Ra Jin trailed off.

She meant to say they should change quickly since the employee was waiting, but to Jae Heon, it might’ve sounded like a subordinate’s complaint.

“I meant occasionally, not that it’s hard every day.”

Jae Heon’s forehead creased.

He was irked seeing Ra Jin bow her head, as if confessing.

“Isn’t this our personal time? Why did you suddenly switch to secretary mode?”

“… I was worried you might take it the wrong way.”

“It’s not like that, so look at me.”

She slowly raised her face, meeting Jae Heon’s eyes.

“Didn’t I ask you to call me by my name to step out of the boss-secretary relationship when we’re together?”

That might be the case, but she was still his subordinate, and it was natural to be considerate.

Still, he was right, so Ra Jin slightly nodded.

“So, don’t suddenly switch back to secretary mode.”

“… Yes.”

“Would you prefer if your behavior and greetings when we’re together were reflected in your performance evaluation?”

He tilted his head slightly.

“Considering how you behaved yesterday, you wouldn’t get a positive review. Making plans to watch a movie, then falling asleep on your boss’s shoulder. Not to mention making him carry you to bed. You might not get an incentive for…”

“I promise I won’t revert to secretary mode when we’re together.”
Seeing her determined expression, Jae Heon chuckled and slowly released her hand.

“So, it’s a promise?”

His gaze felt overwhelmingly tender.

But that was short-lived.

“So, did I just earn a penalty?”

“…What?”

“Although the form of address wasn’t wrong, it wasn’t really present in the moment, right?”

Hmph. As Ra Jin gave him a stunned look, Jae Heon laughed softly.

“Alright, I’ll let it slide this time. If I said more, you’d probably want to assassinate me.”

“Do you find this amusing?”

“What?”

“Teasing me.”

“Yes. I wonder why I only realized how fun this is now.”

As Ra Jin’s face reddened, Jae Heon gently stroked her head.

“Don’t you find it fun?”

When Ra Jin gave him a ‘what are you talking about’ look, Jae Heon responded,

“It seems you’ve almost forgotten about yesterday’s incident.”

Ah. Her eyes widened in surprise.

“I’m not sure what’s troubling you, but just wash it all away here. Both your body and your mind.”

So, the reason he brought her here was…

“Change and come out. I guarantee you won’t regret it. It’s a place even those bosses who complain about their fussy and demanding secretaries enjoy.”

Leaving her with those words, Jae Heon entered the men’s changing room.

Still dazed, Ra Jin quickly regained her composure and went into the women’s changing room.

She leaned against the door, releasing the breath she had held back.

“Sigh…”

Ra Jin covered her burning face with both hands.

She was taken aback by his unexpected consideration and kindness.

And moreover… it was touching.

Maybe it was because she had always lived considering others’ feelings and situations first.

Having someone else, especially a notoriously grumpy boss, bring her to such a place caused an overwhelming surge of emotions.

Perhaps him constantly mentioning lifting her up last night and teasing her, or deliberately initiating physical contact in public was all…

To erase the worries from her mind.
Or maybe, just maybe, Jae Heon had intended to come here from the start.

She wondered if she had inadvertently given too much significance to an offhand remark that coincidentally fit her situation and the idea of “washing away.”

But even if that were the case… her heart swelled with happiness to the point of pain.

‘It’s the first time someone has cared for me like this.’

It wasn’t unnecessary attention or burdensome consideration. She deeply appreciated Jae Heon’s actions that genuinely considered her feelings and emotional state.

How much more could he make her fall?

Suddenly, Ra Jin grew fearful.

With how deeply she was falling for him day by day.

If they were to part, could she truly move on?

“…”

No, such thoughts were premature.

Hadn’t she resolved earlier? To immerse herself fully in their time together for these three months.

‘Let’s be faithful to this moment.’

With that thought, Ra Jin changed her clothes.

“Sir, Mr. Seo Jae Heon from Geon Yeong Group is here.”

After finishing an external appointment and returning, Myung Woo hung his jacket and tilted his head in confusion.

“Is that so? He didn’t mention anything to me.”

Whenever Jae Heon made a spa reservation, he always called Myung Woo to notify him and to check in on him.

“He reserved around 11 last night.”

“That hurriedly?”

Myung Woo’s expression turned grave.

On occasions when Jae Heon’s insomnia was particularly severe, he’d get aromatherapy even though he knew it might not help.

Hence, in emergency cases, the staff were instructed to report Jae Heon’s condition to Myung Woo, and Jae Heon was well aware of this arrangement.

“I should go see him now.”

“Sir, he… he has a companion with him.”

“A companion?”

Myung Woo wore an expression suggesting he’d heard it all.

“Jae Heon brought someone with him here? Who is it?”

“It seemed to be a woman, likely in a romantic relationship with him.”

Hearing the word ‘woman,’ his gaze darkened.

“Did you ensure tight security?”

“Yes.”

The staff nodded as if it was a given.

“Jae Heon bringing a woman with him…”
“He reserved the Purple Diamond Room for couples’ spa today, not the Black Ruby Room.”

Myung Woo let out a sarcastic chuckle.

He had just returned from a meal with Chairman Seo Seong Jae, Jae Heon’s grandfather.

“That guy is really out to turn his grandfather upside down. Sigh, it’s like talking to a brick wall with him.”

“Haha, marriage isn’t an easy matter. It’s a matter of human relationships.”

“He doesn’t even date anyone, yet he’s so stubborn about this.”

Seems like there’s a lack of communication between the grandfather and the grandson.