Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
As Ji-soo bought the pregnancy test, she submitted a leave request for the next day. She was certain it wasn’t pregnancy and prayed that it absolutely couldn’t be, but her trembling heart wouldn’t settle no matter how much she tried to steady herself.
Her thoughts circled back to two months ago. What was the point of pinpointing the exact day now? But grasping at straws, hoping they’d pull her to safety, wasn’t something she could stop herself from doing.
Inside the bathroom, Ji-soo double-checked the stall lock before pulling out the pregnancy test. No matter the result, nothing about her future would change.
There was still so much to do. Debts to repay, her mother’s shop to help with, and an apology to In-hee that needed to come from the bottom of her heart. And Tae-ha… what about him?
Vrrrr. The phone on the toilet button vibrated, startling Ji-soo. Why was her heart racing like this over such a trivial thing?
[Did you eat lunch?]
Even this mundane message stirred her chest. She knew he was someone who usually didn’t care or meddle in others’ affairs, but the fact that last weekend, Tae-ha had known everything all along without showing a single sign—it was shocking.
And yet, despite Ji-soo ignoring his calls yesterday and this morning, here he was texting as casually and warmly as if they were lovers who had just parted ways.
[What are you doing right now?]
Tae-ha’s emotions seemed to operate like a functional dam, efficiently holding back floods and droughts until he decided to release them. How could he remain so unruffled? Was he desensitized to shock, or did he simply excel at ignoring things?
Meanwhile, Ji-soo’s mind burned hot ever since she learned the truth, while Tae-ha remained as calm as ever.
[If you don’t reply right now, I’m coming to the 11th-floor women’s restroom.]
Should she feel grateful for his increased patience? He was giving her a second chance—perhaps she should bow deeply toward the 45th floor where he resided.
And how did he know she was on the 11th floor instead of the 10th? Whenever moments like this arose, Ji-soo wondered just how vast and detailed Tae-ha’s vision truly was.
[You already know I’m in the restroom. Why ask?]
[Knowing something and hearing it directly from you are different. So, what are you doing there?]
His persistence stemmed from wanting to see Ji-soo flustered. Even through texts, her shy demeanor was evident, making it impossible for him not to tease her.
[I’m doing what everyone else does in the restroom. Are you really a pervert?]
Ji-soo could vividly imagine the mischievous grin on Tae-ha’s face as he read her text. Annoying as it was, she couldn’t resist snapping back.
[You know me better than anyone, but I have to be number one at everything. Since I’ve been called a pervert anyway, might as well aim for the top. Send me a picture from there.]
[Are you insane? I’m busy. Focus on your event, Vice President. That’s enough.]
As Ji-soo sent her final reply, she glanced down at the pregnancy test.
Two clear lines. Even with blurry eyes, she confirmed it unmistakably: two lines. A greeting signaling pregnancy.
Ji-soo felt as though her focus and energy had been completely drained from her body. Unaware of how time had passed, she suddenly realized it was almost time to leave work. Overwhelmed by uncertainty, she spent the late afternoon researching pregnancy and childbirth.
Had she always been this unprepared? To become pregnant without any plan or preparation—what was she thinking? Supporting herself alone was already a struggle.
“I need to think calmly. One step at a time.”
First, she’d visit the hospital tomorrow for a checkup, then buy whatever was needed and make necessary reservations. There was still time before her belly would show; perhaps she could apply for a transfer to a local branch by then…
As Ji-soo methodically laid out her plans, guilt suddenly washed over her. This baby, a precious gift deserving nothing less than abundant blessings, deserved better than a mother who only thought of hiding its existence.
Without realizing, she sighed deeply—how many times had she done so today?
Still, for now, she had to keep it to herself. Her mother would worry, and she absolutely couldn’t tell Tae-ha. With love and regret, Ji-soo gently caressed her lower abdomen.
“I’m sorry. Later… after much time has passed… then…”
“What? Later?”
Startled by the familiar voice, Ji-soo whipped her head around, scanning the office entrance. Fortunately, she was the only one left in the workplace, long past quitting time.
As Tae-ha approached, Ji-soo quickly removed her hand from her stomach, praying he hadn’t seen the earlier scene. His sharp eye for detail made her nervous.
“You’re aware dinner plans include a banquet tonight, right? Why are you here? Busy with work? Should I bring you a boxed meal if you’re staying late?”
“Hmm.”
A tender smile played on Tae-ha’s lips. If only he’d worn his usual indifferent expression—it would’ve been easier to handle. But that enigmatic, unreadable smile only heightened her unease.
“Didn’t I mention this?”
“Mention what?”
“When you’re up to something sneaky, trying to deceive me, or doing something bad to me… Han Ji-soo’s explanations tend to get unnecessarily long. It seems like this time includes all three, so I’m quite curious.”
As Tae-ha approached her desk, his peculiar gaze lingered on Ji-soo’s monitor. Only then did Ji-soo realize the screen was filled with information about pregnancy and childbirth. Flustered, she shot up from her seat.
“Why are you so startled? You’ll scare the baby.”
She hoped desperately that he’d brush off the screen’s contents as casually as possible. Awkwardly blocking the monitor, Ji-soo forced a natural smile.
“Buy me dinner. I’m hungry.”
“Really? Shall we have wine with dinner? How about your favorite ice wine?”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
Though she had no intention of drinking even a drop, she needed to escape this place before Tae-ha noticed anything suspicious.
They headed to the same restaurant Ji-soo had visited with Ae-ran last time. Tae-ha ordered an excessive amount of food and the ice wine Ji-soo enjoyed.
Condensation formed on the ice wine bottle nestled in its bucket, droplets trickling down slowly. The coolness seeped into Ji-soo’s throat, sending shivers through her.
As Tae-ha watched Ji-soo stare intently at the wine bottle, he nodded to the manager. Politely stepping forward, the manager poured Ji-soo a glass first.
Golden liquid bubbled lightly, fizzing softly.
“The first sip enhances the flavor, so it’s best to finish it before starting the meal, don’t you think?”
Tae-ha raised his glass, and Ji-soo followed suit. Clink, their glasses chimed together cheerfully.
While Tae-ha downed his drink in one gulp, Ji-soo merely touched her lips to the rim before carefully setting it back down. Self-consciously gripping her hands tightly, she picked up a knife.
“You requested leave for tomorrow?”
Tae-ha slid a plate of finely sliced meat toward Ji-soo, asking casually. This happened while she cut a piece.
“Yes.”
No ordinary employee’s leave would catch his attention, but Ji-soo was an exception. Perhaps “priority management target” was more accurate. Unknown to her, her movements and schedule within the company were always reported to him first.
“Why?”
Leave requests typically didn’t require reasons, but Ji-soo needed an excuse since she had something crucial to do tomorrow.
“I have some overdue housework. Cleaning, fixing broken things…”
“Is your tiny apartment really so demanding that you need to use leave for it?”
“Don’t underestimate small spaces. Housework often goes unnoticed no matter how much you sweep or wipe.”
Tae-ha glanced at Ji-soo’s untouched glass of wine and smiled. The gentle curve of his lips made her tense even more.
“Maybe I should take leave too?”
“No!”
“Oh, my. Anyone watching might think you’re trying to deceive me and got caught. But that’s impossible, right?”
Her heart pounded against her throat. To suppress the urge to confess, Ji-soo grabbed the cold water glass.
“I ordered this because you liked it last time, but if you don’t enjoy it, we can switch.”
“It’s fine. I’m tired and hungry—I just want to eat and go home to rest soon.”
Tae-ha nodded understandingly, his face brimming with consideration. But what emotions and thoughts lay hidden behind that kind expression?
“True, you should rest. Especially since you’re not alone anymore.”
Chewing a piece of meat, Ji-soo nearly spat it out in shock. Stiffening, she stared at Tae-ha, who grinned teasingly.
“Wasn’t that a planned pregnancy? Remember when Han Ji-soo boldly climbed on top of me and bounced around…”
“Excuse me, Vice President.”
Flustered, Ji-soo’s hand wandered aimlessly across the table until she accidentally picked up her wineglass. Tae-ha promptly replaced it with a glass of lukewarm water.
“You need to be careful, Mommy of ‘Bouncy.’”
Though she hadn’t drunk any alcohol, Ji-soo’s face flushed red. Her cheeks stayed rosy late into the night, partly because Tae-ha kept teasing her with “Bouncy.”
________________________________________
“Six weeks. Congratulations.”
The hospital informed them of how long the baby had been with them and provided detailed precautions. Tae-ha listened attentively to most points but deliberately feigned disinterest when the doctor advised caution regarding intimacy.
Even after leaving the consultation room, Tae-ha wore a sour expression.
“Come to think of it…”
Whatever thought crossed Tae-ha’s mind in situations like this was rarely comforting.
“They said we should be careful about intimacy for now, but we’re not exactly married, are we?”
How did his mind leap to such absurd conclusions?
“The doctor said intense physical activity is risky during early pregnancy. Are you suggesting we ignore that?”
“No, we should get married first. That way, I’ll have an excuse to exercise restraint.”
Ji-soo’s sharp gaze softened momentarily. Pulling her close, Tae-ha kissed her forehead and cheek.
Then he smiled—a radiant, warm smile reminiscent of the spring day they first met outside the school gates.
He had given her his world, and now she wanted to hold his hand and become the master of that world.
Google Sites
Report abuse