Chapter – 65
Seeing his dry, piercing gaze, Seol-ah hesitated and answered in a small voice.
“I-I really didn’t know. I didn’t realize it was that kind of gathering. Jung-wook just said he wanted to go to his parents’ house for a meal… and he said the team leader would be coming too. So I ended up messaging the team leader, asking when they would arrive because I couldn’t wait any longer.”
At her words, Tae-wook’s eyes softened slightly, and he slowly licked his lower lip.
“Jung-wook’s claim that I would go to his parents’ house is a lie. He must have thought he needed to bring up my name to persuade you, Seol-ah, to go along.”
Seol-ah bit her lips inward.
“From now on, no matter what excuses my brother makes to call you out, don’t go.”
She couldn’t understand Jung-wook’s behavior—bringing her to his parents’ house even through lies just to introduce her to his mother.
“My wish that Seol-ah wouldn’t be swayed by another man’s words… is that selfish?”
“N-No. If Jung-wook hadn’t mentioned that the team leader would also go, I wouldn’t have followed him. From now on, I’ll be more careful with Jung-wook, just as much as the team leader is concerned. But what worries me is…”
Seol-ah’s eyebrows drooped, and her gaze fell.
“The relationship between the two brothers isn’t that close, so I feel uneasy that my presence in the middle might be adding fuel to their conflict.”
Tae-wook slowly reached out and held Seol-ah’s hand tightly.
His warm touch seemed to flow through her palm, spreading warmth across her entire body.
“Seol-ah, you just need to stay by my side. This is a problem between my brother and me—I’ll handle it.”
“…….”
“So don’t worry. There’s no need for you to feel burdened in the middle because of our brothers’ chronic conflicts. If my actions have caused you discomfort, then I should be the one apologizing.”
“Team leader……”
Seol-ah looked up at Tae-wook with grateful, glimmering eyes. He met her gaze with his calm and gentle eyes.
The warm exchange of glances between them paused as Tae-wook held her hand and started walking.
They reached the observation deck.
He pulled Seol-ah close in a spot where the dazzling night view sprawled below them.
Her eyes sparkled at the sight of the city lights stretching under their feet.
Wow…
At that moment, Tae-wook began to finally express the feelings he had long wanted to confess, but had to be cautious about.
With a deep, serious voice.
“I didn’t think I’d be speaking like this here, but I realized I can’t delay any longer because of what just happened. So I’ll say it…”
He paused briefly, then continued calmly and steadily.
“I’ve been watching over you, Seol-ah, for a long time.”
“……?”
Her eyes met his, shining like jewels.
“I’ve been cautious because I couldn’t trust women easily. That’s why I wanted to be careful.”
Tae-wook slowly let go of her hand and placed his own into the pocket of his jacket.
“When I met you, I wanted to be with you for a long time. I didn’t want emotions to flare quickly, to rush things, and exhaust the relationship fast.”
Slowly, like embers glowing steadily, burning quietly until the end.
He pulled out a small mint-colored jewelry box from his pocket.
Handing it carefully to her, Seol-ah blinked in surprise and accepted it.
She opened it gently and saw a classic diamond engagement ring sparkling inside.
“……?!”
Seol-ah gasped in shock.
The ring was so luxurious and expensive that she couldn’t tell if this was a dream or reality.
“Te-Team leader… what is this…?”
Tae-wook answered softly.
“Seol-ah.”
“Yes?”
His intense, unwavering gaze met hers.
“You might think I love in a stubborn and slow way. But once I set my roots, I’ll reach out only to one person, without faltering.”
“I’ve watched you enough and made my decision.”
Promising deeply, over and over.
“I think… I really love you. A lot.”
He opened the jewelry box, took out the diamond ring, and held her left hand.
“Marry me.”
The deep resonance of his voice made Seol-ah feel like her breath had stopped.
“I want to be your husband.”
She could only manage stunned murmurs.
Tae-wook slowly slid the ring onto her left ring finger, gazing at her with his deep eyes.
“I want to take responsibility. Let me protect you by your side for the rest of your life.”
The ring fit perfectly, as if it had been made for her delicate hand.
This is… a proposal.
Seol-ah’s hands trembled as she tried to process the moment. She never imagined skipping dating and going straight to marriage.
“You only need to answer now. Whether you’ll be my woman or not. I’ll handle the rest—work, Jung-wook, my mother, everything.”
When a person is too shocked, does their brain freeze? She couldn’t speak or even think clearly.
“Team leader… Ah… but I…”
“Refuse?”
Seol-ah quickly shook her hands, eyes wide.
“No, no! I’m not refusing!”
“Then is it… a burden?”
She had wanted to marry quickly, so his proposal wasn’t burdensome.
She had only been worried after hearing from Jung-wook that he was a non-marriage type—but now, a marriage proposal?
The situation was moving so fast her brain short-circuited.
“It’s just… I’m really happy, but it’s so sudden. I don’t know how to answer… I need a little time to think.”
One corner of Tae-wook’s lips lifted slightly.
“Oh—so you’re putting it on hold?”
She fiddled with the ring on her left finger, looking confused and helpless—cute and innocent.
Usually, with Tae-wook’s status, even a glance or a kind word would make employees blush and fidget. His family, knowing he would become the next CEO of JK Corp, would have proposed countless matches seeing his position.
But this pure, genuine woman hesitated without any calculation or ulterior motive.
She pinched her cheeks, murmuring to herself, “What should I do, is this a dream?”—and Tae-wook chuckled quietly.
She just needed time to calm down after the shock.
Smiling faintly, he led her to his car again.
“Alright. Take your time.”
He had no intention of letting her go anyway.
On the way to Seol-ah’s home, she stared blankly at the passing streetlights.
After the proposal, she was too stunned to answer immediately. Tae-wook, sensing this, was taking her home so she could gather her thoughts and rest.
Her heart was still racing from the shock.
She even pinched her thigh quietly, as if checking reality.
“But… what about the team leader’s supposed non-marriage stance Jung-wook mentioned?”
Had he changed his mind? She tilted her head in puzzlement.
Fiddling with the ring on her finger, she was lost in thought until the car arrived at her home.
“Thanks for bringing me home. I’ll go up first.”
“I’ll see you inside.”
She got out of the car, and Tae-wook followed.
Before she could refuse, he entered the building first, and she followed him into the lobby.
Taking the elevator to the 11th floor, Seol-ah stared at the panel silently.
During the ride, neither of them spoke.
Why did it suddenly feel awkward to look at him? Probably because of the proposal.
Ding—
The elevator doors opened, and Seol-ah turned to bow.
“Thank you for bringing me home. Please be careful on your way, team leader.”
She stepped out, and Tae-wook followed.
Standing at her front door, he didn’t move away, so she turned back.
“Team leader, why aren’t you…?”
Then, Tae-wook lowered his head and wrapped her shoulder and neck with his hands.
Startled, Seol-ah gasped, and he immediately captured her lips.
“Hhh…!”
The kiss began suddenly, and before she could react, her back hit the door with a thud.
