Tae Wook’s face was so close.

Close enough that their lips would touch if they moved just a little.

His hot, humid breath touched and scattered on Gyeo Wool’s pale face.

Tae Wook’s gaze deepened intensely, as if to draw in her eyes.

At that moment, Gyeo Wool thought she saw the fire of desire in his eyes.

Suddenly the loud sound of rain that had been audible became inaudible.

The only thing audible was the tumultuous sound of her heart beginning to race madly.

Gyeo Wool’s busy hands stopped, and instead Tae Wook’s hand moved toward her face.

It touched.

Fingers wet from the winter rain caressed her cheek.

An icy cold sensation.

Gyeo Wool snapped back to her senses.

What am I doing right now?

She startled and stepped back a couple paces.

“It seems to be done.”

Gyeo Wool lowered her head, avoiding Tae Wook’s gaze.

Because of that, she didn’t see the deep regret revealed on Tae Wook’s face.

“If you don’t have any special business, please leave. I have work left to do.”

Gyeo Wool hoped Tae Wook would leave quickly.

This space with just the two of them was too dangerous.

However, he never moved according to her wishes.

“Could you make me a cup of coffee? I feel a bit cold from being in the rain.”

“Right now?”

“Please.”

.

.

.

Gyeo Wool entered the pantry and as soon as she closed the door, she cupped her cheeks with her palms.

The skin that touched her palms felt hot.

Her heart was still pounding rapidly as if it would burst.

“What was I thinking, offering to wipe him with a towel.”

She had almost kissed Tae Wook.

If his hand hadn’t been icy cold…

“No, no. A kiss? That wouldn’t happen.”

Gyeo Wool shook her head vigorously, trying to erase what had just happened.

“I’ll tell him to leave after he drinks the coffee.”

Gyeo Wool put water in the coffee pot and took out a stick of instant coffee mix from the tea box.

She tore open the top of the thin, long packet and held the bottom between her thumb and index finger to pour the contents into a mug.

Just coffee and cream.

At most, only a few grains of sugar would have fallen in.

“But why did he suddenly come?”

She became curious about the reason Tae Wook had come through the rain without notice.

And the reason why the coldness he had shown towards her a few days ago was nowhere to be found even if she tried to look for it.

Tae Wook’s eyes, still filled with heat, followed Gyeo Wool’s back as she headed to the pantry.

“Why is this so difficult?”

Even a kiss had to be cautious.

Tae Wook looked down at his hands.

It was absurd that the ripe atmosphere had been broken because of his hands.

Just then, he felt moisture trickling down his forehead.

The towel Gyeo Wool had left on the desk as she entered the pantry caught his eye.

He strode over to the desk and wiped his head, rubbing it with the towel.

Was it because Gyeo Wool’s hands had touched it?

Her scent was permeated in the towel.

The sweet fragrance that wafted faintly every time she moved.

A pleasant yet ticklish scent.

And a fragrance he had missed.

Tae Wook recalled the night he spent with Gyeo Wool in Donghae.

The scent that deepened every time he gently caressed her skin, soft as cream.

Her fragrance was all over his fingers, his body, and his heart.

That night, Tae Wook had been intoxicated by Gyeo Wool’s scent and her heat.

Just recalling that night made him feel a dull ache and tension building in his lower regions.

He felt the urge to bury his nose in the towel and deeply inhale that scent.

“If Han secretary were to see, she might think I’m a pervert.”

Tae Wook put down the towel with a slightly embarrassed smile.

“You still have the habit of staying late to work.”

Several document windows were open on the monitor.

But thanks to Gyeo Wool working overtime, Tae Wook was able to meet her.

Tae Wook had taken the last flight to Jeju.

After sending his luggage with the car that had come to pick him up from the resort, he took a taxi.

However, due to meeting an inconsiderate driver, he had to get off on the main road and run through the rain to ‘The Space’.

As he ran through the rain, how much he had hoped Gyeo Wool hadn’t gone home yet.

How relieved he felt when he saw the brightly lit building.

If he hadn’t been able to meet Gyeo Wool.

He would have regretted the impulsive decision to cancel his dinner appointment and choose to go to Jeju.

.

.

.

Tae Wook had to attend a dinner for film investors combined with a movie preview starting at 5 PM.

He went to his apartment to change clothes.

Hurriedly entering the dressing room, he changed into pants with a weighty color and a white dress shirt.

While fastening his cuff links, he walked to the display case in the center of the dressing room.

Under the large glass, ties and watches were neatly arranged.

He rubbed his chin with his finger, wearing a contemplative expression.

“Only the final hurdle left.”

He alternately looked at the suit jacket he had picked out and the ties under the display case.

He chose and took out a few ties that seemed to have a similar color and mood to the jacket.

Standing in front of the mirror, he put on the jacket and held up the ties, but he couldn’t quite judge if they matched.

“Why is this so difficult?”

As he turned around to choose another tie, his gaze fell on a paper bag under the display case.

The department store logo engraved on the paper bag.

It was definitely what Gyeo Wool had been holding a few days ago.

“She said it was a gift.”

Why is it here?

“The housekeeper wouldn’t have brought it here.”

If Gyeo Wool had forgotten it, it should have been in her room.

The fact that it was in the dressing room meant that Gyeo Wool had deliberately placed it here.

“What’s her intention? Is she angry about what I said?”

Tae Wook recalled Gyeo Wool’s face turning cold at his words not to cause problems with men’s work.

Although he didn’t know exactly, he thought Gyeo Wool must have had a reason for leaving the gift here.

He picked up the bag and placed it on top of the display case.

Then he took out the contents inside.

He acted without hesitation even though it wasn’t his.

The long box was wrapped.

And on top of the ribbon tied in multiple layers, a small card was inserted.

“It would be perfect if I just prepared a birthday cake and wine.”

Tae Wook took out the card, mocking.

He was curious. How would Gyeo Wool congratulate a man on his birthday in writing?

The moment he opened the card and read it.

“Damn it!”

The moment he realized who the gift was for, a harsh curse spontaneously burst from Tae Wook’s mouth.

.

.

.

As Tae Wook was recalling the afternoon’s events, Gyeo Wool came out of the pantry.

She set down the steaming mug on her desk where Tae Wook was standing.

“Thank you.”

He deeply inhaled the coffee aroma through his nose and took a sip.

The moment the hot liquid touched his tongue, his lips relaxed languidly.

Yes. Coffee made by Gyeo Wool always tasted like this.

Last time, when Secretary Kim made instant coffee at Tae Wook’s request.

Thinking of the coffee Gyeo Wool had made, he couldn’t help but frown when he drank it.

It was so sweet that he couldn’t drink more than one sip.

“Do you remember? What you said when you first made me instant coffee.”

Gyeo Wool was indifferent to Tae Wook’s question.

It seems some emotional residue still remains.

“That day, you said it was a special remedy when I was angry.”

That day was when Tae Wook had a big argument with his father, Ki Bum.

It was because he had brought a woman to the CEO’s office without permission, saying she was a potential daughter-in-law.

Tae Wook was furiously angry and his emotions wouldn’t easily settle.

At that time, Gyeo Wool made instant coffee and handed it to him.

Along with the words that it was a special remedy.

A secretary who had only been assigned to the CEO’s office for a few days.

“You didn’t believe that, did you?”

Gyeo Wool, who had been unresponsive, asked incredulously.

“I believed it. I really did calm down. It seems to be effective today too.”

“I guess you had another argument with the vice chairman?”

She assumed Tae Wook and Ki Bum had clashed based on his words about it being effective.

“The CEO and vice chairman had many incompatibilities.”

“That’s right.”

He nodded in agreement with her words.

Perhaps he would never be compatible with his father.

“The vice chairman is someone who demands sacrifice from others while having no intention of giving up his own greed.”

Gyeo Wool murmured as if talking to herself, staring blankly into space.

Tae Wook stared intently at Gyeo Wool’s face over the mug.

The reason he harbored antipathy towards his father was contained in her words.

“You seem to know well without having experienced it.”

Unlike Chairman Kang, Ki Bum was adamantly opposed to marriage with Gyeo Wool.

The reason was simple.

There was nothing Ki Bum could gain from his son’s marriage.

Tae Wook deliberately avoided creating situations where the two would meet, worried that Ki Bum might hurt Gyeo Wool’s feelings.

“Do I need to experience it to know? I often heard the vice chairman’s words when he visited the CEO’s office.”

“I suppose.”

Tae Wook nodded in agreement.

“But, not today.”

“Did something happen?”

Gyeo Wool asked worriedly.

“I did something foolish. I was so angry at myself. That’s why I asked for coffee. It really must be a special remedy. I feel much better now.”

Tae Wook took another sip of coffee.

And he curled up the corners of his mouth while holding the mug to his lips.

Gyeo Wool’s eyes, full of suspicion, fell on Tae Wook.

Is this the same man who was inexplicably angry about men a few days ago?

What is he up to?

“Tell me. Why did you suddenly come without notice?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor?”

Gyeo Wool asked warily.

Tae Wook might make another difficult request.

“I have a lunch appointment with the vice president of L Hotel tomorrow.”

“And…?”

Gyeo Wool narrowed her eyes and wrinkled her nose bridge.

It was none other than Vice President Choi.

She thought it couldn’t possibly be a coincidental meeting.

“I’d like Secretary Han to accompany me.”