“Do we need to meet 10 times? We can meet plenty of times as long as the time is right.”
As if to answer her question, his serious gaze turned to Seo Yeon.

“Actually, I’m bothered by Seo Yeon. I think of her a lot. So…….”
He paused to catch his breath before he continued.

“I want to know more. Why I’m acting this way.”
Surprised for a moment by his blunt honesty, she had a lot to think about after hearing his next words.

“And I also want to inform Seo Yeon. About the person I am.”
I want to know and want to inform…

Oddly enough, Seo Yeon did not feel repulsed by his proposal.

“The number 10 may seem meaningless, but I still want to seize the opportunity.”
“What happens after filling them all up?”
She wanted to ask. What he wanted to do then.

“What about confirming each other’s sincerity on the day of filling up the 10th time?”
Was he suggesting confessing on that day? Or just getting to know each other?

A mistake made in a single night, a quick apology, and a subsequent unusual proposal.

Seo Yeon gazed blankly at the man who was bold in his actions, as if he had been waiting for the mistake.

As his dark eyes, which seemed too kind, waited anxiously for an answer, Seo Yeon started to check the list in her head.

A special man to meet, none.

Something good to be together, right.

Something that has recently become of interest, confirmed.

You can stop whenever you don’t feel like it, right.

Then there was no need to hesitate.

Seo Yeon, who did not want to worry anymore, met his gaze.

“Quick recovery is the best for making up for mistakes.”
The corners of Kwon Yool’s mouth, who had been waiting anxiously for permission, started to move slightly.

“But, one thing. There’s something I need to point out.”
In case he was not a businessman. Seo Yeon didn’t miss the point to check.

“Anyone, if you don’t want to fill up the 10 times…… No matter how many times are left, just stop. How about it?”
Although she asked as if questioning, she did not want Kwon Yool’s agreement. She just wanted to add the condition ‘can stop at any time’.

Perhaps that’s why. Seo Yeon extended her hand before she even heard the answer.

“Let’s make it clean with this if you’re okay.”
Kwon Yool replied with a bright smile as if accepting it obediently.

“I look forward to working with you, Seo Yeon.”
As if a big contract had been made, the two held hands. And they both smiled with the same bright expression.

((()))((()))((()))

After finishing their serious negotiations, the two leisurely had breakfast.

And they talked about when they should meet next.

Though they didn’t write a contract on paper, the two took the 10 meetings quite seriously.

Ziing―.

The phone of Kwon Yool, placed on the dining table, rang. Consequently, Seo Yeon’s gaze naturally checked the caller ID.

“Ah. Bro.”
[Are you going to grandfather’s house today?] Kwon Yool, who had completely forgotten about the appointment while spending time with Seo Yeon, seemed flustered as he rubbed his forehead.

“I have to go, I suppose…….”
He trailed off, indicating his reluctance to go.

[Then, give me a lift. I left my car at the office after drinking yesterday. Mom has already gone to grandfather’s house.] “Your place?”
[Yeah. Come early if you don’t want to be nagged.] A quick glance at his watch confirmed Kwon Yool didn’t have time to go home.

“I’ll contact you when I’m leaving.”
Kwon Yool, who had hung up the phone, said regretfully.

“I have a meal appointment at grandfather’s house. I should get going.”
“Ah. Okay.”
She responded nonchalantly, but Seo Yeon felt regret. However, she couldn’t show her feelings or stop him. She simply packed his messedup shirt in the shopping bag and handed it over.

“Take care.”
“Can’t you say, ‘See you again’?”
Kwon Yool spoke as if he didn’t like a farewell that sounded final.

“See you soon, Yool.”
“I’ll call you later.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Kwon Yool, whose steps finally faltered, had a smile on his face. Perhaps he was pleased with Seo Yeon’s response. Of course, he was slow, very slow, and kept looking back.

Kwon Yool left Seo Yeon’s house and put the shopping bag she had given him on the passenger seat. Then he headed towards his aunt’s house, which was not far away.

Su Hee, who had been waiting in advance for his departure, lightly waved her hand when she spotted Kwon Yool’s car.

As the car came to a gentle stop, Su Hee widely opened the passenger side door and sat down with the shopping bag on her lap.

“Did you go shopping?”
Before he could reply no, Su Hee, who had been rummaging through the shopping bag, asked again with a puzzled look.

“What on earth did you do, why is the shirt smeared with cosmetics?”
Seeing the flustered Kwon Yool, Su Hee laughed with an expression that read ‘Gotcha’.

Then she pulled out Kwon Yool’s clothes from the bag and fully unfolded it. How meticulously she scrutinized it, it was enough to crease Kwon Yool’s forehead uncomfortably.

“Bro, put it back.”
“What’s this? Do you have a girlfriend now?”
At Su Hee’s question, Kwon Yool hesitated for a moment. He wanted to mention that there was someone he was interested in.

“Not yet, we’re not in that sort of relationship.”
“Are you flirting?”
“I’m trying.”
At Kwon Yool’s answer, Su Hee started to tease him playfully.

Regardless, Kwon Yool stared straight ahead, reminiscing about the time spent with Seo Yeon, easing his regrets.

“You’ve never had a girlfriend before. What’s the occasion?”

Su Hee, who showed excessive interest, kept probing, but Kwon Yool reserved his words. However, the unnecessarily persistent Su Hee did not give up.

Kwon Yool, feeling the ongoing trouble, reached out for the most ordinary word.

“Friend. For now.”
Kwon Yool grinned at the mention of ‘friend’. Because Seo Yeon was neither a friend, nor could be one.

However, with the word ‘friend’, Su Hee’s pursuit became more intense. In the meantime, Kwon Yool’s black SUV pulled up in front of a tall wall.

Even as he got out of the car, Su Hee’s questions did not stop.

“Is she pretty?”
“Extremely.”
“Oh. Do you have a picture?”
The mention of a picture reminded him of the lifesized image of Seo Yeon in her living room. Then, without a moment to suppress it, a smile spread across his face.

“What’s with this burdensomely bright expression? Hey. Don’t be nauseating. Show me everything you have.”
“What.”
Kwon Yool, who coolly rebuffed Su Hee’s words, rang the doorbell.

Even as she climbed the stairs, Su Hee was making a fuss about showing the picture. No matter how much he remained silent, Su Hee, who couldn’t stand it, spoke with an evil smile.

“Hmm. You’re going to come out like this. Then, I’ll ask your aunt later.”
“What?”
“Who your female friend is.”
When a sigh leaked out from between Kwon Yool’s teeth, thinking it was time, Su Hee began to make a noise.

“Kwon Yool, a ‘motsol’, is trying to flirt with a woman. If the shirt is smeared with makeup, it means they’ve obviously hugged. But they’re still friends, and her face is extremely pretty. Right?”
Just as Kwon Yool was about to say enough.

“What’s all this about?”
Seok Gu, who was clearing withered flowers in the garden, asked as he straightened his back.