“My palms are sweaty from rushing over here. Can I hold your arm?”

Rather than holding hands, it was better to grab onto the clothes.

“Do whatever you want. But like this.”

Kim Yu Jun’s hand covered Ra Jin’s as she lightly linked arms with him.

This way, their hands and bodies were touching. Unable to bear it, Ra Jin subtly twisted her body. Just a tiny bit so Kim Yu Jun wouldn’t notice.

“Tell me if there’s anything you want.”

“I don’t want any things. I just want this moment.”

Ra Jin started saying the words she had prepared to melt the fickle Kim Yu Jun’s ears.

Two hours from now at most. If she could just endure that time, news would come of Oh Jong Hyuk’s emergency arrest at the airport. She could say these sweet words as much as needed.

“Look at this one first.”

A feast of green contrasted against the white walls.

A work depicting a Japanese-style garden captured Ra Jin’s gaze.

“Like it?”

“Yes. It feels like receiving a gift.”

“Glad we came then.”

Pleased with Ra Jin’s reaction, Kim Yu Jun’s smiles were generous today. He seemed like an affectionate lover.

“This parrot painting is nice too.”

Already moving onto the second one? She needed to stall for two hours without changing locations somehow…

It was better in many ways to take up as much time as possible at the gallery until she got a call from Oh Jong Hyuk. That way she could go straight home without being dragged elsewhere by Kim Yu Jun.

Ra Jin nodded at Kim Yu Jun’s words then casually turned her eyes away. She unlinked their arms and approached the first painting again, as if she liked it more.

She felt Kim Yu Jun’s gaze on the top of her head, but she resolutely spouted only exclamations. Why she liked this painting, how the flowers resembled the ones she saw in Myung Jin’s garden.

As Ra Jin chattered on nonsensically, Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho suddenly came to mind.

What if she had been here with Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho instead of Kim Yu Jun?

Would it feel different to stand in front of this painting holding his hand? Maybe she wouldn’t have to prattle on like this. She wanted to come here together someday in the future he spoke of.

Ra Jin sank into heavy thoughts while gazing at the tranquil painting. At that moment, a deep voice woke her up.

“You like it that much? Want to hang it at home?”

“No, it’s fine. I’ve looked my fill.”

Ra Jin was burdened that Kim Yu Jun might rashly buy the expensive painting for her. Inwardly yelling ‘moderation, read the room,’ she moved slowly.

Past the flashy parrot, between the stylish vase and koi fish paintings. Ra Jin snuck a peek at the watch on her wrist.

Just 30 more minutes and she would get a call that something major had happened. Should she pretend to be a little shocked then? It would be more troublesome if Kim Yu Jun offered to stay with her because she overreacted.

It was hard to gauge where the line Kim Yu Jun set was, since his mind was so inscrutable.

“What do you want to do after dinner? Anything you want to do?”

“What about you?”

“Ra Jin-ah, are you my secretary?”

“?”

“Why do you keep calling me ‘Vice President.’ We’re not at work.”

Ra Jin laughed and spoke easily. She could generously call him ‘oppa’ today of all days.

“What do you want to do then, oppa?”

“Want to go see the night view?”

“Where to?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”

She wasn’t even curious about the next destination. They would be parting soon anyway. Smiling, Ra Jin headed to the last exhibition room.

The moment she was looking down at a painting of five puppies lined up in a row and gushing how cute it was –

The sound of hurried footsteps clicking on heels resounded loudly in the quiet gallery. Ra Jin surreptitiously let go of Kim Yu Jun’s arm, trying to suppress her fluttering heart.

“Vice President.”

Hyun Silang’s urgent voice rang out, quiet but curt. As Ra Jin turned her head, her eyes met Hyun Silang’s in midair.

Hyun Silang swallowed the words he was about to say and approached Kim Yu Jun to whisper in his ear.

Whispering when someone was right there, how underhanded.

Ra Jin turned her back as if uninterested in Kim Yu Jun’s business as usual, hiding her expression. Then she perked up her ears, wanting to know how Oh Jong Hyuk had been caught.

“Oh Jong Hyuk? To where?”

‘Was he finally arrested?’

The moment she heard Oh Jong Hyuk’s name, Ra Jin’s heart fluttered like a teenage girl’s.

Oh Jong Hyuk, wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a luxury brand logo wrapping around one arm and a diamond watch gleaming on his tanned forearm, handed over his boarding pass like a celebrity with sunglasses on.

“May I see your passport please?”

At the airline employee’s words, Oh Jong Hyuk dropped his passport with a thud.

“Can’t you see it? First class.”

When departing, he had received overflowing hospitality just by presenting his ticket. It irked him that they were scrutinizing his passport since check-in.

‘Is it because of that damn bag?’

He had put the luxury bag he was working hard on for his current woman in his luggage. He was planning to voluntarily declare it, but being treated like a tax evader felt unwarranted.

“Is there a problem?”

Unable to hold back, Oh Jong Hyuk raised his voice. The airline employee responded with a bright smile.

“No, sir. I will escort you to the first class cabin myself.”

‘About time they treat me properly.’

One corner of Oh Jong Hyuk’s mouth lifted slightly at the thought of finally getting the service he deserved. A well-groomed male purser approached him in the first class cabin he had been guided to.

“Our crew will ensure you have a comfortable flight. We hope you have a pleasant journey.”

As the male purser stepped away, a warm towel arrived along with the alcohol list.

“This is why you fly first class.”

Oh Jong Hyuk summoned the flight attendants in a respectful voice like a successful businessman. Top-shelf wine and cognac. Snacks, meals, and even ramen.

The long flight time passed so enjoyably it felt too short. Oh Jong Hyuk thoroughly took advantage of every first class perk.

“Mr. Oh Jong Hyuk.”

Right before the landing announcement, the male purser approached with a polite demeanor.

“For your convenience, you will be disembarking first as soon as we land.”

“Our purser is excellent at his job.”

When Oh Jong Hyuk gave a thumbs up as if praising a child, the purser bowed slightly and withdrew.

After a bit of jostling and a thrilling dizziness –

Two male flight attendants stood in front of Oh Jong Hyuk in the cabin where the seatbelt sign was flashing.

“We will escort you to immigration.”

“The service here is pretty good.”

Drawing the attention of the other first class passengers, Oh Jong Hyuk stood up. He moved slowly, leisurely surveying the airplane interior where everyone else remained seated.

Oh Jong Hyuk squared his shoulders and straightened his neck stiffly.

The thrill of being the first one off when the heavy aircraft door opened.

Airport police officers in black uniforms were blocking the way at the end of the long corridor he walked down while being guarded by the male flight attendants. Oh Jong Hyuk’s cheeks lifted to the heavens.

“Police are blocking the way now? Move! Let me pass.”

His previously refreshed mood was scratched. That’s when it happened.

“Mr. Oh Jong Hyuk. May I have your passport?”

The flight attendant who had been guarding his side like a bodyguard stretched out his hand. Thinking he was going to retrieve his luggage for him, Oh Jong Hyuk handed over his passport.

The flipping of paper. The passport, opened to the very last page, was passed to the police officers blocking the path.

“Wait. Why do you have my passport?”

“Are you Oh Jong Hyuk?”

“Is this because of that luxury bag?”

No matter how expensive, would police chase him down over this? He could just pay the taxes.

“Look, here’s the customs declaration form.”

Oh Jong Hyuk waved the paper in the police officer’s face.

“I wrote my name, the bag, the price on the customs form. How much more of an honest taxpayer can I be?”

When Oh Jong Hyuk blustered as if they had the wrong person, airport police officers linked arms with him on both sides. Then they muttered into their radios.

“Oh Jong Hyuk in custody. Moving directly to immigration.”

“What custody? Hey! Do you know who I am? I’ll pay the tax. Right now!”

Seeking help, Oh Jong Hyuk looked at the flight attendants. But the male flight attendants were already returning to the aircraft corridor.

“No. What wrong have I done!”

“If you cause a disturbance here, you can be forcefully arrested for obstructing official duties.”

At the word “arrest,” Oh Jong Hyuk’s shoulders scrunched up. What on earth was happening? If not because of the luxury bag, could it be…?

Tae Hyung Sik’s report that he couldn’t send the money because of voice phishing popped into Oh Jong Hyuk’s head.

‘Ah shit. What? Is it because of that account?’

He couldn’t deny it since there were records of him sending money multiple times. Gripped by an uneasy feeling, he could only come up with excuses. At that moment, new men appeared in front of Oh Jong Hyuk.

“Oh Jong Hyuk?”

“Wh-what!”

When Oh Jong Hyuk shouted, the airport police handed over the passport they had been holding.

The unidentified man who confirmed his identity blocked Oh Jong Hyuk’s path. Then he took out a sheet of paper from inside his jacket.

“We’re from the International Crime Investigation Department of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.”

“International Crime Investigation Department?”

“You’re under emergency arrest for charges of overseas gambling and violating the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act.”

“When did I ever gamble? You have evidence? Do you have evidence?”

No matter how much he yelled that they were seizing an innocent man, the men didn’t even blink, only drawing attention from those around.

“Make your case in the interrogation room.”

“No! Call my lawyer. Lawyer.”

“Contact them in the car. We’ll head out right now.”

The excuse that he needed to retrieve his luggage didn’t work either. There was no ground to resist when they curtly replied they would bring it for him.

While Oh Jong Hyuk could only rack his brain, two sturdy investigators stood pressed tightly next to him. An emergency arrest at the airport – in this grave situation, Oh Jong Hyuk thought of Kim Yu Jun.

‘I did it behind Vice President’s back. Can I call the lawyer?’

Even while cursing in self-recrimination, he feared Kim Yu Jun’s judgment. Previously when he had gotten caught for violating the Foreign Exchange Act, Kim Yu Jun had said warningly,

“Jong Hyuk-ah, you want to cause me trouble with this kind of nonsense?”

He had begged on his hands and knees that he would never do it again, but the hand that had amnesia had caused trouble once more. Should he contact Kim Yu Jun or not? Even if he didn’t, there was no way Kim Yu Jun wouldn’t find out.

‘Should I just grovel and beg him to save me? That I really won’t do it again this time!’

When it came to work, he couldn’t compare to Myung Jin’s lawyers.

But the fact that he had made the same mistake with Kim Yu Jun weighed on his mind. Since Kim Yu Jun had such a cold personality, there was no guarantee he would help just because Oh Jong Hyuk informed him.

‘Should I ask Ra Jin? She said she cried and made a scene at the bank.’

Ra Jin was the only one who could sway Kim Yu Jun’s heart. But would it be okay to throw around the name of Ra Jin, Eunsung’s only top star, even if bowing and scraping?

There were definitely risks involved.

Oh Jong Hyuk’s dilemma continued all the way until they arrived at the central prosecutors’ office. Even the moment he confirmed his identity and entered the interrogation room, he still put off the decision.

‘Ah, what to do…’

Oh Jong Hyuk was quickly surveying the empty interrogation room when two men carrying thick documents entered.

“I’m the prosecutor in charge of the investigation. No need to be nervous.”

“Who says I’m nervous?”

“You certainly have remarkable composure. Is that how you so confidently gave and took money?”

Oh Jong Hyuk’s heart sank at the prosecutor’s beaming smile.