When Suhyeok spotted Jaeha suddenly appearing, he bit the inside of his cheek hard.
Had he heard?
He wasn’t unaware that his parents were using Nayoon as bait to get a hold on Jaeha. He himself considered it an opportunity.
No, he probably didn’t hear. If he had, someone with his personality wouldn’t have let it slide.
Though he was shrouded in mystery, rumors were rampant that he had a hot temper, often got angry, and had a rotten personality.
The face that had been smirking and mocking Nayoon quickly turned soft as he spoke.
“Oh, CEO Koo Jaeha. I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Jin Suhyeok, Executive Director of Jinseong Construction.”
Jaeha simply stared at the hand Suhyeok offered for a moment. Only when Suhyeok’s expression began to stiffen did Jaeha finally take it.
“Koo Jaeha.”
“Haha, you’re quite good-looking.”
No one gets mad at a compliment about their looks. Or so Suhyeok thought…
“That’s all you’ve got to say?”
Jaeha casually let go of the handshake and averted his gaze with clear disinterest. The smile Suhyeok had forced onto his lips trembled.
“Ah… haha. It’s a pleasure. Nayoon’s spoken a lot about you.”
“I don’t recall us talking much that day to warrant that.”
When Jaeha’s gaze turned to her as if seeking confirmation, Nayoon calmly addressed Suhyeok, suppressing her flustered feelings.
“Oppa, could you give us a moment? I need to speak with the CEO.”
Suppressing his irritation, Suhyeok replied.
“Haha, sure. Of course. Have a good talk.”
Once Suhyeok walked off, only Nayoon and Jaeha remained.
He even dislikes compliments—then what can I ask?
Nayoon’s mind whirled. When their eyes met, she finally spoke after some thought.
“I saw the article yesterday. About the new government venture you’re preparing. The press seemed to speak of it positively—congratulations.”
She smiled politely as she brought it up.
A strange glint flickered in Jaeha’s eyes as he stared at her.
“Let’s not talk about something so boring.”
“……”
“Why don’t we continue the previous conversation?”
Nayoon’s eyes widened.
She tried to recall what they’d talked about earlier—and froze in shock at what he added.
“Your bedroom preferences.”
Word for word, he repeated what Suhyeok had said earlier.
Except…
“That bastard was asking me about your bedroom preferences, wasn’t he?”
He simply didn’t realize the other person Suhyeok was referring to was Jaeha himself.
Whether that was fortunate or not…
As Nayoon was too stunned to respond, Jaeha continued.
“Ah, my mistake. Never met a brother who’d talk like that to his sister before.”
He looked genuinely disgusted.
Jaeha had a younger sister studying abroad—Koo Sera, the so-called spoiled princess of the Songseong Group.
The only sibling who had followed him around like a duckling since they were kids.
So what Suhyeok had said was not even something Jaeha could imagine.
Siblings simply didn’t ask each other such things.
“There was no polite way to say it.”
His tone seemed to ask for understanding. Clinging to her rattled nerves, Nayoon replied.
“It’s all right. And earlier, there was a bit of a misunderstanding…”
“Misunderstanding?”
Jaeha cut her off coldly.
“Does calling it a misunderstanding make it better?”
“……”
“Or does that mean he didn’t actually say it?”
Once again, his words cut deep, striking her in the most vulnerable place. Nayoon looked up, her expression visibly shaken.
“CEO Koo…!”
His sharp gaze made her bite her lip.
Whether he had a broken personality or strange preferences—
None of it mattered.
It’s not like she would see him again anyway.
“Do you have something to say?”
“No. It was nice meeting you.”
Nayoon tried to end the conversation and walk past him.
“Liar.”
The muttered word made her stop in her tracks and turn her head.
He turned slowly to face her, his eyes filled with complaint.
What was it with him?
Why did he keep reading her like a book?
And worse, why couldn’t he just keep it to himself instead of voicing it out and making her uncomfortable?
“It was written all over your face.”
Once again, he saw right through her. Her heart began to pound.
Annoyance rose sharply, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but wonder—how did he read her so well?
As the sun set and darkness crept in, the outdoor lights turned on.
The glow illuminated Nayoon’s face—clear skin, sparkling eyes, delicately shaped features.
Seeing her up close again, Jaeha let out a silent breath. He felt stupid for not recognizing her sooner.
“Are you doing this… because you have lingering feelings about that blind date?”
“Lingering feelings?”
“If not, then I don’t understand why you’re acting like this.”
Just before coming to the banquet, Jaeha had received a file from his secretary—a detailed report about Nayoon.
From her adoption records to her neighborhood history, college, and even the social circles she belonged to.
Among the details, there was one record he had wanted most.
She had once lived in the same neighborhood as him.
The timing matched exactly with what he remembered.
And in that moment, Jaeha felt like a weight he’d carried in his chest for years had finally lifted.
There had been two pivotal moments in his life—and both times, Nayoon had been there.
It wasn’t love, not really. He hadn’t known love back then. But it wasn’t just any connection, either.
To Jaeha, Nayoon had always been special.
So he could only define her that way—special.
The once-youthful face blurred, and now Nayoon stood clearly before him.
“It’s not lingering feelings. Let’s call it… a debt.”
“A debt?”
At her repeated question, Jaeha only gave a slow smile.
Her sharply questioning eyes resembled a cat’s—wary and alert.
Jaeha pulled a business card from inside his suit and handed it to her.
“If you ever need me, get in touch.”
[JH Investments – CEO Koo Jaeha]
Nayoon read the card and looked back at him.
Unlike their first encounter, he was now extending kindness to her.
Was it because of the people around them? Or simply the setting?
All of it could be valid, but the subtle shift in his attitude was… puzzling.
“Anytime.”
She should have stopped him right then and asked what he meant by “debt.”
“Sir, the Chairman is asking for you.”
As someone came to fetch Jaeha, Nayoon had no choice but to give up.
She silently watched his retreating back as he raised his brows and turned away.
* * *
After the banquet, Daewoon and Juran were driven home first, seeing off Nayoon and Suhyeok.
As their car disappeared, Nayoon immediately turned to leave—but Suhyeok grabbed her wrist.
“Let go.”
“You’re not even going to say goodbye to your oppa?”
Without replying, Nayoon gave him a cold glare, and he shrugged and released her.
“Let’s meet later tonight. I’ve got something to talk about. Don’t fall asleep—wait for me.”
This time, his eyes looked like he’d really try something.
He didn’t even bother hiding the sleazy look in his eyes, grinning as he walked off.
Brushing off the disgusting sensation that crawled over her skin, Nayoon climbed into her car and immediately pulled out the business card.
All she could think about was escaping this house as soon as possible.
Recalling Jaeha’s words—“Call me anytime”—she pulled out her phone and sent a message to the number on the card.
[This is Jin Nayoon. If you’re available, I’d like to meet with you.]
It was impulsive—but it was the only way.
Staring at the screen, she dropped the phone in her lap.
Maybe she should’ve gone through someone else.
As regret surged through her, the phone vibrated.
She looked at the screen—multiple vibrations, not just one.
It was an unknown number, but she instinctively knew it had to be Jaeha.
A call, not a message.
After a moment of hesitation, she pressed the answer button.
Before she could even say hello, a low voice came through the speaker.
—Let’s meet now.
Only then did Nayoon remember the message she had sent.
It wasn’t too far-fetched to interpret it as “right now.” She had acted so impulsively that she hadn’t even thought it through.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that…”
—Where are you right now?
