Inside the returning car.

Since leaving the restaurant, Ji An has been constantly checking her watch.

There was no urgent matter, but the reason she was checking on a minute-by-minute basis was none other than Joo Tae Sung.

As a penalty for losing the truth game, he asked her not to resist for 5 minutes no matter what he did.

And that deadline was until today.

She didn’t know what would happen today, but it would probably be something Ji Wan would dislike.

If there was any consolation, it was that the problematic “today” had only about an hour left.

An hour is enough time for something to happen, but it’s also a time that will pass quickly if you endure well.

“I’m tired.”

Tae Sung, who had entrusted the steering wheel to the substitute driver and sat in the back seat, leaned his body slightly.

Even though only their shoulders touched, his presence felt quite large.

Ji Wan tried to hide her nervousness and asked Tae Sung.

“Is this what you wanted to do? Borrowing a shoulder?”

Instead of answering, Tae Sung’s body moved away from her as if nothing had happened.

It seemed that what he wanted to do wasn’t using Ji Wan as a pillar after all.

Tired of guessing what he might do, Ji Wan couldn’t overcome her frustration and probed.

“Just tell me straight. What are you trying to do that you need 5 minutes of no resistance?”

“But that wouldn’t be fun.”

“From the perspective of the person being punished, nothing is fun anyway.”

“That’s why I’m trying to make it enjoyable for me.”

He was a man who never gave in, as always.

Feeling annoyed for no reason, Ji Wan glared at him with sharp eyes.

“Just try doing something weird. Punishment or not, I’ll really get angry.”

“What’s the standard for ‘weird’?”

“Well, using hands, or chests touching each other.”

“Don’t people usually call that hand-holding or hugging?”

“Anyway, if it’s something like that, I’ll kick Tae Sung out right away. No hand use, no chest contact.”

Ji Wan laid down the law in preparation for any situation.

Tae Sung looked at her and nodded willingly.

“Okay, no hand-holding. No hugging.”

It’s suspicious how easily he agrees, but…

Can’t be helped. At least I’ve set the boundaries.

Ji Wan relaxed a bit and turned her head towards the car window.

Usually, there shouldn’t be traffic jams on the highway around 11 PM, but somehow it felt congested.

“Oh no, this is bad. Looks like there’s been an accident ahead. We’ll be delayed by at least 20 minutes, right?”

As expected.

The substitute driver delivered the bad news with a low sigh.

The original arrival time was around 11:30 PM, but with a 20-minute delay, it meant they would be stuck in the car until at least 11:50 PM.

But hearing this news, Ji Wan thought it was rather fortunate.

Rather than going home early and being alone with the dangerous Joo Tae Sung, it was safer to be in the car with the driver present.

“It’s fine, please take your time. You can even take a detour! Driving is my hobby.”

Ji Wan said to the substitute driver with a smiling face.

A snicker escaped from Tae Sung, who immediately understood the reason for her concern.

Well, enjoy your composure while you can.

Whatever he wants to do, there won’t be enough time to do it. Probably.

* * *

The mansion of Chairman Joo Sung Gye located in Hannam-dong.

A secretary entered the reception room where not even an ant could enter without permission.

With a somewhat flushed expression, he bowed 90 degrees as soon as he saw Chairman Joo sitting on the sofa.

“I apologize for the late hour. I came to see you despite my impudence because I have news that must be delivered.”

Joo Sung Gye spoke without taking his eyes off the document he was reading.

“You’ve… found Joo Tae Sung.”

“Yes, there was a sighting at the L Theater parking lot. As soon as we received the report, we dispatched to the scene and found Prosecutor Joo Tae Sung’s vehicle…”

“Skip the process, I want to hear the results first if it’s accurate. Surely you’re not making such a fuss just because you found a car?”

“Ah, I apologize. Of course, we have identified Prosecutor Joo’s current whereabouts.”

The secretary put down the file he had brought without further briefing.

Chairman Joo finally put down the document he was reading and picked up the file.

What was inside was neither Joo Tae Sung’s officetel nor a hotel.

It was an ordinary 30-pyeong apartment in a neighborhood he had never been to before.

It was a place too far from the prosecutor’s office to be considered Tae Sung’s residence.

“That bastard is there?”

“Yes, upon checking the owner, it was registered under the name of Lee Dal Hyun. Upon further investigation, we found that currently a woman is residing there.”

“A woman…”

“After inquiring around, we learned that Prosecutor Joo himself introduced himself as that woman’s husband. Based on this fact, it is confirmed to be Prosecutor Joo’s in-laws’ house.”

While chasing after Tae Sung, he unexpectedly obtained a clue about his daughter-in-law whom he had been searching for three years.

At this unexpected achievement, the corners of Chairman Joo’s mouth, which had always been stiffly set, curled up into a smirk.

Encouraged by this reaction, the secretary added with more emphasis.

“If you allow, we will proceed with a background check on that woman. And we can also approach Prosecutor Joo from our side first…”

“No. That won’t be necessary.”

Chairman Joo interrupted the secretary’s words once again.

He gently put down the file related to Joo Tae Sung and picked up the document he was originally reading.

“I’ll handle it from here myself.”

“You, sir…?”

“He’s not some criminal who committed a serious crime. As his father, I know best that he’ll just hide deeper if we barge in recklessly.”

Chairman Joo’s gaze turned to the secretary.

For the first time in a while, his eyes, which had only been impatient since Tae Sung disappeared, flashed like those of a beast.

The fact that he was preparing to pounce as soon as he had a target was remarkably similar to Tae Sung, making their blood relation apparent.

That’s probably why Joo Tae Sung himself hates it so terribly.

* * *

11:51 PM.

Only 9 minutes left until the penalty deadline.

Tae Sung’s car finally arrived in front of Ji Wan’s apartment.

Ji Wan had deliberately avoided looking at the clock for the past 10 minutes.

She was doing her best to pretend not to notice, hoping that Tae Sung, who had never cared about the remaining time, would let the deadline pass naturally.

“Ah, should we stop by the convenience store? I think we’re out of tissues.”

Tae Sung said before entering the building entrance.

It was an opportunity too good to pass up.

Ji Wan, who was willing to do anything to waste time, readily agreed.

“Go ahead. I’ll go in and take a shower.”

“Come with me. Pick out what you need too.”

“I don’t need anything? I’m also tired…”

“Is that so? Well, time is…”

When Ji Wan pretended to be troubled and refused, Tae Sung raised his left wrist.

He was clearly going to check the time.

“Ah, ah! No! I have something to buy! Let’s go to the convenience store together!”

“If you’re tired, go in and shower and rest. I’ll buy what you need.”

“No. Let’s go together! It’s better to go together! By all means!”

Ji Wan, who had to prevent that at all costs, quickly moved towards the apartment complex where the convenience store was located, pretending to have suddenly remembered something.

Thinking that it might be okay since wasting time would be the same whether they went to the convenience store together or separately.

When they arrived at the convenience store, it was 11:53 PM.

When they came out after buying tissues and a few snacks that Ji Wan forcibly chose, it was 11:55 PM.

And when they arrived back at the apartment building, it was 57 minutes.

Now only 3 minutes remained.

The timing was perfect as the elevator was at the highest floor.

Ji Wan racked her brains to come up with a plan on how to let the 3 minutes pass.

First, she would spend about 1 minute in the elevator, and the remaining 2 minutes could be spent pretending to take off her clothes and organize her bag.

As she became confident that nothing would happen, a smile of relief spread across Ji Wan’s lips.

Right at that moment.

“Lee Ji Wan.”

Tae Sung called Ji Wan’s name in a low voice.

Ji Wan looked up at Tae Sung with her face still unable to erase the smile.

Immediately, without a chance to avoid, Tae Sung’s arms approached.

The two arms that trapped her so easily naturally pushed Ji Wan towards the wall.

“Tae Sung…?”

Ji Wan’s eyes trembled at the unexpected situation.

Tae Sung, who was quietly looking down at her, slightly twisted his left wrist to check the time.

The corners of his mouth curved up very leisurely.

What on earth is he trying to do…

Before she could utter those words, Tae Sung’s dark eyes once again fixed precisely on her.

And then, without giving her time to turn her head, he immediately lowered his lips.

Until he approached, she didn’t believe it, thinking, “No way, no way.”

“Tae Sung… oof!”

But when his lips went beyond simply touching and began to delve in persistently, Ji Wan’s mind became a complete mess.

His lips were gentle.

As much as his outward attitude.

And yet bold.

Knowing that Ji Wan was frozen, unable to escape backwards, he dug in deeper and more intensely.

It was a skilled kiss, unlike Ji Wan who was fumbling, not knowing how to move or how to breathe.

While helplessly melting against his entangling, she thought that perhaps he had lied in today’s truth game.

He said he hadn’t even dealt with dating.

This is clearly a kiss that anyone would consider suitable for lovers.

How long did they share such a long kiss?

Along with the sound of the elevator door opening, a bright light was felt even through closed eyes.

“Hoo…”

Only then did the breath he had been holding escape through his parted lips.

Ji Wan slowly opened her eyes and looked straight at the man in front of her.

Of course, it was Joo Tae Sung.

The owner of the still-lingering hot sensation must also be Joo Tae Sung.

They say that when you experience something too unbelievable, you distance yourself from reality.

This seemed to be exactly such a moment for Ji Wan.

So the woody scent brushing her nose, the dense heat transmitted from the close-pressed lips, the unfamiliar breath seeping into her, all felt like a dream.

Gulp―

Ji Wan swallowed dry saliva while meeting his eyes.

Tae Sung’s eyes burned hotly on her reddened lips.

“…Today has passed.”

His voice resonating particularly low.

Just as Ji Wan’s gaze followed that low voice to his lips.

“Look up again.”

He immediately collided his lips with hers again.

Even knowing it was no longer about the penalty, Ji Wan couldn’t avoid him as he surged forward.

No, it would be more appropriate to say she didn’t avoid him.

From the second kiss, her breath was also gradually giving way to his.