TUW | CHAPTER 40

Chapter 40

Isn’t This Too Bold?

Yeonjeong’s attention shifted to Jihoo.

Before she knew it, she was firing off all the questions that had been swirling in her mind.

After wetting his throat with a sip of beer, Jihoo set down his glass and spoke.

“After graduating from college, I did date a few people.

But I realized there was still someone I couldn’t forget.”

“You had someone you liked, Jihoo?”

Yeonjeong coughed in surprise.

That was when it happened.

“Good evening, Vice President!”

Wasn’t the main character supposed to make a late entrance?

Dohyun appeared like the star of the night.

“No need to stand.

I just dropped by for a moment.”

“Still, at least sit down for a bit and have some meat before you go.”

Yeonjeong and the other women tried to insist he join them.

“I only meant to settle the bill and leave, but since you all insist, I’ll stay for five minutes.”

“Wow!”

The female employees cheered.

Tch.

Iyeon couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy at how natural Dohyun seemed in such situations.

It was obvious he would be surrounded by women wherever he went.

Whether it was the staff’s suggestion or his own, Dohyun accepted the seat and began making his way inside.

And his steps were headed toward where Iyeon sat.

He wouldn’t openly come this way, would he?

He wouldn’t.

Usually, executives sat with department heads.

Lower-ranked employees tended to feel too intimidated to share a table.

But then—

“Secretary Yoo, you’re here too?”

That wouldn’t caught her off guard.

From above her bowed head, Dohyun’s voice dropped down.

As he approached, the employees at the table hurried to their feet to greet him.

“Good evening, sir.”

Dohyun gave them a small nod in return but remained standing close to Iyeon, leaning in over her.

Feeling the weight of his gaze on the crown of her head, she looked up and met his eyes with a faint smile.

“I’ll move over.

Vice President, please sit here.”

“Set a place here, please.”

Reading the situation, Yeonjeong quickly slid into the seat beside Jihoo.

Manager Kim ordered a staff member to prepare Dohyun’s spot.

The speed with which utensils and dishes were rearranged was almost suspicious—like she’d been waiting for this exact opportunity.

And just like that, Dohyun took the seat beside Iyeon, looking both natural and unnatural at once.

“I won’t stay long.”

He reassured the staff not to worry about him taking too much of their time.

“Mr. Um Jihoo, have a drink.”

Dohyun was the first to offer to the person who had been catching his eye.

To others, it might have looked like he was being considerate.

But to Iyeon, the situation felt anything but safe.

She silently prayed Dohyun would hold his tongue.

Only now did she realize.

He hadn’t come over for any other reason than because he didn’t like seeing her at the same table as Jihoo.

“It’s an honor if the Vice President pours for me.”

It was a hollow sentiment.

Jihoo, seated across from the two of them, looked deeply uncomfortable.

Inside him churned a storm of emotions—anger, defeat, loss.

And among everyone present, only he could see it.

The way the two of them were conscious of each other.

The others were too tipsy, too oblivious to even imagine such a connection.

“Allow me to pour for you.”

Jihoo picked up a fresh soju glass and held it out toward Dohyun.

“I drove here, so just water, please.”

“You’re really leaving soon?

We don’t mind.”

Yeonjeong tried to coax him gently.

“I mind.”

It was a warning not to push further.

Somehow, she always seemed to know when to quit and when not to.

Realizing her mistake, Yeonjeong fell silent with a small wince.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Dohyun raised his glass for a short toast.

Everyone followed suit.

Iyeon also lifted her glass, reaching forward to clink it with the others.

And then—

Poke.

“Ah.”

Her grip slipped, and with a small gasp, she dropped her glass.

Luckily, it hadn’t been raised high and held only a little liquor, so nothing broke and little was spilled.

“Secretary Yoo!

What’s wrong?”

Yeonjeong asked in alarm.

Just as she’d been about to clink glasses, something had pressed unexpectedly against her knee.

Dohyun’s finger.

He had poked her without warning, startling her into letting go.

Explaining that would be impossible.

Why are you poking me like that?!

She wanted to glare at him but couldn’t.

No one could know what had happened under the table.

Poke.

He did it again.

Like a puppy begging for attention.

Should she ignore him?

Why in the world was he poking her knee of all things?

Maintaining a polite smile, Iyeon calmly refilled her glass and raised it.

“Cheers.”

She tilted it to her lips, though her mind was consumed with the fear that someone might notice his behavior.

Unless they ducked under the table, they’d never see how quick and subtle it was.

Still, it made her anxious.

Slowly, she slid one hand under the table.

If he poked her one more time, she’d catch him.

Poke.

The moment he did, she caught his hand.

But instead of pulling away, Dohyun wrapped his fingers around hers, enclosing her hand along with his own.

Her eyes widened.

And just then, she met Jihoo’s gaze from across the table.

She quickly looked away.

Isn’t this way too bold?

The secret grip lasted only a moment before he let go.

So that’s why he’d kept poking—he’d wanted her to hold his hand.

Barely managing to bring her freed hand back above the table, she heard Jihoo speak.

“Vice President, I’ve heard you’re married.

What kind of person is your wife?”

Jihoo smiled faintly as he asked, but there was a seriousness beneath it.

The blunt question from a junior employee about a topic wrapped in rumor startled the others.

But curiosity quickly overtook them.

Was he really married?

What kind of woman was she?

“Yes, we’re curious too.”

Assistant Manager Kang chimed in.

Dohyun’s brow twitched, but then he deliberately answered.

“How should I put it…

Even from a distance, she shines when she walks toward me.

She loves her work, she’s responsible, positive.

Above all, she understands me and gives me her trust.”

He lowered his gaze as he spoke, each word soft and measured.

The room fell quiet, everyone listening closely.

“How did you meet her?”

“Hmm.

Like fate, I suppose.”

“How long did you date before getting married?”

It was persistence only a rookie would dare.

Dohyun’s eyebrow twitched again.

“Mr. Um Jihoo, why are you so interested in my wife?”

He disliked how Jihoo’s attention kept circling back to Iyeon.

Jihoo couldn’t know she was the wife in question, but his probing was still irritating.

“Oh, I was just curious.

You said it was fate, and it made me wonder what kind of person she is.

I’d like to meet someone like that too.”

“You will.

Sooner or later.”

So stop talking to my wife like you’re close to her.

Dohyun thought it but kept it to himself.

“I thought I’d met my fate already, but maybe not.

If it was real fate, do you think I’ll get another chance if I wait?”

Jihoo’s voice trailed off, low enough that few could hear.

When he fell silent, Kang picked up the thread.

“I actually saw the Vice President with his wife at the department store once!”

Iyeon nearly choked on her water.

They had been seen together?

She turned wide eyes on Kang.

“Did you see us up close?”

“No, not that close.

From a distance.”

“I see…”

“She was really beautiful.

When you said just now that she shines from afar, I understood what you meant.

So pretty she seemed to glow.”

“Of course.”

Dohyun smiled quietly.

Then he nudged Iyeon’s arm.

“Secretary Yoo, I think your phone’s vibrating.”

“…What?”

She checked her phone.

A message from Dohyun had just come in.

[Let’s go home together.]

[Okay.]

She wanted nothing more than to leave this gathering.

When he left, she’d follow.

She quickly replied.

“I should be going.”

Glancing at his watch, Dohyun rose.

He walked over to the department head and murmured his farewell.

Employees bowed as he passed.

He acknowledged them politely, then left, pausing only to cast one last look at Iyeon.

[Don’t leave right away.

Wait five minutes, then follow.]

She tucked her phone away and waited.

“I’ll head out first.”

“So soon?

Stay a little longer.”

Jihoo tried to stop her.

He didn’t know when he’d get another chance to see her outside of work.

But she shook her head.

“I’m not feeling well.

And everyone’s pretty drunk, so I’ll slip out quietly.

See you tomorrow.”

With that, she hurried off toward the parking lot.

The

wide expanse made it hard to spot Dohyun’s car at first.

She searched this way and that.

“Where is it…”

Then, between two rows of parked cars, she spotted the familiar vehicle.

She rushed over, opened the passenger door, and slipped inside.

“Haa…”

She was out of breath from hurrying.

“Yoo Iyeon.”

Dohyun reached over, pulled her close, and wrapped her in his arms.