“You left so confidently earlier, did you put out the urgent fire?”

“I apologize.”

“What are you going to do about this stain on my shoe?”

“I will compensate you.”

“Ha! CEO Han Bo Mi. You must be rich. Do you know how much this costs?”

“…. Even if it takes time, I will definitely compensate you.”

“A maid has risen up. I’ll send you the bill for the shoes. More importantly, the problem is your attitude towards work. No matter how much we collaborate, I’m the team leader while we work on this project together and you should follow my instructions. Right?”

Ga Young seemed increasingly excited as she pointed out Bo Mi’s submissive apologies.

“Disrespecting me is the same as disrespecting our Do Won Group.”

“I was flustered today…. I’m really sorry.”

“It seems like a personal matter, but if we consider every circumstance, how can an organization function? Aren’t you lacking awareness as a CEO?”

Bo Mi bit her lip, upset at Ga Young’s criticism. She knew better than anyone that she was lacking as a CEO.

“If it’s like this, why should we give work to Narae Creative? Do you want the contract terminated?”

“Team Leader Yeon Ga Young.”

Ga Young turned her head happily at the male voice calling her name.

“Jae… Director!”

“As far as I know, Team Leader Yeon Ga Young doesn’t have the authority regarding terminating the contract with Narae Creative.”

“Ah… no. That… CEO Han Bo Mi left her post during work hours without my permission, so I was just pointing it out when she spilled coffee on me.”

Ga Young thrust the toe of her shoe with a tiny stain towards Jae Kyung as she spoke.

“It was truly an urgent matter. I apologize if I caused any inconvenience.”

Bo Mi apologized in a weak voice.

Was the urgent matter referring to meeting Yeon Ga Jin?

Jae Kyung felt like his insides were turning as he looked at Bo Mi.

“Narae Creative is a collaborating company and we are on equal footing as we work on this project together. If there’s an urgent matter, I don’t see a problem with acting independently as long as there are project results.”

“Director! The prestige of Do Won Group.”

“Team Leader Yeon Ga Young. Wouldn’t the success or failure of the project be more helpful to the group’s prestige?”

“…..”

Ga Young glared at Bo Mi, her shoulders trembling, when Jae Kyung didn’t take her side.

It’s all Han Bo Mi’s fault that she’s being treated this way by Jae Kyung.

“Director. But!”

Ga Young clung to Jae Kyung as if feeling wronged.

“How well Team Leader Yeon Ga Young leads the team.”

Jae Kyung lifted the corners of his mouth, hiding his cold gaze as if trying to shake off the bothersome Ga Young.

“I look forward to it.”

Ga Young stared at Jae Kyung, seemingly dazed by the momentary smile he had given her.

Right. It must be because of social appearances that he didn’t cover for me, since it could look like bullying if he touched a small company like Narae Creative.

There’s no reason for elder brother Jae Kyung to treat an outsider like Han Bo Mi better than his fiancée.

Look at how he said he’s looking forward to it.

Ga Young fell into fantasy, cupping her cheeks. Was this the effect of complaining to Hae Young that Jae Kyung wouldn’t have meals with her?

“Please look forward to it. I’ll show you great results that will delight you, Director.”

“Let’s believe in Team Leader Yeon Ga Young’s abilities.”

Not understanding Jae Kyung’s mocking tone, Ga Young was still happy, thinking he was cheering her on.

Jae Kyung was feeling tired of Ga Young childishly asserting her rights as a fiancée.

Even Hae Young’s urgent matter that called him was to have a meal with Ga Young.

Hae Young got angry as soon as Jae Kyung entered.

‘Are you ignoring me? How upset do you think Ga Young was to come all the way here?’

‘I’m too busy with work to pay attention.’

‘You’re not the only one working, and you still eat, don’t you? Don’t rebel against this old lady with useless excuses and meet with Ga Young.’

‘It’s an unnecessary interaction.’

Hae Young’s expression crumpled like a piece of paper at Jae Kyung’s answer. As expected of Do Won Il’s unworthy bloodline, even his actions are displeasing.

‘Jae Kyung.’

Yeon Hee shook her head and pulled on Jae Kyung’s sleeve.

‘I’ll invite you for a meal when I have time.’

Faced with Yeon Hee’s worried gaze, Jae Kyung had no choice but to take a step back. Hae Young showed hostility towards Jae Kyung, who was the offspring of Shin Mi Hee, the former mistress of Chairman Do Jun Seok, who is now bedridden and unconscious.

Jae Kyung was also investigating the possibility that Hae Young was involved in the incident that happened to him six years ago. In this situation, there was no need to show unnecessary antipathy towards Hae Young.

It’s like a ceasefire agreement, but if it has to be done, it has to be done. Since he had never placed meaning in things like dating or love, a political marriage was natural for Jae Kyung.

But…

Jae Kyung withdrew his cold gaze from Ga Young and called Bo Mi.

“CEO Han Bo Mi, I think we need to talk for a moment, is that okay with you?”

“Ah. Yes. Director.”

As Jae Kyung headed towards the director’s office, Bo Mi followed, taking quick steps.

“Director. What did you want to…”

He wanted to ask why she ran off so happily to meet Yeon Ga Jin, but there was no way he could ask such a question. Jae Kyung swallowed his confused feelings and picked up a tablet.

“There was an error in part of the presentation materials, so I marked it.”

“Ah… Thank you.”

Bo Mi moved very close to Jae Kyung and looked at the tablet screen. Her slightly protruding lips, lowering her eyes to focus on the tablet, looked cute.

Ha. Am I going crazy?

Since meeting this woman, feelings Jae Kyung had never experienced in his life were shaking him.

Last night’s dream of walking in the forest was different from usual. Han Bo Mi’s face overlapped with the face of the woman who had always been faceless.

This feeling might be because of that dream.

Bo Mi’s long eyelashes fluttered gently. The slightly smudged mascara marks around her eyes seemed to prove that she had cried, which bothered him.

Who made her cry? Was it because of Yeon Ga Jin? Because of Yeon Ga Young?

Jae Kyung clenched his fist as if trying to resist the urge to wipe beneath her eyes.

“I’ve checked. I’ll revise it and upload it again.”

Bo Mi raised her head with a clear face.

Was it because she was relieved after finding Yeo Reum? Suddenly, she became aware of how close she was to Jae Kyung. For no reason, last night’s events came to mind and she felt hot, avoiding Jae Kyung’s gaze.

Since when has he been looking at me?

“CEO Han Bo Mi.”

Jae Kyung’s voice calling her name resonated softly.

Why does even the voice sound alike? She had the illusion that Nak Won was calling her. It reminded her of those days spent with Nak Won.

She had left everything behind and impulsively gone to the mountain village where she lived with her mother as a child. After having the project she had worked hard to prepare stolen by her superior, and even being falsely accused on top of that. The village of Nak Won was where she had fled, feeling powerless, deprived, and betrayed.

She had tried to hide where there were no people because she had grown to dislike people, but…

Bo Mi met her destiny there.

Her eyes were drawn to his breathtakingly handsome appearance, and her heart raced at his refreshingly resonant voice.

‘My spring.’

Every time Nak Won called her name, her heart pounded just like now.

Bo Mi looked down at her toes, afraid that Jae Kyung might hear the foolish sound of her heartbeat.

“Yes, Director.”

“May I ask the reason for the unauthorized absence that made Team Leader Yeon Ga Young angry?”

Jae Kyung was still bothered by the reason Bo Mi had met Ga Jin. It was also uncomfortable for him to keep such things in his mind, given his personality.

“I’m sorry for causing concern with a personal matter.”

“I’m curious about how important that personal matter was.”

“…..”

Yeo Reum, the treasure left by Nak Won, was more important to Bo Mi than anything else.

“What was more important than company work.”

Bo Mi took a step back, feeling pressured by Jae Kyung’s energy.

Bo Mi felt surrounded by Jae Kyung, who closed the distance by the same amount each time she stepped back.

“It has nothing to do with company work.”

“If I say I’m personally curious, will you tell me?”

“…..”

Bo Mi swallowed hard and stepped back. Her back hit the wall, blocking her retreat.

“Why do you keep running away?”

Jae Kyung’s scent felt like the scent of the man she missed, making Bo Mi’s eyes redden and tremble. Why does Nak Won keep coming to mind today of all days?

“Why do you keep approaching, Director?”

You don’t know how I feel just seeing you with the same face as Nak Won, do you?

“Because I don’t want to let go.”

“What?”

“So what was that important matter?”

“To someone precious…”

Bo Mi opened her mouth as if resigned.

“Something happened.”

“Someone precious.”

Jae Kyung felt a hollow emotion at Bo Mi’s answer.

“I thought you disliked Yeon Ga Jin.”

“What?”

“Or did I come between the two of you before as well?”

Good gracious! Yeon Ga Jin… Bo Mi looked at Jae Kyung with a surprised expression.

“Director. I don’t think I have an obligation to answer questions about personal relationships.”

To even associate me with Yeon Ga Jin. Bo Mi didn’t think it necessary to let Jae Kyung know that she despised the Ga Jin and Ga Young siblings as a childhood trauma.

“I only want to talk about work with you, Director.”

Bo Mi turned her head, avoiding Jae Kyung’s gaze.

“If I’m curious not just about work but also about personal matters, what should I do?”

Jae Kyung tilted his body slightly and met Bo Mi’s gaze as she turned her head. Bo Mi, with nowhere left to escape, felt increasingly cornered.

“…. Don’t be curious.”

Don’t act as if you’re interested in me.

Bo Mi bit her lower lip. Jae Kyung’s finger touched Bo Mi’s lip and then withdrew.

Ah! Bo Mi’s pupils dilated as she parted her lips.

‘That hurts, you know.’

“That hurts, you know.”

The same words Nak Won used to say when Bo Mi bit her lip flowed from Jae Kyung’s lips.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trouble you.”

Jae Kyung’s apology was barely audible, buried under the sound of her heartbeat.

Being alone with Jae Kyung was too dangerous for Bo Mi.

“Can I go now?”

As Jae Kyung stepped back from Bo Mi, she finally exhaled in relief as if her airways had cleared.

Her heart keeps whirling, making a sound like the wind.

Won. I’m sorry. I keep seeing you in this man.

Bo Mi thought that being so conscious of Jae Kyung was because he resembled Won.

“Then can I ask this question?”

“Yes?”

“If it’s not Director Yeon Ga Jin, do you have someone you’re dating?”

“Director. Please keep your boundaries. If you act like someone who’s interested…”

She was angry. Not knowing how I feel being with you. Bo Mi struggled to suppress the hot emotions rising within her.

“Is it not okay?”

“What are you…”

“It seems that I.”

Jae Kyung approached and put his hand on the doorknob. Though not touching Jae Kyung, Bo Mi felt as if she could feel his body heat with her entire body.

The shadow of Nak Won, which couldn’t be erased no matter how much she wanted to, cast darkly over the distance that had suddenly closed again.

“I seem to be very interested in CEO Han Bo Mi.”

Bo Mi’s white nape trembled slightly under Jae Kyung’s gaze.