unconsciously considering his breakfast now at Ara's company, which he was at, someone who used to always be there preparing a simple breakfast for them such as egg rolls and soup or fried rice his favorite, not something complicated but always Jae Hwan longed for.

"agassi (miss)."

someone greeted Ara who had just come out of the room, the girl had finished her bath but was still wearing the same clothes

"ahjumma, are you okay?"

The middle-aged woman looked happy to see her young lady back here again as well as Ara she smiled showing off her row of white teeth

"of course, only the young master is not well - fine."

The woman smiled as she looked at Jae Hwan with the corner of her eyes

"Gee!"

Ara only responded briefly

then she let Ara sit down for breakfast

"it's pollock fish soup, you have to ease your hangover. You don't have to go to the office today."

"Andwe (can't) I have to work!"

"Wae's? You want to meet that graphic design?"

Jae Hwan investigated

"are you jealous?"

Ara said it while putting a large mouthful of rice in the afterthought of the fish soup and kimchi

"Malldo andwe!"

"Aaahhh... So you're never jealous?"

Ara looks a little disappointed to hear it even though Jae Hwan knows his expression is just a temple to prank the man

"that means you don't have feelings for me!"

"Of course I don't like seeing you close to other men".

Jae Hwan replied after being silent for a while

"that's the definition of jealousy I mean."

Ara smiled triumphantly

"happy?"

Jae Hwan smiled mockingly at the girl

"sangat!"

the girl laughed crisply making Jae Hwan also laugh, he likes the girl's laughter because it is contagious. He can laugh just by looking at it.

"can I take a leave of absence next month?"

Ara restarted the conversation when she had finished a bowl of rice, the hangover did not change her appetite

Jae Hwan raised his eyebrows while looking at the girl, his forehead wrinkled he was thinking for what his girl wanted to leave could it be that he wanted to avoid her again.

"i have to go home, my sister is getting married."

Ara explained when she saw Jae Hwan's expression

"Tania?"

Jae Hwan knows Ara's sister, the girl used to often make video calls when Jae Hwan was with Ara so several times he chatted. She was a fun and cheerful girl like Ara.

"eung, she's getting married to her childhood friend I also know her future husband. She used to come home, take Tania to play even though Tania was always running away."

Then the conversation just flowed, Ara and Jae Hwan knew they were the same - just as longing when telling stories like this, because Jae Hwan is a good listener and Ara is a person with a myriad of interesting stories.

They arrive at the office after Jae Hwan escorts Ara to change his clothes

"i think you'd better move into my apartment soon, it'll be a hassle if you come home every day to your apartment drunk".

Jae Hwan grumbled as they walked towards the elevator, ignoring every eye that looked at them questioningly

"will not. I like my place."

"Bas stubborn!"

Kang Sol arrived not long after Ara, she stared fixedly at her co-worker

Ara asked puzzledly as Kang Sol kept looking at her

"i heard some weird gossip this morning, and I saw you keep smiling."

"you and sajangnim..."

Ara did not reply and only smiled meaningfully while Kang Sol remained curious.

...****************...

Seoul gets colder in late December, as long as the eyes look at the white expanse like endless, the temperature can even make a person suffering from hypothermia. No one will miss this moment. Snow does not fall all year. There is a myth that if you see the first snow with your partner then his love will be eternal. But myths are just myths. Even for Ara, he even forgot when the first snow fell until Christmas soon arrived he never bought a Christmas tree or decorated it like most people. He lives alone and is in his apartment to sleep, so why would he buy a Christmas tree?

But this afternoon Ara had to accompany Jae Hwan to buy a Christmas tree, he said this is his duty as a secretary, only Ara did not know that taking care of his superiors personal matters is in the job desk

"what do you think this one or that one over there is?"

Jae Hwan points to two Christmas trees that Ara says can hardly be distinguished

"Do you think it makes any difference?"

Said the sweet girl while folding her hands on her chest

"Of course, you should look at the details".

jae Hwan replied as his eyes went around looking for other things.

"Heol."

An hour and finally Jae Hwan bought the biggest tree as well as a box full of Christmas knickknacks. Ara shook her head, she knew Jae Hwan could not possibly decorate it himself in the end ahjumma and also himself who would do it like before.

"I'm hungry, let's have a barbeque and a bottle of soju we need something warm, don't we?"

take Jae Hwan

"Kul (agree)!"

Ara never refused to fill her stomach

They step foot into the basement, Jae Hwan presses a button on his car keys and instantly knows where to go

"Basement is creepy, you know some horror movies and trillers always feature ghosts and killers there."

Jae Hwan's words made Ara giggle amusedly

.

"baboya (stupid)!"

"Yaaaaa, Ara ssi you've even been able to impale your boss's nettle!"

"Arrasseo, mianhaeyo sajangnim."

Ara bowed and laughed slightly mockingly

Jae Hwan was just holding his car door when Ara pegged on the right side of the car, his gaze straight at one woman walking towards them, the woman with the maroon turtle neck and the brown coat, Jae Hwan calls Ara but is ignored until finally his eyes are also fixed on what Ara sees.

"oraemaniyeyo oppa (long time no see)!"

the woman greeted with a voice that spoiled her smile expanding between her glossy red lipstick

None of the two answered, Ara even raised her eyebrows and looked at the woman with disdain while Jae Hwan tried to be calm, he looked at Ara for a while before finally answering the woman's greeting

"eung."

answer is short

the woman did not run out of ways, she was not even bothered by Ara's gaze

"You look more and more amazing Jae Hwan oppa, you're not going to Nightlife?"

He mentioned one of the famous bars in Gangnam

The question clearly provokes Ara to react, but she then thinks again not to be provoked and lets Jae Hwan take care of her.

"Ahh I don't know what you mean but can we talk next time, I have to go".

Said Jae Hwan, he is still trying to maintain his ethics

"Other times?"

the woman folded her arms around her chest with a meaningful smile making Jae Hwan stop his movement into the car and refocus on the woman

"like 3 years ago?"