Chapter 8

“Mr. Han.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve been skipping meals again.”

In the dimly lit office, only the table lamp was on. Taein, still focused on his paperwork, replied distractedly. It was only then, at his secretary’s words, that he realized he hadn’t eaten all day.

“…Ah.”

“Should I bring you something to eat?”

He lifted his head to check the time, then glanced at the remaining pile of work.

“Just leave it. You can head home first.”

“But…”

“I’ll finish everything, eat on my own, and go home on my own too.”

When he returned his gaze to the papers, the secretary bowed and quietly left the office.

An hour later, Taein finally set the documents aside, looking tired.

He left the office and stopped by his usual Japanese restaurant for a late dinner. His eyes lingered on the beer.

He’d brought his car, so drinking wasn’t an option. Just as he was feeling a little regretful about that one beer he couldn’t have, a familiar voice reached his ears.

“Seriously, how could Dad do this. How can he even think about hiring another lawyer instead of me. It’s so unfair.”

The voice was slurred with alcohol. The pitch was higher than usual, and the pronunciation was off.

‘I’m not drinking with you, Mr. Han Taein.’

She’d refused to have a drink with him, yet here she was. His lips pulled into a quiet, crooked smile.

At least until he realized the other person was a man.

“Why don’t you just stay over at my place. Then you can drink as much as you want. I’ll invite Yuna too.”

At the obvious tactic, Taein’s expression immediately twisted in annoyance.

“You think I’d fall for that. You’d just give me more files to work on. …Not a chance now. There’s no reason for me to share your workload anymore.”

Her sharp rejection smoothed out the scowl on his face a little.

She really had her walls up everywhere.

He finished the rest of his meal with little interest in the nostalgic chatter behind him. As he stepped outside, his feet came to a halt.

Her drunken voice lingered in his ears.

It was a side of Yoon Jaei he’d never seen before. Her speech was slurred.

Scratching the spot above his eyebrow awkwardly, he heard the bell on the restaurant door ring.

Jaei stepped out with a small sigh, gazing up at the night sky.

There was a soft smile in her eyes, and Taein tilted his head slightly. When she turned and their eyes met, she froze.

“You’re definitely drunk.”

Taein let out a small, amused laugh.

Under the moonlight, her pale face was flushed, her eyelids blinking slowly. Her dark eyes focused on him, and her lips were tinged red.

It was annoyingly enticing.

* * *

Jaei had stepped outside to sober up a bit, but the moment she saw Taein, her intoxication flared back up.

“Ah…?”

Why was he here again. Was he some kind of Hong Gildong, appearing everywhere out of nowhere.

Startled, she pretended not to see him and turned back.

As she returned to her seat, Seonjun came in as well.

“Where were you.”

“Oh, just stepped out to get some air.”

“Good. It’s about time to head out.”

When Seonjun suggested they wrap up, she stopped him.

“No, sunbae. Just a little longer…”

“Come on. You’re drunk. It’s late. Time to go.”

“No, I’m not. I’m really not drunk.”

He didn’t listen. She reluctantly stood up.

What if Han Taein’s still out there.

“It’s been a while, so you drank quite a bit. Your cheeks are bright red again.”

As they cleaned up and headed out, Seonjun glanced at her. She pressed a hand to her cheek.

“Oh, really. I must’ve gotten this from Mom. Dad’s whole face turns red.”

Smiling, they stepped outside. The cool air hit her skin.

Her eyes moved quickly, scanning for Taein.

Then she stopped herself.

No. Why should I be the one hiding.

With a composed face, she turned back to Seonjun.

“Thanks for the meal, sunbae.”

“Let’s do it again.”

“Yes. Next time with Yuna.”

“Alright. I’ll give you a ride. I already called a driver.”

“Oh, it’s fine.”

“You always say that.”

“I mean it. I can go alone. You should go first.”

She even waved her hand to emphasize it. Seonjun sighed.

“At times like this, you should just say thank you and get in. No need to draw such a line.”

“That’s not it…”

Watching them go back and forth like that, Taein couldn’t help but laugh quietly in disbelief.

The flick of a lighter cap sounded steadily, then stopped.

“Or am I the reason you’re uncomfortable.”

“Come on, sunbae. Of course not.”

When he tilted his head and met her eyes, she instinctively stepped back and bumped into someone behind her.

“Oh, I’m sor—”

She froze when she realized the hands gripping her shoulders were his.

“Not going home, Ms. Yoon Jaei.”

“Ah…”

His gaze lowered toward her. Her eyes burned for some reason.

“And who are you.”

His eyes, which had been on Jaei, shifted up to Seonjun. His tone was polite, but there was wariness in his stare.

“I’m someone who knows Ms. Yoon Jaei.”

“And who might that be. Also, take your hands off her shoulders.”

Seonjun’s eyes landed on the hands gripping her shoulders. Instead of letting go, Taein pulled her slightly closer.

“Would it matter if I told you.”

“Excuse me.”

“Ms. Yoon Jaei, who am I.”

At his question, Jaei finally turned her head and met Seonjun’s uneasy gaze.

“Oh, right. Sunbae, he’s someone I know. Funny running into him here…”

“My company’s nearby.”

Her gaze flicked toward the tall building towering above them. Sure enough, the TS Electronics building stood right there.

She hadn’t even noticed it before.

“Ah…!”

“Anyway, Jaei, let’s go.”

Seonjun reached out, but Taein turned her away before he could touch her.

“Ms. Yoon Jaei, aren’t you going to see your father.”

“Ah, Dad… Should I.”

“I’ll give you a ride. Let’s go.”

Seeing that Taein looked ready to take her by the arm, Seonjun called out urgently.

“Jaei.”

She turned and smiled brightly.

“Sunbae, go on ahead. I know you have work to do. Of course you do. Don’t worry about me.”

She cut him off firmly. Seonjun closed his mouth and simply watched them with discomfort.

“Let’s go.”

“Alright.”

Her smile lingered as she turned toward the parking lot with him.

But after a few steps, she suddenly stopped.

“Wait. Why am I going with you, Mr. Han Taein. I can go alone.”

She’d nearly fallen for it at the mention of her father and almost climbed into his car.

His smile was gone. His expression was calm, but something about it felt faintly irritated.

“Just get in.”

“No. I was just…”

“Is someone supposed to pick you up again tonight.”

He glanced around. The small car from before wasn’t there.

“No, but…”

“Then get in. If you take public transportation looking like that, you’ll draw unnecessary attention.”

“Do I really look that bad.”

She glanced down at her outfit and laughed weakly.

How was she planning to get home alone in that state.

It wasn’t about how she looked. There were plenty of people out there willing to take advantage of a drunk woman.

“If you’re not getting in, suit yourself.”

He opened the car door. Hesitating, she clutched her bag and approached slowly.

Once inside, Taein caught a faint scent. It wasn’t his, and it wasn’t alcohol either.

His gaze shifted to her. When she finally looked up and met his eyes, he quickly looked away.

“Buckle up properly.”

“Yes.”

The car started moving. Toward Gangsan Tech.

The late-night roads on the outskirts of Seoul were wide open.

As they sped down the road, he thought about the smile she’d flashed earlier. It hadn’t been for him.

His eyes flicked toward her. She was staring blankly out the window. Was she lost in thought, finally relaxed, or still wary of him. He couldn’t tell.

They soon arrived at Gangsan Tech. She finally looked away from the window, unbuckled her seatbelt, and muttered softly.

“Ah, I should’ve just gone home.”

His brow furrowed.

This isn’t her house?

He tried to recall her address, but it was vague. He hadn’t paid much attention when he’d glanced at it before.

“This isn’t your house?”

She seemed a little more sober now. Her eyes were clear as she met his.

“Oh, no. It is. Thank you for the ride. Drive safe.”

She opened the car door, but he caught her wrist.

She stared down at his hand gripping her, then slowly lifted her gaze.

“You’re just going to leave like this.”

His eyes, which should have been indifferent, were dark and weighed down by something unspoken.