Chapter 21

After sending her juniors home first and skipping dinner to focus on design revisions, time had flown by before she knew it.

Why hasn’t Iseong contacted her? Had he not arrived yet? She hurriedly called him.

Before the ringtone even stopped and his low voice could come through, she urgently asked,

“Where are you? I lost track of time. Did you arrive already? Are you on your way?”

A soft chuckle tickled her ears.

[Basement level 2 parking lot.]

“Oh… hey, when did you get here?”

[7:50.]

“What! Then you should’ve called!”

[Figured you were busy working. I thought you’d call once you were done. Have you eaten?]

Why does he always make her feel guilty? Shutting down the computer and grabbing her bag, she responded.

“What about you? Did you eat?”

[Something light. Are you finished?]

“Rushing down as we speak.”

As she waited for the elevator, she let out a deep sigh. She’d been so busy and frazzled, she forgot how hungry she was.

Even now, she was chatting casually with Iseong as if they’d known each other for 30 years. But deep down, something felt strangely tense.

[Why the sigh?]

Getting into the elevator, she changed the subject.

“I’m in the elevator now. Might cut off.”

Just then, the sound from her phone cut off. She raised her voice.

“I can’t hear you. Can you hear me?”

The numbers on the elevator kept decreasing, and Iseong’s voice on the other end came through in broken fragments.

[Don’t… be surprised.]

“What?”

[Don’t… be shocked.]

“What are you saying?”

Ding.

The elevator stopped at basement level 2 and the doors slid open. Standing right in front of them was Iseong.

The underground parking lot was dark and empty, lit only by the bright LED lights over the lobby where he stood.

Maybe that’s why his tall figure and striking face made her blink in awe.

He was only wearing loose jeans and a T-shirt, but somehow looked like a runway model.

She stood frozen for a second, and then Iseong stepped into the elevator with a smooth grin, coming right up to her.

The sudden closeness of him made it hard to breathe.

She instinctively stepped back, her back pressing against the elevator wall.

Feeling awkward, she blurted out roughly,

“Geez, you scared me.”

“I told you not to be surprised.”

“Why are you getting in? You should be getting out.”

“To surprise you.”

“What?”

Then, Iseong stepped closer. His towering frame loomed, the tight space making her breath catch. His long arm reached out. What was he doing? Hugging her?

In the chaos, his long fingers brushed aside her hair from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear.

Oh. That startled her. The warmth of his fingers grazing her ear burned. His scent as he approached—soft and fresh—lingered.

Was this always how he smelled?

His scent, which she’d never consciously noticed before, now fluttered something in her chest.

Calmly, he brushed over the top of her head a couple more times.

“It was messy.”

She hadn’t even fixed her appearance, rushing out. Tilting her body, she looked toward the elevator door and grabbed his arm.

“Let’s go. Hurry. What if it goes back up?”

She pulled him out of the elevator and let go of his arm. Then she looked around for his SUV.

He brushed past her and walked straight toward the car, and she followed behind.

Why does this feel awkward? Why do you, who used to be so familiar, now feel unfamiliar?

It’s driving me crazy.

Iseong opened the passenger door for her. Sitting down like it was natural, she suddenly felt uneasy.

He’s always been polite. Always opened doors for her, protected her head from bumps, guided her on safer paths.

She used to think it was just his habit of being considerate. But today, it felt like he was treating her like a woman.

Ugh. It feels awkward. Especially today.

She glanced sideways at Iseong getting into the driver’s seat, then stared blankly at the parking lot lights.

With the same natural attitude, he adjusted the air conditioner.

“I’ll lower the AC for you.”

How can you feel like a stranger to me?

What if things become even more unfamiliar after today?

“Iseong…”

She called his name in an emotional voice—only to be interrupted by a loud growl from her stomach.

“Ah…”

She had planned to have a serious conversation, but her hunger ruined it.

“You must be starving. I’ve got food at home. Rice and everything.”

No attempt to hide the fact that their destination was his place.

“Your place?”

“Where else?”

They had agreed to meet there today. That was true.

“Um… Iseong.”

As if trying to stop her, he quickly changed the topic.

“I’ve got food. Bread and cake too—ah, no strawberry banana milk.”

Mentioning her favorite drink made her smile. Okay, fine. Let’s keep it light for now.

“Hey, Iseong. Your new project is getting a great reaction. Everyone’s obsessed with Detective Do.”

“Ha. Who said that? Damn popularity. Can’t help it.”

Same old Iseong. Joking and bragging like always. She felt relieved and joined in the teasing.

“Na-hyun’s going wild over you. Said you’re too sexy for her to handle.”

“Tell her to buy me dinner.”

Laughing along like before, she felt her mood lift. She spoke without hesitation or restraint.

“Even Seo Yeo-ra said she’s jealous—ah, wait, I mean…”

And that was her mistake. Bringing up Seo Yeo-ra now was probably a taboo between them.

As she stopped mid-sentence, flustered, Iseong only gave a small smile. Like he’d just heard a funny joke.

“Why? Is she jealous? Seo Yeo-ra?”

He sounded genuinely curious.

“She was your girlfriend. Though yeah, she cheated on you with Go Dohun.”

“Don’t you feel jealous?”

“What? Me? Why?”

Ah. Could Na-hyun be jealous of her spending time with Iseong today? The moment the thought crossed her mind, her cheeks grew hot.

But Iseong replied innocently.

“I’m your best friend, aren’t I? I’ve seen you the most. For the longest time.”

His sentence trailed like there was more he wanted to say.

“You used to be jealous of me back in college. You always stuck to me like glue. That’s why Na-hyun kept coming to the club room—hoping to see you. That’s how the two of us became close.”

“Those were fun days. With you…”

“Yeah, they were. Doing dumb plays in the theater club without a clue, stumbling on stage unprepared. If the audience didn’t like it, we drank like fish. Honestly, I think I only stayed in college for that. High school was fun too. We were in the same class. Though it was exhausting chasing off all the girls who bothered you.”

“You really suffered, Gamjeong.”

“Only now you admit it?”

“Nope.”

Huh? Not the reply she expected. His words left her speechless and full of thoughts.

Then, Iseong said something that completely froze her mind.

“I knew.”

“…Knew what?”

He just smiled, not answering her question.

Her head was spinning. She shook it and spoke quietly, not daring to look at him as he focused on driving beside her.

“Hey. We’ve known each other for a long time. So… don’t you think this—what we’re doing—might ruin things? All the time we’ve built up… isn’t it too precious to lose?”