Chapter – 63
From the passing car window, she looked like a fair-skinned, delicate woman.
“Did that woman give herself easily? Or was it that she just matched well with them, so she could capture their hearts? How could she hold both Taewook and Jeongwook’s hearts at the same time? I’ve never even been to the main house myself.”
She looked innocent and pure, almost naïve. Maybe she had used that face and body to seduce the two brothers.
“Just because she looks pure doesn’t mean she really is. What exactly did Jeongwook see in her that made him want to formally introduce her to Mother? Then what was the visit to Taewook’s house a few weeks ago about…?”
Someone of that level of beauty could be found around Taewook and Jeongwook, so it wasn’t extraordinary.
Mi-jin, consumed by jealousy, bit her lower lip hard and started the car.
Jeongwook’s car arrived at the main house in Pyeongchang-dong and entered the garage in the front yard.
Although she had seen it once before, Seola marveled again at the wide garden, the fountain, and several marble sculptures scattered throughout—it was truly a mansion straight out of a drama.
Following Jeongwook, she approached the main entrance. Watching him unlock the door with fingerprint recognition, she cautiously asked,
“Um… Jeongwook, when is the team leader coming?”
Jeongwook opened the door and replied,
“Hmm. I think my brother will be a little late.”
“Do you think he’ll be very late?”
“It seems like he’s been working overtime a lot lately. I guess so.”
With a nonchalant shrug, he walked into the house.
Seola, unaware of anything, followed him in and was greeted by Bu-hyeon and a few housekeepers who were already waiting.
“Oh my, hello. So this is the young lady Jeongwook likes… oh?”
Bu-hyeon’s eyes widened when she saw Seola.
“Are you the same young lady who was carried home by Jeongwook the last time…?”
Seola’s cheeks flushed bright red. The embarrassment of being carried and spending the night at Jeongwook’s house came rushing back.
“Hello. I’m sorry about that last time.”
“Oh no, don’t worry. It happens when young ladies drink too much. I understand. Compared to the time our Jeongwook got drunk and caused a police report… this is nothing.”
“Mother! Is dinner ready?!”
Jeongwook flinched and stopped Bu-hyeon, hastily bringing up the meal instead.
“Yes, yes. It’s ready. Are you hungry, young lady? Let’s eat right away.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Seola politely folded her hands and headed to the kitchen.
Even as she went, she kept glancing back at the entrance, wondering when Taewook would arrive.
Seeing her like that, Jeongwook leaned closer and whispered in her ear.
“Looks like brother is a bit late. Shall we eat first?”
“Can we… eat without waiting?”
“There’s plenty of food, so no problem.”
Seola turned her head, slightly unsettled by his casual answer.
The three of them—Bu-hyeon, Jeongwook, and Seola—sat around the large Italian marble dining table in the kitchen.
Bu-hyeon and the housekeepers, having prepared a feast for Jeongwook’s guest, were delighted to see Seola eating heartily.
Watching her enjoy the braised short ribs, Bu-hyeon asked gently,
“She’s on Taewook’s team, right?”
“Yes? Ah, yes, that’s right.”
Seola answered while neatly placing a piece of kimchi into her mouth.
“Jeongwook, so that’s why you asked to be assigned to your brother’s team? Just to see this young lady?”
Jeongwook only smiled awkwardly, remaining silent. That smile seemed to be an unspoken “yes,” leaving Seola a little flustered.
“Hoho. So, from the day you were carried here, something was going on between you and Jeongwook?”
Bu-hyeon assumed that if Jeongwook brought Seola to the main house, she must have at least some feelings for him. After all, someone without feelings wouldn’t come to formally dine with the mother of the man she liked.
“Uh, no, it’s not like that…”
“How do you feel about Jeongwook?”
Bu-hyeon’s direct but gentle question left Seola noticeably embarrassed. She didn’t know what to say.
‘The atmosphere is a bit strange,’ she thought.
Anyway, when is the team leader coming?
“I just think of Jeongwook as a good colleague.”
Bu-hyeon looked at Jeongwook. He quickly added an explanation:
“Mother, Seola is someone I simply have a crush on. I brought her here to introduce her to you and have dinner at our house.”
Seola’s eyes widened.
He brought me here to show me to his mother? I thought the team leader would also be here for dinner… If we eat first, won’t he be late?! What’s going on?
“Um, Jeongwook…”
Bu-hyeon smiled sheepishly and nodded.
Ah, so this guy likes her, but it’s not mutual. He just brought her to the house because he likes her.
Being used to the younger son’s sudden actions, Bu-hyeon accepted it without surprise.
“Oh, I see. So you like her by yourself? I thought you two were just starting to date.”
Got it. Then I should help my second son’s love life again.
With a gentle smile, Bu-hyeon approached Seola and said, almost pleadingly,
“Please take care of our Jeongwook. He’s a good kid. You’re pure and pretty, so no wonder our second son likes you enough to bring you home.”
Seola was at a loss for words.
She could only give an awkward, uncomfortable smile and sip water, wishing to escape the situation quickly.
‘Mother of the man I love is encouraging me to get along with Jeongwook… how did this happen?’
Finally, she couldn’t hold back and had to ask Jeongwook directly.
“Jeongwook, the team leader said he’d come too. When is he coming?”
Jeongwook paused with a spoonful of beef soup, looking at her.
“Hmm. Looks like my brother is working late, so we can just chat and hang out. He might not make it at all.”
“What?”
Bu-hyeon tilted her head, confused.
“Hmm? Your brother was supposed to come?”
“Well… maybe?”
Jeongwook hesitated. The truth was, he had lied that Taewook would come, just to have Seola follow him to the main house, thinking it would make her misunderstand the situation.
‘Wait… then why am I even here?’
Seola’s eyes went blank as she held her spoon, lost in thought.
‘Then the team leader really can’t come? How long do I have to stay here?’
Just then,
Vrrrrr—
Her phone, resting on her thigh, buzzed sharply.
Surprised, she touched the screen and saw a message from Taewook:
[Where are you?]
Her eyes lit up with delight.
Quickly, she typed with both hands:
[I’m at the team leader’s main house. When will he be there?]
Vrrrrr—
Instantly came the reply:
[Why are you there?]
What… why am I here?
A chill ran down her spine.
[I… Jeongwook suggested we come together after work,]
She had typed up to this point when a call suddenly came in.
Vrrrrr—Vrrrrr—
During the meal, the phone kept buzzing, drawing Bu-hyeon and Jeongwook’s attention to Seola.
