CHAPTER 69…………………………..
The paper bag in Haroo’s hand slipped and fell to the floor.
Even after hearing his words clearly in her ears, she couldn’t believe them.
Lee Han held both of her arms, making sure she understood.
“It’s not because of a stalker, not because of a blind date. The only reason I want to be with you is… you.”
Haroo still couldn’t say anything. She just looked up at him.
His eyes, sincere and unwavering, met hers.
“Now, let’s not do this as a contract anymore. Let’s do it for real.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s date.”
Haroo couldn’t answer immediately; her lips only moved slightly.
Seeing her stunned, Lee Han prodded her for a response.
“You don’t want to?”
“No.”
Startled by the question repeated, she shook her head vigorously.
Amused by her reaction, Lee Han let out a soft chuckle and spoke again.
“Let’s really try dating, the two of us.”
“Yes. I’d like that.”
Finally, Haroo spoke aloud the feelings she had been hiding all along.
Lee Han pulled her into his arms as if celebrating her answer. Haroo wrapped her arms around his waist in return.
“I’ve never dated before, so I’ll be clumsy, but I’ll do my best.”
“I’m new at this too, you know.”
“But you know I’m good at everything, right?”
“I know you’re no pushover either.”
They laughed together.
As they happily promised a new beginning, Haroo’s stomach growled.
“Hungry?”
“I had panini for breakfast and haven’t eaten anything since…”
Blushing, Haroo buried her face in his chest and murmured.
Lee Han smiled softly and pulled back slightly.
“First, I should feed my girlfriend. I’ll go wash up.”
“Okay. I’ll be ready.”
Haroo, her cheeks flushed, picked up the paper bag from the floor.
Watching her busy little figure head to the dining room, Lee Han’s smile deepened.
“Wow, this place really is good.”
“It really is. The chicken is perfectly crispy.”
Lee Han watched Haroo eat with a satisfied gaze.
He picked up a drumstick and placed it on her plate.
“Eat plenty.”
“Huh? I already have one here.”
“Eat two.”
“No way. We should share the drumsticks.”
Haroo returned the drumstick on her plate to him.
“Just watching you eat makes me full.”
Lee Han placed the drumstick back on her plate.
As he selected the tastiest pieces for her, her plate gradually filled with chicken.
Looking at the overflowing plate, Haroo laughed aloud.
Lee Han, seeing her, laughed along with her.
Neither of them knew why it was so joyful.
Between giggles, Haroo suddenly asked:
“Is it okay for us to be this happy?”
“Why? What’s worrying you?”
“Even before we started, there were people opposed to us.”
She worried about Lee Han’s family and Byulna’s feelings.
Lee Han’s smile faded slightly as he spoke softly.
“That’s why I plan to make everything clear once and for all.”
“Make clear… what?”
“Who I am.”
Lee Han, who had never had a single photo online, was now revealing himself publicly.
There was another reason behind his decision.
“Once I reveal myself, no one will be able to interfere easily. It’s like publicly stating I will act according to my will.”
Haroo, initially surprised, nodded.
“Whatever choice you make, I’ll support it.”
“Having a girlfriend makes me feel secure. There’s someone on my side.”
She said it lightly, knowing it was a small act of support, but it meant a lot.
“Hurry and eat. You’ve been listening to me with all that chicken in front of you and haven’t touched it yet.”
“You eat too. This goes perfectly with beer.”
Haroo sipped her beer from the glass.
Setting the half-empty glass down, she looked at Lee Han, who smiled softly.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Come closer.”
Haroo hesitated, then slowly straightened and leaned toward him, asking awkwardly:
“Why… why?”
Lee Han made no reply, just bent down to approach her.
Her cheeks turned crimson as he drew near.
Sensing the moment, she closed her eyes, only for his finger to brush across her small lips.
“Huh?”
That wasn’t supposed to happen.
She had expected a kiss, not a finger.
“The beer foam got on your lips.”
She had closed her eyes without thinking of the intended kiss.
It was utterly embarrassing.
She couldn’t keep her eyes closed, but she couldn’t open them fully either.
“Did something get in your eye?”
Haroo squirmed and blinked awkwardly, using a flimsy excuse.
Lee Han chuckled silently and asked:
“Were you expecting something else?”
“No, I wasn’t!”
Before she could finish protesting, his lips pressed against hers in a swift, sudden kiss.
Startled, Haroo blinked, clutching the drumstick in her hand.
“Wh-what was that?”
“If you want it, just say so. I’ll do it anytime.”
“No… it’s just… dust…”
“Then we’ll say it was dust. I wanted to kiss you anyway.”
Lee Han teased her relentlessly.
Haroo pouted and glared at him while taking a bite of chicken.
“You don’t have to hide your feelings now. We’re a couple. Right, honey?”
“Honey?”
Her innocent reaction made Lee Han laugh again.
“Honey, I think we’ll have to save the rest of the chicken for later.”
“Huh? Why? We haven’t even eaten that much.”
“Because I can’t focus on the chicken right now.”
His gaze was so direct it made her cheeks burn like red paint.
A Few Days Later
“Our CEO’s article is out!”
Perhaps because of the previous mistaken report, Haroo’s chest sank reflexively as she approached Dallae and Nari, who were reading the article.
[[Exclusive] Korean-Italian GN Media CEO Tae Ihan Dreams Beyond Boundaries]]
Seeing the headline, Haroo felt both relief and tension.
The article he had mentioned recently had finally been published.
As expected, the staff were all astonished.
“Wait… Korean-Italian?”
“Our CEO is mixed-race?”
Dallae read aloud, curious.
“Until now, CEO Tae Ihan has focused on management without appearing publicly. Today, he stepped in front of the public and in an exclusive interview revealed for the first time that he is of mixed Korean and Italian heritage.”
As exclamations filled the room, Nari continued reading.
“My roots and identity are part of my management philosophy. I will leverage the cultural strengths of Korea and Italy to create new value in the global content market.”
The journalist wrote that Lee Han had calmly explained his business vision.
“He plans to strengthen strategic partnerships with overseas production companies and promote co-production projects connecting Asia and Europe.”
The staff, after reading the full article, were curious about the photos of Lee Han included in it.
Several shots showed him in a suit.
“Finally, the CEO’s face is out in the world.”
“It’s exciting, though a little bittersweet.”
“Manager, do you feel the same? Like a secret favorite restaurant going public.”
“Exactly. Now this handsome man isn’t ours alone anymore.”
“Even with that one blurry photo, people went wild. Now with his face fully revealed, it’ll be chaos.”
“Of course.”
Amid the buzz about the article, the office door opened suddenly.
“You’ve all been working hard.”
“Huh?”
The staff realized it was Lee Han entering and were shocked.
Seeing the familiar face from the article unexpectedly in person, they couldn’t hide their surprise.
Lee Han smiled gently and spoke.
“Go have lunch and then continue work.”
Immediately after his words, the staff carrying stacked lunch boxes entered the room.
