The weather had gotten quite chilly. Just when she’d thought it was autumn, winter was already right around the corner—hard to believe.

Hyunseo pulled her cardigan closed and hurried into the lobby. Even though she’d stayed up late talking on the phone until dawn, she didn’t feel particularly tired. 

Two women she encountered in front of the elevator exchanged glances.

“Right?”

“I think so.”

“Should we ask?”

“Isn’t that rude? What would you even ask?”

Hyunseo deliberately ignored their whispering and got on the elevator that had just arrived. It would be a lie to say the blatant glances weren’t uncomfortable.

Still, she maintained a calm expression and only stared at the numbers on the display. Just when Hyunseo was desperately hoping to get off soon, one of the women carefully spoke to her.

“Excuse me. It’s true, right? That you and Executive Director Sunwoo…”

“No, it’s not.”

“What? You’re saying it’s not true?”

The women tilted their heads at Hyunseo’s flat denial. Soon the elevator stopped, and Hyunseo only offered a light nod before slipping out. Her heart pounded hard.

Deceiving people was never pleasant. She knew full well it was only a temporary measure, but for now she was sticking to playing dumb. 

Of course, there were places where it was too late to cover things up. Specifically…

“It’s Hyunseo.”

“Hyunseo, you’re here?”

“Good morning, Hyunseo.”

“Hi, Hyunseo.”

“Good morning.”

The department employees competed to greet her. After bowing and heading to her seat, Deputy Manager Jeong scurried over and held out chocolate wrapped in fancy paper.

“You didn’t eat breakfast, did you?”

“Ah…”

“It’s a bribe. Eat up and stay strong.”

At the blatant flattery delivered like a joke, Assistant Manager Hwang wrinkled his brow and laughed like he couldn’t stop her. Assistant Manager Nam and Jungsu chimed in saying ‘here we go again,’ but Deputy Manager Jeong remained confident, asking what she’d done wrong.

Actually, Gyeom and Hyunseo’s relationship was already an open secret that everyone in the department knew about. The reason they kept quiet despite knowing was thanks to General Manager Jo’s gag order to avoid unnecessary trouble and Hyunseo’s earnest request.

“Thank you.”

“Yeah, I’m grateful too. For staying in our department.”

“Take it easy, Deputy Manager Jeong. At this rate you’ll become manager before me.”

Even at Deputy Manager Oh’s playful rebuke, Deputy Manager Jeong just grinned.

Hyunseo, who’d repeatedly expressed her thanks, gently curled up the corners of her mouth. Even though they called it a bribe and whatnot, she could laugh along because she knew there was no malice. 

It was a kind of apology. Deputy Manager Jeong had been subtly conveying her regret this way, saying she hadn’t been a good judge of character. The catalyst was ridiculous, but it was a good thing.

“Coffee before work?”

“Sounds good.”

“Let’s go, Hyunseo.”

“What, just the women gathering again?”

While Jungsu comforted the grumbling Assistant Manager Nam, Hyunseo followed the female employees to the break room.

“Miae, hurry and come too.”

“Ah… I’m fine. You all go ahead.”

Miae, who’d just arrived at the office, passed by with a bitter smile. Miae couldn’t stand Hyunseo being in a relationship with Gyeom, and since she couldn’t outright say anything, she avoided the situation instead, naturally becoming isolated. 

Deputy Manager Jeong, who would have stubbornly looked after Miae before, focused all her attention only on Hyunseo like it had just been lip service.

“What do you want? Black? Mix?”

“I’ll make it.”

“No, I can’t let you do that. Hyunseo, just sit there.”

“Deputy Manager Jeong, then I’ll…”

“Hey, Assistant Manager Hwang. Hurry up and help me make these.”

Deputy Manager Jeong harshly scolded Assistant Manager Hwang, who’d tried to sneak in a request. Following Deputy Manager Oh’s cackling, Hyunseo couldn’t help but smile. It was Deputy Manager Oh who held her down when she tried to help.

“Just leave her be.”

“Still…”

“I know. Hyunseo has no authority over personnel. You think Deputy Manager Jeong doesn’t know that?”

Just as Deputy Manager Oh winked, Deputy Manager Jeong approached and handed over the coffee. Soon the chatter among the seated female employees was endless. Hyunseo still found the everyday conversations fascinating.

When she thought about it, they were extremely trivial things. She hadn’t realized that insignificant conversations—from celebrities to news circulating around, even TV programs watched last night—could be this fun.

Hyunseo, who’d always held back because she was a contract worker, was only now mixing in with people.

“Anyway, I’m troubled.”

“About what?”

“My husband. I’m thinking of just divorcing him even though there’s no need.”

“What?”

Everyone’s eyes widened at the bomb declaration that suddenly popped out. Deputy Manager Oh let out a heavy sigh.

“It’s not even like he’s a boarder. We’re complete strangers. At this rate, there’s no point in being married.”

“Right, Deputy Manager Oh, you said your husband is very busy?”

“It’s not a matter of being busy or not. It’s a matter of sincerity.”

“Sincerity?”

“We’re in our third year now, you know? But it’s been over five months since we did it. Can you believe it?”

It wasn’t just Hyunseo whose face heated up at Deputy Manager Oh’s complaint that they hadn’t even kissed, let alone had s*x. 

Assistant Manager Hwang, who was unmarried, also cleared his throat and looked away, and only the thick-skinned Deputy Manager Jeong continued the conversation in a deliberately calm tone.

“It’s been that long?”

“Maybe even longer. I can’t remember.”

“But why, when you don’t even have kids?”

“Now that I think about it, it was like that when we were dating too. The fire didn’t exactly burn hot even in the beginning.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Is it like that for you too, Hyunseo?”

Assistant Manager Hwang and Deputy Manager Jeong were single. So the only person Deputy Manager Oh could immediately seek advice from was Hyunseo.

Despite understanding the situation, Hyunseo bit her lower lip hard, flustered by the sudden attention. After a heavy silence, Deputy Manager Jeong threw out a question with an expression that said ‘now’s my chance.’

“Um, so, how many times a day does the Executive Director do it?”

“Deputy Manager Jeong! Are you crazy?”

Assistant Manager Hwang made a horrified expression, asking why she’d ask such a thing. Deputy Manager Oh quickly joined in.

“What’s wrong with it between women? Tell us, the Executive Director does it a lot, right?”

“Deputy Manager Oh, stop it.”

“Assistant Manager Hwang, aren’t you curious? With Executive Director Sunwoo’s physique, how many times is possible—hand on your heart, aren’t you really curious?”

“With those thighs, probably at least five times easily, no problem.”

“Why are you all like this, really! First thing in the morning, seriously!”

“…Sorry, but I’m not really sure.”

They were all roughly the same. 

Not just Deputy Manager Jeong who’d opened the floodgate of embarrassing questions, or Deputy Manager Oh who was smiling while imagining alone, but even Assistant Manager Hwang’s face, who was vehemently objecting, had been flushed red for a while.

Honestly, it was a topic they couldn’t help but be interested in. He was already a man with perfect appearance, and everyone was secretly curious about how much more perfect he might be inside, when Hyunseo carefully spoke up.

“I’ve never counted. I don’t think it’s typical. He always says he’s sorry.”

“He says he’s sorry? Why?”

“Because I struggle quite a bit. I’m taking the medicine he had made for me, but I can’t handle it.”

“Medicine, like a tonic?”

“Yes. He got worried seeing me get nosebleeds all the time. But we don’t meet every day. Sometimes we’re apart for a long time before we see each other, so I think maybe that’s why he tries not to let me sleep all night…”

Hyunseo stopped talking there. The faces she met had turned even redder than before.

“Really, how many times did Hyunseo save the country?”

“Exactly. I’m getting tired of even saying I’m jealous.”

Deputy Manager Oh and Deputy Manager Jeong muttered while looking at her with awe. It was Hyunseo’s job to pull them together as they sat there with their mouths hanging open. 

As they left the break room, Assistant Manager Hwang whispered.

“Sorry, was that uncomfortable?”

“It’s fine.”

“Anyway, women are worse. Well, I can’t say much since I didn’t stop them either.”

“It’s really okay. I’m grateful everyone’s keeping the secret.”

“It’s fortunate. That such amazing luck came to kind Hyunseo.”

Assistant Manager Hwang added that if it had been someone else, they’d definitely be bitter. 

Hyunseo just smiled at his words that Deputy Manager Jeong and Deputy Manager Oh would obviously have been annoyed enough to secretly plan to torment her given their personalities.

She was the fortunate one. She always felt grateful to the employees who, despite being quite surprised, didn’t treat her with unnecessary envy or jealousy. It was probably because the other party was Gyeom. Because his reputation was excellent.

“Should I check emails first?”

“Yes, Assistant Manager.”

Hyunseo, who’d answered cheerfully, hurried to her seat. The smile didn’t leave her lips as she clicked the mouse. It was always like this. She couldn’t help but find it fascinating that Gyeom made her smile just by thinking of him.

She tried to focus on work. Yet she kept checking the time and let out a trembling breath without anyone noticing. Today was the day Gyeom returned to the company after finishing his week-long overseas business trip.

“Hello?”

[Can I see you?]

The call came just as she’d started her afternoon work. Hyunseo hurriedly looked around.

“Where are you?”

[The rooftop.]

“Can’t you see me after work later?”

[I’m going into a meeting soon. It’ll be night by the time it’s over.]

“Ah…”

[Can you hold out?]

Gyeom added that he absolutely couldn’t. Her heart already pounded at his voice saying he couldn’t bear not seeing her right away, it was so seductive. 

Her heart, which had been fluttering since he’d called at dawn saying he was on his way to the airport, was on the verge of exploding.

Still, Hyunseo hesitated. The situation within the department aside, she was being as careful as possible at the company. There was no guarantee no one would catch them going in and out of the rooftop. 

But.

[Do Hyunseo.]

“Yes…?”

[Should I come down?]

She finally stood up at the skillful threat. She had some leeway since she’d finished her urgent work.

“Um, Assistant Manager.”

“Yeah, go ahead. It’s fine.”

Assistant Manager Hwang nodded before she could even speak. Hyunseo bowed and left the office.

“Do Hyunseo, about that meeting material earlier.”

General Manager Jo, who’d just come in from an external meeting, stopped Hyunseo and showered her with praise. 

Hyunseo smiled and bowed her head at General Manager Jo, who laughed heartily saying it was well-organized and she’d worked hard. In that moment, unable to wait, her vibrating phone’s screen flashed with Gyeom’s name.

Her steps toward the elevator were hasty. She made up her mind. Next time she’d absolutely say no. Hadn’t they agreed to be careful? 

So he shouldn’t keep calling her, they should definitely meet after work. Without fail.

“Haah…”

Her firm resolution crumbled without a trace because of Gyeom, who pulled her into his arms without warning.

His broad chest wrapped around her warmly. She carefully lifted her head in his arms as he hugged her even tighter, leaving no gap. The gaze that met hers was incredibly deep.

“I missed you.”

“Me too.”

“But why did you say you wouldn’t come? Trying to make me die of frustration?”

Watching Gyeom pout his lips like he was sulking, Hyunseo burst into laughter. Soon their foreheads touched, and she held her breath at the face that had drawn closer. His handsome features shook her entire heart.

She suddenly thought it didn’t make sense. There had to be a limit—how could this man make her fall for him this much every time she saw him? 

He briefly stole her quietly closed lips. Once, no, twice. Continuously.

“…You can’t.”

“Why.”

“Stop. We agreed not to use tongue outside.”

Hyunseo deliberately avoided the kiss that was about to become messy. Gyeom barely furrowed his brow.

“Let it slide today.”

“It’ll become a habit.”

“So what if it does? You don’t like it?”

“Yeah, I don’t like it.”

“Do Hyunseo.”

“You said we should only work at the company. Did you forget?”

Gyeom, caught by his own words from before, made a groaning sound. He didn’t find Hyunseo annoying even though she used it against him at times like this. There was nothing to dislike about her. Even her breathing was pretty.

“This is pure t*rture.”

He barely held back from biting and sucking those lips right now and put strength into his arms. 

She could feel him, fully hardened, pressed even closer below. She never disliked how he always said he wanted her with his whole body.

“Really can’t?”

“I told you, I can’t hold back.”

“Ah right, you did. You said if we kiss deeply, you’ll want to get f*cked right here.”

“…I didn’t say it like that.”

“When you get off work, sleep in my room. Preferably with all your clothes off, okay?”

He apologized in advance. She blushed at the warning that he’d tire her out all night.

“Oh, a souvenir.”

“Again?”

He pulled out a small box from inside his suit jacket. He always gave her gifts whenever he came back from business trips, and they were usually expensive jewelry, making the term ‘business trip souvenir’ meaningless. Sure enough, Hyunseo sighed looking at the gold bracelet that had been wrapped around her wrist.

“How long are you going to keep giving me things?”

“Until Do Hyunseo wears them all properly on her own.”

“It’s too much, you can stop now…”

“It’s not much at all. Keep accepting them. Because I want to keep giving.”

The declaration that the gift offensive wouldn’t stop easily wasn’t threatening at all. Gyeom rather made a regretful expression, saying these things were endlessly insufficient to express his feelings.

“Thank you.”

“What do you do when you’re grateful?”

Hyunseo obediently placed her lips against his approaching ones. Gyeom’s lips curved into a gentle arc.

Even while saying he’d go down soon to Secretary Gu’s call, he didn’t easily let her go. His lips, trying to soothe his regret, rubbed against her forehead and cheeks repeatedly.

“Will you be like this later too?”

“Hm?”

“Years from now. I’m curious if you’ll still be like this with me then.”

She carefully pulled him away, who was desperate not to separate. She couldn’t send him into the meeting room with the front of his pants bulging. 

He unfailingly pressed his lips to the back of her hand that she’d grabbed to soothe him.

“Do you think I’m excessive?”

“Probably.”

“So, is it hard?”

“It can’t not be hard. Honestly, you do it too much, way too much.”

“I’m holding back though.”

She flinched as she’d been shrinking her shoulders at the ticklish licking tongue. He laughed low, “Hehe.”

“I’m trying. In case you run away.”

“What…?”

“If I do it as much as I want, you’ll obviously get scared. So I’m holding back with all my strength. Like doing it five times instead of ten.”

It didn’t make sense. Even now he didn’t let her sleep at all, and once he started he rarely finished. What.

Absurd, yet unable to say anything about it, Hyunseo just bit her innocent lips hard. She herself was the one who wanted Gyeom, who dug in persistently, more than anyone.

Of course it was hard, still overwhelming.