Chapter 16
16. Playfully Seductive
Since when had he started taking such care with breakfast? The austere atmosphere at the main house during morning meals had never been a burden.
That wasn't so bad either.
"Aren't you going to eat? It's really delicious."
Naeun brought the prettily plated omelet closer, its savory aroma wafting toward him. This woman was now teasing him with food.
"I'll have some."
The woman smiled and placed vegetables and omelet in front of him.
Was an omelet allowed to be this delicious?
It melted smoothly in his mouth, releasing a nutty flavor. It didn't seem heavily seasoned, yet the cheese's
"Shall I make you a cup of coffee too?"
"Sure."
This time, it was coffee rich with chocolate notes. Everything she offered differed greatly from his usual coffee.
"This is mainly Weasel coffee from Vietnam. Low caffeine, so you can have another at the office."
Who asked? Kangwoo stubbornly kept his eyes down, focusing on the taste.
The nutty, deep coffee flavor was exquisite. Kangwoo tilted the cup slightly, savoring the aroma slowly.
Naeun took a sip of her coffee across from him and spoke softly.
"Thank you. For helping with the kids yesterday and picking us up from the hospital. You didn't have to go that far...."
She hesitated briefly before adding cautiously.
"The welfare here is really top-notch."
Kangwoo paused with his fork midway to his mouth.
Welfare? Seeing her at the hospital was employee welfare?
His face soured subtly. It irked him that his personal gesture was dismissed as mere company policy.
"Our company has unbeatable employee welfare. Myeongseong Group, Myeongseong Media—all of it."
A hint of sarcasm laced his words. Naeun nodded with a smile.
"Ah, right. My friend works at Myeongseong Media."
As Naeun shifted to talk about Hyesun to continue naturally, Kangwoo cut her off.
"Stop. Don't go telling me her name or anything next. Trying to ask a favor?"
His sudden boundary drew a flustered shake of her head.
"No, not like that. Just that she got hired there. Said the welfare's great, so she must be happy."
He often left early without breakfast. That suited him fine—grabbing a drink or snack to tide him over.
Eventually, surrender slipped from Kangwoo's lips.
The subtle saltiness made it perfect for breakfast without heaviness.
Comfortable and unobtrusive. Yet Kangwoo spoke businesslike, as if unconcerned by such feelings.
His brows furrowed slightly.
"Yeah? So the CEO gets omelets as part of the welfare?"
She maintained distance too. Naeun nodded in agreement.
"Of course. You can have some next time you leave early too."
Her voice was calm, yet carried the lingering emotion from yesterday's gratitude and inner turmoil. It made her all the more cheekily seductive—like being scratched by the hidden claws of a pretty white cat.
Kangwoo set his cup down slowly, gazing at her quietly. Her tearful face from yesterday resurfaced, thrilling his heart. He wished she'd open up to him again.
But Naeun hid behind her serene smile. They felt the subtle emotional waves between them, yet neither bridged the awkward gap first.
She caught him sneaking out, fed him omelet, then drew the line again. No ordinary woman.
Kangwoo thought so inwardly, whistling lightly as he headed to work. Strangely, he felt good this morning.
From the hearty breakfast?
Compared to the lavish feasts with his parents at the main house, it was nothing—yet it lifted his spirits.
As Kangwoo got in the car, Do Wan greeted him.
"Good morning. You're in a good mood today?"
Do Wan, looking disheveled, greeted him and eyed his brighter-than-usual expression curiously.
Kangwoo opened his tablet and smiled leisurely.
"Yeah. Good breakfast. Do Wan, did you eat?"
Zero interest—just small talk. Not seeking a real answer. Yet Do Wan shook his head tiredly.
"No. How could I eat coming out this early?"
Do Wan was groggy in the mornings, always rushing to work. Breakfast was just office coffee.
Kangwoo crossed his arms, eyeing him amusedly with a smirk.
"Complaining to your boss that you arrive too early?"
Do Wan panicked at the heavy words, waving his hands.
"No? Why would I?"
He forced a laugh, tense. Complaining before Kangwoo as secretary was like a cat roaring at a lion.
Kangwoo nodded.
"Right, I know you work hard. Hurry a bit more, and you could grab a pastry."
On the drive, Kangwoo recalled the omelet and coffee from Naeun.
Yeah. Getting childish. Primal, even. As a kindergarten teacher, she makes people childish like kids. Han Naeun definitely had a bewitching quality that regressed people.
The kids' fevers broke after shots and sleep. But the doctor advised a day of rest, so they stayed home. Naeun briefed housekeeper Lee Yeosa.
Lee Yeosa opened the fridge and marveled.
"Wow, you've prepped all these veggies so neatly. I could have done it."
"Yes, please take care."
Naeun went to work without the kids. Without Jiho to tend, thoughts intruded. Kangwoo's image lingered all commute. Even eyes open, walking streets—his face was clearer than the scenery! Naeun quickened her pace to clear her mind.
A party unfolded at Seoul's top hotel rooftop lounge. Though chilly winter night winds blew, indoors was warm with soft lighting. Crystal chandeliers gleamed from the ceiling, elegantly illuminating the space; navy walls with gold accents added sophistication.
Centerpiece: dazzling ice sculpture. Nearby small tables for VIPs and guests to sit and chat naturally.
Small-scale, but filled with successful figures. Tables held fine champagne, finger foods. Wealthy elites, network execs, glamorous actresses mingled.
Highlights: celebrities lending star power. Top actress Yoon Seojin, elegant in gray dress, commanded with subtle smiles. Beside her, singer Jason in black suit, exuding weighty aura—recent solo album hit, loved for looks and voice.
Also rising actress Shin Hyerim and idol-turned-MC Lee Doyun. Hyerim radiated energy, mingling effortlessly; Doyun livened spots with flashy talk.
Broadcast heavies too. Spotlight: Myeongseong Media's Yoon Executive Director, hit producer, surrounded, discussing new shows.
Hayoung eyed opportunities, reapplied lipstick, smiled. Burning desire: connections, prime shows. Sipping champagne, scanning—a model's chatter reached her.
"That guy there. Every woman here eyes him."
Following her point: standout man, towering, head-to-toe class—like a sculpted hunk.
