I Think I've Poked a Sleeping Bear
Chapter 17
The Ra Iheon Project ‘Dating and Getting Married’ - Mission #1. Date
“Hyung!”
Yi-on kicked open the door to the President’s office and barged in. Lee Heon, who had been working, frowned at the sight of him.
“What are you doing here during business hours? Don’t you have work to do?”
“Is work what matters right now?”
“Then what is the problem?”
“I mean, your marriage—Hyung, your style really changed, didn’t it? That dress shirt looks great. Where is it from?”
Having switched to a smart-casual look some time ago, Lee Heon looked down at his clothes.
“Ah, this…?”
“Ah, right. That’s not what’s important! Hyung, what’s this about you calling off the marriage?”
Why did Yi-on know about this instead of Yeon-sook?
Lee Heon narrowed his eyes and slid his gaze behind Yi-on.
Standing there flustered, Do-hyun hurriedly closed the President’s office door and fled.
Lee Heon raised an eyebrow.
“Secretary Kang seems to have reported to the wrong person.”
“Hyung, just tell me. Why on earth aren’t you getting married? Is there an issue with the company? Did some scandal break out with Dongyeon Group? I heard it wasn’t because of a woman, so what is it then?”
It is because of a woman, though.
“Is that what Secretary Kang said? That it’s not because of a woman?”
“Yeah. He was very firm about that not being the reason.”
Even after watching me by my side all this time.
He still hasn’t even imagined that this broken engagement is because of Lee Dan-a.
“It’s true. It is because of a woman.”
“…Huh? What?”
“You asked me before, didn’t you? Whether I had a woman I liked, too.”
Of course, it wasn’t that he had a ‘woman he liked,’ but rather a ‘woman who liked him.’
Not that there would be any need to split hairs over that moving forward.
Since they had agreed to date, what was hers was his, and what was his was hers.
Her liking him would now turn into him liking her.
“I’m going to marry that woman.”
“What? M-Marry?”
“Yes. Marry.”
“So that’s why you broke the engagement… Hyung, how could you…”
“No matter what you say, I won’t reverse the break—”
“Holy crap! Hyung! You’re marrying the woman you love! I’m getting a hyeongsu-nim!”
Yi-on looked at Lee Heon with deeply moved eyes.
Hyeongsu-nim.
The ring to it wasn’t bad.
Lee Heon smiled with deep satisfaction.
Yet Yi-on’s face was even brighter.
“What kind of woman is she? No, who is she? Is she from Bear Group? Mirae Construction? NG Electronics? Is she from Navy? Navy Pay, Navy Webtoon, Navy Labs…?”
“Saja Group.”
“…Huh?”
“Lee Dan-a-ssi, from Saja Group’s Public Relations Office.”
Who on earth is that?
Yi-on blinked rapidly.
“She’s just a regular employee at our company.”
“Ah, she’s just an employee at our company.”
So you’re calling off a marriage worth trillions of won just because of an ordinary company employee?
My brother, who lived only for the company, is canceling this big deal just for a regular employee?
Yi-on stared at Lee Heon in disbelief.
At that moment, a chat notification popped up on Lee Heon’s phone.
Lee Dan-a♥
Hello, President. This is Lee Dan-a from the Public Relations Office.
Have you had a meal yet?
I know you must be busy, so I’ll get straight to the point. Um, if you happen to be free this weekend…
Lee Heon hurriedly opened the chat room.
If I’m free, what? What?!
His heart burned with anticipation, yet the next message didn’t come right away.
Swallowing dryly, Lee Heon waited without even blinking. Finally, the messenger chimed.
Lee Dan-a♥
Would you like to go on a date with me?
Thump. Thump, thump.
Lee Heon’s heart beat in an erratic rhythm.
“What is it? Did something happen? Did something bad happen? Why do you look so serious…”
With a bashful face, Lee Heon looked up at Yi-on.
“…She asked me out on a date.”
“Who? Hyeongsu-nim?”
Lee Heon nodded, a flush creeping onto his cheeks.
“Whoa. A weekend date! Congratulations, Hyung!”
Yi-on shook Lee Heon’s hand and began clapping wildly.
Basking in his younger brother’s blessings, Lee Heon drank in the message she had sent as if trying to memorize every word.
Then, with the utmost care, he typed his reply.
Watching him, Yi-on suddenly felt a lump in his throat.
Hyung really loves hyeongsu-nim.
To think love had finally found his brother, who had never given his heart to anyone and only lived for his work.
What a romantic fool, tossing away trillions of won.
Okay. Fully understood why he broke the engagement.
From now on, I will protect my brother.
“So, where are you going on the date?”
“…Huh?”
“Huh?”
Wait, this is Hyung’s first date, isn’t it?
Does this mean I have to step in?
(Caution: Has no notable dating experience himself)
“You said hyeongsu-nim is a regular employee at our company, right?”
Nod, nod.
“Then let’s go with the Cinderella Course.”
“The Cinderella Course?”
Yi-on rushed over to Lee Heon’s side. He then busily shared information, pulled up a presentation screen, and began typing.
Lee Heon listened to Yi-on’s advice with a gaze more intensely focused than anyone else in the world.
Ra I-on—is he aiming for the President’s seat after all?
People said he never did a shred of work at his own desk and slacked off every day!
Yet here he is, working this passionately in the Saja Group President’s office.
With their sleeves rolled up, the two of them skipped a proper meal, roughly making do with sandwiches as they earnestly reviewed materials and discussed plans.
Watching the two of them in secret, Do-hyun wasn’t sure whether telling Yi-on about the broken engagement had been the right move.
Whatever road it takes, just let it reach Seoul safely.
Please, just let me resign in peace.
Do-hyun clasped his hands tightly and prayed with all his heart.
President Ra Iheon (Saja Group)
Sounds good.
Preparations were complete.
Dan-a stood waiting at the prearranged date location with a resolute expression.
Did I come too early?
She definitely had. Everyone around her was in the middle of their morning jog.
As if the morning air was chilly, she cupped her hands together and blew warm breath into them.
Still, I can’t be later than the President.
Lee Dan-a, an employee of Saja Group’s Crisis Management Team.
She was just an ordinary office worker who felt much more at ease arriving early and waiting.
I wasn’t supposed to act like this, though.
Truth be told, Dan-a had come thoroughly prepared.
The day she saw the President’s chat message agreeing to her date invitation, she had devoured every piece of dating theory she could find—dating forums, romance variety shows, and stories she had heard from her friends.
She had never dated before, and since her partner was the President, she was worried she would end up slipping into secretary mode.
The goal of today’s date: Do not treat the President like a boss.
They had to get close to date properly, and only then would the breakup go smoothly.
The deadline Dan-a had set for herself was two months.
She had to break up quickly within two months and return everything safely to its rightful place.
Just as she was anxiously reviewing the plans she had laid out for today, a Por*che pulled up and parked right in front of her.
Ugh, there are plenty of open spots, so why park right here?
She subtly shifted to the side and cast a glance at the car.
By the way, was there a car like this in this neighborhood?
The windows were impeccably tinted, and the body gleamed brightly beneath the morning sun.
Must be nice for whoever owns that.
Right then, the door swung open, and the owner stepped out.
Wait a second.
The President?
“Gasp! Hello, President! Good morning!”
Ah, not this!
Startled out of her wits, she had instantly slipped into the mode of a secretary serving her boss.
“Good morning, Lee Dan-a-ssi.”
Lee Heon offered a gentle greeting and walked up to her.
Wow. Seriously, what is going on?
He looked as though he was draped in luxury brands from head to toe, but the most expensive luxury item of all was surely his face.
Elegance effortlessly radiated from him just by standing there.
Whew. To think this man is our company’s President.
Bathed in the morning sunlight, the President’s face was nothing short of blinding radiance.
“I thought I arrived early, but it seems I’m late.”
Lee Heon looked down at his wristwatch with surprised eyes.
It was only natural to be surprised.
After all, they were currently meeting two hours before the appointed time.
“I just arrived early.”
Fearing he might ask just how early she had gotten there, she averted her eyes. Lee Heon then opened the car door for her.
“Shall we go?”
Where… She wanted to ask, but worried it might sound insolent, so she quietly got into his car.
By the way, just how many cars does the President own?
She genuinely wanted to ask so badly that she lightly pinched her own thigh.
“You’re cold, aren’t you?”
“I’m fine.”
Lee Heon looked at her.
Did I do something wrong? Just as she tensed up nervously, he spoke in a tender voice.
“I’m not particularly attentive. If you’re cold, tell me you’re cold; if you’re hot, tell me you’re hot.”
Eek. You’re completely attentive!
“Yes. Thank you.”
“So?”
“Pardon?”
“Are you cold, or are you hot?”
“C-Cold. A little.”
Though I think my heart just warmed up right now.
Watching him turn on the seat warmer for her, a smile spread across her face.
It felt as though Lee Dan-a’s project was off to a very successful start.
