Sister Soo Ah?

Jae Yi’s eyes met directly with the man who had his arm around her shoulder.

For a moment, she almost let out a scream.

W-Who is this? This man…

Seeing Yu Jun’s startled reaction upon recognizing Jae Yi’s face, Ri Na shook her head.

“You should look at people’s faces properly before speaking. Why did that name come up here?”

“Ah, no, I…”

Park Yu Jun seemed quite shocked, as he still couldn’t remove his hand gripping Jae Yi’s shoulder.

Geon Hak forcibly removed Park Yu Jun’s hand, which had frozen in place due to his habit of tensing up when surprised or shocked.

He grabbed Jae Yi’s wrist and pulled her to his side.

“As expected of the annoying guy.”

Annoying guy? Ah, so this must be the person the director mentioned.

“I apologize. I was rude to someone I’m meeting for the first time today.”

Yu Jun apologized to Jae Yi while scratching the back of his head.

Geon Hak wrapped his arm protectively around Jae Yi’s shoulders and looked at her with gentle eyes.

“Are you okay? You must have been startled.”

“Ah, I’m fine, Director.”

Park Yu Jun’s eyes moved quickly.

Could it be.

‘I told you. Cha Geon Hak is interested in a woman.’

Is she a Yoon Soo Ah lookalike?

He was confused for a moment, but to Yu Jun, there was no resemblance at all.

How strange. It seems like the first time I’ve seen Cha Geon Hak care about a woman other than Yoon Soo Ah.

No way. Has he made up his mind? For Cha Geon Hak to be this fussy, he must be really serious.

Yu Jun quickly gathered his thoughts and said,

“I’m late with my introduction. My name is Park Yu Jun.”

He abruptly extended his hand towards Jae Yi.

“Ah, I’m…”

Geon Hak intercepted Yu Jun’s outstretched hand and shook it instead. Ri Na made a disgusted expression at the sight.

“What’s with Cha Geon Hak? Why is he acting like that?”

Jae Yi, momentarily flustered, quickly continued speaking.

“I’m Han Jae Yi.”

“I’ve been wanting to meet you. It’s nice to meet you like this, Han Jae Yi.”

* * *

The awkward atmosphere quickly dissipated.

Park Yu Jun turned out to be quite a pleasant and good person. He quickly made the atmosphere fun if there was even a bit of awkwardness.

At first, Jae Yi worried he might disapprove of her, but fortunately, he seemed to view her favorably and even asked many questions.

“Ah, so you secretly had a crush on the prickly Cha Geon Hak? How did you have a crush for 2 years? That’s really impressive.”

Jae Yi was so busy answering Yu Jun’s questions that she couldn’t even eat properly.

Geon Hak furrowed his brow.

“Park Yu Jun.”

“Hm? What?”

“Stop asking. Let her eat something first. Why are you so lacking in manners towards people?”

“Oh right, what was I thinking? Go ahead and eat first, Han Jae Yi.”

“Okay.”

Jae Yi looked at Geon Hak sitting next to her. Though he didn’t say anything, Geon Hak kept paying attention to Jae Yi.

The director seems very comfortable today.

Is it because he’s with close friends?

Ri Na watched Geon Hak, who wasn’t drinking a single sip of alcohol today and was only drinking non-alcoholic cocktails.

“But why aren’t you drinking any alcohol and just downing cocktails?”

“So that mosquitoes like Park Yu Jun don’t hit on Han Jae Yi.”

“Wow, you’re really crazy.”

Ri Na, who was sipping champagne across from Jae Yi, rubbed her arms.

“I seriously got goosebumps all over my body.”

Geon Hak let out a low chuckle.

Since coming here, Jae Yi knew that Cha Geon Hak had been constantly paying attention to her. Because of that, her heart kept pounding pleasantly.

Ring ring, ring.

Geon Hak took out the phone from his suit pocket and checked it.

The smile briefly disappeared from Cha Geon Hak’s face as he checked the caller, and he looked at Jae Yi.

“I think I need to take this call for a moment. Will you be okay alone?”

Jae Yi nodded at Geon Hak’s question. As he stood up, Yu Jun and Ri Na’s gazes turned to Geon Hak.

“Don’t say anything unnecessary while I’m gone, especially you, Park Yu Jun.”

Yu Jun nodded halfheartedly, saying he understood.

As Geon Hak moved away, Jae Yi took a bite of the caviar canapé in front of her. Yu Jun quickly asked,

“Jae Yi.”

“Yes?”

“Does Cha Geon Hak treat you well?”

Jae Yi nodded.

“Yes. He’s extremely kind.”

“Oh, really? I’ve never seen Cha Geon Hak’s kind side even once.”

As soon as Geon Hak disappeared, Yu Jun started asking about the parts he was more curious about.

“I recently injured my leg. It wasn’t a big injury, just a slight tear in my knee. But the director carried me to my room, treated me, and didn’t let me lift a finger.”

Carried her to her room?

“Don’t tell me, Jae Yi is staying at Geon Hak’s house?”

“Yes. I’m staying at the director’s house temporarily for personal reasons.”

“Wow, this is something I had no idea about. Cha Geon Hak even brought a woman into his personal space. Even Yoon Soo Ah―”

As the name ‘Yoon Soo Ah’ flowed from his lips again, Ri Na quickly jabbed him in the side.

Yu Jun’s lips immediately clamped shut.

That name came up again. Yoon Soo Ah.

Strangely, that name sounded familiar. Where have I heard that name before?

“Um, if it’s not rude, may I ask one thing too?”

“Of course.”

“You keep mistaking me for this Yoon Soo Ah person. Who exactly is she?”

“Ah. Well…”

Yu Jun looked at Ri Na for help, seeming to regret speaking after already having said it. Ri Na avoided his gaze and just kept drinking champagne.

“Please tell me.”

“Sigh, then you absolutely can’t let Cha Geon Hak know you know. Understood?”

Jae Yi nodded.

Ri Na shook her head at the sight of Yu Jun finally starting to talk about Yoon Soo Ah.

“Oh geez, I can’t deal with you. I told you to drink in moderation.”

“Jae Yi would’ve found out eventually anyway. Cha Geon Hak would never tell her, but Jae Yi should know too.”

Park Yu Jun’s drunken rambling started again, as he tends to blabber useless things when drunk.

Knowing he wouldn’t shut up even if told to, Ri Na seemed to dislike getting involved and stood up from her seat.

With even Ri Na gone, Jae Yi met Yu Jun’s gaze across from her.

Who on earth is that woman?

Who could she be…

“She’s Cha Geon Hak’s first love, Yoon Soo Ah. The woman Cha Geon Hak loved so much.”

* * *

Geon Hak’s thick eyebrows shot up before returning to their place.

“How much did you make her drink when she can’t handle alcohol?”

Geon Hak took the champagne glass from Jae Yi’s hand.

“Come to your senses.”

“Huh? Director, you’re back?”

Han Jae Yi’s high tension, never seen before.

Was Han Jae Yi’s voice always this loud? With both cheeks flushed red, Jae Yi was looking at Geon Hak.

Seeing her drunk appearance, Geon Hak plopped down next to Jae Yi and furrowed his brow. But he wasn’t angry. Rather, he could only smile.

“Why did you drink so much when you can’t handle alcohol? Your face is bright red.”

Geon Hak’s large palm gently cupped Jae Yi’s face. The director’s cool touch seemed to cool Jae Yi’s hot cheeks.

“Because I’m so~ happy.”

“What’s making you so happy?”

“I don’t know. I just, hiccup, ended up like this from drinking whatever was given to me. Hehe.”

Jae Yi smiled cutely. With her tongue even slurring, her broadly smiling appearance was quite lovable.

“Well well. You’re completely drunk.”

Geon Hak turned his head to look at Kim Ri Na approaching while swirling a glass of Burgundy wine.

Geon Hak’s large palm was still cupping Jae Yi’s face.

“Kim Ri Na. You should have stayed with her. It seems she fell for Park Yu Jun’s tricks and drank everything given to her.”

To Ri Na, it didn’t seem like Han Jae Yi drank everything Park Yu Jun offered, but rather that she drank because she was upset after hearing about Cha Geon Hak’s first love.

“You’re right. I should have stayed.”

Geon Hak let out a deep sigh and looked at Jae Yi.

“Sigh, Han Jae Yi, can you move?”

“Yes~p. Of course.”

As Jae Yi sat on the sofa waving her arms back and forth, Geon Hak lightly grabbed her wrist.

“Jae Yi! Where are you going~? We need to have one more drink.”

Geon Hak glared sharply at Yu Jun, who kept offering drinks to her as she could barely maintain her balance.

“Ah, yes, I’ll take it. I’ll take it.”

“What are you taking?”

Yu Jun stuck out his tongue, seemingly displeased with Geon Hak’s actions.

“It’s my birthday. So of course you have to accept the drinks I offer. Why are you so tactless, so tactless.”

Who’s being tactless right now?

“Oh my, are you glaring at me? Director Cha. I told you. No matter how close we are, don’t look at me like that. I said it’s really scary.”

Yu Jun, completely drunk, grinned and clapped his hands once before saying,

“Oh right, Jae Yi, did you know? Even Cha Geon Hak’s name is sexy.”

“Really? Even his name?”

Jae Yi blinked and looked at Yu Jun. Her face showed curiosity.

Geon Hak let out a deep sigh, knowing what kind of words would come out of Park Yu Jun’s mouth.

Hah, here we go again.

“Park Yu Jun. Shut that mouth.”

“Why? Jae Yi should know too. Even our Director Cha’s name is sexy. Cha Geon hah, hah―”

Seeing Yu Jun’s crazy jokes, Ri Na quickly put down her wine glass and covered Yu Jun’s mouth.

“He’s really gone crazy.”

“Hah, hah… Why are you covering it? Kim Ri Na.”

“If you hadn’t covered Park Yu Jun’s mouth, my fist would have flown involuntarily. Good job.”

Ri Na nodded.

“You should go now too. Jae Yi seems pretty drunk.”

Geon Hak nodded and looked at Jae Yi. She burst out laughing, finding Yu Jun amusing.

“It’s so funny, Yu Jun. Do it again, do it again.”

“Should I? Hah, hah… mmph.”

Ri Na covered his mouth once more. Geon Hak rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache.

Seeing her laugh brightly at Yu Jun’s words, Geon Hak couldn’t say anything. Her face, which had seemed unhappy just moments ago, quickly broke into a smile.

“Let’s go home now. Han Jae Yi.”

* * *

Jae Yi blinked and looked at Geon Hak.

Geon Hak was carefully cradling Jae Yi’s head to prevent her from hitting it on the car door.

Cha Geon Hak’s actions were so gentle.

This is so nice. I want to stay by the director’s side like this forever.

I always want to be by his side.

Perhaps feeling hot from bringing the drunk Jae Yi, Geon Hak loosened his tie.

“Director~”

“What?”

“…Director~”

“Why do you keep calling me?”

Geon Hak met the drunk Jae Yi’s eye level.

Jae Yi blinked at him with flushed cheeks. Geon Hak chuckled.

How cute.

When she was drunk, she became more affectionate and smiled more.

Han Jae Yi looking up at him with a red face was very lovable.

“I like~ you so much, Director.”

“I like you too.”

At his response, Jae Yi wrapped her arms around Geon Hak’s neck.

Geon Hak smiled.

Finding her bold actions even outside cute, Geon Hak bent down to match her posture as she wanted.

“I want to kiss you.”

“Go ahead then.”

As Geon Hak slightly turned his head, Jae Yi gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Again.”

Geon Hak turned his other cheek and Jae Yi kissed it with a smack. A smile spread across Geon Hak’s face.

“Heh, this is so nice.”

“You like it that much?”

“Yes~. I like it so so much.”

“Hah, should I make you drink occasionally?”

This is so cute it’s driving me crazy.

“Director~”

“Yes.”

“Can’t you just keep liking only me?”

Geon Hak’s gaze lingered on Jae Yi.

The smile disappeared from Jae Yi’s face that had been cutely smiling, and she now looked at Geon Hak with an expression like she was about to cry. Geon Hak’s brow naturally furrowed.

Jae Yi’s red lips trembled as they moved.

“Just… like only me. More than your first love.”