Perhaps because she had spent the past hour schooling Director Park Cheol-min in the hacker mindset, the attackers’ aggressive moves grew noticeably sluggish. Thanks to that, Yu-yeon finally had a moment to breathe.
Two years and four months ago, pulling two all-nighters in a row wouldn't have fazed her, but now just an hour of concentration completely drained her energy. Yu-yeon leaned back against her wheelchair, lamenting the reality that her stamina could not keep up with her will.
‘Once I get back to the hospital, I’m seriously going to exercise hard.’
Knock, knock. Amid her resolves, a knock came at the door. Kim Gi-baek’s voice sounded from outside.
Yu-yeon straightened her back and turned the wheelchair toward the door.
At Yu-yeon’s reply, Kim Gi-baek stepped into the office and gave a polite nod.
Chief of Staff Kim Gi-baek had a neat, pleasant appearance and a courteous demeanor. It was obvious at a glance that he had grown up under warm guidance in a good family.
Captivated by Yu-yeon’s lovely smile, Gi-baek momentarily forgot his errand.
He had thought her truly beautiful two years ago, and while it pained him to see how much weight she had lost since then, her radiant beauty remained unchanged.
To think someone like her was also exceptionally talented.
Stunning looks paired with tremendous competence. She was, in a sense, a female Choi Hyeon-myeong—yet she also seemed to possess the sociability and human warmth he lacked, filling Gi-baek with immediate respect.
Yu-yeon replied, pointing to the chestnut bread on the table.
Wondering if that was really enough, Gi-baek asked again.
Though she answered with a smile, Gi-baek could not brush it off so lightly.
Was it for the same reason she was in a wheelchair?
He couldn't help wondering what on earth had happened to this woman over the past two years.
A secretary shouldn't behave like this on duty.
It was the first time he had ever felt this way.
The moment he acknowledged Yu-yeon’s answer, bowed, and turned around, the door swung open. Hyeon-myeong walked in, his expression slightly guarded. With eyes demanding why Gi-baek was here, Gi-baek promptly stated his business.
It was always best to steer clear of Choi Hyeon-myeong when he wore that face, so Gi-baek quickened his pace. Yet Hyeon-myeong abruptly followed him out of the office.
When you attend to the same person closely for six years, you learn to read portents in the tone of their voice.
Executive Director Choi Hyeon-myeong’s voice as he called his name was vicious. This was the sign of the Killer Whale.
One wrong move from here, and someone might end up bleeding. Gi-baek turned around, his tone subdued.
Choi Hyeon-myeong stepped closer. Gripped by sheer tension, Gi-baek shrank his shoulders. Choi Hyeon-myeong’s large hand dropped heavily onto his shoulder.
The low voice, meant for no one else to hear, was chillingly menacing.
Pat, pat. Hyeon-myeong patted Gi-baek’s shoulder. Seen from afar, it seemed a calm gesture of encouragement.
“…”
Gi-baek’s wide eyes trembled. He realized that, dazzled by Hong Yu-yeon’s beauty, his normally sharp wits had overlooked a crucial fact.
Ah. It was her. The reason my boss changed.
And just like that, Kim Gi-baek’s crush was mercilessly severed a mere two hours after it had sprouted.
Having gently admonished Gi-baek, the man turned back around, his retreating figure as chilling as a killer whale returning to its lair after washing away the blood of a slaughter.
Hyeon-myeong asked upon returning to the office. The gaze that had looked ready to brandish an ax smoothed into gentle warmth the moment the door opened.
Hong Yu-yeon, completely oblivious to what had transpired outside, offered a gentle smile.
Hyeon-myeong, too, found room to breathe.
Pulling up a chair, Hyeon-myeong sat down beside Yu-yeon’s wheelchair. Watching him quietly before turning her eyes back to the monitor, Yu-yeon reached into the bread bag.
A quarter of the chestnut bread placed there an hour ago was already gone. Keeping her eyes fixed on the screen while pinching off tiny crumbs of bread like a pecking bird, she looked so endearing that Hyeon-myeong covered his mouth and laughed silently.
He wanted to pinch and squeeze those lips pouted in concentration on the monitor.
Even after witnessing her brilliance in full today, Hyeon-myeong had yet to shake off the shock that she was Dolsoe-hyeong.
Though she was right beside him, the woman seemed like a star shining brilliantly out of reach.
Where in the world could you find a Dolsoe this pretty?
He couldn't even say he had fallen for her all over again. He wondered if there had ever been a single day he hadn't been in love with her. Looking back, he had always adored her.
To be honest, I fell for you because you were pretty.
I fell for you because of your beauty, and I kept falling for you ever since. Even in those frustrating moments when you frayed my nerves, it was always the same.
After watching her in silence for a long time, Hyeon-myeong asked.
Even that lighthearted answer was adorable.
Perhaps reading something mischievous in Hyeon-myeong’s smile, her expression shifted as she firmly cautioned him. Hyeon-myeong bristled at the unpleasant name that had surfaced at the end of their pleasant chat.
The thought slipped right out of his mouth.
The eyes that had been darting about so vividly froze in an instant. Then, avoiding Hyeon-myeong’s gaze, she turned her head back toward the monitor and mumbled vaguely.
“…”
At Hong Yu-yeon’s deflating answer, Hyeon-myeong let out a dry chuckle.
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Yu-yeon quickly steered the conversation away.
“…”
“…”
Confessing a little secret with an awkward, sheepish giggle, she looked utterly lovely.
How could this be?
In a bleak world like this, how could something so breathtakingly lovely exist?
Because the moment was so precious, Hyeon-myeong suddenly felt a wave of fear.
As if this wasn't happiness meant for him. As if it might vanish at any second.
Turning away from his inner dread, Hyeon-myeong spoke calmly.
Having had a weakness for entertaining stories since childhood, Yu-yeon’s attention instantly snapped to his topic. But then.
“…”
…And what of it?
Yu-yeon’s nostrils flared.
This was the problem with good-looking guys. People laughed at whatever they did, so they actually thought they were hilarious.
Fine. He said it was a funny story, so let's laugh.
Oh, what a grand comedian Korea has been blessed with.
Yu-yeon offered a polite, hollow laugh, tearing off another piece of bread to stuff into her awkward mouth.
Right. The bread was delicious, so a courteous laugh was the least she could give. She tried to wrap it up like that.
Yet the man's story was not over.
“I'm going to kiss you.”