“Really… Thank you so much.”

[Dash] If I can make one promise.

Lajin blinked.

“A promise?”

[Dash] Keep in touch with me continuously. Like I said, if there’s anything I can help with, I’ll help with anything.

“But I’m already too sorry for just this.…”

[Dash] Don’t say that. We’re friends.

William spoke with a warm voice.

[Dash] From now on, treat me not as an employee of Geonyoung Food but as a friend. Is that okay?

Touched by William’s affectionate voice, her throat choked up. The warmth she had never felt even from her family made her nose tingle.

“Thank you so much…”

[Dash] By the way, it must be beautiful if you resemble Lajin. I’m looking forward to the day I can see the baby. Will you let me see?

“It’s too… honorable for me.”

[Dash] If you have any difficulties, tell me anytime. If you want to come to New York, tell me. I can help you live here if you want.

She was thankful for William’s words, but honestly, she couldn’t fully understand.

“Why are you treating me so well?”

[Dash] That day, the conversation we shared in Gangwon-do melted my frozen heart at once. It was a day when sunshine finally shone in my life, which had been winter all along.

Ah, Lajin could understand his words.

A small word, a single action, could be such a great comfort, as she learned through Jaehun.

“What are you doing? Come here for a hug.”

On the day when her step-parents tried to connect her with Jo Minchan, although she came out with a cool retort, her heart couldn’t do the same.

If Jaehun hadn’t warmly embraced her that day, she might have collapsed then.

Everything she had been able to live until now was all thanks to Jaehun.

And he even created a family for her.

[Dash] So, Lajin, if you need my help, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll always be waiting.

After finishing the call with William, Lajin got out of the taxi.

Her destination was none other than .

For a few days, Jaehun deliberately ignored her and called Yoon Hee. She understood his behavior, but… if she hadn’t been hurt, it would have been a lie.

So today, she wanted to heal her heart with Yeonsil’s food.
“Boss, I’m here.”

“Oh, you’re here earlier than I thought.”

Before taking a taxi, Lajin had contacted Yeonsil in advance, and Yeonsil gladly accepted her reservation.

“Just wait a bit. About 10 minutes.”

“Yes. I’ll explore the restaurant.”

“What can you explore in this small place?”

Having said that, Yeonsil smiled and went into the kitchen.

Lajin slowly looked around the interior of the restaurant. The leaves of the small potted plants by the window were fluffy, and the window frames were clean. Dried flowers and ingredients scattered around added charm to the atmosphere of the restaurant.

Just being in a space filled with Yeonsil’s kindness and affection seemed to heal her tired heart.

It felt somewhat like what people describe as the feeling of being in one’s hometown.

Lajin placed her hand on her lower belly.

“Ten-ton, does Grandma’s food taste good?”

Ah, was it okay to say it like this? It stung a little, but… it felt good. Somehow, it felt like she gained a reliable ally.

“Let’s eat deliciously today too. When we get home, I’ll read you the fairy tale book from yesterday. Okay?”

At that moment when she was smiling faintly.

The door of Sodamjeong opened.

Lajin’s eyes, which had turned to look, widened as if they were about to pop out.

The surprise was mutual.

“How can the company secretary be here…?”

“Pr-President.”

Meeting suddenly with Seo Seongjae, Lajin pursed her lips and immediately lowered her head.

“Well, I couldn’t say anything because I was too surprised. I never thought about it at all.”

“I’m sorry, President.”

“Hmm? Apologizing? There’s nothing to apologize for being a company secretary in a restaurant. Besides, you came before me.”

“I heard this is the private space of Director Seo and the President. I feel like I came without permission…”

“There’s no way I would turn away someone the president invited without permission.”

“Ah…”

Oh, and Seo Seongjae, with a look of interest, stroked his beard.

“Did you get permission?”

At that moment, the sound of Yeonsil coming out of the kitchen was heard.

“It seems so. What’s wrong?”

Seeing that Lajin wasn’t trying to help Yeonsil, President Seo Seongjae raised his eyebrows. Yeonsil always insisted on carrying her own food with her own hands and didn’t like anyone else touching it.

Seeing that she knew that rule well, it seemed that Lajin looked pretty in Yeonsil’s eyes.

“Without any contact, what’s going on? The busy company owner.”

“If it’s me, can’t I come without contact? I’ve been a regular customer at this restaurant for a few years.”

“Why today, of all days, now?”

“What can I do if I want to come today?”

Yeonsil conversed with the chairman of the Geonyoung Group without any formality. Moreover, President Seo Seongjae showed an attitude of even greater respect.

At that moment of admiration.

“Which employee likes to have a meal alone with the company owner.”

At those words, Lajin jumped up and extended her hand alternately.

“No, I’m fine.”

“Yeah. How much I cherish my secretary. Probably the person who had the most conversations with me among the executive secretaries?”

Yeonsil hmm-ed and alternately looked at the two.

“How about both of you dining together? It might be good later on.”