Brother, You're Mistaken (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 13

“Your expression just looked really happy.”

Seung Won’s tone, flat and even, was as calm as ever. But Da Hee noticed the sharp glint hidden in his eyes.

“What are you talking about? How could I be happy when Hye Ju went through something like that?”

All throughout dinner, Da Hee had been chattering endlessly, trying to pull Seung Won’s attention away from whatever was on his mind. Yet again, it was the three syllables “Oh Hye Ju” that finally caught his focus.

Seung Won himself might not have realized it, but Da Hee saw it clearly. A slow, creeping sense of discomfort settled in her chest.

“It’s just… hearing that makes me feel a little hurt. Do I really seem like someone who’d gloat over a friend’s misfortune?”

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Pfft.”

Da Hee stuck out her lips in a practiced pout.

Normally, Seung Won would have immediately cupped her cheek and apologized. But this time, he stayed silent. Just as Da Hee began nervously picking at her fingernails, overwhelmed by uneasy anxiety—

“Da Hee. About those couple rings…”

“Yeah! Did you check out the links I sent you?”

Da Hee brightened instantly at Seung Won’s words. She’d brought up matching couple rings several times recently, and it seemed he was finally giving her an answer.

“Have you decided where to buy them? Doesn’t the first shop look the best?”

“I’m sorry, but I think it’s better if we don’t get matching ones for now.”

“…Why?”

Her heart dropped heavily. Seung Won kept his eyes lowered as he replied.

“If we wear them to the office, people will start talking. We’re already involved in so many joint business matters—it’ll just invite unnecessary gossip.”

“What’s there to gossip about? Is it wrong for an unmarried man and woman to date because they like each other?”

“It’s not that it’s wrong. It’s just… not the right time yet. We haven’t even been together that long, and also…”

“Is it really ‘not the right time’—or is it because of who I am?”

Da Hee forced the question out through clenched teeth.

She already knew the answer. And she knew she’d never hear his true feelings from his lips.

After ten long years of him never once looking honestly at his own heart, what could he possibly do now?

“Hold me.”

Da Hee, staring mutely at Seung Won’s silence, burrowed into his chest like a squirrel.

“Okay.”

As always, Seung Won reached out and patted her back. But this time, his touch held no warmth.

‘But still… you haven’t pushed me away. You still care about me, right? You do, Seung Won, don’t you?’

Trying to suppress the surge of sadness welling inside her, Da Hee fiddled with the ring in her pocket.

It was the very ring she’d shown Hye Ju, claiming it was their couple ring. She’d lied to Hye Ju—but felt no guilt about it.

‘If you’re going to act this way, I have no choice but to harden my heart.’

Biting her lip, Da Hee stayed nestled in Seung Won’s arms, where his half-hearted pats offered no comfort.

The cold, metallic feel of the ring in her pocket sent a chill through her.

Several days passed.

Since she hadn’t run into Joo Won during that time, Hye Ju had been managing a relatively smooth work life.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely accidental—she’d been deliberately avoiding him. Ever since the sweater incident, she’d felt extremely awkward around him.

It wasn’t because she regretted wasting money on expensive clothes, or because she missed the cash. It was because every spare moment brought back the memory of his abs, glimpsed repeatedly in the CEO’s office.

“This calls for serious mental discipline.”

It wasn’t like seeing them briefly had ruined her life—so why did the image keep flashing in her mind? Hye Ju blamed it entirely on her own fragile state of mind.

It had simply been too long since her last relationship. And recently, she’d even closed the book on an intense one-sided crush. No wonder she was getting distracted by some man’s body.

“Though… it really was sculpted…”

No matter how hard she tried to shake the image away, his sharply defined six-pack would reappear before her eyes. His rippling, undulating torso—each curve looking like it needed a moment to catch its breath. She’d always thought bodies like that existed only on TV, but she’d unwittingly been treated to the real thing.

“No! Treated? More like ocular assault! Ocular assault!”

Hye Ju waved her hands emphatically and forced her gaze back to her monitor.

On-screen was the report she’d been working on. A seafood company had recently reached out, asking her to research market trends, customer preferences, and other related data.

[Taeyang Foods] was a small but mighty enterprise specializing in seasoned seaweed snacks. Recognized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries with an Export Achievement Award, it had grown from a family-run business into a highly profitable company. Despite its modest size, its massive export volume drove annual revenue to one trillion won.

DataS Korea was a typical B2B company. Businesses needing market research would commission DataS Korea, who then used their proprietary analytical modules to deliver the required insights.

While the marketing team analyzed each client’s specific needs and devised engaging strategies, the business team’s role was to secure new clients based on those strategies.

In other words, closing actual deals rested entirely in the hands of the business team.

Using materials provided by marketing, Hye Ju had sent proposals to several companies—including Taeyang Foods.

Her proposal focused on researching “Key factors customers consider when purchasing seasoned seaweed and preferences by export destination.” She hadn’t expected much—most proposals went unread—but Taeyang Foods had replied.

And not just any reply—they’d inquired about an annual contract!

Hye Ju nearly dropped to her knees in gratitude on the spot. Landing an annual contract with Taeyang Foods would instantly cover 10% of her team’s yearly quota. It was a huge, critical deal.

“Oh, finally—a bite! Nice!”

Thrilled, Hye Ju dove into drafting the report. Major new contracts required swift handling and direct reporting to the CEO.

Thus, the recipient was Joo Won.

She titled her email “[Report on New Contract Opportunity with Taeyang Foods, Inc.],” included comprehensive details about Taeyang Foods and her proposed action plan, noted their request for an upcoming meeting, and wrapped up by politely asking for a prompt reply to ensure smooth contract progress.

“Okay, perfect!”

Hye Ju hit send at lightning speed, dusted off her hands, and stretched triumphantly.

‘What expression will Kang Joo Won make when he reads this email? He’ll definitely think, “What a capable employee!” With a deal this big, he ought to give me a bonus, right?’

Deeply satisfied with the results of her own hard work, Hye Ju remained in high spirits for a while. Her nearby coworkers, upon hearing the news, were equally thrilled and cheered her on for a successful close.

‘Has he read it yet?’

Heart pounding, Hye Ju clicked open her inbox.

[Read]

Seeing the “read receipt” on the email she’d sent to Joo Won, she swelled with pride.

Now that he’d seen it, a summons would surely follow soon. It wasn’t some minor deal—it was an annual contract. As CEO, he couldn’t possibly ignore it.

Feeling accomplished, Hye Ju reread her sent email carefully—then suddenly froze.

“…Huh?”

Something felt off.

Something was definitely wrong.

She rubbed her eyes and read the email again.

Instantly, shock spread across her face.

‘Wha—nooo!’

The final sentence of her meticulously crafted email read:

“Before meeting with Taeyang Foods, I’d like to discuss some points—please arrange a meeting dinner as soon as possible.”

…“Meeting dinner”?!

Dinner?!

It felt as if a whole sweet potato had lodged in her throat, choking off her breath.

“Uuuuhhh…”

Hye Ju stared at the monitor with a devastated expression. In four years at the company, she’d never made a mistake like this in an official email.

No—this wasn’t just a mistake. It was a major disaster. She could almost hear Kang Joo Won’s mocking laughter echoing all the way to her desk.

‘This was my golden chance to impress Kang Joo Won—and out of all possible typos, why did it have to be this one? Why this embarrassingly unprofessional typo?!’

Hye Ju stomped her feet under the desk in frustration.

A silent scream rippled through the floor beneath her.

End of workday.

Contrary to her expectations, Joo Won hadn’t responded.

Even though she’d typed “meeting dinner,” the context clearly meant “reply”—yet no clarification came. After anxiously staring at her inbox all afternoon, Hye Ju shot up from her seat the moment the clock struck six.

‘Gotta escape fast. What even is this situation?’

She’d considered sending a follow-up message clarifying it was “reply,” not “dinner,” or even going straight to the CEO’s office—but decided avoiding him altogether was the safest option.

Knowing Kang Joo Won’s personality, he’d almost certainly tease her. It’d be a miracle if he didn’t laugh right to her face.

Still, the context made her meaning clear—he’d contact her when the time came.

“I’m heading out first!”

Hye Ju called out to her still-working colleagues, grabbed her bag, and left. She scanned every direction near the elevators like a secret agent on a covert mission, terrified of running into Joo Won.

Only after safely boarding the elevator did she finally exhale in relief.

“Phew… barely made it out.”

Truth be told, even as she tiptoed out like a thief, she felt ridiculous. Why was she so worked up over a little typo? Was it really worth fleeing the office?

But she knew the answer: because it was Kang Joo Won.

Hye Ju had already created several “black histories” in front of him. Her long, unfortunate saga had begun with a Pepero stick and escalated through her underwear and that sweater.

Admittedly, each incident had been her own fault—but somehow, the moment anything involved Joo Won, a simple mistake turned into a full-blown disaster. He was like a catalyst: the moment he entered the equation, even minor mishaps blew up like chemical reactions.

‘So yeah—for now, avoidance is the best strategy.’

Reaffirming this to herself, Hye Ju quietly slipped out through the lobby.

As she pushed open the glass door, fresh outdoor air rushed in. That familiar, liberating feeling every office worker knows after hours washed over her. She straightened her hunched shoulders, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

Then another step.

Was it her imagination, or did she feel an intense, almost tangible gaze fixed on her from somewhere?

‘Impossible. I was definitely the only one who took the elevator down…’

A sudden chill ran down her spine. Keeping her head low, she caught sight of a pair of shoes in her narrowed field of vision.

Tap. Tap.

Impeccably polished black shoes stepped firmly, one after another. Even at a glance, the legs looked long and lean. Pretending not to notice, Hye Ju hurried her pace—but then—

“Where do you think you’re sneaking off to?”

The voice above her was unmistakably aimed right at her. Drawn by his low, amused tone, Hye Ju’s head lifted involuntarily.

“Uh… CEO?”

“You dashed out the second the clock hit six. Must’ve been in quite a hurry.”

“Hurry? Me? Were you… waiting for me?”

“You asked for a meeting dinner.”

Click. Click.

“And said it should be as soon as possible.”

Hye Ju stared blankly at the corporate card Joo Won twirled between his fingers.

Just then, a breeze blew.

His hair fluttered slightly, revealing his clean, straight forehead.

“Let’s go. Dinner’s on.”

He smiled.

Thump.

Her heart jolted.