It’s True I’m Very Busy
“From now on, this is my seat.”
It was already hard to believe that he had actually come to work. But now he had taken the seat right next to her…
Yulri couldn’t accept what was happening in front of her.
She had naturally assumed that Jeho, as a partner, would share the office with Director Kim. The director’s office was large enough for two people. If they installed a partition, it could easily be divided into two separate rooms.
So why was he insisting on using the open office with the employees?
Still, if that was what he wanted, then that was that. She had no right to object. She didn’t like that he had taken Jinman’s seat beside her, but she couldn’t protest about that either.
Fine. He’ll probably stop coming after a few days.
She didn’t expect him to show up every single day.
It seemed that she was the only one feeling uncomfortable. Jeho adapted immediately, as if he had been working at Bauhaus for years.
All morning, he reviewed printed design drawings, listened to the employees’ opinions, and marked the areas that needed revisions one by one by hand.
His ability to focus was truly impressive. He shut out everything around him and stared only at the computer screen and the blueprints. In contrast, Yulri couldn’t concentrate at all.
Her eyes kept drifting to his firm arm muscles revealed under his rolled-up shirt sleeves, and to the veins on the back of his hands. When he examined detailed parts, he even put on glasses.
Come to think of it, this was the first time she had seen him so immersed in his work.
Someone once said that a man looks most attractive when he is focused on his job.
That was completely true. He had looked handsome in formal wear, but it couldn’t even compare to how he looked now, absorbed in his work.
How was it possible that he seemed more impressive every time she saw him?
“Ha…”
Disappointed in herself for constantly sneaking glances at him, Yulri let out a short sigh.
Maybe her behavior was what made him say that mischievous joke.
―I can’t let a woman who keeps drawing my eyes—and troubling my heart—walk alone at night.
It must have been a joke. It had to be.
Biting her lower lip, she shook her head.
She should have felt offended by such a line-crossing joke. Instead, her heart kept pounding. It was probably because she hadn’t slept well and her mind was unsettled.
At times like this, she needed a strong coffee with an extra shot of espresso.
Yulri abruptly stood up to take a coffee break. Without knowing that Jeho was staring at her back, she quickly walked out of the office.
Jeho silently watched her leave and recalled what had happened the night before.
Because Assemblyman Cha had suddenly appeared, he had parted from Yulri. Instead of taking a taxi, he walked back to Woogyeol’s house. It was only ten minutes by car, but walking took much longer. Still, it gave him time to organize his thoughts.
A woman who keeps drawing his eyes and troubling his heart.
At least that part wasn’t a lie.
He truly had been unable to take his eyes off her.
And now, he was starting to worry about her.
The moment she had faced Assemblyman Cha, her face had turned pale as paper. Even if they had looked suspicious, her reaction to seeing her father wasn’t normal.
It was completely different from the father-daughter relationship he remembered from ten years ago. What had happened between Yulri and Assemblyman Cha all this time? Was there something he needed to know?
Just moments before, she had reacted to every word he said. But after meeting her father, she had wilted like a flower. Her bright eyes dulled instantly, and she silently followed Assemblyman Cha into the car.
Jeho had to fight the urge to grab her arm and pull her out.
Just as he was about to reach Woogyeol’s house, his phone rang.
It was an unknown number, but he didn’t need to check who it was. He already knew.
“Jeho Kwon speaking.”
[It’s been a while.]
Assemblyman Cha’s deep voice came through the phone—different from Chairman Kwon’s, carrying his own authority.
[I couldn’t greet you properly earlier. Chairman Kang told me you returned to Korea. By the way, you made quite an interesting request to the chairman. Honestly, I found it hard to understand.]
Jeho remained silent and listened.
[And Yulri said you became a partner at Bauhaus.]
“Yes. As you heard.”
[…Hmm.]
After a short sigh, Assemblyman Cha continued.
[I’d like to meet you alone sometime. Is that alright?]
Jeho didn’t know why he wanted to meet, but he had no reason to avoid it. Assemblyman Cha was one of the obstacles he had to face.
“Of course. Please let me know a time that’s convenient for you.”
After ending the call, Jeho looked down at his phone.
He wanted to ask, Is Yulri alright? But he couldn’t. His question might put her in a difficult position.
That morning, seeing Yulri acting as usual, he had felt relieved.
“Why…”
Watching her leave the office, he muttered to himself.
“Why was I worried about you?”
“What are you saying right now? Has that old man gone senile?”
“Lower your voice. What if someone hears?”
When Minwoo shouted, Executive Director Kwon glanced toward the door nervously. The room was soundproof, and even if anyone heard, it would only be the secretary. Still, caution was better.
“So what if they hear? Everyone would react like me.”
Minwoo had just heard something unbelievable. Chairman Kwon had entrusted Jeho with designing the newlywed house for Minwoo and Yulri.
The thought of living in a house designed by Jeho made his spine shiver.
But Executive Director Kwon seemed to think differently.
“It’s strange to have a world-famous architect as a cousin and not ask him. Your grandfather must have thought so too.”
“I still hate it. I absolutely hate it.”
When Minwoo strongly objected, Madam Na, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.
“Stop complaining and listen to your grandfather. When you broke off the marriage talks with Taemin Group, what did you say? Didn’t you promise you’d do anything as long as you could marry Yulri? Why are you changing your words now?”
“Mom, this is different.”
“What’s different? Who designs the house doesn’t matter. If you don’t like it, then cancel the wedding.”
Madam Na had never liked this marriage from the start. Getting involved with politicians rarely ended well. Companies had gone bankrupt overnight when political power shifted.
Unlike the sweet and charming daughter of Taemin Group, Yulri had always been distant and indifferent. That also displeased her.
“Assemblyman Cha Hyungshik is up for election next year. If he loses, you’ll be grabbing a rotten rope. If you want to inherit the company safely, behave properly from now on.”
Minwoo glared at his parents and stormed out.
Leaving the executive office, he headed straight to the planning team to vent his anger. When he entered, all the employees stood up nervously.
“Are you all just lying around doing nothing?”
Manager Kwon Minwoo was known as a kind and understanding boss. In reality, he was completely crazy. He yelled, threw things, cursed constantly. If anything, he was worse than Executive Director Kwon, who was infamous for his temper.
“What kind of sloppy work is this? I told you to cut costs reasonably—did I tell you to half-ass it like this?”
He threw a file across the room.
When he had heard that he would soon inherit management rights, he had felt like he was flying. But now everything had changed. The final decision would be made after reviewing the progress of the Arcadia complex shopping mall project.
It was like a bolt from the blue.
He had already prepared secret funds, assuming his father would become chairman first. Throughout the mall construction, he had taken bribes, accepted kickbacks, and embezzled construction costs.
Preparing for the wedding was important—but first, he had to clean up the mess he had made.
And now, his cousin Jeho had suddenly appeared. He couldn’t understand the chairman’s intention in assigning Jeho to design the newlywed house.
What on earth is going on?
Minwoo frowned and roughly loosened his tie.
Despite it being his first day, Jeho didn’t take his eyes off the blueprints even long after work hours. Director Kim told him to take it easy, but he seemed determined to finish everything he had planned.
Because of him, Yulri also ended up staying late.
As she was about to leave, Minwoo called.
[Yulri, did you hear about the newlywed house?]
He skipped greetings and went straight to the point.
“Yes. My father told me last night.”
[…Are you really okay with it? You didn’t object at all?]
His voice trembled slightly, as if he was trying hard to suppress anger.
“Why wouldn’t I be okay? Is there a problem?”
[Ha…]
He sighed instead of answering.
“What is it?”
[It’s nothing. No matter who designs it… I guess it doesn’t matter to you. Forget it. We’ll talk later.]
Yulri didn’t understand his last words.
Does it not matter who designs it?
Her father had only told her that Chairman Kwon would personally take care of the house. Was there more?
As she stood up, puzzled, her eyes met Jeho’s.
This is why sitting next to him is uncomfortable.
“You’re still here?”
“I was just about to leave.”
She forced a smile and put on her bag. Jeho shut down his computer and stood up as well.
“Let’s talk about the important matter over dinner.”
Important matter? Was he talking to someone else? She quickly looked around. No one was nearby.
“You mean me? What important matter?”
“You heard it from Assemblyman Cha yesterday, didn’t you?”
When she looked confused, he let out a short laugh.
“Didn’t he tell you that I’ll be designing your newlywed house?”
“What?”
For a moment, she froze.
Ah… so that’s why Minwoo reacted like that.
Now she understood.
She didn’t know why her father had left out that detail. But it seemed true that Chairman Kwon had decided Jeho would design the house.
From the chairman’s perspective, it must have been the best choice.
After all, how many people could refuse having a world-famous architect design their new home?
Of course, if she could, she wanted to refuse.
Because of him, she had begun to question the arranged marriage itself. And now she would start her married life in a house he designed?
“You must be very busy. There’s no need to make time for us.”
She tried to refuse politely with a forced smile.
“It’s true I’m very busy.”
As expected.
“But the chairman personally asked me.”
As he looked at her, the corners of his eyes curved slightly like a bow.
For a moment, she felt a sharp pain in her chest and quickly inhaled.
