SELA - 28

“…Ah.”

Her involuntary reaction to his acknowledgment made Ji-hyuk’s lips curl upward into a sly smile. Was there anyone else so easy to read? This was amusing. He found himself genuinely enjoying their time together, unaware of just how much pleasure it brought him.

“I’m fine, so stretch your legs onto the table.”

“No, I couldn’t possibly—”

“Then stretch them this way.”

When Sa-hee hesitated to place her legs on the coffee table, Ji-hyuk leaned forward and gently lifted her ankles, positioning her legs over his firm thighs. The sudden movement caused Sa-hee to tilt backward slightly, but she quickly steadied herself with her hands. Now, her slender calves rested delicately atop his muscular thighs—an unsteady balance.

After carefully applying tape to the wound and rubbing bruise cream on the discolored areas, Ji-hyuk sat back.

“Are you planning to stay overnight?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you so surprised? I’m just asking if you’re staying.”

Ji-hyuk’s casual tone contrasted sharply with Sa-hee’s startled reaction as she scrambled to put distance between them. Finally planting her feet firmly on the floor, she moved to sit farther away.

“No, absolutely not.”

“Alright then.”

Unbothered by her vehement denial, Ji-hyuk grabbed the towel he’d left draped over the back of the sofa and shook it out, drying his damp hair. His tousled locks fell naturally, framing his face in an effortlessly handsome way.

“I’ll change clothes and come back. We can talk more after that.”

“Yes.”

With a brief assurance for her to rest comfortably, Ji-hyuk disappeared into what appeared to be a dressing room. As Sa-hee watched him leave, her eyelids grew heavier, and she stifled a long yawn.

“I should go home.”

She planned to bid him farewell when he returned and head straight home. Retrieving her bag, she placed it on her lap and waited patiently. However, moments later, her head began to feel unbearably heavy.

“Just for a moment… really, just a moment…”

Sa-hee compromised with herself, leaning her head briefly on her bag while waiting for Ji-hyuk to emerge. With a soft groan, her head dropped onto the bag, and soon, even breathing signaled that she had fallen asleep.

A short while later, Ji-hyuk emerged from the dressing room wearing fresh clothes. Seeing Sa-hee asleep on the couch, he chuckled softly.

“Unbelievable.”

Despite being so cautious around him earlier, here she was, sound asleep right in the middle of his living room.

After tossing the towel into the laundry basket, Ji-hyuk slowly approached her and sat down nearby. For a moment, he simply gazed at her sleeping face. Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, giving her a vibrant glow.

“...”

He wanted to stay like this forever, to keep watching her without end. Startled by the sudden intensity of his thoughts, Ji-hyuk let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Lately, his behavior toward her had been subtly awkward—sometimes staring too intently, other times pointedly avoiding eye contact altogether. Perceptive as always, Sa-hee had noticed these shifts and respectfully kept her distance. An invisible barrier had formed between them, yet tonight’s unexpected vulnerability made him question how he should respond.

As he gently brushed aside her tousled hair, Ji-hyuk sank deeper into contemplation, unable to shake off his musings.

The memory card Na-yeon handed him contained photos—only of Ji-hyuk and Sa-hee. In every frame, no matter where they were or what they were doing, his gaze inevitably landed on her. What could it mean?

Do I like Yoon Sa-hee?

“Hmm.”

“You can relax because it’s me.”

Lost in thought, Ji-hyuk considered the question—not for long, but intensely enough.

“Sorry, sorry... I’m so sleepy...”

“Shall I move you to a better spot?”

“...”

“Let’s go to the bed.”

The answer came swiftly, clear and undeniable. His persistent gaze following her everywhere bore only one explanation: Even if blindness were to claim his sight, his life and soul would still gravitate toward her.

Carefully lifting Sa-hee’s sleeping form, Ji-hyuk carried her to the bedroom. As he laid her down gently, she murmured incoherently in her sleep, her features softer and more intimate than Secretary Yoon’s usual demeanor. It was a face both unfamiliar and intriguing—a face that stirred curiosity within him. Ji-hyuk felt an inexplicable urge to wet his lips and quickly turned his head away.

After tucking her in, he dimmed the lights, leaving only a small lamp glowing. Beneath its narrow beam, Sa-hee slept like a bird nestled in a cage.

________________________________________

Time passed, but sleep eluded Ji-hyuk. Deciding to make use of his wakefulness, he dove back into work.

Seated on the couch, glasses perched on his nose, he reviewed documents with focused precision. Despite his relaxed attire, his presence remained striking. His tall, lean frame commanded attention, and his features—often described as refined, even delicate—added to his allure. The harmonious blend of sharp angles and gentle curves in his face only heightened his beauty.

Finishing one document, Ji-hyuk set it aside and reached for another. Sinking deeper into the plush sofa, he absentmindedly swept stray strands of hair off his forehead.

“Ji-hyuk...”

His body stiffened as Sa-hee suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck from behind, startling him.

Remaining silent to assess the situation, Ji-hyuk placed his hands lightly over hers, which encircled his shoulders. Then, removing his glasses, he tossed them carelessly onto the sofa beside the papers.

“Ji-hyuk.”

Calling his name again, Sa-hee nuzzled her cheek against his, her voice thick with drowsiness.

“I keep waking up because you’re not there.”

“You?” The word sounded sweet, though she was clearly half-asleep. If she were addressing someone else as “you,” it might have irritated him. But given her state—drunk and disoriented—he couldn’t bring himself to question her.

“Shin Ji-hyuk, you’ve really changed,” he muttered under his breath, snapping his fingers mockingly to grab her attention. Slowly opening her eyes, she tightened her grip on his shoulder. Ji-hyuk tenderly stroked the arm wrapped around him, interlacing his fingers with hers. She exhaled deeply as his gentle squeeze reassured her.

Moments later, Sa-hee unwound herself and circled around the couch before climbing onto his lap without hesitation. Instinctively, Ji-hyuk supported her lithe frame.

“Did you shower?”

“Yes.”

“You smell good.”

Sa-hee, her vision clouded, pressed her face against his neck, nuzzling affectionately. The sensation tickled.

“Yoon Se... Sa-hee.”

“Mm?”

“Who am I?”

Though calling her name suggested she recognized him as Shin Ji-hyuk, her actions mimicked those of someone greeting a stranger with the same name. Was this mere drunken rambling?

After a brief silence, Sa-hee giggled softly, brushing her lips against his collarbone. Burying her face in his chest, she whispered:

“My husband.”

“...”

“My husband, Shin Ji-hyuk.”

________________________________________

The next morning, Sa-hee woke with a pounding headache, her eyes swollen shut. Blinking repeatedly, she finally managed to open them fully, only to find the ceiling unfamiliar. This wasn’t her home…?

Confused, she turned her head to survey the surroundings. To her dismay, she realized she was lying in an entirely unknown space. Struggling to sit up despite her sluggish body, Sa-hee began piecing together fragments of the previous night.

After finishing work and heading home...

“Good morning?”

Before she could delve further into her memories, the door swung open abruptly. Startled, Sa-hee’s eyes widened.

Gracefully stepping in while adjusting his cufflinks, none other than Ji-hyuk entered the room.

“Why, why, why am I… here?”

“If you’re wondering why Secretary Yoon is in my house, perhaps we’ll arrive at the answer faster.”

Ji-hyuk’s languid gaze met her shocked expression. Overwhelmed, Sa-hee opened her mouth but found no words.

According to him, this was indeed Ji-hyuk’s home, and she had spent the night in his bed. How? Why?

Completely baffled, Sa-hee suddenly felt a chill run through her body. Could it be?

Glancing downward, she instinctively crossed her arms over herself. She was clad in nothing but a thin camisole that left little to the imagination, making her acutely aware of her exposed figure.

Flushing crimson, Sa-hee looked up at Ji-hyuk in panic.

With his hands tucked into his pockets, Ji-hyuk delivered his verdict calmly:

“Yes, we slept together.”