EPILOGUE Part 1

Three days ago, early in the morning.

The man’s quiet footsteps, dressed in a suit, stopped beside the bed. The woman lying on the enormous bed, made to his size, looked as small as a child. Her clear face, in a deep sleep with barely audible breathing, was so lovely and endearing that it made his heart ache with tenderness.

The man glanced at the clock several times, took a step forward, then turned back. He took a few steps away, only to return again. He couldn’t bring himself to leave the bedside.

The previous night, he had been relentless with her, and he didn’t want to wake her. But…

Hesitating, the man eventually succumbed to temptation and closed his eyes tightly.

‘Just one more time before I go. Just a little.’

He slowly bent down to gently press his lips against her soft, tender cheek, inhaling her sweet scent deeply.

“Mm…”

Her lips curved softly in her sleep, unable to fully open her reddened eyes. His heart jolted as if struck by lightning. A sweet, warm pain spread through his body from his spine.

Instinctively, she reached out, her hands groping his face and neck. When her fingers brushed against the stiff collar of his suit, her eyebrows fluttered slightly.

“Taejun… What time is it? Is it morning already?”

Minhee blinked slowly, looking up at Taejun with sleep-clouded eyes. Her voice was terribly hoarse.

“Sleep more, Minhee.”

Taejun frowned with guilt as he covered her eyes with his large hand.

‘Did I push too hard last night?’

Last night, Taejun behaved like a man who had lost his will. He had been unable to control his desire with reason and willpower, more so than ever. No matter how often she tempted and provoked him, he knew he shouldn’t have given in.

“I’ll miss you…”

Minhee wrapped her slender arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Her fluttering eyelashes tickled his palm. Taejun sighed deeply and pressed his lips firmly against Minhee’s swollen lips.

“Should I not go?”

He whispered against her lips. She chuckled softly, releasing her arms from his neck and pushing away the hand covering her eyes.

“You’ll be late. Isn’t Tony waiting with the car?”

“…Then, should we go together?”

Minhee smiled brightly, cupping Taejun’s face with both hands and pecking his lips.

“I can’t disturb you at work, Taejun. Besides, I promised to meet Miho tomorrow.”

Taejun sighed deeply, resting his forehead against her neck.

“Damn Junhee.”

This kind of meeting was usually Junhee’s responsibility. However, because Junhee was on a week-long summer vacation, Taejun had no choice but to go on a business trip to San Francisco.

With a resigned expression, he lifted his head and reluctantly stepped away from her. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to walk away.

Watching him, Minhee clutched the sheet to her chest and sat up groggily. Taejun felt a slightly savage satisfaction as he noticed the reddish kiss marks scattered across her milky skin from her neck to her chest.

His long fingers gently tucked the hair stuck to her cheek behind her ear. Even then, his fingers lingered, caressing her cheek with lingering affection.

She buried her face in his palm, closing her eyes softly.

“I’ll… see you off to the lobby, Taejun.”

Her playful words, rubbing her cheek against his palm, made Taejun’s heart melt like fruit jam simmered in sugar. He leaned down, kissed her forehead lightly, and laid her back on the bed.

“Sleep more. It’s still early. If you step out of bed, I’ll kidnap you.”

Despite his playful threat, he lingered, showering her lovely face with kisses.

The chauffeur, Tony, waiting with the car in front of the apartment, eventually called to urge him. Only then did Taejun drag his heavy feet out of the bedroom.

* * *

He frequently exchanged texts and video calls with Minhee and received reports on her whereabouts through Anton Dawson.

On the afternoon of the second day, Taejun, like someone experiencing withdrawal symptoms, tapped his fingers on the desk, shaking his leg.

‘Ran into Noah Brown at a bakery after shopping with a friend. Likely a coincidence.’

‘Having coffee together.’

‘Thirty minutes have passed.’

Real-time reports were coming in from Dawson.

The managing director of the investment bank, presenting on investments in AI-related companies, misunderstood Taejun’s increasingly grim expression and sweated profusely under his arms.

Eventually, Taejun boarded a flight to New York early the next morning.

There was another tech company conference scheduled for the morning, but he used the excuse of an important meeting to return to New York.

Apparently, the news that Taejun would attend a headquarters meeting arrived in New York before his flight. When he arrived at LaGuardia Airport, the domestic terminal, his chauffeur Tony and Luca were waiting for him. Taejun was in a foul mood, having been caught and taken to the office in the company car.

‘I miss her. I miss her like crazy.’

It had only been three days since he last saw her. The thirst for his beloved woman had dried out Taejun’s mental state.

After dropping Taejun at the office, the company vehicle was to head to the penthouse with his luggage and Luca. The fact that Luca would meet Minhee first annoyed Taejun.

In a grumpy voice, he suddenly asked Luca, who was seated in the front.

[……Is she okay? What’s she doing?]

Luca, who understood the vague question perfectly, turned halfway back.

[Yesterday, she went shopping with an old roommate, and today, she’s been at home all day.]

He had already received a report from Dawson as soon as he got off the plane that she hadn’t gone out.

So why hasn’t she replied to my texts or answered my calls??

[Do you know what she’s doing at home?]

Taejun asked Luca sternly. Luca, startled, kept his mouth shut.

[That’s… I can’t tell you. You’ll have to find out yourself.]

[What?]

[Minhee, I mean, Miss Seol, directly ordered it, so I have no choice.]

[Minhee did? Why?]

[That’s… I can’t say.]

Since Minhee became Taejun’s fiancée, Luca began using formal t*tles for her in front of the boss.

Calling a friend he used to refer to as ‘honey’ or ‘sweetie’ suddenly ‘Miss Seol’ felt awkward, but that friend would soon be the boss’s wife, the ‘madam.’

This morning, he stopped by Taejun’s penthouse to deliver something Minhee had requested. He also informed her that Taejun had left six hours earlier than scheduled.

[Oh no! There’s not much time left! Luca, you mustn’t tell Taejun what I’m preparing! Got it?]

[Yes, yes, Madam. Of course.]

[Ugh! Please stop calling me Madam, Luca!]

[Yes, yes, Madam! The CEO will arrive at the penthouse around six after his meeting, so please keep that in mind, Madam!]

[Luca!!]

Teasing Minhee never got old.

Luca glanced back. He waited nervously, wondering if the dark beast would reveal its teeth at his unsatisfactory answer.

But when the beast simply slumped into the seat with a long sigh, he chuckled inwardly.

These days, it was quite entertaining to watch the boss in his dazed state.

Should I tease him a little more?

[By the way, boss. Just in case, did you bring any souvenirs?]

[…What?]

[San Francisco souvenirs. People usually bring back small gifts for their lovers after a trip or business trip, like fridge magnets, T-shirts, local specialties. At least some chocolates? It’s your first business trip since getting engaged…]

[…]

Even without looking back, Luca felt he could hear the sound of the boss’s heart sinking, and he barely held back his laughter.

[How much time until the meeting?]

Suddenly, Taejun’s serious question made Luca tense up.

[50 minutes left, boss.]

[Let’s stop by the jeweler before going to the office. The one where I bought the earrings last time.]

Luca quickly turned his head to check Taejun’s expression.

‘You’re joking, right? No, who in their right mind would replace a souvenir with jewelry?’

But Taejun was serious, without a hint of humor.

‘Wow. He’s serious.’

[…Isn’t time too tight?]

[Ten minutes is enough.]

[Yes, boss.]

Luca swallowed a sigh, giving Tony the address of the luxury jeweler on Fifth Avenue. Even if picking out something took ten minutes, paying and wrapping would take at least twenty.

‘He’ll be late for the meeting.’

Texting Linda, Taejun’s work secretary, at lightning speed, Luca focused intensely.

I must be crazy. I shouldn’t have opened my mouth and caused trouble.

[Oh, and.]

Taejun caught Luca’s attention again.

[Yes, boss.]

Luca batted his eyelashes, relaxed his eyes, and smiled brightly as he turned back.

[Order flowers.]

[What kind…?]

[Any—]

Taejun suddenly recalled Minhee mentioning how she was sad the yellow tulips at Park Avenue Mall had wilted.

[No, tulips. A bouquet of yellow tulips.]