TGT 14

I’m Doing It Because I Want To

“Because the chairman personally asked me.”

As the corners of Jeho’s eyes curved gently like a bow, Yulri felt a sharp pain in her chest and quickly drew in a breath.

What’s so special about that little smile…?

She was more annoyed at herself for failing to defend properly than at him for suddenly pressing forward. When Yulri stayed silent with a cold expression, Jeho continued.

“If you’re feeling pressured, don’t worry. I’m doing it because I want to.”

“Why?”

She frowned, unable to understand his words.

“…Hmm.”

Instead of answering right away, Jeho slowly lifted the corner of his lips. Then he bent slightly, lowering himself to meet her eyes.

“Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

“Yes. I don’t know.”

“That’s disappointing. I thought I was being brave when I said it. Did you already forget?”

“What are you talking about?”

Yulri shot him an irritated look. She didn’t like how he threw out riddles and then watched her reaction.

And then suddenly, she remembered what he had said.

―I can’t let a woman who keeps drawing my eyes—and troubling my heart—walk alone at night.

No way. That can’t be the reason.

That was just a mischievous joke made under the influence of alcohol.

As if reading her thoughts, Jeho’s lips slowly curved upward.

“That’s right. What you’re thinking.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Because you keep drawing my eyes. And troubling my heart.”

He stepped closer as he spoke slowly, almost savoring the words. Yulri instinctively stepped back.

“Then of course…”

He paused briefly and let out a short breath before locking eyes with her.

“I start wanting.”

The intention behind his words had subtly changed. It didn’t seem like he only meant wanting to design her house.

His dark gaze toward her shone sharply with something unclear—but intense.

“Have you never wanted something desperately? So much that you couldn’t sleep?”

What if someone heard him?!

Startled, Yulri quickly looked around. Thankfully, everyone had already left. Only the two of them remained in the office.

Was he teasing her on purpose because no one was around?

Taking a deep breath, she gripped the strap of her bag tightly.

“Anyway, let’s forget about the newlywed house design. I’ll speak to the chairman myself.”

After finishing quickly, she turned and left the office at once.

It might have been rude, but she didn’t care. If she stayed even a little longer, she would get swept up by him again.

She would have to face him tomorrow anyway, but for now, she just wanted to get away.

Almost running, she headed for the elevator. Fortunately, the doors opened as soon as she arrived.

Only after the elevator began descending did she finally lean back against the wall and let out a relieved breath. In the mirror across from her, her pale face was reflected.

She looked like someone being chased.

Honestly, she was scared. But not of Jeho.

She was afraid of herself—of how she might react.

She didn’t even know exactly what he meant by wanting, yet her mind had gone blank and her heartbeat was racing uncontrollably. On top of that, her face felt like it might burst into flames.

“You… I really don’t like you.”

She bit her lower lip, scolding her foolish self.

Why couldn’t she face him confidently? Because he was her first love?

With a bitter smile, she shook her head and looked into the mirror again.

The woman in the reflection looked anxious, as if afraid some hidden truth might be exposed.

Ten years ago, and even now…

The very uncomfortable truth that she was still drawn to Kwon Jeho.

“Ha…”

Yulri sighed deeply and leaned back in the driver’s seat.

She tried starting the engine several times, but it wouldn’t start. Nothing seemed to go right today. The car had been perfectly fine this morning—why was it acting up now?

She tried one last time. Still nothing.

With no choice, she got out of the car. She had hoped to leave before Jeho came down, but she was too late. The elevator doors opened and he stepped into the underground parking lot.

“What’s wrong?”

He walked toward her quickly.

She could have brushed it off, but perhaps because she had been tense all day, she honestly explained.

“The car won’t start.”

“May I take a look?”

Without answering, she stepped aside so he could get in.

After checking the dashboard briefly, Jeho pressed the service button installed in the car. A beep sounded, and a gentle voice came through the speaker.

[24-hour emergency service center. How may we assist you?]

“The engine won’t start. Can you run a diagnostic on the vehicle?”

[Yes, please hold on.]

After speaking with the service center staff, Jeho rolled down the window.

“They say the car needs to be taken to the service center. A tow truck can come in about an hour. Do you want to wait, or should we ask them to come tomorrow morning?”

“Tomorrow morning is fine.”

He nodded and finished the call before getting out.

“They’ll come at 8:30 tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you.”

She smiled awkwardly and locked the car with her smart key.

Idiot. Why didn’t I think of pressing the service button?

She felt ridiculous for wasting time without handling it properly.

She tried to slip away before he offered her a ride—but before she could take more than a few steps, he grabbed her arm.

“That way isn’t right. This way.”

He gestured toward where his car was parked.

“It’s fine. I can take a taxi.”

“Is that necessary? We’re heading the same direction anyway.”

She couldn’t refuse again, so she followed him.

When she got into his car, she noticed a subtle, calm masculine scent.

Strangely, the atmosphere felt different from when he had driven her car.

Like the difference between a home game and an away game.

It was just a ride—why was her heart racing like this?

She quietly steadied her breathing.

But even after she waited, the car didn’t start.

Confused, she turned her head slightly. At the same moment, he leaned toward her.

“—!”

For a brief second, she felt warm breath brush her lips. Startled, she closed her eyes without thinking.

“Ha.”

A low chuckle flowed by her ear.

Click.

The sound of the seatbelt buckle locking followed.

When she carefully opened her eyes, he was already back in the driver’s seat.

“You weren’t putting on your seatbelt, no matter how long I waited…”

So he had only fastened her seatbelt for her.

But because she had turned her head—

She glanced at his side profile in confusion. She thought their lips had touched, but it had been so quick she wasn’t sure.

Judging by his calm expression… maybe not.

“Next time.”

His low voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Don’t close your eyes like that. It makes me misunderstand.”

“What?”

She stared at him, stunned.

He paused before starting the engine and looked at her.

“Oh, sorry. Was it not a misunderstanding? Did you want it too? My mistake.”

He teased her as he started the car.

Instead of snapping back, she kept her mouth shut and turned to stare out the window.

If she answered now, she would only get dragged in again.

They didn’t exchange a single word until they arrived at her house. He drove silently. She gripped her bag strap tightly and stared outside.

As soon as the car stopped, she quickly unbuckled her seatbelt before he could.

“Thank you for today. Drive safely.”

She got out without waiting for his reply and quickly shut the door.

Watching her almost run into the house, a dry smile formed on Jeho’s lips.

Once she completely disappeared from view, he slowly brushed his thumb over his lips.

They still felt slightly numb, as if burned.

It had been incredibly brief—

But intensely vivid.

Unbelievably sweet lips.

“Ha.”

Staring at the tightly shut gate, Jeho let out a bitter laugh and slowly drove away.

That night, Yulri couldn’t fall asleep because her heart was pounding too hard. She barely managed to doze off near dawn.

Skipping breakfast, she went to work early and had her car towed by the service center. Everything went smoothly, and she wasn’t late—but she already felt exhausted before starting work.

At least one good thing was that Jeho left her alone today.

She had worried all night that their lips might have actually touched. But judging by his indifferent attitude, it must have only been her cheek that brushed him.

If their lips had touched, he definitely wouldn’t have stayed quiet. He would have teased her about it.

“Was the car towed safely this morning?”

Only at the end of the workday did Jeho speak to her.

Afraid he might offer to drive her home again, she quickly organized her desk.

“Yes, thanks to you. I spoke with the service center earlier. They said there’s an engine problem, so it’ll take about a week to repair. See you tomorrow.”

She spoke rapidly without giving him time to respond, grabbed her bag, and hurried out of the office.

Once again, the elevator doors opened right away. She glanced back nervously and quickly stepped inside, pressing the close button repeatedly as the doors slowly shut.

It might look cowardly, but she couldn’t help it.

Her condition was terrible right now. Once she got proper sleep and felt normal again, she wouldn’t have to run away starting tomorrow.

“Right. Running away ends today.”

She muttered to herself.

“…Huh?”

Suddenly, the bright elevator lights began flickering.

Yulri looked up at the ceiling uneasily. A bad feeling crept over her.

The elevator doors slid open at the underground parking lot.

Relieved, she hurried toward the exit—

“…!”

She froze.

Jeho was standing right in front of the doors.