41. Now I want you, Seo Kang-joon, more.

Kang-joon was not invited to the Inno Fashion launch event. There was no reason for him to be invited, and even if he had been, he wouldn’t have had the time to attend. The reason he was able to come anyway was that he had a schedule near the hotel. To be more honest, it was because his desire to come was strong. This was the destination he chose, skipping dinner. He wasn’t hoping for much. He just wanted to see his wife’s face to his heart’s content for 20 minutes before leaving. It would be even better if they could exchange a few words. But he ended up seeing a guy who was completely smitten with his wife, muttering about how pretty and cool she was, and how he was falling for her. It was that puppy from before. The one he saw at the department store, and the hunter who disappeared after watching their kiss in Cheongdam-dong. When Kang-joon shot him a cold glare, the guy flinched, but then calmly retaliated.

“I don’t know who you are, but I understand that CEO Yoo Tae-ryeong is single.”

He said it quite bravely with innocent-looking eyes. Of course, to Kang-joon, it was still utterly laughable. Kang-joon spoke leisurely, annoyingly so, with his hands in his pants pockets.

“That’s why I just told you. Who I am.”

He was the husband of that beautiful and wonderful woman, who was both Joo Se-hee and Yoo Tae-ryeong.

“Now that you know, give up your personal feelings. Just stop being interested in my wife and don’t approach her.”

At first, he called her Joo Se-hee without hesitation. Today, he even called her Yoo Tae-ryeong without any trouble. That annoyed Kang-joon so much. It was as if this guy knew more about his wife than he did. And that he looked at his wife with the same eyes.

“Then there will be no reason for us to get angry. And I won’t ruin your life.”

Jin-woo’s mouth slightly opened. He was incredibly arrogant and obnoxious. But his natural aura was elegant and polite. He spoke informally in a way that made people angry, but he also respectfully mixed in honorifics. It was clearly a chilling threat, but his tone was so refined, as if he was asking a favor. He was fuming to the point of exploding, but he couldn’t think of anything to refute. However, to stay silent and back down like this, he didn’t want to feel like he was giving up on the ‘little one’. Of course, the intimidating man in front of him was also standing there, determined to get an answer.

“CEO Yoo Tae-ryeong and I are somewhat acquainted. So, I will give up my personal feelings, lose interest, or not approach her after hearing it directly from her.”

Jin-woo bitterly regretted not contacting Secretary Kim immediately. Then he wouldn’t be so unilaterally defeated and tongue-tied like a dumbstruck person. Of course, he didn’t want to lower his tail and give up, pretending he knew nothing. The ‘little one’ in front of him was definitely cooler and prettier than before. But she didn’t look happy. She had lost weight, and her aura was colder and darker.

“But if she’s in a situation where I need to help and protect her, I will do so.”

While this was heartbreaking, it came to Jin-woo as a ray of hope. Even if she married this man, it wouldn’t be a marriage of love. There must have been circumstances that forced her to do it. He remembered the fierce ‘little one’ who would rush into anything if it brought her money, regardless of the consequences. If that were truly the case, he was willing to do anything for her. Even if she was in hell, he would jump in and bring her out. But the man took another step closer, threateningly and savagely.

“Don’t meddle recklessly.”

A low, cold voice, like an ice pick, piercing Jin-woo’s eardrums, audible only to him.

“Because the price for that might be paid by my wife, not by you.”

For Jin-woo, it was instinct. He took a step back, away from the threatening man. The man’s black eyes, looking down at him, were as calm as the eve of a storm, yet dangerous.

“This is the first and last warning.”

The indifferent voice, without highs or lows, remained calm. As if Jin-woo wasn’t even worth his attention. A tense and chilling silence completely cleared the space around the two men. As if only they existed. Sizzle, blue sparks flew from their two gazes, subtly different in height, intertwined. Eyes of caution and eyes of defense. A gaze that ruthlessly pressed down, and a gaze that still tried to lift its head. Just then, a middle-aged man in a neat suit approached and whispered something to the man. Jin-woo didn’t hear everything, but he heard the end: “...You must go.” The man’s cool eyes narrowed, and the coldness deepened. Nevertheless, with a relaxed gaze and expression, he took another step closer and slowly extended his hand. Tap-tap, the man’s large hand lightly patted Jin-woo’s shoulder; it was smooth and elegant. As if he had never experienced hardship, as if this hand was only used to command and wield at will.

“I will protect my woman, so you should worry about yourself.”

Only after the man gracefully disappeared with those last words did Jin-woo finally exhale the breath he had been holding. He hadn’t realized until now that he hadn’t been breathing properly. As he had seen in the department store, the man was an apex predator, a male. Hiding a cruel nature beneath an elegant and beautiful appearance. If even he, a man, found him threatening, would she, a woman, be okay? With an inexplicable sense of frustration, Jin-woo looked up at Tae-ryeong on the stage with distant eyes. Little one, that dangerous man just now isn’t really your husband, is he? I hope not, please.

________________________________________

Secretary Kim approached Tae-ryeong, who had come down from the stage and finished greeting people at the tables, and whispered.

“The Inno Madam called.”

Tae-ryeong nodded briefly and walked out of the banquet hall with Secretary Kim, along a long corridor. As they sat down in the neatly decorated lounge, Secretary Kim spoke as if she had been waiting.

“She asked me to report everything related to you and your husband once a week, without missing a single detail.”

“What’s the price?”

“She said she’d deposit 20 million won at the end of each month.”

“Report as I told you and receive the deposit.”

“Can’t I not take the money? If I take it and later it’s found out that I’m on your side and that I deceived the Madam, oh dear.”

Tae-ryeong smiled sweetly at the frightened Secretary Kim and said nonchalantly.

“Even if it’s discovered, what can she do? She’ll just shake with rage, won’t she?”

“Will she really?”

“She might secretly take her anger out. But by the time she finds out, I’ll have the upper hand, and she’ll be too busy looking after her own rice bowl.”

The time wasn’t right to reveal it yet, but she had gathered enough information about Madam Jo. Of course, she hadn’t caught the affair scene with Director Jung. But just a few photos of them embracing would make Vice Chairman Yoo tremble. Trust would break instantly. She had also detected evidence that Madam Jo laundered money by buying and selling expensive artworks. The plan was nearing its final stage. The very last revenge was to make her husband and daughter sever ties with Madam Jo.

“Oh, and this. CEO Seo Kang-joon asked me to give this to you.”

Secretary Kim held out a small shopping bag she was holding.

“My husband was here? When?”

“When you were on stage giving your founding speech, CEO. He just stopped by for a moment, so he said he couldn’t see you properly and left this.”

She opened the shopping bag to find a small ice pack and yogurt inside.

“Please enjoy it comfortably and come out.”

After Secretary Kim left, Tae-ryeong inserted a straw and drank the yogurt. But it wasn’t as sweet as before. She ended up gently caressing the half-drunk yogurt with her fingertips. Her husband came to mind over something so trivial. No, in fact, every time she drank yogurt, that time came to mind. The dark emergency staircase, the firm embrace she was held in from behind, the deep scent emanating from that embrace. Her husband’s presence sitting next to her, his gaze quietly watching her. Even his dark eyebrows furrowing after taking a sip of yogurt. Now she understood. What she was hesitating about now.

“I miss him.”

Tae-ryeong missed and longed for him. Her husband, who briefly stopped by to see her face despite his busy schedule. Her husband, who brought the yogurt himself and gave it to Secretary Kim. It was becoming too difficult to suppress and ignore this feeling. No, it no longer mattered what her husband’s hidden intentions were. She just needed to gradually reveal her own feelings. As a couple, as a wife. The pretext for this was provided by Madam Jo herself. Because of her inherent suspicion and distrust towards Tae-ryeong. So...

“I’m going to see him.”

Right now. Because I’m your wife.

________________________________________

Upon entering her husband’s office, Tae-ryeong turned to Director Yoon.

“Thank you, Director Yoon.”

It was all thanks to Director Yoon that she could figure out her husband’s schedule and enter here freely.

“On the contrary, I thank you, Madam.”

To Tae-ryeong, who was quietly looking at him as if asking what he meant, Director Yoon said with a serious expression.

“Actually, the CEO has been in a bad mood since this evening.”

He couldn’t bring himself to tattle that it was because of some male model he encountered at the Inno Fashion launch event.

“But when the CEO finds out you’ve come, his mood will completely brighten. No, he’ll be very happy. I guarantee it.”

Instead of answering Director Yoon, Tae-ryeong quietly smiled. Her pure white face, smiling with long eyelashes lowered, was like a lily of the valley on a dewy dawn. It was a subtle coolness and neatness, like a watercolor on a rainy day, that strangely captivated the eye. So much so that even the person looking at her felt their heart calm down. This is why our boss is so smitten.

“He’ll be here in 20 minutes. I’ll take my leave then.”

Director Yoon tried to force down the corners of his lips as he quietly left the office. Only then did Tae-ryeong quietly scan her husband’s office with her eyes. She ran her fingertips over the sofa and the desk in the office. She intended to slowly observe and imprint each detail in her mind. Then, her husband’s jacket hanging on the hanger caught her eye.

“He takes off his jacket when he works.”

Just as she was gently caressing the jacket, she heard the sound of the door opening behind her. She turned, thinking it was Director Yoon, but it was her husband standing there. A couple of undone buttons, a loosely pulled-down tie, sturdy forearms revealed below rolled-up sleeves, a few strands of hair falling onto his forehead, and cool eyes beneath them. Just looking at him made her heart pound, and Tae-ryeong quietly lowered her gaze. She had never been so nervous in front of a man, nor had she ever been so conscious of a man. But she always became like this whenever she was with Seo Kang-joon. Nervous, conscious, unsure of what to do, yet her gaze kept wandering. It was the same as at their wedding. Just then, a pair of elegant shoe heels slid into her lowered field of vision.

“Is this a surprise event?”

A faint hint of playfulness in her husband’s low voice. Only then did Tae-ryeong cautiously lift her eyes. Her husband, looking sexy even slightly disheveled, was right in front of her. Did this man know? That just seeing him like this made her chest throb as if it had been cut by something hot and sharp.

“I’m volunteering. I don’t want to be punished today.”

“...”

“You finish your work. I’ll sit over there and quietly wait until you’re done.”

“...”

“If I’m disturbing you, I’ll go home...”

“You’re not disturbing me.”

Her husband slowly cut her off and leaned diagonally against the desk. He kept his gaze fixed on Tae-ryeong, and his fingers, which had gone up as if to button his shirt, slowly came down again.

“Would my wife do it for me?”

He was a surprisingly sharp man. He had sensed a change in Tae-ryeong’s feelings and was testing her reaction. Tae-ryeong took a small deep breath and slowly approached, standing between her husband’s legs. The moment she put her hand on the button at his neckline, ignoring his insistent gaze, his large hand pulled her slender waist into an embrace.

“…!”

The heat emanating from his firm body, pressed against hers with only thin fabric in between, was scorching. As Tae-ryeong quietly stayed in his arms, her husband gently leaned his forehead against hers. When she remained still, he slowly tilted the angle of his chin. The series of slow, gentle, and sensual movements were incredibly unhurried. As if telling her to pull away at any time if she disliked it. Her heart pounded, knowing what her husband was about to do. She had intended to button his shirt and tie his tie, but how did the atmosphere turn into this? No, it seemed it had always been like this since that night. Tae-ryeong had ignored it, and her husband had merely endured and waited.

“Can I kiss you?”

Her heart violently pounded at her husband’s low question. Now she understood. The reason why she couldn’t give up her lingering feelings for him even after that passionate night. She thought this overwhelming emotion had burned itself out that night. But it hadn’t. The fiercely burning embers remained like a residue in her chest. When she tried to hide and ignore it, it flared up fiercely. When she decided to put it out, it would die down as if nothing had happened. Like a devil playing tricks in her heart. But now the situation had changed. There were only two months left. And Madam Jo had first demanded that she get along with her husband. So, wouldn’t it be okay to reveal this feeling, this desire, a little? As a couple, as a wife, as a woman.

“I’m your wife, aren’t I?”

She whispered, pushing up her trembling eyelids, and met her husband’s fervent gaze. Now, I want you, Seo Kang-joon, more. Looking into his eyes, Tae-ryeong slowly wrapped her slender arms around her husband’s neck. The moment she gently lifted herself on her toes, their soft lips met. That was Tae-ryeong’s answer.