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Chapter 18
It was Yuhyun’s call.
Without much thought, Yujin pressed the button and answered.
“Ah, oppa.”
– Did you make it home okay last night?
“…Huh?”
– You had a company dinner, right? I asked if you got home safely.
The unexpected question made Yujin’s lips part slightly.
– Hello? You there?
“Y-Yeah! Of course!”
Only after replying did she remember—Yuhyun was away on a business trip.
Guilt prickled at her, stuffing her head with frantic thoughts.
– I told Hee-jae to make sure you got home if you drank too much.
“Oh! Right. Yeah… Hee-jae oppa dropped me off.”
– You’re at home now, right?
Why was he asking like this, making her feel guilty?
She hadn’t done anything wrong, but sweat pricked at the back of her neck.
No… actually, I did stay out overnight. That counts as wrong, doesn’t it?
“Of course I’m home. Where else would I be?”
– Then go to my desk and check one of the files for me.
“What?”
– Why do you sound so shocked?
Well, because this isn’t home, that’s why!
Scrambling for an excuse, Yujin blurted,
“I didn’t wash up last night and crashed right away. I’m showering now. My hair’s soaked, so I can’t step out yet.”
– Useless. Call me back when you’re done. I need that checked.
He ended the call just like that.
“…Haa.”
What a mess. Yujin sighed and organized her spinning thoughts.
So right now she was “in the shower,” and once she was done, she had to call Yuhyun back. Which meant—
“I need to go home.”
Why was he so careless, leaving papers behind? He wasn’t a kid.
Grumbling, Yujin hurriedly gathered her things and slipped out of Hee-jae’s place, planning to call him later to explain.
Back home, she immediately rang Yuhyun.
His answer nearly made her jaw drop.
– Oh, that’s resolved already. I’m busy, so I’ll hang up.
She was too stunned to even curse.
After rushing home like crazy, all the energy drained out of her body.
“…Unbelievable. First thing in the morning, really.”
She flopped onto the living room floor, limbs sprawled.
Hee-jae wasn’t answering his phone either. Because of Yuhyun, she had run home in vain.
Staring blankly at the ceiling, she recalled what Hee-jae had said the night before:
‘The interview we scheduled for Sunday is moved to tomorrow. Just be aware.’
He’d insisted Sunday, saying he was busy Saturday. And now he changed it without even consulting her?
Just then, her phone rang loudly. Caller ID: Kang Hee-jae.
“Ahem.”
She cleared her throat, then answered.
“Yes, Team Leader.”
Funny how fast people adapt. “Team Leader” rolled off her tongue naturally now. Even her polite tone sounded convincing.
– Where are you? I told you to wait at my place.
That rich, smooth voice reached her ear.
God, even his voice is unfairly handsome.
Usually, good looks came with an average voice. But not with him.
Smiling despite herself, Yujin replied,
“I almost got caught for staying out, so I rushed home. All for nothing, though.”
– What do you mean?
“Because of Im Yuhyun, that’s what.”
Too tired to explain, she brushed it off.
Her stomach churned unpleasantly from all the rushing, on top of her hangover. Not even a sip of water yet.
She sighed softly.
– Let’s do the interview today.
“…Why was it moved to today?”
– Because I said so.
“Just like that?”
– Yeah. Why, is there a problem?”
His brazenness made her laugh bitterly.
Truth was, she had no plans today anyway.
– I’ll pick you up. Get ready and come down.
“I feel awful. My stomach’s queasy.”
– That’s what you get for drinking too much. Can’t handle it, but still downing it like water?
All because of you…
He had no idea. Yujin pouted in silence.
– I’ll be there in 20 minutes.
“That soon? Make it an hour.”
– …Fine.
He chuckled low and ended the call.
An hour. But she hadn’t even showered. One hour was nowhere near enough.
“Ugh, even weekends are exhausting.”
Still, a smile tugged at her lips.
First date with my first love…
The thought alone made her giddy.
“I need to get ready fast.”
Heart fluttering, she dashed into the bathroom.
“Exactly one hour and thirty-seven minutes.”
Hee-jae glanced at his watch as Yujin approached.
She’d asked for an hour, but by the time she finally showed, he’d been waiting in the car another thirty-seven minutes.
When his gaze lifted to her, a crooked smile touched his lips.
“Why’d you come out looking this pretty?”
“…I didn’t.”
She tried to act casual, but even she knew she looked different.
His dark eyes scanned her slowly.
At the office, she always appeared refined, put-together. But today… she looked like she had dressed with intent.
The fluttering dress emphasized her femininity, her loose waves framing her face perfectly.
His gaze lingered on her shoes.
“Your ankle’s okay?”
“It’s fine. Nothing serious.”
“You’ll just trip again.”
“I said I’m fine.”
The shoes weren’t as tall as yesterday’s, but still looked uncomfortable to his eyes.
“Get in.”
He moved aside, opening the passenger door for her.
Each step she took made her dress sway in the breeze, and the sight made him chuckle.
“…Why are you laughing?”
“Because you’re cute.”
His blunt answer made her flush.
“D-Don’t tease me.”
Her ears went bright red. Tilting his head, Hee-jae brushed his fingers over her earlobe.
“Did you dress up like this to look pretty for me?”
“….”
“You are pretty, you know.”
Her eyes trembled at his unfiltered honesty.
“When did that little bean sprout grow up so much?”
Stop making my heart race like this…
His raw, unguarded gaze made her face burn to the roots of her hair.
Yujin looked away, fanning her cheeks with her hand.
Calm down. Breathe. Breathe.
But her racing heart refused to settle.
“Just get in. Let’s handle work first.”
Work first… and then?
Biting back the thought, she quickly climbed into the passenger seat.
“I can do the—!”
But he leaned over, fastening her seatbelt himself. A soft smile played on his lips as he smoothed her hair.
Then he walked around to the driver’s side, slid behind the wheel, and pulled the car out of the lot.
“You’ve eaten anything?”
As he steered effortlessly, she snuck glances at him. Only then did she realize—he wasn’t in his usual suit.
Instead, he wore a knit sweater over a shirt, sleeves casually rolled.
The lean muscle beneath caught her eye immediately.
“….”
“If you’re going to sneak looks, just do it openly.”
He raised his arm slightly toward her.
Caught red-handed, her face flamed.
“It’d be a shame if you only looked.”
His right hand slid over and covered hers, resting neatly on her lap.
“You can touch too. As much as you want.”
His velvety voice tickled her ears, sending shivers down her spine.
