Chapter 7
But she could feel his gaze like a sting on the back of her head. Jun-hoo had been staring at her unusually intently for some time, and it was beginning to irritate her.
“He wouldn’t be assigned as my bodyguard, right? He said he was the CEO, so… probably not.”
As the elevator slowly ascended again, Han-na sighed and headed toward the emergency exit. The door was made of iron and wouldn’t open easily. Just as she gripped the handle to apply force, someone suddenly reached out from behind.
“Are you going this way?”
He opened the emergency exit and looked down at her.
“Oh, thank you.”
“Is your driver waiting?”
“No, no. I can manage on my own.”
“I’ll see you off.”
“No, it’s fine.”
The low, deep tone of his voice somehow struck directly at her ears. She tried to descend the stairs without turning back, but she misstepped.
“Ah!”
In that instant, she nearly tumbled down the stairs. Instinctively reaching for the handrail, she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist from behind.
“Be careful. The lights aren’t on yet, so it’s hard to see.”
As he moved, the sensor lights flickered on. Han-na exhaled deeply, relieved.
“Thank you. I almost fell.”
“What happened to your wrist?”
The sleeve that had been covering her wrist as she held the door handle rode up, revealing a vivid purple bruise. Hastily, she pulled the sleeve back down.
“It’s nothing serious.”
“It doesn’t look like ‘nothing serious.’ Someone must have grabbed it hard.”
“It’s fine. I appreciate the help, but my hand…”
“Ah.”
Only then did Jun-hoo release the arm that had been holding her waist.
“I’ll see you off.”
“No, I can manage on my own…”
Before she could finish, he went ahead, descending the stairs while glancing back to ensure she was following.
Reluctantly, Han-na made her way down slowly. When she reached the parking lot, she saw the driver waiting. Relief washed over her, and she tried to speak to Jun-hoo—but in the distance, Congressman Park appeared, walking toward them.
“You’re still here. I was worried you’d go alone, so I asked CEO Choi to accompany you.”
“I can go on my own.”
“Today, you’ll go with us. I was supposed to see you off myself, but I’m busy.”
Congressman Park got into his car and gestured at Jun-hoo. As Jun-hoo gave a subtle nod, the car sped out of the parking lot.
“I can manage alone. I don’t want to take up your time.”
Han-na politely bowed and turned to leave—but Jun-hoo called out behind her.
“Han-na Kang.”
Instantly, she recognized the voice. Han-na. The name alone brought back the damp, musty air, the humid sensation, and… the chillingly low timbre.
Slowly, she turned her head. When Jun-hoo saw her face, pale and frozen, his expression twisted slightly.
“Well.”
He smirked, then grabbed her arm, pulling her toward him. In an instant, the space between them narrowed.
“L-Let go. If you don’t—”
“You were going to scream? And then what? Tell everyone the person who kidnapped you was Choi Jun-hoo?”
“You… you are… him.”
“You have a remarkable sense of hearing, Han-na Kang. I was relieved that you didn’t see my face, though.”
He whispered so close to her that a chill ran down her spine.
“Let go of my hand.”
“And then what will you do?”
“Start by letting go of my hand…”
“Get in the car.”
Jun-hoo opened the door and practically shoved her into the passenger seat, slamming it shut behind her. Flustered, Han-na clutched the handle but couldn’t open it. He then got into the driver’s seat and locked the doors.
“Han-na Kang.”
Jun-hoo spoke softly, looking at her.
“Even if you tell anyone now, no one will believe you.”
He noticed her trembling hands. The bruise on her wrist had not been there before—it was clearly the work of that husband of hers. Seeing it stirred a surge of anger in him. He had seen people beaten countless times, seen arms and legs broken—but men who would hit a delicate, tiny woman like this were rare even among the thugs he had worked with.
“Therefore, it’s better for you to forget that day, Han-na Kang. You weren’t harmed, and in fact, we had to reimburse some money on your behalf.”
Han-na listened, then turned sharply at his last remark.
“You… you know who ordered that I… I be treated that way, don’t you?”
Her body trembled, her voice quivering, but she tried to speak clearly.
“I don’t know. I was just carrying out a request.”
“A request?”
Han-na frowned at his words. What kind of request could there be for a thug to kidnap someone?
“My associate got injured that day, so I stepped in temporarily. I didn’t know much about you, Han-na Kang, when I went out. Anyway, since no one was hurt and we safely escorted you home, it’s best to erase that day from your memory completely.”
“Or will you kill me?”
“Of course not. Do I look like someone who would do that?”
“People aren’t always what they seem. I don’t trust easily.”
Han-na said firmly. The parking lot was empty. Their car was heavily tinted. Whatever he did here, no one outside could know.
“That’s a very good idea.”
Caught off guard, Han-na blinked.
“Never trust anyone again, Han-na Kang. But one thing you’re wrong about: I don’t kill people.”
“You kidnapped me…”
“That’s true. I had a request and couldn’t refuse. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”
“Lies.”
Han-na was incredulous at how casually he spoke, without even flinching.
“Honestly, I knew that the congressman’s daughter-in-law was you. But I didn’t expect you to come here. A bodyguard doesn’t usually meet the whole family.”
Jun-hoo started the car. Han-na’s palms were sweaty from tension.
“That bruise on your wrist… it must have been that bastard’s doing that day.”
Han-na remained silent.
“I’ll take you home.”
During the drive, neither of them spoke. Han-na could only think about how completely everything had spiraled out of control. One man—Park Sung-tae—was enough to give her a headache. Now, after a year, her father called unexpectedly, she was kidnapped, and she even ran into the very person behind her abduction at Congressman Park’s office. She felt like she might lose her mind.
“Should we stop by the hospital?” he asked suddenly at a red light.
“No.”
“You look hurt.”
“Mind your own business.”
Jun-hoo looked at her in surprise at her blunt reply. Soon, they arrived near her home.
“Thank you for the ride, but I hope I never see you again.”
Han-na clutched the door handle, not looking at him—and didn’t want to. She didn’t want to meet him on the street ever again.
He got out of the driver’s seat, unlocking the door. Han-na gathered her bag and reached for the passenger door, but he was faster and opened it for her.
“Be careful. And take this.”
Han-na stared blankly at the suddenly extended business card. He then almost forcibly placed it into her bag.
“What are you doing? I don’t accept cards from thugs.”
She tried to take it out, but Jun-hoo smiled faintly.
“You never know. Even a thug might be useful someday.”
She spun around to avoid him and nearly tripped. He quickly grabbed her arm and steadied her.
“Careful. You’ll fall.”
“Let go!”
Han-na shook off his hand and rushed to the front door, ringing the bell. The door opened almost immediately. She slammed it shut behind her in defiance.
Leaning against the door, Han-na panted. Her legs were weak from the tension. She raised the arm he had held.
When Sung-tae had grabbed her, it had been so tight she feared breaking a bone—but Jun-hoo’s grip had left no trace.
It had been a strong hold, yet somehow it felt like a gentle precision. She was slightly impressed—but that didn’t erase what he had done.
