CFW 05

Chapter-05

---

---

Jung-wook looked quite troubled when the woman—who had been drunk, shouting, and throwing a fit—suddenly passed out.

He carefully picked up the handbag she’d been swinging wildly before dropping it on the floor.

It was so tiny that he couldn’t imagine how anyone could fit anything in it. Still, he opened the little pouch and stuck in his large hand, rummaging around until his fingers closed around a few items: lipstick, compact powder, a small wallet, and an employee ID card.

Frowning, he held up the ID to get a closer look.

“JK Corporation, Business Support Team — Employee: Kim Seol-ah.”

The ID photo showed the same delicate, pretty face of the woman who’d caused a scene at his blind date a few days ago—and now again tonight, drunk and disorderly.

“So I was right. She mistook me for my brother.”

Thinking of Choi Tae-wook, the team leader of the Business Support Team at JK Corporation, Jung-wook let out a small, incredulous laugh.

He glanced at the woman—Seol-ah—leaning against his shoulder, her slender frame resting in the crook of his arm, her long hair cascading down in a ghostly mess.

“…This girl’s something else.”

He pulled out his phone immediately and called his brother.
Beep—beep—beep— The ringing continued, but Tae-wook didn’t answer.

“Well, it’s not unusual for him to ignore my calls. But this isn’t the time to wait around.”

Maybe he was asleep. Jung-wook sent him a text.

[She’s from your company—name’s Kim Seol-ah. She got drunk, tried to kiss me, then passed out. I’m losing my mind here. I’ll take her to the family house for now, so come pick her up when you see this.]

After sending the message, he slung her onto his back.

She was as light as she looked—like carrying a small white puppy, barely any weight at all.

People gave him strange looks as he walked through the street with an unconscious woman on his back.

He wanted to say, I didn’t do anything! but technically, it was kind of his fault she’d worked herself into such a rage and fainted.

When they reached his car, he laid her gently on the back seat.

Her limp arm and long hair dangled over the edge of the seat. It didn’t look right on someone with such a pure, innocent face, so he gathered her hair neatly and placed her arm across her stomach.

Then he walked around to the driver’s seat, started the engine, and drove off smoothly.

As the streetlights blurred past in streaks of gold and white, Jung-wook headed for the family home.

Since he still lived with his parents, it was the only place he could take her. His brother hadn’t answered—what else could he do?

I can’t just leave a passed-out woman on the street. She works for Dad’s company anyway. I’ll let her rest at home tonight and talk to her tomorrow.

He glanced in the rearview mirror. Seol-ah was fast asleep, face serene.

The faint scent of lily of the valley that had clung to her when he carried her was now filling the car.

She was dead drunk, yet instead of reeking of alcohol, she smelled clean—like herself: clear and delicate.

“…She smells nice.”

He murmured the thought absently, eyes returning to the road.

---

Just as expected.

When he walked into the family home late at night, carrying a drunk young woman on his back, his mother nearly had a heart attack.

“Oh my goodness, Jung-wook! Who is this woman?”

Mrs. Boo Hyun, the lady of JK Corporation, stared at the sight of her son in disbelief.

“Your father’s asleep! Take her inside before he wakes up! Is she your girlfriend? Who is she?”

“….”

Jung-wook didn’t answer.

He simply walked past his mother, still carrying Seol-ah, and headed up the stairs.

“Put her in the guest room! The guest room!”

At his mother’s words, one of the housekeepers hurried ahead to open a door on the second floor.

When he stepped inside, the maids exchanged curious glances, lingering at the doorway.

Mrs. Boo followed him in, watching as Jung-wook gently laid the woman down on the bed.

“Hey, who is she? Did you get yourself into trouble? Oh, I swear, you’ll be the death of me.”

Jung-wook pulled the blanket up to Seol-ah’s chin and looked up calmly.

“I don’t know her. She works at Dad’s company. I think she mistook me for my brother. She’s on his team.”

“What? Tae-wook’s team? People have been confusing you two since you were little, but honestly… What’s this woman’s story that you had to bring her here?”

“I’d like to know that myself. My brother will probably come by in the morning. Don’t worry about it—please get some rest.”

Still uneasy, Mrs. Boo sighed and left the room.

Once everyone was gone, Jung-wook looked down at the sleeping woman who had caused such a commotion yet now lay utterly unaware of it all.

Her skin was pale and translucent, lashes resting softly on her cheeks. Those wide eyes that had glared at him earlier…

Her small face, slender neck, fragile shoulders—and those little fists that had pounded on him with surprising strength.

She looked delicate and cute but clearly had a temper. Like a Maltese puppy.

The soft scent of lily of the valley mixed with a hint of narcissus was slowly filling the guest room too. Jung-wook let out a small laugh.

“A puppy-like girl…”

Cute girls were fine by him. His brother liked that type too.

And since she was connected to his brother, he found himself even more curious about her.

---

The next morning, restless and unable to sleep well, Jung-wook got up at five for his usual workout.

He quietly checked on the guest room. Seol-ah was still sound asleep.

Downstairs, he could hear the housekeepers clattering in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. His father was already up—there was a faint sound of throat-clearing from the living room.

He shut the door softly and started down the stairs, hands in the pockets of his pajama pants, slippers shuffling on the steps.

Then—

Bang!

The front door burst open.

Startled, Chairman Choi Hwe-chan, who had been reading the newspaper on the sofa, nearly jumped out of his seat.

Just as Jung-wook expected, the uninvited early-morning visitor was none other than his brother, Tae-wook.

Normally, his brother would ring the bell and enter like a gentleman, composed and precise. But this morning, his face was tight with irritation as he stormed in.

So, there’s something between him and that woman after all, Jung-wook thought, a crooked smile curling his lips.

Hwe-chan peered at his eldest son over the rim of his glasses.

“What’s this about?”

“Good morning, Father.”

“You barely visit, and now you barge in at dawn? What brings you here?”

“I came to see Jung-wook.”

“Next time, open the door a little gentler. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“My apologies, Father.”

The chairman lifted his newspaper again, observing his impeccably dressed son as Tae-wook bowed and moved quickly past him.

At that moment, Mrs. Boo hurried out in her slippers, having already been told by her younger son that her eldest might show up.

“Son! You’re here?”

“Good morning, Mother.”

He stopped immediately and bowed politely.

Grabbing his shoulder, she whispered urgently,

“Last night, Jung-wook brought home a woman—said she’s on your team. Who is she? She’s not that girl from Hye-kyung Foods, right?”

“….”

“Oh, right, you wouldn’t know. Since you said you’re not interested in marriage, I’ve been trying to set up your brother instead. I had him meet the daughter from Hye-kyung Foods, but instead of her, he showed up with some strange drunk girl! Who on earth is she?”

At that moment, Tae-wook’s gaze shifted toward the staircase—where Jung-wook stood, leaning lazily against the railing, hands in his pockets, watching everything with that faint, mocking smile.

Tae-wook’s eyes narrowed.

“Your father doesn’t know there’s a woman in the house. I told the maids to keep quiet too, so don’t say anything. If your father finds out, he’ll think Jung-wook’s caused a scandal again. You know how he gets.”

Tae-wook’s face hardened, like stone.

 

Then, with the sharp focus of a predator spotting its prey, he strode toward the staircase—straight toward Jung-wook.