Chapter#6
Yulhee’s mind went blank.
More shocking than the fact that Si-hyuk remembered what happened last night was that he called her “babe.”
“I was so surprised when you left without saying anything. I didn’t even have your number, so I couldn’t contact you…”
Even as Yulhee just stared at him with wide eyes and a slightly open mouth, Si-hyuk continued calmly.
“Are you feeling okay? You must be really tired since you didn’t sleep well. Did I push you too much?”
His tone was gentle—something more suited to lovers than coworkers.
The awkward intimacy snapped Yulhee back to her senses, and she stammered,
“…Do you, do you remember everything?”
At that, Si-hyuk’s smile deepened.
His hazel eyes slowly traveled from her face to her shoulders, chest, and waist. Under his intense gaze, Yulhee’s whole body heated up, and her heart started pounding.
“What do you mean? How beautiful you looked in my arms, the expressions you made, the sounds you—”
“Are you crazy?!”
Yulhee quickly covered his mouth and glanced nervously toward the pantry door, afraid someone might hear.
Si-hyuk placed his hand over hers, as if amused by her reaction, and chuckled softly.
Feeling his warm breath on her palm, Yulhee flinched and pulled her hand away.
“You remember everything… then why did you pretend not to earlier?”
Her voice was mixed with resentment and confusion.
Si-hyuk shrugged.
“Was I allowed to show it? If I knew, I would’ve done it sooner. Should I go say it now?”
“Say what?”
“That we’re dating.”
That we’re dating?
Yulhee’s mouth fell open at the unexpected answer.
“…What happened last night was just an accident. Just something that happened because we were drunk.”
She forced herself to speak firmly.
“These days, people don’t start dating just because they spent one night together. Everyone just keeps it casual…”
As she rambled, she suddenly stopped.
“Casual.”
It was the same word Byung-joo had used on her just yesterday.
Watching her confusion, Si-hyuk spoke again.
“I’m a bit old-fashioned.”
He stepped closer to her, closing the distance between them.
In a low voice, he whispered,
“It was my first time. So you have to take responsibility.”
“That’s a lie! How could it be your first time when you were that good—!”
Realizing what she had just said, Yulhee quickly covered her mouth.
But no matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t believe it was his first time.
His skilled touch, the way he moved… she had reached her peak several times. His intensity still felt vivid.
“Was I that good?”
Pleased by her reaction, Si-hyuk smiled even more.
“I’m glad you were satisfied. But I’ll do even better next time. I learn quickly.”
Next time? As if there would be a next time.
Yulhee straightened her face and spoke coldly.
“Do I look like I’m joking right now?”
“I’m not joking.”
Instead, Si-hyuk looked hurt.
Then, like an abandoned puppy, he asked,
“Are you trying to use me and throw me away?”
“Use and throw you away…?”
Shocked by the blunt phrase, Yulhee nearly fainted.
In the end, she sighed deeply and explained everything.
“…I’ll be honest. Until yesterday, I was in a relationship with Manager Park Byung-joo. But he suddenly announced he’s getting married to Sora, so it ended.”
She didn’t want to say it out loud, but she had to.
“People at the company already know. I’m already the topic of gossip. If you get involved too…”
She trailed off.
Si-hyuk said nothing.
Yulhee felt strangely empty.
“…Then I’ll go back to my desk—”
As she turned to leave, he gently grabbed her wrist.
“I don’t care about that.”
In fact, he already knew everything.
He had overheard other male employees gossiping on the rooftop.
“What do you think, Si-hyuk? The company’s fun, right?”
Laughing crudely, they talked about her situation.
Unable to tolerate it, he said,
“I don’t understand what’s so entertaining about someone else’s private life.”
The atmosphere instantly turned cold.
After that, the men clearly disliked him—but he didn’t care.
“What matters to me is just you and me.”
There was no trace of playfulness in his face now—only sincerity.
Yulhee’s eyes trembled.
“I…”
Just as she was about to speak, the pantry door opened.
She quickly pulled her wrist away and stepped back.
“Uh…”
Yeon-joo walked in, sensing the awkward atmosphere.
Si-hyuk bowed slightly to Yulhee.
“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”
Then he left first.
Seeing his slumped shoulders, Yeon-joo said sympathetically,
“He looks so down. Did he make a mistake? Come on, Assistant Manager Kang, he’s still new. Don’t be too harsh.”
Down?
Yulhee was speechless as Si-hyuk secretly winked at her.
She now wanted to quit her job even more than when she heard about Byung-joo’s marriage.
Lunch time.
The cafeteria was crowded as usual.
“Si-hyuk, do you like spicy pork? You can have more of mine!”
Yeon-joo, who finally managed to sit next to him, chatted brightly.
“I’m fine.”
His cold response made her awkward, but she didn’t give up.
“Oh! You don’t eat cucumbers? Me neither!”
“Yes.”
Despite her efforts, he only gave short replies.
His gaze was fixed solely on Yulhee sitting across from him.
“Eat more.”
He put a generous portion of his pork onto her tray.
Startled, Yulhee looked up. He smiled brightly.
“…Thanks.”
She lowered her head again.
“Do you want me to get you some water?”
“N-no, it’s okay…”
Please, stop!
While other female employees watched with envy and jealousy, Yulhee felt like screaming.
She was afraid someone might notice what happened between them.
She tried to warn him with her eyes, but he ignored it.
“Senior, there’s something on your lips.”
Flustered, she wiped around her mouth.
“Not there…”
Then, without hesitation, Si-hyuk reached his hand toward her—
