Chapter 9

Jae-won was about to press the button for the 21st floor but instead pressed the one for the lobby.

He wanted to get some fresh air before going back to his room.

When he stepped outside the hotel, the crisp mountain air filled his lungs in a way that was impossible to feel in Seoul.

Everything was blanketed in white snow.

The trees were dusted with shimmering flakes that glistened under the streetlights.

He walked along a small path that looked like a trail. The snow had frozen in some spots and was slippery, but the peaceful scenery was worth it.

Crunch, crunch—

The sound of his footsteps on the snow broke the silence of the night.

Then, beneath that sound, came another faint one.

He stopped walking and turned his head toward the direction it came from. The sound grew clearer.

“Haa, I really am a terrible daughter.”

The voice carried through the cold air, soft and damp with emotion.

“And you’re only realizing that now?”

The next voice was a man’s, lower and steady.

“And you’re one to talk, mister maturity.”

The figures came into view under the dim glow of the streetlights spaced along the path.

Anyone looking would think they were a loving couple.

The man laughed quietly and reached out to ruffle the woman’s hair affectionately.

“Don’t do that. Makes me feel like a dog.”

“If there were a dog this cute, I’d want one.”

“What?”

“It’s cold. Let’s go inside.”

“Okay. But Dong-hoon, why does it bother me so much that Dad keeps trying to marry me off? I hate that he’s seeing Madam Choi too.”

“Stop. Don’t start crying again. I almost buried you in the snow earlier.”

The man lifted a hand toward her face.

“Hey, Cha Dong-hoon. You’re getting bold, huh?”

“Come on. It’s freezing. Let’s go.”

“Fine.”

Jae-won narrowed his eyes as they approached.

They bickered, but it was obvious they were close.

She already had someone she was that close with, yet she’d gone on a blind date and had the nerve to get drunk and lecture him?

She was the one who misunderstood everything, yet she had acted so self-righteous.

“Hey, Mr. Jung Jae-won. That’s not right. You already have a girlfriend, don’t you? How could you show up at a blind date like that? You think my dad’s an easy mark, huh?”

The more he thought about it, the more infuriating it became.

That insolent woman really tested his patience.

He felt his temper rising as he recalled her words.

Every single thing about tonight rubbed him the wrong way.

His gaze turned sharp.

Even when the distance between them closed, the pair didn’t notice him standing there.

Step.

His foot crunched against the snow.

Finally, they looked up.

“…Oh!”

Startled, I-young’s wide, wet eyes met his.

“Where’s your lady friend?”

“…”

Pathetic. The misunderstanding was so absurd it wasn’t even worth correcting.

When he didn’t respond, she glanced around as if searching.

As if he’d let her find someone who wasn’t there.

“Maybe she’s asleep?”

“Why do you care?”

“What? Oh, I just…”

I-young fumbled, flustered under the weight of his piercing stare.

“That was a bit rude, wasn’t it?”

Dong-hoon finally stepped forward.

Jae-won gave a dry laugh.

“And you think it’s polite to interrupt a conversation like this?”

“Still, she’s your blind date partner. Shouldn’t you show some decency?”

“And who are you to tell me that?”

His cold eyes locked onto Dong-hoon’s face.

“A friend.”

“A friend? That’s funny.”

“Have some manners, will you?”

“You sure you’re just a friend?”

“Yes, I am.”

I-young suddenly jumped in.

“Of course he is.”

But Jae-won’s eyes didn’t move from Dong-hoon.

Dong-hoon couldn’t meet his gaze. It felt as if the man could see straight through him.

“Why can’t you answer properly? You’re not just friends. You’re twenty-six. There’s no such thing as friendship between a man and a woman at that age. Right?”

“Excuse me? He’s just my guy friend, okay? Even if we’re thirty, we’ll still be friends until we die.”

“She says that. Do you agree with her?”

Dong-hoon bit his lip, fists clenching.

“If she’s your woman, you don’t let her go to a blind date. A real man wouldn’t.”

Jae-won’s eyes glinted like a predator’s. Then, with a faint smirk, he turned away.

“Oh please. Coming from the man who went on a blind date while having a girlfriend, that’s rich. Your words aren’t even worth hearing.”

I-young grumbled the words under her breath, glaring at his back.

Dong-hoon stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.

“Dong-hoon, what are you doing? Let’s go.”

She pushed him forward.

He moved stiffly, as if his legs no longer worked properly.

Inside the hotel lobby, Jae-won was standing by the elevator.

His tall, composed figure drew everyone’s attention without effort.

People’s gazes naturally followed him as he waited.

Driven by pride, I-young led Dong-hoon to stand right beside him.

Ding.

The elevator arrived, and the three of them stepped inside.

Jae-won leaned back casually, hands in his pockets, his presence filling the small space.

Dong-hoon stood silently, looking pitiful beside him.

Ding.

The elevator reached the 21st floor. The door opened, and Jae-won stepped out first.

Still intimidated, I-young hurriedly grabbed Dong-hoon’s arm and pulled him out with her.

“Wow, I thought I was going to suffocate in there.”

She exhaled dramatically, but Dong-hoon’s face remained clouded.

* * *

Jae-won stripped off his clothes and stepped into the shower.

The hot water poured over his body, washing away the tension from the day.

By the time he stepped out, wrapped in only a white towel around his waist, the fatigue had returned to a dull heaviness.

He walked to the minibar and pulled out a cold beer.

An inexplicable thirst refused to fade.

He downed it in one go and let his gaze wander around the room.

Or rather, he imagined the identical suite next door.

Silence hung in the air. Maybe everyone there had already fallen asleep.

Was that impossible woman asleep too?

Wearing a robe, he walked around the suite, scanning every corner.

Lee Ji-soo would check again in the morning, but he wanted to inspect it himself.

He considered how the space could be redesigned and which sections needed improvement.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Who could that be at this hour?

He hadn’t ordered room service.

It couldn’t be Ji-soo either.

Listening closely, he heard someone murmuring outside.

Maybe the manager?

He walked slowly to the door and opened it.

But instead of the manager, there stood the woman from Room 1004.

“What the…”

His low voice rumbled through the quiet hall.

“Please help me.”

Her eyes darted away, unable to meet his.

Help her?

His dark brows twitched.

Head bowed, I-young shuffled her toes nervously.

His eyes trailed up the pale curve of her neck to her flushed cheeks.

“Can we talk inside?”

She lifted her head slightly, pleading.

“Why would you come in here?”

“Please. I need your help.”

Her eyes shimmered like a puppy’s, trembling softly as she looked up at him. Even someone like him felt a flicker of hesitation.

What on earth did she want help with?

Maybe he should at least hear her out.

He stepped aside slightly.

She didn’t miss the opening and dashed inside the room like lightning.

He let out a short, helpless breath.

She scurried straight to the sofa and perched on it as if afraid he might throw her out.

She definitely wasn’t normal.