Chapter 20
Jealous, Perhaps?
“Weren’t you supposed to come only on the weekend?”
Last night, Jeho looked puzzled as he saw Woo-gyeol arriving home late.
“They said you were bleeding, so how could I just stay put?”
“Bleeding… who said that?”
During a phone call, Yulri had casually mentioned that she’d gotten a wound, but Woo-gyeol seemed to have taken it seriously and returned straight from his family home. Behind him came his younger sister, Woo-kyung.
“Let’s take a look. See if it needs more stitches or not.”
Woo-gyeol put down the cat carrier Jasmine had been in and immediately checked Jeho’s injury.
“Don’t go to the office today. You need to be careful so it doesn’t worsen.”
After giving repeated instructions, Woo-gyeol left early for work at the hospital. But Jeho hurriedly prepared to go to the office. If he didn’t go, Yulri might worry that it was because of her injury yesterday. Besides, today was the day he had promised to give an answer.
Just as he was about to leave the house, Woo-kyung spread her arms to block him.
“No, oppa. If you really want to go to work, go in the afternoon. That way I won’t feel bad about you, okay?”
Eventually, Jeho informed the office he’d arrive late and briefly closed his eyes. Perhaps due to the painkillers with a sleeping component, he only woke up in the late afternoon. Rushing out of the bedroom, Jasmine, who had been sprawled on the back of the sofa, jumped into Jeho’s arms.
“Jasmine.”
At the same time, Woo-kyung, standing at the entrance, turned sharply.
“Jeho oppa, someone came looking for you?”
Someone came for me?
When Jeho hurriedly went to the door, only the empty corridor awaited him.
“Huh? They were just here. Where did they go?”
Woo-kyung looked around the corridor with a puzzled expression. Just by turning her back for a moment to call Jeho, the person had vanished without a trace.
“Who was it?”
“I don’t know either.”
Woo-kyung shook her head quickly, then her eyes darted as if something had come to mind.
“Anyway, she was really pretty.”
Really pretty? …Could it be?
Jeho, staring at the empty corridor, hurried toward the elevator. His heartbeat began racing with an unknown excitement, and his steps quickened.
Before he knew it, he was running at full speed.
“Director.”
Minwoo was struggling to concentrate, his attention drifting constantly, so Da-hee placed her hands over his face. Ever since his fiancée had suddenly come to the office a few days ago, Director Kwon Minwoo had been very cautious.
“Should we stop?”
“…Ah, no, Assistant Shin. Continue.”
Just as Da-hee suggested stopping, Minwoo became eager. As their lips met again, Da-hee loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt one by one.
They had already put out the first urgent fire, but they were still clothed and planning to properly enjoy the second round.
Originally, they would use a hotel near the office, but after the recent incident, Minwoo’s office had become their secret rendezvous. With a luxurious office that even had shower facilities, it was convenient. There was also a separate entrance, making it easy to sneak out unnoticed.
On the day Yulri came, the two had just finished and were enjoying a shower together. But when Minwoo realized his fiancée was outside the office, he panicked and scrambled to clean up.
He knew roughly how much Kwon Yulri, his fiancée, meant to him, but not to this extent. But love is love, and desire is desire. Ascetic restraint was a foreign concept to Minwoo.
“Yulri, up close, you’re even more beautiful.”
Da-hee, who had been straightening out the shirt, mentioned Yulri, causing Minwoo to frown uncomfortably.
“Don’t worry. She probably didn’t notice at all.”
“I know, but you still have to be careful.”
“Of course.”
Da-hee smiled brightly and winked.
Their relationship still needed to remain a secret. The real fun was just beginning. There was nothing more thrilling than taking someone else’s man, and nothing as exhilarating as seeing the expression of the one who’s been robbed. Da-hee imagined the upcoming reactions with a radiant smile.
“You said you’re going to try on your wedding outfit today, right? Then we should hurry.”
Da-hee climbed onto Minwoo’s firm thighs, wrapping her arms around his neck. Just as they were about to kiss, the phone on the desk rang.
Minwoo’s eyes widened as he checked the caller ID. Flustered, he pushed Da-hee aside and quickly pressed the call button.
“Uh, Yulri? What’s wrong?”
[In front of the company. I’m coming up now.]
“Oh… okay.”
Perhaps due to panic, Minwoo’s voice trembled, almost unnervingly.
“Yulri, we have some time. Want to grab something to eat?”
“No, I don’t feel like it.”
Yulri glanced out the window and answered shortly.
“Okay, then. Let’s eat after the fitting.”
Though he said that, Minwoo was quietly dying inside. Yulri’s expression was stiff. Had she noticed? His mouth went dry in anxiety.
If he’d known Yulri would come today, he would have behaved properly. Blinded by desire, he had made a mistake.
Damn it!
Cursing under his breath, Minwoo floored the accelerator. The car roared as it sped up. Yulri turned her gaze to Minwoo, but instead of asking him to slow down, she leaned back into the seat. Her mind was too cluttered to sense the reality of the speeding car.
Why…?
Yulri blinked slowly while keeping her eyes fixed on Minwoo.
Despite witnessing her fiancé’s infidelity twice now, she didn’t feel anger, disappointment, or any emotions at all. The first time was shocking; the second time left her equally stunned.
Shouldn’t she be upset over Minwoo having a mistress, especially since he was about to become her husband? Even if it was an arranged marriage, she had planned to overlook things as long as they weren’t caught. Yet she felt completely indifferent.
Getting mad at the woman named Shin instead of Jasmine?
Nothing about this was normal. Somehow, everything had turned chaotic. She even started questioning whether she should continue with the marriage.
Arriving at the studio and seeing the prepared wedding dress only reinforced that feeling. Despite careful alterations, it still looked shabby.
“Even if it’s traditional, do we really have to go with this?”
Her frustration slipped out sharply. Minwoo, momentarily flustered, glanced between Yulri and the dress, then hurriedly pulled out his phone.
“I’ll ask my mom.”
“What’s the point of asking? Couldn’t you just say you’ll handle it?”
Perhaps because she had suppressed her strong emotions until now, uncontrollable irritation surged. Trying on the wedding dress in this state would be impossible.
“You try the fitting alone today. I’ll come later.”
Yulri hurriedly left the dressing room. She barely took a few steps before stopping dead. Jeho was walking toward her. Minwoo, following Yulri in a fluster, also stopped in place.
“Hyung, what are you doing here?”
Minwoo asked in surprise. Yulri was equally shocked but quickly composed herself.
“I also had a reservation today.”
Jeho looked at the two of them leisurely.
“Really? That’s convenient! No need for a separate room; we can use it together.”
With Jeho present, Yulri had no choice but to calm her irritation. Being mindful of others’ eyes was ingrained from growing up as a politician’s daughter.
“Is that alright?”
As expected, Yulri silently nodded at Jeho’s question. Minwoo, relieved, returned to the dressing room with her. Finally, he could call Mrs. Dohee to take care of that damn wedding dress.
“Wait, I’ll make a quick call.”
Minwoo left with his phone. Jeho then spoke to Yulri.
“Earlier…?”
“Yes, that’s right. I went to your place yesterday.”
Before finishing, Yulri quickly spoke. Better to say it first—it would come out eventually.
“I was worried you might be in pain after yesterday. I happened to be nearby.”
“Then why didn’t you stay?”
“I thought you were alone, but since your friend was there, I figured it wasn’t necessary. And I knew you’d be okay.”
Jeho tilted his head, looking at Yulri. Then he muttered to himself quietly.
“She’s not a friend…”
Does he want to say she’s not a friend, but a lover?
Yulri tried not to waver, but her gaze betrayed her. Overwhelmed by his direct stare, she turned her eyes away.
“Whatever. Friend or not, I know you weren’t alone, so that’s enough.”
“You could ask even now…”
A smirk? Even without looking directly, she could tell he was holding back a smile.
“No need for that. It’s fine; you came without canceling your reservation.”
“…That’s thanks to the painkillers.”
That meant the pain was severe enough to need medicine. Her chest tightened, but she quickly regained composure. He had someone to care for him.
“Phew.”
At that moment, Jeho’s exhalation felt teasingly close. Reflexively, she turned her head, and he was already standing near her.
“Jealous, perhaps?”
“What? Why would I be?”
Yulri met his gaze without turning away. Avoiding it would seem like admitting it. But soon she regretted it. She felt as if she might be drawn into his intense stare.
He silently watched her, then let out a soft chuckle, lifting the corner of his mouth.
“That’s right. Jealous.”
Jealous? No way!
Jealousy only appeared when someone liked the other. She might feel nostalgic about first love, but it wasn’t that she liked him. She was merely a little upset that he’d confused her despite already having a lover.
“You should have canceled your reservation today, shouldn’t you?”
Sorting through her tangled feelings, Yulri naturally changed the subject.
“Judging by the painkillers, it must hurt a lot…”
Jeho smirked slightly at her attempt to feign concern. She tried not to show it, but it was obvious, like a hedgehog bristling its quills.
Earlier, she had rushed to the elevator, clearly flustered. Did he mistake her for a friend living with Woo-kyung?
If he wanted, he could have held her back—but he didn’t. He had to leave room to breathe.
“Thanks for worrying about me.”
Jeho’s voice was calm, but his gaze was piercing, as if seeing right through her. Yet Yulri didn’t want to look away. She gripped her hands tightly.
“I should worry. This isn’t the first time you’ve been hurt because of me, and it always makes me feel guilty.”
At that moment, the door opened, and Minwoo came in. Seeing the two standing so close, he frowned in displeasure.
“What are you two talking about so seriously?”
At that, Jeho slowly turned his head toward Minwoo.
“Who knows?”
Glancing at Minwoo, Jeho’s soft smile returned as he looked back at Yulri.
“Do you know what we were talking about just now?”
