By Zephyria The winter in Seattle was cold enough to dye the whole world white.
There was a lake here, beautiful and wide enough to be generous, but it was still unfamiliar to a stranger. Each step left a footprint, and that was all. Looking back, a pair of footprints remained. It was a strange thing.
Even the cloudy sky, which had warmly welcomed me at first, seemed to be changing into a gloomy color. It was inevitable. Seattle had more rain than snow. Even now, the scattering snow was slowly turning into rain.
But no one used an umbrella. As if it were the rule here.
“Gyeoul, do you want to trade drinks with me?”
“With Ian here, I guess you won’t forget my name. You’re the only one who calls me that, Ian.”
Steam rose thickly from the warm latte. I turned my head and looked at the warm Mulled Wine in Ian’s hand. He knew how to survive the winter, and I was slowly adapting.
Ian held out his tumbler to me. I took the Mulled Wine and handed him the paper cup. For some reason, the situation was funny, and we stared at each other for a long time before finally bursting into laughter.
Taking a sip of the hot Mulled Wine made my body feel like it was melting little by little. Even though the cold in Seattle was weaker than in Seoul, there was a chill that seemed to seep into my bones.
“This is good too.”
“Yeah, right? Try this next time. It’ll make you feel better.”
“Did I look like I was in a bad mood?”
I stared at him intently. Ian smiled awkwardly and didn’t answer. Only then did I let out a big sigh. There was a good reason. He probably knew it too, and that’s why he asked so subtly.
“If it’s hard to find a house, seriously consider the offer I made back then. It’s big enough for Gyeoul to move in.”
“I’m the kind of Korean who feels overwhelmed by owing favors.”
“Is it because we’re just work colleagues?”
I answered his difficult words with silence. That was right. I had built up enough affection with him as a work colleague, but I didn’t think we were ready to cross that line yet. If Ian and I were more than colleagues, I would have seriously considered it.
The rent in Seattle was beyond imagination.
I deliberately took another sip of the Mulled Wine. Ian didn’t return the latte he had taken. So I had no choice but to drink this to warm up my cold body.
I stared blankly at the people walking by. A person jogging with a large, panting dog passed by. A woman wearing a red scarf and holding a coffee, and a child next to her wearing a plaid beanie, giggled and flopped down on a mat.
Deliberately changing the subject, I tossed a word to him.
“Credit is hard. The apartment I saw yesterday was nice too.”
“I like the one we saw today better, I do.”
“In what way?”
“Well, first of all, it’s close to my house?”
He answered with a serious face. Ian expressed his emotions more honestly than when he was in Korea. I didn’t know if it was because it was his native language, or if it was the magic of a familiar space.
He was so nonchalant that it was hard to tell if he was serious or joking. I knew I was being swayed by a young guy, but I couldn’t really fight back. I was relying on him enough. Enough to be shaken by these jokes.
My fingertips were warm. Was the tumbler not that good? A cup that conducts heat. At this rate, it’ll cool down easily.
“I’ll put in the paperwork first. I want to get rid of the stress of finding a house. I don’t think I’ve ever been this miserable in my life.”
“I’m saying again, keep my house in mind as well.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He was serious.
Ian was the only person I felt attached to in this foreign land. I didn’t want to lose him. He clearly showed interest, but I couldn’t tell what form it took. I had already drunk a bowl of kimchi soup in Korea, so I didn’t really want to ask.
And… love was overwhelming.
One experience of giving everything and having it taken away was enough. I desperately needed Ian now, when I was still awkward with my work colleagues. There was no way anyone else would take the time to help me so easily.
So I had to maintain a beneficial relationship with him.
“How are you doing now? Is it manageable?”
“Work-wise, it’s going smoothly.”
I could hear a faint laugh next to me, as if he understood the meaning of my words.
“It’s good that Gyeoul is relying on me entirely, but unfortunately, I’ll have to help a little.”
“What are you trying to do again?”
I asked him, disgusted. Then his laughter grew louder, to the point where tears welled up in his eyes.
Ian’s antics, which I had been trying to forget, suddenly reared their heads. The day I first went to work in Seattle came back to me vaguely.
It was the day after I unpacked my bags in the room I had rented for a month.
Formal work was two weeks away, but I visited the company briefly to say hello and discuss things with Ian. Fortunately, the company was within walking distance, and I finally stopped Ian from offering to pick me up. I didn’t want to be uncomfortable with such trouble.
My first step in a strange land was filled with tension rather than excitement. I didn’t have little social experience, but it was natural for my body to shrink in a place where no one knew me. This place wasn’t very kind to me.
Fortunately, it helped that I had been with Ian until late last night. He not only picked me up from the airport, but also helped me with packing and grocery shopping. Like a baby duck who couldn’t do anything without him, I just followed Ian around.
After a long time, I finally returned to our house and made dinner. Ian had put the ingredients in first, saying he would make it for me, so I just helped him a little from the side.
Washing the salad in cold water, I casually spoke to him.
〈Team leader, can I ask you something?〉
〈Since we’re in America, I’ll answer if you call me according to American law.〉
〈Ian.〉
〈…….〉
〈Isn’t that it?〉
Do Americans also have Confucian ideas ingrained in them?
Ian, who had stiffened for some reason, stopped what he was doing and stared at me intently. I subtly rolled my eyes to avoid his gaze. My cheeks were stinging. I moved my hands busily. When things are awkward, it’s best to focus on work.
I hummed softly. I hoped he would let me off the hook.
〈……That’s good.〉
〈Yes?〉
〈Call me Ian. More intimately.〉
There was a warm energy in his voice. Fortunately, he didn’t seem angry with me, and he lightly tapped me. It was an unexpected touch, and my body leaned back slightly. It wasn’t enough to fall, but he grabbed my arm to support me.
I could feel Ian focusing on me. I was reminded of the difference in our size, wondering what he ate to grow so tall.
〈Can I ask you a question?〉
〈……Of course. Ask me anything. What are you curious about?〉
〈Should I wear a suit tomorrow? It’s my first day.〉
Ian’s fierce eyes disappeared in an instant. He burst out laughing, as if my question was absurd, and flipped the steak. Judging by his skill, he seemed to be a good cook.
He playfully groaned. He even raised one eyebrow and pretended to think seriously. Ian, who had scanned me up and down, opened his mouth.
〈Can I pick it out for you?〉
〈Of course. I trust you.〉
〈Of course. We matched pretty well in Korea too, didn’t we?〉
Ian’s lips drew a deep arc. By the time we had dinner and he had picked out my clothes, it was very late. It wasn’t very comfortable to have someone in my house, but I felt like I had become comfortable with Ian.
He picked out a black coat, a beige knit, and slacks, and even had me try them on. I could feel a lot of trust in Ian, who said that was enough. Even I thought it didn’t seem excessive.
Finally, Ian took out a scarf as a gift and wrapped it around my neck. It was a red plaid.
Unlike the warm and cozy first day, the incident broke out at the company.
I walked leisurely to the company and received my employee ID at the entrance. I ordered an Americano at the company cafe, and it tasted really good. I felt like I was off to a good start…
I never imagined that an enemy was holding a knife to my neck. Especially from the person I trusted the most!
〈Say hello. This is Team 1, which I’m in charge of as Team leader, and this is Winter, who will be officially starting next month… He’s from the Seoul branch, and I brought him here because of his outstanding work skills. He has unique skills in marketing, so I hope you get along well.〉
So far, it was smooth. I felt relieved by his supportive remarks. Ian was going to be on my side here too.
Just as he seemed to have finished speaking, I was about to calmly greet them. In general, first impressions and first greetings tend to determine future company life. I was about to open my mouth with a smile that often won me favor, but Ian spoke first.
〈And he’s someone I’m interested in. Keep that in mind.〉
Ian, who had made a bombshell statement without hesitation, patted my shoulder a couple of times. The team members’ attention was completely focused on me. It was a look full of interest. As if telling me to say more.
Their eyes shone fiercely, like hyenas looking at prey. When I came to Korea and grasped the atmosphere, I heard that Ian was very popular.
Ah, I’m screwed.