From the sidelines, it seemed more unnatural. Well, if the head of the department came to greet, would any assistant manager dare to respond while sitting and looking at the monitor?

Nevertheless, without a doubt, Head Yuntaeha was deeply infatuated with Sihyun. He was restless, wanting to see him one more time, wanting to add a few more words.

[Well, it could be.]

However, pretending not to notice, Miju reassured Sihyun and unknowingly alleviated his anxiety.

“Push forward and quickly enter the wedding hall!”

[Star Icon]

Sihyun received an unexpected phone call around the time of his evening commute. It was a video call from the United States.

“Mr. Leon?”

Seeing the face on the phone screen, Sihyun was delighted and didn’t know what to do. Since Taeha went to the military, it was the first time in about six years that he had seen this face.

Now he would be in his mid-forties, but he still had a youthful and beautiful appearance that made Sihyun admire.

“Perhaps you haven’t changed at all?”

[Dash] Our Sihyun has changed a lot.

As soon as Leon said a word, Sihyun was surprised and opened his mouth.

“Wow, really!”

Even if you closed your eyes and listened, he seemed vaguely Korean. Taeha’s words were true.

Being so absorbed in admiration, Sihyun became a bit slow to understand Leon’s words. Am I really changed so much? Since I started dating Taeha, I’ve become unusually sensitive to my age.

“Well, I’m aging now too.”

As he tried to answer like that, Leon smiled and continued.

[Dash] Maybe you’ve become so pretty? It seems true that a woman becomes more beautiful when she’s in love.

Sihyun felt embarrassed and didn’t know what to do. Already, Taeha must have heard everything.

What should I say in this situation? Should I apologize for shamelessly dating your son?

However, it seemed like Leon noticed Sihyun’s embarrassment and quickly changed the subject.

[Dash] Actually, I contacted you because I have a favor to ask.

“Yes, sir. Please tell me.”

[Dash] I ended up acquiring a hotel in Seoul.

“Oh, yes. I heard from Taeha. So, we had a meal at the restaurant there. It was really delicious, by the way.”

[Dash] This time, I hope you can stay overnight and check how it is. Of course, the accommodation is free, and I will provide breakfast. How about helping me with this?

“Of course. I’ll be happy to help with anything.”

[Dash] If it’s okay, you can go with Taeha.

“No! We’re not at that stage yet!”

In my confusion, I wanted to bite my tongue. In a way, it was like apologizing for dating your son, who is now my boyfriend’s father.

However, Leon, as if finding it amusing, twinkled his eyes.

[Dash] Oh, what should I do about our poor Taeha?

“What?”
[Dash] Think about it. With beautiful Sihyun by your side, how much envy do you think others would feel by now?

Sihyun replied a bit gloomily.

“It doesn’t seem like that much.”

Leon asked in confusion.

[Dash] Why do you think that?

Unable to say that Taeha doesn’t even attempt to kiss, Sihyun turned and spoke.

“…I don’t really know. Even though it’s clear that he likes me, sometimes he seems unsure.”

Looking at Sihyun with affectionate eyes, Leon spoke.

[Dash] When I first found Taeha, I tried to persuade him seriously. Let’s go to the U.S. together. I’ll hand over my business, and most importantly, if you become an American, you won’t have to go to the military, isn’t that nice?

“Taeha said he didn’t like it.”

[Dash] Yes. When I asked for the reason, you know what Taeha said?

“I don’t know.”

[Dash] Because she is here.

Leon said quietly.

[Dash] Although he didn’t explicitly say who she was, I understood it right away. I had already noticed it before. The way he looked at Sihyun was different.

Sihyun recalled Taeha’s gaze when he looked at her. Narrowed eyes, a faint smile on his lips, looking at her as if to say, “How can someone be so beautiful in this world?”

No one in her life had ever looked at her with such eyes. Not even from her ex-fiancé, whom she almost married.

[Dash] Does Sihyun know what kind of gaze Taeha has when he looks at her?

“Yes. I think I do.”

[Dash] It was the same back then. Even when Taeha was just a freshman in high school. It was so different from when he looked at me, his stepfather, that I felt a bit jealous.

Leon laughed.

[Dash] So maybe he’s being cautious. Because Taeha is so precious to him, he might be afraid of making a mistake and losing her.

“Is that really the case?”

Leon nodded firmly.

[Dash] Yes.

Sihyun felt strangely comforted by the lie. It was the words of the person who loved Taeha the most in the world, his father.

“Sir, when will you come to Korea?”

[Dash] Soon. It’s taking longer than I thought because there’s a lot to arrange.

“Arrange what?”

[Dash] I’ll tell you when I get to Korea.

Wait a bit, and Leon winked.

[Star Icon]

‘Hey, Leon suggested that he stay at the hotel for a night and check it out. Would you like to go together?’

After memorizing the lines in her mind, Sihyun headed to the director’s office. Taeha, who saw her coming in, quickly stood up and ran towards her.

“Why did you come to my office first for once?”

Even though he saw her yesterday and the day before, and even this morning, why would he be so delighted?

With a happy expression overpowering her, Sihyun felt a surge of courage.

Yeah, maybe Mr. Leon is right. Even if you just look at the gaze, it’s so obvious that he likes me.

‘Now that it’s like this, let’s just go without thinking!’

Thinking that way, Sihyun spoke.

“Hey, Taeha. What are you doing tonight?”

But what came back was an unexpected answer.

“I might have some work at my company that I need to check out. I might not be able to go home tonight.”

“Oh, I see. Take care, and don’t push yourself too hard.”

Sihyun sighed with disappointment. It would have been so awkward if she had said, “Let’s go to the hotel together.”

“But why is that?”

“It’s nothing. I just thought of going to eat something delicious tonight.”

Taeha said as if feeling sorry.

“I’ll be alone tonight. Since I’ll go home early tomorrow morning, let’s have breakfast together.”

Seeing him looking more upset, Sihyun couldn’t show her own disappointment.

[Star Icon]

In the end, Sihyun stayed alone at the hotel. As she checked in with the luggage she brought for a one-night stay, Sihyun felt a bit gloomy.
“Why does work have to come up today of all days?”

Realizing that she was blaming Taeha, Sihyun lightly squeezed her head inside the elevator.

“Fool, what can I do if there’s work?”

Sihyun adjusted her mindset. Considering the situation, she should think of it as a short vacation and enjoy a good rest!

“Wow.”

The moment she opened the door to the room, admiration escaped her lips. It was because, instead of a bed, a spacious living room and a sofa were visible.

“So, this is what they call a suite room that I’ve only heard about.”

Thinking that way, Sihyun stepped into the room. The interior was even more spacious and luxurious. A stylish chandelier, made of marble, and a high ceiling welcomed guests, sparkling like a greeting.

“How much is this room for just one night, anyway?”

Looking around the living room, powder room, and heading towards the bedroom, suddenly she heard the sound of water from the bathroom. Sihyun raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Who turned on the water?”

Thinking that she should turn off the tap, she opened the bathroom door, and at that moment, a burst of warm steam hit her face.

In a moment of confusion, as she looked towards the large spa bathtub, she made eye contact with a man who was soaking in it.

It was Taeha.

“……!”

Sihyun froze on the spot.