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“What is it?”
“If you and the CEO were... together, you should’ve at least hinted something to me.”
“Huh?”
“Even if you broke up long ago, you could’ve given some clue… Ugh.”
How did he find out?
Eun-chae felt her breath catch.
She had never been famous as a pianist—her talent wasn’t extraordinary, nor was it noteworthy that the daughter of JC Trading’s CEO pursued music. Back then, her father’s name held weight, but Eun-chae herself remained obscure. Even their wedding photos were carefully concealed by Baekdo Group, unseen by outsiders.
So how?
“How... how do you know about that?”
“The CEO told me.”
“Seok-kyung—er, the CEO?”
“Anyway, make sure no one at the company knows about your past relationship with him.”
“Of course not.”
“That’s settled. Now, how much debt do you have left?”
“What?”
“I’m asking about your outstanding debt, Ms. Lee Eun-chae.”
“Why are you asking?”
“It’s the CEO’s order. He wants to pay off your entire debt.”
“Huh?”
This was absurd.
When Seok-kyung asked about her debts last night, she’d sarcastically retorted whether he planned to repay them for her. It was meant to criticize Cha Yeo-sa’s failure to fulfill her promise—a debt that might’ve vanished if she’d kept her word.
“Tell him it’s unnecessary.”
“Ms. Lee Eun-chae...”
“I said it’s fine.”
“But it’s not fine for me! Maybe time has dulled your memory, but if I relay that message, I might lose my job.”
Secretary Won’s face darkened as he spoke, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He wiped them away with a handkerchief, muttering under his breath about what to report back to Seok-kyung.
“Then I’ll handle it myself.”
“That won’t work.”
Eun-chae’s stubbornness only deepened Secretary Won’s despair. After exchanging a few more uneasy words, she quickly excused herself and returned to her desk.
“Isn’t that the CEO’s secretary? What was that about?”
Hyun-jung wheeled her chair over and leaned in curiously.
“Oh, just formalities regarding my regularization. New contracts to sign, lots of paperwork.”
“Does the CEO’s secretary personally handle such tasks?”
“Probably because of what happened at the inauguration ceremony. Misunderstandings to clear up, things like that.”
Eun-chae improvised, relieved when Hyun-jung and others seemed satisfied with her explanation.
Phew—at least now that Secretary Won knew about her connection to Seok-kyung, she wouldn’t act recklessly at work.
Despite Seok-kyung never causing her harm at the company, Eun-chae still harbored such thoughts.
Shaking off distractions, she tried to focus on her work when her phone buzzed with an incoming message.
[When can we meet separately?]
It was Seok-kyung.
Clearly, Secretary Won had delivered her refusal, as the text carried an icy undertone.
He must be displeased.
[I’ll contact you.]
Before she could catch her breath, another message arrived.
[Do I look like a man with free time?]
Tch, no, he didn’t. Assuming he had leisure time after summoning her so casually, replying with sarcasm would only anger him.
Though she had no intention of responding that way, Eun-chae inwardly grumbled at Seok-kyung.
This push-and-pull dynamic made her feel like they were dating—a relationship she’d never experienced with him.
I shouldn’t let this happen...
[If you’re free, let’s meet after work.]
[Come to that place.]
The “place” he referred to was undoubtedly the apartment from yesterday.
Suddenly recalling how close they’d come to finishing what they started sent a shiver through her lower abdomen. Her cheeks flushed as vivid memories of his hands exploring her body resurfaced.
It was unbearably hot all of a sudden.
Fanning her reddened face with her hand, Eun-chae flipped her phone over and set it down on her desk.
---
Eun-chae couldn’t believe her eyes. The great Baek Seok-kyung—cooking?
Watching him untie the gray apron around his waist, she almost shouted for him to stop. She wanted him to keep wearing it longer, just so she could stare a little more.
“What are you doing, standing there?”
His curt voice snapped her out of her daze. He sat down at the dining table without waiting for her reply.
“What’s all this?”
“As you can see, filet mignon and salad.”
That wasn’t what she was asking.
Why had he prepared this? Why go through the trouble for her?
Swallowing her questions, Eun-chae took a seat across from him.
“I didn’t know you could cook.”
“It’s a hobby.”
“I see.”
The fact that she hadn’t known this about him during their marriage stirred something bitter within her. She should’ve insisted on skipping dinner and getting straight to business, but the delicious aroma teased her appetite.
How long had it been since she last ate filet mignon?
Her memory of steak itself was hazy. Without her mother visiting Seoul, even pork belly was a luxury.
“We’ll talk while eating.”
“...”
“Hurry up.”
Reluctantly, Eun-chae picked up her fork and knife. Cutting into the juicy meat, she closed her eyes as the flavor exploded in her mouth.
“How is it? Edible?”
“It’s delicious.”
“Appetite correlates with libido. Eat as much as you can.”
“Gah!”
The steak lodged in her throat at his blunt remark.
Choking, she coughed violently as Seok-kyung poured her a glass of wine and handed it to her.
Though she didn’t want to drink, she gulped it down to soothe her coughing fit.
“Can’t you save those comments for after dinner?”
“What comments? Libido?”
“Yes, that one.”
“There won’t be time to talk afterward.”
Stop talking, stop talking.
Shaking her head, Eun-chae focused on her meal. Leaving such delectable steak untouched felt like a sin.
Once they’d eaten enough, Seok-kyung finally spoke.
“What did you want to discuss?”
“My debt. You don’t need to pay it off.”
“The 1.6 billion won still remaining? The loan with exorbitant interest rates from predatory lenders?”
“How do you know about that...?”
Desperate to extinguish the immediate crisis, her parents had taken out high-interest loans, leaving her burdened with crushing interest payments.
But how did Seok-kyung know?
Then again, it was rumored that Baekdo Group could uncover anything—even the number of underwear pairs someone owned.
“This has nothing to do with you.”
“Pay me back instead.”
“What... what are you saying?”
Surely he didn’t mean—
Surely he wasn’t suggesting she repay the debt with her body?
“What’s with that expression? Your body already paid its dues in our deal.”
Seeing her flustered face, Seok-kyung smirked.
“Then how exactly do you propose I repay you?”
“Continue paying monthly installments—but half the current amount. And I won’t charge interest.”
It was a tempting offer.
Half the current payment with zero interest? If possible, she wanted to accept. But this was Baek Seok-kyung. She couldn’t fall for his schemes as easily as she had Cha Yeo-sa’s.
“Why are you offering me this favor?”
“Why not?”
“You have no reason to help me. Our deal requires mutual exchange. What do you gain from this?”
At her question, Seok-kyung paused, his expression thoughtful.
Hadn’t he considered this? Or was he deciding what to demand in return?
After a long moment, a sly smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“What if word gets out that my ex-wife lives like this? Wouldn’t that be inconvenient?”
“It’s been three years. No one cares about me anymore.”
“That was before I took an interest in you.”
“Then stop being interested.”
“Haha, as if I’d do that.”
Why wouldn’t he?
Her accusing glare met his emotionless face, which soon erased even the faintest trace of amusement.
Stop talking, stop talking.
Eun-chae hurriedly stuffed another bite of steak into her mouth, too preoccupied to savor its heavenly taste.
As she finished cleaning her plate, a pang of regret struck her.
“You eat well.”
“It was delicious.”
Dabbing her mouth with a napkin, Eun-chae pushed her chair back and stood.
“I’ll wash the dishes.”
“Just load them into the dishwasher.”
“Either way, I’ll do it.”
Stacking their plates, she headed to the sink. Pulling on rubber gloves, she turned on the faucet and began scrubbing off the sauce.
Suddenly, arms wrapped tightly around her waist, nearly causing her to drop the dish.
“Whoa, careful. Those plates are expensive.”
Seok-kyung whispered into her ear.
“You startled me. Let go, or I’ll break the dish.”
“I don’t feel like it.”
“Mr. Baek, ah—!”
He pulled her blouse out from her skirt and slipped his hand underneath.
“I told you—there won’t be time to talk after eating.”
His heated palm brushed her stomach before firmly gripping her breast over her underwear.
An unfamiliar sensation ignited deep within her.
She tried to push him away, but her gloved hands only soaked her blouse further.
His strong grip tilted her chin upward, turning her face toward his. Their lips collided, his tongue invading her mouth.
Unexpectedly dizzy, a throbbing impulse pulsed through her head.
“Please.”
“Please what?”
Unzipping her skirt, he let it drop to the floor with a soft thud.
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