II - 57

To be honest, her heart swelled with emotion.

She knew full well that his words were meant to comfort her after she had poured out her tears about the past. And yet, they still made her happy.

But she couldn’t tell if the “date” he was referring to matched the idea of a date in her mind.

“Don’t worry. I won’t eat you up.”

He smirked and urged her to take his hand already.

I-ryeong’s heart raced uncontrollably. She was confused—was he deliberately trying to lift her spirits after seeing her at her lowest? The uncertainty left her flustered.

“Let’s go get some fresh air. You can clear your mind while we’re out.”

It was entirely for her sake.

Staying cooped up in a confined space would only make her thoughts more tangled and complicated.

The couple took the executive elevator straight down to the underground parking lot. They then walked toward her sports car, parked in the farthest corner of the lot.

Their fingers remained tightly interlocked, as if refusing to let go.

“Hmm? Why are you looking at me?”

“Should I drive?”

They arrived at the passenger seat simultaneously and turned to face each other.

Come to think of it, they had never ridden together in the car he had gifted her.

“It’d be better if I drove, right? Since I don’t know where we’re going.”

“The GPS will guide us. Is there another issue? This car belongs to you, after all.”

His grip on her hand loosened slightly.

“I’ve always envied husbands who ride in cars driven by their wives.”

“W-wife?”

Flustered, I-ryeong felt him gently touch her shoulder.

“We’ll be late if we don’t hurry. Let’s get going.”

After seating her in the driver’s seat, I-jun quickly climbed into the passenger seat.

“You’re impossible, really.”

Seeing him gesture for her to hurry through the windshield, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Laughing felt better than crying. And knowing that his actions brought her this laughter filled her with an indescribable happiness.

“Manager Kim? Have you been informed? Yes. Since I’m leaving early, you can head home too.”

I-jun called Manager Kim to update him. He already knew the situation from Secretary Kim, but he still made the call.

He reassured her that he wasn’t flustered at all and that he wasn’t nervous in the slightest.

“The roads seem quiet since it’s close to lunchtime, don’t they?”

“….”

I-ryeong clenched her lips tightly and didn’t respond.

It would take only 30 minutes to reach Sebit Island on the Han River from the company. Though not long, it felt like half a day to her.

The unfamiliar tension of driving with him in the car caused her grip on the steering wheel to tighten.

“You’ll get a cramp in your fingers. Relax a little.”

“D-don’t distract me!”

Startled, she jumped when he brushed against her tightly gripping hand.

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“Of course not.”

She shook her head, keeping her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

“If you stay this tense, you might cause an accident.”

“I’m not tense.”

She swallowed hard and denied it firmly. She was just a little worried about causing an accident with him in the car.

“Not tense, huh? Look how wrinkled your pretty forehead is.”

“What do you mean!”

This time, he smoothed out her furrowed brow with his fingers. The casualness of the gesture made her heart skip a beat.

Fortunately, they hit a red light. After easing off the brake and exhaling softly, she glared at him.

“You startled me.”

“We’ll be riding together often. Are you going to be this nervous every time?”

I-jun was remarkably relaxed, even letting out a faint smile.

“Often?”

“There will be occasions. Oh, the light just turned green.”

As the traffic light changed, she couldn’t press him further.

I-ryeong turned her gaze back to the road and started driving again. She wanted to ask more about his earlier comment, but as they approached the Han River, the increasingly complex road conditions made her forget.

It was her first time visiting the Han River on a weekday, and Sebit Island was completely new to her. Her eyes darted around busily, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.

“It’s been a while, President.”

Following I-jun’s presence, her gaze shifted.

“Ah, Vice President. We just received word of your arrival.”

A middle-aged man bowed deeply to the couple in greeting.

“It’s been a while since your last visit last year, hasn’t it?”

“I’ve been busy, so it worked out that way.”

I-ryeong glanced up to observe I-jun’s expression. His voice and demeanor radiated pure joy, like an excited child.

“Is everything I asked for ready?”

“Of course. It wasn’t a big deal. Vice President, is this…?”

The middle-aged man’s gaze shifted to I-ryeong as he spoke with I-jun.

“My apologies for the late introduction. This is my wife.”

“Our Vice President has high standards. Hoho!”

Though she didn’t dislike the compliment from the stranger, her face still flushed involuntarily.

Feeling awkward, I-ryeong managed an awkward smile and greeted the man.

“Hello, I’m Cha Eun-ryeong.”

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Park Se-gyeom, the caretaker here.”

The man extended his hand for a handshake.

Caretaker? Confused, I-ryeong shook his hand hesitantly.

“She’s truly beautiful. Renaming the yacht after your wife’s name was a great decision.”

“M-marine?”

Who was Marine? Could it be a secretly hidden child he hadn’t told her about? Her wavering eyes turned to I-jun in confusion.

“Marine is my treasure.”

“I-jun, I’m really confused right now.”

I-jun took I-ryeong’s hand again and followed the caretaker.

They arrived at a dock lined with yachts.

“The weather is perfect today for sailing.”

“Very well. Everything is ready since we were informed of your arrival.”

Indeed, the weather was ideal for a yacht ride, with no obstacles in sight.

“Will you be steering it yourself, Vice President?”

“Yes. My wife and I will take a quick spin and return.”

While silently listening to the exchange between I-jun and the caretaker, I-ryeong’s gaze wandered elsewhere.

Her attention was captured by the yachts—something she had only seen in dramas, usually associated with chaebols.

“This one’s name is Marine. Well, it was Marine.”

I-jun pointed to the yacht that had mesmerized her and began explaining.

“I bought this yacht with my first bonus after being promoted to Vice President. It holds special meaning for me.”

Last year, he had developed a lipstick that generated record-breaking profits, earning him the promotion. With the hefty bonus—equivalent to several years’ worth of his salary—he purchased the yacht on a whim.

However, due to his busy schedule, he rarely had the chance to use it.

“Was this your yacht?”

The yacht, like him, was stunning. Its dazzling white hull reminded her of his translucent skin.

“It was mine until yesterday. Today, the ownership changed.”

Taking his outstretched hand, she stepped onto the yacht.

Inside, the space was even more expansive than it appeared from the outside. It felt like stepping into a smaller version of his muscular physique, leaving her speechless.

“Do you see it?”

I-ryeong raised her head to follow the direction of his pointing finger.

Shielding her eyes from the intense sunlight, she gazed at the fully unfurled white sail when—

“Chae I-ryeong? Could it be… Is that yacht named Chae I-ryeong?”

“Marine was just a temporary name I came up with, but I’d been meaning to change it for a while and kept putting it off.”

Her name was written in English letters. Shocked, she couldn’t close her mouth.

“I was thinking about what I could call it with more affection, and then I had a great idea. So I immediately submitted the name change application, and that name was yours.”

Overwhelmed by the revelation, I-ryeong blushed deeply and lowered her head.

She had no idea they shared the same feelings.

“Come here.”

I-jun guided her down into the cabin.

The space was surprisingly spacious, large enough to host a party with three or four people.

“What do you think?”

“It’s my first time on a yacht, and I’ve never seen such an amazing boat before.”

It was flawless, exuding luxury. It felt like a miniature version of his annex, perfectly reflecting his taste.

“Do you like it?”

“What does my opinion matter?”

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“It matters. It didn’t used to, but today there’s a reason why your feelings are important.”

He leaned in so close their faces nearly touched.

“You’re the owner of this yacht.”

“Me? The owner?”

She couldn’t hide her astonishment at the sudden announcement.

“I wanted it to be a surprise gift, but I thought today would be perfect. The title transfer is already complete. You’re the rightful owner of this yacht.”

“I-jun?”

He firmly grasped her trembling shoulders.

“When your mind gets complicated like it did yesterday, come out here and sail. Use me as your personal captain anytime—you’re always welcome.”

He handed over the yacht, which was practically brand-new thanks to meticulous maintenance, along with an apology for not giving it to her sooner.

“Your sanctuary is me, and your escape is here.”

Though he had approached her out of reckless curiosity and impure instincts, that wasn’t the case anymore.

“Are you saying you’re my sanctuary, I-jun?”

Tremors spilled from her lips and eyes.

“You’ve been my sanctuary ever since the day you accepted my proposal.”

By now, he couldn’t bear even a moment without seeing her.

He wanted to protect her from the closest possible distance.

“I’m sorry for making you wait so long.”

Realizing that the feelings he had harbored since before their marriage were reciprocated brought tears to I-ryeong’s eyes.

“I’ll cherish and respect you even more to make up for the lost time.”

Her eyes never wavered, always fixed on him.

He no longer wanted to deceive her or deny the love brimming in her gaze.

“I’ll love you abundantly.”

He admitted that he wanted to embrace the same feelings she had shown him all along.

“I-jun…”

“I love you. I’ve loved you since the very beginning.”

Their overflowing emotions connected as their lips met.

A kiss filled entirely with love lingered for what felt like eternity.