BO - Extra 1

Extra 1. Sweetness

“Uncle.”  

“You’re here. Sit down.”  

At the meeting spot, Uncle, Cha Kwon-seok, Kim Jong-seop, and Cha Geon-joo were already there. And then there was Jung Cha-eon, whom I’d seen before, and a new woman—probably Yoon Song-ah, sitting beside Kim Jong-seop.  

“But why the sudden dinner?”  

“It’s nice to gather like this for a meal once in a while, isn’t it? Are you still going to keep things from me?”  

“What do you mean?”  

I calmly took my seat and accepted the glass of wine handed to me. Naturally, Choi Si-baek sat beside me. It had become second nature for us to sit next to each other, and even such small things made me happy.  

“So, when are you two going to seal the deal?”  

“What? Did you approve of us, Uncle?”  

“I couldn’t break either of your stubborn wills. You’re both as unyielding as steel cables. Do I really need to rush you? If you’re not planning to split up, hurry up and settle down so I can see my grand-niece or nephew soon.”  

Uncle quickly understood why all his attempts to introduce me to others had failed. I knew why he had come to accept our relationship. If there was anyone in this world who truly wished for my happiness, it was Uncle. He prioritized my happiness above all else and trusted that Choi Si-baek would protect me. For him, my safety was more important than anything.  

“This bastard acted like he didn’t care about women, but turns out he’s been sucking on one behind our backs. The late bloomer knows how to clean up nicely, doesn’t he?”  

“Jong-seop.”  

“Sorry, Chairman.”  

“Watch your mouth. If you’re craving insults, direct them at me.”  

“Damn it, ever since he got tied down with a woman, he’s acting all different. Look at him replying now.”  

Even his annoyed furrowed brows made me happy. I knew I was being foolish, but wasn’t love supposed to turn everyone into a slightly unhinged fool? I had long lost my self-control around Choi Si-baek, and it didn’t feel pathetic or laughable anymore.  

Smiling faintly, I speared a piece of meat with my fork and popped it into my mouth. As I chewed, I felt someone staring at me. Turning my head, I met Choi Si-baek’s gaze.  

“Hmm?”  

My hair must have been sticking up awkwardly because he absentmindedly tucked it behind my ear.  

The sweetness of this casual gesture was so typical of Choi Si-baek that it drove me crazy. It felt like I was fangirling over him like I used to over celebrities back in school. How had I managed to hide these feelings for so long? Smiling softly, I brushed away a stray strand of hair from his forehead.  

“It’s harvest season for nonsense. After all the crap he gave me, look at him now, getting all mushy. Song-ah, you came looking so elegant, leaving nothing for me to touch.”  

The young woman, likely in her early twenties, calmly chewed on a piece of steak. Despite her youthful age, she carried herself with maturity, handling Kim Jong-seop’s antics with poise. Even after locking eyes with me, she remained unfazed, dabbing her lips with a napkin.  

Though the atmosphere of the dinner felt oddly charged, it wasn’t unpleasant.  

Cha Geon-joo, the only one sitting alone, exuded an air of calm. He was far from normal, too. After exchanging glances with me, he sipped his wine and flashed his signature relaxed smile. Our eye contact prompted Choi Si-baek to tap my plate lightly with his knife.  

“Eat.”  

With an irritated expression, he urged me to focus on my meal, taking my fork and spearing a piece of steak for me. If our eyes met one more time, he might just grab a knife and lunge at someone. Hiding my amusement, I tried to remain composed while eating, occasionally meeting his gaze.  

I glanced at Uncle. His face, concealing a smile, looked genuinely relaxed for the first time.  

After Uncle left, we lingered, reluctant to part ways. Some of us decided to continue drinking.  

Cha Kwon-seok excused himself due to work, but Jung Cha-eon, who seemed curious about me, chose to stay.  

This bar was in a neighborhood I frequented. Cha Geon-joo had suggested it based on the decent snacks they served last time. Choi Si-baek wore an obvious expression of wanting to leave, but I was excited about drinking. Tired of rigid company dinners or blind dates, I was thrilled to hang out with people I had grown somewhat familiar with. Plus, this was the first public outing with Choi Si-baek since he became mine.  

Across from me, Yoon Song-ah sipped her drink and teased Kim Jong-seop into giving her kisses. Their affection escalated quickly—his hand slipped under her dress, and soon they disappeared together. It was easy to guess what they were up to. Last time, I’d heard her moaning over the phone while apart from him; now that they were together, who knew how intense it would get?  

But neither Cha Geon-joo nor Choi Si-baek batted an eyelash. They seemed so unfazed that even if someone started having sex right there, they’d probably just sip their drinks calmly.  

“So, are you opening your own dental clinic?”  

“Not sure yet. No rush. I’ll decide slowly.”  

“It’s great that you have your license. I’m jealous.”  

Jung Cha-eon, who had been staring at Choi Si-baek and me for a while, made a cryptic comment.  

“Fascinating.”  

“Huh?”  

“The idea of the director dating someone.”  

Her cheeks flushed as she smiled at me.  

“I never imagined the director would meet someone. You two look great together.”  

I silently raised the corners of my lips while fiddling with Choi Si-baek’s hand. He let me hold his hand, occasionally tapping my cheek absentmindedly.  

We chatted about trivial matters—how to brush teeth properly, whether I should switch mouthwash—and eventually, she received a call and left without returning. She probably left with Cha Kwon-seok. In the end, only Cha Geon-joo and us remained.  

“Let’s go home.”  

Choi Si-baek, who had clearly been waiting for an opportunity to leave, pulled me by the hand.  

“Why? There’s still alcohol left.”  

“Fine, finish it. See, we match so well.”  

“You sound ridiculous saying things like that.”  

I giggled as Cha Geon-joo smirked at Choi Si-baek’s antics.  

“Why? Though not soulmates, our values seem compatible.”  

“Values, huh. Are you some kind of flirt expert?”  

His expression soured at my teasing response. Why did I enjoy his stiff reactions so much?  

“I’ve never seen Choi Si-baek act like this—it’s strange. Normally, he’d be putting on airs, but even this suits him somehow. I feel embarrassed for worrying about his personal life. Yeah, I should worry about myself instead. Worrying about celebrities or Choi Si-baek is the most useless thing ever.”  

Cha Geon-joo suddenly downed a shot of soju, looking disillusioned.  

Unable to endure Choi Si-baek’s relentless silent demands, I finally surrendered and said I needed to use the restroom.  

“I’ll be right back.”  

I headed to the restroom building connected to the bar. First floor, second floor. Just as I opened the door to the women’s restroom on the second floor, I heard suspicious sounds coming from the men’s restroom nearby. Suspicious, yet unmistakably clear.  

“Ahh, ah!”  

“Song-ah, does it feel good? Does it taste good?”  

“Mmm! Ah, yes! More, there!”  

“Here? Honey, wait, my dick feels amazing. Want to pee? Go ahead, I’ll keep thrusting. You’re good at peeing, aren’t you?”  

“Ahh, mmm, ah.”  

“Feels cool? Want to pull out more?”  

The heat emanating from the neighboring stall made it impossible for me to enter. Leaving the couple to their business, I turned back, my destination now unreachable.  

“Let’s go home. It’s hot.”  

“In this weather?”  

Without understanding why I felt hot, he lazily fanned me with his hand. That indifferent gesture, coming from a man who focused solely on me, made my heart flutter.  

“If it’s not Kim Jong-seop, there’s no reason to feel hot in this weather.”  

He immediately caught my meaning and gave me a knowing look. But that was it. This kind of thing happened so often that it barely fazed him anymore.  

It amazed me how little external stimuli affected his emotions. Maybe it was due to years of experience in this world, but more likely, he simply didn’t bother focusing on things unrelated to him. Choi Si-baek had incredible focus.  

He discarded what was useless without hesitation and devoted himself entirely to what mattered to him.  

Once again, Choi Si-baek grew on me today. The reasons were always fresh, revealing sides of him I hadn’t known before.  

I wondered what other hidden facets of Choi Si-baek existed. I wanted to be alone with him soon.  

“Shall we go?”  

“Please, yes.”  

He reached out to wipe sauce from the corner of my mouth. A man who hated getting dirty had no qualms using his own hand to clean me, then nonchalantly turned away. That casual yet natural gesture made my heart thud like I’d been hit by a truck.  

Love strikes without warning, leaving you defenseless.  

I wanted to kiss his lips so badly it almost brought tears to my eyes.  

He left Cha Geon-joo, who grumbled about being abandoned, and walked out with me.  

Choi Si-baek’s usual right-hand man, the bald-headed man with scratches on his arms, took the wheel.  

Silently sinking into the seat, Choi Si-baek looked a bit tired, his eyes closed. I nestled into his chest, resting my head against him. Feeling his large hand cradle my head, he opened his eyes slightly. Bathed in the warmth of his drowsy gaze, I felt like a sprout soaking up sunlight, brimming with fresh love.  

“Your jealousy is too much.”  

“If you know, stop provoking me.”  

“I know we’re not close.”  

“I still can’t believe you mentioned sex so casually.”  

“It really wasn’t a big deal, I swear.”  

“What will you do if Chairman asks us to seal the deal? Will you choose me or Cha Geon-joo?”  

“Hmm. I’ll choose Choi Si-baek, of course.”  

Lifting my head, I kissed his chin and chuckled softly. Unable to suppress his smile, he lifted the corners of his lips. Mesmerized by his faint smile, I pressed my lips against his again.  

“You hesitated for a second. In one second, light travels around the Earth seven and a half times.”  

“Right, I thought too long.”  

“This is serious.”  

“So, no marriage? Should I marry someone else?”  

“No way. Don’t talk nonsense. Let’s just make a coffin and lie down together—you and me.”  

Pfft, his response made my ears tingle, and I burst out laughing.  

“Why are you like this?”  

“Until you properly explain what you talked about with Cha Geon-joo that day, I won’t let it go.”  

“We both know it’s already settled. What’s the point?”  

“Let go of me.”  

“Yes.”  

I answered innocently while holding him tighter. When the car hit a speed bump, he instinctively wrapped his arms around me to cushion the impact. Even though he told me to let go, he pulled me closer as if he couldn’t bear any distance between us.  

“Don’t smile. You’re getting attached.”  

“I already am.”  

“I’m scared you’ll get too attached. Stay away.”  

“Tsk. Whatever. I love you, Choi Si-baek.”  

“...You’re using cheat codes.”  

“Fine, I’ll let go. Should I go find Cha Geon-joo? He might still be there.”  

“What did you say?”  

How could I not love someone like him?  

“Kiss me, Choi Si-baek.”  

Teasingly leaning in, I watched as he struggled to suppress a myriad of emotions. In the end, unable to push me away, he pressed his lips firmly against mine. Soon, our tongues intertwined, and his jealous love seeped into me, filling every crevice.