I Think I've Poked a Sleeping Bear
Chapter 11
What Should I Do With You?
‘Th-that confession was a lie.’
It had been a mistake. He had pressed her too hard.
‘I do, do n-not like you, President. So you re-really don’t have to pay any mind to what I said! I’m t-truly fine!’
How flustered must she have been to answer like that—a woman who had claimed she even liked his scent?
‘What is it about me that you like so much, Dan-a-ssi?’
‘I like your smell, President.’
To be honest, it had been profoundly refreshing.
The fact that the reason for liking someone wasn’t just about looks.
For a man who had never even known the emotion of liking someone, it was an answer far beyond what he could have ever expected.
Was it perhaps because of those words?
‘Dan-a-ssi, are you all right?’
‘About what…?’
‘You like me.’
The reason he had pressed her in such a hurry the moment she congratulated him on his marriage.
‘I-I mean, if I could, I’d try confessing, but he has a… fiancée, so I’m just telling you guys, you know?’
‘I liked him for two years. Very, very much… Even though he’s getting married to another woman, happi… happiness, happi…’
He still remembered the expression on her face as she mustered the courage to wish him happiness.
That look, somehow awkward and so profoundly sad.
Yes, she was a woman who cared about my happiness to that extent.
How could she have said anything else?
I shouldn’t have backed her into a corner like that…
Recalling how she had barely squeezed out those words without even meeting his eyes, a heavy tightness settled in his chest once more.
Knock, knock—
A knock sounded and Do-hyun entered, but Iheon merely stared out the window without a twitch, like someone who couldn’t hear a thing.
“Chairman Kim of Unique has canceled the lunch appointment due to an issue with his son’s drunk driving. I’m planning to make a reservation at a nearby restaurant instead—is there anything specific you’d like to have?”
“…”
“President.”
When Do-hyun stepped closer and abruptly leaned in, Iheon flinched slightly.
“Do you not know how to knock?”
“I did knock.”
“…”
“Is there anything you’d like to eat for lunch? Just in case, I checked today’s cafeteria menu. You’ve had continuous appointments lately, so you haven’t visited the cafeteria in a while.”
Come to think of it, was she eating well?
Because she had forced herself to push him away with a lie, he worried she might have lost her appetite and skipped her meal entirely.
Stepping out of the office, Iheon walked toward the cafeteria without hesitation.
“As you requested, I have arranged an appointment with Baek Seorin-ssi.”
At the words from Do-hyun trailing behind him, Iheon’s steps ground to a halt.
His expression turned utterly blank, as if asking who Baek Seorin was.
Do-hyun looked at him with an intrigued, puzzled gaze.
“You told me to set up an appointment… with Dongyeon…”
‘The profit we stand to gain from this marriage is close to several trillion won. In the grand scheme of things, it will be the biggest project of your career.’
‘I heard you’re getting married soon, President. Congratulations.’
“Ah.”
Only then did Iheon grasp his reality.
His position, bound to marry.
A marriage built purely on calculated terms, devoid of emotion or heart.
Why had I forgotten what even she knew?
No, knowing all of this full well, what on earth had I been trying to do by grilling her?
Even if I heard the words that she liked me straight from Dan-a’s lips, what difference would it make?
In the end, I would marry the daughter of Dongyeon Group just as Chairman Ra Cheolmin wished, becoming nothing more than a sacrificial pawn for Saja.
And once Saja grew further, my younger brother Yi-on would inherit it all, while I would be pushed aside to some minor post.
Perhaps there wouldn’t even be a place left for me at all.
Even if Yi-on took his position, it didn’t matter.
No matter what anyone said, Yi-on was his brother.
It was merely the futility of knowing it wasn’t by his own will, but by their design.
I will probably live and die like that my whole life.
Marrying a woman who doesn't like me—let alone my scent—and existing as a puppet built to expand the company.
Because that is my life.
Because that is how I was raised.
Because… that is how I must live…
Therefore, I no longer have any reason to worry about whether Dan-a is eating well.
Halting his steps, Iheon turned around.
“President? Where are you going? The cafeteria is that way.”
“I’ll eat later.”
“Pardon? P-President? President!”
Having lost his destination, Iheon began to wander aimlessly.
Where was he supposed to go?
The corridors within the lion’s den stretched out like a maze.
No matter how far he walked, he couldn't see a way out.
It was right then that an unmistakable, familiar voice reached Iheon’s ears.
“Why do I have to put effort into forgetting the President?!”
What was that?
“If I love him, is there really any need to forget?”
The voice of the woman who claimed to love even his scent.
“There’s that saying, isn’t there? You can never forget your first love.”
Her desperate words poured out without pause.
“Wait, the President is your first love? That Ra Iheon?”
“Yeah! President Ra Iheon is my first love…!”
First love? Me?
Without a moment’s hesitation, he headed toward that sound.
As if, after all this time, he had finally arrived at his true destination.
***
Is this a dream?
Right, this has to be a dream.
Please let it be a dream.
I’m begging you, let it be a dream.
Confronting Iheon, Dan-a prayed and prayed with all her heart. And yet.
“Your first love… was it. I was, to Dan-a-ssi.”
Uwaaagh. Please, someone wake me up!
The President’s expression was so solemn and dead serious that it was terrifying enough to haunt her dreams.
Your first love… was it. I was, to Dan-a-ssi.
Your first love… was it. I was, to Dan-a-ssi.
Was it because they were in an emergency stairwell?
His voice echoed, sending what she had done ricocheting back into her ears and chest over and over again.
“Th-that is…”
Even if doing it once could be brushed off, how could she possibly confess that she had lied a second time?
On top of that, she had spouted all that nonsense pretending it was an epic love of the millennium.
If she claimed it was a lie now, would he even believe her?
And so what if you don’t believe me, President?!
What are you going to do if you don’t believe it?!
…Not that she could actually say that out loud.
Sweat beaded down her skin.
“President… Um, you see…”
“Haaah.”
The President exhaled a long, agonized breath and covered his face with his hand.
What on earth am I supposed to do with you?
It felt as though that exact line had just spilled from his lips.
“Y-you really don’t have to p-pay it that much mind…”
“How can I not pay it any mind?”
Because it’s all a lie, President!
It was a lie twice over, you know!
“You said it was love.”
You said it was love.
You said it was love.
Aaargh. Squawk. Aaaah. What do I do?
Since they were words she had spoken herself, he wasn’t wrong, but she couldn’t bear to hear them.
She covered her ears inside her mind.
“Enough that you don't even want to forget.”
Fine, I did say that.
But why does that matter?
You’re getting married anyway, President.
‘…Huh? Wait a second.’
Looking at him now, this man was going to get married soon anyway.
So why—just why!—did she have to cower like this?
Even if she loved him, they were never going to work out anyway!
Besides, if she confessed that the second time had been a lie too, and the President’s mood soured terribly, what if she got fired?
Right, since it has come to this, let’s go on the offensive!
The light in Dan-a’s eyes turned fierce and resolute.
Just like a rat driven into a corner.
“Wh-what does it matter to you?”
“What?”
“You’re going to marry another woman anyway.”
“Dan-a-ssi…”
“What does my heart matter? Even if my confession bothers you, President, you already have someone you’re going to marry.”
“…”
“I don’t want to be a side piece!”
…Crazy!
Someone please record what I’m saying.
No, hit the mute button!
“Please, just go your own way, President. I will go mine.”
Dan-a darted out of the emergency exit at the speed of light.
What do I do? I think I was a bit snippy with him…
Didn’t I even sound totally resentful to anyone listening?
Ah, whatever. As long as I don’t get fired, it’s fine. What’s the worst that could happen?
***
Rrrrrrrr.
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
The phones in the Public Relations Office began ringing incessantly, as if the place had caught fire. The section chief shouted,
“Nobody answer the phone!”
“Why? Did something happen, Section Chief?”
“I don’t know. They say the President broke off his engagement.”
What… did you say?
Oops! This isn't just a small thing—we're in huge, deep, trouble, aren't we?
