The funeral parlor was eerily silent. It hadn’t been noisy before, but the atmosphere was completely different from earlier. Without exception, everyone’s gaze was fixed on a single spot.

They all watched Hyunseo in the chief mourner’s seat—or more precisely, Gyeom sitting firmly beside her—careful not to even breathe. They seemed to have forgotten to blink. Assistant Manager Hwang broke the heavy silence.

“Deputy Manager Jeong.”

“…Hm?”

“You said you were leaving. Aren’t you going?”

“…First train. I can take the first train in the morning.”

“You said you had an important appointment.”

“…Postponed it. It’s fine. Don’t worry.”

Deputy Manager Jeong’s responses came consistently a beat slow. She was too busy staring at Gyeom.

Miae beside her had no intention of leaving either. Assistant Manager Hwang, who’d sent Assistant Manager Nam and Jungsu off first and turned his gaze away from the women who’d settled in completely, looked at Hyunseo with a worried expression. 

Hyunseo, sitting there in a daze, hadn’t said a single word since earlier. The same went for Gyeom. Actually, Gyeom was—

“He’s staring again.”

“Seriously, what’s going on with those two?”

“I can’t believe it. What, how is that, ha, this makes no sense.”

Miae’s eyes were unfocused as she muttered in disbelief. Assistant Manager Hwang, who wasn’t in a position to say anything, was equally shocked. 

‘What could it be? What does the sight of those two mean?’

“So that’s why. The wedding with Jungjin Group’s second daughter falling through, then…”

“It’s not confirmed yet.”

Juhyung quietly warned Deputy Manager Jeong, who was getting ahead of herself. He had to immediately concede.

“Can’t you see? What’s more certain than that?”

Juhyung closed his mouth with a complicated expression. Just like Deputy Manager Jeong said in a near-delirious whisper, the sight of Gyeom holding Hyunseo’s hand said everything.

He hadn’t completely eliminated his feelings for her. Juhyung, who’d struggled desperately to stay by her side even as a friend, realized he couldn’t do that anymore and bitterly downed his soju.

“In case you cry.”

“…Pardon?”

“That’s why I’m holding it. Your hand.”

Gyeom responded calmly to Hyunseo, who glanced back at him. The eyes that met hers were deeply, darkly intense.

Hyunseo lowered her gaze. She quietly looked down at the large hand gripping hers even more firmly with interlaced fingers, then carefully looked up at Gyeom again. The chief mourner’s armband wrapped around his left arm bothered her.

“Why are you wearing that?”

“Because it’s appropriate.”

“…Why would you, Executive Director?”

“I’d be hurt if you’re really asking because you don’t know.”

“Please leave. There will be rumors.”

She tried to let go. But Gyeom bound Hyunseo’s hand, which was trying to shake free and run away, even more tightly.

“Call me by my name.”

“Executive Director.”

“I don’t care. Don’t you understand what I’m saying?”

He was firm. And serious. Hyunseo, instantly overwhelmed by his gaze and expression, bit her lower lip hard.

‘It can’t be. That’s impossible.’ 

She’d been repeating it to herself countless times since earlier, but Gyeom sitting right in front of her kept tearing through her and shaking her completely. He gently caressed her reddened eyes.

“I missed you. I felt like I’d die if I didn’t see you right away, so I drove down here frantically, but.”

“…”

“Now I feel like I’m dying even more. Seeing Do Hyunseo in pain, I’m really going crazy.”

Her vision blurred. The hand wiping away her flowing tears was as gentle as the voice that flowed out.

‘I can’t believe it,’ yet ‘I want to believe it,’ and she was afraid that if she said anything, Gyeom before her eyes might disappear like a mirage, so Hyunseo sobbed quietly.

The warmth cupping her cheeks was precious even for a fleeting moment.

‘I’m the one who missed you.’ 

She didn’t know how much she’d longed for him every single moment. She regretted her selfish decision to end things with bone-deep remorse. Everything else seemed like it didn’t matter at all.

‘If only Gyeom is here. If only Gyeom stays by my side,’ she felt she’d be okay no matter how hard or painful things got.

‘Though I don’t know if that’s allowed. Though I still can’t be sure if I dare to be greedy. But still.’

“No way. Don’t tell me you’re crying because you hate that I came.”

Even while sitting there in a daze, Hyunseo shed tears whenever she looked at Gyeom’s face. Instead of answering, she asked back.

“How did you even know to come here?”

“I searched through the secretarial office. It was strange that your lights weren’t on at home.”

“…My home?”

“I went there every day. I could only endure by secretly stealing glimpses of your shadow.”

“…What?”

“I can’t let you go. I can’t do without Do Hyunseo.”

The end of Gyeom’s voice trembled ever so slightly as he added that he realized it more and more each day. His slowly rippling dark eyes were clearly filled with tension. 

She could feel him being uncharacteristically afraid.

“I know this isn’t something to say at a time like this. I know it must be very confusing.”

“…”

“But I have to. My feelings have grown too big for even me to handle. I’m sorry for being selfish, sorry for hurting you. I’ll be careful, I really will never hurt you again…”

“Do you… like me…?”

The voice she barely squeezed out was so small it was almost inaudible. Yet Gyeom didn’t miss even that faint breath.

“More than that. It’s been that way for a while now.”

“…Why?”

“Exactly. Why do I like Do Hyunseo so much? My head is full of nothing but Do Hyunseo.”

“…You’re lying.”

“I’ll show you. I’ll make you believe. Stay by my side. No, let me stay by your side. I’m asking you.”

It was incredibly difficult to turn away from that sweet voice. Hyunseo realized anew how powerful words could be. Especially when the person speaking them showed such a serious attitude.

She couldn’t answer. He didn’t reproach her lips, which wouldn’t budge. He just kept their eyes locked and watched carefully to see if she might cry again.

She tore her gaze away with difficulty.

She’d thought vaguely about meeting someone ordinary. Someone she could see when she wanted to see them, meet when she wanted to meet them—she’d resolved to avoid anyone she had to be cautious about even contacting. Yet even so, she couldn’t let go of Gyeom.

‘I knew it.’ 

That for her, who’d already placed him in her heart, there was no “next.”

‘I won’t be able to like anyone else.’ 

It was an obvious fact that she couldn’t give her whole heart like this to anyone, no matter who. Hyunseo had realized this long ago. Probably much longer ago than Gyeom.

“Are you really not going to leave?”

Hyunseo sighed. She couldn’t help but notice the curious gazes persistently directed at them. She asked again to Gyeom, who nodded without seeming to care at all.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“Not at all.”

“How long are you planning to stay?”

“Until the end. I’m going to be a pallbearer too.”

“Executive Director…”

“Tell that guy to leave. He keeps bothering me.”

Gyeom’s cold gaze pointed straight at Juhyung. Hyunseo’s head, which had only turned to look because he pointed, soon turned back toward Gyeom. The hand holding her chin was careful yet unyielding.

“Don’t look at him.”

“…We’re nothing to each other.”

“Even so, don’t look. I don’t like it.”

“Why go this far…”

“Why? I’d really be hurt if you don’t understand even that.”

Furrowed brow, stiff tone. Emotions clearly visible. It was distinctly different from his indifferent early days.

Originally, Gyeom was stingy about expressing emotions. Though of course, not when their bodies were intertwined.

When kissing, he’d reveal his excited breathing without reserve, throughout the thrusting inside he wouldn’t spare words about how good it felt, and whenever she touched his body or bit and sucked, he’d let out low moans heavy with arousal.

“I’m sorry.”

“…For what?”

“For thinking about kissing you. Really sorry.”

Even after apologizing, Gyeom didn’t withdraw his hand. He just looked at her flushed face adoringly.

Hyunseo bit her lip. His hot gaze lingered long on the crushed, soft red flesh. Thump thump. Her oblivious heart pounded loudly, ready to burst.

***

In the end, Gyeom steadfastly stayed by Hyunseo’s side until the last day of the funeral. 

Hyunseo couldn’t resent him for it at all. Being able to complete all the procedures safely was largely thanks to Gyeom.

There were countless things to worry about. The encoffining ceremony, the funeral procession. If Hyunseo had been alone, she definitely would have struggled, but thanks to Gyeom, everything went smoothly. He was also the one who decided on the burial site and personally made the reservation.

“Get some sleep. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

They’d chosen an ossuary near Seoul. It was Gyeom’s consideration so she wouldn’t have to travel far to visit her father.

After finishing the enshrinement and heading home in the car, Hyunseo looked at Gyeom in the seat beside her. Despite consecutive all-nighters, he showed no particular signs of dishevelment, but the fatigue around his eyes was clearly visible.

“You should rest your eyes too, Executive Director.”

“I’m fine.”

“But you’re tired.”

“I don’t want to waste time.”

“What…?”

“It’s better. Looking at Do Hyunseo rather than sleeping.”

Hyunseo’s face flushed at the calm sincerity that burst out. Secretary Gu in the driver’s seat, who must have heard, didn’t even flinch. Still, Hyunseo was embarrassed alone and didn’t know what to do.

“I tried to hold back, but I can’t.”

“Ah…”

“I’ll just hold it. I won’t do anything else.”

She couldn’t ask. What do you mean by “anything else”? 

If she asked what more he could possibly do here, she knew Gyeom would stop the car altogether. The Gyeom she understood was definitely like that.

Even amid the awkwardness, her heart raced. It felt hot, like all her body’s nerves had rushed to her fingertips. She attributed it to the effects of not sleeping and tried not to be conscious of the hand holding hers.

“Um, Executive Director.”

“Yes?”

“The Director keeps calling.”

He’d already received reports several times. Each time, Gyeom had instructed him not to answer under any circumstances, and now he spoke calmly to the troubled Secretary Gu.

“Ignore it.”

“She sent a text too.”

“What did it say?”

“That she’ll fire you…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.”

Even with an expression that said ‘that’s not the issue,’ Secretary Gu reluctantly bowed his head and said yes.

Gyeom looked at Hyunseo. She’d been fidgeting anxiously with a worried face, and when their eyes met, her shoulders flinched. 

‘This is really serious.’ 

Gyeom just squeezed her hand tightly to suppress the urge to roughly pull her into an embrace.

“…That hurts.”

“Sorry.”

“Executive Director.”

“Mm?”

“She’ll be worried. Maybe you should at least contact her…”

“I told you, I don’t care.”

From the moment he came down to see Hyunseo, everything felt fine. Moreover, even under the persistent gazes of company employees, he was terribly calm. He only saw Hyunseo, and caring only about her was overwhelming enough.

“It’s okay. It’s nothing.”

At his words telling her not to worry, Hyunseo barely relaxed her expression. Even while watching Gyeom act like rumors didn’t matter, she’d thought ‘surely not.’ 

She never dreamed it would include even Director Seong Sujeong.

“Secretary Gu, let’s stop for a moment.”