The year-end was lively with various gatherings and events. Being in a business position, there were more than a few places where I had to show up. It was a situation where I might have to move two or three times even in one evening.

“[Try to have dinner at home.]”

Seungju regretted saying that to Eunseo. She shouldn’t make promises she couldn’t keep. Even though Eunseo seemed not to care about such promises, it still made her uncomfortable.

Today, Seungju was even more concerned because Eunseo was sick. Although she had called Eunseo to the office during the day to give her a fever reducer and let her rest a bit, it was uncertain if that was enough.

‘I should have taken her to the hospital.’

Although Secretary Choi, who came after Eunseo left, looked fine, it wasn’t reassuring until I saw it with my own eyes. While sitting at the year-end event where business people gathered, I couldn’t help but think whether she might be alone at home suffering now.

Although I tried to return home as quickly as possible, the time I arrived at home today was already past midnight, and Eunseo didn’t seem to be in her room.

“Good night.”

The next morning, seeing the woman greeting her with a clear face, my mind was finally relieved. It was the usual bright and clear complexion, not as red with a fever as yesterday.

“Come and sit.”

“Yes.”

The breakfast menu was tuna porridge. The woman, who usually had a lot of morning sleep, found it hard to eat because she didn’t have much appetite. So, if I made porridge or something similar, she usually ate it well. This was one of the menus that received a good response.

In the quiet atmosphere with only the sound of utensils clinking against the dishes, Eunseo suddenly opened her mouth.

“CEO, about when you decided to demolish the house in Yeonsa-dong.”

Instead of answering, when she looked up and met eyes, she asked.

“Why did you try to kick me out even before the contract period ended?”

At that time, Eunseo was very angry about this matter. She spoke to her, the CEO and also the landlord, in an informal way.

Now, Seungju, who didn’t know how to deal with it, was momentarily speechless when she raised her head and looked into her eyes.

“…”

Although she decided to demolish it to cut off everything related to Yoon Eunseo, her heart was not at ease. Although she decided on the demolition wanting to break everything connected with Yoon Eunseo, her heart was not at ease. Having only 30 million won in deposit, the thought of the small woman struggling to find a place to stay with that money made her sigh. Where could she go with that money?

In the end, she deliberately expedited the demolition, even conducting an unnecessary safety diagnosis, to move her out ahead of schedule. Since she was going to send her out anyway, she wanted to give her more money as an excuse for agreement money. Actually, she should have answered like this.

‘I was worried about where you would go with that money, so I wanted to give you more.’

But Seungju wasn’t the type of person who could say such things. Just thinking about it made her feel uncomfortable.
In the end, the response came out like this:

“The safety diagnosis revealed a high risk of collapse, so we had to expedite the demolition a bit.”

Even though I couldn’t speak the truth about why it happened, I didn’t want to be misunderstood. So, Seungju added:

“It’s definitely not because of ill feelings that I deliberately chased you away quickly.”

“I see.”

Fortunately, the explanation seemed to be accepted, and Eunseo nodded.

“I understand now.”

She had a contemplative expression, lost in thought.

“Starting tomorrow, I plan to delay the start time for a while. So, don’t wake up early either.”

Originally, he woke up at five and arrived at the office by six. Now, he was waking up at half past four to feed Eunseo breakfast.

He could endure it since he had lived with little sleep for a long time, but it was a pity that Eunseo, who liked to sleep in, had to wake up early. Well, even if she told her to sleep more, Eunseo wouldn’t listen. From her perspective, as the CEO and also the landlord, it was tough for her to wake up as early as dawn, so it would be even harder for her to wake up alone.

In the end, he had no choice but to delay his start time.

“Waking up at half past seven and leaving at eight should be sufficient. I’ll also come to the office around that time.”

“Yes.”

After nodding, she suddenly asked:

“Do you have any plans for dinner tonight?”

Of course, he did. It was year-end, and it was challenging to free up even one evening. Moreover, there was probably an economic gathering tonight that the Prime Minister would attend.

“I don’t.”

However, his mouth answered first.

“Then, I’ll prepare dinner tonight.”

“There’s no need.”

Seungju flatly refused.

Even though he couldn’t express affectionate words due to his personality, he wanted to do everything else he could. Cooking, washing dishes, he could do those himself, but he didn’t want to ask Eunseo unnecessarily.

But Eunseo insisted stubbornly.