“I’m sorry. Our staff member can be a bit mischievous. He’s usually not like that, but his energy tends to spike when he drinks.”

Chaewon’s interjection shifted Yu-gun’s gaze, previously fixed on Seong-min, towards her. Despite her clear articulation, her slightly flushed face and slow-moving eyelids suggested she hadn’t abstained from alcohol entirely.

“Whether it’s the staff or the phone, better manage them well, especially during such times,” Yu-gun cautioned, prompting Chaewon’s nod of agreement.

“Chaewon-ah, who’s this?” asked Seong-min, causing the two men’s gazes to lock again. It was the bothersome voice of the man heard over the phone earlier.

Yu-gun stared intently at the distinctive face of Seong-min.

“Oh, this is… just Yu-gun Choi.”

Just? Did she just say ‘just Yu-gun’?

Yu-gun’s brows furrowed in disbelief.

“Oh, this is a doctor who runs the hospital with me, Moon Seong-min.”

Following Chaewon’s introduction, Seong-min offered his hand with a probing look.

“Ah, but what’s your relationship with our Chaewon?”

Amid the irritating talk, Yu-gun firmly shook Seong-min’s hand.

“We’re dating. Started recently.”

Chaewon’s lips parted in surprise.

“Really?” asked a similarly shocked Seong-min.

Unable to deny or reveal their temporary relationship, Chaewon hesitantly nodded.

“Yeah, it’s…”

Yu-gun’s warning gaze met hers, prompting a reluctant nod.

“Yes.”

“Wait, since when?”

As Seong-min, still incredulous, couldn’t close his mouth, Chaewon awkwardly mouthed words.

“Seong-min, take care of the staff, please. Yu-gun, let’s go!”

“Wait.”

About to turn away, Seong-min halted them with his baffled expression.

“How about joining us for a drink?”

Yu-gun turned back towards Seong-min.

“He’s like a big brother to me, always been close. So, naturally, I know a lot about Chaewon. Thought of celebrating her first relationship. Join us?”

Yu-gun replied, “Let’s do it another time. We prefer spending time alone for now.”

Chaewon, surprised by his words, turned her head questioningly.

Silently screaming, she watched the two men’s gazes clash again.

Look at this guy?

Seong-min, mentally grabbing Yu-gun’s collar, narrowed his eyes.

“Got it. But you two don’t seem very close for a couple that just started dating.”

“Oh, is this what you mean?”

Yu-gun took Chaewon’s limp hand, causing Seong-min’s smile to freeze.

Frozen, Chaewon soon made a frustrated face, scratching her forehead.

“Seong-min, take care of the staff. I’m leaving.”

“No, wait, Kim Chaewon!”

Hurriedly walking away, Chaewon glanced back cautiously. Her eyes met the lingering Seong-min’s, leading her to turn away with an awkward expression.

“His face looks seriously concerned.”

“It’s more that Seong-min seems shocked. He keeps staring.”

Considering the brotherly relationship, it’s surprising that a sibling’s dating news could be so startling.

Chaewon appeared more troubled by Seong-min’s concerned gaze than by his wary look.
Yu-gun twisted the hand he was holding, intertwining his fingers deeply between each of Chaewon’s. Only then did she lift her face towards him, their hands firmly locked together.

“Why are you still holding my hand like this?” she asked, looking at their intertwined hands. Yu-gun gestured with his chin towards the direction Seong-min had turned.

“He’s still watching.”

“Well, that’s true, but was there a need to do that in front of Seong-min?”

“Let’s go to my car. You seem to have drunk a bit.”

“Do I smell like alcohol? I only drank a little to fit in with the mood.”

As Yu-gun leaned in close to Chaewon’s neck, she instinctively gripped their intertwined hands tighter.

“It’s barely noticeable, but you still drank.”

Feeling his breath on her skin made Chaewon tense up.

Yu-gun soon straightened up, ready to leave.

“Let’s go.”

The traffic light turned green just as they began to walk. Chaewon glanced at their still clasped hands. They were beyond Seong-min’s gaze now, and it seemed time to let go, yet Yu-gun showed no sign of releasing her hand.

“Yesterday three hours, today three hours, a total of six hours – you owe me that, Chaewon.”

Yu-gun spoke with a mischievous expression.

“How am I supposed to compensate? You didn’t even want me to buy you a nice meal.”

“Time should be compensated with time.”

Chaewon wondered if Yu-gun was a rather ruthless business owner at his company, strictly enforcing rules without tolerating any losses.

“Alright, six hours. Call me when you need me, Yu-gun. I’ll help with whatever you need.”

She planned to meticulously deduct from those six hours.

“Phew.”

July was undoubtedly hot. Or was it the late effects of the alcohol? Or perhaps…

Was it the continual awareness of his hand touching hers?

Chaewon looked at their intertwined hands, feeling confused.

Shaking her head slightly, Yu-gun turned to her.

“Dizzy?”

His dark eyes seemed to make her dizzier.

“I’m fine.”

It must be the alcohol.

She had drunk deliberately to sleep better due to her insomnia, but perhaps she had overdone it.

Chaewon silently sighed, feeling the delayed effects of the alcohol.