Chapter 6

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The next day, Lee Jiwoon applied for a half-day leave in the afternoon.

While processing the approval with her electronic signature, Assistant Min Hyekyung asked,

“Are you going somewhere fun? It’s such a nice day.”

“Oh, no. I just have somewhere to go.”

“Is that so? Must be the hospital or a government office then.”

“Yes, something like that.”

A government office, indeed.

Today, he was going to the [Alpha-Omega Special Divorce Contemplation System Seoul Gangnam Center] to meet with the divorce counselor.

Jiwoon discreetly opened her phone under the desk to double-check the message.

[Divorce Counseling Session Notification]

– Time: 3 PM

– Location: Gangnam Center Annex, Room 201

– Preparation: Please log in to the ‘The Counseling’ app once (there will be a time to read the counseling log exchanged with your spouse).

– Note: A one-day drawing lesson will be held today, lasting about two hours. (Find positive values by drawing each other.)

‘…So, this is what I’m going for, everyone.’

While Jiwoon was feeling a slight sense of disgust, Manager Kim, sitting across from her, spoke up.

“Huh? The director is taking a half-day off this afternoon too. Anyone would think you two are going out together.”

The team burst into laughter.

Jiwoon forced a smile and joined in awkwardly.

“Come to think of it, you two were perfectly in sync during the last sports day.”

“I was amazed. Almost like a perfect pair, weren’t you?”

The team’s chatter was endless.

As Jiwoon awkwardly laughed along, Assistant Min Hyekyung closely observed her expression.

What are the chances that both would take a half-day on a Tuesday, not even a Friday?

It could be seen as a coincidence, but to Min Hyekyung, whose mind was already filled with suspicions, it seemed like another clue.

She opened the messenger app and started a conversation with her colleague and Seo Taecheon’s secretary, whom she was close with.

Min Hyekyung: Hey, I smell an office romance.

Kim Minji: No way. Who?

Min Hyekyung: Don’t tell anyone. Looks like something’s going on between the director and a regular employee.

Kim Minji’s reaction was explosive. She quickly typed back, asking how she found out and if she had any evidence, while Seo Taecheon walked out of his office.

Kim Minji stood up and greeted him, hiding her surprise.

“Have a safe trip.”

“Sure. Make sure to handle any calls for me properly so there are no issues.”

“Understood.”

As she watched Seo Taecheon leave, her eyes sparkled.

Now, two people in the company were suspicious of them.

When Seo Taecheon reached the underground parking lot, Jiwoon, who had been hiding behind a pillar, dashed to his car.

In a move reminiscent of a 007 agent, Seo Taecheon quickly started the car to match his actions.

“Fasten your seatbelt, Assistant Lee.”

“Oh, right.”

In his haste to get in, Jiwoon had forgotten to buckle up.

As he fumbled for the seatbelt, a long arm suddenly reached over.

What the…

Before he could react, Seo Taecheon leaned over and buckled his seatbelt.

The sudden closeness made him acutely aware of his scent and body heat.

A strong, alluring forest fragrance, mixed with a cool and distant aura, unique to Seo Taecheon.

Has he always smelled this good? It’s not the first time, but today it’s unusually appealing.

Lost in the moment, Jiwoon was jolted back to reality.

Whatever, he can do what he wants.

The drive to the counseling center was a bit congested.

They drove the 20-minute distance in silence. During this time, Jiwoon’s mind was busy with thoughts.

Though he’d heard about divorce counseling, it was his first time visiting an offline center and meeting the divorce counselor in person to review each other’s logs.

‘What could he have written about me and our divorce? Honestly? Or just enough to get by?
Hmm… I’ve been too honest and sometimes scribbled things. Will I be criticized for being insincere?’

Jiwoon checked the app and reviewed his logs, also looking at the big data keyword search results. The keywords included ‘build, handsome, why, looks fine,’ with ‘black gown’ being frequently mentioned.

‘Did I talk about BBG’s appearance this much? And what’s with the black gown? I mentioned it 13 times.’

As he muttered to himself, they arrived at the center’s parking lot.

After getting out and heading to the annex’s second floor, they found a space decorated like a cafe.

About five couples, who seemed to be in counseling, were already there.

Jiwoon and Seo Taecheon sat in a secluded corner, keeping some distance between them.

Jiwoon noticed the other couples looked generally cold, with some not even looking at each other. Despite this, eyes occasionally turned toward her and Seo Taecheon.

That alpha looks handsome. An omega whispered, causing the alpha next to her to frown and scold her.

Meanwhile, a middle-aged alpha openly stared at Jiwoon.

‘Why is that guy staring at me?’

Then the divorce counselorr entered.

He was a man in his fifties with a kind appearance but sharp eyes.

“Hello, I’m your divorce counselor, Jang Gwangcheol.”

“Hello.”

The group greeted him as he pulled out the program booklet.

“As previously informed, today’s session includes exchanging counseling logs and drawing each other’s portraits. Due to time constraints, we’ll start with the drawing lesson.”

Soon, staff came in to distribute sketchbooks and pencils.

“For the first step, don’t take your eyes off your partner and observe them closely for three minutes.”

“What?”

The students voiced their discontent.

Lee Jiwoon was equally flustered.

Forcing people who aren’t even dating to have a 3-minute staring contest?

Isn’t that too harsh?

This is just embarrassing.

“You must do it. If you don’t complete this, you won’t get any credit.”

“Sigh… Really.”

People grumbled as they turned their chairs to face their partners.

“We should do it too, Chief Lee.”

“Ah, yes… well.”

Feeling extremely awkward but having no choice, Lee Jiwoon turned his chair to face Seo Taecheon.

The strong and distinct face in front of him projected a powerful image.

This is so overwhelming.

He looks like a foreigner, almost like a model… His face is just perfect.

If it weren’t for this situation, I’d be going around praising our company’s director for his good looks.

‘But why is he staring at me so intensely? It’s making me uncomfortable.’

Seo Taecheon’s gaze was very intense, as if he wanted to discover something within Lee Jiwoon.

As Lee Jiwoon tried to sneakily look away, the divorce counselor walked over and gave him a warning.

“Don’t look away, maintain eye contact. Start.”

“Yes, sir…”

After what felt like an eternity, the 3 minutes finally passed, and it was time for drawing.

Couples sat side by side at the tables with sketchbooks and pencils, instructed to draw each other’s portraits while glancing at each other.

“Now, let’s begin drawing.”

Lee Jiwoon, who was terrible at drawing, scratched his head, unsure of how to start.

On the other hand, Seo Taecheon quickly began sketching the outline on his paper.

“Oh, you’re quite good.”

“I attended art school. I originally wanted to be a painter.”

Seo Taecheon replied casually when Lee Jiwoon showed interest.

“Really? I thought you majored in business in the US?”

“That’s correct. I gave up on becoming a painter.”

‘Hmm. That’s news to me.’

Thinking that Seo Taecheon’s stiff and emotionless demeanor didn’t suit an artist, Lee Jiwoon focused back on his own drawing.

He started filling the sketchbook with a clumsy stick figure.

Seo Taecheon continued drawing quietly.

Lee Jiwoon, glancing at him, had to admit he looked cool.

The sunlight streaming through the window seemed like a spotlight just for him.

‘But I don’t want to admit it. What’s the point anyway? I just want to get through these remaining 5 months and say goodbye to this fake husband. What good is his handsomeness?’

Lee Jiwoon repeatedly drew and erased his stick figure.

“Ugh…”

Even though he spent a long time engrossed in his drawing, what came out didn’t resemble Seo Taecheon at all.

Seo Taecheon glanced at his sketchbook and chuckled.

“Now, let’s exchange drawings and see how your partner sees you.”

At the divorce counselor’s signal, the couples exchanged sketchbooks.

Embarrassed by his poorly done drawing, Lee Jiwoon hesitated.

Seo Taecheon promptly took his drawing.

“Is this supposed to be me?”

“Ah… well,”

Feeling awkward about the abstract, almost hieroglyphic-like figure, Lee Jiwoon scratched his head.

“I really tried my best, but… ugh.”

Hiding his embarrassment, he took the drawing Seo Taecheon handed him.

His eyes widened.

The drawing of himself was so beautifully done, it looked like a nymph from Greek mythology.

The side profile was picturesque, with a wistful expression and a faint rosy blush.

It was a masterpiece that could easily hang in a gallery.

“This, isn’t this a false advertisement?”

‘When did I ever smile so wistfully? This is a beauty scam!’

“What’s with that reaction?”

“No, it’s just… you drew so well.”

“You’re still complaining even though I drew well.”

“It’s not that, it’s just that my poor drawing looks even worse in comparison.”

As they bickered, the divorce counselor walked by and stopped, expressing admiration as he lifted Seo Taecheon’s drawing to show everyone.

“Everyone, look at this drawing. It’s excellently done. And it’s filled with a loving gaze. Drawings don’t lie. It shows he still has love for his partner.”

“Wait, divorce counselor…”

“I see a reconciliation in sight! Everyone, applaud!”

Ignoring Lee Jiwoon’s embarrassment, the divorce counselor praised the couple for successfully progressing through the trial period.

“Now, let’s see the drawing from the Omega.”

The divorce counselor picked up Lee Jiwoon’s sketchbook and held it up. People frowned and sighed.

“What is that?!”

“It’s not a drawing, it’s more like symbols or signs, isn’t it?”

Looking at the two-dimensional stick figure, people whispered that it seemed like Lee Jiwoon didn’t even see Seo Taecheon as a person.

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