Chapter 9

‘Did I hear that right?’

Jaei blinked, tilting her head slightly.

“What?”

“I drove you all the way here, so I was wondering if I’d get something in return.”

Taein said it casually, as if it were nothing, and her eyes narrowed.

Ah, of course. He wouldn’t just do something for me out of kindness.

Borrowing courage from the lingering buzz of alcohol, she answered just as coolly.

“There’s nothing to give. I don’t have anything. Go ahead, shake me down. See what you find.”

The way she stuck out her lip made him laugh softly.

“And what would I even get by shaking down Ms. Yoon Jaei.”

“I don’t know. Who knows what Mr. Han Taein would do if he did.”

They stared at each other. All of a sudden, she felt a chill.

It was like being pulled into the depths of those pitch-black eyes. The strange feeling had barely registered when he spoke again.

“Want to find out.”

“…Shake me down?”

“Yes. You.”

His rough voice and piercing gaze made it feel like he might actually devour her.

Her heart began pounding hard. She looked away, forcing her voice to sound steady.

“I don’t have anything.”

“I’ll have to check myself to see if that’s true.”

The low, amused tone wrapped the air between them in something tense.

“Let go of me.”

She tugged at the hand gripping her wrist, but she couldn’t break free.

“You said to try.”

He pulled her closer again. Their faces were suddenly near enough for her to catch the faint trace of his scent.

Her wide eyes trembled.

Was it the alcohol? The slow, low timbre of his voice, the way his gaze deepened each time her lashes lowered, all of it felt strangely provocative.

“I was just joking.”

“Since when do lawyers joke.”

His slow, deliberate words dried out her lips. Without realizing it, she ran her tongue over the corner of her mouth, and he caught that tiny movement. The corner of his lips lifted briefly.

“Ha. You’re driving me crazy.”

Her clear eyes were caught and held, like prey in a predator’s grasp. She froze, holding her breath.

Just then, light spilled from behind her, catching his attention.

Someone had come out.

Jaei noticed too, and the charged atmosphere between them broke in an instant. She tried to yank her hand free in case anyone saw, but he didn’t budge.

She glared at him.

“Let go.”

“When.”

“Let go first.”

“The sooner the better.”

“Let… go!”

“This weekend?”

His face was calm and relaxed, brimming with confidence.

Panicked at the thought someone might see, she finally gave in.

“Fine. This weekend.”

He got the answer he wanted. His grip loosened slowly.

The space between them widened, and he smiled like someone who’d achieved his goal.

“Goodnight, Ms. Yoon Jaei.”

She clutched her bag and got out of the car. His car rolled away from Gangsan Tech as she stared down at her wrist.

A faint red mark lingered where he’d grabbed her.

It almost felt like a mark he’d left behind.

“Jaei?”

She turned at the voice behind her, hiding her hand behind her back.

“Oh, Uncle.”

Executive Director Baek’s gaze flicked to the car driving off before returning to her.

“Wasn’t that the TS Electronics CEO?”

“Ah, yes. We just happened to… run into each other.”

Wait. Was it really a coincidence? They’d run into each other there, and she’d ended up riding in his car all the way back.

“Did you drink too?”

“A little. I met a senior from the law firm.”

Baek clicked his tongue and frowned, saying he could smell the alcohol strongly.

“Go inside and get some sleep. How much did you drink.”

“Not that much.”

“Not that much, yet look at your face.”

“What’s wrong with my face…”

She touched her cheeks awkwardly, and he shook his head.

“More than that, stop getting into random cars. If you need a ride, call Junseo like last time. Your father worries.”

“I will. I’m going in.”

Leaving Baek’s worried look behind, she stepped into the small house off to the side.

It still held traces of the years when the three of them had lived here cozily together.

On tiptoe so as not to wake Junghoon, she slipped through the living room and into her room.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she stared at the family photo on the wall.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but she suddenly missed her mother terribly.

No. Mom. I’ll stop here.

She didn’t want to fall into those emotions again. She got up to get ready for bed, but her eyes landed on the faint mark still left on her wrist.

Taein’s grip had left it.

The memory of that tense moment flashed back, and her body heated up.

The alcohol hasn’t worn off. Definitely.

She tied her hair back tightly, then slipped out quietly to wash her face with cold water.

* * *

Tok tok tok tok.

The sound of chopping came from the kitchen.

Still groggy, she sniffed the delicious smell wafting into her room and wandered out. Junghoon was bustling around the kitchen.

“You’re up?”

He glanced at her, then returned to finishing the last of the cooking. She lit up, grabbing spoons and chopsticks.

“Kimchi bean sprout soup?”

“You came home drunk last night.”

“Uncle told you? Seriously. He’s such a blabbermouth.”

“What other reason would you have to show up that late. Don’t drink so much.”

“I was just catching up with a law firm senior.”

The breakfast table was set with the steaming kimchi bean sprout soup, rolled omelets, and side dishes from the fridge.

They sat across from each other and began eating.

“Ah, it’s so good. Dad, your bean sprout soup is the best.”

“I actually learned this properly from your mom.”

“You learned well. From now on, I’m only eating the one you make.”

“Try drinking less, kid. You need to take care of yourself.”

“It’s not like I drink that often.”

Their quiet morning chat was interrupted by a knock at the door. Baek, Manager Kim, and Section Chief Park stepped inside.

“Let’s eat together. The smell from outside is too good.”

As if he’d expected them, Junghoon moved to make space, and everyone squeezed around the table with their bowls.

“You guys didn’t all stay over just for the soup, did you?”

“Your dad’s bean sprout soup is unbeatable.”

She chuckled silently at Baek’s honest reply. Manager Kim added,

“You should open a bean sprout soup restaurant later, sir.”

“Come on, open a restaurant? Just cook for us sometimes.”

“And what, spend my old age doing nothing. I need something to do.”

“I’m doing this to relax. I’ll relax, obviously.”

Manager Kim and Section Chief Park bickered back and forth, making her shake her head. Junghoon muttered dryly.

“I’d have to be out of my mind to be cooking this at that age. I’ll be lucky if I don’t end up with dementia.”

“There you go again.”

She pouted at him, and he raised his hands in mock surrender, going back to his meal.

Breakfast was lively and warm.

After they finished, she was wiping down the table when her phone rang.

Her expression hardened as she listened. When she hung up, Junghoon asked worriedly,

“What is it. Who was that.”

“A client. They said it’s urgent and want to meet.”

It was about the defendant she’d represented as public counsel. The trial verdict hadn’t been announced yet, but the plaintiff had shown up unreasonably early.

She rubbed her temples.

This is going to be a headache.

All she had to do was wait for the verdict. She didn’t need to get involved again.

But the faces of those two middle schoolers came to mind. She couldn’t ignore it.

“Go quickly. Should I drive you.”

“It’s fine. I’ll take a taxi.”

Section Chief Park, who had lost a bet and was doing the dishes, turned and called out,

“Take Junseo’s car, Jaei. He’ll come if we call him.”

He called right away, and as she brushed her hair, she stuck her head out of the room.

“Park Junseo’s coming?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s surprising. Does he even know I’m here?”

“I didn’t say anything, so maybe not.”

“Yes.”

She finished getting ready with a grin, and Junghoon laughed, saying Junseo would freak out again.

“I’m heading out.”

“Go home after.”

“I will.”

After saying her goodbyes, she stepped outside at the right time.

Soon, she heard a car pull up. She thought it would be Junseo’s.

But…

“…Huh?”

Her eyes widened.

The person who’d arrived in front of her was Han Taein.