Chapter 6
Yeon-shi clutched her head, unable to decide on anything easily. Seeing her struggle, Ho-je placed a hand gently on her shoulder to calm her.
“I’m not telling you to decide right away. Honestly, I’m just as flustered. I may have caused this, but it turned into something much bigger than I intended. I’ll give you time to think. Whatever you decide, I’ll respect it.”
He handed the choice back to her. She could have been angry at him for passing the burden, but instead, she only felt guilty.
“I’m sorry… for dragging you into this.”
“I walked into it on my own. I don’t regret it, so don’t blame yourself too much. How’s your stomach?”
At his gentle question, Yeon-shi nodded. Still, Ho-je seemed unconvinced and got up, heading toward the small kitchen.
Yeon-shi watched him curiously. He boiled water in an electric kettle and took out two mugs.
When he returned, he handed her a cup.
“Honey water. Drink it, just in case.”
“Thank you.”
The two quietly sipped their drinks. Her stomach hadn’t been too bad, but the warm sweetness spread through her body and soothed her.
“Min Ho-je, you’re really kind.”
“That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”
“That’s how you seem to me. Yesterday, today… you’re really a good person.”
“That’s new. I’m not exactly someone who usually gets praised like that.”
“You’ve never heard it before?”
Yeon-shi blinked at him in surprise. Ho-je gave an awkward laugh.
“No, never.”
The only compliments he’d ever heard were always about his appearance.
“Wow, that outfit looks amazing on you. Your face carries it.”
“Your features are flawless. Everything looks like art when you wear it.”
“You have no rough edges at all. Born to be a model.”
He let out a bitter chuckle.
He had never been told things like “You’re kind,” or “You have a good personality,” or “You’re like an angel.”
And it wasn’t surprising. He was always on edge, always wary. His temper was short, and staff often tried to flatter him just to avoid provoking him.
If clothes didn’t suit him, he frowned openly. On more than one occasion, stylists had forced him into ill-fitting outfits while insisting they looked great.
Still, anything Ho-je wore sold out instantly, even bizarre designs.
He could even understand why staff badmouthed him behind his back—though it wasn’t as if he’d done anything terribly wrong.
“Anyway, do you have work today?”
“I take Sundays off. But your flower shop should be open, right?”
“It’s up to the boss. Thanks to someone, I’m taking a break today.”
“You told me not to feel guilty, but you’re hitting me right where it hurts.”
“Heh.”
Ho-je burst out laughing, clearly amused. Yeon-shi shot him a glare. If she stayed longer, she felt like she’d get swept up by him. Better to leave now.
She set her mug on the table.
“I should go. It’s still early, so no one will see me.”
“Alright. I’d rather avoid any unnecessary rumors too.”
She stood and headed downstairs, with Ho-je following her.
At the entrance, she turned back and bowed politely.
“Thank you.”
“Sure. Just think about what I said.”
“Yes, I will.”
It was a difficult task, but she had to make a choice.
Yeon-shi gave him a faint smile and left the shop. The streets were still empty in the early morning.
She looked around cautiously, then hurried toward her nearby home. Ho-je stood watching until she disappeared into her villa, before heading back inside.
He went straight to the bedroom. He hadn’t said it aloud, but he was tired too. Just lying down on the simple bed loosened his body.
Crossing his arms behind his head, he stared at the ceiling. The lingering trace of Yeon-shi’s scent made her face float before his eyes.
“She said cupcakes and first kiss…”
He chuckled, his mood lifting. That meant she was also a lifelong single, just like him.
“What on earth am I thinking…”
Suddenly, he gave a dry laugh. Why had he made such a suggestion to her?
It might have been easier to just admit everything honestly, even if she thought he was strange. He couldn’t understand why he had insisted on holding onto her.
Was it pity?
He wasn’t sure. But every time he thought of her, his chest tickled strangely.
“I hope she picks the second option…”
He wanted her choice to be to stay his girlfriend. Somehow, he felt like life would be much more interesting with her around.
Meanwhile, back home, Yeon-shi showered first. The stiffness in her body melted away, leaving her refreshed.
Changing into pajamas, she flopped onto her bed. The soft comfort of her blanket made her smile.
“Ah, nothing beats home.”
She pulled the blanket up to her chin, clutching it tightly. Closing her eyes, she tried to sleep.
But there was no way she could fall asleep easily. The memory of Ho-je’s lips jolted her eyes open.
Her first kiss with a man—it didn’t matter that she had been drunk. There was no way she could forget it.
“Should I just be honest with my friends since it was my fault…”
Her friends already knew she’d never dated before. But admitting that Ho-je wasn’t really her boyfriend bruised her pride.
“And becoming his real girlfriend… that’s ridiculous. We only met yesterday…”
She didn’t dislike Ho-je, but this wasn’t the kind of romance she imagined.
To her, love meant slowly building up feelings, sharing them, then confessing to become an official couple.
But her current situation was completely out of sync. They didn’t know each other well, and there was no foundation for such feelings.
“What kind of relationship starts like this…”
Her thoughts tangled up until she dragged the blanket over her head. The more she thought, the more her head hurt.
“Ugh, I don’t know. I just don’t know!”
She rolled around, restless, a ticklish feeling in her chest keeping her awake until the sun was high in the sky.
Ding-dong, ding-dong…
Bang, bang, bang!
At some point, she had drifted off, only to be stirred awake by the loud noise.
“Who’s making a racket this early…”
Frowning deeply, she burrowed further into her blanket.
When the noise stopped, she began to doze again. But then someone pounded on the door even harder.
Ding-dong, ding-dong! Bang, bang, bang!
Groaning, Yeon-shi finally sat up.
“Ugh… seriously! I barely just fell asleep…”
With a pitiful face, she stumbled out of bed, grumbling, her eyes barely open, and shuffled toward the entrance.
“Who is it!”
She shouted irritably before even reaching the door.
“Yeon-shi, it’s me! Open up, quick!”
The familiar voice froze her in her tracks.
That was Heo Yi-sol.
Her sleep vanished instantly. If Yi-sol was here, she’d definitely ask about yesterday—and about Ho-je.
And she would never have come alone…
Yeon-shi’s eyes flicked to the intercom screen. Her hunch was right. Standing next to Yi-sol, looking sour, was Hyun-soo.
“Ugh…!”
What do I do? What do I do?!
She fidgeted nervously, pacing in place without knowing what to do.
“Hurry up! Open the door already!”
Yi-sol pounded on the door again impatiently.
