The sound of knocking reached Sung Hyuk’s ears as he sat at his desk reviewing approval documents.

A faint smile spread across his face. He knew the person knocking wasn’t his secretary.

It was the first time he heard Chae Young In’s knock. It was calmer and neater than his secretary’s knock, which he heard several times a day. They say everyone is different, but it was fascinating how personality came through even in a knock.

The office door opened and Young In entered.

He thought again how glad he was that he came to SL Entertainment. He could see her like this whenever he wanted.

“You called for me.”

The reason Young In knocked and entered directly was because Sung Hyuk had just instructed his secretary to let Team Leader Yoon Ji Sang and Team Leader Chae Young In in without announcing them.

It also meant he would call for them more often, and that they were special compared to others.

He motioned to the sofa with his eyes, got up from his chair and moved to sit on the sofa. He waited for Young In to take a seat before bringing up the nominal business.

“I was curious how the actor replacement was going. Did Seo Jin Gyo agree to do it?”

“No. I strongly dissuaded him.”

“Why strongly dissuade instead of just lightly?”

Sung Hyuk grumbled with dissatisfaction. In fact, it was the result he had expected.

“There are several actors who fit both the image and schedule, and are actively interested. We’ve conveyed our opinion to the director and writer. We’re waiting for a response. I’ll report back as soon as it’s confirmed.”

“Good work.”

“It’s just my job.”

“How about the script review?”

“I’ve checked all the scripts that have been proposed. I’ll submit a planning report next week.”

“Do that.”

Young In couldn’t help but furrow her brow slightly.

“Sir, we’re in the middle of a work report.”

“I know.”

Sung Hyuk shrugged nonchalantly and continued.

“I’m trying to stop acting like a CEO in front of you.”

“It’s not an act, you are the CEO.”

“I want to be a man to you, not a CEO.”

“Even if you don’t want to be, you are the CEO.”

The coldness in Young In’s voice was the aftermath of last night’s events.

Yesterday she had only felt troubled, but today she felt more annoyed. It irritated her that he was being flirtatious as if nothing had happened after going on a blind date with her elder sister. Regardless of his intentions, she was also jealous.

“Then treat me as the CEO when talking about work-related matters. I’ll do as I please. Let’s each do what’s comfortable.”

“…”

“Don’t worry, I won’t make mistakes when others are around.”

“…”

Young In couldn’t open her mouth, thinking she was in no position to criticize when she herself was full of personal emotions. Sung Hyuk didn’t miss this opening.

“Let’s have dinner together today.”

“I have a meeting with actor Seo Jin Gyo and an advertiser this evening.”

Even if she didn’t have a meeting, she wouldn’t have accepted his offer, but it was easier to refuse with an official excuse.

“With who?”

“The outdoor brand BK.”

“Great. I’ll go along too.”

Young In’s eyes widened.

He wasn’t the type to mingle easily with strangers, and rather made others feel awkward. Where did he think he was going?

“No, you don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

“I don’t think that would be good.”

“Why are you strongly dissuading me?”

“Director Go Mi Hyun, who’s coming to the meeting, is a fan of actor Seo Jin Gyo. If you go, you’ll just be a third wheel.”

“I’m not the type to be a third wheel anywhere.”

“That’s why you shouldn’t go.”

That’s why she was dissuading him.

She didn’t want to see Cha Sung Hyuk, who was used to being the center of attention anywhere anytime, become a third wheel.

Rumors were even going around that Go Mi Hyun, the chairman’s daughter, had a big influence in Seo Jin Gyo becoming BK’s model, so there was a high chance Cha Sung Hyuk would end up like a piece of decoration.

“Are you worried about me now?”

“No.”

“Then what is it?”

“A warning.”

“Worry or warning. If there was no affection, you wouldn’t care whether I became a third wheel or not.”

Young In widened her eyes and raised her voice.

“Why does it lead to that conclusion?”

“You know what? When you get upset, it means it’s true.”

“…”

Young In, caught off guard, momentarily lost her words.

“If it’s not true, you ignore it with a ‘where did that dog bark from’ expression or just laugh it off. You don’t get upset.”

“…”

The lips of the one who had been fatally confirmed remained closed. On the other hand, the face of the victor was full of composure.

“Just tell BK that one more person will be coming. If you say the CEO is coming, they might think there’s something important to discuss. I’m just going to eat.”

“…Alright.”

Anyone listening would think he had nothing to do, no one to eat with, and was obsessed with food.

Young In was so busy grumbling internally that she didn’t notice the conversation had ended.

“Should I ask for a cup of tea if you’re going to stay longer?”

Only then did Young In come to her senses and stand up abruptly.

“I’ll go down now.”

Young In’s eyes were much more flustered leaving the office than when she entered.

No matter how much she tried not to get involved, the result was always the same, driving her crazy.

Young In, who received a call from the CEO’s secretary to come down to basement level 1, got in the elevator with Jin Gyo who was at the company.

“Why on earth does he want to come along?”

Jin Gyo was very displeased with Sung Hyuk’s accompaniment.

“To personally thank them for using an SL Entertainment artist as an advertising model, something like that…”

“Isn’t it embarrassing even as you say it?”

“Yes…”

Young In nodded, avoiding his gaze.

The nonsense she spouted in front of someone who had already figured out what kind of person Cha Sung Hyuk was, was more embarrassing than ever.

“If it had been a meeting with someone other than me, he wouldn’t have said he’d come along, right?”

“…”

Young In’s silence was an affirmation.

“I don’t feel too bad about it.”

“About what?”

“That I’m on his mind. It means he felt a sense of crisis that you might be taken away from him.”

“…”

Young In just opened and closed her mouth a few times before shutting it completely.

The two people who got off the elevator at basement level 1 walked side by side to the parking area. But instead of the van they expected to be there, a luxury SUV was parked.

Young In hesitated for a moment, recognizing whose car it was at a glance. Jin Gyo only realized it was Sung Hyuk’s car when he saw the person getting out of the driver’s seat.

Sung Hyuk, who came to stand in front of the two bewildered people, opened his mouth looking at Jin Gyo.

“Let’s go in my car.”

Before Jin Gyo could say anything, Young In intervened.

“I asked our team’s field manager to take us to the appointment place.”

Sung Hyuk gently pressed Young In’s hand as she was raising her phone, putting it back down.

“I sent him away since he was on standby. I said we’d go in my car.”

“Then I’ll drive.”

“Not now.”

“…”

While Young In was pondering when he meant if not now, Jin Gyo spoke up.

“Since the CEO is offering to drive himself, let’s gratefully accept the ride.”

With even Jin Gyo going along with it, Young In couldn’t resist any longer.

“Alright…”

Jin Gyo opened the back door after confirming Sung Hyuk’s slight nod indicating him to get in. Then he looked back at Young In.

‘Is it okay to sit in the back?’

As Young In looked back and forth between the back seat and the passenger seat, Sung Hyuk furrowed his brow.

“What are you hesitating for? You should sit next to me. Am I a chauffeur?”

He hadn’t suggested taking his car to have Seo Jin Gyo and Chae Young In sit side by side in the back.

“You said there was no need to hide anymore, and you’re really not hiding.”

Jin Gyo’s tone was clearly sarcastic.

“Wouldn’t it be disgusting to pretend to be boss and subordinate in front of someone who knows everything about Young In and me?”

“I’d rather you be disgusting than have to watch you unilaterally coming on to her.”

“I have no desire to cater to your taste, Seo Jin Gyo.”

Unable to watch the two men exchanging sharp words with smiling faces any longer, Young In stepped in.

“We’ll be late. Let’s get going.”

Young In gently pushed Sung Hyuk, who was standing next to the passenger seat, and got in.

Sung Hyuk walked to the driver’s seat with a satisfied smile, while Jin Gyo got in the back seat with a hardened expression. It was clearly the seat of honor, but it didn’t feel like it.

In the elevator going up to the Chinese restaurant, Young In briefed Sung Hyuk on some points to note.

“Director Go Mi Hyun is the chairman’s daughter. She was promoted from head of sales strategy last month. She’s known to be very good to people she likes, but ruthless to others, so please keep that in mind.”

“Ah, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Although she euphemistically said ‘ruthless’, there were widespread rumors that her personality was peculiar and rude. She was worried about a clash with the strong-willed Sung Hyuk.

Jin Gyo wasn’t worried at all. Not just because Director Go was his ardent fan. Unlike Sung Hyuk, he knew how to yield appropriately and match the atmosphere.

The three entered the room guided by an employee.

The woman sitting between two men stood up.

Director Go Mi Hyun smiled brightly, looking only at Jin Gyo without even glancing at Sung Hyuk and Young In.

That’s when Sung Hyuk used the information Young In had given him.

“Director Go Mi Hyun, congratulations on your promotion.”

Mi Hyun’s gaze turned to Sung Hyuk. And a moment later, her eyes widened.

“Elder brother Sung Hyuk?”

As Sung Hyuk nodded with a slight smile, Mi Hyun ran out from behind the table towards him. Her face bore an even brighter smile than when she looked at Jin Gyo.

“I heard you went into entertainment, but what a surprise. I missed you, elder brother.”

In the end, it was Jin Gyo who became the third wheel.