“Sorry, your reaction was cute.”

The car stopped at a red light.

Jae Heon turned his head toward Ra Jin, meeting her eyes.

“What’s the matter?”

“No, I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

He narrowed his eyebrows.

Lost in thought? While you’re with me?

Feeling both offended and anxious, he pondered.

‘Don’t tell me you were thinking of that guy earlier.’

As soon as he thought of Ha Gyeong, with a gentle demeanor, darker thoughts crossed his mind.

‘Don’t tell me…you were thinking of Jeong Seon Woo through that guy.’

Somehow, the frail and blinking image reminded him of Seon Woo.

‘No, it can’t be.’

Suppressing his anxiety, he casually asked.

“What were you thinking?”

Ra Jin couldn’t answer honestly.

‘I was afraid I might cling to you embarrassingly three months from now.’

“Just…”

“Just?”

Jae Heon wouldn’t let it go without a clear answer.

“You usually come back a little late when you have lunch with the chairman. But today, you returned quite early.”

“Ah.”

“I was wondering if anything happened. Is there an issue?”

Concerned, Ra Jin met his eyes. Jae Heon nonchalantly shook his head.

“No, nothing like that.”

“That’s a relief, then.”

Jae Heon decided not to tell Ra Jin that his grandfather had invited President Jang In Ho and Jang Seo Yeong to lunch.

He didn’t want to make Ra Jin anxious, and saying so would likely switch her back into ‘secretary mode.’

If the talk shifted to business or corporate affairs, Ra Jin would surely check various schedules and plans.

He had already made his stance clear and turned down the proposition. That would be the end of the discussion on their side.

When they would have to engage in business, they would discuss it then.

Right now, he wanted to focus on their time as a couple.

“Do you want to eat Bulgogi set today? I need to call ahead.”

“Why?”

“The owner makes whatever he feels like that day.”

“Wow, that’s fascinating. It’s my first time seeing a restaurant like that.”

“It’s a business style that comes from tremendous confidence and skill. Whatever he makes is delicious.”

“Then today, let’s eat whatever the owner feels like making.”

“That sounds fun. Going without knowing what you’ll get can be quite exciting.”

The two arrived at , parked, and walked into the restaurant side by side.

Just like the other day, the old man did not come out to greet them.
As soon as the sound of someone entering was heard, the clattering noise from the kitchen immediately began.

“Is this also a unique feature of this restaurant?”

“Yes. You can’t use it unless you have a reservation, and the food comes out according to the reserved time. Only those introduced by existing regulars can make a reservation.”

“Wow. It really feels like a hideout. I’m not even sure if I should be here.”

“If it’s not you, then who would I bring?”

Ra Jin casually flipped her hair behind her ears.

“You say ‘you’ a lot.”

“Every time I say it, your cheeks turn red. It’s fun, so I keep saying it.”

“What did you say?”

Ra Jin flared up, and he chuckled softly.

In the time that Ra Jin was captivated by that smile, Jae Heon tenderly touched her cheek.

“Ra Jin.”

“…Yes.”

Was calling her name also part of his teasing? Jae Heon clearly knew that his calling her name always made her heart sink.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t call her so tenderly.

“Do you know what day it is today?”

“It’s Monday… Ah.”

At her reaction, Jae Heon’s eyes darkened for a moment.

“Yes, Monday. The day we spend the night.”

Ra Jin involuntarily gulped.

She knew that ‘spending the night’ didn’t mean ‘that’, but her body still stiffened with tension.

“…I know.”

At her response, Jae Heon wore a satisfied smile.

Insomnia remedy.

Ra Jin reflexively thought about her worth to him.

‘Don’t be deluded.’

From now on, when she was with Jae Heon, she should remember their contract. That would make things less difficult in the future.

‘I vowed to be true to my feelings for the next three months just the other day. I guess old habits really do die hard.’

Preparing for the worst was an old habit from her time living in an orphanage.

Not knowing when she might be adopted or abandoned, Ra Jin always thought of the worst-case scenario and how to minimize her pain in that situation.

That was her only armor and shield.

Because the only person to protect her, the only person who would never leave her, was herself.

Jae Heon is kind and sweet to me because I am his remedy for insomnia. The same reason he urges renewing our contract. There’s no other meaning.

Once the insomnia is cured, he will leave without looking back.

So, I should refrain from reading too much into his words and actions and getting my hopes up.

“You’re lost in thought again.”

Jae Heon, who had risen from his seat, leaned toward her.