TUW | CHAPTER 21

Chapter 21

 Because I Want to Get Closer

Do-hyun couldn’t explain why two people who looked nothing alike seemed to overlap in his mind.

Since Yeon had gone to her family’s home over the weekend and only returned late at night, Do-hyun found himself on Monday morning, sitting in his office, stealing glances at her, chasing after whatever thread of similarity there might be between the two.

Looking this way, maybe it was their eyes when they smiled.

Her eyelids never fully closed when she laughed, and in that narrow sliver, it was as if tiny glass beads rolled around, sparkling.

Yeon’s bright, arresting eyes, the very same kind he had seen in that woman, kept him from looking away, if only for a moment.

Their voices, too, seemed a little similar.

But most of all, the scent he always associated with Yeon clung to that strange woman as well.

And then there was something else something that unsettled him.

That so-called gentle girl seemed to know him.

The way she startled, almost panicked, the instant their eyes met why?

Maybe she simply knew who I was.

That night, Do-hyun was about to leave early when he got a text from Hee-ra.

[Oppa, where are you?]

[I heard you were at the event, but why can’t I see you?]

If he met Hee-ra at that hour, it would only delay him getting home.

But more than that, he couldn’t stop thinking about Yeon, who was alone at the house.

Had she eaten?

What had she eaten?

What was she doing right now?

All of his thoughts and all of his attention were pulled toward the person waiting at home.

So when someone called out to stop him, calling him “Vice President” in that hurried, desperate way, it didn’t feel unfamiliar at all.

Yes, it was absurd.

He knew it was absurd, which was why he tried so hard not to dwell on it.

And when he arrived home that night, Yeon had indeed been there, resting peacefully.

Do-hyun cast a sidelong glance at her now, sitting properly at her desk.

But then he caught sight of a man slipping closer, step by step, toward Yeon.

Do-hyun’s eyes fixed on them, unwilling, unable to look away.

The man leaned an elbow on Yeon’s desk, casually invading her space, dipping his face closer as his lips moved.

“What the hell is that guy?”

At first, Yeon’s lips stayed neutral, but after a few words from him, the corners of her mouth curved upward, soft and bright.

A wave of irritation surged through Do-hyun.

Watching the two of them exchange smiles right before his eyes made his insides boil.

Heat, thick and oppressive, rose within him ready to erupt at the crown of his head.

Just who the hell was this fox that had wandered in here?

Most young men, especially those lower in rank, tended to feel uncomfortable on the executive floor.

They rarely came up, let alone dared to look at Yeon with such eyes, let alone grin at her like that.

But this guy?

Those sly, narrow eyes vanished completely when he smiled.

That sly grin, flashing shamelessly.

He was the very picture of a flirtatious fox of a man.

And Yeon smiled back.

Ha?

She smiled?

Because that damn fox said a few words?

Secretary Yu, really?

Is your smile that cheap?

I thought you weren’t the kind to laugh prettily for just any man.

Do-hyun considered buying her an eye mask anything to hide those crescent-moon eyes that curved so easily.

He didn’t even realise what he was thinking anymore.

He only knew he was glaring, eyes burning with fury, at the two of them.

But in truth, Yeon was only doing what she always did.

When employees from other departments came by, or when someone from a partner company dropped in, she greeted them, smiled, exchanged a few words it was her job as a secretary.

It had never bothered him before.

So why did it grate on him so much today?

Why did her smiling face, her laughing eyes, aimed at that fox of a man, feel unbearable?

She didn’t even seem to consider that Do-hyun might be watching from behind the glass office door.

A new recruit, wasn’t he?

Sure, fresh hires could be eager.

They might brim with curiosity.

But why the hell was he brimming with smiles, too?

Infuriating.

Do-hyun’s gut told him to put an end to this.

To break whatever rhythm the two had found.

He lowered the approval screen on his computer and opened Yeon’s chat window.

[Secretary Yu.

Don’t smile like that…….]

“What the hell am I typing?”

He hastily deleted it.

[Secretary Yu.

Step inside for a moment.]

He hit enter, then leaned to peek out, but Yeon hadn’t even glanced at her monitor.

She was still fixed on the fox’s face.

Should he call?

No, that was too childish.

Forget it.

Better to just walk out there.

Do-hyun rose from his chair and strode slowly toward the office door.

“Hello, Secretary Yu.”

Yeon, in the middle of organising the day’s schedule, lifted her head toward the voice.

***

Ji-hoo had appeared first thing on Monday morning, beaming with the eager smile of a new recruit as he looked down at her.

He didn’t seem to recognise her.

She had worried that her name might give her away, but for now it seemed she could set that fear aside.

Since he hadn’t recognised her, she had no reason to act like she knew him.

He was just another employee of the company.

So she returned a polite, faint smile.

“Yes, hello.”

Still wary, she lowered her voice a notch.

“Good morning.”

Ji-hoo’s grin didn’t fade.

His eyes still curved upward like folded crescents.

“Do you have business to report to the Vice President?”

Unable to endure his idle chatter, Yeon cut him off quickly.

“No.

I came to see you, Secretary Yu.”

…What?

Yeon froze, her head lifting slowly as she fixed him with a look.

Ji-hoo leaned against the table, meeting her gaze without flinching.

“Me?”

“Yes.

I’d like us to get closer.

I heard we’re the same age.”

How long had he even been here, and already he’d picked up details about her?

Probably from Kang Yeon-jung.

That girl’s tongue was as light as down she never thought twice about passing along gossip.

“Most people don’t really think about wanting to get close to me.”

“Then I suppose that means I won’t have any competition.”

Yeon side-eyed him.

What kind of nonsense was this suddenly showing up, saying he wanted to be friends?

“You shouldn’t throw yourself at just anyone like this.

It doesn’t look good.”

“I’m not asking you to date me.

I just want to be friends.

What’s so wrong with that?”

Some things never changed.

Ji-hoo was just the same as he had been years ago, inside and out.

The way he could talk anyone into a corner.

The way he lacked any sense of boundaries.

God, I really don’t want to be friends with you.

“Well… I suppose there’s no harm in wanting to be friends.”

She tried to wrap it up quickly.

No point dragging it out.

“Do you like movies?”

Movies?

Out of nowhere?

He really wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

“Doesn’t everyone?

I even go alone sometimes.”

Her answer made Ji-hoo’s mouth curve upward.

Apparently, he liked what he heard.

“Then how about that new sci-fi movie that just came out?

Want to go see it together?”

Yeon blinked. Sci-fi was her favourite genre.

Back in college, she’d never missed a release sometimes going alone, sometimes with friends.

Was it really possible he didn’t recognise her?

His words made her doubt.

“Why out of all genres would you pick sci-fi?

I hate sci-fi the most.”

She decided to test him, to see if he would slip.

“What?

You don’t like it?

But most women do.

That’s fine, though we can watch something else.

I’m not picky.

Even horror works for me.”

He didn’t falter.

Not a flicker of recognition. He just smiled lightly, deflecting perfectly.

“He’s the new recruit.”

A saviour’s voice cut through.

Do-hyun.

At some point, he had stepped out of his office and was leaning against the door, watching them.

Thank God.

His timing was impeccable.

“Yes!

Hello, sir.

My name is Um Ji-hoo!”

Recognising the speaker, Ji-hoo straightened, bowing deeply before standing upright again.

Yeon also rose partway from her chair, startled by Do-hyun’s presence.

“If you’re done, I’ll be taking Secretary Yu now.”

“Ah… yes!”

Catching the clear dismissal, Ji-hoo retreated to his seat.

“Why was that guy asking you to go to the movies?”

Apparently, Do-hyun had heard.

Was she imagining things, or was his gaze unusually sharp?

But why would he be upset just because Ji-hoo mentioned a movie?

“Well, I guess Ji-hoo just likes movies.”

“Then he should watch them alone.

Why drag you along?”

“He said he wanted to be friends.

Said we’re the same age.”

“Typical man’s bullshit.”

Do-hyun’s brow twitched.

Irritated, he raked a hand through his hair, though there was nothing to smooth.

“Sorry?”

She hadn’t quite caught his mutter.

Bull… what?

“I asked if you like movies too.”

“Yes.

Sometimes I go alone, watch a film, and eat popcorn.

It’s how I blow off steam.”

“Is that so?”

Do-hyun studied her, expression unreadable, then stepped closer, right up to her desk.

“It feels like it’s been a while since we ate together.”

That much was true.

She’d gone to her family home over the weekend, so their last meal together was some time ago.

“Then… how about we grab dinner sometime?

And if you feel like a movie… we could go see one together.”

Yeon’s eyes flew wide as full moons.

Did he just say what I think he said?

The Vice President asked me to go see a movie.

Her heart thundered against her ribs, threatening to burst out of her chest.

Her eyelids fluttered, trembling

uncontrollably.

Do-hyun exhaled a short, amused breath, watching her silent blinking, the corners of his lips tugging upward.

He cleared his throat, low and quiet, before speaking again.

“I was just curious what kind of films you like.”

So… you could’ve just asked, but instead you’re actually suggesting we go?

Her racing heartbeat wouldn’t settle no matter how hard she tried.