“Did I fall asleep here?”

Yes, she did. Soyeon didn’t mind his intrusion, and the desire awakened by it wanted the warmth and comfort of Taeseojun’s embrace, causing her eyes to involuntarily close in the midst of it.

“What to do? Is it uncomfortable because of me that you couldn’t sleep until now?”

“No. No, it’s not. I woke up for a moment. To drink water.”

“Even so, because of me, you couldn’t sleep well until now?”

“No. No, I just woke up for a moment. I’m going to get some water.”

“Even so, I’ll go to the next room, so sleep comfortably.”
Abruptly, when Soyeon tried to sit up, Seojun swiftly moved, wrapping one arm around her shoulders and pulling her towards himself.

“Is it really uncomfortable?”

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“Yes.”

Actually, the excuse of changing rooms was just a pretext. Soyeon, who had confessed everything about her feelings and last night’s incident resurfacing, felt extremely embarrassed. Though it wasn’t the first time with Taeseojun, strangely, it felt more awkward and she just wanted to hide anywhere.

As a result, her face became even more flushed.

“My heart is pounding so much that I feel like I can’t sleep.”

“You slept fine just now; is it different now?”

As if saying it’s impossible, Seojun tightened his grip on Soyeon, causing her flattened cheek to cutely protest with her protruding lips.

“If you do this, I might suffocate and die before falling asleep.”

“Heh, like this?”

With a light chuckle, Seojun gently embraced Soyeon’s lower back.

“…”

As if signaling it was okay, Soyeon shyly fidgeted, and within the wide embrace, Seojun’s intense gaze lingered even longer as she nestled closer.

“Let’s sleep a bit more…”

Feeling equally excited as her.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

10 a.m.

In the living room of Taeseojun’s Hannam-dong residence, Director Bong was waiting as Seojun had called him.

“Let’s talk.”

Dressed neatly in a black suit, Taeseojun, with a narrowed gaze, called Director Bong into the study.

Seojun had a fashion magazine interview scheduled for this afternoon. Since Soyeon had left early in the morning for a CF shoot, there were only Director Bong and Taeseojun in the house.

Observing Director Bong listing important tasks and today’s new movie casting proposal in a report, Seojun’s lips curled up slightly.

It was evident that Director Bong knew the meaning behind the smile, implying, ‘That’s not the only thing.’

Although nearly eight years had passed since Taeseojun was adopted, who would understand the feeling of wanting to pretend not to know even though you know? Has he finally been caught?

With an uneasy expression and cold sweat forming, Director Bong, unable to withstand Seojun’s scrutinizing gaze, had no choice but to confess everything.

“I’m sorry, sir. It was unavoidable at the Chairman’s orders. But except for showing the photo of the child to you, I didn’t do anything else. I just pretended to comply with the Chairman’s instructions while snooping around for information.”

Hearing Director Bong’s explanation, Seojun chuckled. The events orchestrated by Chairman Tae were so absurd that the more he thought about it, the more he couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

“So, what’s my dear father up to?”
“You seem like a person with a lot on your mind, isn’t that right, sir? Still, if I may share what I feel, it seems Chairman Tae has been thinking very hard lately. Moreover, he seems extremely pleased and excited, knowing that he has a son-in-law.”

“Other than me, who knows?”

“Myself, Chairman Tae, and Secretary Kang.”

“Just three?”

“Including former CEO Gu and Manager Yeo… five people in total.”

On the day the incident unfolded, Director Bong, who disclosed the facts to the two at the bar, tightly pressed his lips without saying a word.

“It must have been entertaining for many people because of my actions.”

“N-no, it was entertaining. Being caught between Chairman and you was quite embarrassing. Nevertheless, now that the cat is out of the bag, it feels refreshing.”

As if saying it’s enough, Seojun stood tall.

“Why… if you were going to scold me, you should have done it now…”

“No, you did well.”

“What?”

It was praise, not a scolding.

With a puzzled expression, Director Bong looked at Seojun.

“Quietly. It means just continue as you have been.”

Seojun, who had seen through that Director Bong was in cahoots with his father, didn’t need to be sent the child’s photo. Still, he chose to do so, acting out of character. And if his precise father knew everything, the next move was as predictable as seeing fire.

There might not be anything worse than this, but Seojun, who thought he could use this situation to his advantage, added one more instruction.

“While subtly throwing the bait to my father that Ms. Eom Soyeon and I have an unusual relationship.”

“Are you saying that Director Isa will pretend not to know?”

“That’s right. Let’s see how Father reacts.”

“Why… if Director Isa is also… why are you all making me uncomfortable in the middle like this?”

Quite a handful, indeed. The rich are truly formidable when it comes to their family feuds.

“If Father found it entertaining, I should find it amusing too.”

It was both a flaw and a strength in his father’s personality to be quick-witted and fiery. So, when the time comes, his father will take charge himself, even clearing up the traffic. All I have to do is pretend to follow the opinions of the adults, and that’s it.

Smiling with his neat teeth, Seojun looked at Director Bong.

It was a gracefully captivating smile.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

On the phone screen, the large eyes fixed in a determined half-moon shape blinked with a cute sparkle.

5:15 PM [Has the shoot finished?]

5:20 PM [No response. Please contact me quickly.]

5:25 PM [Who wants to see someone running around?]

The messages that arrived at five-minute intervals emitted an anxious scent.

Who would have imagined Taeseojun acting like this? Soyeon, as if planning something mischievous, rolled her lengthened lips inward, bit them, and quickly typed the letters by flicking her fingertips.

[If you keep pulling me, I might run away for real? Haha, just kidding. These days, Doshuni is having a hard time because of work. So, as a little treat, we came to an expensive restaurant. I’m trying to feed him. I’ll come in after dinner, wait a little, Seojun Oppa~.] Soyeon boldly added some cringe-worthy aegyo to her text and fearlessly sent it. She then put her phone in the backpack placed on one side of the sink and washed her hands.

That’s when it happened.

Suddenly, a voice echoed from inside the restroom.

“Please, don’t contact me out of the blue like this! I won’t be fooled by that measly amount of money!”

The voice was quickly cut off, but soon after, someone angrily slammed the door, and a certain woman emerged from the innermost stall.

That person was none other than Yoo Jung-hwa.