"Spouses are welco to attend."
Despite clearly stating it in the last line of the invitation, the executive golf gathering had sohow morphed into a full-fledged couples' retreat.
Everyone had brought their significant other.
Since the event was originally intended as a casual get-together to exchange updates, Woo Ilhwa didn't voice any complaints.
But still—
"I should have brought Professor Seo instead."
Her side felt strangely cold.
—Honey, have you had lunch? I took Mother-in-law out to see the flowers.
Even with his demanding career, he remained as affectionate as ever.
It made her miss him.
—Why flowers all of a sudden?
Ilhwa opened the selfie Seo Seongyeok had sent—a picture of him and her mother standing in a field of blooming flowers.
Her lips tightened slightly.
—She’s been feeling unusually lonely these days.
—Why?
—You were away on a business trip, and Jaehee was staying at the hotel. The house felt empty. That’s when it started.
—We’re back now. Jaehee ca ho last night, too.
As an ONLY T personality type, Ilhwa responded without any visible emotion.
—He ca ho late and didn’t even show his face. You’re just as busy. I barely see you, either.
Seongyeok’s ssage carried a hint of resentnt.
But Ilhwa wasn’t easily swayed.
—What’s Jaehee doing now?
—He didn’t co downstairs all morning. Then, at so point, he just disappeared.
—He left? Without even greeting Grandmother?
—Yeah.
That brat.
What had him so preoccupied?
He even skipped the executive gathering…
Not that she expected him to enjoy it if he had co.
He would have been miserable here anyway.
Pausing mid-typing, Ilhwa looked ahead.
The executives and their spouses had clustered together, chatting endlessly.
She had quietly distanced herself from the group—and she wasn’t regretting it.
—He didn’t even unpack. Seems like he’s planning to leave again.
—Tell him to move into the Cheongnam-dong penthouse. The lease is ending soon.
—Didn’t I tell you? The tenant renewed. When I inford him, he seed like he was already considering looking for a new place.
—Looking for a place? Seo Jaehee? Himself?
—Yeah.
That wasn’t like him.
Jaehee wasn’t the type to willingly go through the hassle of house-hunting.
Sothing felt off.
—Does he hate living with us that much?
Seongyeok’s ssage carried a subtle trace of loneliness.
And guilt.
Ilhwa was about to type a response to reassure him when she was interrupted by the approach of Choi Gwangseon, Vice Chairman Kim Seoncheol’s wife.
“Chairwoman! I brought you so coffee. I hope I’m not disturbing your break?”
There was sothing suspiciously saccharine about her smile.
She was soone who was obsessively conscious of the wrinkles around her eyes—yet here she was, grinning widely.
Ilhwa sighed and sent a quick reply.
—Let’s talk later.
Then, turning to Gwangseon, she gestured politely to the seat beside her.
“Please, have a seat, Director.”
***
"I'm exhausted."
Suin groaned as she parked in the resident-priority section.
Dealing with the Yoo Ahjin fiasco had completely drained her, both physically and ntally.
“Mom… I’m hungry.”
By the ti she pushed open the door to Café Li, there was no trace of the composed and rational Lee Suin.
“I want Mom’s noodles, but…”
She had transford into a daughter whining for comfort food—but she wasn’t about to be the kind of inconsiderate daughter who demanded noodles in a macaron café.
And yet—
Right across the café, soone was blatantly slurping down a bowl of noodles.
“Jaehee ca by to visit.”
Jin Sukyung spoke casually, snapping Suin out of her daze.
She stared blankly for a mont before muttering under her breath,
“Why did you let him in?”
“How could I turn away the young master, visiting his forr housekeeper? Especially after ten years.”
Her mother laughed way too cheerfully, her ears and neck adorned with a matching set of sparkling jewelry Suin had never seen before.
Recognizing instantly that her mother had been bribed, Suin narrowed her eyes.
“You made noodles in a café?”
“He said he craved my noodles while living in the U.S.”
“You never made them for
because you said the sll would linger in the café.”
“Do you want
to make you so now?”
“No, thanks.”
Jaehee, having spotted her, waved enthusiastically.
It was the kind of motion one would use to call a puppy over.
Suin had no desire to respond, but since her mother was present, she had no choice but to approach.
“Executive Director, what brings you here?”
She kept her tone strictly formal, all while shooting him a silent warning.
‘Don’t say anything stupid. I’ll kill you.’
“…”
Jaehee wasn’t oblivious.
His eyes narrowed slightly but otherwise showed no reaction.
“Just stopped by to say hello.”
“You could’ve had your al elsewhere. Why impose on a café?”
“But this was my whole reason for coming.”
Suin silently motioned for him to get up, but instead, he casually lifted his chopsticks, picking up a strand of noodles.
Then, with a perfectly natural smile, he added,
“Have a seat, Chief Lee.”
“I have things to do. Enjoy your al.”
“You’re just going to leave
eating alone?”
“You’ve been eating just fine by yourself until now.”
Jaehee took his ti observing her stiff posture before briefly glancing toward the front.
“Welco! What can I get you?”
“I’ll have an iced Aricano, please.”
Jin Sukyung had turned her attention to a takeout custor, leaving them montarily unchecked.
Taking advantage of the mont, Jaehee leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.
“You know I ca to pick you up, right?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Suin answered just as quietly.
“Co on. We’re going on our trip.”
“When did I agree to that?”
“You didn’t say no.”
Jaehee smirked, his nose scrunching slightly in amusent. Then he stood, fastening the button of his suit jacket with a slow, deliberate motion before smiling again.
“Make up an excuse and co out. I’ll wait outside.”
“In this situation? No.”
Her mother was already on edge about imposing on the chairwoman—if she noticed this, she would beco even more anxious.
“Then should I stay here?”
“You’ll be waiting for a long ti.”
“That’s fine.”
The winner was already decided.
The only way to beat an unwaveringly stubborn madman was to be even more tenacious.
But Suin was far too rational for that.
Avoiding him was the only real solution…
How did I end up here…?
“Just go. Quickly.”
“Promise
first, good girl.”
His hand suddenly reached out.
Startled, Suin quickly clasped her hands behind her back and bowed her head.
“Yes, sir. Please take your leave, Executive Director.”
She took a respectful step back.
“Of course, Chief Lee.”
Jaehee, victorious, stepped away with his usual arrogance.
As he passed by the counter, he spoke in an overly friendly tone.
“Housekeeper, the noodles were delicious.”
“Did they taste the sa as before?”
“The exact taste I missed. Look, I finished the whole bowl.”
“That’s wonderful. It’s so good to see you after ten years, Jaehee.”
Jin Sukyung, beaming, reached for his hand.
Despite being a troublemaker as a child, Jaehee had never mistreated the household staff.
If anything, he had been one of the few people who treated them without condescension.
And, above all, he had always been sincere toward people.
Suin still rembered.
When Jaehee was twelve, one of the gardeners had lanted to the other staff that his mother needed expensive ergency surgery.
Jaehee, who must have overheard, had tried to withdraw a large sum from his own account—only to fail because he was underage.
Then, in an even bolder move, he had attempted to sell an antique celadon vase from the family collection.
Of course, the antique dealer had suspected theft and reported it, causing a huge uproar.
In the end, Chairwoman Woo Ilhwa had personally stepped in to help the gardener, and the incident was brushed off as a youthful blunder.
“Mom, I think Seo Jaehee is brainless. How could he be twelve and still not think things through? He should have just gotten arrested.”
Twelve-year-old Suin had clicked her tongue in disapproval at the ti.
Even now, Jaehee hadn’t changed.
“Housekeeper, your café is too small. Should I get you a bigger one instead of paying for the noodles?”
Still fearless, still absurdly extravagant.
Jin Sukyung burst into laughter.
“You’ve grown cheeky.”
“I’m serious, though.”
“Haha! You really take after your father. Smooth talker.”
Now fully grown, Jaehee had beco twice as handso and twice as broad-shouldered.
Jin Sukyung patted his back with genuine fondness.
If only it weren’t for Chairwoman Woo Ilhwa…
But still, so things were simply impossible.
***
“Keep your distance.”
As they left Café Li and approached his parked sedan, Suin issued a firm command.
Jaehee gave a half-hearted nod, but she wasn’t convinced.
She shot him a sharp glare, prompting him to finally say,
“I’ll wait a block away.”
Her heart was already starting to race.
But outwardly, she maintained her usual indifference.
“Where exactly are we going on this trip?”
“Since you took your sweet ti, sowhere close.”
“And what exactly are we doing there?”
“What do you think?”
Seated in the driver’s seat, Jaehee fastened his seatbelt and looked up at her.
A wolfish grin spread across his face.
“I’ll make sure you get plenty of rest after your hard work this week.”
Liar.
There was no way he was going to let her rest.
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