Chapter 8.2

“Executive Director, did something good happen today?”

It was Secretary Park, standing with a stack of documents for approval, who asked the question. Seojun looked up with a blank expression.

“No, everything is as usual.”

“Oh, you just seemed to be in a good mood. My apologies.”

“Don’t worry about it. You can leave now.”

“Yes, Sir.”

As he ate a light lunch, Seojun listened to updates about Moonkyeong’s daily life. He was aware that she had recently become particularly fond of a dog someone else owned.

He hadn’t entirely dismissed the idea of keeping a pet at home, but the truth was, he was allergic to fur.

Knowing how emotionally fragile Seo Moonkyeong was, he wavered but couldn’t bring himself to make a decision.

“She always asks for so much.”

Seojun pressed his forehead with his fingers. Her words from the previous night had been truly dangerous. Her provocative challenge to punish her had completely shattered his self-control.

She doesn’t even realize how dangerously close I come to losing myself over her. When she pushes me like that, how could I not be caught off guard?

If she clings to me, refusing to let go, she’ll end up crying and begging me to let her go anyway.

She acts like she wants to do whatever she pleases, so how dare she mess with me?

Rising from his seat to prepare for an afternoon meeting, he adjusted the red tie Moonkyeong had skipped today while putting on his black jacket.

He knew she would never directly ask him to buy her a dog. She wasn’t the type to make such a request outright.

He was trying to think of a way to handle it. He also needed to figure out how to keep her from attending Lee Heejin’s dinner party.

Seojun’s busy day left no room for rest. He bit his lip firmly.

***

On the day of Seojun’s business trip to Vietnam, Moonkyeong was unable to visit Lee Heejin’s family home as scheduled in the morning.

Late the previous night, she had received a call from Hyesook, the wife of National Assembly Member Jeon Taepyeong, who urgently requested her help.

Every Wednesday, there was a volunteer activity at an orphanage, and they were short-handed. Hyesook had asked if Moonkyeong could join. Unable to refuse, she agreed and, as soon as the day broke, called Director Shin Jueun.

“Director, it’s me.”

– What’s the matter so early? Weren’t you supposed to visit Heejin’s place today?

“Well, I don’t think I’ll be able to make it.”

– Why? Are you saying you don’t want to go? Are you going back on your word now?

Despite Shin Jueun’s aggressive tone, Moonkyeong calmly explained the situation.

This wasn’t just anyone—it was a matter involving National Assembly Member Jeon Taepyeong. Naturally, Leehan Group couldn’t refuse such a VIP request. Moreover, Shin Jueun herself was the director of a children’s foundation.

There was no way she could stop Moonkyeong from going to the orphanage for volunteer work. Even as she reluctantly agreed, Shin Jueun couldn’t help but complain.

– Did Seojun ask you to do this?

Moonkyeong quickly denied it.

“No, Director. Seojun doesn’t know about this.”

– That can’t be true. Thinking back to how I treated that boy the same as my Seouk, it still infuriates me! Ugh, it makes me so angry.

“…….”

– Are you going to Vietnam with him too?

“Pardon? Yes.”

– He must really treasure you. But tell him this: meddling so much will only make things harder for you in the end. Got it?

“……Yes.”

– Make sure you stop by Do Hyowon on the day you return from the trip. If you’re late, I won’t let it slide.

“Yes, understood. I’ll go there as soon as I arrive.”

After hanging up, Moonkyeong finally let out a sigh. Talking to Shin Jueun for more than a minute always gave her a headache.

She quickly changed into comfortable clothes and left the house. Since she had to visit the orphanage, she had hurriedly ordered various items the night before and now had to pick them up.

Thankfully, she wasn’t late for her appointment with Hyesook.

“Why did you bring so much? You could’ve just come as you are.”

At Hyesook’s remark, Moonkyeong smiled shyly.

“I was worried I wouldn’t be of much help, so I thought I’d at least bring gifts.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t make you do anything too hard.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m just worried I might not meet expectations.”

“Alright then, I’ll make you do everything. No regrets?”

“None.”

Responding cheerfully, Moonkyeong looked at the scene before her.

The orphanage wasn’t too different from the one where she had spent her childhood. A wide playground, trees, and an old, shabby building housing many people.

The memories of her childhood in a similar place felt distant. To the young Min Bora, whose lifelong wish had been to have parents like everyone else, she now wanted to say:

‘Live your life. Wherever you go, no matter where you are, live your own life, Bora.’

As she served rice, Hyesook, who was eating with the children, waved at her. From afar, it was clear how much love and affection she had for the kids.

“Come over here and eat with us now.”

After serving the last volunteer’s meal, Hyesook urged her to join them.

Including Moonkyeong, there were nine volunteers today. Organizing the work and coordinating the schedule was also Hyesook’s responsibility.

When Moonkyeong brought her tray over, Hyesook greeted her warmly.

“Was it tough coming here for the first time? But you’re surprisingly good at this.”

Embarrassed by the compliment, Moonkyeong scratched the back of her neck.

“Oh, it’s not my first time.”

“Not your first?”

“Yes. I lived in an orphanage until I was nine.”

Contrary to her expectation of pity or sympathy, Hyesook’s gaze remained unchanged.

“That’s great. Then you can take charge of this place from now on.”

“Pardon?”

“I oversee more than thirty volunteer groups. I’m so busy. I’ll hand this place over to you, so you’ll be responsible for it.”

“Well, I’d need Seojun’s permission first.”

Hyesook brushed off her concern. Seojun would grant anything Moonkyeong wanted, so there was no issue.

Three days ago, he had contacted her to urgently adjust the schedule for this very reason. Honestly, she was a little surprised at how much he cared for Moonkyeong. For someone so dry and reserved, she had thought he kept his feelings for his wife hidden.

Smiling, Hyesook said, 

“I’ll give you a list of tasks to handle later.”

“…Yes.”  

“Oh, I hope I’m not forcing this on you.”

Moonkyeong smiled kindly.  

“Not at all.”  

“That’s a relief.”  

Hyesook tapped her shoulder a few times.  

***

At 7 p.m., Moonkyeong sat in the business class seat next to Seojun.  

Soon, the plane took off into the sky, and while she focused on the monitor, she occasionally glanced at Seojun, who was engrossed in his seemingly endless work.  

Because of this man, who had become unbearably uncomfortable since that day, she felt like she was going crazy. She had almost run to him late last night, despite being sleep-deprived, to tell him she wanted to back out of accompanying him on this business trip to Vietnam.  

“Sigh.”  

When she unconsciously let out a sigh, Seojun turned his attention toward her.  

“Is there a problem?”  

Moonkyeong shook her head and raised her hand slightly.  

“No, nothing. Sorry. Please continue.”  

While he worked, she busied herself by watching videos of Toto, her favorite. The adorable moments occasionally brought a faint smile to her lips, and she giggled softly.  

Immersed in the world of her earphones, Moonkyeong was entirely focused on the screen. She was completely unaware of how often Seojun’s gaze drifted toward her.  

She also didn’t know that he subtly reacted every time she laughed.  

***

As soon as they arrived in Vietnam, the two headed to their accommodation.  

Even after working non-stop on the plane, Seojun remained seated at the desk, seemingly with urgent matters to handle.  

While he focused on the monitor, Moonkyeong took a look around the hotel room. It was a suite on the top floor of the building—clean and stylish.  

She wondered if he always booked such unnecessarily spacious rooms even when traveling alone, but she decided not to dwell on it.  

Thinking she should unpack, she grabbed the handle of her suitcase.  

The suite had two rooms: one with a large king-sized bed and another with a single bed. Assuming the smaller room was hers, Moonkyeong started heading in that direction, but Seojun pointed to the opposite side with his finger.  

“That way.”  

“Pardon?”  

“Use that room.”  

“Oh, okay.”  

She wondered if the smaller room had a better view. With that simple thought, she turned around, but Seojun’s voice, still focused on his monitor, stopped her again.  

“We’ll stay together.”  

Startled, Moonkyeong turned to confirm his intention.  

“Together?”  

“Yeah. Do you have a problem with that?”  

“No, not at all.”  

Though she said so, the confusion written all over her face didn’t escape his notice. As if slightly amused, he glanced at the time displayed at the bottom of his monitor and added,  

“Go to bed. It’s past your bedtime, Seo Moonkyeong.”  

“…”  

“Be a good girl.”  

Moonkyeong furrowed her brows. It felt oddly unpleasant, yet strangely satisfying at the same time.  

Was he teasing me? Was he calling me cute like a child? 

Once again, his words were beyond her interpretation, so she gave up and turned away.  

But then, the thought struck her—staying together meant sharing a bed. Suddenly, she mentally reviewed the underwear she had packed.  

“Ridiculous.”  

The word slipped out, and she quickly covered her mouth. She really couldn’t figure out what was going on in Seojun’s mind.  

Since that night when they had been intimate, nothing much had changed between them. They still slept in separate rooms, and their mornings were filled with the same lack of conversation.  

Though she found the awkwardness and discomfort unfair, she had chalked it up to his naturally stoic personality.  

Maybe I should’ve packed birth control pills.  

“Sigh.”  

Amused by her own increasingly ridiculous thoughts, Moonkyeong scratched her forehead.  

She decided to focus on unpacking instead.  

After taking a shower, exhaustion overcame her. As Seojun had mentioned, it was much later than her usual bedtime, and the long flight had left her body tired.  

Yawning repeatedly, she barely dried her hair before collapsing onto the bed.  

Early the next morning, the rustling sound of movement woke her. Half-opening her eyes, she saw Seojun sitting up beside her.  

Realizing they had indeed shared a bed, she was momentarily startled, but then her gaze shifted to the clock on the wall.  

6:30 a.m. Even in Vietnam, he was up early. Worried about him, Moonkyeong murmured softly,  

“Are you leaving already?”  

Her sleepy voice made Seojun turn back toward her.  

“Yeah.”  

“Do Vietnamese people wake up this early? Everyone seems so diligent.”  

“I’m going to work out. Go back to sleep.”  

“When will you… be back?”  

Her body, still hidden under the blanket, half-rose. Her messy hair and barely open eyes made her look adorably drowsy as she struggled to speak. Seojun couldn’t help but laugh.  

For someone who had driven him crazy all night, her words were surprisingly amusing. 

What was she planning to do, knowing when I would return?  

Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, he spoke,  

“Seo Moonkyeong.”  

“Yes?”  

“Open your eyes before you talk.”  

“Oh.”  

Hurriedly combing her hair, she tried to collect herself, which only made her seem more endearing. Seojun left the room quickly.  

If he wanted to spend even a single day of fun with Moonkyeong, he would need to wrap up the 4-night, 5-day schedule within 3 days.  

He had been handling not only the tasks for HAN Motors since the beginning of the month but also part of the strategic division for Leehan Electronics. Although this was being carried out confidentially both externally and within the group, it was an assignment entrusted to him directly by Chairman Kim Seokyeong.  

Due to the numerous opposing forces, the matter was being kept under wraps for now, but the Chairman intended to eventually hand over Leehan Electronics to him. Seojun was well aware of this. To solidify his position as the heir, he needed to secure control over the electronics division. Until the Chairman’s inheritance process was complete, even a single mistake was unacceptable.  

There were too many adversaries around him waiting to pounce at the slightest misstep. To keep up with the constant demands of his work, maintaining physical strength was essential, which is why he couldn’t neglect exercising.  

As he stepped onto the treadmill, he listened to the sound of Moonkyeong’s breathing from where she had been left alone. After he had left the hotel, she had fallen back into a deep sleep without any tossing or turning, sleeping peacefully.  

Although he couldn’t know what dreams she was having, he could now easily picture how she looked while sleeping, even with his eyes closed.  

His breath gradually quickened as he ran tirelessly. Seojun kept running for a long time.