Chapter 40: The Second Friday

I burst out of the Rockefeller building.

As I pushed through the revolving door and stepped onto the street, the cold March wind slapped my cheeks.

I checked my wristwatch.

4:40.

I’m doomed.

The streetlights were beginning to flicker on dimly. Friday afternoon—the crowds rushing to leave work poured out onto the street.

“Taxi!”

I shouted until my throat was raw.

Fortunately, at the corner, a black Ford car screeched to a halt.

“To Columbia University! As fast as you can!”

I shouted before I’d even closed the door.

The driver turned around to look at me.

A face with a bushy red beard, the unmistakable look of an Irish immigrant.

“Looks like you’re in quite a hurry, young man.”

“Yes! Really, really urgent! My life is on the line!”

The taxi rattled as it started off.

4:45. On a normal day, it would be a twenty-minute ride.

But today was Friday afternoon.

Fifth Avenue had turned into a gigantic parking lot.

Carriages and automobiles tangled together, horns blaring.

“Damn it…”

The driver clicked his tongue and killed the engine.

“Friday afternoons are always like this, I tell ya.”

4:50.

In the last five minutes, we’d barely moved ten blocks.

“I’m going to be late.”

At this rate, even arriving by 5:30 would be lucky.

In my head, I heard George’s voice.

“Business and personal matters must be kept strictly separate, Lee Jun-hyuk.”

I laughed bitterly.

Because of work, I was about to miss the most important personal promise.

But this was more important.

The memory of my previous life—working myself to death, dying alone in a cold hospital room.

This time, I swore, I would never live that way again.

4:55.

“Sir, you must have a really important appointment.”

“Yes.”

“Are you off to meet a girlfriend?”

“Not yet… We’re just friends.”

“Not yet?”

The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, grinning.

Suddenly, he jerked the wheel sharply to the right.

“Hang on tight!”

The taxi slid into a narrow alleyway.

“This is a shortcut. Only New York taxi drivers know these streets.”

As soon as we escaped the jammed avenue, the taxi started flying down the road.

5 o’clock, sharp.

The main gate of Columbia University.

“Thank you!”

I nearly threw the fare at the driver and leaped out of the car.

Then I ran.

I didn’t care if my suit got wrinkled or if I was out of breath.

I dashed across the campus, running like mad.

In the distance, Low Hall and the Columbia University Library came into view.

And in front of it.

Catherine was there.

She sat alone on a bench, anxiously glancing around.

“Catherine!”

She turned her head.

The moment she spotted me, her face ran through surprise, relief, and then happiness.

“Mr. Lee Jun-hyuk?”

She jumped to her feet.

I barely managed to stop right in front of her.

I was breathless. My heart was about to burst.

“Hahaha.”

“My goodness, did you run all the way here?”

“Yes. The taxi… the traffic was terrible…”

At that moment, Catherine took a white handkerchief from her bag and handed it to me.

It was a beautiful lace handkerchief, with ‘0.1’ embroidered in blue thread at the corner.

“Here, take this.”

Her voice was gentle.

But her eyes were shining with emotion, sparkling like stars.

“I’m sorry I’m so late…”

“It’s all right.”

Catherine beamed at me.

“Actually… this is even more wonderful. That you ran all the way here to see me.”

“Haha.”

“Let’s sit on the bench for now. Catch your breath.”

We sat side by side on the bench.

The sun was leaning to the west.

The entire campus was bathed in a golden light.

Catherine spoke first.

“To be honest… I was a little worried you might not come.”

“Why wouldn’t I come? I’ve been waiting all week for this day.”

Moved by my sincerity, Catherine looked at me.

Her beautiful brown eyes trembled just a little.

“So have I.”

Her voice was almost a whisper.

“I’ve been waiting for today, too.”

For a moment, a comfortable silence settled between us.

A silence that said more than any words could.

“So… where should we go now?”

I asked.

“Are you not hungry yet?”

“Let’s wait a bit longer.”

Catherine took my hand for a moment, then released it as if startled.

“For now… I just want to stay like this a little longer.”

The sun dipped lower, and the campus streetlights began to flicker on one by one.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

Catching my breath, I stood up.

“Shall we go for dinner?”

“Yes. Where to?”

Catherine thought for a moment, then smiled playfully.

“We’ve already been to the Italian restaurant, so how about trying somewhere else tonight? I know a really lovely place.”

We left the campus together.

The Friday evening streets were buzzing with energy.

As we walked side by side, whenever our shoulders brushed, a strange current flowed between us.

“Did something big happen today? You must’ve been very busy to run here.”

“Ah, there was an important board meeting this morning.”

“A board meeting?”

“Yes. We were wrapping up the Cuban Business. We discussed distributing the profits and our future plans.”

“So, did it go well?”

“Yes, thankfully.”

In truth, saying I’d received 7.72 million dollars would have sounded grandiose.

I didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.

“Here we are!”

Catherine stopped in front of a small French bistro.

A pretty sign read: ‘Charles’ Kitchen.’

“Are you all right with French food?”

“Of course.”

Inside, the space was cozy and warm.

“Bonjour, Madame!”

A middle-aged man with a bushy beard greeted us warmly.

“Catherine! It’s been a while! You’re not alone tonight, I see?”

Charles winked at me as he spoke.

“He’s just a friend, Charles.”

Catherine blushed as she spoke.

“Of course, of course. A friend. I know.”

He grinned meaningfully as he guided us to a table by the window.

Tonight’s special was Coq au Vin—chicken braised in red wine.

“But are you really okay? Your face is still red.”

“Oh, that’s probably from running.”

“Liar.”

Catherine laughed.

“You’re nervous, aren’t you?”

“You caught me. Honestly, I’ve been nervous all week.”

“Why?”

“I was afraid I might disappoint you.”

Catherine’s expression softened.

“You could never disappoint me.”

She reached across the table, covering the back of my hand with hers.

“If anything, I’m the one who’s worried. Am I boring? All I ever do is read economics books…”

“Catherine.”

I said earnestly.

“You’re the most intelligent and charming woman I know.”

Catherine’s cheeks turned crimson.

“Liar again.”

“I mean it.”

Just then, the wine arrived. Charles poured it himself, saying,

“My treat, for our lovely ‘friends’ tonight.”

“Shall we toast?”

Catherine raised her glass.

“To our second Friday?”

“And to all the Fridays we’ll spend together from now on.”

I clinked my glass against hers.

A clear sound rang out.

“All the Fridays ahead, huh…”

Catherine murmured.

“Is that too greedy?”

“No.”

She took a sip of wine and said,

“If anything, it’s not enough.”

The food arrived.

Coq au Vin—chicken braised in red wine.

The fragrant aroma was intoxicating.

Maybe because I hadn’t eaten properly all week, I was starving.

“Young love is the most beautiful moment in life. Enjoy it to the fullest.”

Charles set down the plates, giving us another meaningful smile.

“Charles!”

Catherine protested, face red, but he just winked and disappeared into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry. Charles is always like that.”

“It’s fine. Actually, I envy you—having someone who treats you so warmly.”

I took a bite of the chicken.

It melted in my mouth.

The flavor of wine was deep.

Suddenly, I thought of the chicken stew my mother used to make. Why now?

“Whenever I eat food like this, I think of home.”

“Speaking of which, have you tried asking about your family’s whereabouts?”

“Your hometown is Pyongyang, right? I’d love to visit someday. To see where you grew up, Lee Jun-hyuk.”

My chest tightened—no, it grew warm.

“When the time comes, I’ll personally show you around.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

We ate slowly, savoring the meal.

Or… is savoring the right word?

Honestly, I could barely taste the food.

All I did was gaze at her face.

“Why did you choose to study economics, Mr. Lee Jun-hyuk?”

“I just wanted to make money.”

I answered frankly.

“Coming from the Korean Empire, I thought you needed money to succeed in America.”

“And now you have succeeded, haven’t you?”

“Not yet. There’s still a long way to go.”

A wry smile crept onto my face.

7.72 million dollars.

It was a lot of money, but thinking about what I had to do from now on…

“The more money I make, the heavier my responsibilities become. I have employees to protect, and investors I can’t let down.”

“Still, it’s impressive. You accomplished all this on your own.”

“I wasn’t alone.”

I looked at her.

Her eyes, shining in the candlelight, sparkled like stars.

“James Morgan was there for me, the Sugar Company had great partners, and…”

I hesitated.

Should I say it?

Was it too soon?

“And there’s you, Catherine.”

“Me?”

Catherine looked surprised.

“What did I do?”

“You gave me your wristwatch.”

I took the wristwatch out of my pocket.

The gold surface glittered in the candlelight.

“This watch helped me a lot in Cuba. Whenever things got tough, I’d take it out and find strength.”

Catherine took the watch, opened the cover with her fingers.

Time is the master of future.

“You really kept your promise. To be the master of time.”

“I’m still working on it. If I ever become the master of time, you know what I’d want?”

I remembered the final moments of my previous life.

That cold hospital room, being alone at the end.

“Maybe… I’d want to spend more time with the people I love.”

“The people you love?”

“Family, friends.”

I looked straight into her eyes.

My heart pounded like crazy.

“And, with someone very special whom I’ll meet in the future.”

The air in the restaurant felt charged.

Catherine looked away.

Her cheeks were already rose-red.

The church bells chimed outside.

It was 8 o’clock.

“It’s already 8.”

Catherine checked the time.

“Time really flies.”

“It does.”

I couldn’t hide my regret.

There was still so much I wanted to say.

For dessert, we had golden crème brûlée, the caramel crust sparkling.

A cheerful sound as the spoon cracked the surface.

The smooth custard melted in my mouth.

“These little happinesses… I love them.”

“I’m learning to appreciate those things these days too.”

I looked at her.

“Like the excitement of waiting for Friday.”

Catherine’s cheeks flushed again.

“If you say things like that too often… my heart beats too fast.”

“Me too.”

I took her hand.

I spoke, pressing it gently against my wrist.

“Can you feel it?”

My heart was really pounding.

Catherine looked at me in surprise.

“You’re right.”

“I told you. I’ve been nervous all week.”

Our hands remained clasped. They were warm.

“Mr. Lee Jun-hyuk.”

“Yes?”

“Us… what are we?”

It was a difficult question. Friends? Something more?

“I don’t know yet.”

I answered quietly.

“But what I do know is—I look forward to every Friday. Maybe that’s where we should start. Meeting every Friday, getting to know each other, slowly.”

Catherine nodded.

“I’d like that. Slowly.”

After finishing our meal, we stepped outside.

The night air was cold.

I unwound my scarf and wrapped it around her.

“If you do this, you’ll catch a cold, Mr. Lee Jun-hyuk.”

“It’s all right. My heart’s warm enough.”

“Give it back next week. That way we’ll have to meet again.”

Catherine laughed.

“You’re sly.”

We reached her apartment.

“I was… really happy today.”

“So was I.”

Catherine tightened the scarf and went inside. I waited until she had disappeared completely.

Left alone on the street, my steps felt light.

“Next Friday.”

The waiting had begun again.

But it felt easier this time.

Because I knew she was waiting too.

On the way back to the hotel, thoughts of family came to mind.

Talking with Catherine tonight brought back memories.

My house in Pyongyang, the Daedong River, the peach blossoms that bloomed in spring.

“Did they see the article in the newspaper? Or more than that… Do I even remember exactly who’s in my family…?”

It was strange.

This was Lee Jun-hyuk’s body, but my memories of his life were hazy.

I think there was a father, and a mother. Were there siblings?

“I’ll ask Kim Young-soo about it tomorrow.”

He said he knew some people from Pyongyang, so maybe he’d know something.

I arrived at the hotel.

In the elevator, I took out my wristwatch.

10:30.

There was still a long way to go.

But now, I wasn’t alone.

I went into my room and took off my jacket.

And then I saw it.

On the desk—a letter that hadn’t been there a few days ago.

It looked like a hotel staff member had delivered it.

I picked up the envelope.

It was thin, rustling paper.

The moment I saw the return address, my heart dropped with a thud.

The address was written in Chinese characters.

Korean Empire, Pyongan Province, Pyongyangbu.

With trembling hands, I began to open the envelope.