* * *
“What’s that supposed to mean? ‘Be myself’?”
Wookyung couldn’t help but scoff.
But strangely, Saheon’s smile faded completely, and he wore a serious expression.
“I like you best when you’re not even a little flustered and say exactly what’s on your mind.”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
“It’s obviously a confession.”
“Pfft!”
Wookyung burst out laughing before he even realized it.
Seriously, what was he supposed to do with this alpha?
He was impossible to handle.
How could he say things like that so casually in a moment like this?
“I’m not lying, you know? I really like that side of you…”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. You, Mr. Choi Saheon, are absolutely head over heels for me. Especially when I’m confident, right?”
“Exactly. I really like how you stay composed and confident no matter what’s going on.”
As the compliments kept coming, Wookyung found himself smiling again.
Sometimes, Saheon really caught him off guard.
“This is bad.”
Because the fact that he made Wookyung’s heart flutter so uncontrollably—that was the real problem.
They were supposed to take things slow.
Carefully. One step at a time.
But his heart just kept wanting to speed up.
“That’s okay. I’m willing to wait as long as it takes.”
As if he could read his thoughts, Saheon smiled again—soft and beautiful, like a painting.
No, there was no way to win against him.
“So just come to me. Only to me.”
If anyone else had said something that cheesy, Wookyung would’ve cringed.
But when it came from someone who looked at him with such unwavering eyes, full of warmth, it didn’t feel like too much at all.
“…Yeah.”
Unable to meet his gaze anymore, he quietly turned his head.
Just then, the movie moved on from the opening and into the story proper.
Coincidentally, the scene showed a couple in a car, newly in love, talking with each other.
Exchanging smiles, laughing at silly little things, enjoying the moment.
‘It’s just like us.’
Just like now.
Just like this moment.
That’s why it caught his eye even more.
Or at least, he tried to convince himself that was why he kept watching the screen.
He didn’t want to acknowledge that his ears, the back of his neck, and his cheeks were all getting a little warm.
Nor did he want to acknowledge the quiet gaze resting on him from the side.
“I’ll wait here. Come back when the conversation’s over.”
Unfortunately, they didn’t get to finish the movie.
It couldn’t be helped—they had to make it to the meeting place at the time set by CEO Choi.
Of all places, it had to be two hours away, which made Wookyung even more annoyed.
Still, Saheon offered to drive him there, which was a nice gesture.
Though honestly, when he first said it, Wookyung had a different thought.
“You’re not coming in with me?”
“I’d love to, really. But I think it might put you on edge, so I’ll just wait in the car.”
Looking genuinely regretful, Saheon lowered his brows.
Wookyung simply shrugged in understanding.
“Then I’ll sit somewhere you can see me easily.”
“That would be greatly appreciated.”
Luckily, the café had big open windows, so Saheon could see inside clearly from where he parked.
Maybe he even picked that spot on purpose.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Wookyung unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out.
There were still 20 minutes until the appointment.
Just enough time to catch his breath and organize his thoughts.
“Fighting!”
That oddly cheerful voice came from behind him.
Wookyung couldn’t help but let out a deflated laugh.
“What was that?”
“A little cheer so you don’t lose to your aunt?”
“…Haha.”
Seriously, how could he be this cute?
This man, who was probably all charisma and authority around others.
Wookyung waved a hand lazily in acknowledgment and walked toward the café.
As he walked, he took deep breaths in and out.
On the surface, he probably didn’t look too anxious.
He knew he didn’t show much on his face, even when he was nervous.
But right now, he didn’t want to show even the tiniest crack in front of CEO Choi.
That was how he felt.
He recalled what Saheon had said in that playful tone a moment ago.
‘Fighting.’
Before he knew it, he was at the café entrance.
Inside, it was quiet—no customers at this hour.
That meant he could take the spot he’d scoped out earlier.
“Would you like to order a drink?”
The staff, who’d been eyeing him since he walked in, came over with a friendly smile.
As expected from a place chosen by CEO Choi, you didn’t order at the counter but at the table.
“No, I’ll wait for my guest and order then.”
“Understood.”
As the staff stepped away, Wookyung looked out the window.
In the distance, he could see Saheon’s car.
“Hm… it’s dark, so that’s good.”
If it were daytime, it would’ve caught attention immediately.
But luckily, it was night, and you couldn’t see the car model clearly.
If no one was looking closely, they wouldn’t even know someone was inside.
Just then, his phone vibrated.
Choi Saheon, TF team Director: If you’re nervous, want to call me?
Wookyung: Call you?
Choi Saheon, TF team Director: Just connect the call and leave the screen face-down. I’ll listen along with you.
…What the heck?
It was such a wild idea that Wookyung couldn’t help but laugh again.
So what, now Saheon wanted to eavesdrop on his conversation with CEO Choi?
Wookyung: Why not just come inside and watch directly, then?
Choi Saheon, TF team Director: I want to, but like I said—I don’t want to put pressure on you.
Wookyung: But you’re dying to know what we’ll talk about, right?
Choi Saheon, TF team Director: Yeah. Honestly. I’m kind of worried, too. You know how she is.
Earlier, he said I should just act like I usually do.
But now that I think about it… maybe not. Wookyung’s lips were still curved gently.
“Excuse me.”
A polite voice interrupted.
When he looked up, a woman in a light gray two-piece suit stood before him.
She appeared to be in her late 50s or early 60s, and she wasn’t unfamiliar to Wookyung.
“You’ve arrived, Chief Secretary Ahn.”
He stood and bowed his head.
Sensing that Chief Secretary Ahn was observing him closely, Wookyung moved at a pace that was neither too fast nor too slow.
Then, at the right moment, he lifted his gaze—and spotted CEO Choi, who had been watching him.
“You’re early, Assistant Manager Gil Wookyung.”
“I arrived just a short while ago.”
“The CEO wanted to have a brief conversation with you, so we arranged this meeting. Thank you for making the time—I’m sure you’re busy.”
They both knew that it wasn’t really about “making time.”
He’d been all but pushed into coming.
Still, neither of them said it aloud.
Instead, Wookyung bowed again to CEO Choi, who was clearly waiting for him to acknowledge her first.
“Hello, ma’am. I’m Gil Wookyung.”
“Nice to meet you.”
With a short reply, CEO Choi stepped closer to the table.
Her composed gaze slowly swept over him from head to toe.
It wasn’t rude, but it was unmistakably evaluative.
“Please, sit.”
Seemingly done with her silent assessment, she took a seat.
Wookyung followed and sat across from her.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Ahn set down the tea she’d received from a staff member, placing the cups before each of them.
As steam rose from the delicate teacups, CEO Choi was the first to speak.
“The reason I asked to meet you is because of Saheon.”
Straight to the point.
And she’d referred to him by name, not by title, making it clear that she was involving herself in his personal matters.
No—more like, declaring that she had the right to.
“I’ve heard the two of you are seeing each other, but I don’t think you’re suitable for him. So let’s end things here.”
Wookyung blinked.
CEO Choi’s gaze reminded him of a stern executive scolding a clueless salesperson trying to close a deal.
There was no room for negotiation in her cold, businesslike tone.
“May I take that to mean you’re aware of what kind of relationship Mr. Saheon and I currently have?”
CEO Choi gave him a look as if to say, ‘Why would you even ask that?’ B
ut truthfully, that was what Wookyung had been most curious about before meeting her.
Was their relationship really public enough that the CEO herself would step in?
The truth was, he and Saheon were still just getting to know each other.
But maybe that wasn’t how it looked to others.
“What are you trying to say?”
“Just what I said. It’s true that Saheon and I are interested in each other, but we’re not officially dating. I don’t intend to, at least not right now. But the fact that it’s you—the CEO—who’s come to me directly like this, well…”
The temperature in the room dropped instantly.
Wookyung could tell just how stunned she was.
So what. What could he do about it?
“It feels like you’re meddling.”
Might as well say everything.
* * *
