TUW | CHAPTER 51

Chapter 51

I Want to Scold You

Hoo.

Lee Yeon took a deep breath in front of the office door.

Knock, knock.

“I’ll do it. I will.”

Because of the rivalry burning quietly against Heera, flames that didn’t match Lee Yeon’s moist eyes blazed fiercely.

“I’ll eat our company cafeteria food with a smile, and I’ll look for better benefits, then introduce them well.”

She shone with genuine sincerity as she explained to Do Hyun.

Until yesterday, she had thought, What’s the point of me doing this?

It’s not like I’m a celebrity, and it’s not like filming matters. My friends speak better than I do anyway.

She had piled up reasons to refuse.

But something kept tugging at her.

Heera’s provocation.

She didn’t know why she had been singled out, but there was clearly intent behind that nomination.

Even if she were scolded or pinched or humiliated, she didn’t want to run away.

Do Hyun looked at her deep in thought, then strode closer, his long legs crossing the floor one step at a time.

He gently embraced her.

His hand carefully brushed her back.

“Do as you like.”

“Can I really just torment the other person as much as I want?”

There’s no guarantee I’ll be the one suffering.

Maybe I’ll just want to torment her.

“That’s bad behaviour, so you deserve punishment, Yoo Lee Yeon.”

Though he spoke sharply about punishment, his hand caressing her was infinitely tender, as if handling something precious.

“How would you punish me?”

His hand paused.

“Should I tell you tonight?”

His soft gaze darkened in an instant.

The word night alone was enough to heat her body.

Lee Yeon turned her head and let out a low sigh, trying to cool the rising temperature.

She was becoming accustomed to Do Hyun’s unrestrained expression of desire.

Now, she’d feel hurt if he held back.

She wanted him to reveal his emotions freely.

Forcing herself to change the subject, she remembered the filming scheduled for next week and shot him a sidelong glance.

But the thought of filming led back to Heera, and her eyes twitched sharply.

She pushed Do Hyun away slightly, crossed her arms, and lifted her chin.

“Then pick out my outfit tonight.”

The air, which had been warm a moment ago, turned sharp in her gaze.

“Why are you mad?”

Do Hyun tapped her cheek playfully, his eyes teasing.

“I need to raise my battle power. Pick my outfit for the shoot tonight.

You provoked me, so I won’t back down.

But my opponent is a celebrity, which means she’ll stop by a salon first.

How is that fair?

It’s way too unbalanced from the start.”

Her lips pouted deeply in real frustration.

“Can Jung Heera even be compared to Yoo Lee Yeon?”

What’s that supposed to mean?

She tilted her chin higher and glared at him with sharp eyes.

Compared to her? Compared to a celebrity? Does he not know how sensitive this is for women?

Her voice was icy.

“Do you mean… compared to a celebrity, I’m not even a rival?”

“I mean Jung Heera isn’t even a rival to Yoo Lee Yeon.”

A small laugh echoed near her ear.

His fingertip pressed gently on her forehead.

Her eyes fluttered closed and opened again.

“Don’t compare my woman to anyone.”

Thump.

Her chest ached with a dull, tightening throb, her strength slipping away.

She met Do Hyun’s gaze, heavy with pull, and felt as if she might be swallowed whole.

She was reminded once again of the immense happiness of having this man entirely to herself.

“Since my opponent is a celebrity, I’ll wear the flashiest dress I own.

Cameras capture sharper features better, so I’ll put on heavy makeup too.”

Hmph.

The little spark of jealousy spread like wildfire across her heart.

She could already picture the nasty comments that would soon follow.

So even Yoo Lee Yeon will face a day like this.

She used to hate the attention, always trying to cover herself.

But now, blinded by competitiveness toward a woman who coveted her man, she was declaring she’d wear bold makeup.

It was half-joking, but not without truth.

“How much more anxious do you want to make me? I’m already restless, so stop being so pretty.”

His hand brushed over her smooth cheek.

That tender touch transformed her jealous unease into a trembling flutter.

Suppressing the smile tugging at her lips, she stepped toward her desk.

“Time to get back to work. I still haven’t finished sorting the reports.”

She grabbed the doorknob, then glanced back at him.

Beneath his sharp nose rested a playful smile.

“Oh, and… tonight, I want to be the one who scolds you.”

The moment the words left her lips, she bolted out and shut the door.

Not that it hid anything.

The glass was set to transparent.

He could see everything.

Embarrassing, yes, but she had wanted to say it.

You’ve made me this jealous! Be ready to be punished!

After saying it aloud, she fled in shame, plopping down at her seat and switching on the mini fan.

Though the air was cool, her face burned hot.

She didn’t dare lift her head toward the office, but she could still feel the heat radiating out from Do Hyun’s body and gaze.

No doubt he was still standing there, replaying her words.

Turning stubbornly away from his office, she didn’t realise—

Do Hyun wasn’t just standing there.

He was heated through, eyes fixed on her like a wolf.

Lee Yeon raised the fan’s strength another notch to chase away the heat.

***

“Ugh, I should’ve just bought a new outfit.”

A week passed quickly, without incident.

The day of the Company Welfare shoot finally arrived.

Rising hours earlier than usual, Lee Yeon wrestled with her wardrobe after her shower, unable to decide what to wear.

It was nice to be woken up early, though.

It had been Do Hyun who woke her.

He had shaken her gently, reminding her she had much to prepare.

She had gotten up even before her alarm.

“Let’s go.”

“What? I’ve only showered.”

“You’ve showered, so let’s go. We’re headed to the salon.”

Salon?

“You said you don’t want to lose.

You deserve a professional’s touch too.

Otherwise, don’t complain when people post memes about Vice President Ahn’s ugly wife.

Don’t we already have enough floating around?”

He remembered what she’d said about Heera, about how unfair it felt.

Hiding his embarrassment behind words like fairness and ugly memes, he looked endearingly awkward.

“Thick makeup’s no good.

I’ll make sure it’s tasteful and suits you.

The clothes are ready too, so just head straight out.”

This man’s scale was incredible.

Just how far had he prepared things?

She felt ashamed.

While she had been thinking of just grabbing something from her closet and using her own makeup, he had planned to bring in professionals for her sake.

Before she knew it, she was in his car on the way to the salon.

“Thank you.

Thanks to you, I feel less anxious.

I don’t get along with cameras, but with the right makeup, I think I can face them with more confidence.”

“…”

“You might think this is my first time, but actually, that time I wore a dress to the event, Hayul took me to a salon too.

Even then, I realised makeup for shoots is different.

The techniques really make a difference.”

“Appearance is just extra.”

“Maybe, but… thanks to you, I think I’ll be able to look at the camera with more confidence.

I was nervous until this morning, but now I feel fine.

I’m really grateful. It means a lot.”

“Just be Yoo Lee Yeon, like always.”

Her nerves about filming had melted under his reassurance.

The car slowed to a stop in front of the salon.

Led inside by the staff, she took her seat.

The moment she entered, employees peeked at her from the doorway.

They seemed fascinated to see her in person.

“Oh my.”

One staff member covered her mouth as she approached.

“It’s been ages since I’ve seen someone this pretty without makeup.

I heard you’re filming Company Welfare.

I’ll make you look natural and fresh, like a true office worker!

You’re already so beautiful that even a light touch will shine. Leave it to me!”

The artist poured her heart into the work.

When it was done, Lee Yeon stood before the mirror, changed into her outfit.

The makeup was light, but the professional touch made all the difference.

Her skin glowed dewy and smooth, her eyes sharpened with delicate lashes.

Her hair was pulled up into a voluminous bun, sleek and clean without adornment.

Her beige lace blouse sparkled with tiny pearls at the collar, fitting her snugly.

The mint H-line skirt hinted at her figure, her low heels somehow adding a subtle sexiness.

It didn’t feel like she’d just come from a salon.

She looked effortlessly polished—exactly the concept of a stylish office worker.

With a coat draped over one arm, she stepped out.

“Because of Yoo Lee Yeon, this is trouble.”

Taking Do Hyun’s hand, she lowered her gaze in shy embarrassment.