With a dangerously low voice, Jeho said.

“We’re in my car right now.”

No way?

Yuri’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out as she looked at Jeho.

It can’t be. It won’t be. No matter how secluded the place was, even if darkness was slowly falling, this was clearly outside. Surely not in the car…

At that moment, Jeho unfastened his seatbelt and leaned over to undo Yuri’s seatbelt as well. Yuri flinched in surprise and leaned back.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

He frowned as if confused. Yuri could only blink without saying a word.

She wasn’t sure if he had purely leaned over to unbuckle her seatbelt, or if there was some other intention. Ah, right! Why suddenly stop the car in a secluded place and undo the seatbelts? Unless there was an impure motive.

His face came closer and closer. Just a little more and their lips would touch, close enough for their breaths to mingle.

“Um, even if it’s your car…”

Her voice trembled from embarrassment. The thought ‘Surely he wouldn’t go further than kissing in the car?’ crossed her mind, but she couldn’t help feeling uneasy. After silently staring at her for a moment, he finally spoke.

“I can’t stand food smells in the car, if nothing else.”

Huh? Food smell?

“Drinks are fine, but eating in the car is not allowed. Get out. We’ve arrived.”

After finishing his words, Jeho opened the door and got out of the car. He came around to the front of the car and opened the door for her. Yuri looked around with a bewildered expression.

Though not visible from inside the car, the villa building could be seen beyond the bushes. Perhaps due to the darkness around, or because she was too tense to notice, she hadn’t realized it earlier. So the reason for stopping the car here was simply because they had arrived at the villa.

Jeho took out the suitcase from the trunk and approached Yuri. Seeing her dejected expression, he narrowed his eyes.

“What’s with that disappointed look? Why? Do you like doing things in the car?”

“No! What would we do in the car?”

Flustered for a moment, Yuri unknowingly raised her voice.

“Ah, sorry. I misspoke. Do you like eating in the car?”

Seeing Jeho smiling brightly with crinkled eyes, Yuri was certain. He clearly knew everything and was deliberately teasing her.

He’s getting back at me for calling him ‘ahjussi’. She wanted to glare at him, but that would mean falling for his trap. Yuri smiled brightly, crinkling her eyes just like him.

“Of course. I like eating in the car. It’s not like hot bars are the only food option, right?”

“What an interesting taste you have.”

Jeho laughed with an amused expression.

“Alright. It’s not my preference, but if you want, I’ll try to make an effort too.”

It was a truly confusing attitude. Was he purely talking about food now? Or…? As impure thoughts started to rise again, Yuri quickly shook her head.

Suppressing a chuckle, Jeho quickly turned his back to Yuri. Though Yuri’s flustered appearance was unbearably cute, if he went any further, she would surely get upset. This was their first trip alone together, and he couldn’t let it start with bickering.

Fortunately, Yuri’s attention soon shifted to the villa that had come into view beyond the bushes. The modern-style building blended naturally with its surroundings without feeling out of place. Built midway up a mountain, it was surrounded by the sea in front and a dense forest behind.

“Wow.”

Yuri kept uttering exclamations of admiration at the natural beauty, so different from the splendid city scenery. Jeho approached Yuri as she looked out the living room window. He embraced her from behind and pressed his lips gently against her white nape.

“I’m glad you seem to like it.”

“Yes, it’s amazing here.”

Yuri wouldn’t know that she was the only guest to have visited this place.

This was where he came whenever he needed to recharge, and he had always stayed alone. He didn’t want anyone to disturb his personal time. Now, he didn’t want to share his time with Yuri with anyone else.

Jeho turned Yuri to face him, then removed her wig and glasses. He ran his fingers through her disheveled hair, smoothing it down, and Yuri transformed from a pretty boy into a woman.

“This is more my taste after all. Not Juno oppa, but Chae Yuri.”

He whispered tenderly and pressed his lips against hers. A sweet fragrance flowed from her moist lips. It was soft and warm. He had only meant to lightly touch her lips, but the kiss deepened until she was gasping for breath.

That was the problem. It was always like this with Yuri. Because of how sweet it was, it was hard to restrain himself.

“…Je…ho-ssi, I…”

In the brief moment their lips parted to breathe, she mumbled something. But their lips met again before she could finish. After a long while, he finally pulled away and whispered softly.

“We’re doing now what we couldn’t do in the car earlier. Next time, considering your taste, we might do it in the car.”

“When did I ever say I liked doing things in the car…”

“You said there were lots of things to eat.”

So he was teasing after all.

Realizing she had been tricked again, Yuri’s competitive spirit flared up. This time, she pressed close to him.

“Alright, let’s do here what we couldn’t do in the car earlier.”

Yuri smiled sweetly as she unbuttoned the top button of Jeho’s shirt. Moving to the next button, she slowly blinked her eyes seductively.

“You have a hot bar, right?”

She thought she was getting back at him, but it turned out to be a big mistake. The desire he had been barely controlling stirred again. Jeho grabbed Yuri’s hand that was unbuttoning with one hand, and wrapped his other arm around her waist.

“Of course I do.”

Sensing that something was going wrong, Yuri’s eyelids fluttered nervously. Yet she still tried to act nonchalant, lifting her chin. Jeho found her so cute he wanted to bite her.

“Why, do you want to eat it now?”

“No!”

Frustratingly, Yuri immediately surrendered. Fortunately, he seemed to accept her surrender. Smiling gently, he kissed the bridge of her nose.

“Then we’ll eat it later. It’s in the fridge.”

But her relief was short-lived, as the lips on her nose slid down to cover her mouth. From then on, he completely took control. When she came to her senses, they were already standing in the bathroom.

“Let’s warm up together and move things along a step.”

Why did we suddenly jump from the car to the bathroom? And we’re not in a lecture, so what’s this about moving things along?

As if reading Yuri’s mind, Jeho continued.

“I think I’ve said this before. I don’t like rushing things. There are many steps to take before going all the way.”

“I’m not completely inexperienced in dating, you know.”

Seemingly upset at being treated like she had no experience, Yuri didn’t hide her displeasure. Though they weren’t deep relationships, it’s not like she had never dated anyone before. She wasn’t a child; of course she knew what could happen between a man and woman.

“I know.”

He spoke in a voice so soft it could melt. Jeho cupped Yuri’s cheeks with both hands, making her look at him. His gaze intensified for a moment.

“You’re so pretty, there must have been many guys chasing after you.”

She thought he was going to make another mischievous joke, but he simply acknowledged it.

“But it’s the first time with me.”

Yuri could only stare with wide eyes, unable to say anything. It was an unexpectedly tender statement, unlike him. The unexpected words continued to flow.

“You and me, us, we’re both firsts for each other. We might be clumsy.”

He lowered his head to kiss her again.

“So let’s get to know each other carefully, slowly. Both body and heart.”

Whispering gently as if breathing into her ear, he naturally unbuttoned her baseball jacket. Then, cupping the back of her head with one hand, he lightly kissed her.

She must have been enchanted. I must be enchanted by this man.

Yuri closed her eyes and quietly surrendered herself to Jeho’s kisses and touch.

Shaa―. The sound of water pouring from the shower began to fill the bathroom.

To apologize for the sudden cancellation of the wedding, Chairman Kwon arranged a separate dinner with Assemblyman Chae. During the meal, no one brought up the topic of this wedding. Only after tea and desserts were served did Chairman Kwon dismiss all the serving staff and speak heavily.

“I have no face to show you, Assemblyman Chae.”

“Not at all, Chairman.”

“So, how is Yuri doing? It must have been a big shock.”

“I sent her somewhere to clear her head.”

Before coming here, Assemblyman Chae had received a report through his aide that Yuri had gone on a trip with Jeho.

He didn’t know where they went, but it was certain they had left together. However, he didn’t mention that far. He wondered if Chairman Kwon already knew, but didn’t want to confirm.

“From now on, I will step in to stop the marriage with Minwoo.”

“Chairman?”

“It’s all my fault. I think I insisted on an impossible match because I coveted your daughter, Assemblyman Chae. When the marriage with Jeho fell through, I should have given up cleanly then… I truly regret that things have turned out this way.”

Strange. Chairman Kwon didn’t know the real reason why Minwoo went to the Philippines. Yet he looked very disappointed. Normally, Chairman Kwon would have said that company matters come first and asked for understanding of Minwoo’s situation.

Assemblyman Chae couldn’t fathom Chairman Kwon’s true intentions. It was also too early to decide whose hand to take.

“Chairman, why don’t we wait and see for now?”

Like the seasoned politician he was, Assemblyman Chae decided to take a step back and observe for now.

“Director Kwon, when he returns from the Philippines, I think it won’t be too late to hear directly from him and make a decision then.”

With Assemblyman Chae’s side coming out like this, Chairman Kwon couldn’t insist alone. Chairman Kwon nodded with a complicated expression.

“If you’re willing to be so considerate, I can only be grateful. I’m truly sorry about this, Assemblyman Chae.”

“There’s no need for you to apologize to this extent, Chairman. How can children’s matters ever go according to our wishes?”

At those words, Chairman Kwon smiled bitterly as he brought his teacup to his lips.

“To discipline properly, sometimes a cane is necessary. If truly needed, even harsher punishment can be given. Isn’t it all a parent’s deep intention for their child’s well-being? What do you think, Assemblyman Chae?”

“Your words are very true.”

Though he agreed verbally, Assemblyman Chae’s expression subtly hardened as he looked at Chairman Kwon.

In contrast, Chairman Kwon slowly sipped his tea with a satisfied smile.

It was a very, very long shower.

He said they would only move one step forward, but they ended up going two steps. As a result, Yuri was completely exhausted. Her legs were so weak she could barely stand properly.

Jeho sat the stumbling Yuri on the bathroom bench and dried her hair with a large towel. To dry the hair of the barely-conscious Yuri, he picked up a hair dryer. Soon after, the warm air from the dryer could be felt on her head.

That was all Yuri remembered. After that, everything went completely dark. It seemed she had fallen asleep in that state, cradled by Jeho. He must have carried her sleeping form to the bed.

How long had she been asleep?

“…Time to wake up?”

At the soft whisper, she lifted her heavy eyelids. Is it morning already? she wondered as she looked around, but it was still pitch dark night.

Half-asleep and dazed, Yuri slowly sat up. Jeho brushed back her fallen hair with one hand and said,

“There’s something I want to show you.”

Yuri’s half-closed eyes suddenly opened fully.

“If you’re tired, you can sleep more.”

When Yuri shook her head, he wrapped her body in a blanket he had prepared and lifted her from the bed. As they went through the living room to the terrace, a cold wind hit their faces. But Yuri couldn’t even feel the chilly wind because of the sight spread out before her eyes.

“Wow.”

Yuri’s eyes widened.