“Yes. The cookies are so beautifully made that I feel guilty eating them. Where did you get them?”

“I stopped by the department store briefly for work. It seems to be something women like these days.”

“Oh, really?”

“What if you know more about it than I do?”

“… I only draw pictures.”

While answering, Ga-eul picked up a star-shaped cookie with evenly sprinkled powdered sugar and took a crunchy bite. Then, she sighed in admiration.

“Wow, it’s really delicious. I thought it would only look pretty, but it’s so, so tasty.”

“Of course, it should be delicious. I didn’t just bring in any brand.”

“Hehe, that’s true.”

Holding the cookie and looking adorable with her rosy cheeks, Ga-eul, whom Gitaek poked gently, spoke softly.

“I’m glad it suits your taste. You can eat it all by yourself.”

Upon hearing this, Ga-eul, who looked down at the cookie set, laughed and said, “There’s too much. I can’t eat it all by myself before it goes bad.”
In response to Ga-eul’s honest answer, Gitaek unintentionally recalled Hui-seon, whom he had seen a while ago. Come to think of it, he had never given her mother any presents like this.

“Then take it and share it with your mother. I heard it suits mothers’ tastes. You should be able to finish it that way.”

After Gitaek’s words, Ga-eul, who widened her eyes for a moment, bit her lower lip and shyly replied, “Yes. If that’s the case… I think I can finish it all. Thank you, CEO. I’ll share it with my mom deliciously.”

“Sure. Enjoy it.”

He didn’t expect her to share it with her mother. Due to his generally indifferent nature, he hadn’t thought about going as far as mentioning her mother. Surprised by his unexpected words, Ga-eul lowered her gaze to the pretty cookie gift set. Then, she picked up the most beautifully shaped cookie and held it out to him.

“Would you like one, CEO?”

Looking up at Gitaek, Ga-eul asked.

Gitaek, holding the cookie, raised his mouth slightly, seemingly acknowledging Ga-eul’s grateful gesture.

A thankful gesture in the style of Yun Ga-eul.

“I don’t eat sweet things.”

With his response, Ga-eul, who rolled her eyes for a moment, exclaimed, ‘Ah!’ and raised her hand.

“Oh, right! You don’t like sweet things, do you? Mrs. also doesn’t eat sweet things well. I momentarily forgot.”

Already looking at a piece of cookie that had touched her hand, Ga-eul said with a charming smile, “Then I guess I have to eat this myself.”

Watching Ga-eul being charming, Gitaek leaned slightly, raising his upper body.

“It’s Yun Ga-eul’s treat, but should I taste it?”

“What?”

Seeing Ga-eul, with her eyes wide like a startled rabbit, Gitaek, who chuckled, lightly bit the cookie in her hand.

Crunch.

After snatching a piece of the snack, Gitaek, who had eaten it, stood up straight again and said, “Well, it’s not bad.”

Maybe because it was Yun Ga-eul’s treat.

“For a while, it seems like I’ll have some free time.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Shall we go on a trip together? Or, do what Yun Ga-eul wanted to do.”

Upon hearing Gitaek’s words, Ga-eul laughed brightly but made a groaning sound.

“Um…”

There were so many things she wanted to do, making it difficult to prioritize.

Seeing Ga-eul, who was expected to answer right away but was carefully considering, Gitaek chuckled and said, “Or you can just stay in the apartment. Holding Yun Ga-eul all day wouldn’t be bad either.”

“W-What are you talking about…”

At the joke-like, yet not so joke-like comment, Ga-eul’s face blushed red.

The two of them left the studio and strolled through the garden behind the main building for a while.

Gitaek, who had already argued a few times that there wouldn’t be anyone going to the main building at this time, took Ga-eul’s hand after a few rounds of walking.

Since there was nothing specific to do, the two of them had already walked for quite some time.

Looking down at the small hand he was holding, Gitaek said, “It’s getting late. If this continues, shall we go to the apartment?”

Not having anything urgent to do, the two of them were unable to choose their way and spent dozens of minutes walking.
As Gitaek spoke, subtly expressing his true feelings, Ga-eul seemed to smile faintly. Then, she lowered her head.

“I didn’t mention it, but I stayed out overnight today. Living alone with my mom, it’s awkward to keep sleeping outside. We should keep overnight stays reasonable. CEO, you should go now.”

Prompting Gitaek to leave, Ga-eul said.

Although Ga-eul’s words were considerate, thinking he might be tired at this late hour, Gitaek sighed instead.

Am I the only one disappointed?

“Yun Ga-eul.”

“Yes?”

Gitaek let go of the clenched hand and hugged Ga-eul tightly.

“How about living together in the apartment? It’s just right for two people.”

“No.”

“Why. Is it because I keep bothering you? I won’t bother you.”

Gitaek teased Ga-eul. Looking at her with an expression as if she couldn’t believe him, she asked, “Really?”

“….”

Pausing for a moment at the unexpected question, Gitaek chuckled and lowered his head, smiling.

“No. That seems difficult.”

Both Ga-eul, who asked a cheeky question, and Gitaek, who answered, burst into laughter.

Unbeknownst to them, Ga-eul and Gitaek strolled through the garden behind the main building, and they eventually reached the side of the main building.

It was now the time to go in, so Ga-eul took Gitaek’s hand, saying she would escort him to the car. They walked side by side to the front of the main building.

The cheerful Ga-eul, who had been laughing all this time, suddenly stopped when she saw the woman, In-yeong, standing in front of her.

‘Huh? Who is it…?’

Narrowing her eyes to see who it was, Ga-eul, in an attempt to see the person, stopped walking. Then, as she recognized the person, Ga-eul quickly pulled her hand, which had been holding Gitaek’s, away.

‘I almost got into trouble.’

Despite the close call, she managed not to get caught holding hands.

Nevertheless, Ga-eul’s pupils shook slightly.

‘Today wasn’t a family meal, was it? Why is Cha Hyesoo here…?’

At that moment, Hyesoo, who noticed Ga-eul, stepped forward.

‘I haven’t been holding hands, but what should I say we were doing together?’

She was always relieved that no one came out at this late hour.

She didn’t expect to meet that woman here.

Seeing her, Ga-eul pulled her hand away from Gitaek’s as if she had been caught stealing.

Hyesoo asked first, “What’s going on? Why is Yun Ga-eul here?”

Ga-eul bit her lower lip in response to Hyesoo’s question.

Then, seeing the two of them together, Hyesoo walked over.

‘I didn’t expect to see her here with him, even though I’m holding hands. What should I say we were doing together?’

Ga-eul was anxious, thinking about what Hyesoo might tell the chairman or imagining all sorts of bad scenarios.

Hyesoo asked, “What’s happening? Why is Yun Ga-eul here?”

Ga-eul bit her lower lip tightly.

Then, looking at Hyesoo, she mumbled something, as if trying to say anything to escape any possible situation.

“I, um, I think I’m late, so I need to go quickly. …I’ll go ahead.”

“….”

No one answered Hyesoo’s question.

With that last word, Ga-eul fled as if running away.

Gitaek stared silently at his outstretched hand, which Ga-eul had pulled away.