CHAPTER 03………………………………………………..
“Lunch break will be over soon, so Miju will come too. So… do that at home…!”
“Going up to the chairman’s office now?”
He cut me off and lightly rose to his feet. A certain expression on his face, one I understood all too well, crumpled completely.
By now, my body seemed to know instinctively that I should just go along, twitching in response.
“…Just a kiss.”
Geonwoo shrugged his shoulders. So he was thinking the same thing? Before I could even try to understand his actions, my lips stayed tightly shut.
He naturally lifted me onto his lap and gently traced the curve of my waist. Ah—an involuntary moan escaped my parted lips at the ticklish sensation. Seizing the opening, he entwined his tongue and pressed his lips against mine.
It was the perfect defeat of the weaker party.
It was only after a long moment that I could free myself. I exhaled all the breath I had been holding and finally slipped from his arms.
“…Haa…”
Irregular gasps burst out of my mouth. My gaze wandered, then finally dropped.
“What about food?”
Geonwoo asked, lightly wiping the lipstick smeared across his lips. Because he nonchalantly straightened up, my head naturally lifted to look at him.
“Pardon?”
“Let’s go.”
“Where…?”
“To eat.”
I glanced at the clock and immediately shook my head. I had no appetite, and there were barely ten minutes left of lunch. I had to prepare for the afternoon meeting.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Alright, then.”
Geonwoo nodded coolly. Was all this—coming here—just for this embarrassing act with me? His composure was so cool it made me doubt.
“What time are you leaving work today?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’ll know when I finish.”
“Call me when you’re done.”
Before I could respond, Geonwoo started moving, and I quickly grabbed him.
“…Wait.”
I rummaged through the bag beside me and pulled out a tissue, offering it to him. I could feel his gaze, asking silently what it was for.
“Wipe it.”
To erase the trace I left on his lips.
If we walked out right now, we’d run into people. And if anyone saw us like this—especially Miju, my secretary—just imagining it made my face burn.
“…The staff will think it’s strange. Miju will be here soon too.”
“What’s strange about it? We’re married.”
“…Hurry and wipe it.”
I waved the tissue in front of him, but Geonwoo made no move to take it. He just looked at me with a faint smile, as if to say he had no intention of wiping it himself.
“If it bothers you that much, you can do it.”
He leaned forward slightly and perched on the edge of the desk, staring at me while I bit my lip, trying to hide it. He looked like he had no intention of wiping it himself.
“Ha…”
All I could do was sigh at his attitude.
Reluctantly, I reached out and brought the tissue to his mouth.
“….”
My fingers barely brushed his lips, but through the thin tissue, I could feel the softness. I flinched without realizing it, my face heating up, and quickly pulled back.
“…That’s enough.”
That was sufficient. I looked down and stepped back.
He chuckled softly.
“Even without me, everyone would know just by looking at you.”
He grabbed my face to make me look at him, then picked up the tissue from the desk and carefully wiped my lips.
“I—I’ll do it.”
I snatched the tissue from his hand and scrubbed my lips, while he shook his head and stood.
Then—
Knock knock knock—
A sudden knock at the door made Geonwoo, just about to leave, open it naturally.
“Uh…?!”
It was the other person who looked startled. Miju’s eyes widened as if they might pop out.
“Hello!”
She quickly composed herself and bowed. She wasn’t unfamiliar with me, but her body remained stiff.
Maybe it was because he was her boss’s husband, or maybe because of the aura he carried, Miju couldn’t help stealing glances at Geonwoo.
“Yes.”
Geonwoo barely acknowledged her and brushed past with a short reply.
“Did you eat well?”
Pretending nothing happened, I quickly checked my reflection on my phone while sitting down.
“Yes? Ah, yes!”
Click—
She finally seemed to regain focus, stepping fully into the office and closing the door behind her.
“Did you enjoy your meal too, Executive Director?”
“Yes.”
“But you came back early today?”
“Yes? Ah, yes… somehow it just happened that way.”
It wasn’t just early; he hadn’t even left. Normally, I’d have returned after lunch, so Miju must’ve found it odd that I was still here. She offered a small, awkward smile.
“What’s that?”
She pointed to a document in her hand, quickly changing the subject.
“Oh, it’s the proposal you mentioned before. I was going to leave it quietly…”
Thank goodness she knocked. If she had barged in thinking I wasn’t here… just imagining it made me blush.
“Thanks.”
I breathed a quiet sigh of relief and took the papers with a smile.
Only after Geonwoo entered the office did I realize it was already time to leave. I quickly organized the documents and followed him.
I climbed into the car, buckled my seatbelt, and watched him take the driver’s seat. The car smoothly started moving.
My gaze shifted to the scenery outside the window, and we drove in silence for some time.
“…Where are we going? This isn’t the way home.”
I turned to look at him, puzzled by the unusual route.
“I’m having dinner with Grandpa tonight.”
“What?!”
I jerked upright, startled by his calm response.
“Suddenly? You didn’t say anything…”
“It was decided suddenly.”
“Still, to just tell me like this…”
I frowned, uneasy about the awkward situation.
“Go eat there. I’ll drop you off near the station.”
“You should go with me. You haven’t seen Grandpa in a while. He wants to see you.”
“I’ll visit later, so today… I’ll go alone…”
Screech—
We had already arrived. With no choice, I sighed and bit my lip.
“Get out. They’re already waiting.”
I put away my glare, grabbed a cushion from my bag, checked my face in a small mirror, and reapplied my lipstick.
“Let’s go.”
I straightened my appearance one last time in the window reflection and followed him.
“Oh, you’re here.”
Ilju, Geonwoo’s grandfather and the one behind this arranged marriage, was here to keep an appointment with Hyuncheol, Gihoon’s father.
“Why are you here so early? You could’ve come later.”
“It’s been a while! Little one!”
Ilju smiled brightly as he passed Geonwoo and saw me behind him.
“Oh, yes. How have you been?”
“Good! Why don’t you come home more often? You can call anytime, but you don’t!”
“Sorry, I’ve been so busy lately…”
“Is work keeping you busy? This grandpa can help! Whatever you need, just tell me. I’ll do anything!”
