ABMC 24

CHAPTER 24…………………………………..

“Sigh… you really don’t have to follow me just to work.”

Hyukjin also looked toward the direction Seoyoung had gestured.

Minwoo, whose eyes met his, pretended not to notice and naturally unfolded a newspaper.

Hyukjin turned his head, shook it slightly, and let out a small sigh.

‘What choice do I have? The person I love is going on a honeymoon with another woman.’

Seoyoung, misunderstanding the situation between the two men even more clearly, instead looked at Minwoo with a pitying gaze.

Noticing her glance, Minwoo made eye contact, and Seoyoung quickly smiled and turned her head away. She couldn’t let on that she knew the situation between them.

Upon arriving at Phuket International Airport, the humid heat enveloped them.

Unlike winter in Korea, the hot breeze mixed with the festive atmosphere of a resort, reflected in the clothing of the travelers around them.

Seoyoung, who had no memories of properly resting or traveling since her parents passed away, took a deep breath and inhaled the foreign air.

Her heart raced with the excitement of newfound freedom.

Being her first overseas trip, she felt even more exhilarated.

Rather than a honeymoon, it felt more like a vacation, which made her happy.

‘This is amazing.’

She realized how wrong she had been in the past, questioning the need for a honeymoon for a contractual marriage.

She could simply enjoy her personal freedom and rest without needing to spend sweet moments with her husband—why hadn’t she thought that way before?

Hyukjin’s decision to rest in nearby Southeast Asia suddenly felt much more thoughtful and considerate.

At that moment, Minwoo’s somewhat stiff voice snapped Seoyoung out of her thoughts.

“The car is ready at the gate. It’ll take about 30 minutes.”

Having confirmed the reserved vehicle, Minwoo looked at Hyukjin and Seoyoung with a face already showing signs of fatigue from the heat. Whether the exhaustion was truly from the weather, no one could tell.

“Let’s go, Ms. Seoyoung.”

Hyukjin took Seoyoung’s hand and led the way, with Minwoo following behind.

Seoyoung finally felt the reality of being married, sensing Hyukjin’s touch had become much more natural.

Despite the heat, she didn’t mind his warmth at all. Instead, she found herself distracted by Minwoo’s gaze, uncomfortably lingering on the back of her head.

Riding with Hyukjin in the limousine, Seoyoung enjoyed the comfortable ride while gazing at the blue sea and the setting sun outside.

Arriving at the full villa where they would stay for the next four days, she felt even more exhilarated.

Although the scenery resembled the familiar hotels and resorts she had visited for work, seeing it in person evoked entirely different emotions.

Through the living room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, palm trees swayed, the swimming pool sparkled between them, and the ocean lay just beyond.

Just gazing at it brought a sense of calm.

“You must be tired from the flight after the wedding. Don’t worry about your luggage for now—just rest well.”

Seeing Seoyoung’s brightest smile yet, Hyukjin’s lips lifted in response.

“And you, Hyukjin?”

Seoyoung turned to him with a curious expression.

He must have been equally tired.

“Mr. Executive isn’t here just to relax.”

Minwoo answered for him.

When Seoyoung turned her gaze to Minwoo, he added,

“You’re planning to familiarize yourself with the Phuket resort while you’re here.”

Hyukjin gave Minwoo a sharp glance, clearly displeased with him speaking out of turn.

“I’ll go check the local schedule first. Take your time coming out, Executive.”

Minwoo quickly turned away, and Hyukjin let out a short sigh at the back of his head.

“Ugh, such a workaholic.”

Although Minwoo maintained a professional tone, his eyes betrayed his emotions when looking at Hyukjin. Being long-time friends, Hyukjin knew he couldn’t be unaware that Minwoo’s words were intentionally conscious of Seoyoung.

Seoyoung deliberately smiled wider, gripping her suitcase.

“It’s late, so don’t push yourself. I’ll just rest while you’re gone.”

She hadn’t intended to experience a proper honeymoon anyway.

Although a little nervous at the thought of their first official night together, she suspected, as usual, nothing would happen.

‘The fact that my secretary accompanies me on my honeymoon already nullifies its purpose.’

Even thinking it was fortunate, the fact that she would be alone made her feel oddly empty inside.

Without waiting for Hyukjin’s response, she pulled her suitcase into the bedroom.

“I’ll be back before it gets too late, so rest well.”

With that, Hyukjin stepped outside. As the door slammed shut behind him, a part of her previously hopeful heart seemed to close as well.

Inside the bedroom, Seoyoung’s eyes took in the large bed adorned with rose petals in the shape of a heart.

It was clear it had been specially arranged for the newlyweds, but at that moment, Seoyoung was the only one witnessing it.

‘We’re not even a real couple anyway.’

A bitter smile touched her lips as loneliness crept in.

But she quickly lifted her corners of her mouth as if to summon strength.

“Might as well rest comfortably for a few days. What’s there to be upset about, Hyeon Seoyoung!”

She deliberately spoke aloud, half as comfort, half as self-reproach, but her emptiness still lingered.

Trying not to dwell on it, she smiled even wider and began exploring the full villa.

‘Oh, there was champagne and a fruit basket in the living room too.’

She had initially thought it was a typical welcome drink, but upon closer inspection, she noticed the thoughtful touches throughout.

Although these were standard services in hotels nowadays, Seoyoung made an effort to think positively.

Rather than a honeymoon, it felt like an inspection trip. As a hotel manager, she slowly explored the villa, eventually stepping outside to the pool.

She dipped her toes in and relaxed on a sunbed, taking in the clear air she couldn’t get in Seoul, while quietly watching the orange sunset near the horizon.

The fiery sunset, coloring everything around it, felt almost magical.

Memories of watching sunsets with her parents surfaced faintly.

‘Mom, Dad! I got married.’

She slowly closed her eyes, thinking of them.

It had been so long since she had rested.

The emptiness she had felt earlier seemed to melt away.

Eventually, Seoyoung fell asleep just like that.

Hyukjin, having gotten into the car Minwoo had rented, shot him a fierce look the moment he got into the passenger seat.

“Do we have to go straight away? We’ll be staying here for four days—why schedule a meeting for dinner?”

“You were the one who said to schedule a meeting in the first place, Executive.”

Minwoo raised his eyebrows, looking innocent.

“When did I?”

“When arranging the honeymoon destination, you instructed as such. The period is four days, and since it’s a Southeast Asian resort, you should check the area and meet relevant contacts while you’re there.”

“……!”

Only then did Hyukjin recall that day and let out a deep, exasperated sigh.

The marriage was only contractual, and seeing Seoyoung unable to breathe properly even after a kiss, he had planned to use the honeymoon as an excuse to relax and survey the surroundings.

Realizing he was the origin of this absurd schedule, he sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead.

“Then why didn’t you update the schedule?”

“Would I do that? When I showed you the documents, you clearly said you understood.”

Hyukjin’s face, tense as if scolding, slowly crumpled.

‘Damn it.’

He vaguely remembered having half-listened while Minwoo explained the documents, responding only casually, assuming it had been taken care of.