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chapter 14
‘As expected, this feels awkward.’
Da-in lifted her head, her face showing clear signs of nervousness. The staff member checked her invitation and gave her a small gesture, signaling that she could proceed down the corridor.
As she slowly walked forward, holding onto the hem of her dress, the sharp clack of her high heels echoed against the floor.
The marble tiles gleamed brilliantly, polished to a shine. The long hallway was decorated with an abundance of extravagant flowers, making it look almost like a massive botanical garden. Paintings by unknown artists hung thick along the walls.
A place she had never been before, a dress she had never worn before. Everything was unfamiliar and awkward, and she felt as if even the smallest lapse in composure might lead to a mistake. She wasn’t even wearing her usual low heels from her commute, so walking naturally was difficult.
“This way, please.”
Finally, when she arrived at the grand hall, a staff member in a suit opened the doors for her. The double doors swung open, and a flood of bright light greeted her eyes. The atmosphere inside was completely different from the quiet corridor.
‘It feels like I just walked into a drama…’
Da-in froze in place for a moment, lost in that thought. In the center of the hall, beneath the refined notes of classical music, stood gleaming white tables laid with food of every kind. There was even a decorative pyramid made entirely of stacked glasses.
As she looked around, she felt the weight of countless eyes on her. No doubt, curious glances toward an unfamiliar face.
Imagining her elegant dress and the purse tucked at her side as a shield, Da-in walked forward as confidently as she could manage. According to Woo-hyun, Taekyung would be waiting for her inside the hall.
She made her way through the beautiful crowd, and soon, she spotted a familiar figure in the distance. A man standing tall in a deep navy suit.
‘Ah, it’s the Executive Director.’
She stopped in relief, recognizing him immediately. But Taekyung, who hadn’t noticed her yet, was glancing around as if searching for someone. Several women hovered nearby, hesitating as though they wanted to strike up conversation with him. One of them was so breathtakingly beautiful she could easily have been mistaken for a celebrity.
Da-in wanted to call out to him, but her courage faltered. If she walked over right now, she felt she would inevitably be compared against those stunning women.
Just as she hesitated—her eyes met his.
“Da-in.”
The once-expressionless face of Taekyung softened into a smile. Aware of his surroundings, he called her by name rather than by her title, and walked toward her with long, purposeful strides. His pace closed the distance between them in seconds.
“I’m glad you made it here safely.”
Hearing her name so suddenly left her flustered, and Da-in blinked, lips parting in a daze. Thump, thump—her heart, as always, was pounding out of control.
“Ah, yes! The kids arrived safely too. Chief Jung is looking after them.”
Snapping back to her senses, she managed to face him properly again. She had always thought he looked handsome, but tonight, he was dazzling—like a perfectly sculpted work of art. His straight posture and solid build gave his sharp suit the elegance of a model on the runway.
While she stood frozen, staring in awe, Taekyung himself couldn’t hide his satisfaction as he looked at her. The dress he had sent as a gift suited her far better than he could have hoped. Certain now of his impeccable taste, he asked,
“Do you like the dress?”
“Of course!”
Her voice came out louder than she intended, drawing a curious look from him. Blushing, Da-in quickly lowered her voice, stammering,
“S-sorry, I raised my voice… It’s just, I’ve never worn anything like this before… I must look terribly unsophisticated.”
“Not at all.”
He answered with a bright, genuine smile. He wasn’t just being polite—he truly meant it. Though he himself wore expensive clothing often, he only dressed with this level of formality for very special occasions.
“I don’t go around in clothes like this all the time either, so it’s only natural to be impressed. Just like how I was impressed seeing you in that dress.”
The hall was filled with beautiful women, yet from the moment Da-in entered, she was the only one who caught his eye. He was so used to her simple work attire at the office that seeing her like this felt entirely new.
The dress clung just above her chest and then flowed softly down past her slender waist. Her round, pale shoulders were fully exposed, drawing attention to the pearls adorning her neck.
Her gentle expression, paired with the elegance of the dress, radiated a pure, refined beauty. In such a lavish hall, her modest yet striking presence stood out even more.
“It suits you perfectly.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Your skin is so fair and luminous that I thought a white dress would suit you—but I didn’t expect it to look this good.”
And indeed, the constant glances from nearby guests were proof enough. Taekyung swallowed his irritation as he glanced over her shoulder; a few men who had met his eyes quickly turned away.
“Did Chief Jung bring the kids into the hall already?”
“Yes.”
“I was hoping to see Yeoreum’s dress too… That’s a bit of a shame.”
“I took lots of pictures. I’ll show you later.”
Da-in smiled softly at the thought of her niece. Yeoreum had laughed endlessly, never tiring as Da-in snapped picture after picture of her.
As they continued to chat, the two strolled leisurely around the hall together.
With every step, Da-in felt her nerves ease. Perhaps because they had grown closer these past few days, Taekyung’s presence no longer felt as intimidating as before.
“This must feel awkward since it’s your first time at such an event, but you’ll get used to it quickly. There’s nothing extraordinary about it.”
“It all feels extraordinary to me.”
“For example?”
“Hmm… The fact that there’s a grand piano, for one.”
Her earnest reply drew a smile to his lips. Her honesty had unexpectedly amused him.
Embarrassed, Da-in smiled back and accepted the glass he offered her. Inside shimmered a pale green liquid, carrying the fresh scent of apples.
“Is this alcohol?”
“It’s non-alcoholic champagne. The real drinks are on the other side. Do you want some?”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll have to face Yeoreum later anyway… This is enough. Thank you, Executive Director.”
The title snagged on his ears. Pausing, Taekyung gently led her toward the curtain. Having barely sipped the champagne, Da-in looked up at him in puzzlement.
“Da-in.”
“Yes?”
“Here, it’s fine to call me by name.”
It was a soft suggestion. With their distance shortened, his scent drifted toward her, sending her nerves spiraling again as her shoulders stiffened.
“Shall we practice?”
“R-right now?”
“If you suddenly have to greet someone, it’ll be easier to act naturally this way.”
It was kind advice, but putting it into action was nerve-racking. She worried she might just end up repeating his name over and over under the excuse of practice.
“T… Taekyung.”
Yet, unable to reject his expectant gaze any longer, Da-in parted her lips. Her voice was quiet, but his reply came swiftly.
“Yes.”
“Taekyung…”
It felt entirely different from calling him “Executive Director.” His gaze, fixed intently on her, was so earnest that she didn’t even notice her ears turning red as she repeated his name.
“See? It feels a bit easier now, doesn’t it?”
Not at all. Her heart was only racing faster. But she couldn’t admit it, so she forced a smile.
“Yes, much better.”
Looking at her awkward grin, Taekyung was reminded of the past. Da-in had once been a girl who laughed easily and often—that was her charm. His parents had adored her innocence too. Back then, her smile had been constant. Now, it was rare, as if even one natural smile was hard to come by.
“Da-in, there’s something I’ve always wondered.”
Startled, she lifted her head, grateful for the chance to change the subject.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“When you were a child…”
For the first time, a crack appeared in Taekyung’s usually composed demeanor. He had resolved to bring up the past, believing that even if she didn’t remember, it wouldn’t change his feelings.
But now that the moment had come, nerves prickled inside him. He clenched and released his fist subtly, trying to steady himself.
“When you were about Yeoreum’s age.”
Da-in blinked innocently, not knowing what kind of question was coming. Beneath the bright lights, she shone in her white dress, and the sight made his throat dry.
If he hinted at their most important memory, surely she would remember him. But he didn’t want to awaken only that painful memory. He knew it would have left a scar.
“Did you perhaps have a close boy friend back then?”
So instead, he asked indirectly, testing the waters.
