Chapter 17 …
“Ah, this?”
Seonghun scratched his neck, having read Jooyoung’s gaze. Plip—a bead of water ran down his hand.
“You left it pretty hard when you did it, Ms. Choi Jooyoung. Looks like it’ll take another two or three days to fade completely…”
Rubbing his neck, Seonghun seemed to recall something, then met her eyes and asked,
“Was it your first time?”
First time?
“What do you mean?”
“Between people who work professionally together, leaving a mark on the neck that lasts this long—are you telling me to live my social life, or not to?”
Had there been an awkward situation because of a kiss mark?
Well, if a boss was openly walking around with a kiss mark on his neck, of course the office would have been buzzing.
“I’ll apologize for that part. I didn’t think it through.”
When Jooyoung was in the wrong, she apologized clearly and moved on.
“But since there’s already a dating rumor out there, wouldn’t it be better to be mistaken for a passionate couple?”
“……”
“It adds credibility to our dating rumor.”
Instead of answering whether it was her first time, she wrapped it up in a plausible excuse.
Because it was her first time.
“You really know how to dress things up with words.”
Seonghun narrowed his eyes. The suspicion only deepened.
“I can’t tell if it was intentional, or if you just got lucky.”
Jooyoung shrugged.
“Coincidentally, the only thing I got lucky with was being born the daughter of the CS Group chairman. Everything else, I achieved and built myself.”
Seonghun continued to look at her quietly. He wasn’t pressing further, nor did he seem inclined to simply believe her.
In the end, he ran a hand through his hair and turned away.
“I’ll finish swimming. You keep working.”
Instead of replying, Jooyoung opened her laptop. When she pressed the fingerprint sensor, documents filled the screen.
But she couldn’t focus on them, and eventually lifted her head.
She saw Bae Seonghun’s back as he returned to the pool.
A broad, inverted-triangle torso. Tight swim trunks that reached his knees.
The blatant outlines they revealed.
Thump. Thump.
Her heart felt like it was beating faster than before.
Why? It felt like she’d been drinking alcohol instead of water.
Jooyoung stared at the drink on the mini table. What was in the glass was clearly water.
Then why?
It wasn’t the first time she’d seen Bae Seonghun’s bare skin—so why was she thinking like this?
A few days ago, when she’d first seen him undressed at the department store, she hadn’t felt this way. She’d been surprised and impressed, sure, but not… aroused.
Perfect. Arrogant. Insane.
There were plenty of words to describe Bae Seonghun, but sexy? Why on earth—
Ah.
Was it because he was wet?
He’d just come out of the water—his hair was wet, droplets still falling from his body.
Above all, the body lines emphasized by those tight swim trunks.
This was unavoidable. If it hadn’t been Bae Seonghun, if it had been another man—or even another woman—it would’ve been the same—
No, but seriously.
“Damn it.”
What kind of manners were those—calling someone over and then wearing a superhero-level swimsuit like that?
Was he showing off? That it was big?
Still, at least she hadn’t let her gaze drop below his collarbone.
If she’d unconsciously looked at his lower body, the sharp-eyed Bae Seonghun would’ve definitely made a comment.
Well…
She had seen his back, but as long as Bae Seonghun didn’t know, wasn’t that fine?
Choi Jooyoung and Bae Seonghun left the hotel pool around eleven.
Seonghun glanced sideways at the tote bag in Jooyoung’s hand.
From the moment they arrived at the pool until he finished swimming and showering, she’d been glued to her laptop. She hadn’t touched the prepared food or drinks at all.
“Are you very busy with work?”
“Why are you asking all of a sudden?”
“You were practically one with your laptop the whole time. You didn’t even touch the food.”
“I just wasn’t that hungry. And I don’t really eat much when I’m working.”
“Ms. Choi Jooyoung always seems not to be hungry.”
He’d never really seen her eat properly.
“……”
As Seonghun added it casually, Jooyoung’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
What is this, does a starving ghost possess him? Why is he so obsessed with whether I ate or not?
Jooyoung lifted her head and looked at Seonghun.
He was staring at the elevator’s floor display. His gaze, watching the numbers drop quickly, looked bored.
It didn’t seem like he truly cared. Was this just sweet talk?
“Sounds like you’re the one with a lot of fixations, Mr. Bae Seonghun. Dating, food, all of it.”
“It depends on whether it’s necessary…”
Seonghun tilted his head slightly. His eyes, fixed on the display, slowly shifted toward Jooyoung.
“If it’s necessary, I tend to fixate beyond that.”
At that moment, Jooyoung’s fingertips trembled faintly.
As if to show her what “beyond that” meant, Seonghun’s gaze darkened. It felt like her breath was being squeezed out.
Gulp.
Swallowing hard, Jooyoung forced herself to shake off the sensation. Whatever “beyond that” meant, this was all a pointless charade.
“Then mind your own business. Whether I eat or not. You’re not genuinely curious anyway, are you?”
She turned her gaze away to the same floor display Seonghun had been watching.
“And that kind of interest between us is unnecessary. It’s burdensome.”
There was no reply. Instead, a short scoff—heh—brushed against her ear.
Ding.
The elevator stopped. As the doors opened, Jooyoung stepped out first, with Seonghun following behind.
Perhaps because it was a private entrance for VVIP guests, there wasn’t a single person in the long corridor leading to the parking lot—
Ah. No.
Someone was walking toward them from a distance.
Seonghun noticed the “someone” at the same time, and open contempt flickered across his face.
“It’s Bae Seokjae.”
In a low, firm voice, he warned Jooyoung.
She lifted her head. Their eyes met, and Seonghun continued,
“You know who he is—I’m sure you looked him up thoroughly.”
Instead of nodding, Jooyoung slowly closed and opened her eyes, then wrapped her arm around Seonghun’s.
Bae Seokjae.
Bae Seonghun’s uncle, and the CEO of Seongun Trading.
In other words, the person who hated and opposed Seonghun being chosen as the next chairman of Seongun Group more than anyone else.
“It’s been a while, Seonghun.”
Tap.
Brown dress shoes, gleaming even under indirect lighting, came to a stop. Seokjae greeted Seonghun first.
“Good to see you again. I believe you were here just the other day.”
“For personal business. Other hotels don’t protect privacy very well.”
“I see.”
Contempt seeped into Seonghun’s curt reply. He knew exactly what Seokjae meant by “personal business.”
Of course, it wasn’t illegal. That was the only reason he’d tolerated it so far.
“You must be President Choi Jooyoung of CS Department Store?”
Seokjae extended his hand to Jooyoung. He’d addressed Seonghun first solely to get a chance to speak to her.
“I’m Bae Seokjae. Seonghun’s uncle.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Choi Jooyoung.”
After releasing Seonghun’s arm, Jooyoung took Seokjae’s hand. At the same time, Seokjae tightened his grip.
This wasn’t a light handshake.
Bae Seokjae was—
“If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly have you heard about me from Seonghun?”
—testing her.
“He told me you’re someone who lives very diligently.”
Jooyoung didn’t blink. The increasing pressure on her hand made her want to frown, but she endured it, maintaining a relaxed demeanor.
“Now that I’ve met you in person, I think I understand what kind of person you are.”
The corner of Jooyoung’s lips lifted slightly. But her cheekbones didn’t move, and her eyes didn’t smile. It was a purely professional smile.
“Is that so? Haha.”
Seokjae smoothed over the thickened tension with a laugh. He withdrew his hand and gave Seonghun’s shoulder a light tap.
“I was worried he might’ve said something unnecessary. He’s always had a bit of a mischievous side.”
There’s only so much you can excuse just because he’s family.
“Isn’t that right, Seonghun?”
Seokjae looked back at Seonghun—and then noticed the kiss mark on his neck.
Hmm~
Seokjae’s lips curved with interest. He’d heard rumors through the grapevine, but to think they were true.
“Looks like you’re enjoying life, Seonghun. That’s nice to see.”
Tsk. After tapping Seonghun’s shoulder once more, Seokjae smiled at Jooyoung in farewell and moved on.
As he deliberately passed between them, the scent he left behind was toxic—no, repulsive was the better word.
