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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Third Wheel
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Seonghyeok was sitting at his desk, reviewing approval documents, when he heard a knock.
A faint smile spread across his face, barely visible. He knew it wasn't his secretary knocking.
It was the first time he'd heard Chae Yeongin's knock. It was calmer and more refined than the secretary's knock, which he heard multiple times a day. They say everyone is unique, but it was fascinating how even a knock could reveal one's personality.
The office door opened, and Yeongin entered.
He felt anew that coming to SL Entertainment was a good decision. This way, he could see her whenever he wanted.
"You called for me?"
Yeongin had knocked and entered directly because Seonghyeok had just instructed his secretary to allow Team Leader Yun Jisang and Team Leader Chae Yeongin to enter without announcement from now on.
It meant he would call for her more often, and it also meant she was special compared to others.
He gestured to the sofa with his eyes, then rose from his chair and moved to sit on the sofa. He waited for Yeongin to sit down before bringing up a nominal reason for calling her.
"I was wondering how the actor replacement is coming along. Did Seo Jingyo agree to it?"
"No, I strongly advised against it."
"Why did you strongly advise against it? Just a general dissuasion would have been enough."
Seonghyeok muttered discontentedly. In truth, he had expected this outcome.
"There are a few actors whose images and schedules align, and who have actively expressed interest. I conveyed our opinion to the director and writer. We're awaiting their response. I'll report back as soon as we get confirmation."
"Good work."
"It's my job, of course."
"What about script reviews?"
"I've reviewed all the scripts that came in. I'll submit the proposal next week."
"Do that."
Yeongin frowned slightly, unable to hold back.
"CEO, we're in a work report right now."
"I know."
Seonghyeok casually shrugged and continued.
"I'm trying to stop acting like the CEO around you."
"You're not 'acting' like the CEO, you *are* the CEO."
"I want to be a man to you, not your CEO."
"Even if you don't want to be the CEO, you are the CEO."
Yeongin's voice was frigid, a lingering effect from last night's events.
Yesterday, she had only felt troubled, but today, her annoyance was greater. He was making advances as if nothing had happened, despite having gone on a blind date with her older sister, and it infuriated her. Regardless of his intentions, she also felt jealous.
"Then you treat me as the CEO when we're talking about work. I'll do what's comfortable for me. Let's each do what's comfortable."
"..."
"Don't worry, I won't make a mistake when others are around."
"..."
Yeongin couldn't bring herself to speak, wondering how she could criticize anyone when she herself was overflowing with personal feelings. Seonghyeok didn't miss the opening.
"Let's have dinner together tonight."
"I have a meeting with actor Seo Jingyo and an advertiser tonight."
Even if she hadn't had a meeting, she wouldn't have accepted his offer, but having a legitimate reason to refuse made it much easier.
"With whom?"
"Outdoor brand BK."
"Perfect. I'll join you, then."
Yeongin's eyes widened.
He wasn't the type to socialize easily with strangers; he was the kind of person who made others feel self-conscious. What did he mean by joining them?
"No, you don't have to."
"I will."
"I think it would be better if you didn't."
"Why are you so adamantly against it?"
"Director Go Mihyeon, who will be attending the meeting, is a big fan of actor Seo Jingyo. If you go, CEO, you'll just be a third wheel."
"I'm not the kind of person who just becomes a third wheel anywhere."
"Exactly, so please don't go."
That was precisely why she was trying to stop him.
She didn't want to see Cha Seonghyeok, who was naturally the center of attention wherever he went, become a mere prop.
Rumors even circulated that Director Go Mihyeon, the chairman's daughter, had a significant influence on Seo Jingyo becoming the BK model, so there was a very high chance Cha Seonghyeok would be completely overlooked.
"Are you worried about me right now?"
"No, I'm not."
"Then what is it?"
"It's a warning."
"Whether it's worry or a warning. If you didn't care, you wouldn't be interested whether I became a third wheel or not."
Yeongin's eyes snapped open wide, and she raised her voice.
"Why do you always jump to that conclusion?"
"You know what? When you get defensive like that, it means it's true."
"..."
Struck at the core, Yeongin was momentarily speechless.
"If it weren't true, you'd just ignore it with a look that says, 'Is that a dog barking somewhere?' or simply laugh it off. You wouldn't get defensive."
"..."
The person who had just been definitively cornered couldn't open her mouth. In contrast, a relaxed expression settled on the victor's face.
"Just tell BK that one more person will be joining. If you say the CEO is coming, they'll think there's something important to discuss. I'm just going for dinner."
"...Okay."
Anyone listening would think he had nothing to do, no one to eat with, and was completely obsessed with food.
Yeongin was grumbling to herself and didn't realize the conversation was over.
"Should I have some tea brought in if you're going to stay longer?"
Only then did Yeongin snap out of it and shoot up from her seat.
"I'll head back down."
When Yeongin left the office, her eyes were far more weary than when she had entered.
No matter how much she resolved not to get drawn in, the result was always the same, and it was driving her mad.
***
After receiving a call from the CEO's office to come down to the basement floor, Yeongin and Jingyo, who was already at the company, got into the elevator.
"Why on earth does he want to come along?"
Jingyo was clearly displeased with Seonghyeok's company.
"It's probably to thank them for using an SL Entertainment artist as their ad model, something along those lines, so he wants to greet them in person..."
"Even you sound embarrassed saying that, don't you?"
"Yes..."
Yeongin avoided his gaze and nodded.
The nonsense she had spouted in front of someone who had already figured out Cha Seonghyeok's true nature felt more embarrassing than ever.
"If it were someone else's meeting, not mine, he wouldn't have said he'd join, would he?"
"..."
Yeongin's silence was an affirmation.
"I don't feel so bad about that."
"About what?"
"It means you're concerned about me. And that you felt a sense of crisis that you might lose her to me."
"..."
Yeongin merely moved her lips a few times before closing her mouth again.
Stepping out of the elevator on the first basement floor, the two walked side by side towards the parking area. But instead of the expected van, a luxury SUV was parked there.
Yeongin instantly recognized whose car it was and paused. Jingyo only realized it was Seonghyeok's car after seeing the person getting out of the driver's seat.
Seonghyeok approached the two bewildered individuals and spoke to Jingyo.
"Let's go in my car."
Before Jingyo could say anything, Yeongin interjected.
"I asked our team's field manager to drive us to the meeting location."
Seonghyeok gently pressed down on Yeongin's hand, which was raising her phone, returning it to its original position.
"He was waiting, so I sent him away. I told him we'd go in my car."
"Then I'll drive."
"Not now."
"..."
While Yeongin was contemplating when he meant, Jingyo spoke up.
"Since the CEO himself is offering to drive us, let's gratefully accept."
With even Jingyo agreeing, Yeongin could no longer resist.
"Okay..."
Jingyo confirmed Seonghyeok's slight nod, indicating they should get in, and opened the back door. Then he looked back at Yeongin.
'Am I allowed to sit in the back?'
As Yeongin glanced between the back seat and the passenger seat, Seonghyeok furrowed his brows.
"What are you thinking about? You should sit next to me. Am I your chauffeur?"
He hadn't suggested going in his car just to have Seo Jingyo and Chae Yeongin sit side-by-side in the back.
"You said there was no need to hide it anymore, and you really aren't hiding it."
Jingyo's tone was unmistakably sarcastic.
"Wouldn't it be hypocritical to pretend to be superior and subordinate in front of someone who already knows about Yeongin and me?"
"Rather than feeling uncomfortable watching you make such blatant, one-sided advances, I think it might be better to feel hypocritical."
"I have no desire to accommodate Mr. Seo Jingyo's preferences."
Unable to bear watching the two men exchange sharp words with smiles on their faces, Yeongin stepped forward.
"We'll be late. Let's go."
Yeongin lightly pushed Seonghyeok, who was standing beside the passenger seat, and got in.
Seonghyeok walked to the driver's seat with a satisfied smile, while Jingyo got into the back seat with a stiff expression. It was clearly the main seat, but it didn't feel like one.
***
Inside the elevator ascending to the Chinese restaurant, Yeongin gave Seonghyeok some important information.
"Director Go Mihyeon is the Chairman's daughter. She was promoted from Head of Sales Strategy last month. She's known for being extremely kind to those she likes, but quite blunt with everyone else, so please keep that in mind."
"Oh, I'll keep it in mind."
She had softened it by saying "blunt," but it was widely known that Director Go had an eccentric and rude personality. Yeongin worried if she would clash with Seonghyeok, who also had a strong personality.
She wasn't worried about Jingyo at all. It wasn't just because Director Go was a huge fan of Jingyo. It was also because, unlike Seonghyeok, Jingyo knew how to appropriately yield and adapt to the atmosphere.
The three entered the private room the staff guided them to.
A woman sitting between two men rose from her seat.
Director Go Mihyeon didn't even glance at Seonghyeok or Yeongin, looking directly at Jingyo with a bright smile.
It was at that moment that Seonghyeok put Yeongin's cautionary information to use.
"Director Go Mihyeon, congratulations on your promotion."
Mi-hyeon's gaze shifted to Seonghyeok. And a moment later, her eyes widened.
"Seonghyeok Oppa?"
As Seonghyeok smiled faintly and nodded, Mi-hyeon practically ran from the table towards him. Her face wore an even brighter smile than when she had seen Jingyo.
"I heard you went into entertainment, but what a surprise! I've missed you, Oppa."
It was Jingyo who ended up being the third wheel.
