“What on earth are you doing in there for so long? Do you know how many times I’ve called? Didn’t we agree to contact each other as soon as we got home?”

[Dash] I’m sorry.

In contrast to her eager and agitated self, Ra Jin’s voice remained calm and composed.

At that moment, Jae Heon suddenly felt his tension ease. He realized how pathetic he must have seemed, pacing around the room in anxiety.
“…Even a simple message would have been nice. I was waiting.”

[Dash] I was being thoughtless. I’m sorry.

While he was talking to his lover, it felt like Ra Jin was reporting to her boss. Who would think of them as lovers after hearing this conversation?

“Ra Jin.”

When he called her name, he sensed her hesitation.

“Is something wrong?”

[Dash] …No, I just got a little tired and ended up resting.

Come to think of it, Ra Jin’s voice seemed lower than usual.
“Pathetic jerk.”

He felt pathetic for being so absorbed in his own emotions that he didn’t immediately notice her state.

“Are you very tired? Is something wrong with your body?”

[Dash] No, it’s not that. I think I’ll feel better if I just rest.

Upon hearing this, without a moment’s hesitation, Jae Heon said:

“Shall I come over now?”

Jae Heon was someone who rigorously excluded all inefficient and unproductive elements in order to stick to the plans he had set or to achieve his goals.
At times, there were even rumors circulating that “Seo Jae Heon calculates every breath he takes.”

So, to hear such spontaneous and inefficient words like “Shall I come over now?” from him at this ambiguous hour was surprising. It wasn’t to stick to a plan or achieve a goal; it was simply because Ra Jin’s voice sounded different from usual!

For those who knew him well, it was an unbelievable sight, even if they saw it with their own eyes.
Ra Jin also seemed surprised, as her inhaling sounded somewhat loud.

“Ra Jin.”

She appeared flustered, stumbling over her words.

[Dash] Ah, yes, yes. I’m, I’m listening.

Jae Heon, now on his way to the underground parking lot, headed for the stairs.

“I’ll be leaving now, so come down when you call. Don’t wait for me in advance.”

[Dash] No! No, it’s fine. I want to rest like this today. I think I’ll be okay if I rest. You don’t have to come.
Moved by her pleading voice, Jae Heon, who had stopped in his tracks, rubbed his temples with his fingertips.

“…I don’t think I’ll be okay like this.”

[Dash] Pardon? Could you please repeat that?

“No.”

With a faint sigh, Jae Heon splashed his face with cold water.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?”

[Dash] Yes. I want to be alone today.

Perhaps due to a tight schedule and not having many days off, Ra Jin valued this rare time alone immensely.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to give you a ride? It’s on my way anyway.”

“No, I’ll walk. My vacation starts right now. I want to fully enjoy this rare time.”

“Well, wouldn’t it be better to take my car? Using public transportation will take longer to get home, and that means less time to enjoy.”

“I plan to disconnect from everything related to work starting from this moment. That’s how I think I can recover.”
“Your secretary is quite straightforward. Direct and to the point. Usually, people would sugarcoat it in times like this.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

In reality, Ra Jin, who had just returned from her vacation, looked more refreshed than usual.

Knowing this, he didn’t feel the need to go and potentially disturb her. Sending himself back would be awkward, and if they were together, he wouldn’t be able to relax fully.

[Dash] Thank you for your concern.

Heaving a sigh, Jae Heon responded.
[Dash] Why are you like this? Did I make a mistake or…?

“I didn’t call you as your boss.”

[Dash] …

“Worrying about you when you’re sick is natural. So, don’t say thanks.”

Ra Jin, who had just taken a deeper breath than before, fell into silence.

“Ra Jin.”

[Dash] …

“Answer.”

In response to his words, Ra Jin took another deep breath and spoke slowly.

[Dash] Yes, I will.

Only then did Jae Heon’s tense expression soften ever so slightly.
“Anyway, you can’t sleep well without me by your side. You’re going to stay up late, so if you feel unwell, contact me anytime.”

[Dash] Why…

“Hmm?”

[Dash] Why are you being so good to me?

What? You’re asking that now?

Ra Jin seemed to regret her impulsive words and tried to rectify them quickly.

[Dash] I’m sorry…

He furrowed his brow and replied.

“Isn’t it natural?”

[Dash] Natural…?

“Because we’re lovers.”

Upon hearing this, Ra Jin remained silent once again for a while.
Jae Heon’s anxiety, which had subsided for a moment, began to resurface.

“Did I make a mistake by any chance?”

[Dash] …No.

“You’ve been acting a bit strange since earlier.”

The sound of Ra Jin clearing her throat, possibly dropping her phone from her ear, was faintly audible. He could also hear her sniffle.

Jae Heon didn’t miss a single one of her small movements.

“It seems like a cold. Stay at home, I’ll bring you medicine.”

[Dash] Mr. Jae Heon.
“Yeah. Is there anything else you need? Just tell me, I’ll buy it all.”

[Dash] Thank you.

Ra Jin’s voice was filled with sincerity.

[Dash] Thank you very much.

For some reason, Jae Heon’s heart was pounding, so he wiped his neck with his palm.

“Don’t say such things. Accept it naturally now.”

[Dash] Yes. Mr. Jae Heon, take it easy today after work.

“Got it. Rest well and call me anytime.”

After hanging up the phone,

Jae Heon let out a long sigh.
It seems like today, Jae Heon is worried, and nothing seems to hold his attention.

“If only we were living together.”

On the weekend, the two of them headed to Gangwon Province.

It was due to a business trip schedule Jae Heon had secured during the visit of a famous chef from New York.

After Ra Jin insisted, she eventually took the driver’s seat, and Jae Heon sat in the passenger seat.

Turning his head, Jae Heon suddenly narrowed his brow as he looked at her side profile.

“Something seems off.”