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Chapter : 06
The man sitting next to her, CEO Joo Seok-jin, was the kind of young CEO every female college student adored. For several years, he had consistently ranked first on that popularity list.
On top of that, he was also admired as the kind of man people wanted to marry, enjoying fame almost like a celebrity or sports star.
“I think if someone helps you, it’s only right to treat them to a meal,” Ga-eun said.
“Because of that right, an innocent frog might get hit by a stone. I’ll pass.”
Ga-eun held out both her hands to Seok-jin, making her refusal very clear.
“Still, I’m just so thankful.”
“Well, if you really feel that way, you could just give me the interest generously.”
“…If that’s what you mean, I’ll do it.”
Had she rejected him too sharply?
Still, she had no choice.
Seok-jin was far too impressive a man to simply share a casual meal with.
If she got involved, she would not just fall into insignificance—she would surely be seen as a strange person trying to approach Seok-jin with impure intentions.
“What’s the plan for the first schedule?”
“We’re going to have Tom Yum Goong.”
“Was that the original plan?”
“No. It changed because of the in-flight meal. The original plan was to get a massage.”
Hearing the word “massage,” Seok-jin pressed his lips together.
Ga-eun realized that “massage” was his weakness—a magical word that triggered guilt toward her.
She decided internally to use “massage” as her ultimate weapon.
As they discussed the rest of the schedule, they soon arrived in Bangkok.
“Can I hold that for you?”
Seok-jin pointed to the duty-free shopping bag in Ga-eun’s hand as they got off the plane.
“It’s fine. I can carry this lightly.”
“Think of it as me helping you out of gratitude.”
Seok-jin took the shopping bag from Ga-eun.
Since it seemed funny to refuse further, Ga-eun handed the bag to him.
If she had arrived at Bangkok’s large, complicated airport alone, she would have been lost—but with Seok-jin, she felt a strange sense of security.
“To think I’m using CEO Joo as my luggage carrier—I must be living a long life to see this, right?”
“You never know how life will unfold.”
“Anyway, it feels good, Mr. Joo.”
Ga-eun tapped Seok-jin’s shoulder with a smug expression. Seok-jin turned toward her with a slightly baffled look.
“Mr. Joo?”
“Let’s be casual, since we’re now creditor and debtor. You call me Mr. Oh, I’ll call you Mr. Joo. It feels friendly and nice.”
“I’m Joo Seok-jin.”
“I know, you’re CEO Joo Seok-jin. But don’t you realize that if it weren’t for me, you’d be an international lost child?”
Seeing him walk ahead without answering, Ga-eun felt a little anxious.
If he got upset and called his secretary…
She decided to hold back, realizing she might have pushed Seok-jin too far in teasing him.
“See you later then.”
Seok-jin handed her back the shopping bag and nodded lightly.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m heading to the private gate.”
“Wow, a private gate. Some people queue for immigration, while others go straight. That’s unfair.”
“This isn’t Korea; this is Thailand.”
“Oh, Thailand…”
She vaguely remembered news that Joo Shin Retail had invested a huge sum in Thailand. Naturally, a big investor in another country would get special treatment.
Even so, Ga-eun felt oddly uneasy.
“Alright, Mr. Joo, you go ahead. I’ll queue and come out way later.”
She found the shortest immigration line and displayed her discomfort openly.
“Ms. Oh Ga-eun.”
She turned when Seok-jin called her. He hadn’t taken the private gate yet—at least he didn’t abandon his conscience.
“Here’s a tip when queuing: go to the line with mostly Asians, especially Koreans.”
Seok-jin pointed to a line with mostly Korean tourists.
“Thanks.”
She joined that line and turned to check if Seok-jin was behind her.
“No loyalty at all.”
He just told her the tip and walked calmly to the private gate.
“Just wait. I’ll get my revenge.”
Ga-eun decided she would fully control Seok-jin while in Bangkok.
This was a rare chance—living in a country where one of the top ten chaebols could be under her influence.
“What if I end up taking revenge? Do I have to watch him while feeding him?”
She simplified her thinking: life is short; this rare opportunity should be enjoyed.
She also had the phone recording of him asking for money—a weapon if he tried to pressure her. Ga-eun smiled.
“Wow, the line’s moving fast.”
As Seok-jin said, the line was moving faster than the others.
After quickly clearing immigration, Ga-eun went to collect her luggage.
Seeing no sign of Seok-jin, she debated internally: leave him and go?
She tried sneaking out without him, confident she wouldn’t become an international lost child.
“Why are you coming out so late?”
But Seok-jin caught her.
Technically, he didn’t know anything; he just called her while she was standing still.
“Thanks to you, the Asian lines moved fast! I almost died waiting!”
“Every rule has exceptions. Let’s go.”
Though correct, it still annoyed her.
They took a taxi to the hotel, agreed on breakfast the next morning, and went to their rooms—Seok-jin on the 36th floor, Ga-eun on the 34th.
The next morning, Ga-eun woke to knocking.
“Who’s here so early…”
Rubbing her eyes, she looked at the clock: 8:10, ten minutes past the agreed time with Seok-jin.
“Ms. Oh Ga-eun!”
She opened the door slightly, whispering, “Sorry, I overslept… I’ll wash my face and come out immediately.”
After a quick wash, she put on makeup, jeans, and a T-shirt, and left the room.
“Our clothes… are similar.”
“Yeah.”
White V-neck T-shirts and jeans made them look almost like a couple or honeymooners—enough to cause confusion if anyone saw them.
“Sorry I’m late. I won’t be late again starting tomorrow.”
“You weren’t long.”
She felt good hearing that, as Seok-jin tended to speak plainly and not sugarcoat.
“I really wasn’t long. I knocked because you didn’t answer your phone from the next room.”
She sighed internally. That man always seemed to subtract points by saying unnecessary things.
Apparently, he had switched rooms because of poor cleaning, so he ended up next to her.
At the breakfast buffet, people crowded as usual. Fortunately, a table by the window opened up for them.
“Ms. Oh Ga-eun, would you like an omelet?”
“Yes.”
“Any ingredients to remove?”
“Mushrooms.”
Seok-jin carried two plates and waited for the omelets. Ga-eun grabbed light breakfast items and two glasses of guava juice, placing one at Seok-jin’s seat.
“I’m not like some unfaithful person. Even if hungry, I’ll wait.”
She waited patiently as Seok-jin returned with the omelets.
“You could eat first, but did you wait?”
“Of course, the elder should eat first. I’m polite.”
“You’re holding the fork now.”
Ga-eun forgot for a moment that Seok-jin didn’t get jokes.
He smiled slightly and placed the omelet plate in front of her.
“Enjoy your meal.”
“Yes, you too.”
“Thanks for the coffee and guava juice.”
“I have a bit of extra sense.”
“Let’s eat.”
“Yes.”
She added her sausage and salad to his plate.
For the first time in a while, they had a relaxed breakfast, sharing food and smiles.
Unaware, someone was taking photos of them, capturing their friendly, intimate gestures.
A man smiled with satisfaction as he pressed the camera shutter repeatedly.
