He just stared at me in silence, even after receiving the documents, as if he had witnessed something unbelievable.
“Juhyuk, are you okay?”
“…I’m fine.”
But his gaze was different, cloudier than usual.
Seeing my worried look, Secretary Kim stepped in.
“Mr. CEO’s been busy lately. I think he’s just tired.”
“Ah…”
Hearing that from Secretary Kim made me worry even more. Ever since I found out that he takes sleeping pills, I have become more concerned.
“Do you really need to go through those documents right now?”
“…What?”
Still lost in thought, Juhyuk didn’t seem to hear me. I gently tugged at his arm.
“How about we go grab something to eat?”
“…”
“Come on, let’s go. I’ll treat you to something tasty.”
I didn’t really think about what I was saying; I just blurted it out, wanting to make him feel better. After we got in his car and arrived here, I started realizing what I’d done.
“…Ah.”
“…”
“Chaerang.”
“Ah, yes.”
His voice brought me back to reality. The distant look in his eyes was gone, replaced by his usual, sharp gaze that made me look away. I felt embarrassed just meeting his eyes.
He was my first love, the one who taught me what it means to have my heart race.
“Did you see the menu?”
“Ah, yes. I’ll look at it now.”
I held the menu up, trying to block his gaze, needing a moment to breathe. But when I looked at the menu, nothing caught my attention.
It just felt so exciting to be in a nice restaurant with him. It felt like a date.
A date.
I scolded myself for thinking that way and tried to play it cool.
“Juhyuk, you should order whatever you want.”
At that, he casually raised his hand to call the waiter.
The owner-chef, recognizing him, came over instead.
“Mr. CEO, the lobster grill comes with cashew nuts. We have seasonal fruit sauce; would you like to switch it?”
“Yes, please.”
I was amazed that he remembered my nut allergy. I never thought he’d pay attention to something like that.
Juhyuk then chose seafood dishes for me, keeping my preferences in mind. After the waiter and chef left, I softly said, “I told you to order what you wanted…”
“I did.”
“…”
“What’s wrong?”
I pouted, and Juhyuk laughed. Since I came back, he had been smiling more, and just seeing him made me smile too.
“You like meat more than seafood, don’t you?”
“Well, maybe my tastes changed. I might like it now because I’ve been eating it with someone.”
I knew he was talking about me, but I still couldn’t handle it when he kept subtly making moves on me.
So, I ended up grumbling.
“I don’t change that easily. I still prefer seafood to meat.”
“I can change.”
“You don’t have to. We can just eat what we like. We don’t have to like the same things just because we’re a couple.”
I felt awkward even saying it. Of course, I was happy with what he said. But I hated that I was so happy over something so small.
“Chaerang.”
“…”
“I’m flirting with you right now.”
My heart skipped a beat.
His words weren’t a joke. It was the moment when I realized he was serious about what he’d said over the past year.
“Do you know what you’re saying?”
“What?”
But I already knew. I understood why he was doing this, so I shouldn’t be affected.
“It’s because of the chairman, right?”
“The chairman?”
“The heir situation… I know you’re trying to show the chairman that we’re a good couple.”
“…”
“I’ll try too, if that’s what you want.”
He looked at me silently for a while before lowering his gaze and smiling in a way I couldn’t understand.
“You’re willing to do anything, as long as it’s not divorce?”
“That…”
“Okay. A good couple.”
“…”
“Are you ready?”
“Ready…”
Just then, I felt a rush of heat come from his hand as he held mine across the table. I froze. It wasn’t just his hand; it felt like my entire body was being bound by him.
Being so close to him made my heart race. Could I really do this?
“I don’t stop once I start something.”
“…”
“Do you think you can go all the way with me?”
But if it was for him, I could do anything. Even if it meant hurting myself.
“Yes. I can do it.”
I met his gaze, no longer avoiding it.
I had a feeling that one day, this intense gaze would burn me alive. But no matter what, I wouldn’t let go of his hand, even if it meant atoning for the six years I left him alone.
After the meal, Juhyuk got up to take a call. I tried to calm my racing thoughts by eating the lemon sorbet that came with dessert.
The whole meal, I hardly noticed what I was eating, distracted by how he kept his eyes fixed on me.
When he carefully transferred lobster meat onto my plate, I could feel the eyes of others on us. I had forgotten what it was like to be with him in public.
People’s glances made me feel like I was being judged for not being good enough for him.
“Ugh…”
I could already tell that the next year wasn’t going to be easy.
Letting out a sigh, I felt the atmosphere around me change.
I looked up and saw Juhyuk walking toward me.
His navy suit hugged his tall, muscular frame and glistened under the light. His hair was slightly messy, but it only added to his charm.
He was a perfect sight, walking slowly toward me.
It was hard to believe that this man was my husband.
“Let’s go.”
“Ah, yes.”
His voice was low, and I felt drawn to it. As we walked, I couldn’t stop looking at his broad back. It felt like a dream.
I had walked beside him like this six years ago, but now it felt different.
Maybe it was because he now exuded a more masculine vibe, but I kept noticing things like his broad shoulders and strong arms.
No, it was more likely my problem.
Juhyuk slowed down and came up beside me.
“…Why?”
“I just want to walk with you.”
Walk with me.
That sentence was enough to make me nervous.
I looked ahead and kept walking, trying to ignore the sensation of his body brushing against mine with each step. If I didn’t, my legs would give out.
It didn’t feel normal.
Was I really that nervous?
Then, his deep voice broke through my thoughts.
“Hold my hand.”
“What?”
“It’s okay if I hold it, right?”
It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.
Before I could respond, his big hand grabbed mine.
He pulled my hand tightly, his fingers weaving between mine.
“Your hand is so small.”
“You’re the one with big hands.”
I swallowed nervously, but he just laughed softly.
Then, he pulled my hand toward him.
I stumbled and accidentally bumped into his arm.
I was shocked, not by the sudden contact, but by what he whispered in my ear.
“Let’s start today. The things we couldn’t do six years ago.”
I stared blankly as he whispered again.
“Let’s be a good couple, like we said.”
It was unstoppable.
