Yuhyun smiled as he tucked Arin’s hair behind her ear.

“Did you sleep well?”

“……Ah. Yeah.”

Arin could read the deepened heat in Yuhyun’s eyes.

If it wasn’t a misunderstanding, he had started looking at her more blatantly after meeting Jaehyuk.

‘Did oppa notice?’

Whether it was her own nerves or not, Arin had grown accustomed to Yuhyun’s touch, but lately it felt awkward.

Wanting to escape the situation, she avoided Yuhyun’s gaze.

‘I should just pretend not to know like before. I should just take it as a joke, but why can’t I do that.’

Then she took half a step back and pushed his hand away. As the hand that had been stroking her hair lost its place, Yuhyun’s expression hardened. He stared at her as if he would bore through her face.

“Yeah. I guess it’s because it’s the last day. I woke up.”

“I see.”

“I’ll go wash up.”

“Okay. Then. Shall I make some coffee?”

“Yeah.”

Arin went into the bathroom without looking at Yuhyun.

Yuhyun’s gaze fixed on the closed door. His clenched fist, tight enough for blue veins to protrude, was trembling.

[This is the timeline separator]

Saturday.

The pop-up store successfully ended on Friday. Hayeon had suggested a meal together that day, but the Memoria crew declined, saying they would have their own celebration party.

“Wow, hyungnim, isn’t this place really expensive.”

“There’s no way our stingy Yuhyun hyungnim would reserve a place like this.”

Arin went to the hotel restaurant with Yuhyun and his juniors Cheolyong and Suhan, who were in charge of Yeonnam-dong. As Cheolyong and Suhan looked around the hotel restaurant and spoke, Yuhyun said,

“I spend where I need to spend.”

Yuhyun naturally filled the water glass placed in front of Arin. The juniors’ eyes narrowed as they watched Yuhyun’s actions.

“That place to spend isn’t us. Our boss…… Hmph.”

Suhan covered Cheolyong’s mouth.

“Haha.”

Suhan smiled awkwardly. Yuhyun shot Cheolyong a warning look. Cheolyong, whose mouth was suddenly covered, nodded.

Arin, already aware of Yuhyun’s heart, gave an awkward smile and drank the water.

“Boss, I’m looking forward to it. You said you ordered the course, right?”

“……Ah, yes.”

Arin responded to Suhan’s question.

An awkward atmosphere continued until the food came out. But it was only for a moment, as the pre-ordered dishes came out one by one, the atmosphere gradually loosened up. As if nothing had happened, the four people’s mood became lively and pleasant.

Eating delicious food in a nice place made them feel happy. Arin put aside all the tension and awkwardness and enjoyed the meal.

“I’ll be away for a bit.”

Arin took her pouch and headed to the restroom.

Perhaps because it was the weekend, the hotel was bustling with people.

She was about to pass by the fountain in the center and go to the other side.

“Wow, what’s up with those people. Is a celebrity coming?”

“Who’s coming that there are so many bodyguards.”

The murmuring voices of people reached Arin’s ears. Curious, Arin approached where people’s attention was focused.

The hotel had a huge chandelier lighting hung in the lobby, and floors 2 to 5 were structured to overlook the 1st floor lobby.

People were holding onto the hotel railing and looking down at the 1st floor. Arin’s eyes caught sight of people in suits gathered near the hotel entrance.

After a while, a man entered the hotel. As if they had been waiting, the bodyguards who had been on standby began guarding the man in unison.

“……”

The moment she confirmed who the man was, Arin’s heart sank with a thud. Even from a distance, she could tell who he was.

‘Jaehyuk oppa…….’

Arin leaned her back against the railing, thinking he wouldn’t spot her among the many people on the 3rd floor.

‘Why do we keep meeting like this.’

It was a habit.

Arin unconsciously prioritizing places that were not affiliated with VAN Group or LW Group.

This time as well, she had booked a hotel that was not related to anyone. It was out of a desire to not run into him, even in passing. But Arin never expected to see Jaehyuk twice in such a short time at a completely unrelated hotel.

Arin quickly moved away from the railing, lest he notice. She grabbed her pounding heart and headed to the restroom.

‘I just…… need to pretend I don’t know. That’s all.’

Arin forcibly moved her trembling legs, distancing herself from Jaehyuk.

Until then, she never even imagined. That she would awkwardly run into Jaehyuk……

[This is the timeline separator]

“Yeah. Oppa, I’m on the 1st floor. I’ll bring the car around.”

After the meal, Arin went down to the lowest level where the parking lot was located.

It was crowded because it was the weekend. Fortunately, perhaps because parking on the lowest level was inconvenient, there were only a few cars parked where Arin had parked, just like when she came in.

As soon as Arin got off the elevator, she heard the sound of a man and woman arguing.

‘Are they fighting?’

Not wanting to get involved in unnecessary matters, Arin tried not to look back at the noisy place and headed to her car. It was the moment she opened the car door.

Smack.

A sharp sound tearing through the air reached Arin’s ears. Without realizing it, Arin turned her head in the direction of the sound.

“Do you really think I’m a joke?”

Arin’s eyes trembled finely. At the end of her gaze stood Jaehyuk and Lady Jung.

[This is the timeline separator]

Jaehyuk and Lady Jung did not notice Arin.

Lady Jung vented her anger, vividly recalling the humiliation she had felt a little while ago.

She thought Jaehyuk agreeing to come to the meal after continuously refusing meant her promise of giving him the department store had worked.

“What do I become if you tell Chairman Min you have no intention of getting married.”

Lady Jung gritted her teeth, recalling what Jaehyuk had said to Chairman Min.

[Does Chairman Min know that I was married before?] [What does that mean?] [I heard that you love Executive Director Min quite a lot, so I’m wondering if you’re someone who values the company more than wanting to marry off your beloved daughter to a divorcé.] [Wha, what?] [Haven’t you heard the rumors about me? That I drove my ex-wife crazy……] [You, you!]

Chairman Min was furious to the point his head was burning. Chairman Min’s face crumpled like a crushed can, turning red and blue.

Chairman Min took rough breaths as he glared at Jaehyuk. And Lady Jung hurried to avoid the gaze of Chairman Min who was looking at her as if he would kill her.

“Imagine how heartbroken Yujin must be. What would Chairman Min think if you say that there? This isn’t just marriage. It’s business. LW Department Store is so important to us.”

At Lady Jung’s words, Jaehyuk’s face coldly hardened.

“I told you many times. I have no intention of getting married. It’s you who ignores that. Since you won’t let go and thoughtlessly meddle without considering the consequences, I had no choice but to tell Chairman Min directly.”

“Ban Jaehyuk, am I doing this for my own good? It’s all for you. Why do you keep upsetting your mother like this.”

“Are you truly doing this for me?”

“What?”

“Forget it. I’m tired of saying these things now.”

Jaehyuk touched his swollen cheek with his hand as he continued.

“And you say you’re thinking of Executive Director Min. If you truly cared about her, you shouldn’t let her marry me. Regardless of me being a divorcé, you know better than anyone that she will struggle by my side.”

“Yujin has liked you for a long time.”

“Mother.”

“Ban Jaehyuk. Are you doing this because of Choi Arin? What is she that you’re still like this. How long are you going to hold onto a low-level girl like her?”

“Stop.”

“You want me to get rid of her so you can come to your senses?”

“Mother!”

An awfully low voice echoed like a reverberation through the quiet parking lot.

Lady Jung flinched, finally realizing what she had said.

She shouldn’t have mentioned Arin.

Jaehyuk glared at Lady Jung with an unprecedentedly cold gaze, as if seeing through her. A low and ominous voice flowed from his mouth.

“That is a name you dare not bring up. I clearly told you not to mention that name and not to care, but did you forget already.”

Jaehyuk took a step closer to Lady Jung and looked down at her. That gaze was not one looking at family.

It was filled with hatred and contempt for someone he wanted to kill but couldn’t.

“Live like a dead person. If you knew how hard I’m trying to put up with you, you wouldn’t do this. Do it one more time. I don’t know what I’ll do then, but if you’re curious, go ahead. Then I won’t be able to keep your secret either.”

Jaehyuk poured ridicule toward Lady Jung. Lady Jung’s fists trembled. Her eyes, filled with rising anger, turned blood-red.

“Ban Jaehyuk, why are you really like this. Why have you changed so much. I’m your mother. Why are you doing this. I told you it’s a misunderstanding. And please, let’s stop now. Why are you so obsessed with a relationship that’s over? What is she that-”

“Stop it.”

Jaehyuk’s head throbbed. He thoroughly disliked this situation that repeated every time.

He also had no intention whatsoever of listening to Lady Jung’s excuses.

“I have nothing more to say. Go.”

“Jaehyuk-ah.”

Jaehyuk firmly opened the door of the car parked behind Lady Jung.

“Get in. I let you hit me today, but there won’t be a next time. What would people think if they knew the lady of VAN Group is someone whose hand moves first like this. Don’t forget that the only reason I put up with you is because of father.”

“Ban Jaehyuk.”

“Get in. If you don’t, I’ll forcibly push you in.”

Lady Jung didn’t seem to have any intention of getting in the car of her own will. Having no choice, Jaehyuk pushed Lady Jung into the back seat. He bent down and looked inside the car as he continued.

“Since father is unconscious, it’s not like he’ll die right away, so stay quiet. And don’t shock him by letting him know your secret when he regains consciousness.”

“Hey, Jaehyuk-ah. Ban Jaehyuk.”

Jaehyuk closed the car door as if he didn’t want to hear.

Jaehyuk roughly ruffled his hair and took out his cell phone. The recipient was Chief Han.

[Yes. Vice President.]

“Take my mother. Underground level 9, parking lot F12. You know mother’s car, right?”

[Yes. I know.]

“Good. Please do it without anyone knowing.”

[Understood.]

After ending the call, Jaehyuk slowly moved his feet. Feeling stifled, he roughly mussed up his hair.

‘Why, when I say I don’t want to.’

Chairman Min had scolded that he was being impudent. Unable to contain his rising anger, Chairman Min left first, pushing back his chair. Hayeon followed him out, signaling thanks with her eyes. Yujin looked at Jaehyuk with tearful eyes.

‘It seems they won’t give up with most methods, so I used a slightly strong approach… The price is steep.’

Jaehyuk touched his swollen cheek. Lady Jung, properly angered, had struck with all her might. It stung as if scratched by her ring.

Jaehyuk loosened his tie. He wanted to go and wash away this dirty feeling right away.

Jaehyuk quickly walked to where his car was parked.

Arin, who had spotted Jaehyuk and Lady Jung, couldn’t move. Her heart was very troubled.

‘Choi Arin, you can just pass by pretending not to know. Just get in the car like you didn’t see anything.’

Arin couldn’t ignore Jaehyuk even though she herself could do nothing.

“……”

In the end, their eyes met. His footsteps stopped firmly in front of her.

Jaehyuk’s eyes trembled roughly. Arin had to avoid his gaze and pass by, but her body wouldn’t move.

Arin looked at Jaehyuk’s reddened cheek. Her eyes quivered finely upon confirming the long scratch.

In Arin’s mind, the conversation between Jaehyuk and Lady Jung from a moment ago resonated.

[Ban Jaehyuk. Are you doing this because of Choi Arin? What is she! Why are you doing this when you have everything. How long will you hold onto such a low-level girl?]

‘Oppa still… because of me? What does that even mean.’