Chapter 8

The alcohol in I-young’s body seemed to evaporate in an instant.

Who was that man calling right now?

She quickly shoved her friends back into their suite and hurled herself toward Jae-won.

Thud!

In an attempt to snatch the phone from him, her oversized slippers tangled around her feet, sending her sprawling face-first onto the floor.

Jae-won looked down at her without a hint of expression and continued his call to the end.

“…Yes, sir. I’ll call you again later. …Yes, I met your daughter. …Yes, I’ll be in touch soon.”

When the call ended, he slipped the phone into the inner pocket of his jacket and stopped in front of her.

Then he bent one knee and met her eyes.

The silence between them was as cold as his stare.

“Room 1004.”

His voice dropped heavily above her head.

So he already knew she was his tenant at the officetel.

So much for thinking he had bad eyesight or poor memory.

“Y-yes, sir.”

I-young’s eyes trembled.

Her knees stung, but the pain could wait. She had to stop this man first.

“You came here without telling anyone, didn’t you?”

“N-no, that’s not it.”

“Then why are you sprawled on the floor? You weren’t trying to grab my phone?”

She scrambled up.

“How much did you drink to end up like this?”

“What? I’m completely fine.”

Cornered with nowhere left to retreat, I-young tried her best weapon, cuteness.

She smiled sweetly, batting her long lashes.

Survival first, pride later.

“You won’t tell my dad, right?”

“Who were those people with you?”

“Oh, them? Don’t mind them.”

She waved her hands, laughing nervously.

“Who were they.”

That tone was terrifying.

Even scarier than her father.

She wilted instantly.

“F-friends.”

“Say it properly.”

Properly?

Unbelievable.

“You’re really asking for that?”

“Not going to answer?”

“Isn’t it weird for you to interrogate me like this? We already finished the blind date, didn’t we? You waved goodbye, I left, end of story. So why are you being petty and calling my dad?”

“You’re not very bright.”

“What?”

“I told you at the café. Don’t use me as an excuse. Don’t make trouble. Go home quietly.”

“T-that was…”

“Why do I keep running into you?”

“Fine, I’ll just stay out of your sight from now on. So mind your own business.”

“Keep that promise.”

With that, Jae-won swept his gaze over her from head to toe, then turned toward the elevator.

Her friends peeked out the door and called to her.

“What are you doing out there? Come on!”

“I-I’m coming!”

Jae-won ignored them, hands in his pockets, staring at the elevator panel.

If she were his little sister, she’d be dead by now.

* * *

A short while later, Jae-won signed a preliminary contract for the Palace Hotel renovation before leaving the office with Ji-soo.

The legal and project teams would fine-tune the remaining terms and complete the formal contract soon.

Since he had personally inspected the site, it was almost guaranteed the deal would proceed smoothly.

But for some reason, an uneasy feeling lingered.

The hotel lobby was crowded, even at night. Typical for a resort town during the ski season.

Couples, families, and tourists filled the space.

Seeing them made him think of Kang I-young and her friends.

Well, youth was for living freely.

Maybe he was the strange one, spending his weekend working.

“Must be nice. Some people get to have fun,” Ji-soo murmured, echoing his thoughts.

He glanced at her silently, then looked around. Maybe a light drink wouldn’t hurt.

“Want a drink?”

“I’d love to.”

Her eyes brightened.

“There’s a bar downstairs. Let’s go there.”

“Okay.”

They headed to the underground bar.

* * *

Ji-soo watched him quietly as they sat at a dimly lit table.

The soft light carved shadows across his face. He looked focused, distant, untouchable.

She was lost in that thought when he suddenly spoke.

“Did you get all the photos and videos?”

Ah, he meant the suite.

She blinked, answering a beat late.

“Yes. I’ll check again later to make sure we didn’t miss anything.”

“If it’s not complete, finish it tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

“Take this.”

He slid a keycard across the table.

It wasn’t the suite card the manager had given them.

“Why this one?”

“You planning to sleep in my room?”

His sharp gaze cut right through her. She bit her lip and took the card.

The suite had four rooms.

There was no reason for them to book another.

“I don’t like unnecessary attention, Lee Ji-soo. You’re not a woman to me. You’re an employee.”

His eyes were flat, emotionless, and cold.

“And if I said I liked you?”

He was a wall, unshakable and precise. Still, she couldn’t suppress her feelings.

“Then you resign.”

“Heh, I figured you’d say that.”

“As long as you understand. And use the proper title.”

His voice was calm, clipped, and absolute.

“Yes, sir.”

Ji-soo took another sip and smiled bitterly.

She felt foolish for crossing that line between personal and professional.

“These days, young people hang out in big mixed groups, right?”

He stirred the ice in his whiskey and glanced her way.

“Maybe. I wouldn’t know. I never really did that myself.”

She didn’t know what he was getting at, so she played along carefully.

Was he thinking about that woman from earlier?

Whatever he was thinking, he didn’t say more.

To fill the silence, Ji-soo brought up a safer topic.

“This place feels like a mountain lodge.”

Jae-won looked around.

“Where? The Alps?”

The bar’s wooden interior really did resemble a lodge.

Even the faint scent of pine hung in the air.

But the overall design of the hotel lacked unity. It was as if the owner had money but no sense of style.

“Yes, exactly, like the Alps.”

“Except this lodge is underground. How’s it supposed to shine without sunlight?”

“You’re right. It’d be perfect with a snowy view outside, but the walls make it feel stuffy.”

She tilted her glass again, nodding in agreement.

They had only meant to drink lightly, but it was starting to feel like a mistake.

Jae-won’s face hardened.

“Let’s go.”

“Can’t we stay a little longer?”

“Did you forget why we’re here?”

“Fine, fine. I’m getting up.”

She sighed and rose, swaying slightly.

He watched her silently, expression unreadable, then turned toward the exit.

They left the bar and stood by the elevator. When it arrived, he pressed the button.

“You go first.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll take the next one.”

Ji-soo hesitated, then stepped inside.

Jae-won kept his hands in his pockets, waiting until the doors closed.

He watched her lowered head until the elevator was completely gone, then turned and walked toward the other one that had just arrived.