Once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. Yeoreum’s attempt to rectify only seemed to make the situation worse. Clenching her fists, she spoke forcefully.
Nowhere else to retreat to. Might as well confront it.
“Yes. Not at all.”
Then Tae-seok gripped her chin and drew her in peculiarly.
“How about this?”
He lightly pecked her lips. Just a brief touch, almost a soft gesture.
Something even kindergarten kids would do. Just a simple touch.
But Yeoreum’s pupils dilated, and her heart began to race wildly.
“What are you doing…!”
Yeoreum pushed Tae-seok away and stepped back. The brief touch on her lips felt scorchingly hot. She tried to shake off that mushy sensation, yelling,
“That’s rude! Don’t be any ruder!”
“Really, even in any situation, you won’t be shaken?”
“…”
“I’m curious.”
Tae-seok closed the distance between them again.
His lips, unhesitating and smiling, approached. Yeoreum immediately understood his intent. Her legs gave way, and she almost collapsed.
“Why? You said you’d never be shaken. Do it then.”
“…”
“I’ll try to shake you.”
Tae-seok approached Yeoreum, who had collapsed. Regaining her senses, Yeoreum quickly stood up. Her mind was completely blank, unable to think of anything.
“I’m leaving.”
She ran out without even grabbing her bag.
“Ha. Choi Yeoreum.”
Tae-seok cursed under his breath as he gazed at the bag Yeoreum left behind.
He couldn’t pinpoint when his rationality had snapped. Was it because of her tearful eyes, or her proclamation that she wouldn’t be shaken?
Whatever it was, it was all because of Choi Yeoreum.
He tried not to cross the line, yet why did he provoke her to the edge?
A desire surged from the briefly touched lips. He regretted it. By provoking her, he had brought torture upon himself.
“You really drive me crazy.”
The next day.
Ji-hyeon-jung felt cold sweat running down her back as she listened to Tae-seok’s firm voice.
Having known him for over ten years, this was the first time she heard him speak like this. The thought that they could become just strangers, or even worse, struck her for the first time.
“I’m sorry. I worried too much.”
Thus, she had no choice but to apologize.
[It’s more than just worry. CEO, you’ve made a big mistake this time.]Ji-hyeon-jung gripped her phone tightly. She kept calling him brother, while Tae-seok insisted on calling her CEO, indicating a clear difference in their perspectives.
“I’m sorry.”
[Let’s make it clear. From now on, the agency will not interfere with Seo Tae-seok’s personal life.]“Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.”
[Not just keep in mind. Let’s add it to the contract. No touching personal life. Breach results in contract termination.]“Tae-seok, why go to such lengths between us?”
[What’s our relationship?]She had thought they were somewhat special.
They met through a contract but had already renewed it thrice. Tae-seok even knew Ji-hyeon-jung’s home password, and they sometimes shared drinks and personal talks.
So, it was deeper than friendship, almost like family, or perhaps like a pre-relationship, or even…
Tae-seok abruptly cut off Ji-hyeon-jung’s thoughts.
[We’re just an actor and CEO. What’s so special?]“Ah.”
[I’ll send my lawyer. Let’s amend the contract.]Seo Tae-seok drew a clear line. Ji-hyeon-jung wanted to ignore it despite seeing the clear boundary.
“Alright. Let’s do as you wish. Kim Secretary overstepped this time. I’ll warn her.”
[Not just warn her. She should never set foot in my house again.]“Okay. Got it.”
[Alright. That’s it then.]“Tae-seok! How about dinner tomorrow? A drink. Or a meal.”
As the call was about to disconnect, Ji-hyeon-jung hastily caught the tail end of the conversation. She quickly checked if the call had been cut off. Fortunately, it was still connected.
“Tae-seok…?”
[Ah, what did you say? I didn’t hear you. Yeoreum is here.]The sound of the front door lock opening was heard.
[Hold on a second.]Tae-seok’s voice over the phone was slightly brighter than before. ‘Traffic wasn’t bad, I guess. She arrived early. I just made coffee.’
Ji-hyeon-jung’s heart sank. Since their reunion, Tae-seok had never referred to her as ‘Yeoreum’ in such an affectionate tone, not in Ji-hyeon-jung’s memory.
“Yeoreum? Did you call her Yeoreum?”
[Ah.]Panic was evident in his voice.
[Author Choi Yeoreum.]As Ji-hyeon-jung trembled with a faint sense of defeat, Tae-seok spoke coldly.
[Anyways, I’m hanging up, CEO. Discuss the rest with my lawyer.]An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most
One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.
This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:
1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.
It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.
(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)
2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.
The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.
3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.
Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).
Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.
Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.
4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).
5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!
