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Episode 3
Saying she needed to learn how to deal with men, Bae Geun-ho put Sihyeon into places where there were typically many men.
Good-looking men with great bodies would show interest and flirt with her, but it was so embarrassing and shameful that she couldn’t last even five minutes before running out.
Whenever that happened, Bae Geun-ho would put her back in there.
Eventually, they explained in detail about matters related to the opposite sex so that Sihyeon wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. Whenever that happened, Sihyeon’s small ears would flush red each time.
Bae Geun-ho also occasionally gave her time to visit her mother.
Of course, the hospital location and time were all up to Bae Geun-ho, but it allowed her a brief moment to breathe.
What was most difficult was the ordeal of meeting her sister’s numerous boyfriends one by one to tell them she was breaking up.
The hardest to break ties with were the members of Shin Won, infamous in this industry for being sleazy.
Sihyeon massaged her throbbing forehead and let out a long sigh.
“Will I have to live like this for the rest of my life? There’s no more Bae Sihyeon’s life from now on, right…”
Yes. There won’t be.
Because she will have to live like this, continuously.
As the representative of Taesan Y Airline. As Bae Hyo-joo.
Since becoming her sister, she hadn’t been able to sleep soundly and peacefully even for a single moment. So whenever Sihyeon had time, she would close her eyes, even if just for a short while.
Knock, knock.
“Representative. Vice President Pyeon Ji-wook is here outside now. If it’s inconvenient, I’ll send him away.”
Did I just hear that wrong?
A small vertical crease formed on Sihyeon’s forehead.
It was that man who used to come to the flower shop every day at 3 PM, five years ago.
That man was Pyeon Ji-wook, the Vice President of K J Group.
In the booklet Bae Geun-ho had given her, her sister’s human relationships were briefly outlined. The moment she saw that name, she found it both surprising and thought, ‘What a coincidence this is.’
“Secretary Gong. I’m not feeling well right now—”
The representative office door flew open without warning.
“Just because you’ve risen to the representative position, you don’t even acknowledge me now?”
The man, dressed in a suit fitted without a single error, was looking down at Bae Sihyeon with an intense gaze.
His dark, peculiar stare seemed as if it would devour Sihyeon. Just like that time five years ago.
Hurriedly fastening her jacket button, she quickly tidied her disheveled appearance.
A snicker, a laughing sound, came from above her head.
“Why be so modest? Is it shyness now, seeing you after five years?”
A different tone from back then.
The relationship between the two seemed very close. Sihyeon’s mind raced quickly.
Surely not, were they not just close friends, but had sister slept with this man too?
If so, that would be a huge disaster.
Even before Sihyeon’s thoughts could finish, Pyeon Ji-wook’s low voice flowed out.
“Anyone would think you’re acting precious, as if you’re not Bae Hyo-joo.”
She was so surprised she was struck speechless.
In all her time mimicking her sister, this was the first time she had heard such a thing.
Seeing Bae Sihyeon flustered, Secretary Gong Seung-jun, who had entered, continued speaking.
“Vice President Pyeon Ji-wook. I’m sorry, but I think you’ll have to leave. Our representative is not feeling well today and does not plan to meet with anyone.”
Pyeon Ji-wook’s gaze shifted for a moment to Gong Seung-jun standing behind him. Finding this situation quite amusing, he wore a sneer.
“Don’t tell me, have you two already slept together?”
He even knew about Bae Hyo-joo promiscuous personal life.
The very stain her father had so desperately wanted to hide.
Quickly calming her heart, Sihyeon managed her expression.
Sihyeon’s acting was so good that even her stepmother, Kang Hui-won, and younger half-brother, Eun-seong, were completely fooled.
There was no way he, meeting her again after five years, could recognize her at a glance.
“This is a company. Please refrain from such remarks, Vice President Pyeon Ji-wook. Secretary Gong, you may leave now.”
“Understood, Representative.”
Secretary Gong Seung-jun exited the representative’s office, his expression showing he was still concerned about her.
Sihyeon gestured with her chin towards the sofa across from her.
“Sit down. Don’t just stand there.”
Though she was acting calmly, she was more nervous than anyone. Pyeon Ji-wook snickered and sat down across from her.
“How strange. Your texture has changed a lot in the time we haven’t seen each other.”
Texture changed? What on earth?
Everyone in the world was completely fooled.
Was he testing her?
But she must not be discovered, especially not by Pyeon Ji-wook.
He was the real power in K J Group and an absolutely necessary business partner for Taesan Group.
‘sister, I heard you’re close with Pyeon Ji-wook of K J Group. Is he someone safe to keep close?’
‘He’s a very sharp person. It would be best to avoid clashing with him as much as possible, but he’s essential for us. He’s far better than any of those guys Hyo-joo hung out with. Maintain a good relationship as much as possible.’
Bae Geun-ho never showed any dislike for Pyeon Ji-wook. Therefore, she couldn’t treat him carelessly.
She replied in a flat voice.
“Maybe it’s because we’re meeting after five years. You’ve changed a lot too, Pyeon Ji-wook.”
“Well, I suppose so?”
His intense, blatant gaze made her feel like her airways were constricted. Like a elegant crane, Pyeon Ji-wook crossed his legs and stared blankly at Sihyeon.
No matter how much time had passed, she was too different. In the past, Bae Hyo-joo would have freely initiated physical contact, and Pyeon Ji-wook would have put on a stern face and pushed her away, but now he was giving off a different vibe. She couldn’t clearly pinpoint it, but the atmosphere was definitely different.
What could it be.
‘Ah, then how about forget-me-not? They carry the meaning “Forget me not.” I think it would be good to gift them with the wish of not being forgotten.’
For a moment, Bae Sihyeon overlapped in his vision.
He must be completely out of his mind.
Snap out of it. Pyeon Ji-wook.
“…”
Feeling as if his intense gaze was choking her, Sihyeon quickly broke the silence.
“So. When are you going back to the US?”
“I’m not going. I plan to stay in Korea forever.”
Sihyeon unknowingly bit the soft membrane inside her mouth.
Pyeon Ji-wook leaned his upper body forward and stared intently at her face.
From her forehead to her eyes.
The beauty spot under her eye, her small nose bridge, and her lips.
The gaze roaming her face gradually lengthened.
“I thought you’d be happy, but this is unexpected.”
Was that it?
Unlike usual, Pyeon Ji-wook’s words also came out harshly.
“Has Bae Hyo-joo taste changed in that time?”
Dust floated in the sunlight streaming in through the large window.
“What?”
“Otherwise, why are you making such a fuss?”
Feeling overwhelmed by his pressure, Sihyeon swallowed dry saliva. His large hand patted his own thigh.
“You haven’t greeted me properly.”
Seeing Sihyeon frozen without moving, he laughed, saying, “What, you don’t like it?”
Pyeon Ji-wook tapped on the marble table. With enough force to shake the desk.
If he had thrown out such a joke, Bae Hyo-joo would have responded cheerfully or just let it pass. But seeing her face pale and hardened instead, Pyeon Ji-wook rolled his tongue inside his cheek.
Why. She was acting like a different person, to the point of annoyance.
“What are you doing?”
“…Wh, what?”
Not understanding his action, Sihyeon felt her stomach churn.
Pyeon Ji-wook spoke in a slippery voice.
“Come here. Let’s greet each other properly after a long time.”
Sihyeon’s shoulders gradually stiffened.
Her expression couldn’t handle this unexpected attitude.
She thought they were just close friends who didn’t cross the line.
Pyeon Ji-wook, who five years ago only bought bouquets like a pure-hearted man, was now completely different, as if he had taken off a hidden mask.
It seemed his forget-me-not were for sister, after all.
What should I do?
She had to somehow get through this situation well. Pyeon Ji-wook was definitely not on the list of men sister had dated, but was their relationship deep, even as friends?
No matter how much she racked her brain, a good solution didn’t come. Flustered, Sihyeon’s pupils shook as if an earthquake had struck.
Wearing a sneer, he slowly loosened his tie.
Whenever he saw the markedly flustered look in her eyes, Pyeon Ji-wook found himself being persistently insistent.
To an extent he himself couldn’t understand.
“Bae Hyo-joo, shall I do it, or will you?”
Pyeon Ji-wook, who had been sitting askew, stood up and slid his arms under her armpits.
In an instant, Sihyeon was lifted onto the table.
She was so startled she barely swallowed the scream that nearly escaped her lips.
“Stop with the modesty now, alright?”
Sihyeon, now on the stage he had created, squeezed her eyes shut tightly, then opened them.
“It’s already been… five years since you left.”
It was the answer she barely managed to come up with.
Just the words that a long time had already passed.
But Pyeon Ji-wook, ignoring that, even threw off his jacket and unfastened the silver watch on his wrist.
Thud.
The sound of it falling onto the table felt like sinking into the depths of an abyss.
“Does that change Bae Hyo-joo essence?”
“…”
“Unless you die and come back to life, your dissolute and promiscuous personal life won’t change.”
Pyeon Ji-wook swept his hand over his smooth forehead and stared blankly at her.
His gaze was as scorching as punishment.
“I don’t have much time, so let’s finish this quickly.”
