Eun Seo and Jung Woo opened the door leading to the rooftop, carrying cans of beer.

Since it was already past work hours, there were only a handful of people on the rooftop, and even the group smoking cigarettes glanced at the two as they entered and quickly disappeared.

The two made their way through the quaintly decorated flowerbeds and settled on a wooden bench just below the rooftop observatory.

This spot was known as a prime location within the rooftop.

From here, shielded by the observatory, one could unobstructedly view the colorfully sparkling surface of the Han River, the ant-like procession of cars, and the vitality emanating from the tall buildings.

“Here.”

Jung Woo easily opened the beer can by inserting his finger into the pull tab and handed his to Eun Seo.

“Why are you sitting so far away?”

Now that he noticed, there was enough space for one person between Eun Seo and Jung Woo.

Was it because they weren’t in front of the piano? Or was she subtly conscious of Tae Ha?

Eun Seo smiled apologetically and moved about a hand span closer.

Just a hand span.

Jung Woo knew that this small distance was the maximum Eun Seo could approach him.

It was bitter.

He hadn’t done much with Eun Seo. They ate breakfast together, played the piano once or twice a week at most, and occasionally sunbathed in the garden.

Once, they even had a driving lesson in his car.

Eun Seo bought him a meal that day, after he joked about taking memorial photos in advance. That was all they had done together.

Eun Seo always commuted alone diligently, spent most weekends cooped up in her room studying, and only went out when Chae Won occasionally came to visit.

So even though they lived in the same house, they had hardly spent time alone together.

Then why did it turn out like this?

Why?

“Which neighborhood did you find a place in?”

Eun Seo asked after taking a sip of beer.

“Seongsu-dong. Want to come over?”

“I’ll visit later with the CEO.”

“Come alone. Don’t bring any tagalongs.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Ah, that’s a rejection. The cheat key used by soft-hearted people to avoid the situation.”

Jung Woo downed his beer in one go, then wiped his lips with the back of his hand. He lightly crushed the can and put it down under the bench.

“It must be convenient living alone. I heard from Team Leader Choi that Team Leader Yoon is very charming and popular. Now you can freely bring girlfriends over.”

“What about you, Eun Seo?”

“Pardon? What about me?”

“Do you also find me charming?”

“Of course. I’ve heard about Team Leader Yoon many times at the company. It’s all praise. They say you’re handsome.”

“No, I’m asking how you see me, not others.”

“You’re really handsome. One of the top.”

“The first?”

“No.”

“That’s decisive. Then who’s the first?”

“Of course, Kwon Tae Ha.”

Instead of Eun Seo, a man’s baritone voice filled the air solidly from above.

Startled, the two looked up to see Tae Ha leaning casually against the observatory railing, looking down at them with an indifferent gaze.

“I came out for some fresh air by chance. This spot should be a bit quieter.”

After speaking, Tae Ha extended his arm down with a disinterested expression, gesturing for a beer.

Jung Woo wasn’t pleased with his appearance at all, and even thought he might have come on purpose, but didn’t show it on his face.

“Catch!”

Jung Woo stood on the bench and threw a can of beer upwards.

The green can, describing a large parabola, landed safely in Tae Ha’s hand.

“Thanks.”

The pull tab made a crisp sound as it came off. Tae Ha drank half the beer in one gulp and then looked up at the sky.

He had come to the rooftop for some fresh air after a video conference. Then he heard familiar voices from below the railing.

Perhaps others wouldn’t have noticed their presence.

But he could recognize even the faintest sound of Eun Seo’s voice.

It was a voice that pounded urgently at his heart. A voice he could live with in his ears for a lifetime.

So he knew.

He approached the source of the sound as if drawn by a magnet, and that’s why he answered Jung Woo’s last question.

Because Eun Seo likes me, so you, Jung Woo, should quietly back off.

He drew a thick, dark line deep on the ground, imperceptible to Eun Seo. A line that could never be crossed.

“Tae Ha, are you going to stay here?”

Jung Woo asked.

“That’s the plan. The breeze is nice.”

Tae Ha deliberately gripped the railing with both hands and breathed in the wind while looking at the sky.

“I was here first.”

“I know.”

So what? Jung Woo smiled bitterly at the look in his eyes.

Kwon Tae Ha, always confident in whatever he did. Was it innate, or was he raised that way?

“I’ll go in, enjoy the breeze.”

Anyway, Tae Ha wouldn’t let him and Eun Seo remain alone. He would surely drag her away, citing some business. Like at the department store.

“I’ll go in first. Tell Tae Ha to clean up the trash.”

Jung Woo gave Eun Seo a slight smile and left the rooftop without looking back.

Tae Ha watched Jung Woo’s retreating figure with displeasure from the railing, and when he disappeared through the door, he came down the stairs.

As he descended step by step, Eun Seo was already standing at the bottom of the stairs, holding a black bag with the trash cleaned up.

“Who gave you permission to come out?”

“My own decision.”

“I thought you’d gone home.”

“I couldn’t leave because work remained.”

“Didn’t I tell you to leave work on time?”

“If you wanted that, you shouldn’t have given me a day off like that yesterday.”

“Shifting blame?”

“Just clarifying responsibility. Not shifting it.”

“Song Eun Seo, you speak well.”

As soon as the words ended, the two faced each other at the bottom of the stairs.

“I’ve been thinking, it might be better to quit this job.”

“Quit?”

“Stop being a secretary and just do the reviewer work. I’m not paying you extra for secretary work anyway. You’ll be less tired if you just do reviewer work while translating at home.”

“I won’t refuse. As you can see, I’m more shameless than you think. I won’t give up.”

“I hope you continue to be that shameless.”

“Thank you, really.”

Eun Seo stood on her tiptoes, spread her arms wide, and hugged Tae Ha’s neck tightly. Then she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“I don’t know how to refuse. But I’ll stay until you find a replacement.”

“You don’t know how to refuse, huh? Shall we test that?”

Tae Ha put his hands behind his back and leaned down to whisper gently in Eun Seo’s ear.

“Tonight at 12:30.”

* * *

It was an exceptionally clear day.

The late spring already felt like midsummer, and the tender light green leaves had already begun to grow lush and dark green.

Walking along the garden path, Tae Ha looked back at where the spring flowers had bloomed profusely and asked Woo Young.

“When is the old man coming back? It seems he’s been away traveling for quite a while.”

“Three sides of Korea are surrounded by sea. He seems to have no intention of coming back until he’s exhausted the marine ecosystem with his fishing.”

“Is Mother alright with living apart from the old man like this?”

At those words, Woo Young leaned on Tae Ha’s shoulder and said,

“She’s enjoying it. No one nagging her by her side. No one asking her to trim their toenails because their belly’s too big to reach their feet. She’s raised all her children, and all she does now is tend to the flowers in the garden. Rather, she’s worried he might come back too soon.”

Just then, Woo Young’s mother, Mi Young, who had been tending to trees in the garden, took off her work gloves, dusted them off, and approached them.

Mi Young glanced disapprovingly at her son who was speaking ill of her, but smiled brightly at Tae Ha and said,

“It seems Mr. Kwon misses the old man.”

“When did you arrive?”

Tae Ha greeted her warmly. Mi Young was one of the people he trusted.

“A little while ago. I came to do some pruning.”

Mi Young worked as a landscaper, taking care of Dong Taek’s garden along with her husband.

“It seems the old man is planning to stay away longer.”

“Who knows, maybe he’ll come back in summer. Or fall. But that man thinks of Mr. Kwon more dearly than his own son. Just the other day, he called asking if Tae Ha was doing well, if he was okay.”

“I’m worried about him too. Please convey my regards.”

“Of course. I’ll be sure to pass on your greetings when he calls. Are you heading to the Chairman’s house now?”

“Yes. I plan to return right after dinner.”

Tae Ha bowed politely and left Woo Young behind as he headed towards Seo Taek.

Dinner at Seo Taek was just beginning. The sky was still red with sunset when he arrived at the mansion, as if the days had grown longer.

Tae Ha greeted the employees as he entered the mansion, washed his hands in the entrance washroom, and headed straight for the dining room.

“Welcome, young master.”

As always, Butler Jang greeted Tae Ha respectfully, wearing a white blouse with a flat collar and a black skirt.

“Have you been well too, Butler?”

“Yes, young master. The Chairman is waiting for you.”

Butler Jang opened the door and followed behind him. However, Tae Ha’s feet stopped without taking a single step forward.

In the seat diagonally across from Chairman Kwon, in Tae Ha’s usual seat, sat Ha Eun. She wore a dress reminiscent of magnolias, with her long hair neatly tied down.

As soon as Ha Eun saw Tae Ha, she stood up from her chair and smiled. Then, at Chairman Kwon’s nod, she quickly raised her arms towards Tae Ha and lightly ran over.

“You’re here? Please give me your jacket.”

Ha Eun held out her hand to receive Tae Ha’s suit jacket.

“What is this?”

Those words were directed not at Ha Eun, but at his father.

“Sit down, Tae Ha.”

Knowing his son’s temperament well, Chairman Kwon knew that Tae Ha was too displeased to even speak now.

Although he didn’t raise his voice, his tightly closed lips and eyes as dark as the veil of night spoke for his son’s emotions.

“You didn’t tell me we had a guest.”

“How can Ha Eun be a guest? To someone who will soon be part of our family. Ho ho.”

“That’s right, young master. I hope you’ll change your mind now and accept our Ha Eun. I beg you.”

Anxious about the unfavorable situation, Butler Jang pleaded earnestly by Tae Ha’s side. Surely Tae Ha wouldn’t cut off years of affection in one stroke.

“Please sit down, Tae Ha. Let’s at least have dinner…”

Just as Ha Eun was about to place her hand on Tae Ha’s arm, he folded his arm up to brush it away. Then, in an unwavering, straight voice, he said,

“Father. I am married.”