I Think I've Poked a Sleeping Bear
Chapter 9
I Can Smell Your Scent in Your Trembling Eyes
In front of a large oil painting hung on the wall, a nameplate reading "Director Yoon Yeonsuk" rested atop an opulent, gleaming desk.
Standing opposite her with a polite, solemn expression was Yi-heon's secretary, Do-hyun.
“No unusual movements?”
Her fingers slowly wrapped around the porcelain teacup. Every time the base of the cup touched the desk, an exceedingly faint clink brushed through the space.
Because the entire office was so quiet, even that tiny sound felt like a deliberate performance.
“Yes. As always, he is working diligently.”
“Work, work, that damned work.”
Yeon-sook muttered displeasedly, then let out a scoffing smirk.
“It’s truly pathetic how he does nothing but work to a boring fault. He doesn’t even know how to live like a human being. Well, I suppose Yi-heon has been like that since he was little.”
With an emotionless gaze, Yeon-sook toyed with the dazzling, heavy rings adorning her fingers.
Even that small gesture was elegant and refined, yet it exuded a certain cold, untouchable distance.
Did she even know what feeling sorry for someone meant?
“Anything noteworthy?”
If it came to noteworthy things, there was plenty to report.
A while ago, Yi-heon’s outfits and hairstyle had changed.
Occasionally, he would spout bizarre phrases about the clamor of the stars, and he went in and out of his office far too often.
Yet if that were all, it wouldn't count as truly noteworthy.
Yi-heon was acting like a man deeply in love.
Ever since he overheard a confession from a woman named Lee Dan-a, he had ordered a background check on her, treated her entire department to coffee out of nowhere, and even went to the company cafeteria, which he never used to visit.
Was that all? During working hours, he was constantly busy bustling off to the breakroom or the archives.
Still, out of the three years he had watched Yi-heon, this was the most entertaining he had ever seen him.
Until now, despite holding the title of President of Saja Group, Yi-heon had worked like a slave.
Even so, no matter how much he thought about it, Do-hyun couldn’t explain why.
It wasn’t as if Yi-heon had liked her first and confessed, nor had the woman confessed directly to him; he had merely 'happened' to overhear a confession she made to her friends.
There was no way he should be chasing after her so obsessively, as though he were the one who had confessed.
Unless he had suffered some massive blow to the head.
Do-hyun stared at Yeon-sook.
What would she say if he told her such a thing?
What about a confession? What kind of nonsense is that? That was likely how she would respond.
Right, why say something useless when it wouldn't lead to anything major?
He was going to get married soon anyway.
“Nothing in particular.”
“I see.”
Yeon-sook offered a low smile and looked up at Do-hyun.
“Secretary Kang.”
“Yes, Director.”
“Has it already been three years? Since we’ve been meeting like this?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“And your mother? Has her health improved a lot by now?”
Do-hyun’s brow furrowed slightly before he smoothed his expression into a smile.
“Yes. She is doing well and in good health now.”
“What a relief. It makes helping you worthwhile.”
Yeon-sook stood up from her seat and approached Do-hyun with an elegant gait.
“I cherish you dearly, Secretary Kang. You know that, right?”
“Yes. I am well aware.”
She patted Do-hyun’s shoulder encouragingly.
“Not much time left, Secretary Kang. After Yi-heon gets married, you’ll be transferred soon after.”
“…….”
“Until then, keep watching over Yi-heon well, just as you are now. If you notice even the slightest strange behavior, let me know.”
“……Yes.”
Watching over him, my foot.
She meant spy on him.
When Do-hyun stepped out into the lobby of the art museum, he saw Yi-on approaching from the opposite side.
Sloppy attire and a rebellious glint in his eyes.
That defiant air of his looked remarkably like Yi-heon’s these days.
As if to prove they truly were brothers.
The moment they crossed paths, Do-hyun gave a polite bow and tried to pass him by.
“Is it fun living like that?”
At Yi-on’s question, Do-hyun stopped in his tracks.
“Living your life tattling on everything my brother does to my mom. Just wondering if that’s fun.”
Is your mother having fun, making me play the mole using my family’s medical treatment as leverage?
“Well, I don’t do it for fun. I do it to make a living.”
“I suppose. If not for something like that, betraying my brother wouldn't be easy. I wonder if Mom planted someone around me too.”
With a silent bow, Do-hyun exited the art museum.
It was two years ago that his role had been discovered by Yi-on.
Back then, he had been terrified that Yi-heon might find out and jeopardize his mother’s treatment, but nothing had happened since.
Ra Yi-on.
Though he acted like a troublemaker, unlike his appearance, he was quite earnest and tight-lipped.
With every breath, he whined about his hyung, pretending to be utterly devoted to his brother.
Yet deep down, he probably wanted to claim the throne of Saja Group for himself too.
‘After Yi-heon gets married, you’ll be transferred soon after.’
Having walked on thin ice his whole life, the time to put an end to this farce was finally approaching. When that time came, he would make a clean confession and quit.
“Right, what could possibly happen until then?”
***
Something major was definitely happening.
Why?
Why?
Whyyy?
Why was she currently sitting across from the President, sharing a meal?
And not in the company cafeteria, but outside the company.
Not lunch, but dinner.
Not just any regular restaurant, but a rooftop restaurant.
Not just any meal, but a fine dining course.
Dan-a looked around in utter bewilderment.
Located in a high-rise building right in the heart of the city, the restaurant offered a view of the dazzling night skyline through its massive glass windows.
Gentle classical music drifted through the air, and patrons sipped wine while conversing in hushed tones.
The crisp, disciplined movements of the staff clad in black suits also reinforced that this was no ordinary establishment.
Fine, all of that was great.
But why on earth, why was she here…
With the President?
Her head spun.
As she sat dazed, unable to make sense of the situation, Yi-heon spoke.
“This is my way of repaying you for buying me that drink last time.”
What?
To think that a mere can of soda would be repaid with such an extravagant meal.
Is the President a total pushover?
“R-Really? When you gave me that coffee last time, I thought that was your way of repaying me.”
“That was something I bought for all the employees.”
Except that sugar-bomb coffee wasn’t for everyone.
You only gave that to me.
……Though she couldn't say that aloud, since she hadn't checked everyone else’s coffee.
She quietly nodded.
“Why, does it not suit your taste?”
Yi-heon asked, watching Dan-a frozen with her fork midair.
“No? Not at all. I eat anything and everything well.”
“Good. Eat plenty.”
To eat plenty…… there was far too little on the plate.
The plate was so massive, so why were the portions the size of a single bean?
Still, since it felt wrong to wolf down food in front of the President anyway, she decided to just eat whatever was served.
Humans were truly fascinating creatures.
Even in such an uncomfortable situation, the food went down remarkably well.
Perhaps because it was delicious.
Creaking like a rusted machine, she diligently ate her meal.
After finishing every last bite of the lemon tart dessert, she was about to lightly get up when Yi-heon suddenly asked.
“Lee Dan-a-ssi, what is it about me that you like so much?”
“Yes! Mr. President. Huh? Mr. President?”
“I asked what you like about me.”
“……Pardon?”
Was now the moment!? The moment to unleash all the flattery, bootlicking, and brown-nosing she had in store?
Her brilliant talent, which she had only recently discovered!
If she played her cards right, couldn't this lead to a promotion?
There was a reason ordinary characters in dramas fell from grace.
Even someone with no interest in power or status would naturally feel greed when an opportunity like this presented itself.
Ambition suddenly stirred within her.
However.
What kind of flattery was she supposed to offer?
She had never once thought about the President's good traits.
Ah!
“Y-Your scent.”
“My scent?”
“Yes. Um, you smell very nice, Mr. President.”
Wait a minute. Wasn't this sexual harassment?
No, she just meant it purely—truly purely, that it was nice.
For some reason, the President's expression seemed to stiffen unreadably.
Damn it, there went her promotion.
“Um, Mr. President, if I have offended you in any way……”
“No. Offended? Not at all. I simply never considered that aspect.”
Was it just her imagination? The President seemed to smile quite shyly.
Though something felt a bit unsettling, it was a relief nonetheless. He didn't seem particularly displeased.
Perhaps she had taken one step closer to a promotion after all.
With her tension easing, she felt she ought to say something and parted her lips.
“Oh, by the way, I heard that you are getting married soon, Mr. President. Congratulations.”
“……Where did you hear that?”
“Pardon? Ah, well, since I work in the Public Relations Office, I tend to hear the news first……”
The President's expression noticeably hardened.
She had messed up…… big time!
To go and ruin things right when everything was practically handed to her.
“I apologize. Hearing only rumors and making such a blunder before you, Mr. President…… I will be more careful next time……”
“Lee Dan-a-ssi.”
“Yes! Mr. President.”
“Are you alright?”
“With what……?”
“You have feelings for me.”
Pardon?
“You want to marry me.”
What on earth did that……!
Her pupils shook with the intensity of a magnitude 7 earthquake.
