CHAPTER 48

Ijun left the hotel first, and Siyeon checked out later, heading to their newlywed home in Samseong-dong.

The driver, who was supposed to take Ijun and Siyeon to Namhae, seemed unfazed when Siyeon unexpectedly said they were going to their Samseong-dong home. Without showing any surprise, he calmly took Siyeon’s suitcase, loaded it into the trunk, and drove towards their house. It seemed like Ijun had already informed him.

“…I will explain to the adults.”

Siyeon, who had been staring out the window for a while in the moving car, finally spoke. The driver, glancing at her through the rearview mirror, cautiously replied.

“Mr. Ijun took the car provided by the hotel for transportation. He probably thought it might be inconvenient for you Madam, when I drive him to his appointment, especially when you are moving.”

Since the accident where Gwihyeon was driving, Ijun’s house preferred that he do not take the wheel himself. Consequently, he always used a car with a driver.

Siyeon believed that Ijun didn’t call the driver because he didn’t want to inconvenience her.

“Where are you going after you drop me off?”

“Mr. Ijun… asked me to come to Hannam-dong.”

“…You’ll have a hard time.”

“No, I won’t.”

Siyeon let out a bitter smile inwardly. Ijun said he had something to do in Hannam-dong. Whenever she thought of Hannam-dong, she couldn’t help but think of Eunhye.

“I’d like to have a conversation with Secretary Kim Eunhye, so it would be great if you could provide me with her contact information. I think I need to be aware of Mr. Ijun’s personal schedule.”

“Miss Eunhye took a 5-day leave according to Mr. Ijun’s schedule. And her contact information… I’ll ask Manager Kim to call you Madam.”

Is it because of Ijun’s marriage? A secretary taking a vacation in sync with the boss’s marriage, it would sound peculiar to someone who didn’t know.

“Please turn the car to Hannam-dong.”

“What?”

“Since we’ll be living in the Samseong-dong house from now on, I think I need to go there and pack Mr. Ijun’s belongings.”

“Madam… Mr. Ijun instructed me to bring you to the Samseong-dong house.”

The driver looked visibly flustered, unsure of what to do.

“Even if you drop me off in Samseong-dong and I can take a taxi to Hannam-dong, but I’m feeling tired, so I’d prefer this.”

He wore a perplexed expression. Even if he dropped her off in Samseong-dong, she would still head to Hannam-dong by taxi, which left him with no choice but to comply. Seeing his discomfort, Siyeon added,

“You can report that you dropped me off in that direction.”

“Oh, no, it’s not necessary.”

The car changed lanes and began driving. He still had an unsettled expression on his face.

* * *

Siyeon was unaware of the exact location of Gwihyeon’s house in Hannam-dong. She had a vague guess that it wouldn’t be too far from her grandmother’s house in Hannam-dong.

Her speculation was right. Gwihyeon’s house was right next to her grandmother’s house, inside the villa complex.

As they approached Hannam-dong, the driver became visibly tenser. Occasionally, he would glance at Siyeon in the rearview mirror, and his face was full of anxiety.

As he parked the car in the underground parking lot of the villa, he hastily took out his phone, intending to report to Ijun.

Siyeon, watching him react with excessive confusion, wondered if she might witness something that could be detrimental to her mental well-being.

“Madam, seeing that Mr. Jeong isn’t answering the phone… he might be asleep.”

“Let’s go up. You know the passcode for the front entrance, right?”

The driver had been in and out of this villa countless times since he accompanies Ijun. There was no way he wouldn’t know the passcode.

He walked ahead, following Siyeon, still trying to make a call on his phone. However, by the time they arrived on the fifth floor, where Ijun’s unit was located, it seemed like he had given up.

“Which way is it?”

“…It’s unit 501.”

Exiting the elevator, Siyeon turned towards the direction of unit 501. Behind her, the driver continued to mumble in indecision, emitting a hesitant groan.

“Press it.”

Standing in front of the entrance, Siyeon stepped aside, calmly instructing him. In response, he hesitantly pressed the doorbell.

1 second. 2 seconds. 3 seconds. When there was no response, he pressed the doorbell again.

1 second. 2 seconds…

[…Who is it?]

The voice through the speaker made the driver, who had been groaning like a constipated puppy, stiffen like a piece of hard wood. A sense of defeat darkened his face.

“I’m here… Mr. wasn’t answering the call, so…”

[Mr. Ijun is still asleep.]

“Well, that’s…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Siyeon shot him a glance, silently conveying a look that said to open the door.

“Please… open the door for now.”

After a moment, the front door opened.

“Driver Kim, you usually wait downstairs. Why today…”

Eunhye, upon spotting Siyeon, widened her eyes but quickly regained her usual expression. Her eyes were red.

“…Driver, you can go back to the car.”

Looking at Eunhye, who was wearing a short sleeveless dress that revealed everything underneath, Siyeon slowly spoke.

The driver, as if waiting for those words, nodded in acknowledgment, bowed, and then took the elevator, disappearing downstairs.

“…I heard you were on vacation, but you seem to be going through a lot even during your time off.”

“What hardship? Oppa is in bed right now, should I wake him up?”

There was a triumphant smile on Eunhye’s lips. She seemed to be greatly enjoying the situation.

“How can I ask a subordinate to do that? As his wife, I should be the one waking him up.”

“Shouldn’t your first words be a thank you for me, doing the role of a wife on your behalf? I haven’t been able to sleep a wink since waking up in the middle of the night because of Oppa.”

“…Do I have to thank you for your hard work day and night?”

If said nonchalantly, it would probably be a lie. Instead of embarking on their honeymoon as originally planned, Siyeon found herself standing in Ijun’s apartment, facing a nearly undressed Eunhye.

“I feel a bit sorry for you. I tried to convince myself that it’s not right, and since you’re already married, I should stop. But my feelings don’t seem to be as simple as that. You’re too terrible, according to him.”

“…Well, I believe only what I see and hear with my own eyes.”

Siyeon pushed Eunhye aside and walked inside the house. The spacious house was filled only with silence.

“Now that Oppa has finally fallen asleep?”

“I’ll check for myself, so step aside.”

As Eunhye spread her arms, blocking her way, Siyeon sent her a cold stare.

“…Why is it so noisy?”

At that moment, the door across the room opened, and a low voice, still sleepy, flowed out. Simultaneously, Ijun, wearing navy blue pajama pants and a disheveled bedgown, appeared.

His bare chest was visible through the tousled bedgown. Frowning, he walked out into the living room and stopped when he noticed Siyeon.

“…What’s going on?”

As Ijun scowled, Eunhye rushed toward him with a distressed expression and explained,

“Even though you said you were sleeping… I couldn’t stop her. Siyeon… said it was urgent.”

“…Urgent?”

After shooting a briefly furrowed look at Eunhye, Ijun turned his attention back to Siyeon.

“I was on my way directly to our house, but I stopped by in Hannam-dong to pick up your belongings.”

“Did you follow me like I’m some unfaithful husband?”

“Why? Did you have an affair with Secretary Kim?”

“Miss Choi Siyeon.”

Eunhye called Siyeon’s name with a commanding tone.

Knowing that people reveal their intentions by what bed they choose to sleep on, Eunhye was aware that Ijun was ignoring Siyeon. The fact that she referred to Siyeon as “Miss Siyeon” instead of using a more respectful title like “Madam” was possible because Ijun allowed it.

“Even if you want to have an affair, don’t date just anyone.”

“You’re quite generous, aren’t you?”

Ijun tilted his head slightly and clenched his fist. His face, fully awake now, showed signs of irritation.

“Because I understand how you feel.”

“What do you mean?”

Perhaps due to his mood, his gaze seemed a bit sharper.

“I don’t mean anything. After all, my words don’t seem to reach your ears properly.”

“So, what do you want to say?”

Siyeon glanced briefly at Eunhye standing behind him. Her face was flushed with delight as if she found the quarrel between the two interesting.

Observing the two standing in their sleepwear, Siyeon realized she had underestimated Ijun’s hatred and anger towards her.

“Even without showing it so openly, everyone knows it’s a loveless marriage.”

In front of Eunhye, there was no self-esteem to be hurt anew. She already knew well how Ijun thought of her anyway.

“But don’t drag Chairman Jeong’s dignity through the mud just to provoke me. If you need a woman, meet someone decent enough that it won’t be a problem even if rumors start to spread, or if that’s too difficult, at least meet in places where people won’t notice.”

“…”

Ijun narrowed his eyes. His jaw was clenched.

“Am I making an unreasonable demand?”

“No. It’s quite lenient, considering. You can fool around with other women as much as you want, but if you happen to meet a woman of a certain standard… at least keep it discreet, okay?”

“Fair enough. And, let’s make sure these conditions apply to both sides equally.”

“…”

A heavy silence hung between them. Although she had agreed to the criteria Siyeon set, Ijun expressed his discomfort with a fierce glare and an overall demeanor of displeasure.

“If that’s the case, why did Miss Choi Siyeon marry Mr. Ijun in the first place?”

At Eunhye’s bewildered voice, Siyeon turned her gaze toward her.

“Secretary Kim Eunhye. If you’re thinking of quitting the company, you can call me by that title. But if not, from now on, you better address me properly.”

Coldly delivering her words, Siyeon surveyed the living room.

“Since we’re married, this house is no longer necessary. I’ll talk to your father about selling it, so please take your personal belongings out as soon as possible.”

“…”

“Lastly, I’d appreciate it if you could use birth control.”

At her words, Ijun, who had maintained an icy expression, contorted his face in response.