It was as quiet as a tourist spot should be, but it was the most crowded place they’d been to that day. The restaurant and café they’d visited earlier were both empty.

She knew that he must have rented them out entirely. Kang Woo really hated crowded places, after all. It was unexpected, though, that he had readily agreed to her suggestion to go to the amusement park.

The date was so perfect, like a wellscripted play… It made her trust him even more.

Even though she found it hard to believe his claim that it was his ‘first date with a girl’.

Except for this place they’d come to unexpectedly, everything felt like a puzzle piece that had to be in the right place.

The timing and route were perfectly lined up. He probably thought he didn’t give anything away.

“Heh.”
She was laughing at his cuteness when Kang Woo returned.

“Why are you laughing all of a sudden? You’ve been laughing a lot lately.”
He didn’t seem to mind, but his long eyes widened a little, showing his curiosity.

“Just. Did you get the tickets? But how can this place… run with no people?”
“I heard the city gives them a subsidy. For community development.”
“When did you look that up?”
Se Ah’s lips parted slightly at his meticulous research.

“It worked out, didn’t it? We can ride right away. Just the two of us.”
“….”
“I hope it doesn’t go under and keeps running. We should come here often.”
Kang Woo extended his hand as he said something that could either be interpreted as a joke or encouragement. He didn’t grab her hand forcefully, nor did he act indifferently. He was quite gentle.

She involuntarily reached out and grabbed his hand. His lips curled up as if he was satisfied.

They silently held hands and boarded the Ferris wheel.

“Wow. This is my first time on a Ferris wheel. Have you been on one before, Kang Woo?”
“When I was a kid.”
“Oh, with your mom?”
“Yeah. She wanted to ride, so I, being an 8yearold, took her out of filial piety.”
“…”
“You and my mom seem quite similar. More than I am, her son.”
She couldn’t resist laughing at his weirdly charming joke. Then she was mesmerized by the world beyond the glass door.

When they reached the top, they could see the entire small city. The stars studded in the night sky were beautiful.

“It’s amazing… I thought it would be dizzying just going round and round, but it’s not. What do you think, Kang Woo?”

…

When did he start looking at her? Se Ah closed her mouth under his unbroken gaze.

“Why… are you looking at me? The night view is beautiful, you should look at that.”
“I feel better looking at you. It’s almost intoxicating.”
His deep voice was so sexy that Se Ah was momentarily frozen.

“What does that strange comment mean? Your gaze is also unusual.”
“I was just expressing my feelings honestly. I thought you were frustrated because I was holding back.”
“…You really seem like a different person. Where did you learn to say things like that? You must be attending a course.”
“It’s not difficult once you’ve started. It’s nothing.”
“…Tsk.”
“Keep looking at what you were looking at. Don’t mind me.”
Se Ah raised her hand to the glass screen, her face turning red. How could she not be bothered when he was staring at her so intensely?

They spent a long time in silence. She looked at the scenery outside, and he looked at her.

She had never thought she would hold his attention for so long.

“Se Ah.”
“Yes?”
“Let’s come here again next time. We.”
The breath of Kang Woo brushed against her ear. It wasn’t a whisper against her ear, but a somewhat crude promise in a stoic tone.

He looked serious, and a little embarrassed, looking at his toes. But when their eyes met again, he was fiercely captivating. Enough to stir every single hair, every single cell of her to respond to Kang Woo.

‘Kang Woo, I will probably remember this day for the rest of my life.’
He couldn’t possibly have heard what she said with her eyes. He touched her cheek with the back of his hand, smiling knowingly. The two hands held lightly were unusually warm.

((()))((()))((()))

The chief of staff, Lee Soo, entered the office.

Nam Tae, who had been waiting for Lee Soo’s report, leaned back against the chair, propping his chin up.

“So, how did it go?”
“I am sorry to say, but there seemed to be a minor problem.”
Nam Tae’s foot thumped on the floor. His sharp eyes turned fierce.

“What problem?”
“It seems that Cha Dae noticed he was being followed.”
“Tsk. I told you to be careful because he’s a cautious one.”
“….”
“So, did he catch you?”

Nam Tae flashed a strange smile. He seemed both proud of his quickwitted son, and at the same time, seemed to berate a messenger who had not done their job properly.

“That’s not it. Fortunately, I heard he got away well.”
“Well, what. Seems like Kang Woo can’t handle it either.”
Nam Tae laughed heartily, as if he found the situation amusing.

“If things have gotten to that point, the clever Se Ah must have understood.”
“……”
“Who dares to tempt Kang Woo maliciously?”
“Yes.”
“Tell her to keep her distance for the time being. And Seok, you absolutely must not show yourself. If they find out you’re moving, it’ll endanger me as well. Do you understand my words?”
“Yes.”
“Anyway. It seems the chairman has a headache. The former fiancée of this director, like garbage, is again lurking around.”
While touching the end of his smooth chin, Nam Tae pondered.

“Last time, maybe because he had drunk some, or he intentionally let it slip. An inside story inadvertently came out.”
“……”
“My daughter only studied and the only man she knew was him, but it wasn’t as deep as people knew. Just my innocent daughter was deceived, they said. Why would they tell me that?”
“But doesn’t the chairman still not know the relationship between ViceChairman Cha and the young lady?”
“He wouldn’t know, but he wouldn’t just stand there in that position. He must have noticed the strange atmosphere.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to hurry then? Reveal it’s a contractual marriage and quickly connect with this director. It seems like the better option.”
“When you’re bringing in a precious daughterinlaw, you have to clean up around you first. That’s courtesy to Min Young.”
“Yes.”
The tip of Nam Tae’s shoe stopped tapping the tea table.

“But first, we have to confirm if this director has feelings for our Kang Woo.”
“As it happens, I received a call from Director Lee Min Young. She expressed her gratitude for the lunch invitation and wanted to treat you to a meal.”
In Nam Tae’s thoughtful gaze, certainty began to appear.

“Connect me to Director Lee.”

((()))((()))((()))

CI Software’s headquarters.

The long lobby was decorated brightly for Christmas. Passing employees were busy taking pictures of the large Christmas tree placed in the center of the lobby. There were many launch events for the end of the year.

Kang Woo was spurring sales with marketing targeted at the peak season.

Secretary Choi entered the office.

“Chairman, do you remember the GCom’s party schedule I mentioned before?”
“Yes.”
“You said you would go with the Madam at that time, is there any change?”
Kang Woo lightly bit his lip.

“What does it look like to Secretary Choi?”
“Pardon?”
“Do you think Ji Se Ah accepted? Or do you think she refused?”

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