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Chapter 17
Blink. Blink.
Yujin, staring blankly at the hand being held, slowly lifted her head.
“……!”
But Kang Hee-jae was already looking down at her, their eyes tangling in the air.
“Why? What.”
As if he were the one who had the right to say that.
The funny thing was, her heart was pounding—ticklish, ready to burst—just because of a single hand being held.
They had spent hours devouring each other’s lips, exchanging saliva, and yet…
“Why does this tiny touch stir me more than all that?”
“Maybe it’s the alcohol,” Yujin murmured.
Hee-jae interlaced his fingers with hers and began walking, tugging her along.
“My car’s in the parking lot. We’ll have to walk a bit. Can you manage?”
“Ah!”
No sooner had he spoken than Yujin stumbled, twisting her ankle.
Hee-jae immediately stopped and crouched to check her foot.
“Why do you wear shoes that don’t suit you at all?”
Those thin heels looked so unstable, like she could topple at any second.
“I’m fine, really.”
“Walk, then.”
Even as he spoke, he didn’t let go of her hand. When Yujin tried to take a cautious step, she flinched and froze.
Sensing her hesitation, Hee-jae’s gaze left her foot and traveled up to her face.
“Can’t walk?”
“No. I’m okay.”
“Then try walking by yourself.”
Finally, he released her hand and stepped ahead.
Ugh, so stubborn.
Her ankle throbbed from the sprain, but embarrassed and unwilling to admit pain, Yujin clenched her teeth and hobbled forward.
His sharp eyes glimmered as he watched her limp toward him.
When she finally reached him, limping all the way, Hee-jae let out a dry laugh.
“Don’t wear those again. You would’ve fallen if I hadn’t held your hand.”
“Stop nagging, will you?”
She scowled at him. That’s when Hee-jae suddenly turned his back and crouched down.
“Get on.”
“O… Oppa?!”
“Hurry. The driver’s waiting.”
“Are you crazy? There are so many people around.”
Indeed, countless passersby were sneaking glances. If someone from the office saw them, it would be disastrous.
“Come on, get up.”
She shook his shoulders, but Hee-jae didn’t budge.
No way she was climbing onto his back. Thankfully, the public parking lot wasn’t far. Yujin just walked past him.
“Damn stubborn woman.”
Watching her limp ahead, Hee-jae sprang up and easily caught up with her—his long strides overtaking her halting steps.
“Ahhh!”
Her feet left the ground in an instant. The dizzying sensation of being lifted made her shut her eyes, and when she opened them again—
She was already in his arms.
Princess carry…? Seriously?
“Why can’t you just listen for once.”
Grumbling as if it were a chore, he strode forward with her in his arms.
“Put me down! What are you doing?”
“See? This is easier than piggybacking. You wouldn’t listen, so I had no choice.”
“I told you it doesn’t hurt that much!”
“Quiet.”
Hee-jae ignored her protests and carried her toward the lot.
Her face flushed crimson with embarrassment. Passersby glanced and chuckled behind their hands.
Yujin wanted to disappear. Hee-jae, however, remained stoic, his expression almost businesslike—serious, as if he were in a boardroom.
“You know…”
His tone suddenly shifted, serious.
“Did you eat a lot today?”
“……”
Yujin blinked, trying to process the meaning. Then her eyes flew open in outrage.
“Put me down! Right now!”
“Kidding. Just kidding.”
Chuckling, he hugged her tighter as she kicked her legs.
How long had it been since he’d held Im Yujin like this?
The Yujin in his memory was small, cute. But now—she had grown, with long legs and a womanly aura.
Her peach-like cheeks flushed prettily, and when he recalled her gasping breaths during their kiss, heat pooled in his gut.
God, this is killing me.
Pushing the thoughts away, he quickened his steps toward the parking lot.
“Thank you.”
The chauffeur took his pay and left.
Hee-jae leaned in the backseat, watching the peacefully sleeping Yujin.
The problem? She’d fallen asleep during the short ride home.
If I hadn’t intervened, she would’ve gone straight to meet that so-called friend.
He sighed quietly.
Originally, she had an interview scheduled for Sunday, but it had been moved to tomorrow. Thanks to her, his plans were ruined.
Her brother’s words echoed in his mind:
– Hey, I’ve got a business trip today. If Yujin drinks, can you take her home? I’m worried.
And so, instead of her house, he brought her to his.
After a moment’s thought, he carried her inside.
How long had it been since she slept this deeply?
Yujin stretched, letting out a groan. Her fatigue seemed to melt away.
“Ahhh.”
She opened her eyes slowly. Then—froze.
She yanked the blanket up in panic, darting her eyes around.
A huge bed in the center of the room. Sheer curtains at the window. Minimalist furniture, simple décor.
“Where… am I?”
Rewinding last night’s memories—leaving with Hee-jae, spraining her ankle, being carried into the car…
“Then… is this his place?”
But everything after that was a blur. She hadn’t drunk that much. Why couldn’t she remember?
Nervously, she swung her legs off the bed. That’s when she spotted a small note on the nightstand, next to a medicine packet.
She picked it up.
[I’ll be back soon, so wait here. This is for your hangover. Take it when you wake up.]
The neat handwriting was unmistakably his.
So he had gone out.
Holding the note, Yujin stepped out of the bedroom.
“Wow… this place is gorgeous.”
Sunlight streamed through massive windows, filling the living room with brightness.
So the rumors were true—he lived in a luxury villa. But this was even better than she imagined.
“Even the house looks exactly like him.”
She forgot about her sore ankle, wandering about curiously.
“I’m thirsty.”
Muttering, she headed into the kitchen, stopping at the refrigerator—where another note was stuck.
[If you’re hungry, grab something. Otherwise, wait until I’m back. I’ll cook for you.]
“…What is this, a fairy husband?”
Cook for her?
She couldn’t help but laugh at the note.
She had been sulking since yesterday, when he had drawn such a sharp line between them in front of others. But here she was, smiling over a single note.
Pathetic, Im Yujin.
Still grinning despite herself, she reached for the fridge door—when a phone rang in the distance.
