Chapter 6 …
“Ha…”
A moment later, when Haebum let out a chuckle, Aeran, feeling restless, immediately stood beside him and continued speaking.
“Even without you, Mom’s life is full of troubles every single day. So please, don’t add to it. Hailey is a child arranged by your grandfather himself.”
“Why are you so anxious to get me married?”
“Do you think I’m asking because I don’t know? I just want you to live a stable life as soon as possible!”
Aeran had lived for many years despised and persecuted by the owner family because she had an inappropriate relationship with Ji Hyunho, the president of KU Group and Haebum’s biological father.
“Hailey likes you. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Aeran clasped Haebum’s arm, pleading.
“You’re thinking about marriage, right?”
“I’m going to take my clothes off—are you going to watch?”
“You’re my son, so what do you mean?”
“I’ll start with the pants.”
At the sound of the buckle being undone, Aeran recoiled and smacked Haebum on the back.
“Don’t just brush this off with one ear. Think carefully, okay? Your mom’s wish is for you to marry Hailey.”
Even at the seemingly pleasant sound of agreement, Haebum couldn’t feel any lighter.
For his mother, the only compensation for the years of resentment from not being recognized as a member of the owner family was for Haebum to become the head of the group.
So he could somewhat understand why Aeran considered Hailey the last opportunity.
But…
“You’re wrong, Mom.”
From the very beginning, there was only one woman for Haebum.
The small, soft hands that still fit perfectly in his own, the smooth skin, the delicate breath that seemed to fade with a single sigh…
“Bastard…”
There was only one precious little Yooju, who had pressed her cheek against his shoulder and sobbed.
Before he knew it, it was Monday.
After the worst weekend, Yooju returned to her routine.
Even without the hangover, the start of a week is depressing for any office worker, but Yooju woke up still feeling the lingering effects of alcohol and already longed for the end of the day.
As if that wasn’t enough, the new stockings she had just opened betrayed her, snagging as soon as she put her feet in.
Frantically, she changed into slacks and left her house, only to have the soles of her shoes fall apart after a few steps.
After hurriedly changing shoes again, she ran to catch the subway, but it left just before she arrived. To make matters worse, she received a message from her manager telling her to arrive a little earlier because the new head of the department was coming.
Exhausted, Yooju trudged from the subway to the office.
The sky was clear and the weather sunny, completely at odds with her mood.
As she was swallowed by the crowd of commuters, she calmly reflected on the events of the past weekend.
Kiuk had not replied. She had tried calling, but only heard long ringing tones—no voice on the other end.
But the problem wasn’t Kiuk—it was elsewhere.
“Let me take you home.”
“Ha…”
Yooju groaned and pressed her forehead with her hand.
As time passed, memories of going to the karaoke bar gradually came back.
She remembered how she had desperately tried to shake off the sadness by singing a heartfelt breakup song.
And… after that.
“Because I wanted to be with you.”
Yooju bowed her head deeply, distressed.
“Why do I keep hearing Ji Haebum’s voice at times like this?”
She remembered going to the karaoke bar, but the events afterward remained hazy, shrouded in fog.
Yet, through that fog, a voice seemed to call out to her, as if saying, “Don’t forget me.”
The soft, comforting sheets, the firm hand that steadied her swaying head, the mature scent, the warm body temperature that made sleep perfect…
It was far too vivid to be a dream.
Yooju carefully rubbed her palm.
She felt as if she had held his hand too…
“Could that really not have been Bae Jiseung?”
She hesitated to ask Jiseung, worried he might tease her for overthinking everything.
By the time she arrived at the office, extreme fatigue had already washed over her.
She had spent the morning mired in unnecessary worry.
“Manager Yoo, a moment.”
Before even sitting down, someone deftly grabbed her like an eagle swooping in.
It was Manager Koo Kyungsoo, three years her senior but her colleague in the same team, who had become close enough to give advice ranging from family issues to romance.
“Why? I’m supposed to see the manager right now.”
“I have amazing news.”
“The new department head arrived? He must already be at work. Did you see him?”
Yooju took a sip of water in the break room, unwrapped a snack at random, and absentmindedly popped it into her mouth. It tasted like coffee. But what she really needed was something sweet, so she reached for another snack.
“Have you heard who the department head is?”
“No. Could he really be the chairman’s grandson? Or is it true he has a multimillion salary?”
“I don’t know about the salary, but it’s true he’s the chairman’s grandson. But more importantly… Manager Yoo…”
“Manager Yoo!”
Before she could put the chocolate-flavored snack in her mouth, the break room door slammed open.
Director Ok, her face flushed and hair damp with sweat, appeared.
Since he had immediately summoned her to his office, Yooju gave Kyungsoo a glance and left the break room.
“Good morning, Director.”
“Morning… though I’m not sure if it’s a good one.”
“Why? Is there something wrong?”
“Did you jog here today?”
Director Ok scanned her outfit: a brown jacket, black slacks, and white sneakers.
She had meant to dress formally, but the casual look embarrassed her.
“I had no choice. My stockings tore with the skirt, then the only pair of flats I had broke right after I changed into slacks.”
“Well, that’s fine. You’re young, so I’ll understand. Come with me.”
“Is there a problem with the report? Or some urgent matter?”
“The department head is looking for you.”
Ah, the new department head.
Yooju found it strange—she didn’t need to meet him directly. There might be chances in the future, but why would a newly appointed head look for a mere manager on the first day?
“Why me?”
Kyungsoo had mentioned earlier that it was something big.
Following Director Ok, Yooju reached the department head’s office, now larger and more sophisticated after interior renovations.
Even though she had been there a few times before, entering now felt odd, like a rabbit entering a tiger’s den.
“Shall we go in?”
“Wait… let me catch my breath.”
Knock. Knock.
The sharp knock left Yooju quietly swallowing her anxiety.
The door opened.
Although Yooju couldn’t see inside yet, the tension was palpable, as if facing a tiger in a cave.
“Department head, sorry for being late. Manager Yooju has arrived!”
Director Ok bowed deeply, like offering a sacrifice.
