“The director tipped me off that any reaction at all from that executive is a good sign. Apparently, he usually maintains a completely expressionless face and rarely speaks beyond what’s absolutely necessary, working like a machine.”

“But he was frowning earlier.”

“That’s supposedly the expression he makes when something interests him. Isn’t that strange? He looks neat and presentable, but what an unusual person. Don’t you think so, Kim?”

Only then did a smile return to Ha-yoon’s face.

“Well, that’s a relief then. I suppose those quirks make him seem more human.”

“Huh? Well, I guess that’s true.”

“Then I can consider our first meeting a success. The client may have an unusual style, but is there ever a typical case in our line of work? This level of engagement is quite nice. I’ll do my best to accommodate him going forward.”

“You’re already doing your best, so don’t overdo it. You’ll end up sick in bed again.”

“I’ll be heading back now.”

“Sure, go home and get some rest.”

The mask of the spirited Kim that she wore in front of Manager Kim fell away as soon as she entered the elevator and left the office.

The disappointment and loneliness she had been suppressing suddenly rushed in.

When she exited the building and noticed the falling snowflakes, she even considered having a few beers before going home.

But it was only Wednesday. After working overtime for two consecutive days and being tense all day, drinking beer would make it difficult to maintain good condition until Friday.

She was just forcing herself to head home when she was startled by a pair of unfamiliar luxury shoes blocking her path, causing her to look up abruptly.

“Oh, um, didn’t you leave already?”

It was an awkward question.

It sounded as if she regretted his departure.

He stared down at Ha-yoon with his brow slightly furrowed and said:

“I did, but I came back.”

“What? Why?”

She felt hope sprouting wildly in a corner of her heart. It was difficult to suppress the excitement and anticipation. She couldn’t even think to hide her rising smile.

“There’s something I want to confirm.”

“Something you want to confirm?”

“It’s difficult to do here…”

He paused briefly, checked his watch, and added:

“As it happens, I know a pub near here. Would you like to join me for a beer and a chat?”

Ha-yoon stared up at him blankly, unable to even think of a response.

That unique nuance when pronouncing “beer,” the habit of slightly avoiding eye contact when asking for something, and the subtle lowering of one eyebrow.

This man was McClain. He was definitely McClain.

After being momentarily frozen, Ha-yoon accepted his proposal with an exaggerated nod.

“Yes, I’d love to. Actually, with the snow falling, I was just thinking about having a beer before heading home, so this works out perfectly.”

At her acceptance, the corner of Seohyuk’s mouth formed a faint smile. Perhaps because it was a smile from someone who had been expressionless and emotionless all day, to Ha-yoon, his smile now seemed exceptionally bright and radiant.

“I see. Then let’s go this way.”

Ha-yoon matched his brisk pace and glanced at his profile as they walked.

Perhaps because he didn’t expect her to be stealing glances at him, she noticed his expression had softened considerably and his smile had deepened.

Somehow, she felt excited. Her footsteps were incredibly light, as if they had never been heavy.

She didn’t care where he was leading her or where this pub he frequented was located.

At this moment, all that mattered was being by his side, walking together in the snow beside him as he smiled shyly.

Unfortunately, the pub he called his regular spot wasn’t far away.

“It’s here. Are you sure this is okay?”

Seohyuk hesitated briefly before asking again after arriving in front of a four-story building.

Why was this man so concerned about simply having a beer together at a pub?

Of course, realistically, it wasn’t common for a client and a project manager to meet separately. In fact, she would normally politely decline such an invitation.

But he and she were different. No, they needed to be different.

This could even be considered something they had promised long ago.

Trying hard to contain her emerging smile, Ha-yoon nodded as if it were the most natural thing.

“Of course. I’m very curious about how delicious the beer must be for you to be a regular here. Let’s go up.”

At her ready agreement, Seohyuk’s slightly stiff expression softened again. His steps up the stairs were exceptionally light.

When they reached the top of the stairs and opened the door to the rooftop pub, Ha-yoon let out an involuntary gasp of admiration.

It was a common yet uncommon pub. Seoul’s night view spread out beneath them, with snowflakes drifting in the chilly night air.

Tables were arranged along the railings to enjoy the view, spaced at appropriate distances to allow for complete enjoyment of personal time.

The problem was that, befitting a place of his choosing, it seemed to have gained some reputation through word of mouth, as there were no empty tables in sight.

“Oh, but it looks like there aren’t any seats avail—”

Just as she opened her mouth with undisguised disappointment, a pleasant-looking man in his early to mid-thirties approached and greeted Seohyuk.

“Oh, Seohyuk, you’re here? I kept your usual spot open. But…”

Breaking off, he turned his gaze to Ha-yoon with one corner of his mouth raised crookedly.

A glance that seemed polite yet full of mischief. His expression seemed familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before.

“Well, this is unusual—you’re not alone today? I never dreamed you’d bring such a lovely companion.”

When the man gestured toward Ha-yoon as if asking for an introduction, Seohyuk responded with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“Hyung, this is Kim Ha-yoon from the company we’re collaborating with on the new project.”

“Hello, I’m Kim Ha-yoon. Your place is really beautiful.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Jung Sang-yoon, Seohyuk’s college senior, mentor, and occasionally the one responsible for this uncommunicative guy’s social interactions. He might seem cold and indifferent on the outside, but he’s actually a tremendous klutz with absolutely no substance whatsoever…”

As she listened to his smooth introduction, Ha-yoon realized that Sang-yoon reminded her of Orlando, McClain’s lieutenant.

Ha-yoon bit her lip gently to suppress the laughter that threatened to emerge.

“Hyung, we need to leave soon. Stop the unnecessary talk and just show us to our table.”

“Oh? Alright. Then, Ha-yoon, that’s all for today. If you’re curious about the rest of the story, please visit again. Just call ahead, and I’ll definitely reserve a seat for you.”

“Oh my, thank you. I’ll definitely have to come back soon.”

Despite his earlier urgency about needing to confirm something, Seohyuk remained silent for a while after they sat down, placed their order, and the beer arrived.

Ha-yoon simply watched as he repeatedly parted his lips as if to say something, then closed them again. She understood that if what he wanted to say was what she hoped for, it would be difficult to express.

The disappointment and impatience she had felt before he appeared had long since vanished.

She enjoyed just watching his subtle expressions as he struggled with what to say. She even thought it wouldn’t be so bad if he didn’t bring up that topic today.

But he was braver than she expected.

Looking at Ha-yoon, who had already emptied half her beer, he bit his lip hard before carefully opening his mouth.

“Do you like the beer? I prefer carbonated beers like this over bland medieval-style beers, but I’m not sure if it suits your taste.”

Ha-yoon burst into a small laugh at the way he seemed to heavily emphasize the word “medieval.”

After all that deliberation, the best he could come up with was medieval beer.

Of course, her heart was greatly buoyed by the word he had inserted.

It made her feel that he had once been McClain, that he had returned to reality with her and was now trying to start something new.

Ha-yoon didn’t try to hide her bright expression as she readily played along.

“I agree. I also prefer modern, carbonated beer over bland, barley-tea-like medieval beer. I’ve been curious about your regular pub for a long time, and I can see why you frequent it.”

It was a kind of confirmation.

A confirmation from her as Natalie that she had longed to drink beer with him here, that she had hoped their relationship would continue even after returning to reality.

And Seohyuk immediately understood what her answer meant.

“For a long time…? Are you really?”

Seohyuk blinked slowly as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, then suddenly widened his eyes in shock.

His large eyes began to moisten instantly. Ha-yoon leaned slightly toward him and whispered:

“Yes, I really did come back, McClain.”

Just as she finished speaking and was about to pull back, Seohyuk reached out in an instant and grabbed the nape of Ha-yoon’s neck.

“Natalie, you really!”

Whether it was a sigh or an exclamation, she tried to respond but couldn’t. His hot lips immediately devoured her slightly parted ones.

Ha-yoon’s eyes widened momentarily at the sudden kiss but soon closed.

The two shared a long, sweet reunion kiss, oblivious to the glances from other people.

It was such a sweet and tender reunion that they didn’t notice Sang-yoon bringing appetizers and retreating in embarrassment, nor the thick snowflakes covering their heads in white.