CEB - 18

Chapter 18: Because of Min-hyuk’s Gaze

Was it because of Min-hyuk’s pitiful gaze?

Dan-jung, looking at him, suddenly leaned in and kissed him. Though brief, her kiss was filled with compassion and affection, radiating warmth.

“I’m not running away. I’ll marry you, President Min.”

Dan-jung tried to reassure the anxious Min-hyuk and make amends for her earlier mistake.

Perhaps sensing her intentions, Min-hyuk pulled her hand, which had been draping a blanket over him, and drew her into his embrace.

“From now on, I won’t let any other man take you away.”

“…”

Min-hyuk’s resolute tone made Dan-jung shrink like a child being scolded by an adult.

Honestly, she deserved it. She deeply regretted choosing Si-woo over Min-hyuk today. Especially those shocking words from Si-woo at her doorstep:

[You’ll break up within three months anyway. When that happens, come to me.]

How dismissive of her must he have been to say such a thing? His words ignited a stubborn streak in Dan-jung.

I will never break up. This time, no matter what happens, I’ll stay with President Min for life. I’ll shed this reputation of being an easy woman!

As Dan-jung resolved this, Min-hyuk’s gaze locked onto her plump, alluring lips.

“And this is your punishment for standing me up today.”

Without hesitation, Min-hyuk pressed his lips against hers. He left no room for her to resist, as he had before.

Once settled on her lips, Min-hyuk’s kiss explored hers without hesitation. Her soft, pillowy lips were still sweet.

But soon, his tongue could no longer hold back, invading the depths of her mouth.

In truth, Min-hyuk no longer wanted to hold back. Rather than risk losing her to someone else, he wanted to claim her first.

This desire stirred a deep longing within him, transforming their once sweet and tender kiss into something intense and consuming.

Dan-jung was flustered by the sudden passion in his kiss. He licked and tasted every corner of her mouth.

“Ha~”

A moan escaped her wet lips unconsciously, driven more by instinct than embarrassment.

Meanwhile, her heart began pounding wildly under Min-hyuk’s hands, which had slipped beneath her clothes.

But Min-hyuk had no time to check how flushed she was. He, too, was battling his own instincts.

Min-hyuk wanted to lick and touch not just her lips but her breasts, her entire body. However, Dan-jung had explicitly said she didn’t want intimacy for the first hundred days after marriage.

He couldn’t jeopardize their important marriage because of his physical desires. So, he had to suppress his urge to touch her soft skin hidden beneath her clothes.

“Haa, haa.”

Min-hyuk pulled away from her lips, gripping his trembling hand tightly. Dan-jung, catching her breath, looked at him with a flushed face.

Min-hyuk, too, gazed at her without hiding his desire.

They both knew they wanted each other.

Min-hyuk wanted her right then, and Dan-jung wanted to experience her first time with him.

“It seems impossible to hold back after we’re married.”

Min-hyuk confessed his thoughts honestly. For now, he might suppress his urges, but he doubted he could do so while sharing a bed with her.

“You just have to endure for a hundred days.”

Dan-jung calmed his burning instincts, suppressing her own feelings. In truth, she wanted to tell him, “I want you right now.”

But she swallowed her confession. She wanted to see if he would run away like the others or remain steadfast in loving her. If he changed like the others, what then? She couldn’t easily trust men anymore.

Men who seemed ready to give everything turned cold as if nothing had happened before a hundred days passed.

“Ugh, I don’t know. Maybe I should just sleep.”

Yet, despite her unease, she felt that giving herself to him now wouldn’t be a waste.

At that moment, Min-hyuk, regaining his composure, handed her the contract he had placed on the table.

“Let’s sign the contract first.”

“Oh!”

Dan-jung finally remembered why Min-hyuk had visited and took the marriage contract he offered.

Returning to reality, she straightened herself and sat beside him. Slowly, she began reading the concise contract.

The contract clearly stated that divorce was impossible, their marriage would be based on love, and breaching it would result in a 10-billion-won penalty. Additionally, intimacy was prohibited for the first hundred days of marriage.

“Do you have anything else to add?”

“No, that’s all. Do I just sign here?”

Though Dan-jung wanted to remove the clause about abstaining from intimacy, her pride wouldn’t allow her to bring it up.

“Yes, sign and stamp it.”

Min-hyuk pulled out a small inkpad from his pocket and handed it to her.

“A stamp too?”

“Or a seal works as well.”

“You’re very thorough.”

Dan-jung clicked her tongue at his meticulous preparation, dipped her thumb in the ink, and left a clear imprint on the contract.

Satisfied, Min-hyuk quickly gathered the document and stood up.

“I’ll have this notarized.”

“What? Is that really necessary?”

“It can’t hurt to be sure.”

Having achieved his goal, Min-hyuk’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

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“How dare you go around causing trouble like this!”

Seong-ho, the vice president of Le Soleil Hotel and Min-hyuk’s uncle, raised his voice at Si-woo, who stood nervously before him.

“Huh?”

Confused, Si-woo stared at Seong-ho, who slammed photos of Min-hyuk, Dan-jung, and Si-woo onto the desk.

“Oh.”

Si-woo frowned, looking at the scattered photos that clearly depicted events from just hours ago.

“There are rumors that Min-hyuk is marrying that woman. Did you know about this?”

Seong-ho, who had been monitoring Min-hyuk’s every move, was furious at the sudden appearance of Dan-jung. All his efforts to prevent Min-hyuk’s marriage had gone to waste.

Of course, the false rumors circulating in matchmaking circles were also his doing.

“That woman will get divorced soon anyway.”

Si-woo smirked, looking at Dan-jung’s photo with disdain.

“How can you be so sure?”

Seong-ho, calming down slightly, eyed Si-woo suspiciously as he wore a confident expression.

“I’ll make sure of it.”

“Hmm… Your mother said she wants to see you. Visit home sometime.”

“Yes.”

After bowing politely, Si-woo left the office.

Just wait and see. I’ll take your place, no matter what.

Outside, Si-woo clenched his fists, glaring back at Seong-ho’s office.

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“Why can’t I sleep?”

After Min-hyuk left in a hurry, Dan-jung lay in bed, trying to sleep, but couldn’t. She had set multiple alarms to wake up in two or three hours for her next shift, yet sleep eluded her.

If she didn’t rest at least a little, she wouldn’t survive the upcoming 24-hour shift. Despite her attempts to sleep, thoughts of Min-hyuk kept intruding.

It’s all because of President Min! Her body still tingled from his lingering touch, and his passionate kisses continued to stir her heart.

She had met countless men before, but this experience was different.

Though deep kisses weren’t new to her, kissing Min-hyuk felt unlike anything she’d experienced before. His kiss made her feel aroused.

What would it be like to sleep with him? Would it make her whole body tingle like this?

Dan-jung was overwhelmed by her own arousal. She had boldly declared they would abstain for a hundred days after marriage… so why was she feeling this way?

But memories of sitting on Min-hyuk’s lap replayed in her mind. His sensual hands had gently stroked her back, and his full lips had explored hers. His hands moving toward her chest had left her breathless.

Yet, he had suddenly hesitated and pulled away. Dan-jung assumed it was because of what she had said earlier.

“Sigh…”

She worried about work later and couldn’t stop thinking about how sexy Min-hyuk had been. She wasn’t the only one struggling—Min-hyuk felt the same.

Secretary Im, waiting outside, picked Min-hyuk up and drove him back to the office. Min-hyuk appeared composed, his demeanor calm.

Only the slight upward curve of his lips betrayed his satisfaction.

But this was merely the surface. Inside, Min-hyuk’s heart was racing.

“This is troublesome.”

Min-hyuk rolled down the car window and stared into the distance, trying to calm his excited body. Working in this state seemed impossible.

Yet, despite his efforts, thoughts of Dan-jung refused to leave his mind. The sound of her breaths during their kiss heated his body, and the way her arms trembled as his hands caressed her neck lingered vividly.

If he had known he’d feel this way, he should have stayed with her a little longer…

Min-hyuk had rushed to leave after securing the signed contract, but his body remained restless. He was utterly perplexed by this unfamiliar excitement.