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Episode 8
The snow that had fallen overnight had mostly melted by midday.
Cha Iryeong spent the entire day frowning at the slushy streets.
She walked carefully with every step, which took twice as much energy as usual.
Shoes and clothes she normally wouldn’t wear—heels, a blouse, and an A-line skirt—were at risk of getting dirty. She was unusually cautious, not wanting a single stain to touch her crisp outfit.
That wasn’t all. She wore an expensive coat she’d never taken out since joining AE Cosmetics, and even had her hair styled.
Iryeong had dressed up with firm resolve. Today, she was determined to speak with Executive Director Seo Lee Jun.
After a tiring business trip, she returned to the office, quickly finished her report, and waited for the end of the day like the other team members.
“Haa…”
A deep sigh escaped her lips as her tension began to unwind.
“Is something bothering you?”
“No, Deputy Manager.”
Hyunwook had overheard her sigh.
If he’d been her brother, she might have leaned on him—he was that kind.
“Come on, you clearly look troubled. How about a light drink? There’s a new casual pub near the office.”
But he was still a man. She could tell from his bright smile that he was trying to get closer.
“Oh, what a shame. I actually have plans tonight.”
She planned to use this “appointment” as an excuse, even though it wasn’t actually set.
“Then… can I be your appointment? You’ve worked so hard lately, I’d really like to treat you to a nice meal.”
Hyunwook wasn’t giving up.
“……”
Iryeong chose silence.
She wanted to ask whether he’d treated all the other team members who’d made the same mistake, but she held her tongue.
“I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable. If dinner or drinks are too much, we can just grab a coffee sometime—whenever you’re free.”
From drinks to dinner, and now to coffee—he kept lowering the bar to make it harder for her to refuse.
“When I become a full-time employee, I’ll treat you, Deputy Manager.”
Her response made it clear it would be strictly as a junior employee thanking her mentor. Anything beyond that would be problematic. She didn’t want a repeat of the mess at her previous job.
“Alright. I’ll look forward to that day,” Hyunwook said with a smile.
She nodded, ending the conversation.
Then, out of habit, she glanced sideways. She could have sworn Lee Jun had been watching her earlier, but his seat was empty now.
Iryeong inhaled deeply, then opened the company messenger.
[Please make some time for me this evening.]
She also sent him the restaurant address she’d reserved and her personal number.
[Alright. I’ll be in touch.]
His reply came via text message.
Like someone who’d been waiting for this exact moment.
Iryeong handed the report to Hyunwook and got ready to leave. Again, she glanced around, almost compulsively, to check for Lee Jun.
Confirming that the executive director wasn’t moving, she grabbed her bag and stood up.
“I’ll be heading out first. See you tomorrow.”
Right at 6 p.m., she was the first to leave the office and caught a passing taxi.
“To Namsan Tower area, please. Quickly.”
She hoped to arrive before Lee Jun. Digging through her purse, she found the lipstick she’d brought from home—“Stolen Kiss”, a shade she’d never worn before.
“Heading on a date? Here, turn the light on so you can apply it nicely,” the taxi driver kindly suggested.
Thanks to him, she was able to fix her makeup more carefully.
The lipstick, developed by Executive Director Seo Lee Jun himself, brought her lips to life with vibrant color and volume. She finally understood why female customers were so excited about it—one swipe transformed her entire mood into something alluring.
He’s the one who started this.
She steadied her heart as she adjusted her earrings.
The restaurant, with classical music flowing gently through the air, had a warm, romantic atmosphere.
The tables were spaced generously apart, and the place was already full.
Iryeong and Lee Jun sat across from each other, a basket of bread between them.
She couldn’t help but study his face. Under the table lamp, he looked even more handsome than usual.
Fine. She admitted it—she was drawn to his looks. That alone was excuse enough to justify this meeting to herself.
Objectively speaking, there wasn’t a single flaw in his appearance.
“I thought it would take longer for you to decide,” Lee Jun said, breaking the silence first.
The invitation had excited him. He was sure she wouldn’t have called him all the way out here just to reject him.
On top of that, the thought of escaping the arranged matchmaking lifted his mood even further.
And seeing her dressed more elegantly than usual made his anticipation skyrocket.
“I’m not going to date you, Director.”
She didn’t give him the answer he was expecting.
The look of bewilderment that crossed his face was oddly satisfying.
It felt good to puncture the arrogance of someone who’d clearly assumed she would agree.
“Excuse me.”
A server arrived with the main dishes, and Lee Jun ordered a bottle of champagne.
“So you called me all the way out here just to reject me?” he asked, immediately drinking the champagne once it was opened.
The sharp, sparkling sensation down his throat cleared his head.
“Why are you so sure I’m rejecting you?” she countered.
“Because that’s exactly what you’ve led me to believe.”
She also sipped the champagne. The faint apple aroma was refreshing.
Just one glass was enough to make her feel like the drink itself was pushing her to stop overthinking.
“Let’s get married.”
The words tumbled out.
“You said I should choose. I choose marriage—with you. Is that acceptable?”
It was a bold proposal.
“For you, dating or marriage—neither really holds any special meaning, does it?”
He fell silent, clearly not expecting a marriage proposal.
She didn’t push him for an answer. She simply bit her lower lip, waiting, watching him under the soft light.
She’d acted recklessly, and now regret was creeping in.
“I must have misheard you…” he finally said, refilling his glass with a serious look.
She bit her lip harder, feeling heat surge through her body.
Taking a deep breath that strained against her blouse buttons, she slowly opened her eyes and stared languidly at him.
“I’m proposing to you right now, Director.”
Her flushed lips moved softly, ensuring he heard every word.
“…Proposing?”
He stared at his champagne glass, incredulous.
“Let’s get married, you and I.”
“Your mind changed in a single day?”
He fixed his gaze on her over the rim of his glass.
“Yes. My heart is… unbearably light,” she replied.
She said her heart felt light, but her trembling betrayed her. It made him want to hold her.
“Light, huh.”
“Why? Do you hate lighthearted women?”
Her eyes were shaking.
She was making a marriage proposal full of ulterior motives, and he felt a strange pang in his chest.
“So… we should marry with a light heart, then?”
Somehow, she made the burden on his shoulders feel lighter.
And strangely, he didn’t dislike it.
“Whatever suits you, Director.”
She lifted her slender shoulders and sipped more champagne.
This was the situation he’d wanted—so why did it feel so uncomfortable?
“I’ll decline your proposal, Ms. Cha.”
He rejected her.
“…What?”
She had expected him to welcome it with open arms.
Her face crumpled in shock.
“I don’t want to take your feelings lightly. Give me a day,” he said smoothly.
The words sounded kind, but his emotionless face made it feel like another rejection.
She felt once again that she’d been played. She’d acted too hastily.
She didn’t want to drown in guilt over her family situation anymore. The simplest solution was to escape that house full of “victims.”
And since he also needed marriage for his own purposes, she’d boldly proposed.
But his rejection drained all her strength.
“…Alright.”
“Then let’s end this talk here and enjoy the meal.”
He leisurely cut into his now-cold steak.
She silently sipped her champagne, watching him.
How was she supposed to deal with a madman like this?
She rubbed the inside of her cheek with her tongue, studying him.
The champagne glass never left her hand.
Without realizing it, Iryeong started giggling. She felt like she was floating on a cloud—it was the first time she’d ever felt this way.
Not even her blanket at home felt this soft and fluffy. It must’ve been a great dream.
“…Ah!”
Startled, she flailed her legs and opened her eyes.
No wonder she’d felt like she was flying—she wasn’t home. Clutching an unfamiliar blanket, she scanned the room nervously.
The only light came from a bedside lamp. She squinted but couldn’t figure out where she was.
“I’ve never seen someone lose themselves over just a few glasses of champagne,” a voice said dryly.
Lee Jun was sitting casually near the bed, smirking.
“Director?”
“At least you recognize me.”
She clutched the blanket tighter and nodded.
Squinting, she saw him wearing just a shirt and trousers, legs crossed casually.
“You collapsed at the table, so I carried you. It didn’t seem serious enough for the hospital, so I brought you to a hotel.”
Hotel? Her eyelids twitched violently.
She hadn’t expected to pass out from champagne.
“I didn’t drink that much… Anyway, I’m sorry,” she apologized, awkwardly touching herself to check.
“I’m not the kind of guy who’d assault someone who’s asleep.”
“S–S–Sex… Ah. Right.”
She was fully dressed, but the situation was mortifying.
“I just took off my jacket and tie. It’s hot,” he said.
Only then did she notice his more relaxed appearance.
“H–Hot?”
How could it be hot in a temperature-controlled hotel room?
Her mind flashed red, and she stammered.
“Because of you, it’s still so hot I’m going crazy.”
He clearly meant her. She curled her toes involuntarily.
You’re insane, Cha Iryeong.
She held her breath, fighting to suppress the heat rising from her toes upward.
