In the afternoon, while painting, Ga Eul received a call from Ju A and walked to a nearby cafe. Ga Eul was puzzled by Ju A’s unusual insistence on meeting today, but as soon as they met, she understood why.

As soon as Ga Eul entered the cafe, Ju A started asking her all sorts of questions about Han Gi Tae.

“So how did you two get to know each other?”

Since Ga Eul hadn’t properly responded to her text messages, it seemed Ju A’s curiosity had exploded. Ga Eul hesitated, but finally opened her mouth when Ju A’s sharp gaze urged her to answer.

“When my father was alive, he was friends with the chairman. The chairman liked my father’s paintings. So…”

“Don’t tell me, the chairman you’re talking about is the chairman of Taesan Group?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow… look at those connections. So, and then?”

“Since I see the chairman sometimes, I occasionally run into Han Gi Tae too. So I’ve known his face since a while back.”

“Ah, so you had a connection.”

Despite it being a situation worthy of surprise, Ju A reacted as calmly as possible. Then, while drinking her iced tea, she threw another question at Ga Eul.

“Then don’t tell me, the person who came to find you at the exhibition was…?”

“That’s right. It was the chairman.”

Gasp. Ju A’s mouth fell open.

This time, it seemed she couldn’t maintain her composure.

“But why didn’t you tell me? Do you know how surprised I was that day? If you had let me know beforehand…”

“Ah, that’s because. Actually, Han Gi Tae and I weren’t that close.”

“Huh? He came to get you even though you’re not close?”

Ga Eul added to Ju A who was looking at her with suspicious eyes.

“I knew him since a while back because of the chairman… but we only got close recently. We started running into each other often because of the gallery work. Originally, we weren’t close.”

“Ah, I see.”

As if her curiosity was satisfied, Ju A leaned back in her chair with a refreshed expression. Ga Eul, who had been through Ju A’s interrogation, also sucked on her iced Americano.

Since it was the first time someone knew about and asked about her relationship with Han Gi Tae, Ga Eul felt inexplicably tense and her throat felt dry.

Ju A, her curiosity satisfied, started chattering away in her usual lively manner.

“I was really surprised that day. I answered your call without knowing who it was, and he said he was coming to get you because you were drunk. But to think it was the second grandson of Taesan Group…”

Ga Eul was also puzzled as to how he ended up coming to get her. Ga Eul listened to Ju A’s words, nodding her head and lightly agreeing with her.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, of course! You might see him all the time, but it was the first time I saw him in person after only seeing him in the media. At first, I didn’t think someone like him would come here, so I didn’t recognize him right away.”

“…”

“Han Gi Tae is really famous. Articles about him pop up on the internet all the time.”

Ga Eul’s words diminished at Ju A’s remarks. She wanted to empty her thoughts of him for a while, but he kept coming up in the conversations of people around her.

I like him, so I find him cool…

I guess to other people’s eyes, he’s an impressive person too.

Ga Eul just chewed on her straw at Ju A’s remarks.

Through Ju A’s words, Ga Eul realized for the first time how others saw him. That products he wore at official events quickly became the talk of the town, and that he had scandals with well-known actresses.

Among them, the scandal talk made her feel a bit unpleasant, so Ga Eul poked at the remaining ice with her straw.

While listening to Ju A’s words, Ga Eul once again thought of him in the past.

Ga Eul had fled the studio as if running away from him as he peppered small kisses on her wrist. After that, her heart kept pounding uncontrollably at the thought of his deep gaze that still crossed her mind from time to time, and she couldn’t focus on anything else.

It was difficult to pretend to be indifferent to him as he kept approaching her even when she tried to feign ignorance.

“Ju A, you know. Actually, I have something on my mind…”

“Yeah, what is it?”

Ju A, who had been listing off things she heard about Han Gi Tae in the media, widened her eyes and asked at Ga Eul’s mention of “having something on her mind.” Ga Eul hesitated for a moment, then rubbed her cheek and cautiously confided her troubles.

“Well… I started liking someone…”

“Someone you like?”

Ju A shouted as she stood up from her seat, causing all the customers in the cafe to turn and look at her.

Embarrassed, Ju A bowed her head in apology and sat back down. Ga Eul, also embarrassed, gave an awkward smile.

“Why are you so surprised.”

“Well, it’s the first time in 4 years that you’ve brought this up. You never dated while in school.”

At Ju A’s answer, Ga Eul’s cheeks flushed a peach color.

“So? Go on, tell me about this person Yoon Ga Eul likes.”

“Well, so…”

Ga Eul, her face flushed with shyness, carefully continued her story while omitting the information that the person was Han Gi Tae.

“I liked him on my own for a while, but we got really close recently. So I unknowingly showed that I liked him. I thought he’d say something about it… but instead, he started approaching me? It’s a bit confusing and…”

Ga Eul stumbled over her words with a bashful expression, and Ju A burst out laughing, slapping the floor. Unlike how she seemed like she would die laughing, as soon as Ga Eul finished speaking, Ju A spoke as if asking what the problem was.

“Then, doesn’t that mean he likes you too? If he didn’t, he wouldn’t keep talking to you. You said he keeps approaching you!”

“I guess so…?”

“Of course. But what’s the problem? It seems clear it’s mutual.”

“…”

“Don’t hide it and spill everything, Yoon Ga Eul. That’s not what you want to ask, right?”

“Well…”

Ga Eul had known for a long time that her heart was only directed towards him.

Sighing, Ga Eul revealed her true feelings. The real reason she had to keep her distance from Han Gi Tae despite liking him.

“His family background is too good, so I don’t think it’ll work out.”

“…”

Ju A, who had been listening seriously, couldn’t help but burst out laughing again. At Ju A’s reaction, Ga Eul puffed out her cheeks instead of voicing her dissatisfaction. Seeing that, Ju A openly laughed as if she would die from the cuteness.

“Just how good is his family that you’re mentioning it? I mean, if you brought up a family like Taesan Group, I’d understand, but the people around us are all pretty similar.”

“Haha, right…?”

“Isn’t that a situation that would only happen in dramas? Like, ‘You think you’re good enough for our family?’ or something?”

It would have been easy for Ju A to understand if Ga Eul had said it was Taesan Group, but Ga Eul avoided answering by biting her lip.

Despite giving a refreshing answer, seeing Ga Eul oddly dejected, Ju A spoke again nonchalantly. This time, it was words of comfort.

“Yoon Ga Eul, why are you so down again. Well… it’s not like such families don’t exist at all. But regardless of his family, we’re not at the age to get married right away, and it’s not bad to date for a bit? Opposition is something to worry about later when you’re faced with marriage. Why are you worrying about that already!”

At Ju A’s words, Ga Eul widened her eyes and just kept chewing on her straw instead of answering. She had a lot on her mind, but after confiding in Ju A, things were starting to get sorted out.

.

.

.

−I’m really curious. About this guy Ga Eul likes.

Ga Eul felt she made the right choice confiding in Ju A.

−Introduce him to me if things go well.

Encouraged by Ju A’s words that if she were a guy, she’d be head over heels for Ga Eul’s confession, Ga Eul’s steps headed not to the annex, but to his officetel.

Ju A had encouraged her, saying it was clear the feelings were mutual, so she should convey her heart right now. Rather, if she was late, those feelings could wither, so strike while the iron is hot.

But.

‘What should I say when I go?’

She hadn’t thought about what to say to him yet. Should she have decided what to say before going to see him tomorrow?

As if entranced by Ju A’s words, she had taken steps first. Ga Eul let out an empty laugh. These days, she kept taking actions without knowing where the courage was coming from.

Though it was all only when it came to him.

Ga Eul, who arrived at his officetel before finishing her contemplation, sat down in front of his unit number, slowly climbing the stairs unlike last time.

She could have gone to the gallery office and waited comfortably, but since she hadn’t found the words to say yet, Ga Eul planned to slowly wait for him to get off work while also contemplating.

As much as she was nervous, exciting feelings also bubbled up. Ga Eul’s cheeks flushed a peach color as she scribbled on the floor with her foot.

What should she say first when she sees him?

I like you…?

As Ga Eul was pondering over what to say for a while, a sensor light turned on above her.

The elevator that stopped in front of his unit opened, and familiar men’s dress shoes filled Ga Eul’s view as she sat.

“…Yoon Ga Eul?”

Ga Eul, who had been crouching for a long time, lifted her head. He was right there, one eyebrow raised as if quite surprised.

Unlike the night he had clung to her and whispered, upon discovering Ga Eul, he openly frowned.

“Why are you sitting here? It’s uncomfortable.”

“Ah, that’s because. I came to see you because I have something to say.”

“What’s the point of having a cell phone? You should have come to the office or contacted me.”

As if he didn’t like her sitting on the floor, he hurriedly opened the officetel door while scolding her.

Beep−. The lock disengaged, and as he was about to open the door, Ga Eul grabbed the sleeve of his jacket and carefully opened her mouth.

“Um, Representative. I finished all the thinking I said I would do.”

“…”

Unlike when he was hurriedly opening the door, he stopped. Ga Eul looked up at his back and continued.

“If I say I like you, then what happens to us…?”

Words tumbled out that were terrible compared to the time she had spent contemplating. Ga Eul bit her lower lip and nervously waited for his answer.

He suddenly turned around, grabbed Ga Eul’s hand, and pulled her into the officetel. Leaning in close between the shut door, he whispered in a low voice.

“What happens, you ask.”

Her body was completely pressed against Gi Tae’s from the sudden pull. He stood very close, leaving only a small gap where their breaths could touch.

Their faces were near due to him bending his upper body.

Is he going to kiss me? Ga Eul tensed up.

Watching her from up close, he suddenly laughed with amusement. Instead of immediately kissing her as his heated gaze suggested, he turned his head.

His head and lips that Ga Eul thought would touch her lips lightly brushed past her lips and touched her cheek.

“…!”

Ga Eul, whose tension had loosened a bit from that cute kiss, finally opened her mouth.

“Representative…”

As soon as she opened her mouth, his lips found hers. And he delved in.

The sudden deep kiss that entered her open mouth was dizzying. She had been so busy contemplating how to convey her confession that she hadn’t thought about what would happen next.

Her head spun from his relentless kisses that left no room for other thoughts. Ga Eul, still unfamiliar with the act, unknowingly slightly avoided him.

However, unlike before when he had confirmed her feelings, he seemed to have no intention of easily letting go and persistently continued the kiss. Ga Eul also awkwardly started responding to his kisses.

Only when she seemed out of breath did his lips part from hers.

As soon as their lips parted, Ga Eul let out a flustered breath, and he tightened his arm around her waist, emphasizing his words while pressed close without any gaps.

“This is how entangled we’ll become.”

In a low and sweet voice, as persistent as his kisses had been.

.

.

.

Gi Tae let Ga Eul into his officetel.

When she had kissed him first, when had that been, but she had made him wait, saying she’d think about it, only to cutely confess her true feelings.

Gi Tae, who handed a glass of water to Ga Eul who said she was thirsty, leaned against the wall.

He quietly looked down at Ga Eul drinking water, curious about what thoughts had been going through that small head of hers. Then, his gaze wandered as he noticed her cute lips glistening with moisture after finishing the water.

Even though he hadn’t touched her yet, as if reading his thoughts, Ga Eul, who made eye contact with him, kept biting her lips and shifting her eyes.

Gi Tae laughed at the sight and put his arm around Ga Eul’s waist, pulling her close. Whether she was being shy or whatever else, he no longer liked keeping his distance. He had sufficient justification now too.

“Why are you shrinking back.”

“Haha, I wonder.”

“It’ll be troublesome if you act awkward. We’ll be doing more than this from now on.”

“What? What will we be doing?”

Gi Tae made an even more absurd expression at the startled Ga Eul and spoke.

“Until now, it was all child’s play. You’re not saying we’ll just be holding hands, are you, Ga Eul.”

“…”

Leaving the flushed Ga Eul, Gi Tae took out his wallet and placed a card in her hand.

“Take it, it’s the officetel card key.”

“Why are you giving me this?”

Ga Eul took the card key. But at her gaze asking why he was giving it to her, Gi Tae traced her lips, which had been on his mind, with his index finger.

The moisture that had gathered on Ga Eul’s lips instantly transferred to Gi Tae’s finger and disappeared.

Ga Eul flinched her shoulders, but unlike before, Gi Tae had no intention of moving away. The tangible reality of her easily giving in to his reaching hand, unlike two days ago when she avoided him, was quite satisfying.

“I don’t like my girlfriend waiting outside.”

Before Ga Eul could say anything, Gi Tae, who captured her lips, lifted the corners of his mouth.

He was satisfied that she had readily confessed her feelings and that Ga Eul was in his officetel.

Gi Tae brushed Ga Eul’s hair behind her ear as she clumsily tried to match his kisses. Then, looking down at her closely, he asked.

“Are you going home today?”