Gitaeh, who was boiling inside, quickly covered the lips that kept wavering in front of him. The previously irritating lips, once they touched, seemed to relax as if saying, “When did this happen?” The mingling breaths felt only sweet, like sipping on fruit.

Gaeul’s eyelids, which had widened in surprise, gradually lowered. Her face, without a trace of makeup, began to flush softly with a peachy hue.

During this time, his face had somehow started to attract attention. Closing her eyes and quietly responding to the kiss, Gitaeh, who had turned his head away, gradually delved deeper.

The still awkward exchange of inexperienced kisses strangely felt provocative.

How much time had passed since their lips met? Gitaeh, who had been perfectly pressed against her without a gap for any other thoughts, finally let go of Gaeul’s lips after a long while.

The small lips that were holding back their breath now breathed out, even in the darkness, radiating warmth.

Swiftly, Gitaeh, using his own thumb, stole Gaeul’s lips and asked a question.

“How was it?”

Now I think I know.

Although he threw the chance for her to confirm, he, in turn, gained confidence in his feelings.

At the lack of an immediate response, the hand hanging on the front passenger seatback irregularly drummed on the leather seat. Gaeul’s lips slowly opened.

“Tired…”

Gitaeh, who had released a laugh close to a chuckle, leaned against the driver’s seat backrest. Sharpened nerves seemed to have worn out, and he covered his face with his arm, losing his will.

“…What are you doing, catching a drunk girl.”

The next day, Gaeul, who woke up with a pounding headache, looked at the screen filled with notifications with confusion. Having not fully opened her eyes yet, she checked with her still sleepy eyes.

[Juah: Yoon Gaeul! I was completely surprised yesterday.] [Juah: The guy who came to pick you up, the second son of Taesan Group, right?] [Juah: You said you knew him… why did he suddenly show up there?]

‘He came to pick me up with the CEO.’

Although she was not sure how she managed to get home drunk, she remembered everything from the car onwards.

After that, no more messages from Juah reached her.

Without the time to reflect on Juah’s messages, Gaeul cautiously checked the message from the conspicuous ‘CEO.’

[When you wake up, come to the department store.]

Usually, unless it was urgent, he was the one who was always found at the gallery. The message telling her to come to the department store immediately made Gaeul’s shoulders tremble and her eyes unfocused with surprise.

‘I went with the CEO yesterday again… I’m crazy, really.’

Thinking that he wouldn’t contact her again after not receiving any messages and not even coming until late evening, she didn’t expect to meet him again in his car.

Despite being drunk, the touch he gave lingered vividly.

As soon as she woke up, a single text message from the CEO, whose presence was now distinct, made Gaeul’s shoulders shiver with apprehension.

[Come to the department store office immediately.]

‘What did I do yesterday with the CEO… I’m really out of my mind.’
I thought one mistake would be enough, but now, what’s going to happen to me? Gaeul, who had drunk with an uneasy heart, was even more confused than yesterday.

Moreover, he was the one who had his lips pressed together with hers two days ago and even yesterday. Even his intentions were unclear.

‘What is he going to say?’

He was a man who would come to catch me if I didn’t go to him.

Gaeul, with unwavering footsteps, entered the bathroom. She had to explain about that day, or rather, she had to explain everything up to yesterday.

“Ah, I don’t know…”

Now, she couldn’t guess what words would come out of his mouth.

“Let me guide you right away.”

The employee sitting at the information desk smiled upon seeing Gaeul’s face and immediately guided her to the executive elevator. She relayed that the CEO had instructed her to send Yoon Gaeul straight up if she came, without going through any cumbersome procedures.

The elevator, which quickly arrived at the high floor, opened its doors promptly.

“Just go in.”

“…Thank you.”

As cautious as she was when she first came here, Gaeul, holding the strap of the mini crossbag she brought with her like a leash, knocked on the door twice carefully. Soon, a familiar voice flowed out.

“Come in.”

“…Yes.”

Pushing open the door, Gaeul hesitated near the door and approached the desk area. Under the sharp gaze she met as soon as she entered, she cautiously walked toward the office desk.

As she approached the office desk, he stood up. Looking down at her from above with a gaze that seemed to invite her closer, he nodded his head as if to say, ‘Come closer.’

As soon as she entered, he motioned for her to come closer, and Gaeul approached him, standing nervously. When he got closer, he stood up. As he looked down at her from above, Gaeul swallowed her saliva.

“How’s the hangover?”

“It’s still there a bit, but I’m okay.”

“Why did you drink?”