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chapter 16
In that difficult situation, his appearance felt like a ray of light.
“D-Director?”
Dain hesitated as she tried to say Taekyung’s title. She worried it might be awkward if Inhyuk found out which company she was currently working for.
“I’m here today as the Director’s partner. Then… maybe it’s better if we pretend to be a couple?”
Of course, there was no guarantee that Taekyung would go along with her act, but she approached as naturally as she could, smiling. When she carefully linked her arm with his, she could feel the solid muscles beneath his soft jacket.
“I’m sorry, Taekyung. I was just going to rest a little before heading in…”
Dain’s voice sounded different than usual. Her tone was still gentle, but softer, with a hint of charm. Fortunately, Taekyung quickly caught on to her intention and smiled.
“I see. I was wondering when you’d come anyway.”
“Ko Taekyung…”
Before Taekyung could finish responding, Inhyuk called him. Dain turned around with a startled expression. Inhyuk continued speaking with his usual expressionless face.
“I saw your name on the invitation list, but I didn’t think you’d come. Though, I did hear you recently returned to Korea…”
Taekyung only smiled in response, a smile that confirmed his words. Since his behavior wasn’t unfamiliar to her, Dain frantically looked between the two men, unable to grasp the flow of the situation.
“Um, Taekyung.”
Dain whispered softly and tugged at Taekyung’s arm. Seeing this, Inhyuk furrowed his brows. Taekyung noticed Inhyuk’s wary gaze and deliberately closed the distance with Dain.
“Do you two… know each other?”
Inhyuk had been staring at Dain and missed his turn to speak. Taekyung answered first.
“We were college classmates.”
“Close friends?”
“Um, our families are somewhat acquainted, so we keep in touch occasionally.”
Dain nodded slowly. She had been surprised at first, but the explanation brought her a small sense of relief. If they had been close, it would have been difficult to explain, but if they just occasionally kept in touch, it was a relief.
She didn’t want Taekyung to know the nature of her past relationship with Inhyuk. She didn’t want to reveal that he was her former boss, or that they briefly dated and broke up. Those days with Inhyuk were a painful memory she wanted to erase.
Even as the two men conversed, Inhyuk’s gaze never left Dain. Seeing her dressed in a way he had never seen before, standing next to another man, felt unfamiliar. That unfamiliarity made him uneasy.
‘I don’t plan to meet Inhyuk. Once the call is over, I’ll block this number immediately.’
Dain’s firm rejection still echoed in her ears, yet she was deliberately standing with another man. She didn’t know what kind of relationship the two men had, but the fact that he came to this party with a partner suggested they weren’t ordinary acquaintances.
‘Was there a reason he joined Taewoong Trading?’
Through his secretary, he had found out where Dain worked, but she had assumed it was just a simple job. She never imagined she and Taekyung would have any connection.
“Shall we go? I heard there’s delicious cake over there.”
Taekyung noticed the stiffening expression on Inhyuk’s face and whispered as if for Dain’s benefit.
“Y-yes, let’s!”
It was a welcome suggestion. Dain’s face immediately brightened. Knowing she had come as Taekyung’s partner, she assumed Inhyuk would soon step back.
“Wait.”
However, Inhyuk was far more persistent than Dain had anticipated. Even when Dain, startled, shook her head to stop him, it was useless.
“Our conversation isn’t over yet. I’d like you to step aside for a moment.”
The chilling look he gave Taekyung created a tense atmosphere. Taekyung calmly met his gaze, tilting his head slightly.
She didn’t know the exact relationship between the two, but it was clear that Inhyuk was desperate to hold onto Dain. That made her all the more impossible to let go.
“No, there’s no need…”
“Why are you trying to steal someone else’s partner while leaving your own behind?”
Taekyung blocked Inhyuk entirely and spoke firmly. Unlike Inhyuk’s tense stance, Taekyung’s relaxed tone radiated confidence, born from the certainty that he deserved to be by Dain’s side right now.
“I came with my mother.”
“Oh?”
“I didn’t really have anyone to bring as a partner.”
At the mention of “mother,” Dain’s face instantly hardened. She vividly recalled the face of Inhyuk’s mother, Park Hyunjung, just as she had seen it yesterday. Her uniquely cold and cynical demeanor left a mark she could never forget.
“Then go ahead. She must be anxiously looking for you.”
Taekyung’s casual remark finally drew a strong frown from Inhyuk. Even Dain flinched at the deadly expression, but Taekyung didn’t stop.
“Everyone around was worried sick. I guess you were the only one unaware.”
It was well-known that Inhyuk’s mother doted on him. A former famous ballerina, she had cherished Inhyuk after a difficult birth, sometimes treating him as more important than herself.
Moreover, after Inhyuk gave up swimming due to an accident, her affection turned into obsession. Inhyuk knew this, so he couldn’t ignore Taekyung’s words.
“You’re right. Go ahead.”
At the same time, Dain intervened. Both men turned their gaze to her. Dain looked at Inhyuk resolutely and lied clearly.
“I’m seeing Taekyung seriously.”
“Dain…”
“So, from now on…”
Taekyung’s face displayed a meaningful expression as he watched her lie. Inhyuk glanced at Dain through narrow eyes and smiled faintly.
“You’ve never been good at lying. I’ll be leaving soon, so there’s no need to waste your energy.”
“It’s not a lie!”
“It was good seeing you after a long time.”
Ignoring Taekyung, Inhyuk whispered quietly to Dain.
“…See you next time.”
His voice brushed past her ears as he walked by. Dain clenched her fists and refused to look back at Inhyuk. Taekyung did the same.
Once Inhyuk had completely left…
“Haa…”
Dain rested her hands on her knees, swaying slightly. Taekyung quickly supported her waist. Seeing her pale and exhausted face, it was clear she needed a break.
“Shall we take a short rest?”
“Eh? But… where…”
Taekyung supported her tired shoulder and guided her to a room at the terrace’s edge, prepared for guests to rest comfortably.
He used a card to unlock the door, revealing a room with cozy sofas. Dain slid out of his support and plopped onto a sofa, her entire body stiff from tension aching.
“Thank you, Director…”
She sighed deeply and bowed her head. Taekyung sat beside her, smiling.
“You look exhausted.”
“I guess places like this aren’t really my style. It’s draining.”
“I think you fit in just fine.”
Even while chatting with Taekyung, Dain’s heart raced. Thankfully, her hands had stopped trembling.
“I suppose you’re feeling a bit calmer now.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Then… may I ask about your relationship with Seo Inhyuk?”
Taekyung waited until the right moment, observing her condition. Dain hesitated, muttering weakly.
“He was my boss at Seosan Construction.”
“Is that all?”
“…No.”
She realized she couldn’t hide it. Dain closed her eyes, knowing it was better to confess than be caught in a lie later.
“I dated him briefly for about a year and then broke up.”
“…”
“After he left for Shanghai, I changed companies. Naturally, we lost contact. Today’s meeting was truly coincidental. I was so surprised.”
“He seemed to still have some feelings for you?”
Hearing that, Dain fell silent. Her mind was still too tangled to respond properly.
“I’m sorry… for even lying. To say I’m dating the Director, it’s absurd…”
“Why absurd? I almost fell for it myself. So, we really are dating…”
“I-I’m sorry!”
Dain bowed deeply. Only when she heard Taekyung’s laughter above her did she cautiously lift her head. Her embarrassed face had turned bright red.
“Some strange rumors might spread, but it’s fine to cause a little trouble for the Director…”
“It’s fine to cause trouble.”
A soft touch landed on her shoulder. She turned to see Taekyung had draped his jacket over her, leaving his warmth behind.
“You can be like this with me.”
“Ah…”
“If you meet Seo Inhyuk again, be sure to tell him we’re dating.”
She had wanted to ask why, but couldn’t bring herself to. The answer, whatever it was, would confuse her.
“Let’s go now.”
Dain nodded silently as Taekyung took her hand to help her stand, praying her pounding heart wouldn’t betray her through the tightly held hand.
