TUW | CHAPTER 18

Chapter 18

Did He Recognise Me?

“Hello. I’m Eom Ji-hoo.”

Beneath his neatly groomed brows curved into sharp lines, his eyes turned into half-moons, radiating the kind of puppy-like warmth women always seemed to melt for.

That gentle sparkle was disarming, softening what might otherwise have been a sharp, almost intimidating impression.

Right—the memories came rushing back.

Back in college, that smile made countless girls’ hearts flutter.

Handsome face, silver tongue—he had been ridiculously popular.

And congratulations, apparently even Assistant Manager Kang has fallen head over heels now.

Eom Ji-hoo—once the only male friend Lee Yeon had.

A friend who’d stood by her side for years, until a single foolish confession had severed everything.

Wow… the world really is suffocatingly small.

I swear, my head is going to explode.

That drunken night and his words resurfaced unbidden:

“Lee Yeon, you were always a woman to me.

I never thought of you as just a friend.

Every time you looked at me like that—so beautifully—I thought I’d lose my mind from how much I liked you.”

A cold sweat broke out.

Panic prickled at the edges of her mind.

No good.

She had to keep her eyes narrowed, like a wary fish, no matter what.

Ever since she’d started working with Do-hyun, she’d grown careless with that disguise her eyes opening wide in surprise before she could stop herself.

But in front of Ji-hoo, she couldn’t risk it.

She had to hide.

Being recognised meant everything was over.

And if he was the one to see through her… that would be the worst possible outcome.

Lee Yeon found herself staring at him, only then noticing that Ji-hoo’s hand was still extended, waiting.

Her gaze flicked from his hand back up to his eyes.

Did he recognise me?

But he just kept smiling, leaving his thoughts hidden.

He had always been like that—so good at concealing his feelings.

It had taken her years to realise he liked her at all.

“Secretary Lee, Ji-hoo is greeting you.

His hand must feel awkward hanging there.”

That mouth.

She should have shut it years ago.

Any normal person would’ve lowered their hand by now, but Ji-hoo held his steady, stubborn as ever.

Clearly, he had no intention of backing down.

Her mind was already a tangled mess these days, and now Ji-hoo had to walk back into her life?

Just thinking about the trouble ahead gave her a pounding headache.

Because of him, her brain felt like it was overheating and she had the distinct sense that things would only get worse from here.

Of all the companies in the world, why did he have to come to Wuseong Card?

And of all the departments, why this one—the very group where Do-hyun is an executive?

Fate, it seemed, had no intention of letting her off easy.

Lee Yeon forced herself back to reality.

Pushing down her emotions, she reached out and briefly clasped his hand, feigning composure.

“Yes.

I’m Lee Yeon, Vice President Do’s secretary.”

She had intended to let go at once, but Ji-hoo’s grip tightened.

A ripple of unease ran through her.

Why are you holding on like that… it makes me nervous.

“Nice to meet you.

I look forward to working with you.”

She turned, ready to retreat to her desk—only to meet Do-hyun’s eyes.

Look again.

Relentless.

Piercing.

As if demanding something from her.

How long has he been watching me?

Her heart lurched violently in her chest.

Even while she moved, her arms felt rigid, her hand stiff, her whole body betraying her tension.

Do-hyun sat there, perfectly still, like a surveillance camera focused on her and her alone.

It felt as if that piercing gaze alone could shrink her into nothing.

Only when Yeonjeong and Jihoo stepped into the office to offer their greetings did Dohyun finally tear his eyes away from Lee Yeon.

“Haa…”

A sigh slipped from her lips, and Lee Yeon drew in a deep breath before letting it out slowly.

After paying their respects to Dohyun, the two offered her a polite nod before heading back down to their own department.

What on earth had just happened?

Lee Yeon’s heart was a storm.

She had been certain she would never cross paths with Jihoo again.

She had comforted herself with the thought that he was somewhere out there, living his own life.

But who could have imagined that “somewhere” would turn out to be Wuseong Card…

All she could hope now was that Jihoo hadn’t recognised her.

Time, of course, did not wait for her.

It rushed forward without pause.

Before she knew it, Friday had arrived.

Ever since returning from the columbarium, Dohyun had been keeping his distance.

‘…Is he angry with me?’

No, it didn’t feel like that.

‘Did he somehow realise I like him?’

Impossible.

There was no way he’d take that bouquet as a confession.

‘Wait… does he think I was the one who gave it to him?’

For three nights in a row now, Dohyun had come home late, always with the excuse of some evening engagement.

‘Should I just ask when we’re supposed to exchange information?

No way… he couldn’t be meeting Jung Heera, could he?’

By the third day, her mind was a nest of anxious thoughts, her nerves stretched thin.

And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to ask.

She was terrified that even a simple, “Why are you avoiding me these days?”

Might expose her feelings.

The moment she had recognised them herself, she had become all the more cautious.

And truthfully, their relationship was supposed to be like this.

That was what the contract dictated.

Unrequited love, she realised, was never meant to be easy.

And of all people, why did hers have to be aimed at Do-hyun, the most impossible target of all?

“I have plans this evening.”

At least now, he told her in advance when he was busy.

‘See?

He’s not mad.

He’s just really busy.’

Sure, he’d announce it and then vanish without a backwards glance, but to Lee Yeon, that was progress—tremendous progress.

“I wonder if he’ll have plans again tonight,” she murmured to herself.

If he didn’t mention anything, she resolved she would.

It felt only fair to let him know she had her own evening plans.

A glance at her phone told her it was almost time to leave.

Hayul had said he’d come pick her up, so she should be arriving any moment now.

Right then, Dohyun emerged from his office with his bag slung over his shoulder.

“Tonight, I might be very late.”

So he did have plans!

“Yes, understood,” Lee Yeon replied quickly.

“You should head home first.”

Home.

Not really her home.

But she only nodded.

The truth was, she was relieved.

With Dohyun out late, she wouldn’t have to worry about him waiting for her.

She could stay by Hayul’s side as long as she wanted, without unease tugging at her.

A message buzzed onto her screen:

[Basement Level 3, Parking B337.]

Hayul had arrived.

[Got it, just wait a sec—I’ll be right there!]

Hurrying downstairs, Lee Yeon made her way toward the section Hayul had marked.

She didn’t need to search long.

One car stood out instantly, its presence impossible to ignore.

There, in space B337, gleamed a fierce, blazing-red sports car.

Stretching out her long strides, Lee Yeon headed straight for it.

“Yoo I-yeon!

Are you seriously not here yet?”

The car suited its owner.

Just like her sleek sports car, Ha-yul’s eyes blazed sharply as she glared at Lee Yeon, who only waved back with a cheeky smile.

“I left work on the dot to get here!”

“Quit whining and get in.

We’re already late for the reservation.”

Ha-yul jumped out, practically shoved Lee Yeon into the passenger seat, and sped off without another word.

“Where are we going?

Weren’t we supposed to hit a party tonight?”

“Didn’t I tell you?

I’ve got everything planned.”

So, she kept quiet and went along…

After years of hiding, Lee Yeon had finally let herself step into the world without a disguise, all thanks to Ha-yul’s relentless persuasion.

It felt strange—uneasy, even—to abandon the routine that had shielded her for so long.

Yet the thought of only three short hours of freedom stirred a quiet thrill in her chest.

And maybe just maybe if Do-hyun saw her like this, would he look at her differently?

The ridiculous hope tickled at her heart.

Of course, that would never happen.

He didn’t spare a glance at Jung Heera, either.

What meaning would there be if she changed her looks?

The thought of Do-hyun always being there, consuming every idle moment of her mind, made Lee Yeon sigh softly.

“Heera came by the office the other day,” she finally muttered, half wanting to vent.

“She looks… even more stunning now.”

“What?

That fox again?”

Ha-yul’s voice shot up as she smacked the steering wheel.

“Why does she keep chasing after a married man?”

Lee Yeon couldn’t help laughing at her friend’s outrage, grateful for it.

“She doesn’t know, though.

That he’s married.”

“Doesn’t matter!

Annoying as hell either way!

And you ugh–could you stop with that title?

‘Vice President Ahn Do-hyun’?

He’s yours on paper, isn’t he?”

“Wha—what are you even saying?

You know the family registry is the only thing tying us together!

How could you call him mine?”

Heat rushed to her cheeks, flustering her so badly that she fanned herself with her hands.

What kind of nonsense was Ha-yul spouting?

“Hmm?

What’s with the fanning?

You two hiding something?”

“There’s nothing to hide.

I’m just hot, that’s all.”

“Hot?

When our Puffball here’s got the AC blasting like we’re in the Arctic?

I’m freezing over here.”

Persistent, as always.

Lee Yeon decided it was time to change the subject.

“Anyway, I actually came prepared today!

Look—I even brought a dressy-looking outfit and some makeup.”

She proudly reached under the table and pulled a long dress from her shopping bag.

The soft fabric unfurled with a rustle—it was an off-shoulder maxi dress she’d splurged on yesterday after work, just for this occasion.

“Are you kidding me, Yoo Lee Yeon?

That’s just a dress, not a gown!”

“But look, the shoulders are bare!”

“Bare shoulders are the bare minimum.

Half the girls out there show cleavage, too.

What about your hair?

You take off that wig and it’s going to be a matted disaster, isn’t it?”

“What—how did you know?

Ugh, you’re right.

I didn’t even think about hair.”

“Knew it.

Anyway, we’re almost there.”

“Ha-yul, I’m nervous.”

“Hey, me too.”

“That’s why I came prepared.”

Once again, Lee Yeon bent over the shopping bag, rummaging around until she found what she was looking for.

She lifted it triumphantly.

“Cheongshim pills!”

“Are you eighty years old?

What do you need calming pills for?”

“Excuse me, they’re perfectly fine for our age!

That’s how nervous I am.”

“Don’t stress.

Just stick by my side like a lucky charm.”

Their destination was a well-known salon—frequented by celebrities and famous entertainers.

A one-stop shop where hair and makeup were handled together for a flawless finish.

“Whoa… this place must cost a fortune.”

“My family uses this place whenever there’s an official event.

They told me to come here, too.

So, of course, I booked for you as well.

Didn’t I say I’d take care of everything?

They’ve even brought in several dresses that’ll suit us, all ready in the VIP room.

We’ll change here and head straight out.”

Lee Yeon’s shopping bag instantly became useless.

At the entrance, a line of staff was already waiting.

When Ha-yul gave her name, a senior-looking staff member stepped forward to guide them.

“You can leave your belongings here, then change into gowns.”

The VIP room came with its own lockers.

“Wow… what is all this?”

Along one wall hung rows of dresses, with accessories, shoes, and handbags neatly displayed—everything curated for easy viewing, like a private boutique.

“Is the head stylist on break?”

It looked like the staff had finished setting up and stepped out for a moment.

The immaculate display only deepened Lee Yeon’s sense of awe.

The world of the rich was truly something else.

“This way, please.”

Once the two reemerged in gowns, a hairstylist was assigned to each of them.

“Um… just a heads up, I’ve been wearing a wig.

My real hair might be a bit of a mess underne

ath.

Sorry in advance.”

“No worries at all!

Some clients don’t wash their hair for days before coming in.

Honestly, your wig’s in great condition—you must’ve taken good care of it.

Let’s start with a shampoo.

This way, please.”