Chapter 6
The chilly air was helping cool the heat rising through Jaekyung's body.
Wednesday, supposedly the hardest day of the week.
It was her first official day working in the chairman's secretary office.
Jaekyung stood in front of the chairman's office, debating until the very last second whether she should just run away.
“My son doesn't want this. The contract ends here. And you will keep everything secret. No matter what.”
Even though she had never seen her husband's face back then, she clearly remembered Jin Heeyeon's face and voice from the final day she left that house.
I just need to clear up the misunderstanding about the penalty fee... But what if Director Jin finds out? Can I really stay hidden for three months without getting caught?
Jaekyung leaned her head against the wall.
She hated herself for signing the documents in a moment of anger after yesterday's meeting.
“When are you planning to open the door? Waiting early is good, but standing outside forever doesn't count as work.”
A cold voice came from behind her.
Jaekyung froze.
When she turned around, Yugam was watching her quietly.
“When did you... get here?”
“About twenty minutes ago. I've been following you since the school gate.”
Then he had seen her wandering around the campus and hesitating this entire time?
Jaekyung's face heated with embarrassment.
Yugam walked past her, pressed his fingerprint to the scanner, and opened the door.
“Come in. If you keep standing outside, you'll be late.”
“I already logged into the work account, so I'm not late.”
She had received access to the foundation network yesterday and had already spent the early morning at the jjimjilbang reviewing her work.
“Are you going to keep refusing the car I sent?”
“I can get to work by myself.”
“And how long are you planning to sleep there?”
Yugam looked at her.
“If word gets out that the chairman's secretary sleeps at a jjimjilbang, I'll charge you a penalty for damaging professional dignity.”
Jaekyung stared at him.
“Are you going to threaten me with penalties every single time?”
She had already felt uncomfortable refusing the car he sent to the jjimjilbang.
So it really had been a threat.
“And the rumors about me...”
“Rumors?”
“Ah... never mind.”
There was nothing for her to gain by telling Yugam that pictures of the two of them were already spreading among the teachers.
Jaekyung followed him inside.
The chairman's office was larger and more luxurious than she had expected.
One entire wall was covered by a huge bookshelf.
Morning sunlight poured through the enormous windows, brightly filling the room.
“Over there.”
Yugam, who had been watching Jaekyung's face, pointed with his chin toward a desk opposite the one marked with the chairman's nameplate.
But it was far too close.
Two desks facing each other.
Close enough to touch if either of them stretched out an arm.
“Isn't this too close?”
“If I'm going to monitor you, it's only natural that you sit close.”
Jaekyung sighed.
What kind of secretary sat practically on top of their boss?
“Can I move my desk?”
“Why? Do you want to sit next to me instead?”
“No. There's plenty of space, so I'd rather move closer to the entrance.”
“Why would my secretary sit far away from me?”
Jaekyung hesitated.
“It's just... suffocating and uncomfortable.”
Yugam tilted his head.
“So being around me makes it hard for you to breathe?”
“...Yes.”
“I'll take that positively.”
Jaekyung frowned.
“Positively?”
“We spent ten months under the same blanket.”
His expression remained perfectly calm.
“Of course you'd feel suffocated. I'll take it as proof you're still conscious of me.”
Yugam didn't even smile.
That made it impossible to tell whether he was joking or serious.
Jaekyung's face reddened.
“What are you talking about? I asked you not to bring up private things.”
She took a breath.
“And our marriage was clearly...”
“This conversation looks like it'll get long, so let's stop here.”
Yugam sat down.
“You seem to have a lot of questions about me. Be patient. We can make time after work.”
Jaekyung shook her head.
There was really no talking to this man.
During their ten months of marriage, they had never had a proper conversation, so she naturally hadn't known.
But now she realized he was unbelievably stubborn.
“I don't have any questions.”
Ignoring her response, Yugam opened a work laptop and handed it to her.
“Let's start with work. Check the schedule that was sent over.”
The moment he leaned toward Jaekyung...
Their shoulders touched.
“Sorry...”
Yugam came even closer instead.
“Don't you know this kind of distance is basic for a secretary?”
Jaekyung stiffened.
“Close support is required. I'll decide the proper distance.”
Then Yugam suddenly covered Jaekyung's hand, which was gripping the mouse, with his own.
Their hands overlapped.
It lasted only a moment, but electricity seemed to shoot through Jaekyung's fingertips.
Her entire tense body froze.
Yugam moved closer behind her, almost surrounding her.
“I'll only explain this once, so concentrate.”
