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Psst! We're moving!
Se-young asked incredulously,
“Song Joo-eun, why are you hesitating?”
Because it’s not true, so I’m hesitating.
Joo-eun’s panicked eyes darted between Se-young and Jae-hoon.
“Are you seriously going to lie and say you don’t have a boyfriend right now?”
Her expression seemed to ask, You remember that night clearly, right? Joo-eun awkwardly laughed it off.
Boyfriend? That’s absurd.
How could she dare call herself Director Min-hyuk’s girlfriend?
Even imagining it made her feel like she was losing her mind, but hearing the word “boyfriend” from her friend’s lips was mortifying.
“I really don’t have one, okay? Why are you acting like this?”
“You don’t? For real?”
“Yes! Why don’t you believe me?”
“Well then, is it still just flirting? I guess flirting is more fun than dating anyway. Anyway, Jae-hoon, don’t set her up on a blind date—she’s taken. Just set me up instead.”
Instead of answering, he drained the rest of his beer.
The conversation continued with nostalgic reminiscing, but the atmosphere had shifted slightly, leaving Joo-een increasingly uncomfortable.
‘Am I being overly sensitive…?’
She fidgeted nervously, rolling a piece of popcorn in her hand while stealing glances at Jae-hoon.
Then her phone vibrated.
In the middle of their lively chatter, Se-young craned her neck.
“Is that Director Min-hyuk calling?”
“Uh… I think I’ll let it go to voicemail.”
“Why would you ignore it? Pick up quickly and come back!”
“Why are you pushing me? I said it’s fine…”
“I’m not fine with it. Go outside. Now.”
“Okay, stop shoving me already...”
Reluctantly pushed out by Se-young, Joo-eun stepped outside with her phone.
Fortunately, the area in front of the shop was quiet enough for a call.
Hem-hem. She cleared her throat and swallowed hard.
After all that resistance about not picking up, why was she fussing over her hair when it wasn’t even a video call?
Her relationship with him always left her feeling torn between her heart and mind—it was exhausting trying to make sense of it.
“Hello...?”
[Thought you’d be asleep. Was about to hang up. Good thing I waited.]
His sweet voice quickened her heartbeat as usual.
What happened to “we’re nothing”? How frustrating that just hearing his voice affected her so much.
“I usually stay up late… Did you need something?”
[I wanted to tell you that you did well today. You handled everything perfectly, Song Joo-eun.]
It had been an incredibly tough day, dealing with rumors and questions from colleagues who kept asking if she was okay or telling her to stay strong. All those burdensome emotions melted away with his single sentence.
“...”
[Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you outside?]
Startled by his sudden question, Joo-eun glanced around nervously.
She thought it was quiet enough—how did he know?
“I’m at Se-young’s place.”
[Bored here. Perfect timing. Wait for me—I’ll be there soon.]
He’s coming… here?
Joo-eun shook her head vigorously.
“No, please don’t bother. I was just about to leave anyway.”
[I’ll drop you off. Wait.]
“I was literally getting ready to leave. Oh no, everyone’s standing up now.”
[Anyone else besides Lee Se-young?]
Caught off guard, she stammered before finally replying.
“A-an old elementary school friend. We ran into each other by chance.”
[A friend?]
“Yes, a friend…”
[Female?]
“There are females and males… Something like that. I should probably say goodbye properly. See you at work.”
Flustered, she repeatedly pressed the end-call button.
A deep sigh escaped involuntarily.
“Ugh, why am I acting like this…”
Why did she feel like a cheating wife caught red-handed?
Jae-hoon was just an old childhood friend she hadn’t seen in years. Even if she told the truth—that he was simply a male classmate—there was nothing embarrassing about it. So why was she acting this way?
Could it be they were actually flirting?
She didn’t even know what flirting felt like since she’d never done it before.
The brief call had left her sweating profusely.
This growing confusion inside her was overwhelming, and she didn’t know how to handle it.
Maybe it was best to wrap things up and leave. She was uneasy thinking he might actually show up.
Besides, Jae-hoon’s gaze had been unsettling.
---
“This woman… hung up on me?”
Min-hyuk muttered in disbelief, staring at his phone.
Even when someone rejected his calls outright in front of him, it hadn’t felt this absurd.
Was it because of the mention of meeting an old friend?
An inexplicable unease creased his brow.
He abruptly stood up, ready to dash toward the chicken shop.
“Hmm… If I’m already like this, imagine what I’d be like if we were officially dating. Guess I’d have to monitor her 24/7.”
Running his fingers through his hair, he collapsed back onto the couch.
For the first time, he realized how possessive he was being—it startled him enough to twist a wry smile onto his face.
It wasn’t like they were alone together; multiple people were present.
He almost became that pathetic man rushing over out of mistrust.
“Good job holding back.”
As if congratulating himself, he picked up the T-shirt lying beside him.
“Every day, I find myself liking you more, yet you give me no opening. So here I am, staring at your T-shirt.”
That morning, she’d briefly worn it before insisting on washing and returning it neatly folded—and apparently ironed too.
Holding the shirt in both hands, he gazed at it thoughtfully.
Even though it was one of his smallest sizes, he remembered how loosely it draped over her delicate white shoulders.
And the memory of leaving marks on those shoulders during sleepless nights.
“Hmm… Is the heating on? It feels warm.”
He absentmindedly rubbed his neck.
No one was watching, yet he blushed alone, embarrassed.
Suddenly, overcome by restlessness, he dropped to the floor next to the couch and began doing push-ups.
“Huff!”
Exercising nightly had become routine, making one-arm push-ups seem trivial now.
Each day brought circus-level feats.
With grunts, his muscular body moved powerfully up and down.
His back muscles rippled like waves.
Since meeting Joo-eun, his physique only grew more impressive.
---
“Team Leader, thank you for the meal!”
Kim Daeri exaggeratedly bowed playfully, expressing gratitude.
It was rare for Team Leader Gam, who had never bought coffee, to treat everyone to lunch.
Even after finishing, the team members couldn’t stop smiling, still finding it hard to believe.
“I wanted to treat only Song Joo-eun, but knowing jealousy would ensue, I treated everyone. Keep that in mind.”
He’d been fussing over Joo-eun since morning.
The more blatantly he praised her, the more awkward it became.
Though jealousy inevitably brewed, everyone knew it stemmed from guilt over Joo-eun, so they laughed it off.
“Wow, thanks to Song Joo-eun, we ate well! Thank you!”
“Song Joo-eun, I enjoyed the meal too.”
“Haha, me too!”
“Stop, you’re embarrassing me…”
Joo-eun waved her hands, laughing.
Their cheerful lunch ended as they headed back to the office—but suddenly stopped short.
“Oh! Director Min-hyuk! Have you eaten yet?”
At Kim Daeri’s shout, the previously noisy group froze instantly.
Joo-eun, trailing behind, halted a beat later, startled, shrinking her shoulders reflexively.
Min-hyuk possessed an intimidating charisma that made others nervous, even without meaning to.
Today, his perfectly slicked-back hair and impeccably tailored suit added to the tension.
“We were just heading out to eat.”
And his voice—how could it sound so low and commanding?
Everyone’s eyes darted around nervously. Only Kim Daeri, known for his boldness, managed to speak up.
“Ah, why are you so late, sir?”
“Work has been busy.”
As he loosened his tie slightly, Gam Team Leader bowed apologetically.
“Ah… We should’ve helped lighten your workload. My apologies…”
“Let’s discuss that another time. Who sent me the online ad mockup today?”
“Oh, the online ad mockup? Was it Manager Choi?”
“Yes, it was me, sir.”
Manager Choi raised a trembling hand to his ear.
Min-hyuk’s brow furrowed slightly.
“No, not the online ad mockup. The global competitor ad compilation—who sent that?”
“That was Kim Daeri…”
Another deeper wrinkle formed.
“What about the first draft of next year’s Marketing Team business plan?”
“Didn’t Song Joo-eun do that?”
“Yes… I sent it.”
Finally.
Min-hyuk’s forehead smoothed instantly upon hearing Joo-eun’s name.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
“Huh?”
Joo-eun’s eyes widened dramatically.
It wasn’t even the end of lunchtime, and discussing work on the street felt bizarre.
“There seems to be a numerical error. Since you’re busy, I figured we should address it now. Any objections?”
“No…”
“Then, we’ll head back first. Song Joo-eun.”
Gam Team Leader turned weakly, whispering silently, Sorry for leaving you behind.
Despite boasting all morning that he’d protect Song Joo-eun, Gam abandoned her once again to save himself.
As the team dispersed cautiously, Min-hyuk approached the lone Joo-eun.
“What time did you get home last night?”
“Director Min-hyuk, we’re right in front of the company… There are eyes everywhere. Please choose your words carefully.”
Her plea bordered on a command: Don’t ask such questions here.
“It’s fine. Everyone’s looking at me anyway. You can speak freely.”
So proud of yourself...
Joo-eun clenched her teeth before forcing herself to relax.
“If you tell me which part of the business plan contains errors, I’ll fix it immediately.”
“Last night, worrying about someone kept me awake, and the numbers got jumbled in my head. I’ll review them later and let you know.”
“…Yes.”
Just then—
“Joo-eun.”
Someone called her name affectionately.
There was no one near the company who would call her “Joo-eun” so casually…
When she turned, Jae-hoon stood there.
“Park Jae-hoon?”
Eyes wide with shock, Joo-eun blinked rapidly, frozen in place.
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