After her mother passed away when she was eight years old, the financial aspect was resolved through the sponsorship of CEO Hwang Min Jun. Until she became an adult, Bo Mi, who had nowhere else to go, was indebted to CEO Hwang Min Jun’s family home, not far from here.

Bo Mi didn’t want to burden Min Jun anymore with her own affairs.

A relationship that was both distant and close.

If someone were to find out about Min Jun and Bo Mi’s relationship, they might even doubt the skills of Narae Creative.

“Do you think being careful will be enough?”

“…. I’m sorry.”

Again…. Again…. Min Jun unconsciously clicked his tongue.

“I…. Hah…. Never mind.”

Min Jun still had a displeased expression.

Her stubborn insistence that she could handle things on her own while causing trouble and failing to resolve it resembled her mother Gaeul exactly.

Reckless, stubborn, and with such a willful personality.

It seemed like she wouldn’t have a man to take her, yet she went and recklessly had a child.

Even when offered to study abroad, she refused and entered a domestic university’s computer science department, then said she would move out. After graduating, before even looking into marriage prospects for her, she quit her job and disappeared.

And when they met again after about a year, it was a pregnant Bo Mi brought to the emergency room. Even now, recalling those emotions made his heart boil and left him feeling frustrated.

‘Just what kind of bastard is he? Not even married…. What on earth is this.’

Despite urging, Bo Mi kept her mouth shut and didn’t reveal who the father was. Seeing her small belly compared to the number of months pregnant and wrist bones that looked like they could break at any moment, anger welled up inside him.

When he said a few words about the recklessness of trying to raise a child after being deceived by a man without knowing the ways of the world, she ran away again. Although he pretended not to know where she went, he felt resentful.

Is there anything as difficult as raising people?

Nothing ever went according to Min Jun’s wishes.

“Since you’ve come after a long time, have a meal before you go.”

Bo Mi let out a small sigh. If she refused after meeting for the first time in a while, he would feel hurt. In the silence, only Housekeeper Kang spoke, addressing Bo Mi.

It’s uncomfortable.

“I ate well.”

“If you need money, don’t go through your aunt, tell me directly.”

“…. I’m sorry for making you worry.”

It seems her aunt took money again while using Bo Mi’s name. Bo Mi bit her lip gently.

As the only blood relatives left for Bo Mi were her aunt’s family, she had no choice but to keep quiet about her aunt’s behavior. One shameless person was enough.

While Min Jun was indifferent in all aspects, he never held back on financial support.

Perhaps this generous support was a tradition of the Hwang family.

Her mother also received a lot of sponsorship from the late Chairman Hwang, and even her maternal grandmother’s hospital bills were supported by Chairman Hwang.

Even before Hwangdo Construction was absorbed by Dowon, Bo Mi’s maternal grandfather worked as a caretaker for the Hwang family’s villa, and CEO Hwang Min Jun and her mother Han Gaeul knew each other since childhood. It was a strange friendship between the heir of Hwangdo Construction and the daughter of a villa caretaker.

From childhood, Gaeul followed Min Jun, and Min Jun adored her. The two, who only met during vacation seasons each year, became even closer when they went abroad together to study architecture. After finishing their studies abroad, the two worked at Hwangdo Construction and were said to be very close.

Her late maternal grandfather used to say that it was also thanks to the grace of Hwangdo Construction’s previous chairman that her mother Gaeul was able to go study abroad.

Ironically, her grandfather, who had pledged loyalty to the Hwang family, passed away when a building constructed by Hwangdo Construction collapsed.

“It seems Ga Young will be getting married soon, so show your face then.”

“Ga Young?”

Yeon Ga Young. She was CEO Hwang Min Jun’s sister, and the daughter of Mrs. Hwang, who grew up with Bo Mi.

She should say congratulations, that it’s great news, but…

Remembering what happened in childhood, those words wouldn’t come out easily.

The spectacular view of pink cherry blossoms blooming like clouds in the blue sky passed by outside the window. As he opened the window, the sound of the wind drowned out the boring story the woman had been telling.

“Elder brother Jae Kyung. Are you listening to my story?”

At Ga Young’s question, Jae Kyung tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

“I am listening.”

A political marriage was arranged for the sake of harmony within the Dowon Group. It meant joining hands with CEO Hwang Min Jun’s faction.

CEO Hwang Min Jun introduced his niece Yeon Ga Young as Do Jae Kyung’s marriage partner.

‘Jae Kyung. Now is the time to step back. Given CEO Hwang Min Jun’s age, he won’t hold the chairman position for more than twenty years at most. Since your grandfather collapsed, everyone has been supporting CEO Hwang Min Jun for years now.’

Jae Kyung’s mother, Sung Yeon Hee, wanted to accept the engagement, which was like a temporary ceasefire agreement.

‘I’m choosing to keep quiet and wait for the right time rather than losing you.’

Not long after Jae Kyung regained consciousness, his grandfather Chairman Do Jun Seok collapsed.

Since Jae Kyung’s grandmother Lee Hae Young, who was acting as chairman, supported CEO Hwang Min Jun, Jae Kyung’s position was even more precarious after being absent for nearly a year due to the accident.

If he married CEO Hwang Min Jun’s niece, at least Jae Kyung wouldn’t face life-threatening situations or be ostracized within the Dowon Group.

Do Jae Kyung and Yeon Ga Young.

If a child were born between them, it would be an eternal harmony and peaceful ending for the Do and Hwang families.

It was the most rational choice for the future development of the Dowon Group.

“Elder brother Jae Kyung. I was really looking forward to meeting you. You might not remember, but we met before you went abroad.”

Ga Young’s cheeks turned pink.

“I felt so proud watching you excel in the Strategic Planning Department.”

She recalled the time when she admired Jae Kyung from afar. When she heard that marriage talks were progressing, she was so happy she couldn’t sleep.

He’s handsome. What cologne does he use? He smells so good, and why does his voice melt people like this… To think this man will become mine!

Ga Young couldn’t take her eyes off Jae Kyung.

“We must be destined for each other, right? To think our childhood connection would lead to this… I think we suit each other so well.”

Without waiting for Jae Kyung’s response, Ga Young let her imagination run wild.

Jae Kyung wanted to quickly drop this woman off at her house and finish today’s schedule.

Her behavior and every word she spoke were vulgar and the exact opposite of Jae Kyung’s taste.

The woman’s perfume that filled the car was so strong that it gave him a headache, even with the windows open.

As Jae Kyung turned a curve while entering an alley, a gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers. He suddenly remembered the woman he met in the elevator.

She smelled like freshly bloomed lily of the valley.

Even though he thought she seemed crazy, he couldn’t take his eyes off her because of her subtle and sweet fragrance that cleared his mind.

Thinking of Bo Mi, he remembered the business card she had handed him. It felt like her lingering scent remained on that palm-sized piece of paper.

Was that why? Jae Kyung ended up stopping his work to examine that business card with his phone.

There’s no way she would have hidden any top secrets, but…

What was he so captivated by? He didn’t have time to worry about such things…

Curiosity. It was a whimsical curiosity about the momentary ripple in Jae Kyung’s otherwise predictable daily life.

When he shone his phone camera on it, an acorn-like character with white wings appeared fluttering.

‘Hello? I’m Han Bo Mi, the representative in charge of planning and application development at Narae Creative.’

The character bowed shyly, syncing with her voice.

‘…, I want to create apps that can make people happy and joyful with just a small gesture. And…’

Her soft-spoken manner suggested she was a very shy person. Jae Kyung found himself absorbed in the video as if he suddenly had all the time in the world.

‘… Then, for those of you who watched until the end, please shout “Naraetori” when you meet Han Bo Mi. I’ll treat you to a cool iced Americano. Press the dancing Naraetori to go to our homepage. Thank you.’

The character Naraetori walked out and waved together with Bo Mi. It was simple content combining a brief company introduction and her background. Yet it lingered long in Jae Kyung’s memory.

“Huh? Why is she here?”

Ga Young leaned forward and furrowed her brow. As if she had seen something unpleasant.

Jae Kyung spotted the woman who had been on his mind until just moments ago at the end of Ga Young’s gaze.

Bo Mi, with short hair wearing an apricot-colored dress, was looking into a shopping bag with a troubled expression as she exited the main gate of CEO Hwang Min Jun’s mansion.

“Do you know her?”

Jae Kyung pretended not to know and asked Ga Young.

“Of course. She’s like a parasite leeching off my uncle. Since uncle is single and not remarrying, she tried to seduce him but it didn’t work out, so she disappeared for a while…”

Ga Young smiled brightly, happy that Jae Kyung had finally spoken to her.

“I guess she ran out of money.”

Jae Kyung felt displeased by Ga Young’s answer. What did it matter what Han Bo Mi was doing?

“I believe there’s quite an age difference between her and CEO Hwang.”

“Oh my, elder brother Jae Kyung. Uncle has wealth, looks, and education. Do you think girls like that who are after money care about age? If he were a dying old man, they’d be even crazier trying to get an inheritance.”

“…”

Jae Kyung closed his mouth, seemingly not wanting to respond.

He knew better than anyone that age didn’t matter in relationships between men and women.

Even his paternal grandmother Shin Mi Hee, who had lost contact after he and his mother went abroad, was twenty years younger than his grandfather. The last time his grandmother contacted him was 6 years ago. Where on earth could she be hiding?

Whether CEO Hwang Min Jun was dating a woman young enough to be his daughter or being swindled for money was none of Jae Kyung’s business.

It was only because if the CEO of Narae Creative, which was working with Dowon Distribution, was CEO Hwang Min Jun’s girlfriend, the fairness of this open recruitment would be in question. That was all.

“I can’t believe she has the nerve to come see uncle again after causing all that trouble.”

Ga Young’s insides churned as Bo Mi reappeared in Seongbuk-dong, after feeling relieved when she hadn’t been seen for a while. Ga Young had disliked Bo Mi since childhood.

“What happened?”

“She got a job at the famous app company ZY Company using uncle’s connections, but since she was parachuted in without skills, I guess she stole someone else’s project. When that was discovered, she was too embarrassed so she resigned and disappeared.”

It irked her that someone with no parents or possessions received her uncle’s attention.

CEO Hwang Min Jun had no children. His marriage in his forties for political reasons didn’t last long. For many years, Ga Young’s mother Mrs. Hwang had supported her brother Min Jun as the lady of the house.

Since Ga Young’s parents divorced when she was young, she regarded Min Jun as a father figure. Mrs. Hwang always said that all the family’s wealth belonged to her brother and Ga Young.

‘You’re going to register a child that’s not even yours in your family registry? Min Jun, are you crazy? That girl is trying to ruin our family even after her death.’

Mrs. Hwang strongly opposed Min Jun’s attempt to adopt young Bo Mi because she didn’t want the share for her own children to decrease.

“Moreover, as if uncle wasn’t enough, she even tried to seduce our brother by calling him to her room at night… Ugh. There’s no end if I start talking. Causing trouble without any skills… Look at that shopping bag. I wonder what luxury item she’s squeezed out of him this time.”

Ga Young was busy slandering Bo Mi, lest Jae Kyung might show any interest in her.

“To think uncle would accept someone like that, he’s really a bodhisattva.”

“Yeon Ga Young.”

“Yes, elder brother Jae Kyung.”

Ga Young answered with an ecstatic expression when Jae Kyung called her name.

“We’ve arrived, so please get out now.”

Jae Kyung was embarrassed to be with a woman who wouldn’t stop badmouthing others.

Regarding CEO Han Bo Mi, he wanted to find out and confirm things directly rather than hearing stories from others.

“Elder brother Jae Kyung. I had fun today. When shall we meet next?”

Ga Young, who had gotten out of the car, tapped on the driver’s side window with her finger and asked with a seductive expression. As she pushed back her thickly waved hair, her earrings jingled and sparkled.

“Secretary Kim will contact you.”

Jae Kyung seemed uninterested in Ga Young’s behavior, his eyes following Bo Mi’s retreating figure.

“I’ll be waiting.”

Ga Young waved with a bright smile. It was clear that Jae Kyung liked her too. His silence today must have been because he was shy about meeting his destined partner.

Jae Kyung spotted Bo Mi trudging down the hill, following the high walls of the upscale residential area.

Jae Kyung slowed the car to match Bo Mi’s pace.

Her swaying walk reminded him of the Naraetori character from Bo Mi’s business card.

She really makes things just like herself.

He couldn’t help but smile.

He could have rolled down the window and called out to her, demanding to know her relationship with CEO Hwang Min Jun and if there had been any irregularities in the open recruitment.

But… Jae Kyung tapped the steering wheel with his fingertips, applying pressure with his hands.

Bo Mi’s figure hesitated for a moment, then bent down in that spot.

Was it guilt for having tailed her?

Jae Kyung tensed for a moment, thinking she had noticed his presence, but then realized that if anyone should be troubled about being discovered, it was Bo Mi who was hiding her connection to CEO Hwang Min Jun.

At her feet was a black and white tuxedo cat.

Bo Mi’s lips moved busily as if talking to the cat, her eyes crinkling gently. The look in her eyes as she gazed at the cat rubbing against her white legs was as warm as the spring sunshine.

Jae Kyung watched the scene for a moment, as if entranced. The video he had seen on the business card flashed through his mind again.

He pulled the car up beside her and rolled down the window.

“CEO Han Bo Mi.”

Her shoulders jerked noticeably, and her eyes grew round like saucers along with the cat’s, seemingly surprised to encounter Jae Kyung in an unexpected place.