When Youngin turned around, she saw a serious expression on his face.

“It’s usually like this during rush hours.”

His expression hardened even more.

“Don’t take the subway again.”

“I might take it once or twice a month.”

Since getting a job that required mobility, Youngin didn’t use public transportation as much as before. On days when she left her car at work for a drinking appointment, she occasionally used the subway or bus when she thought she might be late.

“Don’t take it even once or twice. Take a taxi.”

“I take a taxi when I have time. I occasionally take the subway when I think I might be late.”

“Just be late.”

Youngin realized there was no way to persuade him with a strong refusal in this situation. In times like these, she knew that firmly accepting was the best option.
“Even if it seems chaotic, there’s a rule to it. Don’t act all pretentious.”

“……. ”

Hearing the advice not to act pretentious for the first time in his life, Seonghyuk was left speechless. A few minutes later, subway veterans and newcomers boarded the arriving train. Despite being a novice, Seonghyuk, with his innate instincts, quickly discerned where the safe space was.

“Stand here.”

He led Youngin between the door and the elderly/disabled seats, using his arms and body to create a barrier. Due to the crowd pushing in, the two were tightly pressed together, almost like a hug.

As Seonghyuk’s scent reached her nose, Youngin felt a bit awkward and instinctively lowered her chin. However, being so close, her forehead touched his chest.

In the moment of Youngin raising her embarrassed head, she felt a gentle touch wrapping around the back of her head. It felt as if the touch was saying, “Just stay like this.”

Seonghyuk knew that it was much more comfortable than standing straight with your head held high. Perhaps the saying “the first time is difficult, the second time is easy” applies in situations like this. In for a penny, in for a pound, she thought, rationalizing her actions.

Seonghyuk tried his best not to pressure Youngin too much. Yielding to his touch, Youngin found the subway ride surprisingly comfortable, forgetting for a moment that they were in a crowded subway car.

Youngin became aware of the awkward reality when the destination was imminent and the subway’s announcement came.

The place where the two were standing was next to the left door, but the door they needed to exit from was on the right.

Youngin wet her throat, raised her head, and looked at Seonghyuk.

“Not this way.”

“What do you mean?”

Without hearing the first two syllables, he lowered his head and brought his ear close to Youngin’s lips.

“We need to go down through that door.”

For a moment, Seonghyuk’s body stiffened. The warm breath brushing against his ear was too stimulating to bear.

Am I going crazy since this morning?

Regaining composure through a deep breath, he nonchalantly raised his head, as if nothing had happened. Then, he gently grabbed Youngin’s hand.

“Stick close behind me and follow.”

The joined hands were firmly fixed on Seonghyuk’s lower back.

Following him with quick steps, Youngin, hand in hand, could smoothly exit the subway without bumping into anyone.

As they got off almost at the last stop, the platform was relatively quiet as the crowd flowed out like ebbing tide.

Seonghyuk led Youngin to a corner.

“Go ahead. I’ll follow slowly.”

“Yes.”

Youngin was grateful to him for doing what she should have said with her mouth. However, the one who uttered the words of thanks was Seonghyuk.

“Thanks. I made it to work safely because of you.”

He took out a credit card from his pocket and offered it.

“It’s not over yet. You have to tap it again when you leave.”

“Oh, really?”

“Give it to me later.”

“What if I lose it while carrying it around?”

“Report it, then.”

Seonghyuk turned away, looking at Youngin, and smirked.
Sehyuk, who had leisurely toured the subway station as if taking a stroll from the subway station to the office, walked slowly as if he were a person without a car, ascending to the 8th floor through the parking lot.

Youngin, thinking that Sehyuk might have entered through the main entrance on the 1st floor, took a different route.

Upon entering the CEO’s office, the secretary’s desk was empty.

Thinking that the person might be in the restroom or attending to other business, Sehyuk hesitated when he opened the door to the office.

It was because there was a woman sitting cross-legged on the sofa.

With her elegant brown wavy hair and a gorgeous floral chiffon long dress, he immediately recognized who she was.

Last year, she debuted in a drama that became a massive hit after five years, skyrocketing to the top of SL Entertainment’s sales as the leading actress.

She was Baek Heeran, renowned for her straightforward and confident image, quickly becoming a favorite among women in their 20s and 30s.