***

It was a week later.

Yeon-joo, who said she would arrange a meeting with reporter Jo Dong-sik, hadn’t called.

RRRRR.

“It’s me, Soo-min.”

-“Ah, Soo-min, I’m sorry. Something suddenly came up. Actually, I passed the audition I mentioned earlier. I got a supporting role in my first musical!”

“Really? Congratulations.”

-“It feels like a dream. There were so many famous seniors, so I thought I’d only get a supporting role even if I made it.”

“This is great. You’re finally realizing your dream! I should take you out for a drink to celebrate…”

-” My college friends have already offered to do that. You should come when you’re free. There’s a whole truckload of people dying to hear how you’re doing.”

“Sure, just send me a message when you decide on the place.”

It seemed like Yeon-joo, who was suddenly busy, wouldn’t have time to meet the reporter.

Just then, a message from Soo-min came in.

[I almost forgot. Do you think I would refuse you no matter how busy I am? I asked my senior, and he said it’s okay to give you his business card.]

It was Senior Jo Dong-sik’s business card.

Soo-min sent a thankful emoji, and she called the reporter.

As the phone rang several times, her heart kept pounding. Would he remember the article?

—“This is reporter Jo Dong-sik.”

“Ah, hello. I’m reaching out through Park Yeon-joo. I’m a junior from the same school as you, senior.”

—“Ah, you were curious about the fire incident from five years ago, right?”

“Yes. I’d like to hear more about it in person, if that’s okay. When would you be available?”

—“Hmm, I think around 3 p.m. today would work.”

“Then I’ll send you the meeting location, and I’ll see you there.”

Soo-min searched for a suitable place and shared it with him.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the office became cheerful. As the team members’ voices became more animated, she turned to look.

Coffee and snacks, apparently brought in by Yuhyeon herself, were neatly arranged among flowers on the table.

Yuhyeon stared at Soo-min intently and she felt a pang of guilt for no reason.

She wasn’t digging into his background or anything, but she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling.

As if he wanted to make a show of it for the team, he walked over and gently put a hand on Soo-min’s shoulder.

“So jealous, boss! Thanks for the treats, dear husband~”

His acting was so good that even professional actors would have been jealous. Those melting, tender eyes almost fooled her as well.

“Chairman Go called. He asked that we meet tonight.”

“Today?”

Why did her grandfather have to ask her to come today? If she missed the meeting with reporter Jo Dong-sik this time, she didn’t know when she would get another chance – so she had to go.

“Yes.”

“What time are you leaving?”

“I have to prepare a gift, so I was thinking of stopping by the department store around 4… Why?”

“I have a quick appointment. I think I’ll be done around 5, so the timing should work out…”

“Then I’ll come where your appointment is.”

“Oh no! I’ll come to the hotel. The cafe isn’t far from here anyway.”

Soo-min waved his hands in protest.

Yuhyeon’s eyebrow raised.

With a gentle smile, Soo-min lovingly put her arm through his.

“Whatever you want.”

“But have lunch with me.”

“Alright.”

Arm in arm, Soo-min walked out of the office with Yuhyeon in a warm, affectionate manner. Just as they were about to enter the restaurant, he gently wrapped his arm around her waist.

“…?”

“A reporter just entered the hotel.”

“R-Really?”

“Looks like we have to act like a loving couple.”

Mmph!

Their lips met.

Soo-min was startled. Did they really have to kiss just to act like a couple? But trying to explain Korean culture to Yuhyeon, a foreigner, seemed like a lost cause.

The hand around her waist tightened slightly.

Breathless sounds escaped her deeply parted lips.

Looking around, she noticed many eyes watching them as a couple – employees, reporters, and members of high society still coming and going through the lobby.

Soo-min wrapped her arm around his shoulder.

She adjusted the angle of her lips to match his kiss.

***

Since she had to meet Yuhyeon at 5 pm, she took a taxi.

Soo-min waited for reporter Jo Dong-sik at the meeting place.

It was 15:30. Was he a little late? Every time the cafe door opened, she turned to look, but it was always someone else.

‘He must be a busy person… He’s probably just running a little late.’

Soo-min opened her phone and started searching the Internet. Then came the surprise.

‘When did all the articles disappear?’

She was sure that the articles had been there not too long ago. But now, as if it was a lie, they were gone.

Not only Jo Dong-sik’s article, but every related article was gone.

Unable to believe it, Soo-min took out her tablet and tried to look again.

[Gangwon Province Fire]

[Gangwon Fire Damage]

[Gangwon Fire Deaths]

No matter how many times she searched with different keywords, everything was completely gone.

‘…What on earth is going on?’

There were two phones on Yuhyeon’s desk. One was his own and the other was a twin phone connected to Soo-min’s.

All messages that Soo-min sent and received were forwarded to Yuhyeon’s phone.

Just then, there was a knock at the door and the chief secretary entered.

“You have a guest.”

“Bring her in.”

The door opened and a cameraman and a reporter entered.

The reporter, who had secured Yuhyeon’s exclusive interview, couldn’t hide his excitement. He wiped his hands on his clothes and then reached out to shake Yuhyeon’s hand.

“It’s an honor that you chose KTN News. I’m reporter Jo Dong-sik.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Beom Yuhyeon.”

The two men shook hands.

When Jo Dong-sik looked up, his eyes widened in surprise.

He seemed to recognize Ji Junhwan, after all, he was the one who had rushed to the scene first and identified the body and the ID. He would remember the face on the ID.

At the time of the fire, Junhwan’s ID had been placed with the body of Ivan’s guard who had died in the incident. Therefore, Junhwan was listed among the deceased.

However, after the article was published, Jo Dong-sik began to have doubts.

This was because the ID was completely intact, even though the body had been charred beyond recognition.

It had probably always bothered him. For a journalist, having his first big scoop tainted by suspicion was certainly a blemish.

But he was now a man who had grown enough to win a journalism award after five years. With his keen instincts as a reporter, it was only natural for him to find things strange.

Yuhyeon smiled slightly.

The more doubts the reporter had, the smoother his plan went.

“Is there something on my face?”

“Oh, no. It’s just… you looked familiar. My apologies.”

“It’s okay.”

They sat across from each other on the couch.

“Before we begin the interview, may I ask why you chose me?”

“You have a great reputation. I saw that you won a journalism award last year, and that made you seem more trustworthy than other reporters.”

“Thanks for the kind words.”

“I only have two hours right now, but I wonder if that’s too short for the interview.”

“Oh, no. That’s more than enough.”

The cameraman started to set up the interview room. As Jo Dong-sik continued to watch him closely, Yuhyeon smiled faintly.

***

At 4 p.m., Soo-min tried calling reporter Jo Dong-sik, but the call wouldn’t go through.

She decided to call KTN News directly.

“Hello, my name is Han Soo-min. I was supposed to meet with reporter Jo Dong-sik today. I haven’t been able to reach him—do you know if something’s going on?”

—“Reporter Jo Dong-sik? One moment, please.”

“……”

—“Reporter Jo is out on an assignment.”

It seemed that something important had come up – important enough for him to cancel a previous appointment.

“Um, do you know when he’ll be back in the office?”

—”I’m afraid we don’t know that either.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Soo-min felt deflated but decided to postpone it for another time.

Just as she was about to call a taxi back to the hotel, she received a message from Yeon-joo.

[What? You didn’t get to meet him? Why?] [He said a sudden assignment came up.]

[Well, he is a reporter. If something urgent came in, he’d have to cancel. Today just isn’t the day. I’ll try to call him later.]

[Thanks for everything – you really went out of your way for me.]

Wondering if he might have at least seen her message, Soo-min checked her phone.

But the little “1” next to her sent message hadn’t disappeared.

Even though it was a last-minute job, did he really not have a second to send a message?

When the taxi pulled up in front of the hotel, she quickly got out.

Half-distracted, she headed for the revolving door when she almost bumped into someone coming out.