“Even though I’m happy to see Seo Hoo and it makes me smile, my heart doesn’t ache or anything. It’s just… a feeling of encountering an old acquaintance after a long time.”

“…”

“Rather, after seeing Seo Hoo, I feel like my mind has been sorted out. As I said before, even if it’s not me, those people will raise Seo Hoo well.”

“… Yes, you thought well.”

“I can really just trust you and go, right?”

“Of course. Naturally.”

Kang Jin relaxed his stiff lips and gave a perfect smile.

“Thank you, honey. Let’s get along well from now on. Just like we have been so far.”

After finishing her words, Se Yoon reached out and stroked the back of Kang Jin’s hand. Kang Jin slightly frowned at the ticklish, unpleasant sensation.

***

“Han Ji Soo, what happened yesterday?”

It was Jae Ho’s first words when they met in the hotel lobby early in the morning.

Last night, Jae Ho was scraping and eating every last bit of pasta according to Joo Hyuk’s instructions. Because if Joo Hyuk said that even as a joke, it meant that it must be followed. Then, he made direct eye contact with Joo Hyuk, who had entered the room completely soaked. It didn’t look very good to be holding the pasta bowl over his face and licking it. Jae Ho smiled sheepishly with cream smeared around his lips.

Fortunately, Joo Hyuk silently gestured for him to keep eating. Judging from Joo Hyuk’s appearance, it seemed like he had met Ji Soo safely and brought her back. But he couldn’t dare to ask.

Jae Ho’s mouth opened to its maximum after hearing Ji Soo’s explanation.

“Wasn’t this near a wealthy neighborhood?”

“It is a wealthy neighborhood, but it’s a crime-ridden area just one block over.”

I didn’t want to know either.

“So why did you go out to that dangerous place? Anyway, Han Ji Soo, you’re bolder than you look!”

“I’ll have to be more careful next time.”

Ji Soo just laughed it off breezily, even though Jae Ho was now trying to make excuses.

Still, how fortunate. Although her bag and cell phone were stolen, she returned safely without a single injury. She even got a worried scolding from Joo Hyuk for a brief moment.

Suddenly, a strange sensation bloomed on the arm that had brushed against his every time they walked under the umbrella.

While stroking her arm with a slightly stiff face, she saw Joo Hyuk walking from afar, perfectly dressed. Holding back her increasingly relaxed heart, Ji Soo walked towards Joo Hyuk.

“Good morning, Managing Director!”

She smiled brightly with her thoughts gathered.

Then, Joo Hyuk, whose eyes met hers, deliberately turned his gaze away. There was no way Joo Hyuk would take last night’s incident well. He would think it was a dangerous and arbitrary act committed by a contract employee just to gain some points.

She was probably the only one who liked it.

Ji Soo let out a long sigh that Joo Hyuk wouldn’t notice. Her gaze lingered on the head of Joo Hyuk’s tie.

“Managing Director, may I… retie your tie for a moment?”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s not that. You already look so stylish now, but I was wondering how it would be if we tried a different tie style. If you don’t like it, I’ll change it back to its original state.”

Joo Hyuk frowned for a moment as if thinking, then soon nodded.

“Try changing it, then.”

“Yes!”

The two people stood facing each other, backed by a large pillar. It was a very close distance that only allowed a small gap. Ji Soo reached out and skillfully untied the tie. After undoing the knot, she adjusted the length this way and that, then hung the tie back on the collar.

“Although it’s a formal occasion now, you’re young and trendy, Managing Director. I thought it might be good to try tying it in a semi-Windsor style. I think it will go well with the blue tie and suit, too.”

Joo Hyuk stared at Ji Soo, who was focused on the tie with her lips pressed together. His gaze kept stopping on her small, bright red lips. Today, she wasn’t a water-soaked rabbit. She was a fluffy, white rabbit radiating a bright energy.

That crazy bastard.

He thought that something would change after sleeping on it. Yesterday, he was extremely tired and in poor condition, so he might not have been rational. But how come even in the early morning when his mind is the clearest, he’s having such vulgar imaginations while looking at a subordinate?

Moreover, Han Ji Soo was a woman who even had a boyfriend. Joo Hyuk felt endlessly ashamed of himself.

Had there ever been a time when he felt so pathetic about himself since he was born? Joo Hyuk let out a short breath with a sigh.

“You don’t like it?”

“…”

“If you don’t like it, I’ll undo it again.”

“How would I know without looking down?”

“Ah! That’s right.”

Ji Soo’s expression, which had been stiff for a moment, brightened.

Suddenly, a petty thought came to mind. Why Ji Soo’s hands were so skillful at tying ties. Unreasonable jealousy rose up.

“It seems like you’ve tied a lot of ties, Han Ji Soo.”

“Yes! Managing Director. I’ve tied ties a lot, a lot. So I’m more confident than anyone when it comes to tying ties.”

“…”

I guess she ties her boyfriend’s tie every day? Imagining that suddenly made him furious. Whose anger is this directed at? Joo Hyuk was confused by his own incomprehensible emotions.

“It must be nice to be good at tying ties.”

He only spat out twisted words.

“Thank you for the compliment. It’s finished.”

Yet there was no impact on the innocent rabbit. Why was he alone complaining to a subordinate? Now it was a situation where he could only laugh in vain.

Buzz.

At that moment, Joo Hyuk’s cell phone vibrated. Joo Hyuk checked the screen and pressed the answer button.

“Yes, Madam. What’s the matter?”

– I didn’t want to contact you unless it was serious, Managing Director. But you know what, this morning when I took Seo Hoo to the daycare, he saw his mother and he’s crying and making a fuss.

Joo Hyuk’s expression hardened in an instant.

“Now… what did you say… Seo Hoo’s mother appeared…?”

– Seo Hoo saw his mother on the way to the daycare and he’s crying and refusing to go, so I have him at home now.

“Did you see her too, Madam?”

– No, I didn’t see her.

“For now, please comfort Seo Hoo well. If you feel like he can’t be controlled, contact me again.”

– Yes, Managing Director. I’ll do my best for now.

“Please do.”

Ji Soo, who had been listening to Joo Hyuk’s words right next to him, roughly grasped the unfolding situation.

Seo Hoo’s mother appeared. If the mother appeared, why did she disappear like that?

Various questions popped up.

Joo Hyuk checked his wristwatch and said to Ji Soo,

“For now, we need to get moving.”

***

Joo Hyuk’s mind was filled with Seo Hoo and Se Yoon. He wanted to fly to Korea right away and see with his own eyes and ears what was happening. But the fact that he couldn’t do that was driving him crazy with frustration.

Buzz.

Inside the sedan heading to the inauguration ceremony venue, Joo Hyuk’s cell phone vibrated again. It was another call from Sun Young.

“Yes, Madam.”

– Oh my, I’m so sorry, what should I do? I didn’t want to call you unless it was serious, but Seo Hoo won’t stop crying. I’m afraid he’ll get sick at this rate.

“Madam, but I’m very busy right now.”

Joo Hyuk lightly scratched his forehead with his middle finger. He hadn’t expected the call to come again so soon. Because even if she called him, there was actually nothing he could do.

The only person who could resolve Seo Hoo’s issue was Sun Young, who was currently with Seo Hoo.

“Excuse me, Managing Director… Is it okay if I try talking to Seo Hoo?”

Ji Soo carefully spoke up, having been like a still life without revealing her presence the whole time.

“Talk to Seo Hoo?”

“Yes, I’d prefer a video call if possible.”

What would she do by video calling Seo Hoo? He was curious, but right now, he just wanted someone to do something. Joo Hyuk made a video call to Sun Young’s cell phone.

After a while, Seo Hoo’s face with red eyes filled the screen. After checking Seo Hoo’s face, Joo Hyuk handed the cell phone to Ji Soo.

“Seo Hoo, hello!”

– …

Seeing Ji Soo’s face on the screen, Seo Hoo didn’t particularly look happy. He just puckered his lips and frowned, staring at Ji Soo.

“Seo Hoo, guess where I am?”

– …

“I’m in New Delhi, India. You know donkeys, Seo Hoo? I’m going to ride a donkey later and I’ll send you a picture!”

At the words that she would ride a donkey, Seo Hoo’s lips moved.

– How can you ride a donkey!

“In India, people sometimes ride donkeys. Haven’t you seen it, Seo Hoo?”

– …

“You like donkeys, don’t you, Seo Hoo? I’ll definitely take a picture and show you, so until then, just have fun playing with Madam. Okay?”

– You’ll be in trouble if you don’t send it!

“Okay, I’ll really be in trouble.”

Ji Soo smiled, revealing her even teeth. Perhaps Seo Hoo’s emotions had subsided a lot during the short call, as he was no longer sobbing by the end of the call.

Joo Hyuk quietly watched the side of Ji Soo’s face as she talked and laughed with Seo Hoo. His heart tingled. Once again, he was engulfed in an unpleasant and unfamiliar emotion.

It seemed like it wouldn’t work. If he kept Han Ji Soo close any longer. Because it made him dizzy. He’d have to distance her or get her out of his sight. If he let go of her like this… he would be helpless…

There was no other way. Joo Hyuk kept nodding as if rationalizing what he would do from now on.