How Did You Handle the Clothes I Put on You?
“You’re getting off work late today?”
Instead of answering, Yulri silently stared at the large hand covering hers. He had meant to help, but the sudden touch flustered her.
“Why did you come here at this hour?”
She hadn’t meant to sound sharp. But the unfamiliar warmth around her hand made her tone edgy. She didn’t know why she always became awkward in front of this man.
Luckily, Jeho didn’t seem offended. He released her hand and leisurely glanced at his wristwatch.
“It’s exactly 8:27.”
She hadn’t even asked the time, yet he checked it first. Just as he was about to say something—
Ring—.
Her phone rang. It was probably Hyunkyung. As she opened her bag to take it out, she noticed Jeho pressing the call button on his own phone.
“Hello, sunbae. I just arrived at the office.”
[Already? Oh dear, I’m really sorry about this.]
Director Kim’s rough voice came through the phone.
[My second child suddenly has a fever, so I’m heading to the ER. Let’s postpone what we planned to discuss at the office today.]
Even though it wasn’t on speaker, his loud voice made it easy to understand. Realizing her mistake, Yulri bit her lower lip lightly. Their eyes met.
“That’s fine. Let’s meet tomorrow.”
[Thank you.]
Jeho hung up and looked at Yulri as if to say, Now you understand, right?
“I think that answers your question….”
“It does.”
Yulri scanned her fingerprint on the pad. Click—the office door locked with a cheerful sound. She bowed her head politely and walked toward the elevator.
“Are you not going to answer my question?”
He followed behind her.
Confused, she slowed her steps.
“I clearly asked… ‘You’re getting off work late today?’”
As if drawn by something, she turned around.
Seeing her puzzled expression, Jeho bent slightly to meet her eye level.
Her heart dropped. For a moment, everything went white. Startled, she stepped back—only to hit the wall in the narrow hallway. Jeho leaned against the wall, keeping his gaze fixed on her.
“I was asking if you usually get off late. Sunbae said you mostly leave on time.”
“Only today. I took a day off yesterday, so my work piled up.”
They were close enough to touch with just a small movement, but Yulri didn’t move. She had already stepped back once; she didn’t want to retreat again. Still, it wasn’t easy to endure his steady gaze. Her face kept heating up, so she lowered her eyes slightly.
“Most days I leave on time. Yesterday I took a vacation day, so I had extra work.”
“Isn’t it dangerous to work alone?”
He asked softly, his voice genuinely concerned.
“There’s nothing dangerous about it.”
Jeho slowly looked around. Because they had looked for a place with cheap rent, Bauhaus was located in a shabby five-story building slightly away from the busy district.
“Anyone can enter the building. It’s an architectural office, yet even the door doesn’t close properly. …Hmm, maybe the office location should be changed.”
It sounded more like he was talking to himself than asking a question. He spoke as if it were already his company. When their eyes met, he smiled slightly.
“You haven’t eaten yet, right? If you don’t have plans, shall we have dinner together?”
“I already have plans—”
Ding. The elevator doors opened. At the same time, Hyunkyung rushed out with a bright smile.
“Yulri!”
Without giving her time to react, Hyunkyung threw her arms around Yulri.
“Our baby must be starving, right? Big sis will buy you something delicious.”
“Stop it.”
When Yulri pushed her away, Hyunkyung blinked in confusion. Then she noticed Jeho behind her.
“Are you new? I know all the employees here….”
Jeho stepped into the light.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kwon Jeho.”
Kwon Jeho?
Yulri’s first love?
Hyunkyung’s eyes widened dramatically. Before she could say anything, Yulri quickly linked arms with her.
“We’ll get going now.”
But Hyunkyung caused trouble before they could leave.
“Have you eaten?” she asked Jeho.
“Not yet.”
“Then would you like to eat with us?”
Yulri almost jumped on the spot.
“Do you like paella? Let’s go together.”
Hey, that’s not what I meant!
Ding—
Even though the food had arrived, Hyunkyung, who said she would take a call and come back, hadn’t returned. A message arrived.
<Have a good time with your first love. I’ll step out now.>
What?
Yulri stared at the screen in disbelief.
<It’s not like that! Come back while I’m still being nice.>
But Hyunkyung didn’t even read it. Her phone was turned off.
“Your sangria is here.”
Instead of leaving a message, Yulri filled her empty glass and drank it in one go. Her insides were burning.
It’s just dinner between two people. What’s the big deal?
“Hyunkyung had something come up, so she had to leave first.”
Jeho simply nodded.
Ring—
Her phone rang again. Thinking it was Hyunkyung, she answered without checking.
“Yeah.”
[It’s noisy around you. Aren’t you home?]
It was Minwoo.
“…Oh, Minwoo.”
For no reason, she suddenly felt nervous.
“I’m having dinner at a restaurant.”
[At this hour?]
“I had overtime.”
[Are you with Hyunkyung?]
“She left first because of something, and—”
[Where are you? Send me the address. I’ll come there now.]
“You’re coming here?”
Her voice rose without her noticing. Jeho glanced at her.
Their eyes met briefly. Her chest tightened, as if she’d been caught doing something wrong.
Jeho extended his hand for the phone. She handed it over silently.
“Can you get here in 30 minutes?”
Silence.
[…Hyung?]
“If you come after 30 minutes, we won’t be here. So hurry.”
He hung up.
“Minwoo might not make it in 30 minutes.”
“I know.”
“Then why—?”
“That’s not my concern.”
His lips twisted slightly.
As they ate, Yulri kept drinking. Soon the decanter was nearly empty. The alcohol flushed her cheeks. She took off her jacket.
Jeho leaned toward her slightly and whispered.
“Ah, I forgot something.”
Her heart tightened at the mischievous sparkle in his eyes.
“What did you do with the clothes I put on you that day?”
The clothes he put on her… the jacket?
“That—”
Suddenly, Minwoo’s angry voice came from behind.
“What do you mean, the clothes you put on her?”
He stood there, face red, breathing heavily.
“You came earlier than I expected. Sit.”
“What did you just mean by that?”
Yulri hesitated. Saying ‘because my clothes were wet and see-through’ sounded strangely suggestive.
“I sent the jacket to the dry cleaners. I’ll return it once I get it back.”
Then she briefly explained what happened at the mall.
“I almost got hurt yesterday, but thanks to him I was fine. I just borrowed the clothes then.”
“Oh. I thought it was something else.”
Minwoo relaxed and laughed awkwardly.
“You got hurt helping Yulri? That’s unexpected, hyung.”
“What’s unexpected?”
“You would just stand there and watch Yulri get hurt?”
His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp.
“Yulri?”
Minwoo frowned at the familiarity.
Tension filled the air.
“Why? Does it bother you?”
Jeho asked lightly—though he was looking at Yulri, not Minwoo.
“Should I call her sister-in-law already, even though you’re not married yet?”
He lifted one corner of his lips while staring at her.
