II - 42

EK Trading was a fabric import company with little to no direct connection to AE Cosmetics.

“It wasn’t a recent appointment.”

“…I didn’t say anything.”

Startled, I-ryeong raised her voice.

She was dying to know why he had a prior engagement with the executive director of EK Trading, especially since it was scheduled even before their wedding ceremony.

Moreover, given that her previous workplace, J Company, and EK Trading had a deep cooperative relationship, she couldn’t help but feel tense.

“This face says I’m lonely eating dinner alone, doesn’t it?”

He gave a light laugh and made a joke.

But even his casual jests failed to ease I-ryeong’s tension. She was well aware that the malicious rumors spreading from J Company had likely reached their business partners as well.

“The executive director of EK Trading is a friend. He couldn’t attend the wedding because he was stationed at an overseas branch. He probably returned yesterday. The appointment was scheduled around his availability.”

“Overseas branch? If he missed the wedding, he must have been in a faraway place.”

I-ryeong carefully observed his expression, trying to gauge his mood.

“He was probably in Sweden… for over a year.”

A year abroad would mean there was a high chance he hadn’t heard the rumors. Moreover, being part of a partner company, she felt an unfounded certainty that he wouldn’t even be aware of their existence.

“Do you want to join me? If you’re okay with it, you can come along.”

“No, thank you. Introduce us another time. It’s been a while since you’ve seen your friend, so enjoy your time together. I don’t want to intrude.”

In I-jun’s eyes, I-ryeong seemed visibly relieved.

He understood why she had been so tense earlier—she had been worried about the truth coming out, and now her demeanor had completely shifted.

For a moment, I-jun hesitated. He contemplated whether he should just erase the secret burdening her right then and there.

But it wasn’t the right time yet.

Since he hadn’t confirmed whether it was mere gossip or the truth, he chose silence once again.

After driving for a while, the distant silhouette of the company building finally came into view.

I-ryeong fidgeted with the ring on her finger. Though this was the same road she had taken daily since transferring to AE Cosmetics in late autumn last year, today felt different.

Throughout the ride, a subtle fragrance teased her senses.

Even though they wore different perfumes, the shared scent of shampoo and body wash lingered unmistakably.

Savoring the aroma, she stole a glance at her husband.

His serious expression as he focused on the tablet screen revealed how preoccupied he was catching up on work after a month-long absence.

Whether asleep or engrossed in work, his profile was undeniably striking.

‘Don’t get carried away.’

Feeling her heart race, I-ryeong pressed her hand against her chest, trying to steady herself. Her palm felt the warmth of her growing feelings for him.

“Hoo…”

With pursed lips, she softly exhaled the heat rising to her chin.

Turning her gaze back to the window, she spotted the subway station she used to pass every day during her commute.

“I’ll get off here, in front of Exit 5.”

“What?”

Manager Geum, who had been focused on the road ahead, turned to look at her.

Though she was usually expressionless, confusion clouded her face now, as if her thoughts had frozen upon realizing they were barely 500 meters from the office building.

“I’ll head to work separately. Ah, we’ve arrived. Please stop here.”

The car came to a halt at I-ryeong’s request.

“But…”

Still looking troubled, Manager Geum glanced at I-jun.

I-ryeong understood her predicament but had no intention of letting herself become the center of attention by indulging in Manager Geum’s convenience.

Even she would feel curious about the Cinderella employee who married a vice president.

“I-jun, it’s fine if I get off here, right?”

I-ryeong asked him directly, feigning confidence regardless of his response.

“No, it’s not fine.”

I-jun immediately responded with a stiff tone, revealing his discomfort.

“So, are you telling me not to get off here?”

“Do you think that makes sense?”

Unable to understand why she was being so stubborn, he raised his voice.

As a result, the atmosphere inside the car instantly froze.

“I-jun, I’m just an entry-level employee. Isn’t it stranger for me to get out with you?”

“Does your rank matter right now? This is our first day at work after the wedding. What will people say? They’ll think we’re fighting.”

She hadn’t expected him to care so much about public perception, despite all the times he’d emphasized that she was Seo I-jun’s wife.

“Come on, who would think that? They’ll just assume it’s nothing.”

Shrugging nonchalantly as if it were no big deal, I-ryeong gathered her bag.

“Don’t you know how dangerous assumptions can be? People will definitely start talking.”

“It won’t happen.”

She couldn’t understand why he was worrying about something that hadn’t even occurred.

Even as a married couple, wasn’t it normal to commute separately when schedules didn’t align? In fact, getting out of the car together might draw even more attention from employees.

Grabbing the paper bag with the thank-you gifts and reaching for the door handle, she prepared to leave.

“Where does your confidence that it won’t happen come from? Do you not realize how scary rumors can be?”

His sharp words struck her, deliberately invoking her greatest fear—rumors.

Her hand, poised to open the door, faltered. His underhanded tactic had worked.

“What should we do, Vice President?”

Still looking troubled, Manager Geum sought I-jun’s guidance.

“We’re heading to the company.”

His flat, emotionless tone sounded like a warning—a threat not to act recklessly.

“What are we waiting for? We’ll be late. Let’s go.”

At his second command, the car began to move again.

I-ryeong remained frozen, her hand still gripping the door handle.

What was the point of having a personal chauffeur and secretary if everything she worked for could be undone by his single command? I-ryeong once again felt her place in their dynamic.

Whenever she was with him, the excitement of him being in control quietly faded away without a sound.

“Even if it’s uncomfortable, endure it.”

Still focused on his tablet, he spoke in a heavy tone.

Knowing that he was aware of her discomfort only made her grit her teeth as she looked at him.

“It won’t take long.”

“...I-jun?”

He avoided her gaze after uttering those cryptic words, leaving her with an unsettling feeling she couldn’t shake.

Could it mean our separation has been brought forward? His ambiguous words piled on misunderstandings, driving her into a corner of fear.

“We’ve arrived.”

The car stopped in front of the lobby.

“Get out.”

She could do nothing but watch him hurry out of the car.

I-ryeong followed him out, still carrying her bags in both hands just as she had when leaving the mansion.

A few executives who had attended their wedding were waiting in the lobby.

Seeing one of the older executives twisted her insides. She had insisted on getting out separately to avoid this discomfort, and now she felt resentment toward him for not understanding her feelings.

“Let me carry that for you.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll carry it...”

Just as she declined Manager Geum’s offer—

“Give it here. I’ll carry it.”

In an instant, the bags were taken from her.

With her hands suddenly free, I-ryeong stared at him in disbelief.

Gone was the gruff demeanor from earlier; he had transformed into a tender husband whose eyes seemed to drip honey.

“Why did you prepare something so heavy? You shouldn’t have.”

His tone was so sweet it could rival any actor’s performance.

“I’m fine. I can handle it.”

“What’s the point of having a husband if you don’t use him? This is exactly when you should put your husband to use.”

I-ryeong reached out to take the bags back, but his firm grip left her no chance.

Side by side, they passed through the lobby and stood in front of the elevator. Thanks to the lobby staff calling the elevator, they were able to board immediately.

“You should have said something earlier. Why wait until now...?”

In the now-private space, I-ryeong muttered to herself while staring at the floor.

“Speak louder.”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Realizing belatedly what she’d said, she waved her hands dismissively.

“If there’s anything you need from me, just say so. I’m always ready to help.”

“You heard that?”

She looked up to meet his gaze, which had been fixed solely on her. Their eyes locked mid-air.

“...Yeah.”

His indifferent response revealed his lingering irritation.

Why did such a sight make her smile uncontrollably?

Though she felt defeated by her weakening emotions, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

“If we had prepared something like this together, would it have been better?”

“The recipients will assume we prepared it together. It’s a thank-you gift, after all.”

Understanding a little more about why he had been upset that morning made her heart flutter, as though she were basking in a spring breeze inside the tightly enclosed elevator.

Soon, the elevator stopped at the floor where the marketing strategy team was located, and the doors opened. Following him, she stepped out behind his broad back, wider than the Pacific Ocean.

She covered her lips with her palm to hide the giggles escaping involuntarily. Still, her buoyant mood refused to settle.

“Congratulations!”

“Congrats, I-ryeong!”

As soon as she entered the office, her teammates greeted them with warm wishes.

Embarrassed, I-ryeong’s face flushed red.

“I-ryeong, did you get even prettier, or is it just my imagination?”

“To me too, you look much prettier than before.”

Her colleagues teased her further, lightening her mood considerably.

When she had suddenly announced her marriage to the team, her heart had been heavy with worry. She feared they might think she was neglecting her work or trying to curry favor as a subordinate marrying her boss.

But the atmosphere in the office now wasn’t bad at all. Their genuine congratulations shone brightly in their cheerful expressions.

“Thank you all for attending our sudden wedding.”

I-ryeong tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled.

She hadn’t invited a single friend. Fearing what rumors might spread among those connected to Dongha or Ari, she had chosen a quiet ceremony. Even now, she didn’t regret that decision.