Office Romance Scandal - Chapter 35

Tae Hong opened his eyes without sleeping much. The fatigue from the unusually hectic business trip was compounded, but he couldn’t sleep. What kept him from sleeping was Hae Jin.

Hae Jin, the person who has been at the center of his daily life lately. He didn’t think she would handle the hastily decided business trip perfectly. He just waited a little, and she succeeded again.

On the day of the party, he was momentarily stunned by how perfectly she pulled off the black dress. He knew she was pretty, but she had to be exceptionally pretty. It was easy to find Hae Jin at that party. All he had to do was find the most radiant presence.

Throughout the trip, there wasn’t a moment when his heart wasn’t racing. At first, he wondered if something was wrong with his body and considered contacting his doctor. But the cause was close by.

Hae Jin, just her name was evidence of his pounding heart.

At first, he thought it would be easy. Although not to the extent of comparing her to Sion’s Yeon Chang, she would know this world to some degree. So he thought they would communicate better.

But what did she say, that it couldn’t be?

Why, he didn’t understand. He was none other than Moon Tae Hong. Wherever he went, he always tried to show off his children at least once.

Of course, he avoided such occasions, but why was Hae Jin saying no to the Moon Tae Hong that others wanted?

Because she’s ruined? Because Sion company is gone now? He felt uncontrollable anger at the words that belittled her by commodifying herself.

Why did she say that the Hae Jin I chose was eliminated from the bidding process? It made him angry just thinking about it again.

People say isn’t it nice that you can meet any woman you want if you set your mind to it, but that’s nonsense.

Right now, Hae Jin is the most difficult woman in the world. A woman who can’t be grasped even if you want her.

Who said it was easy, when as she said, she wasn’t even chosen for the once-in-a-lifetime important merger and acquisition.

But if asked whether I’ll back down because of that, my answer is no. One thing would be enough, for her to honestly confess that she likes me.

Did she say she would wake up from the dream? But Hae Jin, it won’t be like that. Because I’m going to make the dream a reality.

**

Hae Jin’s mind was complicated. Rather than being organized, it was more stirred up. Nothing was sorted out.

“Catching me is maintaining happiness.”

His words might be right. But is that really true?

Is it right to stand glamorously by his side like Cinderella? Can I stand by his side considering both family and environment, not just enduring while working with him?

And what about Jun Tae? Isn’t he looking for a bride with fire in his eyes? But would I even catch his eye?

Well. A confident answer didn’t come out readily. Was it just this level of emotion after all?

It’s not like it’s a love I can’t live without anyway, couldn’t I quickly extinguish such an inexperienced emotion that hasn’t been around for long?

No matter how much I racked my brain, it was just going in circles.

“Let’s tidy up.”

I couldn’t even organize the luggage I brought back from the business trip. With even the house in a mess, my head started to get more complicated.

I felt like wanting to clean up at least one thing. When I opened the carrier, I saw items heavily stained with the lingering feelings of the business trip.

Memories of things I did with Tae Hong came to mind, to the point where I wondered if I shouldn’t have tried to organize.

Would it be okay if I put it in the washing machine, would it disappear if I vacuumed it, would it be forgotten if I scrubbed it hard? But it was all in vain.

Oh right, I left my clutch bag in his car. I forgot to check the memo I jotted down briefly and put it back in the trunk.

I brought out the dress because it needed to be dry cleaned. Even after half a day had passed, why did I feel like I could smell his scent all the way to the entrance?

Inside the house, outside the house, everywhere, I could only think of Moon Tae Hong.

What organization, I couldn’t do anything because of him digging in from everywhere whenever there was a gap.

I was about to order at a nearby cafe, thinking I should have a cup of coffee. I gave up my spot to the person behind me and stepped aside as my phone rang.

It was the very person who kept appearing in my mind, occupying a place. What’s funny is, why am I glad? Hae Jin, were you waiting for his call?

With my head and body completely out of sync, I didn’t know how to handle the emotions I was receiving.

“Yes. Team Leader. This is Jung Hae Jin.”

I answered before the ringtone ended. I spoke in a businesslike tone, as if nothing had happened last night.

−This is Moon Tae Hong.

Although I already knew, he confirmed himself again. As if telling me to clearly remember who you’re talking to.

“Is something the matter?”

Although we returned from the business trip yesterday, there might have been urgent matters while he was away. I left open all possible situations I could anticipate.

−What were you doing?

My tense mind relaxed a little at his question. It didn’t seem to be about work. However, between the relaxed tension, he dug into my daily life.

“I came out to drink coffee.”

Due to the murmuring sounds around, I couldn’t bring myself to say I was at home.

−Outside, huh. Since you’re going to drink coffee anyway, why don’t we drink together?

“To, gether?”

−Why, is it difficult?

Of course, drinking coffee is easy. You just pick up the cup and bring it to your mouth. But drinking with Tae Hong wasn’t as easy as I thought.

It wasn’t a work day, it was the first coffee after knowing his perfect heart. I said it grandly, but in the end, it was just drinking with a man I liked.

“It’s not difficult.”

Words different from my heart popped out. And as if he had been waiting, the answer came back.

−That’s good.

He said he would send the address by text, so come there. The text arrived in less than a few seconds. I checked the address and blinked several times, reading it again.

It was his house with the dong and ho number properly typed. Hae Jin immediately called back.

“Team Leader, isn’t this your house?”

−That’s right.

Unlike myself who was somewhat excited, he was as calm as could be.

−You need to bring the clutch bag.

Who knew it would become such a hostage.

“Couldn’t you give it to me at the company?”

−Would it be okay to hand it over in front of the employees?

I slowly rolled my eyes left and right. That could, not for me, but it could be the seed of unnecessary misunderstanding.

−We have to go to work early on Monday. There should be a pile of documents on the desk now.

He explained why I need to come now without waiting for an answer.

−It will be crowded on the way to work on Monday, and to come to my house, you’ll need to take a bus or taxi.

Even without an answer, he continued with predictions about what would happen tomorrow along with.

−Take the car key in advance and come to me comfortably.

He attached a rational reason.

What more could I say? Listening to it, Tae Hong’s words made sense, and thinking it was for my sake, I found myself nodding again.

Even though it was just in front of his house, I had put on light makeup and clothes, so Hae Jin headed to his house by taxi.

**

I came with such confidence, but when I actually arrived, I hesitated. After all, it was the house of a man living alone.

It was an obstacle from the entrance door. I stood in front of the entrance door that needed to be pressed from the unit to open. While I was lingering, the door opened due to someone coming out from inside.

I entered in a daze. It meant that he didn’t know I had come yet.

I lingered in front of the elevator without being able to press the up arrow. When the elevator door opened after coming down to the first floor, my feet walked in on their own, making my lingering seem meaningless.

This was clearly a habitual step. Finally, I arrived in front of his house.

“Oh, whatever.”

Since it’s come to this, I’m not going back, so I pressed the doorbell. Unlike my ambitious press, there was no response from inside.

“Is this not the place?”

I checked the text message again. 1101 was correct. Once, twice, I pressed the doorbell again.

Did he go out for a moment in the meantime? When I was thinking about calling again to make sure he was home, the front door opened while I was defenseless with my attention on my phone.

And there stood Tae Hong wearing a shower robe.

“Team, Team Leader?”

I’ve seen various outfits while staying with him. From workout clothes to perfect suits. But a shower robe was a first.

Aren’t we not yet at a stage to see each other in this kind of outfit?

“You’re here? Come in.”

Unlike me who was at a loss where to put my eyes, Tae Hong was telling me to come in so naturally.

It was so familiar, natural, and even suited him. Is it common for someone to look good opening the front door in a shower robe?

“Is it okay for me to come in?”

“I couldn’t hear the bell because I was showering. I’ll change clothes and come out, so come in.”

Tae Hong went into the room. When he was out of sight, Hae Jin carefully moved her feet to the entrance.

Really, is it okay to go in?

After carefully looking around the house, which was different from the officetel from the square footage, I put both feet into his space. Click, the door closed behind Hae Jin. Beep, even the lock was securely locked.

His house was, in a word, very spacious. Looking around, I lingered near the end of the living room close to the entrance.

It felt uncomfortable to sit on the sofa, but awkward to stand.

Tae Hong came out after changing clothes, his hair still damp and not completely dried. Hae Jin was reminded again. When I visited his guest room for early morning exercise, his hair was wet just like now.

What did I do then?

“Don’t stand, sit down.”

Tae Hong ruffled his wet hair a few times and headed to the kitchen.

“Lunch?”

He activated the coffee machine. The whirring sound became the only noise in the house.

“I haven’t eaten yet.”

“You were going to drink coffee without eating?”

He turned off the machine he had activated. Didn’t you often drink coffee on an empty stomach?

As if he had given up on making coffee, he asked Hae Jin.

“What do you want to eat for lunch?”

Hae Jin didn’t particularly plan to eat. Weekends were usually resolved with simple meals.

“Drink this.”

Tae Hong handed over a transparent glass filled with water. Although I hadn’t asked for water, I received it in a daze.

“You looked thirsty.”

While Hae Jin was briefly contemplating whether to drink the water or not, he gestured for her to gulp it down.

Hae Jin had no choice but to drink the entire glass she was given at once. And watching Tae Hong’s back as he took away the empty glass, she finally opened her mouth.

“Team Leader, please give me the clutch bag and key. I was just going to receive that and leave.”

Tae Hong shrugged towards Hae Jin and went back into the room he had come out of earlier.

It was only after several minutes that Tae Hong came out. The clothes he had hastily put on earlier were gone, and he was in a state of being perfectly prepared to go out.

“Let’s go out to eat.”

His hands were empty.