Chapter 8

Shellfish allergy was one of Yoo Haru’s distinct traits.

It was a severe case, bad enough that she always carried medicine with her.

Because of it, even her first date with Ihan had ended in an unforgettable mishap.

As that memory tried to surface, Haruka lifted her spoon.

‘If I don’t eat, he might get suspicious.’

If anyone would notice, it would be Jin Ihan with his animal-like senses.

Even now, he was watching her every move.

Throughout his conversation with Seonghan, his gaze had never left Haruka.

‘I’ll just eat, then take the medicine right after.’

Stirring the broth slowly, Haruka scooped up a full spoonful.

Ihan’s unrelenting stare followed her, leaving her no room to relax.

“It’s… good.”

Her barely audible comment after swallowing made Seonghan chuckle, while Ihan’s expression stiffened for some reason.

She took two more spoonfuls with practiced calm and finished the meal.

But the sensation on her tongue was fading, going numb.

Her throat began to itch like a tiny bug was crawling inside.

Her shellfish allergy, which had never failed to react, was kicking in again.

“Alright, let’s hear what you have to say.”

To make things worse, Seonghan straightened his posture and looked at her.

Haruka drank a glass of water, ready to explain as quickly as possible.

“I handed Chief Cho a list of ingredients that will help with your insomnia treatment, and those to avoid. Incorporating aromatherapy through diet can enhance its effects…”

Seonghan raised a hand to cut her off.

Her clasped fingers tightened with nervous tension.

“That’s it?”

“Yes? But Mr. Jin said…”

Haruka glanced at Ihan, and Seonghan smirked.

Ihan’s gaze was piercing through her.

Startled, Haruka quickly looked back at Seonghan.

“There’s no need to tell me every little thing like that. Just report it to Chief Cho in the future.”

With a friendly smile, Seonghan rose from his seat.

He placed a firm hand on Ihan’s shoulder.

“Wait for me. We’ll go together.”

“Alright.”

The brothers had their own rhythm.

Whatever that was, Haruka only wanted to get out of there.

The feeling in her lips was gone. They had already started to swell.

Judging by how fast the reaction was spreading, it wouldn’t be long before it reached her airway.

A horrifying outcome.

As soon as Seonghan stepped out of the dining room, Haruka moved first.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

She left a quick goodbye to Ihan and crossed the living room at a brisk pace, completely unaware of his eyes following her from behind.

* * *

“Phew…”

Lying on her bed, Haruka let out a shaky sigh between her teeth.

After taking the medicine, her condition improved quickly.

Her balloon-like swollen lips returned to normal, and her throat, which had puffed up enough to make swallowing difficult, finally eased.

“I really almost died…”

She rolled over on the bed, staring at the mess around her.

The pills had scattered all over the floor when she’d fumbled with the bottle.

She sat up and began gathering them one by one.

As the pills filled the container again, the scene from earlier replayed in her mind.

“…Why do I keep running into him.”

Even with all her meticulous planning, she hadn’t anticipated sharing breakfast at dawn.

And seafood stew of all things.

She let out a low groan and looked down at the plastic bottle now filled with pills.

“I’ll need to keep this with me all the time.”

Clack, clack.

She idly rolled the pill bottle in her hands when her phone vibrated.

It was Ryota.

For someone who usually fell asleep at dawn, calling this early meant something unusual was up.

She immediately picked up.

Sure enough, before she could even say hello, rapid Japanese spilled from the other end.

[Haruka, can you come to Aromapis today? The Director sent a package.]

“The Director?”

[Yeah. He said it’s something for this month’s mission.]

She hadn’t been inside the mansion long, but Baek Jin-ha’s orders were absolute.

It was the price she paid to the person who had rescued and protected her from hell.

“I’ll go.”

She got up and started getting ready to leave.

She was just stepping out of the servants’ quarters, mentally preparing an excuse for Chief Cho, when

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

She froze.

Leaning casually against a statue by the entrance was Ihan, watching her.

‘What is Jin Ihan doing here again…’

She couldn’t hide her surprise at the unexpected encounter.

Noticing her reaction, he pushed himself off the statue and approached slowly.

“Out so early.”

“…”

“And you don’t look well.”

Unconsciously, Haruka bit her lower lip and stepped back instinctively.

His gaze landed on her still slightly swollen lips.

“Come to think of it, your lips look a little puffy. And your eyes are a bit red too.”

Ihan deliberately pressed into her weak spots.

A breeze carrying the scent of wisteria wrapped around them.

Her heart pounded wildly like background music, and her eyes trembled under his intense stare.

It was as if he wouldn’t let a single twitch escape.

“Did you take medicine?”

“What?”

He tapped his own lips twice as he asked.

“Your lips. It looks like an allergic reaction.”

“Oh, that… It’s just some irritation from switching to a new cosmetic product this morning. I’m fine.”

It was a hastily made excuse, and a cliché one at that.

But she couldn’t admit it was an allergy.

She couldn’t allow any link to Yoo Haru to resurface.

“I see. Well, alright then.”

Ihan let out a soft laugh, clearly seeing through the lie.

Before he could ask anything else, she came up with a reasonable answer.

He asked casually,

“So, where are you headed?”

“I’m going to the Aromapis Korea branch. A base note oil shipment arrived today. It’s a newly successful blend, and they only have a limited amount. I need to pick up the oil and its composition analysis sheet.”

Her answer was calm, as if she hadn’t faltered earlier.

She didn’t avoid his gaze this time.

‘Jin Ihan doesn’t recognize me.’

The thought solidified her resolve.

Her heartbeat, which had been off rhythm, steadied again.

As she regained her composure, Ihan took half a step back.

“Where’s the branch?”

“Sinsa-dong.”

“I’ll take you. I can drop you off on the way.”

“I thought you were commuting with the Vice Chairman. Really, there’s no need…”

Before she could finish, Ihan was already on the phone.

“I’m heading out first. Something came up.”

He was clearly talking to Seonghan.

He gave her a look that said, Problem solved, and walked ahead confidently.

“…Unbelievable.”

She sighed.

She had no choice but to share the ride.

As she walked reluctantly, she took a small transparent perfume bottle from her bag.

She sprayed it on her wrists and dabbed it behind her ears.

‘Better to be prepared. It’s a closed space.’

It was her diversion tactic for a man with a sharp nose.

* * *

The car ride was silent.

No radio, no classical music, nothing.

Only a subtle tension lingered in the air.

To make matters worse, Ihan’s secretary sat in the passenger seat, forcing Haruka to sit in the back beside Ihan.

As the car started moving, Ihan furrowed his brows and muttered,

“You put on perfume.”

“What?”

She didn’t catch it at first, but Ihan had already turned to the secretary with a stiff face.

“Open the windows.”

“Yes, sir.”

It was still early, but Gangnam Avenue was, as always, clogged with traffic.

The spring air drifted in through the cracked window.

Her hair swayed slightly in the breeze.

While she kept her gaze fixed on the scenery outside, Ihan studied her closely.

The weight of his stare was unbearable.

She silently wished for the ride to end as soon as possible.

Recognizable streets finally came into view, and she perked up.

“I’ll get off here.”

Without a word, Ihan instructed the driver to stop.

“Thank you.”

She got out quickly.

“Phew.”

She could breathe again, finally free of his gaze.

Her steps quickened toward the building.

“Haruka!”

Ryota spotted her from afar and broke into a grin, opening his arms wide.

She responded by stepping into his enthusiastic hug.

It lasted longer than a typical greeting.

When she tried to pull away, his arms only tightened.

“Ryota?”

Sensing something strange, Haruka tilted her head.

Ryota’s eyes narrowed sharply as he looked over her shoulder.

“You’ve got a tail, Haruka.”