“...You shouldn’t be doing this here.”
I swallowed dryly without aning to. I had the distinct feeling that if I let my guard down even a little, he’d devour . Kwon Yido narrowed his eyes in a smile at my words, then spoke softly.
“Why not?”
He was clearly refusing to create any distance. Every ti he spoke, his lips brushed mine, and I tensed my lower abdon reflexively. Even if I tried not to be aware of his pheromones and body heat, they seeped through inescapably.
“...”
Ah, I think I might—
The mont that thought crossed my mind, I pushed Kwon Yido away with one hand. Sowhat surprisingly, he backed off without resistance. My lips still tingled, but I forced my voice into a steady tone as if nothing had happened.
“You’re not asking because you don’t know.”
In the car he gave today, what on earth was this supposed to be? A kiss might pass as sothing romantic, but anything beyond that—my reason couldn’t permit it. If he’d taken just a few seconds longer, that reason might’ve been overridden entirely.
“I was asking because I didn’t know... Is there a reason it’s not allowed?”
Kwon Yido asked again, still perfectly composed. He really looked like he didn’t see the problem, and I found myself responding in a bewildered tone without thinking.
“Doing sothing like this in a new car, seriously?”
“So if it weren’t a new car, it would’ve been fine?”
“...”
My lips clamped shut. The thought that it might’ve been fine had genuinely crossed my mind for a split second. I awkwardly turned my gaze straight ahead, and Kwon Yido’s stare clung to with quiet persistence. I had a feeling that if I said another word, I’d fall right into his rhythm.
“...The night view is pretty.”
So I threw that out, but even to my ears, the change of subject was painfully awkward. Still, Kwon Yido let out a soft chuckle as if he’d let it slide just this once. Leaning squarely back into the passenger seat, he replied in a low voice.
“It is. It’s beautiful.”
His tone was pleasant. Pleasant enough to lift my mood just by listening.
“...”
I quietly took in the scenery before . Beneath the long expanse of the bridge, the wide river shimred faintly under the city lights.
It was beautiful—so beautiful, it felt like it filled my chest to the brim, even if that was a bit of an exaggeration. The streetlamps twinkling down the road looked like stars in the night sky. It wasn’t like I’d never seen a night view before. I’d seen far better ones from far better places.
Still, this was a place I’d always wanted to visit since college. Every sumr, my classmates used to go to the Han River to eat chicken and drink beer. No one ever asked to join, so I never went. Not that it would’ve mattered—Father wouldn’t have liked going out anyway.
“How did you know about this place?”
Kwon Yido and the Han River. I couldn’t imagine a more mismatched pair. Kwon Yido seed like the kind of person who would admire the scenery from the top floor of Myeongseong Hotel, not soone who’d sit in a car by the water.
“I don’t know. It just happened.”
He clearly had no intention of going into detail. Maybe soone had shown it to him before. That thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t press. After a brief pause, Kwon Yido spoke again, slowly.
“There’s a Seonho Group /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ foundation anniversary coming up soon.”
Now that he ntioned it, that always happened around this ti of year. A commorative event held to celebrate the founding of Seonho Group. Related affiliates would also host various custor appreciation events. Until now, Father had always attended those events alone.
“As always, but this ti, we’re planning sothing bigger. We’re inviting people from other companies for networking. Naturally, we’ll be sending invitations all around. Haesin will be among them.”
Hearing “Haesin” co from his lips felt oddly unfamiliar. Maybe it was because I’d been actively avoiding the thought—it hit as especially foreign. I lowered my gaze without a word, and he added in a quiet voice.
“That ans you’ll have to attend too, Jung Sejin-ssi.”
“...”
All the things I’d been ignoring ca rushing back. What had happened with Father, the duties I had to fulfill, the engagent that wasn’t over, and the relationship between the two of us.
“Seonho’s side is blocking the press.”
That’s what Father had said. That Kwon Yido hadn’t disclosed our engagent. That he hadn’t paid the price of the contract and had been ignoring all contact. Yet when I said I’d try to negotiate directly, Father seed displeased.
“...There’s sothing I’d like to ask.”
I began, turning to face Kwon Yido. He tilted his head slightly and looked at out of the corner of his eye. Even in the dim light, his dark irises were sharply visible.
“I heard that you haven’t disclosed our engagent.”
If I attended the anniversary event, there’d be people I couldn’t avoid. His family, and others desperate to latch onto Seonho Group. Whether I was seen as his fiancé or sothing else—it was important to clarify.
“May I ask why?”
Kwon Yido stared at for a mont, lips sealed. His unwavering gaze was very much like him. Under the shadow cast by his high nose, his well-shaped lips slowly parted.
“Are you asking that as my fiancé, or as the eldest son of Haesin Group?”
“...”
For a mont, I had no words. After all, the only reason I was his fiancé was because I was Haesin Group’s heir. If the latter didn’t exist, we wouldn’t be sitting in this car together.
“...Is there a difference?”
“There is.”
He answered firmly and let out a small laugh. Then, in a tone as if handling a child, he added kindly,
“If it’s the latter, I have no obligation to disclose anything.”
He wasn’t wrong. Once an oga was in his possession, it was entirely up to him what he did with them. Still, hearing that made feel strange.
“You’re not exactly obligated to hide it either, are you?”
What even was this feeling? Like a tiny thorn stuck in my throat. The elation I’d felt earlier gradually faded, replaced by a chilly hollow in my chest. It was such a sudden shift that even I couldn’t make sense of it. Kwon Yido lifted the corner of his lips faintly.
“Now that sounds like you’re asking as the forr.”
His tone was oddly satisfied. As if he liked seeing visibly displeased.
“Do you want it to be known that we’re engaged?”
I needed a mont to think before answering that. Publicizing our engagent might benefit Haesin, but it would definitely be a hassle for . Whether I went to the anniversary event as his fiancé or not would make a world of difference.
“I prefer whatever’s more comfortable for you, Kwon Yido-ssi.”
I offered the safest possible answer, but his eyes narrowed. This ti, he didn’t seem pleased. After a mont of silence, he nodded like it didn’t really matter.
“I’d prefer for you not to be uncomfortable, Jung Sejin-ssi.”
“...”
“There are already going to be enough people bothering you just because you’re no longer the Division Head. If they find out you’re my fiancé, it’ll be even more annoying. You’re not the type who enjoys attention, are you?”
He was right. I wanted to be as quiet and unnoticeable as possible. I hadn’t looked it up, but I was sure there were already all sorts of rumors just from stepping down. I’d probably be asked about it directly by plenty of people, too.
“There’s no rush to reveal the engagent. It can wait until you’re free from all that.”
“...Are you saying that for my sake?”
“Well, I didn’t an it that nicely.”
Kwon Yido let out a short laugh, calling it too generous of a framing. His lowered eyes and calm tone ca off as vaguely self-mocking.
“It’s just my own selfishness.”
He’d said sothing similar before—also in a car, side by side.
“I don’t like investing in uncertain things.”
I didn’t fully understand, but it felt like he was afraid. That soone like Kwon Yido—who lacked nothing—could feel that way, was unexpected.
He quickly wiped that expression off his face and glanced sideways at .
“Well... I suppose that’s an answer.”
“...”
“Do you need a more detailed explanation?”
I slowly shook my head. If this was his decision, I had no choice. At the anniversary, I’d likely keep my distance and pretend not to know him. Father would complain, but he couldn’t override .
“Then I should probably go to your family ho the day before.”
That would make it easier to et his expectations. Since it was a formal event with many important guests, I’d also need to dress and groom properly. Should I contact Mr. Kim? As I thought about it, Kwon Yido cut in decisively.
“There’s no need for that.”
“...Excuse ?”
“I’ll prepare everything. Just leave from my place.”
It wasn’t a suggestion—it was a command. His tone carried its usual firmness, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.
“No one will know where you left from anyway.”
He wasn’t wrong. People might care about my watch or my car, but not where I departed from. Arriving separately from his family wouldn’t be seen as that strange.
“If you don’t want to go, you can just say so.”
“...”
“You have no obligations, Jung Sejin-ssi. Just take what you’re entitled to.”
It was a sweet sentint. Not having to attend a headache of an event—just imagining it was tempting. But Kwon Yido wasn’t in any position to hand that kind of permission.
“Your fiancé might be able to get away with that, but the eldest son of Haesin Group can’t.”
“...”
“I appreciate the sentint, though.”
He narrowed his eyes at . Even so, he didn’t seem to have a rebuttal. He rely twisted his lips slightly and let out a soft breath, then turned his gaze back forward.
“...Fine, then.”
The city lights scattering across the river were reflected in his eyes. In the silence that settled around us, Kwon Yido said nothing more. I stared at his face for a long while before slowly moving my lips.
“There were lights installed in the greenhouse.”
He glanced at . The way his pupils shifted looked strangely surreal.
“Once you’re a bit less busy...”
“...”
“Maybe we could have tea there.”
It was an idle comnt, but I ant it. I had those lights installed for him. I hoped this peace would last a little longer. Once the anniversary event was over, and if Kwon Yido had ti, it might be nice to spend it together.
“...That would be nice.”
But his ambiguous answer didn’t sound like a yes. I furrowed my brow slightly at the nuance, and he abruptly turned to and asked,
“Is there anything you want to do, Jung Sejin-ssi?”
“Sothing I want to do?”
A different question this ti—after asking what I wanted to have, now what I wanted to do. I couldn’t follow his train of thought, and a small chuckle slipped out.
“Well... success?”
“Don’t lie.”
Kwon Yido playfully frowned. It was a teasing expression.
“A hobby, maybe... horseback riding, racing, yachting—you can even try sailing if you want. Just tell what it is.”
“...Hmm.”
This was even harder than picking a material thing. Everything he listed was sothing Minjae did, and I’d never once thought it looked fun.
While I stayed silent, Kwon Yido softened his voice.
“I told you last ti, rember? I’m not trying to keep you locked up.”
He’d said that once before when lending his car. I’d been looking at the open road when I recalled those words. He said it in a gentle tone.
“You can go out whenever you want.”
“...”
I knew he didn’t an it in a bad way. But still, it poked at my conscience.
“...You always ask difficult things.”
Even if he opened the door, I couldn’t step out. Without the title of Division Head, I had no excuse or reason to go anywhere. All I did was stay ho, read books, or walk around the garden.
“Will you give another week this ti?”
I asked with a faint smile, and Kwon Yido’s expression grew subtle. He narrowed his eyes and tapped his fingers on his thigh. After thinking for a mont, he asked slowly,
“What about making perfu?”
“...Perfu?”
It was an unfamiliar but not completely new word. Kwon Yido t my eyes and nodded.
“You said you wanted to be a perfur.”
“...”
“I thought maybe you could try sothing like it.”
I didn’t answer right away. It was a trivial reason, but as soon as he said it, the thought that sounds fun genuinely occurred to . Maybe he noticed my hesitation, because he smiled knowingly.
“I guess that was the right answer.”
He really was perceptive. I wasn’t usually soone whose face gave things away.
“If you want to do it, then you should.”
But I didn’t get a chance to ask how he was going to make that happen. Kwon Yido checked the ti while fastening his seatbelt, and frowned slightly. Then, he abruptly ended the conversation.
“It’s late. Let’s head back.”
“...”
I swallowed the words that had risen up to my throat. And I etched the night view into my eyes, knowing we’d soon part from it. It was still breathtakingly beautiful, yet in that short ti, it had beco oddly familiar. It was my first ti here, but it felt like being reunited with sothing I’d missed for a long ti.
***
The days passed quickly. Kwon Yido was still busy, and the number of tis I saw his face dwindled sharply. As always, I spent my days without much to do, occasionally staring at the lit study from a distance. The sleepless nights continued, but thankfully, I didn’t have any nightmares—so it was bearable.
The marks he’d left on had almost completely faded. The swelling on my cheek was gone, and the inside of my mouth had healed perfectly. It was as if that day had been a dream, with not a single trace of it left in the present.
Throughout that long stretch of ti, I received no contact from ho whatsoever. The Seonho Group anniversary event was scheduled for Friday, yet no one had inford of it. Whether they assud Kwon Yido would tell , or simply decided I wasn’t worth informing anymore—either way, it was an irresponsible move.
“Security detail... is that what you an?”
And then, on the day of the anniversary event itself. As usual, Lee Taeseong followed into the greenhouse and relayed various details about today’s schedule. For example: that Kwon Yido had prepared the outfit I would wear; that the car and driver were ready, along with a full security team. And that he himself was the bodyguard assigned to .
“Yes. There’ll be a few others, but I’ll be handling close protection.”
“Wow. Close protection, huh...”
When I’d attended events as Division Head, it was always Mr. Kim who accompanied . He’d been doing so since I was a child, so having soone shadowing never felt intrusive. But now, with Lee Taeseong in that role, it felt oddly unfamiliar.
“You’re working hard.”
You're really being dragged around everywhere, huh. You can’t even serve the boss you respected and now you’re stuck doing things like this. That’s what I ant, but Lee Taeseong’s expression shifted subtly.
“...It’s nothing.”
The words ca out slowly, strangely awkward. Normally, there would’ve been a trace of annoyance behind his blank face. But now that I looked, he didn’t seem particularly irritated.
“Do you get special pay for this?”
“...”
It was a half-joking remark, but Lee Taeseong shut his mouth tightly. The man really had no talent for hiding things. The silence that followed was as good as confirmation, and I couldn’t help but let out a small, empty laugh.
“Must be a great benefits package.”
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