My Husband's Lover - Chapter 35

With great effort, Do Hoon managed to extract a promise from Hae Yeon and laughed loudly, “Haha!” as he moved to another table. At the spot vacated by Do Hoon, Yoon Seo, barely managing to maintain her composure, and Hae Yeon, lost in deep thought, remained seated.

Do Hoon, who had left the two in confusion to go drink, looked truly despicable.

“Well, since it’s come to this, why don’t you come to the house like my husband said?”

“Yes, I suppose I should.”

Yoon Seo thought she really couldn’t care less.

“By the way, what brought you here?”

Yoon Seo asked while continuously rotating the cocktail glass in her hand.

Yoon Seo was wearing an elegant one-piece dress. The inconspicuous gray dress covered her calves, and while it could be seen as stuffy with its excessive neatness, the red belt around her waist caught the eye.

The red belt created a contrast with the plain dress, maximizing its effect. Moreover, the cocktail with a vivid red hue acted as a point, and it seemed Hae Yeon had even paid attention to the color of the cocktail in her hand.

“You really weren’t here just to talk about golf clubs with my husband, were you?”

“…”

As Yoon Seo slightly turned her wrist, the red liquid drew a circle before suddenly stopping and creating a ripple with a splash.

“Who knows? I guess Kir wanted a drink.”

It was Hae Yeon’s answer that came after a silence. Kir was the wine cocktail Yoon Seo was holding, and Hae Yeon’s hand, which shrugged, held no glass.

The cocktails here could be obtained from the waiters carrying trays, but they were constantly moving. Even if Hae Yeon had come to Yoon Seo’s table, it meant she couldn’t receive a cocktail called Kir.

And both Yoon Seo and Hae Yeon knew that well.

“…There seem to be a lot of people talking with cocktails today.”

Yoon Seo had a reason for thinking that. Hae Yeon’s words about wanting to drink Kir reminded her of the previous conversation with Do Hoon. In short, it wasn’t a pleasant thing for Yoon Seo to hear.

“Is that so? But since the waiter has left, I guess I won’t be able to drink it.”

Yoon Seo was puzzled. Hae Yeon certainly didn’t come because she truly wanted to taste the cocktail she was drinking, yet she maintained the concept until the end.

It was then, as the two faced each other, concealing their true intentions.

“Oh my, then how about a Manhattan?”

A captivating voice that seemed like it could bewitch a person just by hearing it.

“What do you think, Miss Min Hae Yeon? I brought an extra glass,”

Su Rin, wearing a black velvet halter neck long dress that contrasted starkly with Hae Yeon, looked even more stunning today. The front of the upper body revealed nothing except for the arms, but the hair gathered to one side openly displayed her back without filtering.

The style, which could be somewhat stuffy from the front, was split from right below the hips to the end of the dress, stimulating the gaze. Instead of adding any point, part of the fabric covering the neck and the exposed back were adorned with jewels to add glamor.

Undoubtedly the most eye-catching person in the banquet hall, Su Rin looked like a femme fatale itself, but Hae Yeon’s eyes were drawn more to Su Rin’s hands. In her smooth, porcelain-like hands, as she had said, were red Manhattans.

“Ah, thank you, Miss Lee Su Rin.”

Hae Yeon gently lifted the corners of her mouth, received the cocktail from Su Rin, and took a sip. When it touched her tongue, the pungent taste of whiskey hit, but soon after, as it flowed down her throat, smoothness and sweetness slid down smoothly.

The taste of this single cocktail clearly showed how much care Chairman Yoon Myung Gil had put into this founding anniversary party.

“The taste is quite good, right?”

The three of them were not in a position to leisurely engage in casual conversation. So, Hae Yeon chose to wait instead of answering Su Rin’s words right away, and as expected, a humorous voice followed.

“It takes high-quality ingredients and a skilled bartender to create this flavor.”

Hae Yeon’s eyes narrowed without her realizing it. There was no reason for Su Rin to praise her for the party’s high level of perfection. She couldn’t quite gauge what her intentions were.

“The Manhattan looks like the setting sun and the sun because of this color and the cherry inside.”

“Thank you. Hearing such a kind explanation will allow me to enjoy the cocktail more.”

“No, what I mean is that without either high-quality ingredients or a skilled bartender, this taste can’t be achieved.”

Su Rin, who had spoken gently, slowly drank her own cocktail. The action was extremely slow because she was drinking while making eye contact with Hae Yeon.

Only then did Hae Yeon understand the meaning behind Su Rin’s words and let out a hollow laugh. It meant that someone with Do Ha’s background and abilities needed a partner worthy of him.

A refreshing explanation that Hae Yeon, who had neither a good background nor a high social status, was not only an unfit match for Do Ha but also a burden. Hae Yeon’s smile deepened.

“That’s true. But you don’t know if the quality of the ingredients is high or if the bartender’s skills are good until it’s completed.”

Hae Yeon tilted the cocktail glass at an angle and spoke in a soft tone.

“When the ingredients arrive, they may be spoiled somewhere—”

Slowly and kindly informing her, lest her words not be conveyed to Su Rin, one letter at a time.

“—or it turns out the bartender’s skills were just for show, in cases like that.”

As Hae Yeon finished speaking and smiled fully, her crimson lips, unlike usual, caught the eye.

Yoon Seo, who once again watched the two’s battle of wits after the department store, shook her head inwardly, vowing not to even touch cocktails from now on.

“I’m a bit late, aren’t I?”

It was Do Hee who refreshed the subtle atmosphere. Do Hee, smiling brightly, was wearing a lively mini dress befitting her age, a style that further highlighted her already vibrant characteristics, making her look fresh.

“Little sister-in-law, wow!”

It seemed Do Hee only had eyes for Hae Yeon today as well. Giving a thumbs up and smiling brightly at Hae Yeon, the next person Do Hee looked at was Su Rin.

“Oh— Su Rin unnie. You look different?”

“And you look exceptional?”

Do Hee, who deliberately made a scissors shape with her hand on her chin, pretending to appreciate, grinned mischievously, and Su Rin immediately responded with a witty answer. Next, Yoon Seo lightly greeted Do Hee.

“You’re going to the United States next week, right? It’s nice to see you like this, young lady.”

“The young lady is going to the US?”

As Hae Yeon’s eyes widened slightly, Do Hee smiled apologetically.

“Ah, I was going to surprise Hae Yeon unnie today, but Yoon Seo unnie stole my thunder. But I’ll be back soon, so don’t be too sad.”

As Do Hee acted cute as if she would cry at any moment, the atmosphere suddenly became bright.

“Huh? Anyway. I see my friend over there. But who invited that family to such a high-class event?”

Do Hee, who displayed her sense of humor until the end, whispered in Hae Yeon’s ear, “Enjoy the party,” and went to her friend who was waving from afar, and the briefly refreshed atmosphere immediately changed.

“Beautiful women are gathered here.”

A tall man in a charcoal suit approached, and at his appearance, the expressions of the two contrasted. A welcoming smile bloomed on Hae Yeon’s face, while Su Rin slightly furrowed her brows and quietly whispered.

“…He’s here.”

The man’s voice was also familiar to both Hae Yeon and Su Rin, and he, who had chosen a uniquely shaped handkerchief and tie pin, was Yoon Ho. With his characteristic smile, he wedged himself between Su Rin and Hae Yeon.

For Su Rin, Yoon Ho was one of the few people who made her act emotionally. Perhaps that’s why Su Rin sharply threw words at Yoon Ho.

“Beautiful women are gathered here. Isn’t that line too cliché? Ah, is that why your side still feels chilly?”

“That’s cliché too. And I just love my work, that’s all.”

Yoon Ho answered with a smile and continued.

“Besides, I’ve never liked someone enough to go after a married person.”

Despite the meaningful words, Su Rin’s expression was calm.

“I see. If you ever experience true love, you’ll understand.”

Su Rin, who called Do Ha “oppa” but didn’t use such terms with her real brother Yoon Ho, spoke.

In fact, she really wasn’t ashamed to love Do Ha, a married man. His marriage was just a small obstacle to her.

“…Yeah. I thought you’d say that.”

“Then that’s good. You two seem to have something to discuss, so I’ll get out of your way.”

Su Rin was about to leave with Yoon Seo, who had been standing like a folding screen, but turned her head back toward Hae Yeon.

“Ah, Miss Min Hae Yeon?”

As she spoke, Su Rin turned her back, and the glamorous jewels shimmered on her smooth curves.

“I heard you’re working. How is it? Is the job fun?”

“Yes, I regret starting late with how much I’m enjoying it.”

At the firm answer without a hint of falsehood or hesitation, Su Rin narrowed her eyes and exuded charm.

“I’m glad to hear that. I hope you have even more fun in the future.”

Having cleanly finished her words, Su Rin turned her steps toward the crowd with Yoon Seo. With thorns hidden inside, just like her dazzling exterior.

“Where there is strong light, there are deep shadows.”

Hae Yeon, who had been staring at the spot where Su Rin left with a stiff expression, heard an abrupt remark in her ear.

“Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.”

Hae Yeon didn’t know what Yoon Ho meant by those words. But for now, she accepted it.

“Rather than lamenting only about the deep shadows…”

“From the depth of the shadows, you should conversely think about how strong the light is.”

It was easy to continue Yoon Ho’s words as it was a famous quote and she had read it a few times.

“Now I’ve untied the knot. Soon, what was tangled will unravel.”

Quoting Goethe’s words was a hint at doing business with her. Hae Yeon’s eyes flashed as she understood.

She wanted to ask him more, but seeing someone approaching, Hae Yeon bit the inside of her lips.

“Hae Yeon-ah.”

The person who called out softly was Do Ha. Perhaps satisfied with the conversation with Director Jo, his expression carried a bright air, though of course, it was a subtle degree that others couldn’t notice.

However, at least at this table, there were only individuals who could catch that fact.

“What are you doing here? Let’s go.”

While it was an extremely affectionate remark to Hae Yeon, somehow, it sounded like he was treating Yoon Ho as a “handle with care” item.

“Your mother’s speech will start soon, right?”

“Yeah. There are many people who will listen even if it’s not us.”

Do Ha, who gently curved his long, narrow eyes, took Hae Yeon’s arm and placed it on his firm arm.

“You’re not even going to say hello now?”

Yoon Ho’s words, revealing a sense of disappointment, didn’t match his twitching mouth at all. His smile was getting deeper in real-time, so it lacked credibility. Do Ha seemed to know that as he bluntly retorted.

“Don’t fuss over someone else’s wife and take care of your own sister. Don’t make her come to me for no reason.”

“Ha. Got it. Then I’ll go keep the family in check. I’ll get going, Miss Hae Yeon.”

Perhaps wanting to show that he was upset, Yoon Ho only bid farewell to Hae Yeon and moved to where Su Rin was. As he made way, Hae Yeon narrowed her eyes.

“Did you really have to say it like that?”

“Yeah. It’s a rare evening with you, so I want to go on a date.”

“…I can’t scold you when you say it like that.”

Hae Yeon, who was about to tell Do Ha to be nice to Yoon Ho, regrettably decided to postpone it for next time.

As Hae Yeon, with an unfading smile, was about to move as guided by Do Ha’s hand.

“Ah!”

Hae Yeon’s hand, linked with Do Ha’s arm, tightened at the sudden pain felt in her heel.

Seeing Hae Yeon in pain, Do Ha, with a heavily creased face, lowered his gaze below her ankle. Startled Hae Yeon tried to hide her foot, but Do Ha was faster. He immediately knelt down on one knee right there.

“Do Ha!”

With a reddened face out of bewilderment, Hae Yeon called out to Do Ha. Because this place was a banquet hall where she was wearing an evening dress and Do Ha was also in a suit.

Moreover, as the host’s family. Even a slightly noticeable action would draw attention, and in fact, it could be felt that several gazes were turning this way.

“Do Ha.”

“It’s all torn.”

“It’s okay.”

Hae Yeon called Do Ha again and tried to stop him, but Do Ha paid no heed.

“I’m fine too. I was going to leave anyway.”

“What?”

Before she could even finish speaking, Do Ha stood up, and Hae Yeon, whose body was lifted into the air in an instant, was so surprised that she couldn’t even scream. She floundered, unable to do this or that, at Do Ha’s heat felt where they touched.

The reason Hae Yeon was like this was because of Do Ha’s body. Knowing that he was still undergoing rehabilitation, she absolutely couldn’t comfortably indulge in this luxury.

However, she couldn’t explain this to him in detail, so she could only urgently try to stop him.

“Do Ha!”

In the end, she called out with the loudest voice she could muster, but Do Ha only furrowed his brows and walked with big strides, holding Hae Yeon up.

Hae Yeon, lifted in a “princess carry” position, felt her entire body burning hot enough to contrast with her cream-colored dress at the gazes coming even more than before. Even if her appearance was like that, her mind was solely occupied with thoughts of whether Do Ha would have a hard time or overexert himself.

“Do Ha, people are watching. Put me down, please?”

“Even if you plead like that, nothing will change, Hae Yeon-ah. Wouldn’t yelling like this draw more attention?”

‘It’s not wrong, but still, Do Ha!’

Hae Yeon couldn’t voice her inner thoughts.

Seeing Do Ha looking happier than anyone else, Hae Yeon had no choice but to resign herself, fearing that refusing further would arouse his suspicion, and she reluctantly put her arms around Do Ha’s firm neck. She wanted to relax her body somehow, but Do Ha paid no heed.

“I should thank your shoes.”

“…”

“Will you wear these shoes for me next year too?”

In the midst of this, as Hae Yeon’s cheeks turned red, Do Ha laughed lowly, creasing the bridge of his nose.

“Ah, but I don’t like you getting hurt.”

At Do Ha’s joke that only she could hear, Hae Yeon sighed. Not knowing how she felt, Do Ha really was like a puppy. Except, if earlier he was a puppy acting cute, now he was a large dog nagging its owner.