Taejun replied to Soeun’s question. Upon closer inspection, there was gold on the moon jar. It might perform well as a decoration, just like now, where it couldn’t be better than it was before. However, now the moon jar couldn’t be a vase. Since it couldn’t hold water.

Taejun seemed proud of sticking the moon jar.

“Doesn’t it look sophisticated?”

“No.”

“…….?”

“It’s too obvious.”

Soeun answered honestly.

He was hiding his past with Yang Heewook. And this man was recalling some lover from his past that she didn’t know.

In the end, it will all be revealed. How long can we deceive each other?

While feeling that she needed him and he needed her, the thought that this impure intention might hurt each other made her a little uneasy.

“I’m sorry.”

“Every time you say sorry from now on, I’ll scold you.”
When she apologized, Taejun pretended to give her a tap on the forehead. Soeun’s hand immediately went up to her forehead. It was Soeun’s habit to catch on quickly. Strangely, Taejun’s expression froze at Soeun’s reaction. Soeun lightly touched her forehead, as if showing off.

“Thank you. I broke a five million won vase, and it’s a big deal, but you’re treating it like it’s nothing.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Soeun felt like giving Taejun a piece of advice.

Don’t hold onto the past.

Just think that life is flowing, and it’s more comfortable, sir.

So let go of the past that torments you.

“Anyway, what’s gone won’t come back. Sir.”

Upon hearing Soeun’s whimsical advice, Taejun burst into laughter.

But you came back.

Is this a warning to make sure Han Soeun doesn’t leave in the future?

Or does it mean we shouldn’t break like the moon jar?

He found her cute, avoiding what she wanted to say.

When Taejun happily embraced Soeun again, Taejun’s phone, which was left on the table, rang.

Thinking it was a wrongly set alarm, he answered, but it was Aunt Seokhwa’s call.

Aunt was currently on a business trip in Europe, so he wondered what urgent matter it was and answered the phone.

“Yes, Aunt.”

[Yeah, Taejun is awake now.]

“Yes, Aunt. You’re on a business trip, right? Are you okay?”

[You don’t need to worry. Actually, Taejun, I called because I have a favor to ask.]

“Yes, please tell me.”

[Can you go on a business trip to the Philippines this weekend?]

“This weekend?”

As Taejun asked Seokhwa, he turned his head and looked at Soeun.

[Yeah. It would be good to leave right away today. Actually, I don’t know if a driver is available there, but some employees of the Philippines electronic factory died. It wasn’t an accident at the factory; the employees had left work and were carpooling, and there was an accident due to the driver’s negligence.]

A traffic accident caused by the driver’s negligence.

Taejun’s heart felt a twinge.

[The families of the deceased are demanding compensation from the company, claiming it’s the company’s fault. But according to our policy, we can’t take responsibility for anything other than work-related faults. If we admit to this, the situation will become more complicated, so we need to discuss this with the legal team in the Philippines branch. We’ll respect the families’ positions as much as possible and negotiate.]

He understood the situation, but Taejun thought he needed to draw the line.

“Aunt, I’m an executive at K Electronics Services, isn’t that more of an electronics matter?”

[One of the deceased employees was in the service department. So, it’s your judgment.]

He looked at Soeun again. Soeun, who was initially looking at Taejun, turned her head, pretending not to care, and touched the moon jar.

He remembered when she dated Yang Heewook. Taejun couldn’t forget the expression she made when Heewook said he was going on a business trip.

[You’re good at English, and it’s an opportunity to make a name for yourself externally.] “I can’t go. I have plans.”

Although Seokhwa tried to persuade him, Taejun flatly refused. His promise with Soeun came first.

[Still, Taejun, if it’s not an important promise…]

“It’s an important promise.”

[…]

“Even if the president has passed away, I can’t go, Aunt. I’m sorry, but find someone else. I can’t do it.”

Feeling that there was no need to continue the call, he said, “I’ll hang up now” and quickly ended the call.

Soeun asked Taejun after the call, “Did Aunt ask you to go on a business trip? This weekend?”

Since Taejun didn’t answer, Soeun continued, “Go and come back, sir.”

Taejun looked at Soeun. His expression, devoid of any trace of resentment, felt somehow bitter.

“You don’t want to play with Han Soeun?”

“Well, that’s true.”

[…]

“Business trips have their timing, and we can meet anytime.”

Can she remain unaffected?

But Soeun decided not to show it. The fact that he refused Aunt’s request to spend time with her, that alone was enough for her satisfaction. She was genuinely grateful to him.

Therefore, she thought she should become a more mature person.

This person lives in a different world than me. I can’t fill it with my desires alone. His world shouldn’t be messed up because of me.

“I hope people don’t know that I’m next to you, sir. It would be good for both me and you.”

This was her way of repaying him.

“I’ve ridden in your car more than ten times, and one time my colleague knew. The person next to me, Park Bobae, always asks about you. But my colleagues never doubt the relationship between us.”

Soeun spoke smoothly. Meanwhile, Taejun’s expression was becoming dry and devoid of vitality. Yet, he felt distant.

“People know, right? That there won’t be such a relationship between you and me. … I like it this way now.”

She was someone who knew how to be satisfied at the moment.

I know that you and I won’t work out in the end. So, it’s okay.

I won’t harbor false expectations.

I’ll just think that your presence in front of me is real.

Even if I don’t want anything, we can be happy. That’s the kind of relationship she longed for.

When Soeun finished speaking, Taejun approached and reached out his arms. It wasn’t clear where the button was pressed in her story.

Taejun lifted her up. Soeun grabbed his neck and closed her eyes tightly. When she opened her eyes again, it was the bedroom. Taejun, who had gently laid her down in the bedroom, lowered his body and tilted his head. Just before their lips touched, Soeun shouted urgently.

“Wait… Just a moment! Sir, this is a bit.”

“I’ll turn off the lights.”

“Even with the lights off, it’s still bright!”

This man has to go to work, no, on a business trip. Why is he like this now?
In a hurry, Soeun pressed a button beside the bed, and Taejun pressed one as well. The lights went out, and blackout blinds covered the window where the light had been coming in.

It was a moment when morning instantly turned into night.

“Is it good?”

He asked. Even if she answered no, he wouldn’t accept it.