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Chapter 20
In front of the popup ice cream shop.
“I really wanted to come. This was entirely my choice,”
Eun-se said firmly, accepting the ice cream cup Taehun handed her.
“So don’t interfere. Got it?”
“Alright. But if—”
“Yes, yes. If my in-laws start treating me badly, I’ll make sure to tell you first.”
“Before that—”
“I said I know! I won’t force myself to do something I don’t want to, ever.”
Eun-se abruptly shoved the spoon into Taehun’s mouth — to shut him up.
He obediently took the bite, and she smiled as she asked,
“Good, right?”
“Not really.”
Taehun spat out the spoon.
“I know something that tastes much sweeter.”
“And what’s that?”
Taehun lowered his dark eyes. The gleam in them trailed somewhere that made Eun-se hastily clutch at her blouse.
“W–what are you thinking!”
Her face flushed like a ripe strawberry.
“It’s the middle of the day!”
“You eat that first thing in the morning.”
He tilted his chin toward the ice cream cup — referring to the time she’d eaten leftover gelato the moment she’d woken up.
“This and that are completely different!”
“Not to me.”
Taehun replied flatly.
“Finish it up and let’s go home. I’ve saved my dessert too.”
She had a very good idea what that “dessert” was.
Her face was burning red as she put the spoon in her mouth. The cold ice cream cooled her tongue, but her cheeks and neck stayed hot.
Maybe Taehun was even worse than when they first met — tireless, insatiable.
Of course, Eun-se still found nights with him just as thrilling and intoxicating.
The problem was, no matter when it started, it always ended in the deep hours of the night.
If she went home now, how many hours would she be trapped in bed again? Tomorrow was Sunday — and Taehun was the kind of man who could easily keep her there for over 24 hours straight.
Today, she didn’t want to go home right away.
Since we’re already out for once…
“Oh, right. I have something I want to buy — can we take a quick look?”
“What is it?”
Taehun tilted his head slightly.
“Do you need something? Just tell me.”
“Something like accessories.”
He blinked, surprised.
“Accessories? A watch? A ring?”
The only things he’d ever bought her were a few rings — including her engagement ring — and a couple of necklaces, bracelets, and watches from business trips.
Every time, Eun-se had been overwhelmed, sometimes even insisting he return them.
But now, she was the one bringing up accessories. He could’ve easily bought out every store in the mall if she let him.
“I don’t really know what’s good,” she admitted, fiddling with something around her neck.
“Today, your mother-in-law gave me all the jewelry she and Grandma used to wear when they were younger.”
“Why, were they not worth much? Didn’t suit your taste?”
“What are you saying!”
Eun-se waved her hands, eyes wide.
“I was so grateful. I just wanted to give her something in return, even a small token. I just don’t know what would be good.”
Ah. Realizing that, Taehun’s expression cooled instantly.
“So that’s why you got teary-eyed earlier.”
“What do you mean just that? There were tons of them!”
“She probably gave them away because she didn’t need them anymore.”
He said it as if it were nothing — why make such a fuss over hand-me-downs?
“They’re precious memories,” Eun-se said seriously, frowning at his indifference. “It’d feel rude to just receive something without giving back.”
Once he understood her intention, any hint of enthusiasm he had vanished.
It was the weekend — he could’ve just lazed around at home or spent the afternoon making her his own kind of “dessert.”
Instead, he was supposed to spend it picking out someone else’s present.
“Can’t you help me look?”
“Sure,” he said flatly.
They headed toward the luxury section of the department store. But as they stopped in front of one boutique, Eun-se looked up at him awkwardly.
“There are too many options. I can’t throw them out, but…”
She still had half a cup of gelato left — Taehun had insisted on upsizing even when she’d wanted the smallest size.
Without a word, Taehun took the cup from her, scraped the rest with the spoon, and swallowed it in one go, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“Happy now?”
“Thank you.”
The sight of his slightly wet lips was… too sexy. A sudden impulse to kiss him made her blush again.
“Taehun.”
The sharp sound of heels clicking cut through the moment.
Both of them turned toward the voice.
The woman approaching was perfectly polished — immaculate hair and nails, bold makeup, bright-colored heels that drew every eye.
“We keep running into each other lately. Shopping?”
“As you can see.”
“Wow, never thought I’d see you walking around a department store. The Yoon Taehun I know always sends a personal shopper instead.”
“You’re one to talk.”
“Ah, but it’s different for women,” she said lightly. “We need to see things in person — it’s part of the joy.”
She smiled brightly, then turned her gaze to Eun-se for the first time.
“This is my fiancée,” Taehun said briefly. “An old classmate.”
The woman, who’d been eyeing Eun-se sharply, suddenly broke into a radiant smile.
“So we finally meet. The famous girlfriend everyone says has Yoon Taehun completely wrapped around her finger.”
Taehun frowned slightly, but the woman — Dohee — just laughed and added,
“Everyone’s heard about it. The man who never even ate with a woman is now pulling out chairs, helping her with her coat, and kneeling to put on her shoes. It’s legendary.”
She gave a breezy laugh, flashing her white teeth at Eun-se.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Baek Dohee. Taehun and I have been inseparable since we were kids.”
“Hello. I’m Han Eun-se,” she said politely.
“Han Eun-se,” Dohee repeated softly, then pointed toward the boutique.
“Weren’t you about to go in? What are you shopping for?”
Caught off guard, Eun-se answered honestly,
“I’m looking for a gift.”
“A gift? For who?”
“Go ahead first,” Taehun cut in again. “We’ll look around slowly.”
Dohee grinned and stuck her tongue out playfully.
“Too bad — I was actually really bored today. Thought I’d tag along and butt in a little. Didn’t mean to intrude, sorry. Hope you find something nice, Eun-se.”
Her friendly smile and easy tone made it impossible for Eun-se to ignore her.
After all, she was Taehun’s friend — and she’d seemed genuinely glad to meet her. It felt rude to just brush her off.
Watching Taehun’s cold expression, Eun-se hesitated before asking,
“Um… would you like to help me pick something?”
“Really? You don’t mind?” Dohee’s face lit up.
“Of course not,” Eun-se said, smiling brightly. “It’s for older women, and I’m not really familiar with luxury brands.”
“Older women, huh? Hmm, I can think of a few ideas.”
The ice cream cup in Taehun’s hand crumpled slightly.
There were plenty of reasons he disliked Baek Dohee — but the biggest was simple: he didn’t want anyone, especially her, interrupting his time alone with Eun-se.
Even family could be annoying enough; Dohee, who always talked too much whenever they met, was worse.
He was just about to tell her to go when—
“That would be wonderful. Right, Director? It’s better to get a woman’s opinion for this sort of thing.”
The sudden use of his title made Taehun flinch.
Eun-se didn’t stop there — she looped her arm through his and said playfully,
“It’s fine, right, Taehun?”
