What do you mean? Ju-hyuk, feeling the gaze fixed on him as if asking, scratched his head and then spoke with the preparation to be hit.

“Honestly… Are you not afraid of your grandfather? Even if she’s from a certain group, if she’s a painting artist… It’s a bit, difficult.”

“What are you trying to say.”

Fortunately, Ki-tae didn’t get angry and answered. Ju-hyuk, who hesitated for a moment, spoke comfortably.

“Frankly… I wasn’t afraid of your grandfather because I didn’t know him well. But I was really scared of your grandfather.” Ju-hyuk recalled the time when he visited Ki-tae’s house during his school days. And the first and last time he visited his house.
“Do you remember that your grandfather really disliked me? So I always called you out and met you.”

Usually, when it came to a grandson’s friend, people tended to be friendly. Well, unless it’s someone who is particular about family background.

Even so, Ju-hyuk grew up not knowing such things, thanks to his father’s name. However, one chairman was an exception.

Knowing that Ju-hyuk didn’t know about the family business, he openly rejected Ki-tae, fearing it might have a bad influence on him.

“I’m scared too. The woman you said you met, right? If I were her, I’d go say hello to your grandfather, but… see him? Marriage, what’s that? I wouldn’t even say we’re dating and would have just run away. Your grandfather is so strict and scary…”

At that moment, Ki-tae suddenly stood up.

Ju-hyuk stopped what he was saying and looked up.

“Hey, I’m leaving.”

“Where are you going? Suddenly.”

“I have something to check.”

“Check…? Hey!”

Ju-hyuk called Ki-tae in surprise, but he just went down the stairs.

As Ki-tae, who was getting farther away, Ju-hyuk shouted loudly.

“Han Ki-tae! Where are you going without finishing our conversation? You should at least let me know!”

Then, unlike before, Ki-tae, who showed a glimpse of his eyes, left a word and disappeared into the elevator.

“Kim Ju-hyuk. Thanks. Thanks to you, something came to my mind.”

Alone again, Ju-hyuk scratched his head once again.

Then, looking down at the gift left unattended, he mumbled.

What could he be thankful for…? I’ve only seen the bad side of your family.

Meanwhile, Ki-tae headed straight to Hannam-dong.

Listening to Ju-hyuk’s story, he suddenly felt that Ga-eul’s words and actions that day felt different from that day.

That day, Ga-eul tried to let go of my hand to hide. That fact was deeply engraved in my mind, so I couldn’t see it properly.

What I’m thinking now might be just speculation. It was just a thought that suddenly came to mind.

Ga-eul was afraid and tried to hide from my grandfather.

Tap, tap, the touch on the handle became more sensitive and faster.

Tap, tap, tap…

The fast and irregular noise that was heard disappeared again.

Another thought came in.

‘Wouldn’t it be better to tell me about that?’

If she was afraid of that, she should have told me.

Perhaps that was just speculation.

Ki-tae chuckled. It seemed like he was struggling to see what he wanted to see.

Meanwhile, the sedan had already arrived at the main office in Hannam-dong.

Ki-tae, who got out of the car, headed to Ga-eul’s studio.

If she wasn’t there, he was willing to go to the branch office even if it was impolite.

A small hope suddenly shot up and made him move.

However, Ki-tae’s steps didn’t go far. He hadn’t taken a few steps after getting out of the driver’s seat.

“Yoon Ga-eul. Where are you going?”

“Uh, well…”

It was because he ran into Ga-eul heading somewhere on this late night.
Perhaps surprised, Ga-eul, who hesitated for a moment, answered.

“I’m going to see the CEO.”

“At this hour?”

“…Yes.”

Ga-eul, who seemed a bit awkward at seeing each other after three days, spoke with a charming smile.

“It’s very late, isn’t it? But I have something I must tell the CEO now. What about the CEO?”

“I was on my way to see you too.”

“Why?”

“I have something to ask.”

Ki-tae felt hopeful that Ga-eul had come to find him.

Ki-tae quickly asked, “Do you want to ride for now?”

The smoothly running car stopped in front of Ki-tae’s officetel. Ki-tae led Ga-eul to his officetel.

The two faces met after three days.

Deciding to be honest and tell everything, Ga-eul tried to convey everything she wanted to say.

During that time without him, she realized that her pride was useless. Before Ki-tae could say anything, Ga-eul opened her mouth first.

“CEO, I’ve never thought about breaking up with you.”

“…I see.”

With a gentle tone, Ga-eul gained courage and continued speaking.

“I feel like I only hurt the CEO by not properly conveying what I needed to say. That day… I was wrong. I’m really sorry.”

Ki-tae focused on Ga-eul’s words.

“I was scared. I thought the chairman would oppose if he knew about us. So I wanted to hide it. If the chairman tells me to break up after finding out, I thought… maybe…”

While speaking, Ga-eul gnawed on her lips, and her expression was strained.