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Chapter 17: Afraid That Choi Dan-jung Might Disappear
Chapter 17: Afraid That Choi Dan-jung Might Disappear
Early in the morning, Min-hyuk left home to pick up Dan-jung, whose shift had just ended. He intended to meet her as early as possible to get her signature on the marriage contract.
Between her ex-boyfriend and Si-woo, Min-hyuk was growing increasingly anxious that men lingering around Dan-jung might disrupt their marriage plans. While he wished to keep her tied to his side, for now, he needed to secure her commitment by having her sign the contract as soon as possible.
Thanks to Min-hyuk’s urgency, Secretary Im had arrived at work two hours early, yawning uncontrollably as he drove.
“Secretary Im, how old are you this year?”
Min-hyuk suddenly asked, lost in thought as he watched Im struggle to stifle another yawn.
“Uh, I’m twenty-five.”
Startled by the unexpected question, Im quickly closed his mouth and wiped away a tear that had escaped during his yawn.
“Have you loved many people?”
“Huh? Uh… about three times, I think.”
Im was taken aback by Min-hyuk’s bizarre question. The word “love” coming out of his boss’s mouth felt surreal. Was he still half-asleep and imagining things? To confirm, Im pinched his thigh hard.
“I see. Three times—that’s more than me.”
“…”
The sharp pain confirmed to Im that he wasn’t dreaming.
“Hmm…”
Min-hyuk reasoned that since his brief relationship with Hye-mi was all he’d experienced, Im, who claimed to have loved three times, probably knew more about love than he did. Though he had tasked Dan-jung with writing a report on love, he realized he should also educate himself on the subject. After all, thorough research was key to success.
Thus, Min-hyuk decided to consult Im, whom he trusted to keep quiet.
“Are you good at loving someone?”
“Uh? Love, sir?”
Still bewildered by Min-hyuk’s relentless talk of love, Im glanced at him through the rearview mirror. Min-hyuk’s face was deadly serious—this was no joke.
“I think I’m pretty good at it,” Im confidently replied, though in truth, he was a lifelong singleton with only unrequited loves and one fleeting fling under his belt. But technically, those counted as love too, so it wasn’t a lie.
“How does one love someone?”
Min-hyuk furrowed his brow, his expression heavy with concern.
“Well, I think watching over someone is important. And surprise events—those are great too.”
Im smiled wistfully as he recounted his own experiences of unrequited love.
“A surprise event, huh… Thank you for the advice.”
“You’re welcome. If I think of anything else, I’ll let you know.”
Im’s lips curled upward, thrilled to have been helpful.
________________________________________
After finishing her night shift, Dan-jung stepped out of the hotel early in the morning. Exhausted from the whirlwind of events the previous day, she felt unusually drained. Despite holding on through sheer willpower, she was now so dazed she could collapse at any moment.
To make matters worse, the awkward tension between her and Si-woo during her shift left her feeling bitter. She had tried so hard to maintain boundaries, but now even casual conversation with him felt impossible due to the invisible wall he had erected.
Sighing deeply, Dan-jung was startled when Si-woo’s voice called out behind her.
“Sister.”
“Huh?”
“Want to grab breakfast together?”
Si-woo approached with an awkward smile.
“Sure, let’s do that.”
Dan-jung didn’t intend to avoid him. Si-woo had always been a good colleague, supporting her during tough times.
“How about some seollung-tang?”
“Sounds good.”
Just as Dan-jung moved to walk beside Si-woo, Min-hyuk appeared, blocking their path.
“President Min.”
Surprised, Dan-jung turned to look at him.
“…”
Min-hyuk glared coldly at both Dan-jung and Si-woo before grabbing her hand and pulling her toward him, just like last time.
“Sorry, but Miss Choi needs to come with me.”
As Min-hyuk stared Si-woo down, a tense silence hung between them.
At that moment—
“No, President Min. I already made plans with Si-woo.”
Slipping her hand out of Min-hyuk’s grip, Dan-jung stood firmly by Si-woo’s side. Their relationship had grown awkward enough; she couldn’t abandon him again today. Besides, she planned to clear things up with Si-woo once and for all.
“Then break your promise.”
Min-hyuk clenched his empty fist tightly.
“No, I’m sorry. I promised Si-woo first, so I’ll go with him.”
Truthfully, Dan-jung was irritated by Min-hyuk’s habit of showing up unannounced and acting as if he owned her.
“Miss Choi, you’re going to marry me. Did you forget?”
“No, I haven’t forgotten.”
“Even so, you’re still leaving with him?”
“Yes.”
“Even if I forbid it?”
“Yes. Even if you say no, I can still go if I want to.”
Dan-jung glared at Min-hyuk, unwilling to let him control her life, no matter how wealthy or powerful he was.
“…”
An unspoken tension crackled between them. Watching this exchange, Si-woo smirked faintly, amused by the unfolding drama.
“Let’s go, Sister.”
Taking Dan-jung’s arm, Si-woo began walking away, pulling her further from Min-hyuk.
Yet, why did her heart feel so heavy? Glancing back, Dan-jung saw Min-hyuk glaring at her, his fists clenched in barely contained anger.
Soon, they arrived at the seollung-tang restaurant and took their seats. Glancing at the large clock on the wall, Dan-jung noted the time: 7:30 AM.
‘His work starts at 9…’
This meant Min-hyuk had come specifically to pick her up. Yet here she was, rejecting him to eat breakfast with another man.
As time passed, guilt gnawed at Dan-jung, making her increasingly apologetic toward Min-hyuk.
“Does it taste bad?”
“No, it’s delicious.”
When Si-woo spoke, snapping her out of her thoughts, Dan-jung lifted a spoonful of soup to her lips.
“Sorry for dragging you into this.”
Si-woo gazed at her with a pitiful expression, unintentionally tugging at her maternal instincts.
“It’s fine. We made plans, so we’re eating together.”
“I’ll drop you off afterward.”
“No, it’s okay. Let’s just grab coffee nearby later.”
Dan-jung immediately rejected his offer. Now engaged to Min-hyuk, she didn’t want to ride in another man’s car unnecessarily. Though they were sharing a meal today, this would be their last.
“Alright, then. I have something to tell you anyway.”
Si-woo forced a bittersweet smile. Normally, Dan-jung would have gratefully accepted his kindness, but not today.
Meanwhile, someone secretly snapped photos of Dan-jung and Si-woo enjoying their meal.
________________________________________
“What did you want to say?”
Dan-jung sipped her coffee across from Si-woo. Caffeine was desperately needed to clear her mind.
“Who’s chasing us? What’s worrying you?”
“I’m tired and want to go home and sleep.”
“Then let me drop you off.”
Despite Dan-jung’s refusal, Si-woo persisted.
“No, let’s just finish our coffee and part ways.”
“It might be the last time. You riding in my car.”
“…”
“If you become a married woman, I won’t be able to drop you off anymore.”
Si-woo’s words softened Dan-jung’s resolve. Still, she needed to convey her feelings to him today.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For pretending not to notice your feelings. I knew you still cared about me.”
“How did you know? I thought I hid it well.”
Dan-jung’s words made Si-woo chuckle awkwardly.
“You always gave me rides and supported me.”
“I noticed.”
“I know it’s selfish, but I don’t want to lose you.”
“You’re such a greedy sister, you know that?”
“Will you stay as a good colleague?”
With difficulty, Dan-jung finished saying what she needed to say.
“You’re impossible. Fine, I’ll take you home.”
Without answering her request directly, Si-woo stood and walked ahead.
‘Did he understand?’
Puzzled, Dan-jung quickly downed her coffee and followed him. Soon, Si-woo’s car pulled up in front of her officetel. Thanks to the caffeine, Dan-jung managed to stay awake during the ride.
“Thanks for the ride. See you tomorrow.”
As Dan-jung unbuckled her seatbelt to leave, Si-woo grabbed her arm urgently.
“Promise me one thing, Sister.”
“What promise?”
“If you break up with him, come to me.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll break up within three months anyway. Promise to come to me then.”
“No, I won’t break up with him. Please move on.”
Dan-jung stepped out of the car, frustrated. Though she had brought this upon herself, learning that Si-woo still harbored such thoughts angered her. She felt pathetic for having abandoned Min-hyuk earlier.
Unaware of her turmoil, Si-woo watched her retreating figure and smirked. He believed this relationship would end in three months, just like Min-hyuk’s past romance with Hye-mi.
“Even stray dogs would laugh at that.”
Smirking, Si-woo pressed the accelerator and drove off.
________________________________________
“What’s with him?”
Turning back, Dan-jung watched Si-woo’s car disappear into the distance.
So he doesn’t care if I divorce? Even modern men aren’t that indifferent.
“Ha! This charm of mine is really something.”
Though momentarily pleased by her undeniable allure, Dan-jung quickly sobered. Frankly, she was tired of juggling men. All she wanted was to spend her life loving one person peacefully.
“Did you enjoy breakfast?”
Min-hyuk’s subdued voice caught her attention. Turning, she saw him leaning against a convenience store parasol chair.
Yes, this is the man. The one I’ll love for the rest of my life.
Finally, Dan-jung engraved in her heart the man she would cherish forever.
“Were you waiting for me?”
“This is your officetel, so yes, I was waiting for you.”
“Why?”
“Did you forget we were signing the contract today?”
Eager to have her sign, Min-hyuk held out the document. Watching her leave with Si-woo had made him even more anxious.
“Oh, I didn’t forget. Shall I sign now?”
As Dan-jung sat beside him, Min-hyuk pulled the contract closer.
“It’s chilly. Let’s go inside.”
“Did you wait long?”
“About two hours.”
Min-hyuk checked his watch nonchalantly as he gathered the contract.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d be waiting.”
Feeling guilty for her earlier coldness, Dan-jung didn’t know what to do. At that moment, Min-hyuk’s hand reached out to comfort her, gripping hers tightly.
“Ah, it’s cold.”
Though summer, the morning air was cool, making Min-hyuk’s hand feel icy to Dan-jung.
“Then don’t let go.”
“What?”
“Especially not in front of other men.”
With determination, Min-hyuk tightened his grip on her hand and led her toward her officetel.
“Are you angry, President Min?”
“As I’ve said, I don’t feel emotions…”
“No, you’re definitely angry. You just don’t realize it.”
“Why do you think that?”
“You hold my hand tightly when you’re upset.”
Dan-jung looked at her hand, which hurt from the pressure of his grip.
“I’m sorry. Did it hurt?”
“Yes. Since we need to open the door and there are no other men around, could you let go?”
At her request, Min-hyuk reluctantly released her hand and followed her inside.
“To be honest, I felt uneasy the entire time I waited for you.”
“Why?”
Dan-jung looked at him intently as she draped a blanket over him while he sat on the couch.
“I was afraid you’d disappear.”
Min-hyuk met her gaze, his eyes filled with vulnerability.
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