“Do you have no one else to meet but me?”

Jun Won, who had arrived at some point, sat down in front and asked. Da Eun made a bitter expression.

Hee Ju had followed her parents to farm, and things had soured with Ju Ri, so Jun Won was the only person she could meet.

“Yeah. It’s nice for outcasts to eat together.”

“I’m not an outcast, I just enjoy eating alone. You’re the one interfering.”

“Ah, the ramen looks delicious.”

Da Eun skillfully changed the subject. Just then, the beer and ramen arrived.

The two clinked glasses as if on cue and gulped down their drinks.

They didn’t drink on weekdays for fear of smelling like alcohol to their sensitive boss, but now that they had mentally checked out of work, there was no hesitation.

“You look better than I expected?”

“Are you disappointed I look better than expected?”

“I’m glad, why would I be disappointed? I told you so many times not to meet that jerk but you wouldn’t listen.”

“When did you ever say that, senior!”

The two bickered as usual. But when it really mattered, they were each other’s few allies in the world, fighting for each other as if it were their own battle.

“Oh my, ask Hee Ju. Whether I said that guy had a bad face or not.”

“Ah, whatever. Let’s say you did.”

“Looks like Yang Ju Ri went on a trip with her boyfriend.”

“What? Don’t tell me to Jeju Island…?”

“How did you know?”

Da Eun’s hands trembled. Jeju Island was where she and Young Hoon had planned to go for their honeymoon. The two of them went to the place she was supposed to go with him. It felt like her emotions from the wedding day were being revived.

Ridiculously, Da Eun had checked her phone every day since then. The two hadn’t even apologized, let alone contacted her. They had completely disappeared.

Da Eun lowered her shaking hands under the table to hide them. Denying reality, turning a blind eye, then crumbling again, every moment was painful.

She felt furious at the fact that while she was struggling, they were enjoying their trip without any guilt. It made her even angrier that it was done by the people closest to her, not strangers.

“…It’s where we were supposed to go for our honeymoon.”

“Don’t tell me it’s Yang Ju Ri? The woman pregnant with Go Young Hoon’s child?”

“Yeah. You really didn’t know?”

Jun Won covered his gaping mouth with his hand. Da Eun raised her hand to order more beer.

Jun Won was in a different department but was close friends with Chang Beom, Da Eun’s first boyfriend. Being sociable and considerate, he often hung out with Da Eun, Hee Ju, and Ju Ri. He had also become close to Young Hoon through Da Eun’s introduction.

“I didn’t know that much. Just let them come back, I won’t let them off easy. How could they do this to you of all people? These crazy bastards…”

Jun Won was outraged on behalf of Da Eun, who was trying to appear calm. Thanks to him, her upset heart seemed to feel a little better.

Da Eun took a deep breath. She had cried, raged, and resented for days, but nothing changed. Her resentment and hatred circled around and ultimately targeted herself.

Did I do something wrong? Am I the strange one? Why did Ju Ri hate me so much? Did I make some mistake without realizing?

She tormented herself with such meaningless imaginings. Only now did she realize how futile it was.

There were too many things to resolve to waste time crying and getting angry.

Moreover, Da Eun’s biggest concern these days was her relationship with Yu Kwon. She could neither go back nor move forward.

When she met Yu Kwon again as her boss, honestly, Da Eun wanted to run away. She seriously considered quitting and changing jobs.

But on the other hand, she wanted his approval. That’s why she worked through the night and whipped herself for even small mistakes, not allowing any.

Those days now seemed meaningless. She had ruined it all with that night’s mistake.

As her mind became complicated with thoughts that had no answer, Da Eun emptied her glass. And just as she was about to order again, her phone rang.

Checking the screen, it was Yu Kwon. Having just been thinking about him, a surprised Da Eun stared at her phone, frozen.

Thinking it might be about work, she forced herself to answer.

“Ah, yes. This is Song Da Eun.”

—Where are you.

Checking the time, there was still a bit left in the normal work hours, so she couldn’t avoid his question.

“I have some personal business.”

Da Eun expressed it roundabout. Please just hang up if it’s not urgent.

“Song Da Eun, you’re going to have more beer, right?”

At Jun Won’s tactless outburst, Da Eun belatedly pulled back and covered her phone with her hand.

—…You’re with a man?

“He’s a colleague who joined the company at the same time.”

—I’ll send you an address. Come within 10 minutes.

The call ended before Da Eun could answer. She gaped like a fish, then unable to contain her anger, let out an “Ack!” scream.

“Are you crazy, Cha Yu Kwon?”

Hoo, Da Eun exhaled a long breath, neatly tied up her hair with the pin in her pocket, and stood up.

Yu Kwon rarely contacted her after work hours. For him to do so meant there was an urgent matter. Either something happened at Hyangnimjae, or she had made a mistake. Neither option was welcome.

“You’re going now?”

“I’ve paid for the ramen and beer, so senior, you eat and go. Let’s talk in detail next time!”

Da Eun memorized the address Yu Kwon sent and quickly calculated the time. If she ran from here, she could arrive within 10 minutes.

The place Yu Kwon called her to was a fusion Korean fine dining restaurant. Da Eun arrived in exactly 9 minutes, properly fixed her disheveled hair, and entered the room where Yu Kwon was.

“…Haa, don’t you think this is too much?”

Da Eun exhaled roughly and voiced her complaint. As always, Yu Kwon showed no expression.

“Sit there.”

Da Eun sat across from him, eyeing Yu Kwon suspiciously while waiting for him to state his business. Soon, small and beautiful dishes that seemed almost too pretty to eat started coming out.

“Wow…”

Da Eun, who had been full of complaints just moments ago, exclaimed in admiration, her eyes shining.

“What are you doing, not eating?”

“Can I really eat? Is this for me?”

Yu Kwon nodded lightly. Da Eun looked at Yu Kwon with suspicious eyes. It was rare for her to have meals with Yu Kwon normally.

There must be some ulterior motive, but since he probably wouldn’t tell her before she ate anyway, she picked up her spoon and started eating.

“Well then, I’ll enjoy the meal.”

She savored the bite-sized amuse-bouche one by one. Not too salty, the natural taste of the ingredients could be felt while blending well. It was deliciously moving.

Actually, this was a place she had wanted to come with Young Hoon and had made a reservation. But he had complained about going to such an expensive restaurant to eat, saying it all ends up the same once digested in the stomach, so she had immediately canceled the reservation.

“But why aren’t you eating, Director?”

Da Eun asked as Yu Kwon didn’t even glance at the food in front of him.

“It all tastes the same to me anyway.”

Da Eun was surprised by his nonchalant words, but soon nodded in understanding. Such food wouldn’t be special to Yu Kwon who often enjoyed luxurious meals.

“Then I’ll enjoy it for both of us.”

Da Eun could eat deliciously regardless of who was in front of her.

She had lost her appetite for a while after the broken engagement, but now she knew it was foolish not to eat because of a man like Young Hoon.

“Yes, eat your fill and take responsibility too.”

Realizing what that word ‘responsibility’ implied, Da Eun coughed and choked. Yu Kwon, on the other hand, remained composed.

Yu Kwon calmly handed her water. Da Eun looked at it suspiciously, as if there might be poison in it. He sighed as if he had no choice.

“It’s a joke, so keep eating.”

“I just nearly choked for the first time in my life.”

Da Eun shook her head and started eating again. Yu Kwon rested his chin on his hand and gazed at her intently.

He wondered how she could eat so much food with such a small frame. Moreover, she ate heartily. Though he couldn’t taste the food, watching Da Eun now somehow made him feel like he was developing an appetite.

“Song Da Eun.”

“Yes, what is it?”

She was curious why he called her by name instead of Secretary Song, but Da Eun didn’t bother to ask.

“Let’s get married, you and I.”

Da Eun’s busy hands stopped at Yu Kwon’s words.

“Let’s do what?”

“Get married.”

“You and me, Director?”

It was a combination of words that didn’t fit at all.

Me and Cha Yu Kwon, what, get married?

It was as incomprehensible as when she heard Yang Ju Ri was pregnant with Go Young Hoon’s child.

“I think we’re not a bad match.”

Da Eun narrowed her eyes and looked at Yu Kwon. She was dying to know what was going on in his head.

“Did something happen at Hyangnimjae today?”

Yu Kwon raised one eyebrow slightly. That meant yes. Though it wasn’t a deliberate action, Da Eun, who had seen him countless times, could read his thoughts just from his expression.

He must have been pressured about marriage by his grandfather. Until last year, Da Eun had been in charge of his matchmaking schedules, so it wasn’t hard to guess.

But it was strange. It wasn’t the first time Yu Kwon had been pressured about marriage by his grandfather. Perhaps his grandfather had made him an offer he couldn’t refuse? If so, it made sense.

Feeling like she might really choke for the first time in her life, Da Eun wiped her mouth with a napkin.

He wasn’t someone who would buy delicious food for no reason. She had let her guard down, enticed by the food in front of her.

“Why, you don’t like it?”

“Of course not. I just broke off an engagement the other day. I’m sick of marriage. Above all…”

Da Eun stopped mid-sentence and stared intently at Yu Kwon.

It was a look that implied she didn’t want to do it with him.

Noticing this, Yu Kwon furrowed his brow.

“We got along quite well, didn’t we?”

With that one sentence, cracks appeared on Da Eun’s face, which had been maintaining composure.

Don’t be shaken, Song Da Eun. Get a grip, you’re dealing with Cha Yu Kwon.

Da Eun took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling, then slowly exhaled.

“I must have done quite well that night.”