CHAPTER 68…………………………………….
The Story That Began in Bed Last Night
The story that began in bed last night continued without end.
Haroo was so fascinated by her connection with Lee Han, so eager to learn more about him, that whenever he finished answering a question, she immediately asked another. When he put a full stop, she threw out a new question mark.
As his pleasant voice flowed into her ears, she unconsciously rested her head on his arm and fell asleep.
Since she had gone to bed well past midnight, she woke up later than usual.
When she opened her eyes, Lee Han had already left.
Picking up her phone from the bedside table, Haroo muttered as she checked the time:
“He must have gone to work already.”
Unlocking the screen, she saw a message from Lee Han:
“Don’t run away anywhere. Stay home—I’ll check when I get back from work.”
Haroo smiled faintly, stretched, and got up.
When she left the bedroom and went to the dining room, she saw the food he had prepared on the table.
“I’ll make breakfast for you tomorrow.”
He had kept his promise, the words he’d said casually before going to bed.
Haroo glanced down and was surprised by the dishes before her.
Her eyes widened in astonishment, then softened into a smile.
“I didn’t think I’d ever get to eat this again.”
It was the panini he had made for her in Italy.
Only after sitting down at the table did she notice the small note beside the plate.
[Not poisoned.]
Haroo laughed out loud at the memory.
It was what he had said when he handed her the panini, seeing her hungry.
“Thank you for the meal.”
Speaking the words to herself, Haroo picked up the panini and took a bite.
The moment she tasted it, she couldn’t help but exclaim—just as delicious as she remembered.
“As expected… still delicious.”
Smiling in satisfaction, Haroo ate the panini along with her now-familiar morning coffee.
Mumbling to herself while chewing, she spoke quietly:
“Just yesterday, I was determined to leave.”
But today, she was still in his home.
She still didn’t want to inconvenience him, nor did she want to make him worry.
“He said to stay home, so I’ll do exactly that.”
Haroo resolved to follow his words diligently.
After his meeting, Lee Han was walking to the CEO’s office with Manager Kim.
“Is there some good news?”
“Does it look like it?”
“Yes.”
Manager Kim had been assisting Lee Han since he became CEO, noticing even the slightest change in expression.
Today, something was different.
The usually sharp, businesslike face now looked unusually calm. Even his typically cutting tone seemed softened.
Only after work did Manager Kim dare to ask the question he had been curious about all day.
“I won’t deny it.”
Lee Han’s reply earned a smile from Kim, who could sense the change in him.
“I’d like to schedule an exclusive interview.”
“Exclusive? You mean… your own? Not possible, right?”
“I mean myself.”
Kim’s face showed genuine shock. Until now, Lee Han had never given interviews beyond brief corporate comments.
GN Group had always been meticulous about media exposure. Even after rumors about Byulna, interview requests flooded in, yet he had refused all of them.
“Connect me with a reporter who can write it well. Schedule it. And do the photoshoot if needed.”
“Excuse me?”
Even more surprising—he was finally revealing his face, which had long been hidden.
“Why are you so surprised? How long do I have to live as the faceless CEO?”
Lee Han had shared so much with Haroo last night. He had answered her questions, but in doing so, he felt a strange relief.
It was the first time he had revealed his story so openly to someone.
And it made him certain: he no longer wanted to hide anything. He didn’t want to be someone who kept secrets.
“But… have you discussed this with the Vice Chairman?”
“No. This is my personal decision.”
Though not a particularly affectionate father-son pair, he had never gone against his father’s wishes before.
Manager Kim, stunned by the magnitude of this decision, remained silent.
Meanwhile, Lee Han himself looked completely calm.
Checking his watch, he asked Kim:
“Is today’s schedule done?”
“Yes. The 5 PM meeting has been postponed to tomorrow, so there’s nothing else today.”
“Then may I leave early today?”
“Excuse me? Ah, yes. Of course.”
Manager Kim was surprised once again at the unexpected permission.
Without looking back, Lee Han strode toward the CEO’s office.
Having left work early, Lee Han hurried home.
Though Haroo had lived with him for a day or two, today he found himself unusually concerned that she was home alone.
Eager to see her, he unlocked the door and entered.
“Dan Haroo.”
He called her name, but no answer came.
Moving quickly toward her room, he called again:
“Haroo.”
He knocked and opened the door, but she wasn’t there.
A sudden, ominous feeling ran down his spine.
He pulled his phone from his jacket pocket and called her—but only the ringing tone sounded. No reply.
“Where did you go?”
His smile vanished instantly.
He remembered how she had been secretly packing her things yesterday.
Pressing the call button again, he headed toward the entrance, unsure where she was but determined to find her.
Had something happened? Had someone harassed her? Or had she acted on a bad impulse?
His anxious thoughts branched uncontrollably, and his steps quickened.
Reaching the door, it opened with the sound of the door lock.
“Oh? You’re back. But where were you going?”
Haroo stood there with a paper bag in her hand.
“I went to pick up chicken to eat with you. There’s a new place nearby that’s supposed to be good.”
Showing the bag, Lee Han finally relaxed. His heart, which had jumped fearing she had left without a word, settled.
“I thought about ordering delivery, but they only allowed pickup, so I went myself.”
As she explained, Lee Han took a large step forward and pulled her into his arms.
“Uh…? What’s going on?”
Haroo froze, still holding the paper bag.
A deep sigh escaped Lee Han as he rested her on his shoulder.
“Now I can’t deny it. Judging by the way you came back from hell in that short time…”
He murmured as he held her close.
Haroo, not understanding his meaning, simply stood there in his embrace.
“I think I like you a lot, Dan Haroo.”
At his sudden confession, her heart sank.
She had suspected it, yet tried to dismiss the thought.
And yet, the feelings she had secretly hoped for were now spoken aloud.
“I thought about why I hated the idea of you leaving, why my heart raced thinking of you waiting… why I acted so unlike myself. The answer was only one.”
Finally realizing his own heart, Lee Han exhaled.
He pulled back slightly, met Haroo’s startled eyes, and confessed:
“I love you, Dan Haroo.”
