TUW | CHAPTER 36

Chapter 36

“Do Not Touch What Isn’t Yours”

“Haa…”

Lee Yeon let out a long sigh.

When Do-hyun had returned home yesterday, he hadn’t asked her anything.

Not a single question.

If anything, it was Lee Yeon who had wanted to ask him.

Why he had been so kind to Yeonhee yesterday.

Why he’d offered to take her home.

Why he had spoken with such gentleness.

She had thought that warmth belonged only to her.

But was it not?

The sky was clear above, yet in Lee Yeon’s eyes it looked heavy with dark clouds.

Because of Do-hyun, her heart had been endlessly happy just a few days ago.

But today, it was heavy with gloom.

Even her fingertips felt drained of strength, as if she had plummeted from some great height.

The more she thought about it, the drier her mouth became.

“Where are you going?”

“Oh… just something urgent.”

“What is it?”

“I’m thirsty.

I was going to get some water.”

As Lee Yeon rose weakly from her seat, Jihoo appeared.

She didn’t even have the energy to respond.

She didn’t want to think about anything at all.

“Ah, what?

I thought you were heading somewhere else.

What are you doing this weekend?

There’s this action movie—great reviews, supposed to be a lot of fun.

Want to go see it together?

Last time we talked about movies, I forgot to actually ask you.”

Jihoo caught Lee Yeon as she tried to leave, filling the air with his chatter.

The mention of a movie together made her brows tighten.

“Movies are best enjoyed alone.”

“That’s nonsense.”

“You’re the one talking nonsense.

Why would I go see a movie with you?”

“Coworkers can’t go see a movie together?

That’s harsh.

Fine then, you eat the popcorn, I’ll just sit next to you and watch.

You know that theater’s famous for popcorn, right?”

Popcorn, movies—everything felt like a chore.

She didn’t even have an appetite.

Lee Yeon gave a short, incredulous laugh through her nose.

“No.

Either way, I can’t.”

Her tone was firm, her refusal sharp.

Without engaging further, she picked up her tumbler from her desk and headed toward the break room.

“What’s wrong with coworkers going to a movie?” Jihoo pressed.

Lee Yeon stopped for a moment.

“Because you’re a man.

My boyfriend would be furious if he found out.”

The word boyfriend left her lips, and Jihoo’s expression froze instantly.

“Boyfriend?”

“Yes.

A boyfriend.

He doesn’t even like it if I so much as brush against another guy.

If he knew I went to the movies with one, he’d lose his mind.”

She wanted Jihoo to know she had a boyfriend—maybe then he’d finally leave her alone.

“When did that happen?

You didn’t have one before.”

Jihoo’s face twisted even further, but Lee Yeon didn’t notice.

“Yeah, I thought I’d never have one either.

But then, somehow, I did.

And if he even hears another man asked me out to a movie, he’ll get jealous.

His instincts are sharp—I’m scared he’ll find out.”

“No matter how sharp his instincts, he wouldn’t know if you didn’t tell him.”

“He’s sharp and observant.

He sees everything.

Feels everything.”

“At that point, he sounds like a shaman.

How would he see all the way from a distance?

Fine, I get it.

Lee Yeon’s refusal has been received loud and clear.”

Of course he knew.

Because of the wide glass windows.

Right now, that man was already glaring down at them from his office.

Do-hyun’s brow twitched, then furrowed.

Now his chin rested in his hand, eyes locked on them as if watching a TV drama unfold.

“Well, guess there’s no helping it,” Jihoo muttered.

Yes.

Now leave.

While his back was briefly turned, Lee Yeon looked up at the man she had mentioned and offered him a bright, guileless smile.

Her clear smile seemed to ease his mood; Do-hyun let out a short laugh, amused.

She realized then—this spot was dangerous ground.

When Jihoo looked at her again, she quickly smoothed her expression, pretending nothing had happened.

“I miss the old Lee Yeon,” he said suddenly.

She frowned, eyes sharp with suspicion.

“I want to see the beautiful Lee Yeon from before.

Sometimes I wish I could go back.”

Thinking back, she did have good memories from her college days.

But if asked whether she wanted to return, her answer would be no.

She had no desire to endure those painful experiences again.

No desire to wait all that time just to meet Do-hyun once more.

She was content now.

“Lee Yeon, can’t you take your glasses off, just once?”

“If you want nostalgia, do it alone.”

“Just… I want to see it.

It’s been so long.

Just one minute.

If you take off your glasses, maybe your old face will show through again.”

“I said no.”

“Come on.”

Jihoo reached for her glasses.

With her tumbler in hand, she couldn’t swat him away quickly enough.

She stumbled back instead.

Thud.

Her head jerked, and her glasses fell to the floor.

“Ah!”

Lee Yeon hunched forward, turning her back to him.

“Sorry, that was too much.

I didn’t mean to actually take them.

Are you okay?”

“What are you doing?”

Neither of them had noticed Do-hyun’s sudden presence.

He was right behind her now, standing so close he seemed to shield her.

“She dropped them because of me,” Jihoo stammered.

“Why are you putting your hands on someone else’s face?”

“I went too far.

I apologize.”

“Do not touch what isn’t yours.

Apologize to Secretary Lee, not to me.”

His words carried more weight than their surface.

Why did you try to touch what’s mine?

Lee Yeon’s head sank even lower.

“I’m sorry, Secretary Lee,” Jihoo muttered.

Lee Yeon only gave the faintest nod.

“Leave.

Now.”

Do-hyun’s voice was frigid.

So low it made her own skin prickle.

“Did you pick them up?”

“No… not yet.”

Ah.

Found them.

Lee Yeon finally grasped her glasses from the floor and slid them back on.

“Come with me.”

When Jihoo left, Do-hyun led Lee Yeon into his office.

One hand sunk deep into his pocket, he gazed out the window.

Lee Yeon stood far off, like a child awaiting punishment, watching only his back.

He turned, then looked away again, caught in a silent cycle—as if restraining words he wanted desperately to speak.

“Yeah.

A lot,” he said at last.

Lee Yeon startled at his abrupt reply, as if he had been waiting for her unspoken question.

“I tried to ignore it, but it burned too much.”

“…”

“I was going to wait until you told me yourself.

But that sly bastard scratched my patience raw.”

Her chest tightened.

What was he going to say?

Her throat and lips grew parched as she waited.

“Why the hell was he trying to take off your glasses?”

“I… don’t know.”

“Does he know too?

The real Lee Yeon?”

Her head shot up.

Her pupils trembled violently.

“Vice President… how did you know?”

She didn’t hear anything else.

Only that.

“Do you think I’m such a fool I wouldn’t recognize my own woman?”

Her mouth fell open, words failing.

“Why did that man find out before I did?”

She searched his face carefully, afraid he might say he was disappointed in her for keeping it a secret.

But there was no disappointment.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.

I didn’t mean to deceive you.”

Avoiding his gaze, she answered quietly.

But yes, it was still a deception.

Then his warm hand cupped her cheek.

She lifted her eyes to see Do-hyun smiling softly at her, as if to say it was all right.

His fingers kneaded her cheek playfully, refusing to let go.

She didn’t want to stop him.

He remembered the day he’d asked her to handle some documents.

Lee Yeon had texted him saying her friend had already arrived downstairs.

How am I supposed to find this friend?

[I had some work, so I gave the documents to my friend.]

Even in her rush, she had sealed the documents again before handing them off.

That was Lee Yeon—thorough, meticulous.

When he arrived in the lobby, he spotted the person instantly—standing in the center, staring straight at him.

A woman.

At the event, she had been introduced as Hayul’s close friend.

Her name was Yeonhee.

Were the three of them friends?

As he approached, her scent drifted toward him.

Lee Yeon’s scent.

Just like before.

His eyes lingered.

Then locked onto hers.

Clear, round eyes so much like Lee Yeon’s.

He couldn’t look away.

Memories he couldn’t quite place stirred uneasily.

It wasn’t her rare beauty, nor the curves that drew stares.

It was something else.

The way she had looked startled when their eyes first met.

The way Hayul had sat across from her.

Those eyes, as if they knew him—eyes just like Lee Yeon’s.

“I’ll be going now,” she said quickly.

Her desperation to escape was obvious.

Lee Yeon, who always tried to hide herself.

The sudden disappearance of freckles.

Eyes blurred to make her look smaller.

The familiar fragrance clinging to this stranger.

And now—this woman, trying to run.

…Ha.

Do-hyun barely held back a laugh.

That a disguise could create such a different person—it was almost amusing.

The dress, airy and flowing, fit her perfectly.

The wavy hair suited her so well.

Now he understood why she had chosen to disguise herself.

But he wanted this version too.

To keep it, to claim it.

He hated the thought of other men looking at her.

“Wait a moment.”

There was one more thing he needed to confirm.

He asked if she had any urgent plans.

He worried she might say yes, but flustered, she denied it.

Relieved, he brought her with him, though he hadn’t thought of an excuse.

He seated her and told her to wait while he entered a meeting.

There’s only one way.

At last, he handed her his card, asking her to fetch some snacks.

Knock knock.

A gentle knock came a few minutes later, and Lee Yeon entered carrying coffee and cookies.

Even the way she walked—light, careful—was endearing.

Others looked at her too, and it unsettled him deeply.

If he could, he would have hidden her away, where only he could see her.

She had always been beautiful.

But like this?

Even more so.

Exhausting, perhaps, because it meant he had to guard her from

other men.

Unaware of his thoughts, Lee Yeon set down coffee and cookies one by one at each seat, her meticulous habit showing.

Coffee on the left, snacks on the right.

Yes.

Now he was certain.

Welcome back.

The real Lee Yeon.