It didn’t matter either way.
“Secretary Song.”
Han Jinheon’s gaze shifted to the back of Secretary Song’s head in the front seat, breaking the silence. Secretary Song replied crisply.
“If you told Han Sol about the marriage yesterday, you should have reported it as such.”
"It was late, so I hesitated and planned to tell you today. I apologize. Did Han Sol-ssi give you a hard time because of it?”
"He did. But in a different way than usual.”
It was far too different. Especially that sudden act of hugging him from behind, claiming to offer comfort. It was so amusing and endearing that it managed to breach even the slightest boundary he held toward Han Sol. That was why, for the first time in front of Han Sol, he had forgotten his dignity and laughed out loud, beaming so widely his face creased.
"Isn’t there a saying? That if you start seeing someone as pitiful, it’s a hopeless case.”
“I believe I’ve heard that before.”
“Then what happens when that pitiful someone is also cute?”
Pitiful, and on top of that, cute. The kid was more than enough with just one of those traits. He had hoped Han Sol would at least stop being so defiant, but instead, he was becoming more and more endearing.
“Forgive my impertinence, Director, but has such a person entered your life?”
“Perhaps.”
"By perhaps, you mean…”
“There are many people who seem pitiful in my eyes. My feelings for Cha Seonmin began that way, too. But with Seonmin, rather than becoming cute, he just became pitiful again. My interest reverted to sympathy.”
“……”
“But this person… it was a cycle of pitiful and irritating, and now, they’re acting cute.”
As Han Jinheon murmured, slumping languidly into his seat, his mind was filled with someone who wasn’t there.
Pretending to adjust his glasses, Secretary Song briefly observed him, then hesitated to ask if that 'someone' was Han Sol. Han Jinheon's eyes were closed, but somehow, he felt he knew the answer without asking.
It must be Han Sol. It had to be him. After all, he had said Han Sol was cute just yesterday.
Having worked beside this formidable Alpha, Song Hyeon-oh knew he didn't easily find people "cute." As he said, he'd seen him pity others indiscriminately many times, but he never viewed them as endearing. He tended to dismiss cuteness as bothersome behavior.
Therefore, it was rare for him to initiate calling someone cute. It was an event that could be counted on one hand. He thought he'd once said a passing dog was cute.
In Song Hyeon-oh's eyes, he believed Han Jinheon would find everything in the world cute except his own brother. The damage he had caused to both the company and himself was far from trivial. And besides, he wasn't sure Han Sol was cute.
Was he truly being biased just because it was his own brother? He tried his best to understand, thinking the same thoughts as yesterday.
They arrived at the company and were heading to the executive director's office. Song Secretary suddenly remembered news he'd heard last night from an acquaintance at HANQ Electronics and relayed it.
"Regarding AQ Electronics. They plan to use Kim Gyuyeong for their newly released laptop model. I heard AQ Electronics' second daughter and Suseong Group's second son recently got engaged. It's presumed they gave the modeling job to Kim Gyuyeong as part of that."
"Yes, that's good. Suseong Group will have plenty of celebrations for a while."
The "celebrations" he mentioned weren't just the engagement of the second daughter and son, but also the marriage of Cha Seonmin and Kim Gyuyeong.
He wasn't surprised by their marriage, he had anticipated it. He genuinely wished them well. Kim Gyuyeong belonged by Cha Seonmin's side, and Cha Seonmin by Kim Gyuyeong's. They were indispensable to each other.
Though their marriage was bad news for Han Sol.
'I genuinely hope those two get married. I sincerely congratulate them.'
Lie. He pretended to congratulate them, then couldn't even sleep.
"HANQ Electronics is also releasing a new laptop soon. There’s a lot of talk about whether we need to select a model to counter Kim Gyuyoung, perhaps a famous idol or a sports star.”
“Is there a need to counter Kim Gyuyoung? We shouldn’t just focus on the actor. we should choose a model who can create synergy with the product itself.”
Secretary Song nodded. He saw it as his duty to simply report the necessary information, so he didn’t read too much into it. That was his usual approach, but today was different. Conscious of Han Jinheon’s grim expression, he began to feel a little anxious.
Han Jinheon was a composed man. He wasn't the type to openly show hostility towards Kim Gyuyoung, but today, for some reason, he seemed displeased. Could it be because he’s going to marry actor Cha?
"No matter how much I think about it, I don't understand."
"Understand what?"
"What is Kim Gyuyeong's appeal? What's so great about that guy that everyone likes him so much?"
It was surprising. When Song Hyeon-oh said Han Jinheon didn’t show hostility, it was under the premise that he also didn’t invalidate the other person. But for the first time, he was invalidating Kim Gyuyoung.
Although surprised, Secretary Song thought his own answer wasn’t important and tried to let it pass quietly. You don't always have to answer everything just because it comes from a superior; some questions can be ignored. But it seemed this wasn't one of them. Unable to withstand the expectant stare demanding an answer, he opened his mouth.
“I’ve heard that being an Alpha is, in itself, a reason for appeal. And in actor Kim’s case, he’s tall, has a good background, and is also a good actor.”
"You seem to know something, Secretary Song. What do you think Han Sol fell for in Kim Gyuyeong?"
"Excuse me? Well, that..."
Han Jinheon withdrew his gaze from Secretary Song, who honestly replied that he didn’t know. Han Sol, who had seemed so endearingly vexing in the car just moments ago, was now thoroughly displeasing.
What could he have possibly fallen for so hard that the news of a marriage would shock him into a sleepless night? Meanwhile, someone else heard the news, congratulated them, even bought someone a meal, and slept perfectly fine. Could it be that he still has lingering feelings?
The elevator arrived at the executive floor and the doors slid open.
"I don't like it."
Song Secretary diligently followed behind Han Jinheon, who had stepped out first. Even though he maintained a more professional demeanor fitting the company, he harbored a question internally. Did he dislike him? Did he dislike Kim Gyuyeong? Or did he dislike Han Sol?
The answer was simple. Probably all three of them.
***
Around three o’clock, a surprise guest visited the house. It was Han Sol’s mother, Lee Geumyoung.
I was startled enough by the first ring of the doorbell, but I was utterly shocked when I saw the woman’s face on the intercom screen. It was the first time I’d seen her, yet she felt uncannily familiar. Lee Geumyoung bore a subtle resemblance to Han Sol. Or more accurately, Han Sol resembled her.
Just as Han Sol was considered an exceptional beauty, Lee Geumyeong was equally stunning. It was a clear case of a son inheriting beauty from his beautiful mother. The resemblance in face and aura made her not unfamiliar, but that was where it ended. Lee Geumyeong, whom I unexpectedly faced without any preparation, continuously constricted my breathing.
I didn't know how to treat her. It would have been a great help if Han Jinheon were here, but he still had time before he got off work.
The awkward air grew denser. In the deeply uncomfortable situation, Lee Geumyoung only glared at me coldly. In addition, her sharp, blunt bob cut felt so menacing it was as if it might slice at my neck, making my vision swim.
Overwhelmed by her presence from the moment she appeared, my gaze couldn’t rise above her waist. I stared at the pattern on the carpet, sweat trickling down my back.
Why is she glaring at me like that? She couldn’t have noticed that I’ve possessed her son’s body. She must be angry about something else. Like the fact that I didn’t go to America…
“Han Sol.”
At Lee Geumyeong's call, I raised my head sharply. I was more disciplined than ever.
"You caused all that trouble and then said you'd go to America. When you were so ungracefully screaming you wouldn't even go on a blind date, why are you still doing this here for over a month?"
Lee Geumyeong pressed her furrowed brow, creased like an engraved pattern. In her precarious mood, poised between irritation and restraint, I again bowed my head, biting my lips until they turned white.
"Is a month a short time? In that time, you should have figured something out, either go to America or agree to a blind date. You should have done something to appease Chairman."
“……”
“Don’t you know that you staying here puts my position in jeopardy? I barely managed to get my HANQ shares. I’m even having business discussions with your aunt, who looked down on me as a mistress my whole life.”
“……”
"But what do you do by staying here like this? You should have done something for your mother's sake. If you couldn't do that, then why are you pathetically staying in Han Jinheon’s house?! Why did you make me come find you!”
Once she started talking, the harsh reproaches were endless. Looking back, this was the first time I'd been scolded like this since being possessed. Han Jinheon never scolded me. Life had certainly been easy so far.
Unable to cover my ears, I squeezed my eyes shut. So what Lee Geumyeong was trying to say was, why was I in this mansion? I could be with anyone in the world, but I shouldn't be with Han Jinheon, and she was fuming about it, like thunder and lightning.
I felt it was somewhat unfair. I was only staying here because Han Jinheon said it was safer under his watch. To her, it might be a source of discontent, but for me, it was a decision made for my own survival. If she was going to lecture me like this, she should have just come and dragged me away when I was on Jeju Island.
“I told you before you left for America. I’m tired of your selfish behavior. So from now on, I plan to be selfish with you, too. I feel I’ve accommodated you enough.”
No, please, accommodate me a little longer. I’m not even your son, and I haven’t acted selfishly at all.
“Going to America in the first place never made sense. Do you think I don’t know what you’re capable of?”
Lee Geumyoung took a file envelope out of her bag. The familiar envelope and its familiar thickness gave me a sense of déjà vu. As I tilted my head, wondering 'could it be?', she crossed her legs and gestured with her chin.
“These are blind date profiles. If you wish, I can speak to the Chairman or your brother for you. So you just pick your partner and let me know. Understood?”
Just as I thought. blind date profiles.
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