Chapter 8

Chae-eun was fuming, unable to manage her expression at all.

Jae-oh sitting across from her was different. He looked far too relaxed and even leaned his upper body closer like he was genuinely intrigued.

“You’ve got some serious company loyalty, Chae-eun.”

She wanted to argue, but there wasn’t a single thing he got wrong. She knew better than anyone that winning that contract had been no different from lobbying with alcohol and her body.

She remembered the sunlight in the hotel room and how she’d spoken so boldly.

‘You said it yourself yesterday, right? That you’d go ahead with the contract with VOUME Planning.’

If she hadn’t acted shamelessly after waking up that morning, there was a much higher chance the deal wouldn’t have gone through.

They had talked about finalizing the contract before sleeping together, sure, but it was only verbal.

What sealed it was Chae-eun’s nerve.

Anger surged, but she couldn’t talk back. Meeting Jae-oh right now might actually be a blessing. She couldn’t let this blind date continue. That was the most urgent thing.

“If you’ve got time to pick a fight, help me out instead.”

The contract was already signed, so she didn’t want to grovel. Feeling pressed for time actually made her bolder.

Jae-oh let out a short laugh like he found her amusing.

“And what exactly am I helping you with? It’d better be more interesting than picking a fight.”

“I don’t want to sit here. Since you’ve already interfered, can’t you interfere a bit more?”

“And why would I do that?”

His uncooperative attitude made her anxious. Chae-eun leaned forward and moved as close to him as she could, checking her surroundings.

Then she whispered in a voice only he could hear.

“Don’t tell me you actually want to call the woman you had a one night stand with your sister-in-law.”

“That family tree might be worth a look.”

“Now’s not the time for jokes!”

“Why not? It’s not like it happened while they were dating.”

“No…”

Talking to him was impossible and it made her chest feel tight. Chae-eun glared at him and thumped her chest with her fist.

Jae-oh lifted his chin slightly and looked down at her.

Was there something wrong with her brain? Even now, he was ridiculously handsome. She couldn’t look away.

She’d been hit on countless times by men, but losing her heart in an instant like this was a first.

Idols, models, actors. She’d seen plenty of handsome men through work, yet Jae-oh was different.

His pronounced brow ridge was masculine, his thick neatly shaped eyebrows handsome. Below them sat a nose bridge with a line no surgery could recreate.

His long eyes looked sharp yet solid. His dark pupils were so deep they felt like they could see straight through her with just a glance.

He clearly resembled Cha Gye-oh. Anyone would assume they were brothers, but the vibe and overall balance were strangely different.

Cha Gye-oh had a soft rounded look, nowhere near sharp. But Cha Jae-oh was just…

Just handsome.

If he weren’t standing next to Jae-oh, Cha Gye-oh would’ve been called good looking wherever he went.

“Was the chicken noise that hard to listen to?”

“The chicken noise was bad enough, and I don’t have the confidence to call you that family’s young master.”

“That family? You’re saying you stamped the contract.”

“Yes, I did. And things are urgent right now, so I had to use a shorter title. Executive Director Cha Jae-oh is too long.”

“You said it just fine a moment ago.”

“Anyway. There’s nothing good in this for either of us.”

“Sounds fun to me. Hardly nothing.”

She thought he was only a pervert in bed, but apparently he was one in everyday life too.

When Chae-eun made a face of disgust, Jae-oh flashed that infuriatingly charming smile.

Even now she was thinking he was handsome. She wasn’t right in the head either.

“Please. Just this once…”

“Ah! The call took longer than I thought. Sorry, Chae-eun.”

Cha Gye-oh came back at the worst possible timing. He dropped into his chair and waved Jae-oh away like that was enough.

“You can go now.”

Jae-oh stared at Chae-eun quietly. She mouthed please over and over, widening her watery eyes.

“I’ll get going then.”

“Yeah. See you.”

Chae-eun bit her lip hard, utterly deflated. Right, there was no way that pervert would help.

“Hyung, you get up too.”

“Me? Why?”

“I’ve got something urgent to discuss about design.”

“How urgent could it be? More urgent than my blind date?”

“Not even comparable.”

Chae-eun looked between the two men with eyes sparkling with hope.

“Sounds like something came up. You should go quickly. I’m fine.”

“Oh no. It just sounds urgent. It probably isn’t. What could be more important than talking with you, Chae-eun.”

She shot Jae-oh another desperate look.

Jae-oh let out a deep sigh and stood up.

“It’s urgent. The chairman called.”

“What? Damn it, of all times.”

Cha Gye-oh looked conflicted, while Chae-eun wore the serene expression of a saint.

“Chae-eun, I’m really sorry. I have your number, so I’ll contact you again soon.”

“Don’t worry about me and go.”

If possible, she hoped he wouldn’t contact her at all.

She sent Jae-oh a subtle grateful look, then stood and bowed politely.

After the two men left the lounge, Chae-eun stared blankly at their backs before collapsing into her chair with shaky legs.

“I almost died. Seriously.”

Only now could she breathe properly.

She let out a long sigh of relief.

* * *

Chae-eun was climbing the stairs to the rooftop bar where they were meeting. It wasn’t even three floors, yet she was already panting. Just as she was feeling the consequences of neglecting exercise, she heard her friends’ loud laughter.

“Oh, Chae-eun’s here!”

“Hey. Kang Chae-eun. You seriously.”

“What the hell.”

They were close enough to deserve the title of best friends.

“Sorry, sorry.”

“You still show up last?”

“Isn’t this full blown main character syndrome?”

They scolded her while quickly setting plates and cutlery at an empty seat.

“I’m really sorry. I’ve been busy with a new project lately. I couldn’t leave on time no matter what.”

Chae-eun looked genuinely apologetic and declared she’d cover the drinks tonight.

“Fine for today, but why didn’t you come on your birthday?”

“You said you’d explain in person. We were dying of curiosity. You’re responsible.”

“Exactly. You said you wanted to be The Great Gatsby. That it was your dream.”

They bombarded her nonstop.

“Kang Chae-eun, but did you even watch The Great Gatsby? You know the main character gets shot and dies, right?”

Chae-eun ordered a cocktail and playfully brushed off Ryu Yubin, who was miming pulling a trigger beside her.

“I just meant the parties. The huge weekly parties. Just that part.”

“But honestly, you were pretty Gatsby this time. Not showing your face. That’s some insane money wasting.”

“That’s not what I wanted.”

Chae-eun let out a heavy sigh. Park Minji, sitting across from her, tapped the table impatiently.

“So tell us. Why couldn’t you come?”

“Well, something happened. I was about to head to the club when my dad suddenly got into a car accident.”

At the word accident, panic spread across their faces. Sensing the mood turning serious, Chae-eun quickly waved her hands.

“No! He wasn’t badly hurt. He just cracked his shin a bit and has to use a wheelchair for a while. Other than that, he’s fine.”

“Then you should’ve told us! We would’ve gone straight to the hospital.”

“I didn’t go to the hospital. I went as a substitute to an important meeting my dad was heading to. It was a big meeting and it dragged on. I really tried to finish as fast as I could, but it didn’t work. I’m sorry.”

“I’m glad your dad’s okay. We were a little less excited without you, but we definitely enjoyed the club. It was super nice and comfy.”

“Presents are best given on the day. Since you didn’t pick anything, we bought them ourselves.”

They pulled out their hidden gifts from under the table and handed them to her with a flourish.

“What is this! You’re giving gifts to a bad but pretty friend who couldn’t even keep her promise.”

“Leave out the pretty part. It’s annoying.”

Chae-eun cupped her face with her hands and deliberately acted cuter. Her friends pretended to snatch the gifts back and she hurriedly apologized.

“What could it be?”

She unwrapped the package with eager eyes. Their faces were filled with mischievous unease.

Watching their reactions, Chae-eun opened the box. Then immediately snapped it shut.

“Hey! Are you insane!”