“Yes, and I have enough sense to know. Tomorrow should be a fun company dinner!”

Ji Eun was a newbie who confidently said the exact opposite while grinning. Yeon Woo couldn’t help but chuckle at her cuteness.

Hmm. Probably everyone would want to go home early and rest on a day like tomorrow.

While chatting with Ji Eun, Jun Hwi entered the break room.

Both bowed their heads and then promptly shut their mouths.

“Lawyer, Assistant, I’ll go back to my seat.”

After Ji Eun left the break room, Yeon Woo was about to follow when…

Thud. A long arm stretched out behind Yeon Woo quietly closed the door.

“……”

Yeon Woo, blocked from leaving, reflexively looked back at the owner of the arm.

“Do you have any concerns?”

His tone, crushing an empty water bottle in one hand, was still indifferent.

“It seems quite dark in here.”
The dry tone of his voice contrasted sharply with his actions, as he slowly rubbed Yeon Woo’s forehead with his thumb. The faint fragrance emanating from his arm as he drew closer lingered in the air.

“Uh…”

Yeon Woo’s round eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected situation.

‘Wasn’t he avoiding me?’

She had tried to sync up with him, who seemed to be putting off their matters until after dealing with more pressing issues.

But she was a bit confused by his unexpected approach as soon as they were alone.

In front of his expectant gaze, Yeon Woo nodded slightly with a faint smile. There was no need to hide anything or beat around the bush with him.

The warmth of his hand, which had just touched her face, now lightly landed on top of Yeon Woo’s head. A heat that started from her head and thrillingly spread down to her toes.

Yeon Woo raised her downcast eyes and lifted her head, moving in tandem with his hand still resting on her head.

“I’ll defend you if anything happens.”

“The lawyer?”

“Don’t worry. Your soon-to-be boyfriend is a top-notch lawyer.”

At the same time, Jun Hwi’s warm hand, full of heat, stroked down along Yeon Woo’s hair.

The refreshing yet deep scent poured from his approaching wrist.

That scent was always the problem. It stirred Yeon Woo’s heart, which silently did its job as if it were there yet not there.

She had just about gotten used to his bespectacled look, but she wasn’t ready to accept his body scent so nonchalantly yet.

“…”

Struggling to muster strength, she faced him, who wore a complex expression, a mix of various feelings, just like her.

Indifferent eyes, but noticeably smooth corners of the mouth.

Which side was real, or was this man just as complicated as he appeared?

Yeon Woo’s gaze wandered from his firm eyebrows, to his dizzying nose bridge, to his deep eyes, and then quickly gathered her wits upon seeing her dazed reflection in his eyes.

Her lips, which had naturally parted as she looked up at him, who was a head taller, were now firmly closed.

After all, this place was the office. If she got lured by the warmth she wanted to linger in and someone came in…!

‘That would be a disaster.’

Yeon Woo, avoiding his touch, hurriedly walked deeper into the break room.

“What are you doing?”

Jun Hwi chuckled at the sight of Yeon Woo, who had backed herself into a far corner.

Was going deeper inside really the best choice? This wasn’t a child’s game of hide-and-seek, thinking they’re hidden just because their head is covered under the blankets.

He could press on in just a couple of steps. He thought of getting closer to admire her reddened cheeks, but Jun Hwi changed his mind.

It seemed right to match Yeon Woo’s quirky passion, shaking her head as if warding off.

“This is the office!”

“So?”

“What if someone sees?”

“I don’t mind.”

“But I do!”

The door was already within Jun Hwi’s domain, so the fact that they were alone in the space remained unchanged.
Jun Hwi stood by the door, casually crossing his long, intimidating legs and folding his arms. The perfectly fitting shirt under his navy vest was taut across his solid chest and arms.

Yeon Woo, looking at him with narrow eyes, spoke petulantly.

“Is now really the time to be so leisurely? You should be preparing for tomorrow’s showdown.”

In truth, she was grateful for his nonchalance.

His unique arrogance and confidence were all embodied in that casually raised warm hand.

That single deep, reassuring voice telling her not to worry felt like a grand gift, easing the heartache she had been suffering alone.

That’s why she needed to be more cautious, especially about her desire to let go of everything and rely on him.

She couldn’t cling to him like a child, especially not at such a critical time.

So, Yeon Woo feigned nonchalance too, pushing personal emotions aside and pretending to be a mature adult who prioritized the task at hand.

‘A bit annoying, though.’

While she was overwhelmed with worry and work, Kwon Jun Hwi alone seemed unbothered, shining as usual.

“The rest of the team is racing against time, afraid to miss even a single thing, and here the leader is making jokes.”

“That can’t be. Which part of my statement was a joke?”

Ah. He asked back, catching the defenseless Yeon Woo off guard.

“Specifically, what part was a joke? Huh?”

Suddenly, the control of the conversation shifted to Jun Hwi.