Chapter 23
“Are you really going?”
At Secretary Chu’s suspicious question, Seung-eon’s hand—just about to pick up a shopping bag—paused.
“There’s not much time left.”
It had been only two months since she woke from the half-year-long coma.
And there were only a few months remaining until December 31st—the date when the condition in her grandmother’s will would take effect.
Even if she started looking right away, it wouldn’t be enough time to find her “secret boyfriend” who had disappeared without a trace. Yet she’d wasted time re-experiencing events from inside the game.
So—
“I have to start with the person I can confirm the fastest.”
The only clue she had about her “secret boyfriend” was a mole located just below his chest.
If I check for that mole, I’ll know right away whether Jung Hee-do is the boyfriend or not.
“Trust me!” Seung-eon said with a broad grin before leaving the CEO’s office, ignoring Secretary Chu’s silent nod.
“The Director?”
But as luck would have it, she immediately hit an unexpected obstacle when she boldly went to look for Jung Hee-do.
“I’m afraid he’s out on business right now.”
The director’s secretary looked flustered at the unannounced arrival of the CEO herself.
“Will he be back today?”
“Yes. He should be returning to the office in the afternoon.”
“Alright. Can I wait inside?”
“Oh—yes, of course. You’re the CEO, after all. Would you like some tea?”
“No, I’m fine. Thanks.”
If there was one person Jung Hee-do—who always stuck to the rules—made an exception for, it was Kang Seung-eon.
Knowing about their long-standing friendship, his secretary even personally opened the office door and led her inside.
As soon as the secretary, who had been glancing at her from the sofa, left the room, Seung-eon pulled out her phone.
[When will you be back?]
For the past six months during her absence, Jung Hee-do had attended numerous business meetings in her place.
Even after she returned, she hadn’t been able to take on the full workload immediately, so he had continued handling things for her.
This absence was clearly just another part of that ongoing work.
She set the shopping bag she’d brought from her own office beside her and sent the message. Before long, a reply came.
[Jung Hee-do: What are you talking about?]
The answer was so typical of him that she chuckled. She quickly typed again.
[I’m in your office.]
[Jung Hee-do: My office?]
[Yep.]
[Jung Hee-do: Why?]
[Do we need a reason to see each other? I just have something I want to give you, that’s all.]
[Jung Hee-do: Suspicious.]
She felt a twinge of guilt—he could read her too well.
Sharp as always.
Pretending not to notice, she asked again.
[So when will you be back? Will it take long?]
[Jung Hee-do: Not sure. I have two more meetings after this one, so I can’t come right away.]
[But you’ll be back today, right?]
[Jung Hee-do: Yeah.]
[Then I’ll wait here.]
[Jung Hee-do: What?]
[I’m free today. I’ll just wait until you’re done.]
After sending the message, she put her phone down.
Bzzz.
It buzzed again, likely with another message from him, but she didn’t reach for it.
So different.
Glancing around, she noticed the stark contrast between his office and hers, which was cluttered with company plaques and group photos.
His office contained only the essentials—a reflection of his dry personality.
Some things never change…
Then her eyes caught something familiar.
“Jung Hee-do, what is with your office?”
“…What about it?”
“Even if you joined as backup in a hurry, it’s way too bare. You’re the planning director, for goodness’ sake. You can’t just have a desk, a chair, and a phone!”
“It’s enough for me.”
“Not anymore. Here.”
After taking over the struggling Lukin Group, Seung-eon had relocated the company from BanSam in Gangnam to HanGyo in Gyeonggi Province, aiming for a rebound.
Jung Hee-do, who had helped her through the tough times, had decided to stay with the now-stable company, so she gave him the title of Planning Director—the company’s second-in-command.
But his office had been far too empty for such an important position.
Clicking her tongue, she pulled out a photo frame she’d hidden behind her back and set it on his bookshelf.
Inside were pictures of the two of them from elementary school all the way through high school, university, and their early days at Lukin.
“How about that? Nostalgic, right? We really have been stuck together for ages.”
Even though they’d grown a bit distant later, the photos of them with arms around each other hadn’t changed.
“Doesn’t it brighten the room?”
“Maybe.”
“Hee-do.”
“What.”
“If we’re still single by the time we’re forty… should we just save each other?”
“…What?”
“I don’t want to die a lonely old woman.”
“…”
“So, how about we—”
“…eon… …yo.”
“…?”
“Hey, CEO Kang.”
CEO Kang.
The voice reminded her of someone she’d heard inside the game.
Blinking awake, she found herself staring straight into Jung Hee-do’s dark eyes.
“You were asleep?”
“Looks like it. When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
“What time is it?”
“A little past six.”
“Wow, I slept for ages.”
It must have been because she’d spent five days inside the game. She must have dozed off while looking around his office.
“What are you holding?”
Without realizing it, she had taken the photo frame from his bookshelf and had been looking at it. She smiled. “Just this.”
He gave a small shake of his head, muttering “Silly,” as he hung his suit jacket on the coat rack.
Seung-eon’s eyes lit up.
“Director Jung! I have something for you.”
When he turned back, loosening his tie, she pulled out the shopping bag and held it out to him.
“What is it?”
“A gift. And a bribe.”
His brow furrowed slightly in confusion, so she explained.
“For all the hard work you did covering for me. I had Secretary Chu get it straight from France. The fabric’s woven using a traditional technique, and then hand-stitched—”
“A fancy shirt, in other words.”
“Quick on the uptake as always.”
She beamed and pushed the bag toward him.
“And…?”
“If you get a gift, you have to wear it.”
“…Right now?”
“Yup. Show some appreciation.”
“….”
“What’s with that face?”
Her lips pouted. “Are you just going to ignore me?”
“….”
“People honor even the last wishes of the dead—are you saying you’ll ignore the wish of someone who came back from the brink?”
“You’re calling this a wish?”
“It is a wish.”
“…!”
“Will you put it on? Right in front of me?”
If there was anyone in the world who would give in to Kang Seung-eon’s unreasonable demands, it was the man standing in front of her.
She could see the reluctant expression creeping onto his otherwise calm face.
She just smiled sweetly back at him.
“…Hah.”
Before long, Jung Hee-do raised the white flag.
“Is this to check the size?”
She only grinned, not even bothering to answer.
Slowly, he pulled his tie loose with his long fingers.
Slip.
Then, one by one, he undid the buttons of his shirt.
