Runaway Secretary - Chapter 48
CHAPTER 48
She put the paper bags on the couch, intending for him to take it even if he didn’t like it. As Taeheon walked over and sat down on the couch, he didn’t even glance at the direction of the bags.
Like he didn’t care what happened to the cufflinks in the first place.
Annoyance caused Yeonseo’s eyes to heat up, but she didn’t want to argue with Taeheon at a time like this, so she refrained.
“Then I’ll contact you again to confirm the meeting time tomorrow.”
Taeheon’s blind date was set. Yeonseo had done her part diligently, placing Choi Soohyun, the only daughter of a congressman, as the first choice.
In truth, Yeonseo lacked the ability to identify a candidate who would bring substantial business benefits to match for Taeheon. The candidates had already been vetted, so there were no flaws. So she just picked one at random.
Out of the list on the selection, the one who’s got a more free time to set an appointment to meet Taeheon gets top priority.
“Where are we going to go now, the hospital?”
Since that one visit in Mrs. Kang’s ICU due to Taeheon, she hadn’t visited the hospital again.
Taeheon had kept calling Yeonseo, telling her to buy things for his residence. At this point, it seemed more appropriate to refer to her as a dealer or a trader, rather than his personal secretary.
“I have an plans with my friends, so we’re going to eat.”
“Come here and sit.”
Taeheon tilted his head slightly and gestured toward his lap. Yeonseo hesitated for a moment before approaching him.
Just his presence alone, sitting there, was overwhelming. His hair slightly covered his eyebrows, even the bridge of his nose, it was just enchanting.
Honestly, for Yeonseo, just looking at him made all the accumulated stress of the day melt away. One moment she sighed, and the next she felt strangely content.
Just as she was about to put her arm around Taeheon’s shoulders and sit on his lap, he pulled her H-line skirt up to her waist.
Surprised, Yeonseo shrank back. The cold air from the air conditioner clung eerily to her bare legs.
“Wh-what if someone comes?”
Yeonseo stammered nervously, but Taeheon just grabbed her plump waist and pulled her down.
“If someone breaks in, let them. But no one will come.”
She could feel the texture of Taeheon’s suit through the thin layer of clothing. The heat that had already emanated in his body didn’t hide his desire.
Taeheon unbuttoned her blouse in one swift motion, and expertly teased the soft mound that had been hidden beneath. The sensitive spot between his fingers trembled slightly. Yeonseo’s attempts to moan were swallowed by his lips.
Taeheon pressed on, invading her lips, blouse, and even her most intimate places. Yeonseo, whimpered helplessly under his tongue.
Her tender body heated up at his slightest touch.
We can’t do this here. What if he suggests it?
Yeonseo was vaguely conflicted.
“Yes, this is Woo Taeheon.”
While Yeonseo took a moment to catch her breath, he answered the phone. She wondered if she had misheard something unbelievable.
“No, please, go ahead and speak.”
Taeheon continued the call in a nonchalant tone, casually exposing her halfway, or rather, even more shamelessly…
Yeonseo let out a hot breath and waited for him to finish the call, but Taeheon’s voice was getting lower and lower, a sign that things were getting serious.
Sitting quietly in his lap like a doll, Yeonseo slowly straightened her underwear and buttoned her blouse. When she stood up, straightened her skirt, and smoothed her disheveled hair, Taeheon hung up the phone.
Yeonseo smiled faintly and bowed her head slightly.
“I should be going now.”
“Come back and sit, again.”
“No. I know you’re busy, so get to work. I have plans, too.”
“But I want you to stay.”
Taeheon asked menacingly, his eyes darting down to her navel.
His indifference came back to bite her every so often. Each time, Yeonseo reminded herself not to fall too deeply in love with him.
She was doing it even now. Even as they exchanged hurried kisses, he’d just quickly lost interest.
He could forget her in an instant.
“My friends are waiting for me.”
“You and Baek Hyeonho must be pretty close.”
“We’re like family. I’ve known him since we were kids.”
“So you lend him money too?”
Yeonseo frowned. He’d done his research at her.
“Sir, please don’t say anything bad about Hyeoho.”
At that moment, Taeheon’s gaze sharpened. Yeonseo turned away. Today, she just wanted to get away from him for once.
It seemed love had stamina too. After exhausting all her energy, she wanted to hide somewhere.
“Han Yeonseo.”
Ignoring the deep voice calling her, Yeonseo hurriedly left the officetel.
*
Yeonseo’s steps were unsteady as she got out of the taxi. She frowned at the smell of alcohol rising from her stomach and regretted drinking too much.
In front of a worried Hyeonho and Jiyeong, she had claimed she wasn’t drunk, but as soon as she stepped into the air-conditioned taxi, her drunkeness hit her like a tidal wave. After all, they’d been drinking until well past 10 in the morning, so it was hard not to get drunk.
Hyeonho and Jiyeong were also pretty much on all fours, too, so it was hard for them to see Yeonseo home.
If only Hyeonho hadn’t mentioned leaving Korea soon, things wouldn’t have turned out like this.
A few hours ago, Hyeonho had casually mentioned it.
“I’ll be leaving Korea soon.”
“What?”
“I got a good offer from Taiwan. I’ll be active there for about two years.”
Yeonseo shook her head, shielding her eyes from the rising sun.
“Idiot.”
She saw hesitation in Hyeonho’s eyes. When she asked if he really had to go, he sighed and said,
“It’s not my choice. If the CEO wants me to go, I’ll go. And if I go, I’ll get a lot of work, not just as a model, but as an actor. It’s a really great offer from Taiwan so it’s not a loss.”
Yeonseo’s mind was not at ease, even though he’s assuring her he’d come to Korea occasionally. She hadn’t been this worried even when Hyeonho went to the military.
Yeonseo wasn’t someone to worry about others, but the thought of him leaving for a foreign country made her feel anxious and excited at the same time.
In the elevator, Yeonseo stared silently as the floors changed. She was getting used to the luxurious space now.
That, in itself, was a little frightening. When she’d left this place, she would inevitably feel more desolate than before. She considered using Hyeonho as an excuse to get drunk.
She entered the password for the officetel and went inside. Yeonseo hastened her steps when she saw the shoes placed at the entrance.
Taeheon was sitting on the sofa. He had taken off his jacket and was resting his head on his arms, which were draped over the armrest.
Yeonseo blinked her eyes slowly. Unless she was seeing things due to her drunken state…
“Sir, what brings you here at this hour?”
She had clearly called Taeheon an hour ago to confirm his matching date time. It was 11:15 now, with less than an hour left until his schedule matchdate at 12 noon.
“You’re coming home late.”
“I was drinking……. By the way, you’re not supposed to be here right now.”
“Get ready.”
“Ready for?”
Yeonseo raised her eyebrows, swaying slightly due to the effects of alcohol, and grabbed the table for support. Taeheon watched her calmly.
“You planned the meeting, so you should see how it turns out, don’t you think?”
“Are you telling me to follow along with this date?”
Hopeful that it wasn’t the case, Yeonseo asked.
“Get ready now, don’t make me tell you twice.”
Taeheon said, his dry gaze fixed on Yeonseo, telling her he wouldn’t take no as an answer. Yeonseo staggered and brushed her disheveled hair away from her face.
“I’m drunk, sir. What if I make a mistake?”
“That’s your responsibility, Han Yeonseo, secretaries are supposed to handle these things for me.”
Yeonseo was finding it hard to adapt to this side of Taehepn. She straightened her shoulders defiantly.
“Then you should have told me in advance.”
“There’s still 40 minutes left. If we can’t make it today, it’s your responsibility to reschedule the date.”
She knew that once this man made up his mind, he wouldn’t change it. Yeonseo bit her lip and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
***
She had preferred a quiet venue, but the other party had chosen an Italian restaurant in a hotel as the meeting place.
It was a weekend lunchtime, so the restaurant was crowded. As Taeheon walked in, all eyes turned to him. Yeonseo wondered if that was his intention. The label of being Taeheon’s partner might be useful if the marriage fell through.
Taeheon was a distinguished man, someone everyone coveted as a husband, a successful businessman.
Despite the discomfort from her hangover remedy, Yeonseo endured the pain of her upset stomach and led Taeheon to their table.
It was 12:10 PM. They were late for the match date, and Taeheon’s date for today was already waiting at the table.
Yeonseo gestured toward the corner table by the window.
“Your date is already here. They’re over there.”
Taeheon promptly walked over without hesitation, and Soohyun’s head, who had been looking out the window, turned slightly. Taeheon’s hair, makeup, and clothes looked more like he was going into battle than a date.
Soohyun put as much effort into her appearance as Yeonseo had when she’d been dragged to the anniversary party.
No, for Soohyun, this was probably an everyday occurrence.
Yeonseo silently chuckled to herself, observing the two like a spectator.
“I’m Woo Taeheon.”
“I’m Choi Suhyun. We’ve met a few times before, haven’t we?”
Taeheon nodded and pulled out the chair. Spotting Yeonseo, Soohyun raised a brow.
In response to her unspoken question, Taeheon seated himself and said,
“She’s my secretary. I need to be reachable urgently, so she’ll wait here. Is that okay with you?”
Soohyun wiped away the brief flicker of embarrassment and tried to conceal it with a smile.
“I apologize for having someone stand. It’s our fault.”
“You can ask her to sit if you want.”
“Excuse me?”
Soohyun couldn’t hide her surprise. Yeonseo, too, was shocked, biting her lips in frustration. Taeheon’s hand was already on the backrest of the chair, as if he was about to pull it out for Yeonseo himself.
“Stop saying no and just sit down.”