TUW | CHAPTER 38

Chapter 38

So the Rumors Were True?

‘You got a boyfriend?’

A chill settled over Jihoo’s darkened expression.

No matter how many times he thought about it, the words drained his strength.

Ever since the day Lee Yeon mentioned a boyfriend, Jihoo couldn’t hear that word without his anger boiling over.

He had thought it was a blessing she was disguised like that.

That no one else would dare covet her.

But someone had stolen her away in the meantime.

The shadowed face of Jihoo began to twist, until at last he wore a crooked smile.

After all, a boyfriend was something he could take from her.

He calculated whether he still had a chance.

When would he finally see Lee Yeon’s true face again?

None of his carefully laid plans were working out.

He had thought by now he would have seen her as she truly was.

But it hadn’t gone his way.

On Monday morning, the thought consumed him again.

That was when Yeonjeong came bustling noisily into the office, causing a stir.

She began to call people over from every corner.

“Everyone! Hurry and gather around!”

“Deputy Kang, what’s all this noise on a Monday morning?”

Though it was a bit loud, Yeonjeong’s gossip was rarely ordinary.

That was why it was interesting.

Jihoo moved closer, eager to hear.

“Guess what I saw yesterday?”

Yeonjeong’s voice was thin and dramatic.

Even people from neighboring teams perked up their ears, curiosity written all over their faces.

“I was at the department store, and guess who I saw?

This tall, handsome man walked past, and I thought, wow, he’s gorgeous!

And then I realized—it was our vice president!

I couldn’t see him up close, but he wasn’t far away either…”

“You should have bought a lottery ticket.

It’s not every day you see the VP out and about.”

“And how is that such a big deal?”

The faces that had been expectant now turned to disappointment.

“Wait until you hear!

Beside him was this stunning woman in a flowing dress.

I swear it looked like the wife everyone’s been whispering about!”

“Really?

Then the rumors about the VP being married are true?”

Up until now, without articles or eyewitness accounts, most of the female employees dismissed it as nonsense.

But this was a firsthand sighting.

“She was so beautiful it made me jealous.

I couldn’t stand it.

So of course I snapped a picture!

Here, look.”

The photo showed the two of them standing together, smiling tenderly at one another.

Lee Yeon’s full figure was caught in the shot, her beauty striking enough that anyone might mistake her for a celebrity.

“Wow… she really looks like a star.”

“No way she’s just an ordinary person.

I’ve never seen looks like that in real life.”

“Let’s keep this between us.

If it spreads, we’ll all be in trouble.”

Jihoo, who had been quietly listening, shot to his feet.

“No way.”

“Um, Jihoo?

What’s ‘no way’ supposed to mean?”

“Deputy, could I see that picture?”

“Of course.

As much as you like.”

Yeonjeong handed over her phone.

Jihoo stared intently at the screen.

He even zoomed in.

The more he looked, the more his eyes hardened.

It was Lee Yeon, smiling happily beside Do-hyun.

“This can’t be.”

He looked again.

And again.

Every photo told the same story.

That face was unmistakably hers.

How could this be?

How could they have gotten married so suddenly?

The night they first met and had dinner together, she hadn’t seemed like someone with a boyfriend at all.

Yeonjeong tapped him lightly on the shoulder.

“Jihoo, do you know her?”

Not exactly a secret only to him.

Jihoo returned the phone with a forced grin.

“I thought I did, but I guess not.”

He laughed as if it had been a mistake.

But the conclusion was clear.

The rumor was that Do-hyun and Lee Yeon were married.

Jihoo headed straight for the floor where Lee Yeon worked.

The ride up in the elevator was brief, but countless thoughts rushed through his mind.

“So the one who stole her away was Do-hyun?”

And he already knew her other face as well.

Jihoo slowed as he approached.

From a distance, he could hear the sound of their laughter.

“Lee Yeon, this is negligence.”

“Me?

I was working so hard!”

To anyone else, it might sound like playful bickering.

But Jihoo could hear the difference.

The voice of a woman in love.

And Do-hyun, who was always sharp and brimming with tension, was smiling—his guard completely lowered.

A smile reserved for Lee Yeon alone.

To Jihoo, it was the smug smile of a man who had everything.

He had come to ask about the photos, but now he saw it with his own eyes.

There was no denying it.

He had never even had a chance.

Where had he gone wrong?

Now, to win her, he wouldn’t just have to overcome a boyfriend.

He would have to take her from her husband.

All his plans were meaningless now.

The anger and frustration burned hotter the longer he thought about it.

His fists trembled, but Jihoo turned away without a word.

His footsteps were quiet, but his heart was thunderous.

“Hm?”

Lee Yeon, still smiling from their banter, widened her eyes.

“What is it?”

“Didn’t you hear something just now?”

“No.

Nothing at all.

Are you changing the subject?”

“No, maybe I misheard.”

“I like this side of you.”

Do-hyun’s sudden confession caught her off guard.

The love in his gaze only deepened his perfection, making him even more captivating.

With eyes overflowing with affection, he whispered low.

“Maybe if you look like this, the pests won’t hover around so much.”

“But someone could still be drawn to me, the same way you were.

You should stay alert.”

In an instant, the sparkle in Do-hyun’s eyes darkened.

“Then I’ll twist that bastard’s body until he can’t.

But why do I feel like you want them to hover around you?”

“You know I didn’t mean that.”

Her whisper was soft.

“I know.

Of course I do.

Ah—don’t forget we’ve got a meeting.”

Without another word, Do-hyun stepped into his office.

‘What meeting?’

Lee Yeon hurried after him, too flustered to even check the schedule.

Do-hyun, as if waiting, pressed a button on the remote in his hand.

The once-transparent glass walls of the office turned opaque.

“Why… why did you do that?”

Startled by the sudden shift, she stammered.

“We’ve got a meeting.”

“Good luck, then.

I’ll step out.”

She turned to leave.

But Do-hyun moved in close, pressing against her back.

His solid frame made her flinch.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, he buried his face in her shoulder and sighed.

Then he drew in her scent, deep and slow.

“You’re not going anywhere.

My meeting’s with you.”

“What kind of meeting?”

“A meeting of love.”

He rubbed his cheek lightly against her shoulder, eager to breathe in every trace of her fragrance.

“Just five minutes.

That’s all I need.”

“Only five.”

Even five minutes in her arms was enough to wash his stress away.

He turned her gently to face him.

Her loose white blouse and navy skirt were nothing remarkable.

But to him, she had never looked more beautiful.

No matter the outfit, Lee Yeon was always dazzling.

“Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That a meeting of love… goes like this.”

His lips found hers.

Fear of someone walking in only heightened the thrill.

The opaque glass cut them off from the world outside, but the risk still lingered.

It made the kiss all the sweeter.

Do-hyun’s lips were tender as they claimed hers.

“Me too.”

Even something as simple as sharing a meal with him filled her with joy.

Sitting side by side on the couch made her heart full.

Lee Yeon was beginning to understand what people meant when they talked about newlyweds being all sugar and honey.

Their meeting of love stretched from five minutes to ten before it finally ended.

Lee Yeon returned to her desk, glancing once more toward the opaque glass.

Her days were brimming with Do-hyun now.

So much happiness, it overflowed.

She almost wondered if it was too much.

But every morning she woke without a care, knowing she’d see him across from her at work.

She wished it would last forever.

There would be hardships and trials, yes.

But with Do-hyun, she believed they could endure anything.

Just then, a company-wide announcement arrived.

[Notice of Company Dinner Location]

It was about the gathering scheduled for the next day, with details of attendees, venue, and menu.

Wuseong Card held such dinners twice a year.

As Do-hyun’s subordinate on the org chart, Lee Yeon was invited.

Most colleagues weren’t welcoming, but there were a few who looked out for her.

“Which teams will be there this time?”

She checked the list.

Jihoo and Yeonjeong’s names were on it.

She would be attending alongside them.

Do-hyun probably wouldn’t like it.

But th

e dinner was already set.

Nothing she could do.

‘It’s not like anything will happen.’

Pushing down her unease, she turned back to the work she had delayed thanks to their so-called meeting.