CEB - 6

Chapter 6: Because of His Warm Touch

“Hyun oppa~ over here.”

Hye-mi greeted Kang Hyun with an awkward smile at the hotel’s first-floor café.

“What brings you here? This is unexpected.”

Hyun sat down across from her, exchanging pleasantries.

“I came to see you and… well, for other reasons too.”

“Did you meet Min-hyuk?”

“I just saw him.”

“What did he say?”

Hyun already knew from a call two days ago that Hye-mi had proposed to Min-hyuk. Clearly, she’d come to hear his response.

“He said it’s no big deal if he can’t marry, like I care or something.”

“…”

“It seems he hasn’t found a bride yet. Tell him not to cry when he gets kicked out of the president’s seat.”

Hye-mi vented her frustration after being rejected by Min-hyuk. She assumed Hyun would quietly listen.

“He might have already found someone.”

“What? Who?”

To Hye-mi’s surprise, Hyun revealed unexpected news.

“One of our hotel employees.”

“Ha! So he settled for some random hotel worker?”

The thought that Min-hyuk rejected her for a mere hotel employee stung more than the rejection itself.

“She’s a capable employee—she’s even been named Employee of the Month multiple times for her kindness.”

Feeling offended by Hye-mi’s dismissive attitude toward hoteliers, Hyun added unnecessary emphasis. Though she might seem insignificant compared to someone from a prestigious family, as the hotel’s general manager, Hyun took immense pride in the profession—not just for himself but for all employees.

“Sorry if I offended you. I didn’t mean to belittle hoteliers—it’s just surprising…”

Realizing Hyun’s parents were also hoteliers, Hye-mi quickly apologized.

“There must be a reason Min-hyuk chose her.”

Hyun recalled Dan-jung greeting guests with a bright smile at the front desk. She was undeniably charming.

“Can you tell me who she is?”

“What will you do if I do?”

“I want to see for myself why Oppa chose her.”

Though reluctant, Hyun couldn’t refuse Hye-mi’s request. He knew she still hadn’t moved on from Min-hyuk and was struggling emotionally.

________________________________________

As Dan-jung prepared to leave work, she changed into casual clothes in the locker room and tidied her hair.

Today was the day she’d kiss Min-hyuk, so thorough preparation was essential.

“Still, how could I say such a thing without feeling embarrassed?”

Though it was her own bold statement, Dan-jung couldn’t fathom where she’d found the courage.

But she couldn’t imagine growing old without ever experiencing physical intimacy. A kiss would help her gauge Min-hyuk’s primal instincts.

Kissing him?! Just picturing Min-hyuk’s handsome face made her cheeks burn as if they’d already kissed.

“So hot…”

Dan-jung fanned her flushed face with her hands, trying to cool down.

“Miss Choi, can I speak with you?”

Startled by Manager Na Ji-hye’s sharp voice, Dan-jung froze.

“If this is going to take long, can we do it tomorrow? I’m running late for an appointment.”

“It won’t take long. Let’s talk in the break room.”

Manager Na, who’d always disliked Dan-jung, couldn’t hold back any longer and summoned her to the staff lounge. She intended to warn Dan-jung to watch her behavior.

“Yes, Manager Na?”

Dan-jung turned to leave, already guessing what trivial issue Na would bring up. She wanted to escape as soon as possible.

“Don’t tell me you slept with the president?”

Na, annoyed by Dan-jung’s lack of deference, spoke rudely. Her contemptuous tone was enough to make anyone feel humiliated.

“No, the president invited me to dinner, and that’s all.”

“Look at you. You never turn down a man when he asks you out.”

“I’ve rejected plenty of men—probably over a hundred times.”

Offended, Dan-jung exaggerated to defend her wounded pride.

“Don’t act like you’re his girlfriend after one meal together. It’s disgusting.”

“…”

Unable to endure Na’s overstepping remarks, Dan-jung finally broke down in tears.

“Hmph! Anyway, if you want to survive in this workplace, be careful. If rumors spread about you being a call girl, your career here will be over.”

Watching Dan-jung’s tears stream down, Na felt a twisted satisfaction and walked away with light, cheerful steps.

________________________________________

After work, Dan-jung sat on a bench far from the hotel, waiting for Min-hyuk. During lunch, she’d asked him not to escort her and said she’d wait in front of the JK Bank building instead.

“If this marriage doesn’t happen, I’ll probably have to quit.”

Shocked by Na’s words, Dan-jung muttered to herself while gazing at the distant hotel.

She’d heard rumors about herself before but hadn’t taken them seriously. However, now that Min-hyuk was involved, the impact was greater than she’d anticipated. Even Manager Na accused her of being a call girl.

Still, Dan-jung didn’t want to leave the hotel she’d worked so hard to join. After juggling part-time jobs, mastering English, Japanese, and Chinese, she’d finally landed this job and worked harder than anyone else.

“But why do I have to hear such things…?”

Though Dan-jung had dated and broken up frequently, she’d never violated hotel rules or let relationships interfere with her work.

Feeling wronged, Dan-jung’s eyes welled up with tears. But having just fixed her ruined makeup, crying again wasn’t an option.

“This is so frustrating.”

She was furious at herself for not standing up to Manager Na. It felt like she’d admitted defeat.

Eventually, unable to hold back, she let the tears flow.

“Why are you crying?”

Min-hyuk stood in front of her, puzzled by her sudden change in demeanor. Just hours earlier, she’d been smiling brightly.

“Let’s go.”

He extended his hand to help her up. After hesitating briefly, Dan-jung took his pale, delicate hand and stood.

But even after she rose, Min-hyuk didn’t let go of her hand. This was his way of comforting her.

________________________________________

In the car, Dan-jung stared at Min-hyuk, whose hand still held hers. Though it was an unfamiliar man’s sudden touch, strangely, she didn’t mind.

In fact, she wished he wouldn’t let go of his warm hand. Unconsciously, she squeezed it tightly.

“Mr. Im, let’s go home.”

“Yes? Yes, sir.”

Mr. Im glanced at Min-hyuk through the rearview mirror, visibly startled. He’d never seen Min-hyuk bring a woman into the car, let alone hold her hand so firmly. And now, taking her home ? Convinced Dan-jung would become the future madam, Mr. Im drove on.

‘Home?’

Like Mr. Im, Dan-jung was equally surprised. She’d never been to a man’s house, let alone the president’s. What was she supposed to do there?

‘Could it be…?’

Anxiously, she tried to pull her hand free, squirming slightly.

“…”

Feeling her small hand tremble in his grasp, Min-hyuk turned to look at her. Unlike their previous encounter at the hotel, Dan-jung remained silent, her eyes darting nervously.

“We can’t kiss just anywhere, can we?”

Min-hyuk explained why he’d suggested going to his house. He couldn’t use a hotel room, nor did he want to kiss her in public. His home seemed the most appropriate place since they’d live together if they married.

“Oh… okay.”

Finally understanding his reasoning, Dan-jung nodded. She remembered she’d come to kiss him before deciding on marriage. Such an important kiss couldn’t happen just anywhere.

Thump-thump. Her face reddened again at the thought of kissing him. Her heart raced uncontrollably.

‘What’s wrong with my heart? Why is it acting up like this?’

Perhaps it was because of his warm, comforting touch earlier. Her heart pounded wildly, refusing to calm down.

________________________________________

“Sir, we’ve arrived.”

“Mr. Im, wait nearby until around 9 PM.”

“Yes, understood.”

After Mr. Im opened the door, Min-hyuk finally released Dan-jung’s hand. As she stepped out of the car, she froze, staring at the modern mansion before her.

With its spacious garden and elegantly understated outdoor terrace, Min-hyuk’s house resembled the luxurious homes of wealthy drama protagonists.

‘Is this real?’

Her wide eyes showed no sign of shrinking.

This was undoubtedly a mansion she’d never dreamed of entering in her lifetime.

“Aren’t you getting out?”

Min-hyuk leaned down to urge her out of the car. Would she declare again that she wasn’t an easy woman?

Curious, he watched her frozen figure.

“Sorry, I’ll get out now.”

As Dan-jung exited, Min-hyuk escorted her toward the entrance.

“Um… are there other family members here?”

“I purchased this house three months ago as a marital home. Currently, I live alone.”

“Oh… I see.”

“Do you like it?”

“Huh?”

“I’m asking if you think it’s suitable for you to live in.”

“Oh… it’s very nice.”

Dan-jung marveled at the wealth displayed. Living here, even as a sham couple, didn’t seem so bad. Yet, alongside admiration, she felt a growing sense of alienation.

“Shall we eat dinner first and then kiss? Or should we do it before?”

Min-hyuk asked bluntly as soon as they entered the house.