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“Yes. We slept together.”
Ji-hyuk’s deep, fog-like voice resonated through the room. With that single sentence, Sa-hee’s hands, which had been clutching her own body, went limp and dropped to her sides. It was a shock.
“Slept together?”
“Yes.”
“The two of you?”
Ji-hyuk raised an eyebrow and exhaled, as if tired of the same question.
“So… you mean, just… slept. As in, sleep sleep.”
Sa-hee muttered to herself, covering her mouth with her hand, her expression dazed. She had long forgotten that the thin camisole she was wearing clearly outlined her chest.
Ji-hyuk’s gaze lingered there for a moment before he swept his hair back and turned his head away.
“I’m sorry—no. How could that… It must have been a mistake.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Last night. I don’t remember, but it must have been some kind of accident…”
“What nonsense are you saying now?”
“Huh?”
Ji-hyuk tilted his head, one eyebrow raised.
“An accident?”
“You know, like…”
“Are you seriously thinking we had sex?”
“Ah… we didn’t?”
Sa-hee was just as taken aback by his unexpected reaction. Ji-hyuk smirked, locking eyes with her before parting his lips.
“We slept together. Separately, and quietly.”
Heat instantly rushed to Sa-hee’s face. If she looked in a mirror, her ears were probably bright red. Cough, cough. In her nervousness, she choked on her own saliva and hunched over. Ah, if only there were a mouse hole I could crawl into…
“Look up.”
“......”
“Yoon Sa-hee. Secretary Yoon.”
Sa-hee, who had been squeezing her eyes shut, exhaled deeply and slowly raised her head. Unlike her, who was utterly embarrassed, Ji-hyuk stood there flawlessly composed. Avoiding his gaze, she straightened her posture.
“Then… why am I dressed like this…?”
“Secretary Yoon spilled water on herself and took off her own clothes. They should be dry by now.”
Ji-hyuk, arms crossed, nodded toward the right side of the room. Following his gesture, Sa-hee spotted her shirt hanging on a clothes rack. She scrambled off the bed and snatched it up. Crazy, crazy, crazy.
“Won’t you tie your husband’s tie for him?”
As she turned to put on her shirt, she heard those words. Startled, she looked back to see Ji-hyuk staring at the mirror with a bored expression.
“Huh? What…?”
Their eyes met in the mirror. Then, Ji-hyuk chuckled. You don’t remember, huh? His expression seemed to say.
“Never mind. Are you dressed?”
“Huh? Yes, yes.”
Ji-hyuk turned away just as Sa-hee did the same. She had dressed so hurriedly that her face was oddly flushed. Ji-hyuk’s gaze lingered on her faintly heated cheeks and eyes before he spoke without looking away.
“Let’s have breakfast before work.”
________________________________________
She was late. Very late. And now, after barely washing her face and brushing her teeth, she was having brunch with her boss. What a disastrous start to the workday.
The two settled at a central table in a popular brunch spot, right next to the restaurant’s signature feature—a small garden with a massive real tree.
“You look well.”
“I slept well for the first time in a while.”
“You must not sleep much normally.”
“Well… there’s something on my mind.”
Ji-hyuk shifted his gaze to the menu. Sensing he didn’t want to elaborate, Sa-hee didn’t press further.
“The tomato soup here is good for hangovers.”
“Really? Thank you.”
What boss thinks about their secretary’s hangover? She ordered the tomato soup set he recommended, while Ji-hyuk opted for a simple brunch with coffee.
An awkward silence settled over the table. With no conversation, Sa-hee’s mind replayed her mistakes, making her cringe. Worse, she had no memory of last night. What else had she done in her drunken state?
Meanwhile, Ji-hyuk was perfectly at ease. Legs crossed, he watched her with a leisurely gaze. When their eyes met, Sa-hee forced a stiff smile. She needed to change the subject.
Digging through her bag, she pulled out her tablet.
“Should I brief you on today’s schedule first?”
“No.”
“Then would you like to check the reports you can review via email?”
“I’ll get indigestion if we talk work before eating. Let’s discuss it later.”
“Yes. Sorry.”
Total failure. What else could she talk about?
As Sa-hee internally screamed and sweated, their food arrived—perfect timing. The beautifully plated dishes were like divine salvation.
“Dig in.”
“Yes. Please enjoy your meal too.”
They ate in silence for a while. The only sounds were the clinking of cutlery.
The tomato soup was surprisingly delicious and seemed to help her hangover. Just as she was appreciating it, she realized—Wait, why am I savoring the taste right now?
What happened yesterday? Why did I go to his place? Her mind raced, but she had no memory beyond drinking with Joo-ri and Ji-young.
“Isn’t it about time we talked?”
Snapped out of her thoughts, Sa-hee looked up. Ji-hyuk was cutting his food while staring straight at her.
“How and why you ended up at my place.”
“I’m sorry, but I really don’t remember…”
“Nothing at all?”
Her voice shrank as she answered. Ji-hyuk narrowed his eyes, assessing whether she was telling the truth.
“Then I suppose you don’t remember what you did to me either.”
What I did? Sa-hee’s blood ran cold.
“Did I… do something wrong?”
At her clueless expression, the corner of Ji-hyuk’s mouth lifted. He set down his knife and picked up his water glass. His hand looked unusually large—or was the glass just small?
“You kissed me out of nowhere.”
“Huh? I did?”
Her shrill voice drew glances from nearby diners. Face burning, Sa-hee bowed apologetically.
Wait, kissed him? Am I insane? Did I really cross the line?
“Yes, you did.”
“Ah, I—I’m so sorry. I don’t usually act like that when I’m drunk… I’m really sorry.”
Her ears were on fire as she bowed her head.
“Don’t apologize. I was joking.”
“Oh, it was a joke… Huh?”
“You really don’t remember, do you?”
Ji-hyuk took a sip of water, expression unreadable. Sa-hee, feeling played, almost bristled before forcing an awkward laugh.
“Haha, Vice President, really… What a joke…”
“Let’s say that was a joke. What about the hug?”
“Huh?”
“Do you not need to explain that either?”
“I hugged you?”
“Yes. Secretary Yoon hugged me.”
This time, Sa-hee narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him for the truth. Ji-hyuk smirked, amused by her reaction.
“Barging into someone’s house in the middle of the night, hugging them, making a scene… And the person involved doesn’t even remember. Who should I take this up with?”
“Is that… true?”
“You have a boyfriend, don’t you?”
“That’s…”
“Is it okay to call another man ‘husband’ and hug him?”
Oh my god. She called him husband? She really messed up.
“Tell me.”
“......”
“You asked if your boyfriend would mind if you gave me a chance.”
Ji-hyuk tossed his napkin onto the table and leaned back in his chair. His dark eyes, brimming with interest, fixed on her.
Meeting his gaze, Sa-hee swallowed dryly from nerves.
“First, I apologize for my actions. I’m truly sorry.”
Ji-hyuk nodded, as if prompting her to continue.
“And as for this part… I don’t even know why I need to explain, but… I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“You don’t?”
“No. The person Ji-young misunderstood was my older brother. My real brother.”
“I see.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Huh?”
Ji-hyuk shrugged and smiled. Sa-hee stared at him, puzzled. Suddenly, he reached out to her.
“......”
“......”
After a moment, Sa-hee hesitantly placed her hand on his. Still holding it, Ji-hyuk spoke with perfect composure.
“Thanks for the hand, but I meant this. The tablet.”
“Ah, right. Here you go.”
“I’ll check my emails. Take your time eating.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Why did I offer my hand? Mortified, Sa-hee’s face burned. She ducked her head, pretending to focus on her food to hide her flushed cheeks.
Ji-hyuk watched her from behind the tablet. Even the top of her head was cute. She was the kind of person whose thoughts were transparent just from her hair.
‘I don’t have a boyfriend. The person Ji-young misunderstood was my older brother. My real brother.’
Her voice echoed in his ears, filling him with satisfaction. No matter what emails were in front of him, he felt like he could breathe easier.
Leaning back in his chair, Ji-hyuk slowly scrolled through the screen. It was a leisurely morning—one he didn’t want to end too soon.
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