SIDE STORY (PART 4)

Yeonseo calmly took a sip of water, then watched as Taeheon took it back and neatly emptied the bottle.

“It’s the center director’s call. He wants me to leave work a bit early tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure about that……. Maybe it’s about the charity meeting? I won’t know exactly until I get there.”

Taeheon looked at Yeonseo meaningfully. She couldn’t help but smile. She hoped he didn’t know that the center director was hard on her.

Unlike before, Taeheon didn’t monitor her or use security as an excuse to keep an eye on her. Unless Yeonseo revealed all the details, he wouldn’t know the exact situation.

However, Taeheon was quick on the uptake, and if anyone at the center happened to ask him about her in passing, he’d hear about the rumors…… that were circulating.

She hoped he wouldn’t hear any gossip about her receiving special treatment or sponsorship or any of the other nasty things she didn’t want to have to explain.

The center director’s petty bullying wasn’t too hard to take for Yeonseo, who’d been through some harsh social experiences. She just didn’t want Taeheon to know about it, so she kept it to herself.

Looking at Eunho’s picture on the living room frame, Yeonseo vented her frustration. Seeing Eunho’s angelic smile gave her the courage to face any challenges.

“Well, why don’t we wash up first? Then drink some wine and sleep.”

“How do you want it?”

He asked, even though he knew. He enjoyed hearing Yeonseo say that she wanted him. Perhaps, that’s what he desired most.

“However you want…”

His eyes narrowed. After putting down the empty water bottle, he casually loosened his tie.

“You won’t tell me, will you?”

They were back to square one. Even though she managed to cover things up well, the center director’s call brought back Taeheon’s suspicions.

“Really, nothing’s wrong.”

“Sure about that?”

“I don’t like being interrogated like this.”

Yeonseo frowned and then sighed. Using fatigue as an excuse once or twice might be effective, but it would show in her expression. After finishing the charity party she was preparing for, she planned to share her difficulties.

Not necessarily seeking help, just venting.

“If you don’t like this, don’t hide what’s in your mind. Is that difficult?”

“I don’t like it when you put it that way. I really don’t.”

His actions stopped at the word ‘don’t’. His sharp, refined eyes turned towards her.

“No. It’s not that I don’t like…Taeheon. It’s just that…”

Feeling like she had been too firm in expressing her dislike, Yeonseo stretched out her words. She quickly reached out, held Taeheon’s hand briefly, and then let go.

“I must be really too tired today. I don’t want to waste my precious time arguing with you, so I’ll go wash up first.”

“Han Yeonseo, what am I to you? Sigh… .”

Taeheon swallowed his words, running his fingers roughly through his hair. Finally, Yeonseo sensed his unease.

He might have guessed the reason why she had difficulties and couldn’t speak up. He was a sensitive man and knew everything about her by heart.

However, since she wasn’t opening up first, he had no choice but to wait indefinitely. Perhaps he didn’t want to make Yeonseo feel hurt or upset even if it meant not expressing his anger.

Taeheon’s throat rattled ferociously as he held his breath.

“There are times when I wonder what I can do for you.”

“What do you mean…”

“Sometimes, I feel like you’re hiding something.”

“…It’s not like that.”

“Really?”

With a hungry look, he asked if it really wasn’t the case.

Since Taeheon had given her the opportunity, it was now up to Yeonseo to step forward.

However, it still seems like a long way to go. As if there were no other choice but to do it like this, she was afraid of becoming an insignificant existence to the man who wanted her to confide in him.

The title of ‘parachute’ was pressing down on Yeonseo’s shoulders like a lump of lead.

Of course, Taeheon wouldn’t hope for such a thing… Yet, Yeonseo wanted to do something for him. The title of ‘parachute’ was pressing down on Yeonseo’s shoulders like a lump of lead.

“Sorry. But, can we talk about it later?”

“Later again?”

Taeheon dryly retorted.

“Yeah. I’m sorry, I’ll wash up first.”

Yeonseo went into the bathroom and closed the door. Just in case, she pressed the lock button, and footsteps sounded outside the door.

“Open up.”

“…”

“I didn’t mean to start a fight. Sorry. I didn’t mean to be pushy.”

Taeheon’s voice dripped with regret. Within seconds, he was lowering his stance.

“I was just greedy to know everything about you. I shouldn’t have pried if you didn’t want me to.”

The end of Taeheon’s words sank darkly.

“I understand your hurt feelings. I did everything wrong, so open the door.”

Tears welled up in Yeonseo’s eyes. He no longer tried to protect his pride when it came to Yeonseo.

Knowing that Yeonseo still made a secret to Taeheon, packaging her troubled soul as if not to show him a poor spirit. She built walls, pushed him away, and made him worry.

Like a fool. He would love her no matter what. Yeonseo bit her lip and cautiously opened the door.

Taeheon was right there, his strained face tugging at her heart. Opening the door a crack, he slowly walked into the bathroom.

His cautious approach felt like he was giving her time to run away, but she didn’t.

“I thought you were crying alone, and if you didn’t open the door, I was going to break it down.”

“Don’t do that. If you want me to open it, I will.”

Yeonseo reached out and cupped Taeheon’s cheek. Feeling the warmth, she lifted her heels and embraced him with both arms.

Taeheon’s heartbeat pulsed in her ear. She could feel his heart beating uneasily against hers, and there was no point in hiding it anymore.

It wasn’t Taeheon who was foolish. It was she, who, in her excessive love for him she wanted to be good to him.

Yeonseo closed her eyes tightly and opened them.

“It was a little hard.”

“What was?”

“Learning the job is manageable, but…”

“You did well.”

When Taeheon said that as if it were obvious, she felt strangely emotional. Come to think of it, after starting the job, it felt like the first time she heard him praise her. A bit more courage to open her heart seemed to sprout.

“It’s hard for me because I’m not upright.”

“Not upright?”

“I’m a parachute, you know. Rumors have spread all over the center.”

Taeheon wrapped his arms around Yeonseo’s waist. His hot breath touched her cheek as if to say more.

“If it wasn’t for you, Taeheon, I wouldn’t have gotten the job. I suddenly had to lead a team without knowing anything. I should have been more considerate of what others might think…”

“Don’t you think that’s what you’re capable of?”

“No. …….”

“The hand you hold is mine. Letting it rot would be a waste.”

Yeonseo was momentarily stunned by Taeheon’s typical response.

“What I have is all yours.”

“…”

“I can’t do without you, but does it feel like you got everything for free?”

As he asked in a softened voice, Yeonseo began to feel the same way. She just wanted to listen to everything he said. She bit her lip to keep from feeling overwhelmed.

“Yeonseo.”

“…Yes.”

“Is it still difficult for you to accept help?”

As if it were a habit, she hesitated to nod, feeling like it had indeed been difficult.

“I want to give something good to you, Taeheon, but I keep receiving every day.”

In the end, a hint of tears lingered in her voice. Pathetic as it was, she always seemed to weaken in front of him.

“You can take it. You can have it.”

“Can I really…?”

“I want to give you everything. I want to gather all the good things, all the pretty things, and give them to you, but it’s not easy. I want to get rid of everything that’s holding you back.

I want to make you smile.

Taeheon’s mumbled words struck Yeonseo’s heart.

The petty self-consciousness that was about to settle in a corner of her heart like a lifelong burden was chased away by Taeheon’s sincere words, like foam.

“It’s more difficult to see your expression darken day by day.”

His voice was somewhat heavy. Yeonseo let go of his hand and looked at him. His fingertips brushed away the moisture that had dampened her cheeks.

“You think too much. You need to know that holding it in is poison.”

The more she listened to him, the more she realized she’d been foolish. Her chest heaved, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Thick tears rolled down her cheeks.

This is not good. I keep crying.

It wasn’t sadness that made her cry. It was just that her intention to harbor firm determination against Taeheon’s comfort collapsed on its own.

“I… I feel like I’m too weak.”

“I wish it were like that. Ask for various things without any reservations. I’ll even dance if that’s what you want.”

She imagined him dancing, but the image didn’t quite come to mind, so she laughed and pursed her lips.

“I don’t want you to harm others, and I’m not comfortable with you doing bad things because of me.”

Yeonseo looked at him with a question in her eyes. He slightly furrowed his eyebrows and stole a warm kiss on Yeonseo’s cheek with his hot tongue.

“It’s been quite a while since I stopped doing things you dislike. You still don’t trust me? Why? Are you worried about me replacing all the people bothering you?”

“A bit? And it’s not like there are many people bothering me.”

“Someone must be bothering you. Who, the center director?”

It was a probing interrogation. Yeonseo widened her eyes, realizing what was going on.

“Your expression darkened the moment you answered the phone just now. How could I not know? I’m always watching you with my eyes alone.”

How could he not know?

“…It’s still bearable.”

“What can I do for you?”

Taeheon whispered sweetly as if he would do anything. But that alone made her feel better. It felt like gaining a powerful ally just by opening up her heart.

“You don’t have to do anything. It will be resolved naturally soon.”

The fact that you are my husband. 

If the center director knows that Han Yeonseo receives all of Woo Taeheon’s love, he won’t be able to treat her lightly. As long as she knows that, she isn’t afraid of the center director.