Yuri stared blankly at the beer glass in front of her. If she had known the main purpose of the company dinner was a welcome party for Jeho, she would have just gone home…

Except for Yuri, the other employees were busy laughing and chatting. The atmosphere of the company dinner, held after a long time, was better than ever. It was natural, given that the usual venue of all-you-can-eat pork ribs restaurants had been upgraded to a premium Korean beef specialty restaurant today.

“Today’s dinner is on me, so order as much as you want.”

At Jeho’s words, everyone’s lips curled up to their ears. Only Yuri remained expressionless, fiddling with the beer glass in front of her.

Is he trying to score points with food?

Yuri glanced at Jeho sitting at the next table with dissatisfied eyes. If there was any silver lining, it was that he was sitting at a different table. After a brief formal introduction, there wasn’t even a chance for short conversations. Curious employees occupied his side.

“How long do you plan to stay in Korea?”

“How long have you known the director?”

“Are you really going to come to work and do tasks?”

Although the tables were separate, the conversation was as clear as if they were sitting next to each other.

“It’s not certain, but I plan to stay for at least a year.”

Jeho calmly answered the flood of questions.

“I’ve known the director since high school. And I plan to start work tomorrow.”

Starting work tomorrow?

Yuri frowned, unable to believe it at face value. Wasn’t he back in Korea temporarily for the KG Group building? But now he’s coming to work at ‘Bauhaus’? Is he going to use the office as his personal office?

Her mind became complicated for a moment.

“Why aren’t you eating at all?”

At that moment, Jinman, sitting next to her, asked as he placed beef on Yuri’s plate. Another purpose of today’s dinner was to send off Jinman. He will be working at a partner company in Busan for a year starting tomorrow.

“Are you worried the wedding dress won’t fit?”

“Come on, how can you get any slimmer here?”

“That’s right. Just eat comfortably.”

Employees who knew she was getting married soon chimed in. Yuri smiled awkwardly and put the beef Jinman had given her into her mouth. Along with the savory taste of the beef, a bitter taste swirled in her mouth.

From last night until now, she hadn’t once thought about the upcoming wedding. The wedding dress, the invitation wording, the newlywed home, none of it…

Isn’t it too complacent when the marriage that could liberate her from her family is right around the corner?

Even if the man who was her first love has reappeared. To be shaken like this.

Yet her eyes kept turning towards Jeho. Her heart fluttered unnecessarily at the sight of him smiling occasionally while talking with employees.

Sigh, Chae Yuri, you still haven’t come to your senses.

Yuri smiled bitterly and brought the glass to her lips. She had intended to just receive drinks in her glass, but she found herself continuously emptying it.

By the end of the dinner, she was in a slightly dizzy, intoxicated state. Although she hadn’t drunk much, it seemed to be due to her lack of sleep the night before.

Yuri decided to use public transportation and leave her car behind instead of calling a designated driver. After saying goodbye to all the employees, she walked towards the subway station. When her mind was complicated, sitting absentmindedly on the subway was more comfortable than taking a taxi.

But before she could take a few steps, she realized someone was walking alongside her. A familiar citrus scent drifted to her nose. Turning her head to the side with a feeling of disbelief, she found Jeho looking down at her.

“What are you doing right now?”

“Can’t you see I’m going home?”

Right, there was no way he would have followed her. Although she didn’t know where he was staying now, he had clearly said it was in the same direction as her house. But taking the subway?

“Aren’t you taking a taxi?”

“What about you? Why aren’t you calling a designated driver?”

“I find the subway comfortable.”

“I find the subway comfortable too.”

“Do you even know the route?”

Thinking they were going together, a sharp comment came out of her without her realizing. But Jeho showed her his mobile phone with an unfazed expression.

“It’s all on Naver Maps…”

Didn’t she just say the subway was comfortable? If she changed her mind now and said she’d take a taxi, wouldn’t she look foolish? But should she take the subway with him?

The route Jeho showed matched hers. It was too late to regret not taking a taxi. Yuri clenched her mouth shut and walked ahead with quick steps. Then, changing her mind, she turned to face Jeho.

“You’re not really going to work from tomorrow, are you?”

“Why do you think I won’t?”

“Didn’t you come back to Korea for the KG Group building?”

“Who says that? Minwoo?”

As Minwoo’s name flowed from Jeho’s lips, Yuri frowned. Come to think of it, she hadn’t told Minwoo that Jeho had become a partner at ‘Bauhaus’. How would Minwoo take it? Would he just think it was a coincidence?

Should she tell him first? Or should she stay quiet until Minwoo finds out? It’s ridiculous. Why am I worrying about this as if it’s something to hide?

Her mind was in turmoil, but thanks to that, she became less conscious of Jeho’s presence beside her. However, after getting off the subway, when he continued to follow her, Yuri couldn’t hold back anymore and stopped walking.

“I don’t think this is the same direction anymore.”

“You’re right. It’s not the same direction.”

“Then why are you coming this way?”

“Because I have to see you to your doorstep.”

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Yuri was momentarily taken aback.

“Why do you have to see me to my doorstep?”

“It’s not because you’re going to be my sister-in-law, so don’t feel burdened.”

At the word ‘sister-in-law’, Yuri unconsciously frowned. The word ‘sister-in-law’ coming from Jeho’s mouth cut through her insides like a sharp knife, unlike if it had come from someone else.

When she accepted the arranged marriage, she should have reconsidered Minwoo and Jeho’s relationship at least once. But at that time, she only thought about escaping from Congressman Chae’s grasp.

There was no way out of this dilemma. Although she wasn’t comfortable with the fact of being with Jeho, as they got closer to home, her chest started to feel tight as if her body was being crushed by a huge rock.

“I can go alone from here, so you can leave now.”

“I don’t want to…”

Instead of turning away, Jeho came even closer to her. When Yuri glared at him with an angry face, he raised the corners of his mouth with a smirk.

“I can’t let a woman who keeps catching my eye and worrying me walk alone at night.”

“What?”

Yuri didn’t understand the words that had just come out of his mouth.

“Your joke is going too far.”

“Why do you think it’s a joke?”

“You clearly said before that there was a woman you liked…”

There was no way that woman could be her.

Jeho must think she’s drunk now, so he’s making inappropriate jokes. He might know that she and Minwoo are on shaky ground, but there’s no need to be rude to her too. Or…

Of course, it’s unlikely, but could he have noticed that she’s wavering and is teasing her mischievously?

“Stop following me. I can go perfectly fine on my own.”

Was it because of the surging emotion? As Yuri turned around hurriedly, she lost her balance and staggered. The moment she felt her body tilting to one side, a large hand grabbed her shoulder. And with that, her back leaned against the wall.

When she regained her senses, she was trapped between the wall behind her and a broad chest in front. Flustered, Yuri looked up at Jeho. A slightly hoarse voice flowed from his mouth.

“This is why I said I’d see you to your doorstep.”

Was it because of the citrus scent pushing against her nose and the warm body temperature gently enveloping her entire body?

Her heart started beating fiercely at the same time as her vision, which had been fine until just now, began to spin.

“Are you okay? You’re not hurt?”

At the low voice that seemed genuinely concerned, Yuri quietly nodded. Even after confirming she was okay, Jeho didn’t let her go from his embrace.

Was it because of the alcohol? It felt like electricity was running through their touching chests.

His large hands wrapped around her back and waist, and his face was close enough for their breaths to touch. Even though she knew this was wrong, she couldn’t push him away.

His warm embrace felt too good.

At that moment, a car passed by the two with intense lights. The car soon stopped with a screeching sound.

After a while, the sound of a car door opening was heard and…

“The person there, isn’t that Yuri?”

At the familiar voice, Yuri startled and broke away from Jeho’s embrace.

The dreamlike happy feeling she had felt for a moment shattered without a trace in an instant, and a dark shadow once again settled on Yuri’s face.

Next to the parked car stood her father, Congressman Chae Hyungsik, along with his aide.

“Let’s talk.”

As soon as they arrived home, Congressman Chae called Yuri to his study. He nodded quietly at Jeho’s explanation that he had supported her when she almost fell, but it seemed he had something else to say to Yuri.

Why wouldn’t he? She was in another man’s arms when her wedding was just around the corner. Even if the other person was her former fiancé, nothing good would come out of it.

But surprisingly, different words flowed from Congressman Chae’s mouth.

“I received a call from Chairman Kwon today. He said that Director Kwon has been very busy lately dealing with the shopping mall accident. So he was worried that you might be having a hard time preparing for the wedding alone.”

Yuri quietly listened to Congressman Chae’s words.

“Since you haven’t even chosen a newlywed home yet, time must be tight. So the Chairman said he would take care of the newlywed home and make it the best.”

“Do as you please.”

Any newlywed home didn’t matter. It’s just a formal marriage anyway… If she could just escape from here, she could accept even a one-room basement apartment without complaint.

“But…”

As expected, the awaited question flowed from Congressman Chae’s mouth.

“Why did Jeho escort you home?”

“There was a company dinner today.”

“Company dinner?”

Congressman Chae asked back as if it was irrelevant. Yuri briefly explained the fact that Jeho had become a new partner of the company. Congressman Chae looked surprised but didn’t ask further.

“I see, alright then, you can go now.”

As Yuri was leaving the study, she stopped and turned back.

“Father…”

Congressman Chae, who was reviewing documents, looked up.

“Aren’t you going to ask if I was okay that day? I was also in the shopping mall when the accident happened.”

Congressman Chae furrowed his brow as if his daughter’s question was perplexing.

“I heard you were fine… Why? Did you get hurt somewhere?”

“No. It’s not that, but you didn’t ask.”

Congressman Chae seemed not to understand Yuri’s words. Honestly, Yuri didn’t know what she was saying either. She just had to spit out something because she couldn’t keep it inside.

“I wonder if you would have been the same if it was Yuri in the shopping mall instead of me.”

Do you even think of me as your child? Are we even a family?

“What kind of answer do you want to hear?”

She hadn’t expected much, but when only a blunt answer came back, a bitter smile appeared on Yuri’s lips.

Foolishly, what had she expected?

“I don’t know. I’m not sure myself.”

With those words, Yuri quietly left the study.

Yuri ended up staying up all night again. She wanted to take a day off, but knowing she would need to take more time off in the future to prepare for the wedding, she silently headed to the company. Even if she stayed home, it wouldn’t feel like resting anyway.

As she entered the office, employees were lingering around Yuri’s desk area. Or more precisely, they were gathered around the desk next to hers.

That’s Jinman’s desk… What’s going on?

As Yuri sat down, one of the employees turned to her.

“Yuri, did you hear the news?”

“What news?”

At that moment, the door opened and Jeho appeared. Simultaneously, all the employees surrounding Jinman’s desk returned to their places.

Expecting him to head straight to the director’s office, Yuri was surprised when Jeho approached her and put his bag down at the desk next to hers. It was the desk Jinman had been using until yesterday.

Looking at Yuri with questioning eyes, Jeho raised the corners of his eyes and said,

“From now on, this is my desk.”