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Chapter 34
“Argh!”
At Siwon’s scream, Somang shot up from her seat before she even realized it.
Her palm, which had just been held, grew damp with sweat. A chilly shiver ran down her back, like she’d been caught doing something bad.
“You saw that just now, right?”
Had he noticed her staring at Han‑gyul’s lips? Her heart pounded violently.
“His arm got ripped off. Holy crap.”
Phew. Somang let out a breath and awkwardly agreed.
“Y‑yeah. I saw.”
Han‑gyul leaned back against the sofa with a faint smile.
Guilt rushed in—guilt for having an indecent thought—and sneaking around dating behind Siwon’s back suddenly felt extremely nerve‑wracking.
Somang rose from her seat hesitantly.
“W‑want… some snacks?”
“Yeah. And grab me a beer while you’re there.”
Somang absentmindedly responded to Siwon and hurried to the kitchen. She hated how close she’d come to closing her eyes and giving in to the moment.
She opened the fridge, grabbed a beer, and fiddled with her phone.
[Are you close with Eun Yesul?]
He’d definitely read the message she sent earlier today. The read receipt had appeared—yet Han‑gyul still hadn’t replied.
No, seriously, what did they even talk about this morning?
“What are you staring at?”
“Ah! You scared me!”
Somang jumped, dropping her phone to the floor.
She accepted the phone Han‑gyul picked up for her and deliberately broke the eye contact he tried to hold.
“Why did you come out here?”
“There’s no one to hold my hand. It’s scary.”
Lies. He said ghosts and zombies didn’t scare him at all.
Somang huffed and turned away sharply, rummaging through the cabinet.
Rustle. Rustle.
The sound of snack bags filled the quiet kitchen.
“Eun Yesul.”
Freeze.
Her hands, busy searching through the snacks, stopped abruptly.
He stepped close, their shoulders lightly touching, and a low voice seeped across her skin like warm honey.
Somang swallowed hard and pressed her lips tightly together. The sound of her gulp rang loudly in her ears.
“Aren’t you curious?”
She could almost see a fox tail swaying mischievously behind him as he smiled faintly.
Then his strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind, making her dizzy.
“S‑Siwon oppa might see!”
She slapped his arms repeatedly, but Han‑gyul refused to let go. Voice low, she shuffled toward an area not visible from the living room.
Just as Siwon disappeared from view, a soft cotton scent washed over her.
“Isn’t that why you brought me somewhere out of sight?”
The brush of his nose against her hair and the warm breath he exhaled made her toes curl.
“Who is she? How close do you have to be for her to come all the way to your office?”
When Somang twisted to look back, Han‑gyul’s arms only tightened around her.
“Hm…”
He let out a low vibration of a sound and parted his lips, grazing her ear. Her shoulders jolted when he nibbled her earlobe without warning.
“No—answer first.”
The wet sounds from his mouth grew louder and more obscene as he played with the shell of her ear. His lips moved sinfully, more and more intoxicating by the second.
“Hnn—stop it!”
“Okay, okay.”
He always said that.
Okay, I’ll stop.
But then never actually stopped until he’d had his fill.
That habit had not disappeared one bit. Only when her ears were thoroughly soaked and sensitive did he finally end things with a quick, innocent‑pretending smooch.
“We’re not close. Our dads are. She’s my dad’s senior’s daughter.”
“You mean your families are close?”
Thinking their relationship sounded deeper than expected, Somang forcefully pried his arms off and turned to face him.
“Why would someone you’re not even close to show up at your office? And early in the morning, at that?”
“Are you upset because she came in the morning? Or because she’s a woman?”
“Both. Obviously.”
Somang pouted.
“Oppa, you’re really annoying. I’m glad I dated you first.”
“…What?”
As though he’d heard nonsense, Han‑gyul rested his arm on her shoulder where it had been wrapped around her waist.
“No, think about it. Who would like their boyfriend to have so many women around him?”
No one would.
Somang’s narrowed eyes showed exactly how displeased she was.
“And stop trying to fix everything with physical stuff.”
She stepped back and pushed his arm off her shoulder.
“Do you have anything to say? If you do this one more time, I’m quitting this whole relationship thing.”
At her prim, haughty tone, Han‑gyul covered his mouth with a fist. His chest tightened as he stifled the laughter threatening to burst out.
“Do you understand?”
Earlier she trembled nervously, yet now she had her arms confidently crossed, acting all bold.
“Yeah. I promise.”
When Han‑gyul reached to touch her cheek, smack! She slapped his hand away sharply.
“But oppa… do you also think Eun Yesul is pretty? She has so many followers, and all the guys say she’s pretty.”
At that last question, Han‑gyul gave up entirely and pulled her into his arms, laughing with delight.
How could someone be this cute?
He kissed her narrowed fish‑eyes, rubbed his nose against both warm cheeks, and smothered her with affection.
He wanted to haul her over his shoulder and disappear somewhere far from Siwon right this second.
He wanted to lick and kiss every finger and toe, mark every inch of her body as his.
“No, answer me! Is she pretty or not!”
She was nervous and anxious, while Han‑gyul was too busy planting kisses everywhere—smack, smack—bird‑kiss after bird‑kiss.
“I said stop using your body to avoid answering!”
“Somang, should we stop dating and just get married?”
It wasn’t like she had never thought about it, but wasn’t it way too early for this?
It had only been two days since they started dating.
“You don’t want to?”
He traced her cheek with his thumb like it didn’t matter.
The playful glint vanished from his eyes before he spoke.
“Somang… I want to be your husband.”
* * *
A Chinese restaurant near Clover Electronics headquarters.
Golden trim framed the rotating table, overflowing with dishes far too plentiful for just two people. And yet, one man—despite the feast—couldn’t even lift his chopsticks, wiping sweat with a handkerchief.
“Deputy Manager Gam Daesik?”
At Jongmin’s call, Daesik jolted upright like a spring, bowing his head.
“Y‑yes, Senior Managing Director!”
Jongmin smiled in satisfaction at how disciplined and nervous Daesik looked.
This was what he loved.
A position where he was born with everything beneath his feet.
No matter their age, the feeling of someone bowing to him—
That was true ecstasy.
“Relax.”
Daesik grinned idiotically, showing all his teeth at a single generous‑sounding phrase. Jongmin felt pleased—like he’d gained another toy to play with however he wanted.
“You know who I am, right?”
“Y‑yes, of course.”
“You work in the same division as my younger brother, don’t you?”
As Jongmin poured the baijiu, its sharp alcoholic scent filled the air.
“Yes, sir.”
“Then you must know very well—every foolish thing my trash brother is up to.”
The liquor filled the small glass to the brim and spilled over, dripping down Daesik’s fingers.
Daesik, quick to catch the mood in situations like this, gulped it down immediately.
“H‑how can I help you? Anything! I’ll do anything!”
Jongmin threw his head back, laughing loudly until his uvula was visible, and emptied his own glass in one gulp.
He was exactly the type Jongmin wanted.
A spineless puppet willing to rip out his own liver and gallbladder if ordered.
“Then it’s simple. Bring me a LOROVER product. I’ll text you the place. Do it within the week.”
“B‑but why a robot vacuum…?”
“Sigh. Deputy Manager Gam.”
When Daesik still looked confused, Jongmin slammed his hand on the table.
Bang!
Daesik flinched and shut his eyes.
“I need a bomb. A powerful one that can ruin the enemy in one shot.”
If another explosion incident occurred—under the TF team created to handle home‑appliance explosions—would that half‑wit Yoo Hangyeol remain untouched?
No way.
Jongmin smiled inwardly. His plan was nothing short of brilliant.
And after this, their indecisive father would have no choice but to make up his mind.
