“Narae-ssi. Please keep your eyes still, for goodness’ sake.”
“……I’m sorry.”
Only then did Wonyoung realize he’d been acting a bit too blatantly and pursed his lips. Was the Narae-ification really progressing? To do something so rude, so unlike me…….
That’s when it happened.
[‘No, but you don’t see a body like that often!’ (Look all over again, corner to corner.)]
[……Understood. (Can’t be helped, so look at the ceiling.)]
Wonyoung’s rage meter went up at the choices that suddenly appeared.
‘What? Suddenly look blatantly at the ceiling here? Are you trying to pick a fight with Kyung Taerim?’
Wasn’t this just being a punk? Now that he looked at it, Narae wasn’t “abangsu” but “punk-su.” What exactly was “can’t be helped” in the first place?!
However, there was no point getting angry. It was a fact both he and the system knew. Wonyoung chose the upper option with a headbutt as a way to vent.
[A perfect inverted triangle upper body in a suit that fits perfectly and is dazzling! Thighs that look ready to burst! A firm, raised butt! The beautiful body tempts Wonyoung.]
[Rae’s status has become ‘Enchanted.’ Cuteness is added to speech and behavior.]
[Status: Enchanting (*￣3￣)╭]
While Wonyoung was dazed looking at the status window making a fuss like the system, Taerim asked with displeasure.
“……Narae-ssi, do you perhaps want to be sued for sexual harassment?”
“Ahh! I’m so sorryyy…….”
Wonyoung was so utterly exhausted that he just covered his eyes with his hands. Even in the midst of this, he could feel his face heating up. He just wanted to break the window and jump out of here.
Taerim, who had been staring intently at such a Wonyoung, chuckled and sipped his wine.
“Tomorrow, please make sure to manage your gaze well. Even if you want to look, hold back a bit.”
Needless to say, Wonyoung’s face turned even redder at those words.
Wonyoung also began to worry about tomorrow in various ways.
And so, the next day.
In the car heading to the meeting place, Wonyoung nervously fidgeted with his fingertips. His coldly chilled fingers felt like they belonged to someone else.
“The clothes suit you well.”
As if considering Wonyoung who was completely tense, Taerim unusually offered a compliment. Wonyoung’s cheeks reddened a little.
“Y-you look wonderful too, Director.”
“I always do anyway.”
At Taerim’s shameless attitude, Wonyoung gaped blankly before soon laughing with a puff of air, finding it absurd. At that sight, Taerim’s expression also relaxed a bit. Soon, Taerim said.
“Even if I make somewhat uncomfortable requests there, I’d like you to comply just this once.”
“Yes? Ah…….”
Was it because of the mission, or because it was a rare request from Taerim? Wonyoung obediently nodded.
“Yes, I will.”
Soon, the car carrying the two stopped in front of an antique hanok. As they got out of the car, a person who appeared to be the owner gave a polite greeting.
“Welcome, Director Kyung, Narae-nim. We’ve been waiting. Please come inside.”
“What about the others?”
“Almost everyone has gathered. Only the Chairman isn’t here yet.”
Taerim nodded and went inside. After handing his coat to the staff, Taerim personally removed Wonyoung’s coat. When Wonyoung flinched, Taerim whispered low.
“From now on, we’re lovers.”
Wonyoung nodded slightly. Seeing Taerim draw close, tension made him gulp down his saliva.
Today, for the first time, he caught a faint scent of roses and leather from him. His hairstyle neatly swept back with pomade, the deep navy suit that fit his body perfectly—everything gave off a somehow neat yet captivating atmosphere. Wonyoung struggled to calm his heart that was beating obliviously.
“Then, excuse me for a moment.”
However, as Taerim said this, he wrapped his arm around Wonyoung’s waist. Wonyoung’s body stiffened for a moment, then consciously relaxed. As Wonyoung tried to apologize belatedly, Taerim said.
“You did well.”
“…….”
“That much is enough.”
Taerim was speaking almost in a whisper right by Wonyoung’s ear so that his voice wouldn’t be heard by those around them. Every time his breath touched his earlobe, it felt as if the sound of his heart pounding was coming from right next to his own ear.
So Wonyoung didn’t even know where he was walking and was led by Taerim into the prepared room.
“Father.”
“Yes, you came.”
And at that voice, he finally came to his senses. Before he knew it, Taerim was greeting a middle-aged man who resembled him but looked more delicate.
Then Taerim turned his head and bowed to another middle-aged man sitting across from the first man.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Taerim.”
“It’s been a while, Uncle.”
On either side sat a man and woman respectively, and even though they didn’t look alike, their arrogant and presumptuous atmosphere was so similar that anyone could tell they were Taerim’s family.
Among them, a woman with a flashy appearance asked haughtily.
“You don’t even acknowledge us?”
“Is there a need to?”
Taerim replied so coldly that Wonyoung was startled. Then this time, the man’s side began to sneer.
“That bastard being like that, is it something new? I’m more curious about what that thing attached to him is. The bastard who doesn’t go near bars, where did he pick that up from?”
Taerim was fiercely glaring at the man when he turned his gaze toward Inseong, his father, at the sound of a cough.
“This is the person I’m seeing, Father.”
“…….”
Inseong was silent, and Taerim’s older brother and older sister poured out insults at Wonyoung with different reactions.
“What? Did you just say everything you wanted to say? You’re seeing trash like that?”
“Hahahaha! The great Director Kyung Taerim bringing a male mistress and calling him a lover. That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year?”
“Both of you, shut up.”
The two hesitated at Taerim’s fierce gaze. They were Taerim’s elders, but Taerim possessed an intimidating presence that even they couldn’t easily go against. It closely resembled that of their grandfather, and sometimes it made their hearts run cold. As if only he was the true heir of this family.
“What’s this about?”
And as if announcing that he was still going strong, the current head of the Kyung family entered.
“Grandfather.”
“Father.”
At the same time, everyone stood up.
Despite being in his 80s, he maintained a build and upright posture similar to Taerim’s—he was Taerim’s grandfather and the Chairman of HS Group, Kyung Hwaseung.
While everyone couldn’t easily open their mouths due to his extraordinary pressure, Taerim alone replied leisurely as if unbothered.
“This is my lover. Narae-ssi. Say hello, this is my grandfather.”
When Taerim patted Wonyoung’s back, Wonyoung came to his senses with a start as if his soul had returned. And he spat out words like a machine.
“H-hello. It’s my first time meeting you. I’m called Narae. I’m always greatly indebted to Taerim-ssi…….”
When Chairman Kyung Hwaseung said nothing, Wonyoung rolled his eyes, reading the room, then added.
“U-um, I’ve heard much about you, Chairman. That you’re a respectable person with admirable character…….”
“…….”
“And also, ah. I’m also working at HS Holdings! I’m Director Kyung’s, that is, Taerim-ssi’s secretary…… I’m always working with a grateful heart that you selected someone as lacking as me. I’ll continue to work hard. Please take care of me…….”
At the greeting that was polite to the point of being pitiful, Taerim’s lips twitched as he tried to hold back laughter. Chairman Kyung Hwaseung looked at Wonyoung with narrowed eyes as if calculating something, then soon brushed past.
“Everyone, sit down.”
At those words, those who had stood up all at once sat down again. Only Wonyoung hesitated, not knowing what to do, when Taerim pulled his arm to seat him.
“For now, you pass.”
“Really?”
What about Narae made him pass? Does he like abangsu types? When Wonyoung’s eyes widened in confusion, Taerim smiled faintly.
“It’s been a month. Everyone can exchange greetings slowly, let’s eat first.”
At Chairman Kyung’s word, food began to come out as if they’d been waiting. Each dish was beautifully presented and neat Korean cuisine.
The aperitif that came out first had an especially pleasant subtle plum blossom fragrance. One glass should be fine. It’s also an aperitif anyway. As Wonyoung thought this and was about to drink the alcohol, Taehyeok, Taerim’s cousin sitting across from him, spoke up.
“The fragrance is nice. What fragrance is this? What was it, Noona?”
Taehyeok was saying that with his mouth while looking at Taerim with his eyes. Why is he like that? Does he have a wandering eye? Wonyoung thought carelessly and downed the drink in one shot, saying.
“It’s plum blossom. It’s a common fragrance, why don’t you know?”
“…….”
Then he shrank back upon receiving Taehyeok’s piercing gaze.
“You might not know, of course…….”
His self-esteem was on the verge of being shaken by the voice that came out crawling without him realizing it, but Wonyoung didn’t budge.
Rather, he nodded to himself inwardly, thinking ‘That was really abangsu-like just now. Well done.’ He seemed to hear Taerim’s low laughter from beside him, but he deliberately ignored it.
Fortunately, the next dish came out before Wonyoung could become more embarrassed.
Next was truffle-grilled abalone served as an appetizer. It was a dish with such an intense fragrance that anyone could see it was shouting ‘I was grilled with truffle oil!’
‘Delicious.’
As Wonyoung was chewing the abalone, Taehyeok spoke up again.
“I thought you couldn’t eat this, Taerim. You’ve hated it since you were young.”
This time, Wonyoung’s resolve to remain silent regardless of what Taehyeok babbled on about crumbled helplessly.
[Correct! Truffle! (＠^∇^＠)ノ]
[Our honey? Σ(°ロ°)]
‘What is this now…….’
Wonyoung, who scratched his head irritably after seeing the choices that appeared before his eyes, fell into contemplation. Both were terrible, but the problem was they were ambiguously terrible.
After thinking, Wonyoung decided that the lower option was better than turning this place into a quiz show filming site by saying ‘Correct! Truffle!’ The term ‘honey’ bothered him a bit, but when he added the excuse that it was because he and Taerim were lovers for today only, it seemed quite plausible.
