A close model friend’s wedding was held at the outdoor hall of Gangnam Stadium Convention. Jinwoo would have liked to stay until the end, but he had to leave in the middle due to his schedule. The moment the van was about to depart, Jinwoo, who was looking out the window, widened his eyes.

“Hyung, just a second!”

He saw a woman elegantly getting out of the driver’s seat of a parked car. Her glamorous makeup, high ponytail, and unique cool yet composed aura. It was that woman from the Inno Fashion secretarial office. No, it was my Joo Se-hee!

“Hey, you punk! Where are you going?”

His manager called out, but Jinwoo had already gotten out of the car and was running.

“Joo Se-hee!”

Ever since the day he saw Joo Se-hee kissing a man, he had been constantly thinking. How to barge into the Inno Fashion secretarial office. But what was the point of just thinking about barging in when he didn’t have the time? It was the first time he had ever resented his killer schedule. His head was bursting with complicated thoughts. What was so bad about working there that she had to disappear? What kind of scheme was that small head of hers plotting? But running into her like this cleared his head, making it simple and straightforward. The only thought that filled him from head to toe was that he missed the little kid. People called that longing.

“Se-hee-ya!”

The name he called out after three years resonated in Jinwoo’s heart. Did that little kid know how overwhelmed his heart was just by calling out her name like this? Thankfully, the woman didn’t run away. But she also didn’t turn around at his call. Jinwoo, who had blocked the woman’s path, was panting heavily. Why was this damn parking lot so wide! Yet, the moment the woman filled his vision, a deep emotion spread through his chest. A silly smile naturally spread across his face, and his mouth hung open.

“Se-hee, right?”

It was the first time he had seen her with such heavy makeup and wearing a luxurious suit. But Jinwoo could recognize her. That gaze, expression, posture, and aura. It was definitely his little kid.

“It’s me, Jinwoo oppa.”

But Se-hee, whom he was seeing for the first time in three years, didn’t show any reaction and just stared up at Jinwoo blankly. That gaze was both familiar and so terribly unfamiliar that Jinwoo felt awkward.

“You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

Those incredibly long eyelashes that drove people crazy with their forlorn look. That uniquely calm voice that was gentle and smooth. It was definitely his Joo Se-hee.

“I know Kim Jin-woo-ssi.”

She said she knew him, but she wasn’t Joo Se-hee. Se-hee, who had slightly tilted her head, passed Jinwoo indifferently. Unable to bring himself to touch her, Jinwoo trailed after Se-hee.

“Did oppa perhaps do something wrong to you?”

If you pretend not to know me like this, my heart will break. Who do you think I’m working so hard to earn money for?

“Or are you upset about something? You have to tell me so I know.”

His heart, which had been moist, dried up like a mummy, and all sorts of thoughts filled his head. Was she perhaps sulking because he came to Seoul and didn’t contact her first? Because of the photoshoots he did with other female celebrities? Or the commercials? But he had wanted to contact her after he succeeded. He had wanted to become a confident man in front of her.

“Kim Jin-woo-ssi, what do you think you’re doing!”

Just then, a sharp voice rang out, and someone blocked Jinwoo’s path. It was Secretary Kim, the powerful figure in Inno Fashion’s secretarial team.

“Hello, Secretary Kim!”

Even at Jinwoo’s bright smile, Secretary Kim’s angry gaze, which he had said was because he was a fan, didn’t soften.

“I’m asking you. What are you doing to our president!”

“Who’s the president?”

Secretary Kim’s fingertip pointed towards Se-hee. Jinwoo slowly blinked and then chuckled.

“Hey, don’t joke around, Secretary Kim. Our Se-hee being the president, ha ha!”

“I don’t know who the Se-hee-ssi you’re talking about is, but that person is President Yoo Taeryeong, whom I serve. So, stop bothering her and get lost! Unless you want to pay the penalty for breaking your advertisement contract!”

The smile that had been on his face disappeared. In his vision, which looked on with disbelief, he still saw the composed Se-hee.

“Secretary Kim.”

At that call, Se-hee whispered softly to Secretary Kim, who quickly approached her. Secretary Kim, who had nodded briefly, came back and handed Jinwoo a business card.

“This is my number, so contact me when you have time.”

Joo Se-hee wasn’t Joo Se-hee, but Yoo Taeryeong? Not a secretary, but a president? Secretary Kim whispered softly to the dumbfounded Jinwoo.

“If that mouth of yours carelessly runs off without any sense, I might just tear it apart.”

Startled, Jinwoo looked down, and Secretary Kim continued with a prim expression.

“There was also a message from the president that said so. Then, I’ll be going now.”

Leaving behind the Jinwoo who had turned into a stone statue, the two disappeared into the elevator. Even until then, Se-hee hadn’t given Jinwoo even a single glance.

“Hey, Kim Jin-woo! Aren’t you coming quickly?”

At his angry manager’s voice, Jinwoo turned around sharply.

“I’m going, hyung!”

Getting back into the van, Jinwoo buried himself in the soft seat and looked at the business card.

“What the hell is going on?”

It was definitely Se-hee, but it also wasn’t Se-hee. As his thoughts became increasingly complicated, his head ached.

“I absolutely hate complicated things.”

Their reunion after three years ended, leaving behind only questions. But Jinwoo wasn’t disappointed. He had found his little kid. The fact that she told him to contact her meant she hadn’t completely pretended not to know him. That was enough.

________________________________________

“President, the elevator is that way?”

“Let’s take that one today.”

Ignoring the VIP elevator and heading in the opposite direction, Kangjoon’s steps were resolute. The reason was simple. He had found his Joo Se-hee in the convention lobby. Even though it was quite a distance, even though her small figure was hidden among the bustling crowd, he recognized her in an instant. This was also one of the superpowers that love evoked. His wife, who had been talking to someone next to her, inadvertently turned her gaze and found Kangjoon. Even in that fleeting moment of making eye contact and then looking away again, his wife was still. Watching his wife treat him so indifferently, Kangjoon’s mouth itched. He wanted to go up to her, kiss her smooth cheek, and say that this woman was his wife. His heart also felt ticklish. Just seeing her brought back the scent of his wife and the feeling of her touch. Did Joo Se-hee know? Even if she couldn’t acknowledge him, even if she couldn’t say he was her husband. He changed and adjusted his schedule just to see her even once more. If they were in the same space nearby, he hoped they would run into each other by chance. He changed meeting rooms and dining locations, and reversed schedule times. It was the secretarial office that suffered because of this. Just then, the elevator doors opened. Quite a few people went inside, and Kangjoon also got on. Yet, he leisurely secured the spot next to his wife. Due to his innate superiority, the places he stepped were always empty, and everyone made way for him. He had always lived like that until now. Without difficulty, easily and comfortably, he just had to reach out his hand to take what he wanted without hesitation. Until Joo Se-hee appeared.

“President, we’re on the third floor.”

At Kangjoon’s silent gaze, Secretary Yoon quickly shut his mouth. The elevator was heading to the top floor. He felt it anew, she was a truly stubborn woman. She could have at least glanced at him, but she didn’t give him even one look. The long eyelashes spread out like a gently lowered fan captivated his gaze. He wanted to see the eyes hidden beneath those eyelashes. Kangjoon suddenly remembered that he hadn’t confessed his love to his wife today. Then he should. It wasn’t difficult to take his wife’s hand in the crowded elevator. Holding her small hand that tried to escape, he carefully and clearly wrote with his fingertip in her palm. I, love, you. Did she understand? Or not? Or would she pretend not to know even if she did? The doors of the elevator that had reached the top floor opened. As people got off and gaps appeared in the space, the grip of the hand trying to escape strengthened. Regretfully, Kangjoon let go of her hand. With her long eyelashes lowered, his wife got off the elevator without giving him even one look. As expected, she was cold, Joo Se-hee. The bright vision turned colorless, and a bitter smile spread across his face. But through the slowly closing elevator doors, he saw his wife turn around. Two pairs of eyes met through the narrow gap.

“......”

“......”

Looking at his wife’s confused eyes, he thought he knew why he had done something so childish. Eyes and a gaze that couldn’t ignore him. Yes, he had wanted to see those eyes. The vision that had lost its color became beautiful again. The bitter smile evaporated, and a relaxed look returned to Kangjoon’s face.

________________________________________

It was past midnight when she arrived home. Before getting out of the car, Taeryeong had a call with Jin-kyung.

“Those new arrivals, you tried them all on yourself, right?”

[Are you even asking? They’re incredibly comfortable and make you look slim. It’s totally amazing! The elasticity is fantastic, and they don’t shrink at all even when you put them in the dryer.]

“Then let’s proceed with a little more cost reduction.”

[Yah! How can you reduce it any further?]

“Tell them we’ll contract for 90% of their production. Including all the colors other companies refuse.”

[Are you crazy? Don’t you know companies go bankrupt because of leftover stock?]

“If the fabric is good and the price is good, is there any reason why it wouldn’t sell?”

[......Wow. What’s with that crazy confidence.]

Imagining Jin-kyung making a fed-up face, Taeryeong smiled brightly.

“Contact the press and release an article first. Ask them to publish an article about Dora Athleisure winning the brand of the year award and use it for marketing. Don’t think about making a profit with this new product, put everything into advertising and promotion.”

[You look completely docile, but your drive is incredible. Oh right, did you meet my oppa?]

“Yeah.”

[Seriously. Did that puppy rush at you without any sense?]

Of course, he had rushed at her. Smiling brightly, calling her Joo Se-hee. It was a relief that only Secretary Kim was there.

“I’ll take care of it, so don’t worry about it.”

[Well, who else but you could control that puppy. Anyway, be careful, Jju.]

Hanging up the phone and getting out of the car, Taeryeong got into the elevator. Today was a mentally exhausting day, not physically. She had anticipated meeting Jin-woo, so she had dealt with it calmly. She had planned to meet him once anyway to shut him up. What had exhausted Taeryeong was her husband. The elevator, the secretly held hand, and the message her husband had scribbled on her palm. She wished she hadn’t known. But each large letter her husband had clearly written echoed in her ear with voice support. I, love, you. As if whispering sweetly and kindly. That one phrase had bothered Taeryeong all day. After showering on the second floor and entering the bedroom, she saw her husband asleep in a proper posture.

“He really does have neat sleeping habits.”

Taeryeong crouched down under the bed and quietly looked at his sleeping face. She felt like she could look at this face over and over again, for the rest of her life, and never get tired of it. Lost in her gaze, Taeryeong didn’t even realize that her fingertips were gently caressing her husband’s face. Of course, her husband might have wavered a little too. That’s why he had held her like that that night. But it probably wasn’t love. Since that night, her husband had often created similar atmospheres. Becoming affectionate, warm, and friendly. Asking if she would believe him if he said he loved her. But he had never once said he loved her. She had dismissed her husband’s change as acting derived from the revised plan. But why had he written “I love you” today?

“Seo Kangjoon-ssi, I’m asking you a favor.”

She didn’t dare to hope for love. She just wished he would waver a little, and just know that she wasn’t Yoo Taeryeong. That way, she could leave with a light heart. Because he wouldn’t be hurt. So please.

“Don’t love me.”

That way, I can live, and you can live too. Looking back, it seemed like she had endured because this man was here. It seemed like revenge had come this far because this man was here. This man, because of this man, because it was this man. She had received a lot of help from her husband, but she had never actually thanked him. Saying “I’m sorry” was so easy, but why was saying “thank you” so difficult? Even at this moment.

“A kiss on the forehead means unchanging love, they say.”

But I won’t believe those words. Not even today’s confession. Taeryeong gently kissed her sleeping husband’s eyelids. Lightly, countless times. I’m glad it’s you. So thank you, Seo Kangjoon-ssi. Just then, her wrist was grabbed and pulled.

“……!”

Her body rotated, burying her in the bed, and she was pinned beneath her husband’s firm body. The dark pupils hidden beneath his eyelids pushed away the darkness and looked down at Taeryeong. She felt breathless.

“Don’t you know how dangerous it is to wake a sleeping man?”

His low voice was husky and languid.

“Tell me, why did you kiss me?”

Why had she been so foolish that she had only just realized? That his neat sleeping habits, his light sleep, meant it was her husband, not someone else. Steadying her trembling breath, Taeryeong barely managed to open her mouth.

“I was just... returning the answer.”

“With lips instead of words?”

Her husband’s face came down, and his suggestive lips whispered with a precarious gap between them.

“Then I should give Madam my answer again.”

His eyes met hers intently, quietly capturing her gaze, and the corners of his lips slowly rose in a sensual curve.

“......With my lips.”

The terribly husky voice lingering between their lips was sexy. As if foreshadowing her husband’s next action.