CEB - 7

Chapter 7: Is It Okay to Do It Now?

“Miss Choi?”

“…”

Dan-jung, stepping into Min-hyuk’s house for the first time, was so mesmerized by the dazzling interior—something straight out of a design magazine—that she didn’t hear his question.

His modernly decorated home seemed to confirm what he’d said earlier: there was nothing she’d need to prepare as a dowry.

“Miss Choi? Are you listening?”

“Huh? Oh, sorry. What did you say?”

“I asked when would be a good time for the kiss.”

“Oh… um, do you have any alcohol?”

“?”

“It feels awkward to kiss while sober.”

“Then let’s have wine with dinner.”

“Yes, wine sounds great.”

The thought of having dinner alone with him in this ambiance-filled house made her heart race. Unconsciously, a smile spread across her face.

‘What a lovely smile.’

Min-hyuk had noticed Dan-jung’s smile before during her shifts at the front desk. Even when dealing with difficult customers, she maintained her composure and gentle demeanor, earning Employee of the Month multiple times. He’d always thought it was well-deserved.

“Miss Choi, do you like steak?”

Min-hyuk, now dressed in casual attire, asked about her dinner preferences. Then, as if preparing to cook, he headed toward the kitchen.

‘This look suits him too.’

Min-hyuk usually maintained an impeccable appearance—his hair slicked back with pomade, his tailored suits exuding sophistication—but now, clad in a snug t-shirt that accentuated his toned chest and paired with relaxed khaki pants, he appeared more approachable.

‘Did he work out?’

Dan-jung couldn’t help but steal glances at his physique, captivated by the subtle sexiness of his laid-back style.

As Min-hyuk began pulling ingredients from the fridge and setting up a pan, Dan-jung, who had been sitting on the couch watching him, suddenly stood up. After all, he was still her superior.

“Let me handle it.”

“I’m quite skilled at cooking steak. If you’re uncomfortable, just sit here and keep me company.”

“Oh… okay then.”

Following his suggestion, Dan-jung cautiously approached and perched herself on the edge of a dining chair.

She had assumed he lived a life untouched by manual labor, yet here he was, effortlessly moving around the kitchen. Witnessing this side of Min-hyuk—a side other employees hadn’t seen—filled her with a strange sense of pride.

Then it struck her: despite claiming to lack emotions, Min-hyuk was surprisingly romantic. His gentlemanly manners were enough to melt any woman’s heart.

“Um… President Min.”

“Yes?”

“You said you can’t feel emotions, but I find you much kinder than most men. Like holding my hand earlier or cooking for me now.”

“My mother taught me that when someone cries, you hold their hand until they stop.”

“So you’d hold another woman’s hand if she cried?”

“I assess the situation and person. I wouldn’t hold hands with just any employee who cries.”

“Oh… I see.”

Phew~ Dan-jung let out a small sigh of relief, unnoticed by Min-hyuk. The thought of him comforting every crying woman sent shivers down her spine.

“And I enjoy cooking.”

“Oh… okay.”

So it wasn’t because of me? Feeling slightly deflated, Dan-jung’s expression turned sullen.

“But I also hope that you, who might become my wife, are happy. Whatever made you cry today, your smile is most beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

Blushing at his sweet words, Dan-jung bowed her head slightly while he remained focused on cooking. Still, something puzzled her.

Even without emotions, could he recognize beauty? Should she ask? Or not?

Deciding it was worth asking since he might become her husband, she spoke up.

“Um… President Min, even though you can’t feel emotions, can you appreciate beauty?”

“Fortunately, I have an aesthetic sense. By the way, Miss Choi, you look exceptionally charming today—so much so that I don’t want others to see you like this.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

Her lips curved upward again, pleased with his compliment. She had spent hours selecting her outfit that morning, waking up at 4 a.m., and it felt rewarding.

Though Min-hyuk claimed to lack emotions, Dan-jung found their conversation incredibly enjoyable. She hoped he felt the same way.

“President Min, are you enjoying this moment too?”

Min-hyuk’s hand paused mid-flip of the steak. In his assessment, Dan-jung was refreshingly direct—always expressing her thoughts and feelings openly. This trait made her an ideal marriage partner in his eyes.

However, Min-hyuk didn’t particularly find this moment enjoyable. He simply wanted to use dinner preparation as an opportunity to learn more about her.

Still, he knew exactly how to respond. Perhaps this answer would determine the success or failure of their marriage proposal.

“If I were to describe my current state… this moment isn’t unpleasant.”

With a slight lift of the corners of his mouth, Min-hyuk turned to face her.

Of course, this smile was merely performative—a deliberate act to convey warmth. But Dan-jung, accustomed to faking smiles for hotel guests, recognized it for what it was: a mechanical gesture devoid of genuine emotion.

________________________________________

Mr. Im visited the hotel cafeteria for dinner. The quality-to-price ratio was better than most restaurants, and the hotel provided a perfect place to relax.

As soon as he sat down, curious female employees swarmed around him, eager to hear gossip about Min-hyuk and Dan-jung.

“Sorry, but I can’t say anything.”

Mr. Im preemptively shut them down. His contract explicitly prohibited disclosing information about Min-hyuk. Besides, he respected Min-hyuk deeply—he never belittled subordinates and treated everyone with consideration and respect. Such a boss was rare.

Moreover, he didn’t trust the chatty women surrounding him.

“Aww, Mr. Im! Just tell us one thing!”

“Is it true Miss Choi went to the hotel with President Min yesterday?”

“I don’t know.”

“How can you not know? Everyone saw her get into his car.”

“They had lunch together today too!”

“Oh my gosh! Are they dating?”

“They totally are! I knew it!”

“I told you! Miss Choi seems easy.”

The women chattered freely, emboldened by the absence of restraint.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t speak so carelessly.”

Mr. Im’s stern rebuke silenced them momentarily, but soon they resumed their gossip.

“Why? Are President Min and Miss Choi really dating?”

“For real? Wow!”

“What’s the big deal? It won’t last long. Why would a chaebol bother with someone like her? He’s probably just playing around.”

“That’s true.”

“Ugh! Enough!”

Frustrated beyond endurance, Mr. Im slammed his spoon onto the table and stormed off to sit elsewhere.

“What do they think our madam is?”

He muttered under his breath while eating.

________________________________________

By the time dinner ended, Dan-jung felt pleasantly tipsy from the wine.

The steak Min-hyuk cooked was tender and flavorful, far surpassing anything from a restaurant. And the wine—unlike anything she’d bought at the supermarket—had a rich, complex taste.

“So, shall we kiss now?”

Sitting beside her on the sofa, Min-hyuk asked.

“Huh? But…”

“What now?”

“I haven’t brushed my teeth…”

“I see. I’ll brush mine first.”

“Phew~.”

As Min-hyuk headed to the bathroom, Dan-jung sighed softly. Truthfully, brushing wasn’t necessary; the steak’s delicate flavor wouldn’t linger. But she needed time to calm her racing heart.

“Ha~ Hu~.”

Placing her hand over her pounding chest, she took deep breaths. Just as she started to relax, her face flushed red.

“Why am I so hot? Must be the wine.”

She fanned herself vigorously with both hands.

“Are you warm?”

Min-hyuk adjusted the air conditioning and asked.

“Ah! You startled me.”

“Did I scare you?”

“No… I’m just nervous. Do you have a spare toothbrush?”

Using brushing as an excuse to escape, Dan-jung got up to head to the bathroom. But Min-hyuk caught her wrist and pulled her close.

“It’s fine.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You don’t need to brush your teeth.”

“But still…”

“Is it okay to do it now?”

“What… what do you mean?”

“The kiss.”

“Ah!”

Dan-jung blushed furiously at his boldness.

An awkward yet charged atmosphere hung between them. Slowly, Min-hyuk leaned in.

‘Oh no! He’s really going to do it.’

Embarrassed, Dan-jung squeezed her eyes shut. But despite her anticipation, his lips didn’t come. Opening her eyes slightly, she found his face hovering mere inches away.

“Why?”

Instead of kissing, he stared intently at her. She opened her eyes wide and asked.

“Oh, sorry. You look like a doll.”

“What?”

“Especially these eyes.”

Min-hyuk pointed to her eyes, his lips curving slightly upward. Though the smile was artificial, his words were sincere. Unbeknownst to him, he had been captivated by her porcelain skin, rosy cheeks, sharp nose, and full red lips.

‘Wow, what is this? Didn’t he say he couldn’t feel emotions? Yet he flirts just like any other man…’

Dan-jung’s heart raced again, stirred by his flirtatious compliment. Her pulse quickened even before the kiss began.

Isn’t this unfair? Does his heart race like mine?

Curious, she gently placed her hand on his chest.

Thump-thump. His heartbeat transmitted through her palm.

“What are you doing?”

Min-hyuk looked down at her hand resting on his chest.

“I’m checking if your heart beats like mine.”

“And?”

“It does. Just like mine.”

Perhaps because of her words, Min-hyuk became aware of his own accelerated heartbeat. However, the faster it raced, the more uncomfortable he grew. A familiar headache returned, tormenting him.

“Miss Choi?”

“Yes?”

“Let’s save the kiss for tomorrow.”

Min-hyuk unilaterally decided, then called Mr. Im with instructions.

“Mr. Im, escort Miss Choi home immediately.”