Soft classical music played inside the car, and the city lights flickered outside the window.

“Yes, Jae Kyung.”

Bo Mi answered the phone as soon as it rang, as if she had been waiting for it.

– Were you waiting for my call?

“…. Yes. I guess I was waiting.”

– That’s nice. I wanted to hear your voice.

The first call between the two was a bit awkward and tingly.

– I’m sorry I couldn’t come pick you up.

“It’s okay if we meet next time…”

– I felt like if it wasn’t today, you might run away again.

“…. Now…”

She was about to say she wouldn’t do that anymore, but swallowed her words.

“Is the chairman alright?”

– He’s passed the critical point. I suppose his body is reaching its limits after being bedridden for so long.

If Chairman Do Jun Seok were to pass away now, who would be the next successor? Since the contents of the will had not been disclosed, no one could predict. Jae Kyung’s grandmother Lee Hae Young was backing Director Hwang Min Jun.

Even within the Do Won Group, there were strong rumors that Director Hwang Min Jun would take over rather than the still young Jae Kyung.

Some said that since Chairman Do Jun Seok, who valued bloodline, had pointed to Jae Kyung, Hae Young was prolonging Jun Seok’s lifeline to overturn the situation.

‘If I become the owner of Do Won Group, then you can have everything next.’

It was the position Won Il had wanted and the seat promised to Jae Kyung. Won Il’s position became firm after he finished his studies in England. Until then, Jun Seok had kept Won Il’s existence a secret.

Perhaps because of these circumstances, Won Il could not proudly accept that he was the child of a mistress.

That’s why he was even more obsessed with the position of the next chairman.

He was fixated on pushing through with business ventures to produce results.

After Won Il died, Sung Yeon Hee tried to carry on his wishes to put Jae Kyung in the chairman’s seat.

Grandfather passing away during this period when Jae Kyung’s power base was not yet solid would be a big blow.

Jae Kyung had planned to have dinner with Bo Mi, send Yeo Reum back, and then go pick up Bo Mi. But he had to go to the hospital when he received word that Chairman Do Jun Seok was in critical condition.

Every time Chairman Do Jun Seok passed a crisis, Sung Yeon Hee became anxious. She could not rely solely on Jun Seok, and could not hope for the chairman’s seat, so she had no choice but to tacitly agree to the marriage with Yeon Ga Young.

It was a sure path for Jae Kyung to become the owner of Do Won Group, even if it took time.

– It seems he’ll hold on for a while longer.

“That’s a relief.”

– Bo Mi.

“Yes, Jae Kyung.”

– Can you give me an answer today?

“…”

Bo Mi’s mouth went dry.

“Maybe.”

– I’m looking forward to it.

The sound of willow branches rustling in the wind once again rang loudly in Bo Mi’s ears.

She felt more nervous and cautious than that summer day when she had recklessly clashed emotions with Nakwon.

The place Jae Kyung invited her to was a party space on the rooftop of an officetel building. After arriving at the top floor, they changed to an elevator connected to the roof.

When the doors opened, a dimly lit bar counter came into view. The waves of the swimming pool reflected through the wide glass windows.

Bo Mi unconsciously looked over her own outfit. If she had known they were coming to such an atmospheric place, she would have dressed up more…

Her long skirt and shirt combination felt too matronly. The high heels she wore, unlike usual, provided some comfort.

She’s a married woman anyway… Holding the hem of her skirt, she bowed her head and let out a deep sigh.

‘It’s late, so I was thinking of going to a place I sometimes go to relax. Is that okay?’

Do Jae Kyung, who had brought bodyguards even to Happy Day with her father. Bo Mi also noticed familiar faces standing behind the cheering section. She thought it would be too much to go somewhere with Jae Kyung and other people.

‘Or do you want to go to my place?’

‘Pardon?’

Going to his home on the first date, isn’t that too revealing?

Bo Mi wore a confused expression.

No, wait. If there are people around, she won’t be able to see Jae Kyung’s bare body…

Bo Mi thought his home might be okay since there was something she wanted to confirm.

After seeing Jae Kyung dislike burdock root just like Nakwon today, Bo Mi couldn’t shake her suspicions.

Nakwon was a man who didn’t know his past. If Nakwon’s past was Jae Kyung…

And if he had lost his memories, he would have a scar in the same place as Nakwon.

The scar about 10 centimeters long above the pubic bone was said to have occurred when he came to Nakwon Village. If there was a scar there, he might really be Nakwon.

Bo Mi wanted to go to Jae Kyung’s house to check.

‘Home would be uncomfortable, right? Let’s go to a place I often visit. It’s quiet and good for talking.’

‘Home is fine too.’

Bo Mi blurted out urgently.

‘Oh… Is it okay?’

Huh? If I say it’s okay here, does that mean I’m allowing intimate things between a man and woman?

‘No. It’s not okay.’

Bo Mi answered reflexively and regretted it.

“Welcome.”

The bartender standing at the bar counter greeted Bo Mi with a smile. Bo Mi smiled back awkwardly and replied.

“You can go out to the terrace.”

“Ah. Yes. Thank you.”

He said it was quiet and good for talking, but there are no customers at all.

Bo Mi looked around as she opened the terrace door. The pink, orange, and violet lights reflected on the surface of the pool, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. As the wind blew, the water’s surface rippled with beautiful colors.

Sunbeds and tables were placed by the poolside. The air, with the heat slightly abated, felt pleasant. As the Paradisus project entered its middle stages, the days had been so busy that even summer vacation was given up.

With Narae Creative’s future at stake, Bo Mi had immersed herself in work. Seeing the pleasantly rippling water surface now made her regret not going to the pool even once with Yeo Reum.

“Yeo Reum would like this…”

“Then shall we bring him next time?”

Jae Kyung, who had come out to the terrace entrance to greet her, whispered.

“Jae Kyung.”

“This pool might be a bit deep, does Yeo Reum swim well?”

“… Ah… Well.”

“If he can’t, I can teach him.”

Imagining Yeo Reum and Jae Kyung playing in the water together made her heart flutter for no reason. There’s no promise of being together with Jae Kyung next summer…

“I’m a good swimmer.”

Jae Kyung reached out and wrapped his hand around Bo Mi’s.

He would surely look great in a swimsuit. Bo Mi’s face flushed just imagining it.

“Let’s go to an indoor pool then. Yeo Reum will like it too.”

Bo Mi came up with a good idea to check Jae Kyung’s scar. If there’s no scar in the same place as Nakwon, she should abandon her suspicions. Then she might be able to stop overlapping Nakwon with Jae Kyung.

“Okay. Let’s go together.”

Jae Kyung smiled brightly, pleased with Bo Mi’s answer. His deep dimples looked sexy.

“Sit here. Is a cocktail okay? The bartender here is skilled.”

Jae Kyung guided Bo Mi to a sunbed.

“I…”

“Yours is non-alcoholic.”

“No, I’ll… drink alcohol today.”

Bo Mi furrowed her brow as if offended by the mention of non-alcoholic.

“A little is okay.”

“I know it’s okay.”

“Then…”

“Still, not today.”

Jae Kyung tickled the back of Bo Mi’s hand with his finger as he wore a firm expression.

“Just for today, you can’t mistake me for that man Won again.”

‘I don’t mind going crazy. This time, be enchanted by me… pounce on me.’

Bo Mi remembered kissing Jae Kyung, mistaking him for Won under the influence of alcohol.

“Ah… Today…”

She was about to say she absolutely wouldn’t make that mistake, but Jae Kyung shook his head.

“Listen to me. I’ll go order.”

Bo Mi stroked her chest area, which she thought would calm down if she drank.

She didn’t know why she felt so nervous.

She couldn’t take her eyes off his back as he walked by the poolside in a black shirt and slacks. Jae Kyung was truly a handsome man who fit well with this city. Won had a purity that went well with the scenery of Nakwon Village. Why did she have such suspicions that he was the same person as Jae Kyung, who had the exact opposite image of Won?

Maybe because Yeo Reum follows him like a father, Bo Mi has also come to wish that he was Nakwon.

‘What I want from you, Bo Mi, is just one thing.’

What Jae Kyung wanted was a few hours given wholly to him.

‘Be honest about me.’

‘… Jae Kyung. I’m not confident.’

She hesitated again and again, wondering if a woman with a child could accept a man like Do Jae Kyung.

‘Don’t answer yet.’

‘…’

‘Give me that answer in the time you give wholly to me.’

Jae Kyung postponed hearing Bo Mi’s answer to his confession.

‘Don’t deceive yourself either.’

He had never wanted a woman like this before, nor had he ever begged for someone to open their heart.

After realizing his feelings for Han Bo Mi, they overflowed uncontrollably.

As if everything was natural, his gaze went to her, he wanted to spend time with her, and his head and heart were completely filled with Han Bo Mi.

Even without planning or intending to, everything about Do Jae Kyung was directed towards Han Bo Mi.

There wasn’t even a trace left of his first impression of her as a mentally unstable woman.

He felt certain that he had lived all this time just to meet this woman.

‘Don’t think about running away either.’

Yes. Her eyes were full of Do Jae Kyung. Han Bo Mi was clearly wavering towards him too. It was so clear that this feeling wasn’t one-sided.

‘Lies won’t work.’

If she were to express her feelings for Jae Kyung in words, it would be love, but Bo Mi still lacked confidence.

There were countless walls between him and her.

Bo Mi narrowed her eyes as if the light reflecting off the water surface was too bright.

She approached the man walking along the poolside carrying cocktails.

“Thank you.”

“I’m grateful too.”

The two lightly clinked their glasses and brought them to their lips while maintaining eye contact.

The sweet taste with a hint of peach moistened their tongues as it flowed in.

This time of facing each other felt sweeter than ever. The time she decided to be honest for his sake.

In any case, Do Jae Kyung doesn’t believe Han Bo Mi’s words that she doesn’t like Jae Kyung.

Jae Kyung’s hand brushed over Bo Mi’s fingers as she set down her cocktail glass.

Bo Mi clenched her fist shyly at the heat spreading from her fingertips.

“Bo Mi.”

Instead of answering, Bo Mi raised her head to look at Jae Kyung.

“I’ll say it properly once more.”

The rippling water surface was reflected in Jae Kyung’s eyes.

Bo Mi knew what he was going to say, but her heart still beat rapidly as if full of anticipation.

“I like you, Bo Mi.”

“…”

“Forget that man, and only look at me now.”

Has Jae Kyung never been afraid of this feeling? While I’m just so scared…

Not avoiding, not running away, not lying.

Now it was Bo Mi’s turn to give him a proper answer.