Taeon smiled smoothly, curving his lips. He looked down at her shamelessly, having taken her hand without hesitation and now concealing his hand behind his back.
“Those kinds of guys only mess with people when they think they can get away with it. So, as long as I’m around, there shouldn’t be any trouble. Wasn’t that why you grabbed my hand and ran away?”
“…Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”
“You didn’t seem fine.”
“I’m sorry for causing a disturbance. I’ll be careful not to let anything dirty happen that would worry you.”
Apologizing for causing a disturbance. Promising to be careful. Sahee continued retreating, even offering unnecessary apologies. Taeon watched her for a while. It wasn’t her job to guess the nature of his heavy gaze. Sahee bowed slightly to Taeon.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Aren’t you taking this?”
He didn’t say anything more. Instead, he held up the plastic bag toward Sahee, who had already taken a few steps away. The black plastic bag rustled, teasing her like a fishing rod in front of a cat.
It was clearly hers, but she couldn’t bring herself to go and get it. He seemed like a clear threat, even while engaging in casual conversation.
He would turn her peaceful life to ashes. She didn’t have the luxury of thinking any further.
“…You can have it, CEO.”
“What’s in it?”
“Rice cakes.”
Sahee answered curtly and quickly turned away. At the edge of her vision, she saw Taeon frowning and smiling.
Her breath felt hot, as if it were burning. Did she really need to pinpoint the source of the fire spreading to her ears? It was just a spark, easily smothered.
****
After washing up and changing into comfortable clothes, Taeon sat at his desk.
Documents transferred from Seoul through Secretary Kim’s hands were piled up like a mountain. The shared drive was likely being continuously updated with documents that needed real-time review.
Taeon scowled as he switched on the desk lamp.
There wasn’t much time to waste. The presentation for selecting the contractor for Handong 4 District, the core of the Seoul redevelopment project, was just a month away.
It was an 8 trillion won project that had been meticulously prepared for a long time. As the largest redevelopment in South Korean history, the scale of the joint contractor briefing was also significant.
With the expectation of fierce competition, Jungmoon Construction’s headquarters in Gwanghwamun, as well as the three other construction companies competing for the contract, were all preparing for this nerve-wracking battle.
Or maybe not.
Rumors were likely spreading that Jungmoon Construction’s CEO had been cast aside like a dog chasing chickens. They were probably already celebrating, thinking they had one less competitor.
Taking a sip of the cold coffee on his desk, the bitter taste lingered on his tongue.
Taeon flipped through the cover of a document and picked up a sharply sharpened pencil. He quickly read through the materials, letting the sound of insects coming through the open window pass through one ear.
How many hours had he been sitting there? Taeon leaned back, stretching his stiff neck, and pushed himself up with his long legs. As he moved to make a fresh cup of coffee, something fell to the floor.
“Oh.”
Taeon looked down. It was the plastic bag he had casually leaned against the desk when he returned to the annex. He stared at the crumpled plastic bag for a moment, then pulled up a chair and sat back down.
He remembered the woman who had clung to it until the moment she fell to her knees, then shook it off and ran away as if shedding her skin.
She had stubbornly apologized with a face that wasn’t sorry at all, insisting she would be careful even though it wasn’t her fault, just to escape from him. Maybe it was understandable.
Taeon licked his lips and tore open the tied plastic bag. At the same time, his usually expressionless face broke into a small laugh.
Rice cakes, indeed…
“It’s taffy.”
In the simple white box, there was just one word. In large Gothic letters, it read “Taffy.”
It must have been shaken countless times inside the bag, but it ended up giving him taffy right in his face. It might have been the woman’s trick. As the granddaughter of a famous shaman, it wasn’t entirely out of the question.
Taeon chuckled as he opened the box. He popped a bite-sized piece of taffy into his mouth, and the sticky sweetness clung persistently to his tongue. The overwhelmingly fragrant sweetness made him grimace, but he didn’t mind.
Indeed, this was a trick.
****
Why did I leave it behind?
Sahee rummaged through the main kitchen, berating herself with belated regret.
I should have just taken it. Why didn’t I?
To be fair, it had been an exhausting day. She had spent hours in the city and then faced off with Lee Hyungu without a moment’s rest. The scraped wound from falling still stung, so her thought process wasn’t functioning properly.
That was all. Everything was already broken, so it was only natural she did something foolish, Sahee rationalized.
As a result, she was now sneaking into the kitchen like a stray cat, looking for a snack to bring to Mrs. Chun.
“Ah, found it.”
Sahee pulled out some dried persimmons buried in the freezer. She planned to recreate a dessert she had prepared a few days ago. The recipe was simple, and it tasted good, reminding her of Mrs. Chun. She remembered the leftover ingredients while applying ointment to her knee.
She placed the dried persimmons on the counter and took out cream cheese and walnuts from the fridge. Sahee glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was almost time for Mrs. Chun to sleep. Sahee hurried with the dessert on a small plate.
****
Knock, knock.
As if she had been waiting, Mrs. Chun’s irritable voice came from behind the door. “What is it?”
Sahee let out a small chuckle and opened the sliding door with her free hand.
“Honey rice cakes?”
Mrs. Chun, sitting up in bed, glanced at the plate Sahee brought with a pout. It didn’t look like honey rice cakes, which was a relief. The expectation on Mrs. Chun’s face quickly faded.
“You said you didn’t want any.”
“Oh, you wicked girl.”
“Please eat.”
“What is this?”
Sahee placed the plate on the nightstand. The frozen persimmons had thawed on the way, ruining the plating.
Hiding her disappointment, Sahee awkwardly pulled up a chair and sat down.
“It’s a dessert I made before. It was good, so I brought some.”
“It looks a mess. You made it, didn’t you? You’re good at drawing, but your cooking is always lacking.”
“It got shaken on the way.”
Mrs. Chun smiled, seemingly not displeased, and reached out with a grunt. Her fingers, picking up the fork, were unusually thin. She shouldn’t have thrown away the honey rice cakes like that.
“…I’ll go out and buy honey rice cakes tomorrow.”
“No need. Your leg isn’t even healed, and you’re going to go all that way.”
“I’m not going. The bus is.”
“Stay home. You’re busy. Short on hands?”
“It’s fine.”
“It looks a mess, but it tastes good, dear.”
As Sahee frowned, Mrs. Chun smacked her lips and laughed.
At least she seemed more energetic than in the morning, which was a relief. Sahee was about to check the water bottle when…
Crash!
Mrs. Chun threw the fork onto the plate and leaned toward Sahee’s knee, shouting in a hoarse voice.
“What’s wrong with your knee!”
“I fell.”
“I told you to be careful!”
Mrs. Chun, lifting Sahee’s white flared skirt up to her thigh, sighed repeatedly, clearly upset.
Sahee pulled the hem of her skirt down to cover her knees and shook her head.
“It’s nothing.”
“Did you twist your ankle? Shouldn’t you go to the hospital?”
“I’m fine.”
“Please be careful. You’re shortening my lifespan, you know?”
When Sahee didn’t respond, the nagging continued. Even when she turned her head as if she hadn’t heard, Mrs. Chun held her arms and kept reminding her to be careful, like she was scolding a child.
Just like a mother.
It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. Sahee pretended to be annoyed, closing her eyes tightly, but she relaxed in the warmth of it.
****
Mrs. Chun, having been cooped up in her room for days, complained of stiffness and chatted with Sahee for hours.
When she grimaced, saying she was dying because she couldn’t work with her chapped lips, Sahee thought she was truly incorrigible.
The familiar sound of insects chirping was like music. Walking along the now dark night path, Sahee fell into silence.
She hadn’t thought of anything while in Mrs. Chun’s room, but once alone, her mind was flooded with thoughts. The thoughts she had rationalized and pushed aside came back with vivid clarity.
For instance, the coldness of the loosely held hand and how warm her breath felt when facing him — such useless memories.
“Say you’re dating me.”
Most of all, the dark eyes of CEO Jung Taeon, who had shown her such absurd kindness.
Sahee sighed as she entered the small sarangchae. Returning here, the tension that had been tightly wound all day seemed to melt away.
But her relaxed shoulders suddenly stiffened.
“…”
The plastic bag she had left behind was placed on the porch. It was a kindness that left no doubt about who had been there.
****
She had a restless night.
She had slept for barely three hours. Waking up to the sound of a rain shower, Sahee couldn’t fall back asleep and watched the morning light seep through with open eyes.
Walking towards the annex, Sahee rubbed her cheeks with her palms.
She had gone to the main building to deliver honey rice cakes to Mrs. Chun, only to be asked to clean the rooms in the annex before lunch, as the distinguished guests would be dining there today.
Leaving behind her uncle, who was fretting over changing the flower arrangements, Sahee turned back.
She pondered how to avoid encountering the man. Even if she stood on tiptoe, she couldn’t peek over the wall with her height, so it was a matter of timing. Sahee sighed lightly and walked briskly.
Black sedans were lined up in front of the annex. Through the heavily tinted windows, she could faintly see the silhouette of CEO Jung Taeon’s secretary on the phone.
Suppressing the tension rising in her throat, Sahee opened the door to the annex. As she carefully crossed the still-wet stone path, she heard a presence.
Hoping it was the madam, praying it was her, her hopes were shattered with one glance.
“…Hello.”
Sahee greeted first, and Taeon, who was selecting a golf club, nodded. His gaze passed over her indifferently. Sahee also moved on quickly.
But the routine actions of holding the pillar, stepping on the stone, and taking off her shoes felt oddly awkward. The sounds behind her were sharper than the scenery in front, like a knife cutting through her ears.
The sound of gripping a golf club. The soft friction as the club slid out of the golf bag.
Sahee quickly stepped onto the porch, moistening her lower lip as if oiling it. She focused on the voices coming from Min Yeojin’s room, erasing the sounds behind her.
“Madam, it’s Yeon Sahee.”
“Oh, come in. Honey, just a moment.”
Sahee carefully opened the door. Min Yeojin, who had been talking on the phone while sitting on the sofa, adjusted the light pink shawl draped over her shoulders and moved to the end of the room.
“Time really flies.”
Sahee began cleaning carefully so as not to disturb the phone call. Other than the dressing room, there wasn’t much mess, so it seemed like it would be done quickly.
“I can’t believe our kids are old enough for match meetings. Jisoo used to follow Taeon around everywhere, always calling him ‘Taeon oppa, Taeon oppa.’ Was it at their company’s anniversary party? That was already ten years ago?”
It seemed he was about to have a match meeting.
Sahee picked up the scattered clothes and hung them on hangers. The madam’s clothes were gathered to one side of the closet for the secretary to handle. After a week, Sahee had gotten used to the task, quickly organizing the laundry basket before leaving the dressing room.
“Marriage only works if the kids get along… But it would be fun if they got married. I’d love to be in-laws with you.”
She briefly made eye contact with the madam, whose smile was brighter than usual. Sahee bowed politely and moved to the bedroom.
“Jisoo is perfect. She’s elegant, smart, capable, and has such a bright personality. Taeon only knows how to work. I hope he doesn’t run away from the match meeting. He’s always so indifferent. Please talk to Jisoo for me.”
Listening to Min Yeojin’s voice from outside, Sahee finished tidying up the bedroom. The vacuum cleaner was too noisy, so she opted to sweep the floor with a broom instead.
Holding the broom, Sahee carefully moved from room to room, sweeping the floor. The madam treated Sahee as if she were invisible, but when she approached, she lifted her legs to give her access to the floor.
Bending down and reaching out with the broom, Sahee felt a tightness in her chest for no reason.
“Madam.”
“Oh, yes. You can go now. Thank you for your hard work.”
The madam waved her hand with a kind smile and resumed her phone call.
“Yes, the cleaning girl just left.”
With that, the door closed with a soft thud. Sahee gripped the doorknob tightly before picking up the trash bag she had set down.
The clouds had cleared while she was cleaning, and stepping outside felt like emerging from a tunnel. Squinting, Sahee glanced at Taeon, positioned on the artificial grass in the yard.
Sahee moistened her lips. She quickly slipped on her shoes, intending to greet briefly and leave as she had when she arrived.
Shoes on. Brief eye contact and a bow. As she walked along the stone path, she caught sight of the man holding a golf club and taking his stance. Just as she turned to leave, a sharp sound sliced through the air.
“…!”
Startled by the golf ball that tapped the toe of her sneaker and rolled away, Sahee turned her head, shoulders hunched.
At the end of her disrupted breath, the man stood there. He looked at Sahee with calm, unblinking eyes.
Was it a mistake? Hoping it was, CEO Jung Taeon smiled. It was that smile where only the corners of his mouth lifted, but his eyes remained cold.
“A mistake.”
It felt deliberate.
“Could you bring the ball back?”
He didn’t seem sorry at all.
“…Yes, CEO.”
Biting the inside of her lip, Sahee set down the trash bag she was holding.
The golf ball had rolled down the stone path. The ground was still damp from the early morning rain. Sahee picked up the dirty golf ball with her fingertips.
His gaze followed her all the way back. Lowering her eyes, Sahee approached Taeon. His hand suddenly appeared under hers. Despite her flinch, his hand remained steady, palm open.
It was a large, white hand with neatly trimmed nails.
Sahee dropped the golf ball into his palm. Without taking his eyes off her, he lightly rolled the dirty golf ball in his hand.
Unnecessarily. An inexplicable gesture.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll be going now.”
Sahee bent down to pick up the trash bag from the ground. Without making eye contact, she bowed and turned to walk back along the stone path.
The scenery before her as she walked away from him felt like déjà vu from the day she first met him. The dull pain from that day seemed to crawl from her feet to her thighs.
And just one step.
With a sound like a gunshot, another golf ball rolled to a stop in front of Sahee.
Crazy bastard.
Sahee watched the golf ball roll a few steps away, feeling a heavy sense of futility.
“Miss Yeon Sahee.”
“…”
He didn’t dirty his white hands with fists or degrade his red lips with foul words. Instead, he stained the hands and faces of others, teaching them humiliation.
Sahee slowly closed and opened her eyes. When she looked back, CEO Jung Taeon had erased even his formal smile. Cloaked in arrogance and rudeness, he waited patiently, as if taming a dog, for her to move.
Sahee walked toward the golf ball. Instead of crawling and bowing her head like a dog, she bent down to pick it up. Returning the way she had come, he didn’t even pretend to ask for it back — just kept staring.
“Did you enjoy the rice cakes?”
Sahee glanced sideways at the space where Min Yeojin was staying. Taeon chuckled, seemingly aware of her concern. Her fingertips turned white, and her heartbeat quickened.
“…Yes.”
“I enjoyed them too.”
“…”
“Taffy.”
Somehow, the bag had been opened. She distinctly remembered that Mr. Kim, who sold taffy, had given it to her out of concern for Mrs. Chun. But it wasn’t in the bag. She had searched for it, thinking it might have fallen out when she tripped, yet it had ended up in this man’s mouth.
“I didn’t give it to you.”
“I owe you.”
His voice, feigning regret, was so languid it made the words seem insignificant. His attitude suggested he could easily repay the debt, which was unsettling.
“…I’ve already received enough in return.”
Her response, laced with barely concealed emotion, made him chuckle. The gaze they exchanged felt dizzying. Her grip on the golf ball tightened.
Should she have acted like a dog, crawling between his legs as he wished? But it wasn’t a sharp tack or a loose thread — just a feeble, pointless rebellion.
Unable to bear the silence, Sahee impulsively extended her hand to return the golf ball.
“Miss Yeon Sahee.”
“CEO!”
Two voices overlapped.
In that instant, Taeon’s expression chilled. He glanced at Sahee’s hand and then her tightly closed lips before looking beyond her. Secretary Kim was running toward them.
“Team Leader Byun Jung-seok from the Housing Management Team has reported for work.”
“Where did he drink last night to show up now?”
“…Shall I tell him to call you immediately?”
“I’ll do it.”
Taeon placed the golf club back into the bag. Casually draping his suit jacket over his shoulder, he brushed past Sahee without a second glance.
The golf ball she had clung to so tightly was left behind, staining only her palm.
“Oh? Hello!”
At that moment, Secretary Kim greeted Sahee with a bright smile.
Taeon, who was about to head inside, paused and looked back at them.
Sahee awkwardly met Secretary Kim’s gaze. Anxiety prickled under her skin, as if she had been caught doing something wrong — even though she had only run a trivial errand.
“…Hello.”
“The weather is nice!”
“Yes. I’ll be going now.”
“Oh, are you leaving? Take care!”
Sahee nodded and set the golf ball down carelessly. She felt his gaze following her as she turned away, but she pretended not to notice, quickening her pace.
Her hands were soiled.
****
Taeon stood still, watching Sahee leave the annex.
Her limping figure remained rigid and upright. It was as if she had completely disregarded the wounds that had repeatedly caught his eye.
Seeing her distorted face wasn’t amusing — it was strangely unpleasant. It felt like he wanted to provoke her but also wanted to see her smile.
Taeon briefly examined the half-formed, childish emotions within him as if they belonged to someone else.
“Secretary Kim.”
Taeon called out to Secretary Kim. Following his boss’s gaze, Secretary Kim quickly fell in step behind him.
“Yes, CEO.”
“Don’t flirt.”
“What?”
A low warning followed a simple greeting. Secretary Kim’s mouth fell open.
Taeon turned away, pulling his phone from his jacket pocket. Secretary Kim, trailing behind, protested in a flustered voice.
“It’s not like that! I would never do that at work, absolutely not.”
“Just get me a book.”
Taeon changed the subject indifferently. Secretary Kim groaned but couldn’t argue further.
“Yes, please tell me the title. I heard there’s a town nearby, but if I can’t find it, I’ll ask the secretarial office to bring it by evening.”
Already on the porch, Taeon walked on, mulling over the book title.
“Sommyeonji?”
The pronunciation was so unfamiliar it made him chuckle. It piqued his curiosity. The soft, tender parts of the woman who was so stiffly guarded were amusing.
Secretary Kim, still puzzled, hesitated before asking.
“Uh… Is it a work-related book?”
“Of course not.”
Taeon laughed, as if the very idea was absurd.
****
Sahee returned to the small sarangchae as if fleeing and washed her hands over and over.
Like someone with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, she scrubbed with soap and rinsed with cold water repeatedly.
Lying on the bed, Sahee tugged at the damp sleeves of her shirt with her fingertips. The wet fabric made the tender skin inside her wrist tingle. Even that unpleasant sensation couldn’t erase the lingering thought of the man.
The man who insisted on continuing trivial conversations.
The plastic bag left on the porch.
The large hand extended toward her.
The low voice calling her name, “Miss Yeon Sahee.”
It was just the man’s idle curiosity. Nothing more.
Sahee curled her body into a tight ball, trying to calm her racing heart. Curling up like this made her feel protected. She had spent her childhood this way, believing it could stop the strange haze from seeping through her body.
It was simple. The feeling of bowing her head and bending her waist at Min Yeojin’s feet, at CEO Jung Taeon’s call. She just had to remember that. It wasn’t difficult.
Sahee exhaled a shaky breath and closed her eyes.