About an hour before leaving work, the intercom rang and Se Ra’s voice, sounding a bit more subdued than usual, came through.

– This is the rejection of the next-generation AI proposal from the Innovation Business Division. Come in.

“Yes, Executive Director.”

Ha Jun rose from her seat and entered the executive office.

“Take this back and revise it completely from the beginning… Ah, just a moment.”

Se Ra suddenly grabbed her vibrating phone and waved the approval file with her other hand. Ha Jun quietly approached and took the file.

“Yes, Yu Ha. The engagement ceremony went well, right? Yes, thank you. Where are you now? The airport? You’re really something else. Anyway, glad you’re back. What? You’re already engaged to Yi Hyun? Getting married next year?? Ah, as expected of bulldozer Jin Yu Ha. Good for you.”

At the two syllables ‘Yi Hyun’ that came from Se Ra’s mouth, Ha Jun stiffened momentarily, then quickly erased the expression from her face and straightened her back.

Jin Yu Ha. A name on the list of important business figures stored in Ha Jun’s mind.

So she’s… the woman who will become Kim Yi Hyun’s wife.

A woman who will let him keep and enjoy everything he has, standing in the same position as Yi Hyun, as Chairman Jang In Hwa desires. A woman who will be beneficial to Yi Hyun.

“Even though everything in this field is about strategy and business, everyone knows Kim Yi Hyun was your first love. Congratulations in advance on achieving your first love. Ah, just a moment. Ha Jun, I’m sorry, you can go out.”

“Yes.”

Ha Jun quietly bowed and left the executive office.

From behind, Se Ra’s cheerful laughter chaotically echoed in her ears.

Ha Jun barely managed to sit down. Everything that came after the brief moment of happiness was too fast and extremely painful.

After sitting quietly and regulating her breathing for quite some time, Ha Jun slowly rose from her seat.

Standing in front of Hyun Ju’s desk, Ha Jun spoke softly with a dazed expression.

“Team Leader. That day you mentioned… I’ll go.”

“Oh? You will?”

“Yes…”

Seeing something strange about Ha Jun’s appearance, Hyun Ju and Yeon A looked at her with worried eyes.

“Ha Jun, you look like you’re about to collapse. This won’t do. Take a rest.”

“No. I’m fine. I’m okay…”

Ha Jun gave a faint smile to the two worried people and returned to her seat.

The world was spinning before her eyes and the monitor blurred into white, but she sat up straight and forced her eyes to focus. She looked like a small herbivore desperately struggling not to fall off a cliff.

Watching this, Hyun Ju and Yeon A’s eyes began to moisten.

[This is the timeline separator]

Time flew by in an instant. On the day Ha Jun accepted Hyun Ju’s offer, and the next day, Yi Hyun didn’t return home and commuted from the officetel.

Except for the fact that Yi Hyun stayed overnight, it was a similar daily routine with nothing particularly different, but thanks to that, Ha Jun was able to fill her eyes with Yi Hyun to her heart’s content for the last time.

And after today, when tomorrow comes, it would be farewell.

After work, Ha Jun’s steps stopped in front of a grocery store as she was walking towards the officetel.

She took out her phone and sent a text to Yi Hyun.

[ Would you like to have dinner together at the officetel tonight? ] [ Sure. What should I bring? Sushi? ] [ No. I’ll prepare everything today. Come to the officetel. ] [ Alright. ]

Ha Jun smiled slightly as she watched the quick text replies come in. Although they had been together for quite a long time, the number of times they had eaten together could be counted on one hand, and even those were always with food Yi Hyun had brought.

Was it because she felt regretful about that? Ha Jun wanted to have dinner with him just for today. If possible, a home-cooked meal that she prepared herself, sitting at the table together like a family.

[This is the timeline separator]

As Yi Hyun entered the officetel, he looked towards the kitchen, drawn by the savory smell of doenjang jjigae wafting through the air.

Seeing Ha Jun’s back as she stood in front of the stove wearing an apron, Yi Hyun broke into a wide smile.

“Is this bride training?”

“…I just wanted to eat home-cooked food.”

Yi Hyun approached with a smile and embraced Ha Jun from behind. He buried his nose in her snow-white nape and deeply inhaled her scent. He deliberately rubbed his high nose bridge against her slender neckline, tickling her.

“It tickles.”

“That’s the point.”

Yi Hyun’s lips, laughing mischievously, covered Ha Jun’s lips. He burrowed into her familiarly, teasing and tickling.

At some point, Ha Jun’s body had turned and was pressed against Yi Hyun’s firm body. She willingly wrapped her arms around his neck, embracing him.

Soon, Ha Jun’s body was lightly lifted and placed on the edge of the sink. As Yi Hyun’s fingertips moved busily, Ha Jun twisted her body as if ticklish.

“It tickles, wait, a moment.”

“Just kisses. Only kisses.”

“The stew… need to turn… off the stove…”

“Okay. Wrap your legs around me.”

Yi Hyun lifted Ha Jun just as she was. Startled, she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist as he strode forward with her clinging to his body.

In that state, Yi Hyun nonchalantly turned off the stove and whirled around to sit on the sofa. The sofa sank heavily under the full weight of the two.

“I love you, Ha Jun.”

Ha Jun swallowed the tears that welled up at the love confession landing on her ear. And so that he couldn’t see her tears, she hugged Yi Hyun with all her might.

Yi Hyun’s touch was warm and affectionate. Ha Jun, laid down on the sofa, felt Yi Hyun’s face gently overlay hers.

Enjoying the familiar and cozy weight, Ha Jun closed her eyes and felt it. Yi Hyun’s words about an unforgettable pleasant sensation that would last a lifetime were exactly right.

[This is the timeline separator]

“It’s all cold now… The rice wasn’t scooped out so it’s all clumped together.”

“It’s still delicious. The doenjang jjigae is nice and warm after reheating.”

Ha Jun looked at Yi Hyun with reproachful eyes as he replied nonchalantly.

Yi Hyun laughed heartily at her cute expression.

“It’s true. It’s the most delicious in the world.”

Yi Hyun cleaned out a whole bowl of clumped rice as if to prove his point, then scooped more rice and finished all the side dishes and stew without leaving anything.

Ha Jun stored each moment of him eating deliciously in her heart, her eyes sparkling as if engraving it all.

“Thank you for eating well.”

“I’ll be eating this for the rest of my life, and it suits my taste perfectly. You’re really mine.”

“How did the conversation turn that way?”

“What does it matter? Anyway, it means Lee Ha Jun is my woman. Now, sit here. I’ll do the dishes.”

“It’s okay. Leave it.”

“The chef doesn’t do dishes originally. The assistant does the dishes, so just sit there.”

Yi Hyun smiled brightly and rolled up his sleeves to start washing the dishes. Ha Jun was amazed to see him doing the dishes so meticulously, contrary to her expectation that someone raised in luxury wouldn’t know how to do such things.

After finishing the dishes impressively, Yi Hyun turned around and approached Ha Jun, who had been watching him from the dining table.

“I finished the dishes. Give me a reward.”

“What reward?”

“Give me a kiss.”

“That’s the reward?”

“Of course. Hurry up.”

Yi Hyun leaned in with his handsome face.

Ha Jun reluctantly pressed her lips lightly to his cheek and pulled away, making Yi Hyun smile brightly.

“Come to think of it, I didn’t give you a reward for cooking.”

“Do I need to get a kiss too?”

“Of course. Hurry and offer your cheek.”

Ha Jun hesitated for a moment and turned her head to the side. Yi Hyun moved closer and whispered in her ear.

“I never said I’d kiss your cheek, did I?”

“Then…?”

“Where could it be?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Yi Hyun quickly slipped his hands under Ha Jun’s back and knees, lifting her body.

“Eek~!”

“I’m going to kiss you all over where I want on the bed.”

“Yi Hyun!!”

Ha Jun’s startled voice and Yi Hyun’s cheerful laughter rang out together.

[This is the timeline separator]

The next morning at dawn, Yi Hyun, ready for work, stood beside the sleeping Ha Jun.

“I don’t understand why we have a pointless executive meeting starting at 7 AM. Sleep well and have a good day at work. I’ll talk to my mother about you today and get her permission.”

Yi Hyun lightly kissed Ha Jun’s forehead and left the bedroom. A small smile formed on Ha Jun’s lips as she was still wandering in her dreams.

An hour later, Ha Jun woke up to the alarm sound and stared blankly at the empty space beside her before getting up.

“He said he had a meeting.”

It was fortunate. Not seeing Yi Hyun on the morning of her departure.

Ha Jun opened the closet and took out a large shoulder bag. She didn’t even need a travel suitcase. After all, she had come to this house with just herself, so she didn’t need much when leaving either.

A few basic cosmetics, one diary, and two sets of comfortable clothes to change into were all.

Lastly, Ha Jun carefully placed a prepared letter envelope on the dressing table.

“Take… care.”

Ha Jun gave a small farewell as if the envelope were Yi Hyun, and left the officetel.

Upon arriving at work, Ha Jun immediately wrote her resignation letter, printed it, neatly folded it into an envelope, and handed it to Hyun Ju.

Both Ha Jun handing over the resignation letter and Hyun Ju receiving it, and even Yeon A watching the two from the middle, all had reddened eyes.

“Now go straight to the underground parking lot on the 5th floor. In section A-3, there will be a black SUV rental car with a blue sticker. Here’s the remote.”

“Thank you… so much.”

“Take care there. There’s a phone in the car. It’s registered under my husband’s name, so leave your current phone here. Just in case, don’t use credit cards, and return the car to the beach parking lot entered in the navigation.”

Hyun Ju had meticulously prepared everything for Ha Jun. It was the best she could do.

“I don’t know how I can ever repay this kindness.”

“It’s not free, you know. Our grandmother will collect the rent without fail. Even if she overcharges, just pay it. Understood?”

Hyun Ju spoke brightly on purpose and held Ha Jun’s hand tightly.

“Go and live well to show them. And please keep our grandmother company. She doesn’t hear well, so it might be a bit difficult.”

“Yes. I’ll take good care of her.”

“Thank you. Our grandmother is a bit peculiar, but she’s really a good person. Think of her as your own grandmother and feel comfortable.”

“Yes. I will.”

“Take care, Ha Jun. We’ll come visit on the weekend. Okay?”

“Please do come.”

The three women, with tears welling up in their eyes, looked at each other and smiled.