The two immediately initiated a video call, continuing their conversation for over an hour.

The residual tension that had been on the verge of snapping, the wavering heart due to complicated family matters; the moment Kwon Yool saw Seo Yeon’s smiling face on the square screen, he felt completely free from all negativity.

Right after the Friday morning home shopping meeting ended, Seo Yeon checked the time.

It was almost lunchtime.

She was already on her way out after gently declining Hyun Woo’s lunch invitation.

There wasn’t anything particularly pressing for tomorrow’s event, but there were a few things she needed to check back at the office.

Initially, she thought about handing over the event tickets to Hyun Woo or the executive office’s secretary.

But having promised to deliver them directly to Minhyuk, she felt she needed to keep her word.

For Seo Yeon, the most influential person at the moment was DN Home Shopping’s CEO, Minhyuk Choi.

Seo Yeon headed to the topmost floor where the CEO’s office was located. Though she had visited multiple times over the years, this distinctive CEO’s office was a first for her from the entrance itself.

“Please come in. The CEO has been waiting for you.”

The secretary of the CEO’s office greeted her with a radiant smile.

Seo Yeon smoothly pulled out the invitation from her bag, making sure it was clearly visible, and said in a bright voice,

“I’m just here to deliver the tickets. You don’t need to serve me tea.”
Thinking she might end up having lunch with Minhyuk if she accepted his tea invitation in his office, Seo Yeon tactfully excused herself ahead of time.

At this, his secretary rose from her seat with a broad smile.

“Really, I’ll just hand this over and leave quickly. You don’t have to bother with me.”

Seo Yeon gestured to the secretary to sit down and stood in front of the imposing door to the CEO’s office.

‘Greet him warmly, exchange some pleasantries, hand over the tickets saying ‘see you tomorrow’. Maybe 10 minutes?’

Having perfectly timed her plan, Seo Yeon lightly knocked on the door.

Just as she was about to push the hefty handle, the door swung open from the inside.

“Ah, oh!”

Caught off guard while holding the door, Seo Yeon was inadvertently pulled forward.

Her delicate frame leaned and crashed directly into Minhyuk’s chest.

His solid arms wrapped around the staggering Seo Yeon, inadvertently pulling her into his embrace.

What kind of exercise did this man do? His chest was not just firm; it felt as hard as stone.

‘Ouch.’

Seo Yeon wondered if her slightly raised nose might be broken, it hurt so much.

Rubbing her numb nose tip, tears welled up in her eyes.

Realizing she was still in his arms, she quickly stepped back.

“Seo Yeon! Are you okay?”

Again, again.

Putting aside her pain, the fact that Minhyuk called her by her first name made Seo Yeon decide she had to address it.

So, she stiffly raised her head and coldly called out his name.

“CEO Choi.”

She was definitely going to firmly address the issue of how they should refer to each other in a business setting.

“……Ah, here.”

That was, until she saw the pink lipstick mark on his crisp white shirt, threatening to spread further.

“Lipstick mark…”

Seo Yeon was so flustered that she completely forgot all the sharp words she had planned.

“What should I do? I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s my fault. I opened the door too forcefully and startled you.”

It wasn’t about pulling or pushing someone, but this time, she correctly addressed him as CEO.

Minhyuk was truly an unpredictable man.
Seo Yeon was intrigued by Minhyuk’s puzzling behavior, yet she became troubled due to the mark of her lipstick imprinted on the left side of his chest.

“Maybe doing this will remove it? Just a moment.”

She quickly rummaged through her bag and took out a wet wipe.

Then, without thinking, she reached out towards his chest but hesitated.

“If you have another shirt, would you like to change? I’ll try to clean this for you.”

Given that the shirt was a luxury brand that cost more than a million won each, she said this because she didn’t want to feel indebted to him.

“As you can see, I didn’t bring an extra shirt.”

She couldn’t believe that a CEO wouldn’t carry a spare shirt.

On top of that, Minhyuk’s mischievous smile seemed very suspicious. Seo Yeon discreetly peeked over his shoulder.

She wondered if he was pretending not to have one.

‘What? He really doesn’t have one.’

Seeing only a jacket hanging on the expensive coat hanger, Seo Yeon felt incredibly awkward.

“So, what should we do? Do you want to try wiping it yourself, or should I call your secretary?”

Minhyuk, taking the wet wipe from Seo Yeon’s hand, replied, “No, I’ll do it.”

He lowered his head and scrubbed diligently, but it didn’t come off.

“Not there… a bit lower.”

“I can’t see it properly from above.”

Especially since it was underneath his thick pectoral muscles, it was hard to see.

“It probably won’t come off.”

Trying to remove makeup with a wet wipe seemed like a futile attempt.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

However, regardless of Minhyuk’s reassurances, Seo Yeon didn’t feel okay.

She stole a glance at her wristwatch and hesitantly spoke.

“…Would you like to go out with me?”

“Where to?”

“I’m not sure if we’ll find the exact same shirt, but I’ll buy you something similar.”

Seo Yeon was desperate to make amends.

Having just finished lunch, if Minhyuk had a meeting scheduled in the afternoon, it would be a problem.

The young CEO had a distinct lipstick mark on his chest.

She couldn’t let him become the subject of office gossip.

“It’s really okay.”
“No, I’d feel better if we did.”

“Well then, let’s do that. There’s no need for either of us to be uncomfortable.”

The corners of Minhyuk’s eyes softened.

Internally, Seo Yeon kept repeating ‘do the right thing’ to herself, grinding her teeth against the harsh words directed at her.

“I’ll drive.”

“May I treat you to lunch?”

As her lunch with Minhyuk, which she wanted to avoid, was confirmed, Seo Yeon forced a smile.

“I’m sorry for inconveniencing you, especially when you’re busy. I’ll pay for lunch as an apology. Let’s go.”

Seo Yeon gestured towards his jacket, suggesting he put it on quickly.

Minhyuk turned his back to Seo Yeon and slowly walked towards his jacket.

Then, with a contented expression, he let out a pleased smile.