Chapter 29. I Said Yes

Yooa shoved a bite of pancake into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out red. The lingering flavor of moist, buttery richness lingered in her mouth.

Even without strawberry jam or syrup, it tasted sweet enough—just from Lee Jun’s one simple compliment: “You’re pretty.”

“Eat. Let’s just eat first.”

When he suggested going out for coffee, Yooa exclaimed in horror. She hadn’t even touched the scrambled eggs or fig and cream cheese bagel yet.

She wanted to leisurely enjoy the delicious food in front of her, but Lee Jun was rushing.

“I don’t have any clothes.”

The clothes Lee Jun had taken off her the night before were left under the bed instead of being sent to the hotel laundry.

He shocked Yooa by casually asking why he should bother having them cleaned when he could just buy new ones.

Was this what it meant to live in a different world? She already knew he was rich enough to custom-order even cufflinks, but this moment made that gap feel even wider.

“I’ll get you something reasonable.”

So this is what he meant by that?

She would’ve rather worn her own freshly washed clothes.

Blushing furiously, Yooa pulled on a souvenir T-shirt with the hotel’s name emblazoned across the chest and back.

Then came baggy pajama-style pants that completed the look—like she was just another tourist obsessed with the hotel.

As they exited the building—hotel up to the 15th floor, penthouse apartments beyond the 25th—Yooa lowered her head in embarrassment, worried someone might see her.

“The car’s just over there. Who’s going to see you?”

“Just take me home.”

Seeing her so flustered, Lee Jun’s lips curled into a subtle smile.

Maybe I went too far, he thought. Still, seeing her this jittery was oddly delightful—especially since it was a side she only showed to him.

“Who said you’re going home? We’re not done yet.”

“What do you mean, not done? Can’t I go alone?”

“Nope.”

“…”

“We’re not going for me. We’re going for you.”

The car exited the main gate and smoothly merged onto the road. Yooa sighed and leaned her head against the seat’s headrest, side-eyeing Lee Jun as he rested his arm on the window, smiling faintly.

*

After leaving Lee Jun’s penthouse and getting in the car, Yooa hadn’t come across a single other person.

Even after arriving at the department store, she simply entered the waiting elevator and pressed a button.

It didn’t stop along the way—it went straight to the VIP room. As they stepped out, a staff member approached immediately.

“We’ve prepared everything according to your request. There are also finger foods and beverages for you to enjoy.”

Even the warm smile he directed at Yooa made her duck her head in a shy bow.

The personal shopper began presenting outfits paired with jackets, all matching the size information provided in advance.

“These are lightweight jackets and windbreakers perfect for fall. We’re also accepting pre-orders for the upcoming winter collection.”

It was only early autumn, yet the personal shopper was already showing her cashmere coats. Unconsciously, Yooa looked over at Lee Jun.

He seemed to be on the phone with his secretary, Kim, but noticed her glance and pulled the phone slightly away from his ear.

“I think it’ll suit you.”

He exchanged a glance with the personal shopper. Perhaps it was a silent signal to proceed with the purchase, because the shopper’s lips curled into a knowing smile.

Afraid that reacting too strongly would embarrass him, Yooa couldn’t even object. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

“Yes, keep the guest list as is and just add Gyeongjin Group and Oyung Company. No, don’t send anything official—handle it discreetly. Wait, I’ll call you back.”

Lee Jun waved a hand to dismiss his call when he noticed Yooa biting her lip like she was about to cry. The personal shopper and four assistants quickly exited the room.

Now finally alone, Yooa complained under her breath.

“Winter coats in fall? That’s overboard. I didn’t look at you expecting you to buy it.”

“I know.”

“You know, and yet…”

“I told you. I thought it would look good on you.”

He picked up a canelé from the tea food tray and held it out. Yooa, though pouting, took it effortlessly.

“You didn’t even see me try it on. How do you know?”

“Because pretty people look good in anything—mmph.”

She stuffed a macaron into his mouth before he could finish.

Maybe it was for the best that the staff had left. His words sent a ticklish flutter to her chest, and her face flushed hotly.

“Yooa.”

He said that he wouldn’t regret giving her anything and was grateful he had something—anything—to give. Especially if it was material. That made him even more thankful.

“You were the one who said it. That I was throwing money around.”

“W-when did I ever say that?”

Her face turned crimson as she sputtered in denial. Lee Jun tsked knowingly.

He said he remembered everything—when she said it, how she looked, what tone she used, even the scent and humidity of the air that day.

“You were twenty. I offered to buy you a car when you were walking to the bus stop from home to attend your university classes.”

She laughed in disbelief.

Yoon Yooa at twenty?

And that was around the time Lee Jun had just launched and was working hard to grow Grip Company. If they had any interaction, it would’ve been her doing a minor errand for Chairman Kang, brushing past Lee Jun as he left the study.

Just small, trivial encounters.

“I remember everything about you.”

“I had no idea.”

“That’s okay.”

Then he added that he never liked the idea of her driving herself.

Because both of their fathers had died in car accidents, he hated the thought of her behind the wheel.

He even considered sending her a driver but gave up, thinking people might talk.

Listening to him quietly recount this, Yooa fidgeted with her hands on her lap.

She’d never heard any of this before.

She used to think he was just some bored chaebol heir flaunting his money. Who would buy a car for the daughter of a servant or a driver unless they were showing off?

“It was sincere. Every morning you walked to your first class, I watched you from my window. I wanted to walk beside you, breathe the same morning air, run with you.”

“No way.”

“But I did.”

His voice, soft and low, was pleasant to hear.

Yooa looked straight into his eyes as he spoke of those happy times.

There was no way that warmth and trembling in his gaze was a lie.

“You could’ve told me sooner.”

If she had known all this back then…

Would things have been different?

Would they have become better parents to Sejin?

In Yooa’s memory, Lee Jun had always been cold and sharp—someone who wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed.

He never said she was pretty. Never admitted to watching over her.

She thought he was that kind of person. But maybe… that was her mistake.

Seeing him now—gentle, warm—felt like compensation for the heavy, empty times when she’d held a sleeping Sejin all alone.

“From now on, I’ll tell you often.”

“I don’t need clothes. I don’t want money I can’t spend in a lifetime. I’m not moving every month, so I don’t want houses scattered all over either.”

Smiling, Lee Jun said he should’ve asked what she liked first—and for now, could they just stick with clothes? He suggested they go again tomorrow for anything else she needed.

“Then what do I need?”

“Tell me I’m pretty. Hold me and remember who I used to be. Remember how bright and sparkling I was when my dad was still alive.”

She laid her hand gently over his.

That day—when Lee Jun’s father and her father, the driver, died in a car accident on the way back from the Pyeongtaek factory—no one in Chairman Kang’s household ever spoke of it.

It was a silent rule. She never shared the pain with anyone.

But now, Yooa opened her mouth to finally, gently tell Lee Jun: that something about that accident had always seemed strange.

“You’re smart, Lee Jun…”