A Lingering Question

Chapter Nineteen: The Elevator Confession (Simplified Chinese Dialogue)

As the elevator doors slid open, Andrea, Eunwoo, and little Kai stepped inside. The quiet hum of the elevator filled the space as Kai, with curious eyes, looked up at Eunwoo and asked softly in simple pinyin:

"Shushu, ni kan qi lai xiang Zhongguoren, dan jiejie bu shi Zhongguoren."

("Uncle, you look Chinese, but sister isn't Chinese.")

Eunwoo's expression tightened. In a calm, measured tone he replied in pinyin, "Shouxian, wo bu shi shushu; qici, ta bu shi Zhongguoren, ye bu shi Hanguoren. Wo shi Hanguoren."

("First of all, I am not an uncle; secondly, she is neither Chinese nor Korean. I am Korean.")

Andrea, taken aback by the exchange, frowned and said, "Guys, you do realize I'm not Chinese, right? Can someone explain what's happening here?"

Eunwoo sighed, his voice low. "Kai was just being curious."

But the little boy wasn't finished. He looked up at Andrea with wide eyes and asked softly, "Na jiejie shi shenme?"

("Then what is sister?")

Andrea smiled gently and replied, "I'm just Andrea."

She added quietly, "Does that answer your question?"

Kai scrunched his nose in thought. "So, not Korean, not Chinese… Is she your friend?" he asked, glancing up at Eunwoo.

Andrea exchanged a brief look with Eunwoo before teasing, "What do you think, Kai?"

After tapping his chin dramatically, Kai declared, "Maybe you are his beautiful girlfriend?"

Andrea's eyes widened in shock while Eunwoo's grip on his shopping bags tightened slightly. The elevator fell silent for a few seconds before Andrea laughed nervously. "Wait—who taught you to say that?"

Kai grinned widely and replied in pinyin, "Meiyou! Dan shushu, ni zong shi kan zhe jiejie."

("Nobody! But Uncle, you always look at sister.")

Eunwoo cleared his throat, muttering, "That's enough talking, kid," as he pressed the button for their floor.

Kai giggled, enjoying the banter. "It's okay, Shushu. If you like sister, you should say it!"

Andrea covered her face with one hand, trying to stifle her laughter. Meanwhile, Eunwoo rubbed his temple and murmured under his breath, "I regret bringing this kid back."

When the elevator doors finally opened, Andrea quickly took Kai's hand. "Come on, let's get you to your room before you embarrass your 'uncle' any further," she said, half-teasing.

Eunwoo shot her a sharp glare, and as she left the elevator, he followed behind, shaking his head—but a subtle smile tugged at his lips despite his frustration.

Andrea's mind raced with conflicting thoughts: the child's innocent words, the playful banter, and that rare warmth in Eunwoo's eyes that she seldom saw. Though she tried to dismiss it, a small part of her wondered if beneath his cold exterior, he might be feeling something more—even if he would never admit it aloud.

And so, as they stepped forward into the bustling hotel lobby with a gentle murmur of early morning activity in the background, Andrea couldn't help but wonder what part she truly played in this intricate masquerade of identities.

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As they stood in front of the grand suite's entrance, a staff member stepped forward, bowing slightly before reaching out for Kai's hand. The young boy hesitated for a moment before reluctantly allowing the woman to take his hand. But just as she turned to lead him inside, Kai suddenly yanked his hand free from her grasp and dashed back toward Andrea. His small feet barely made a sound against the plush carpet as he flung himself into her arms. 

Andrea blinked in surprise, feeling the warmth of his tiny frame pressing against her. She instinctively wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as his small hands clung to her dress. There was a moment of silence, heavy yet filled with unspoken emotions. The staff member, a well-groomed woman in a crisp hotel uniform, stiffened slightly, her lips parting in a mix of shock and awkwardness as she stepped back. It was clear she hadn't expected such a strong attachment from the boy—perhaps because most guests were indifferent to the hotel's young VIPs. 

Kai slowly pulled back, his wide, doe-like eyes locking onto Andrea's with an expression of pure gratitude. "Xièxiè nǐ, jiějiě," he said in a soft voice, his Chinese accent thick but understandable. Then, as if worried she wouldn't understand, he repeated in broken English, "Thank you, beautiful sister." 

Andrea's lips curled into a gentle smile, her fingers brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead. "You don't have to thank me, Kai. Just take care of yourself, okay?" 

The boy nodded, his small face lighting up for a moment before he turned and walked back toward the waiting staff member. This time, he didn't resist when she took his hand, though his head turned back one last time to wave at Andrea and Eunwoo. The door clicked shut behind him, sealing off the moment, leaving only the faint trace of warmth lingering in Andrea's arms. 

A sigh escaped her lips as she stood there for a second longer than necessary, her gaze still fixed on the closed door. It was only when she felt a weight of an intense stare on her that she turned, her eyes meeting Eunwoo's. He wasn't just looking at her—he was studying her, his sharp black eyes darkened by something she couldn't quite place. The expression on his face wasn't his usual cold indifference. No, this time, there was something else. A softness. A quiet intensity. And yet, there was something unsettling about it, something unreadable. 

Andrea frowned, breaking the silence. "What?" 

Eunwoo didn't reply immediately. His lips, which had been slightly parted as if he had something to say, pressed together instead. Then, after a beat, he smirked—not the charming, playful kind, but something more cryptic. Something that made the air between them shift. 

"Nothing," he finally said, slipping his hands into his pockets with a casual shrug. "Just wondering how you managed to wrap that kid around your little finger in such a short time." 

Andrea rolled her eyes, turning on her heels. "Maybe because I'm not a cold, emotionless robot like someone I know." 

Eunwoo chuckled under his breath, a deep, rich sound that was both amused and taunting. He didn't argue with her assessment, nor did he deny it. Instead, he simply followed as she started walking toward the elevators. The hallway was eerily quiet, the luxurious setting almost too pristine. The walls were lined with elegant sconces casting a soft, golden glow, and the plush carpet beneath their feet absorbed most of the sound of their footsteps. 

Andrea pressed the elevator button, her mind still half on Kai and half on the unsettling way Eunwoo had been watching her earlier. The doors slid open with a smooth chime, and she stepped inside, leaning against the mirrored wall. Eunwoo followed, pressing the button for their floor before leaning against the opposite side, watching her. 

The tension between them wasn't suffocating, but it was there—subtle, lingering in the space between words and glances. It was the kind of tension that came not from anger but from something unspoken, something waiting to be acknowledged. 

Andrea sighed, glancing at him. "I can carry the bags, you know." 

Eunwoo raised a brow, tilting his head slightly. "You're already carrying something." 

Andrea blinked in confusion until she felt a small tug on her dress. She looked down to find Kai's warmth still lingering in the fabric, the memory of his hug still fresh. That's what he meant. 

Her lips parted slightly, but before she could reply, Eunwoo added in a lower, amused tone, "Besides, carrying this little 'kiddo' was enough for you. You don't need to add more weight." 

Andrea narrowed her eyes at him, but there was no real annoyance in them. "How chivalrous of you." 

Eunwoo smirked. "You should get used to it. I am your fiancé, after all." 

There it was again. That reminder. That title. He said it so casually, but the way his eyes watched for her reaction was anything but. 

Andrea's expression cooled instantly, the warmth from earlier vanishing. "Right. My 'fiancé.'" She almost spat out the word as she turned away, watching the elevator doors begin to slide open. 

Eunwoo chuckled again, unfazed by her sudden shift in tone. If anything, he seemed entertained by it. "At least acknowledge it with some respect, Ms. Yildiz," he teased, following her out of the elevator as she walked ahead, determined not to look back. 

She didn't dignify him with a response. Instead, she focused on the luxurious interior of the hallway leading to their suite. The grand chandeliers hanging from the ceiling cast intricate shadows against the marble floor. Everything about this place screamed wealth, power, and elegance—a world that she wasn't entirely unfamiliar with but also didn't particularly belong to. 

A bellboy standing near their suite's entrance glanced at them before quickly straightening his posture. He gave a polite bow before stepping aside, pressing the button to open the suite's door. His eyes flickered between them, perhaps noticing the tension, but he remained professionally indifferent. 

Eunwoo walked past him without a second glance, effortlessly carrying the shopping bags inside. Andrea followed, feeling the weight of the bellboy's curious gaze lingering a second too long. 

Once inside, she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. The room was massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased a breathtaking view of the city. The furniture was modern yet elegant, the dim lighting creating a warm ambiance. It was the kind of place meant to impress, meant to make people feel powerful just by standing in it. 

Eunwoo set the bags down on the sleek glass coffee table before turning to face her. "You're quiet." 

Andrea crossed her arms, leaning against the back of the couch. "I just don't like being reminded of things I don't consider real." 

Eunwoo's expression didn't change, but there was something different in his eyes. "Real or not, it doesn't change the fact that you're here. With me." 

Andrea exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah. Unfortunately." 

Eunwoo smirked again, stepping closer, his presence as effortless as it was overwhelming. "You should start accepting it, sweetheart. Because this?" He gestured between them. "It's not going away anytime soon." 

Andrea held his gaze, refusing to back down, even as her stomach twisted at the weight of his words. She knew he was right. 

And that was the worst part.