Chapter 15
Knock knock knock.
The knocking sound brought Na-yoon back to her senses. She looked at Jae-ha with a startled face.
Realizing she had been unknowingly staring until he tapped the window, her cheeks flushed red.
Na-yoon quickly stepped out of the car and spoke.
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize.”
Jae-ha responded casually and extended his arm to her. It seemed he meant for her to take it, so she looked at him for a moment before placing her hand on his arm. He spoke lightly.
“Let’s go for a walk.”
The two began walking side by side as Jae-ha started speaking.
“There’s a reporter behind us.”
“A reporter?”
Na-yoon’s eyes widened. She looked around cautiously, but Jae-ha said it as if it were nothing.
“They’re on our side. The article will be published only after mutual agreement, so there’s no need to worry.”
Realizing this was all intended to capture photos, her hand that had lightly held his arm tightened.
As Na-yoon moved closer, Jae-ha turned his head toward her.
“If we’re doing this, we might as well make it look real.”
Without any particular expression, Na-yoon linked her arm tightly with his. Jae-ha’s brow twitched slightly.
This was more than he had expected.
Looking away, Jae-ha said,
“I heard Sera was bothering you.”
“She didn’t really. She just asked me to have a meal, but we only ended up having tea.”
“Really?”
His eyes, which had been calmly watching ahead, turned to Na-yoon again. She seemed like she wanted to say something, lips parting slightly, then pressing them together again.
She kept opening her mouth, hesitating. Jae-ha watched her silently before finally asking,
“Do you have something to say?”
“Pardon?”
Na-yoon rarely revealed her emotions. Usually, he just interpreted things his way. But this time, her surprised eyes gave her away.
“So you do.”
His voice had a trace of amusement. Na-yoon hesitated.
The truth was, she had made a separate promise with Sera.
‘Unni, don’t tell Oppa. I want you to come help me choose my wedding dress.’
‘Keep it a secret? Why?’
‘Ah, um… because Oppa might find it annoying?’
Sera had added that it was a once-in-a-lifetime event and she wanted to choose a beautiful dress.
But Na-yoon had already sensed the curiosity and amusement in Sera’s eyes and simply agreed without argument.
“Go on, say it.”
“No, really. There’s nothing.”
“I think there is.”
“Seriously.”
Na-yoon came to a full stop. When Jae-ha turned to look at her, she stared at him and added,
“There’s really nothing.”
She was insisting so strongly, he had to let it go.
“Alright.”
Smiling faintly, Jae-ha began walking again. Na-yoon followed, her pace even slower than before.
There was a certain line between them—moderate kindness and interest, but a clear boundary. Just to that point.
She felt the unspoken limit—but somehow, Na-yoon liked that.
“If Sera ever makes things uncomfortable again, just tell me right away.”
“Didn’t you already scold her?”
Na-yoon glanced up at him. The corners of Jae-ha’s lips twitched for just a moment.
Not missing this, Na-yoon replied softly as she looked away.
“You did.”
Jae-ha chuckled lightly and asked,
“How did you know?”
“It was obvious.”
“That’s odd.”
“You came to the lounge twice yesterday, right?”
“Yeah, that happened.”
“Next time, don’t… No, actually, you shouldn’t.”
“Exactly.”
Watching Na-yoon, who looked lost in thought, Jae-ha spoke again.
“Next time, let’s be like a normal couple and inform each other ahead of time. At least then, we’d look like a real married couple.”
At his words, Na-yoon looked up, surprised.
It was such a simple and ordinary suggestion.
“I don’t really have much of a schedule, but okay. Let’s do that.”
She was already grateful that he came to see her at all.
By the time they returned to the front of the house, headlights from a distant car shone toward them.
The glare made Na-yoon close her eyes, and through the light, Jae-ha’s eyes narrowed.
“Oh my, look who it is. Isn’t that Director Gu?”
As the car door opened, Juran’s voice called out.
“What? Director Gu is here?”
Drunken and leaning on Soo-hyuk, Dae-woon greeted them.
Jae-ha gave them a polite bow.
“Good evening.”
It seemed the three of them had gone out for dinner or drinks. Given the time, it likely wasn’t just a normal dinner…
Na-yoon’s expression, as she looked down, was emotionless—as if this were a regular occurrence.
That made something burn in Jae-ha’s chest. Still wearing a calm expression, he asked,
“Where are you returning from?”
“Haha, we had a drink to celebrate thanks to Director Gu. You remember that thing I mentioned before.”
That thing? What had Dae-woon talked about with Jae-ha?
Na-yoon’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Thanks to you, things worked out really well.”
Previously, Dae-woon had arranged a private meeting with Jae-ha. Everything had gone exactly as Jae-ha predicted.
‘Jinseong Construction is planning a new venture in Vietnam next year. The planning needs to be wrapped up this year. From what I heard from Na-yoon, the investment partner hasn’t been decided yet.’
‘How much investment are you looking for?’
‘Haha, you’re straightforward, Director Gu.’
‘We’re practically family now. There’s no reason to hide things.’
Jae-ha smiled coldly and said,
“If it was such an important meeting, Na-yoon should have been there.”
“Haha, everyone has their role. Na-yoon handles the home front, and Soo-hyuk’s great at socializing. No offense, but Na-yoon wouldn’t be much help at those kinds of events. She can’t even pour drinks, can she?”
Na-yoon bit her lip tightly. Jae-ha’s face hardened.
Soo-hyuk whispered, “Father,” trying to stop Dae-woon, but the older man ignored him and clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
“She can’t even act cute or speak politely. That’s why we stopped inviting her. She ruins the mood.”
“Oh dear, he’s had too much to drink. What are you saying? Soo-hyuk, help your father inside.”
Flustered, Juran waved her hand and signaled to Soo-hyuk, who then tried to take Dae-woon inside.
“What? I’m not drunk yet. I still have more to say…!”
Unable to resist Soo-hyuk’s strength, Dae-woon was dragged away while still rambling drunken nonsense. Juran, clearly embarrassed, laughed awkwardly.
“Haha, he’s just feeling sentimental because Na-yoon’s getting married soon. He’s not usually like this. He even said the dinner went well thanks to you, which is also good for Na-yoon, right…”
“I’m aware.”
Jae-ha cut her off firmly. Juran brightened at his response.
“Oh, you are? I knew you would understand. So, when are you coming in?”
“I’ll come in after saying goodbye.”
Juran glanced at Na-yoon and asked. She answered calmly.
“Then I’ll head in first. It’s a bit late to invite you in anyway.”
“That’s okay. I’ll visit another time.”
“Alright then. Take care.”
After an awkward smile, Juran hurried inside.
Na-yoon now stood facing Jae-ha, her expression completely cold.
Sensing her intense gaze, Jae-ha glanced at her and asked,
“Is it that you can’t pour drinks, or you won’t?”
“I chose not to.”
“Good choice.”
“Then I have a question too.”
Her voice was colder than before, and her sharp eyes created a tense air between them.
“Was there a conversation I wasn’t told about?”
“Ah.”
Jae-ha let out a low sound. As if he expected the question, he slowly rubbed his brow and replied,
“It wasn’t much. Just a bit about the Vietnam project you’ll be leading.”
“So you discussed investment. Of course.”
Na-yoon let out a scoffing sigh.
They weren’t even married yet, and yet they were already making her a means to an end—for money.
“It’s fine. If anything, this just brings us closer to our goal.”
His calm voice and faint smile made her eyes lift.
What gave him such confidence?
Na-yoon found herself curious about that confidence.
