Chapter 7

Time had already passed this much.

Jisoo, who had been buried in documents with her work glasses on, glanced at the darkening window and stretched her arms.

She had just finished organizing the agenda for Monday’s meeting and listing painters she thought would be good to contact.

Though she was lucky to hold a team leader-level position, Jisoo knew it was only temporary.

She never intended to take it easy just because she had a higher position. From the beginning, she had no desire to push work onto others while she relaxed.

The office, which was always crowded and lively during the week, was now filled with a deep stillness that was hard to believe. Sadly, the size of the space only made the loneliness feel bigger.

In the middle of the dark corridor and offices, the only light was the lone bulb hanging above her desk. It felt like she was the last person left in the world.

On days like this, it was impossible not to be overwhelmed by countless emotions and thoughts. What always followed was an intense wave of self-pity. The only way to fight it was to keep working without pause.

Again. These useless feelings.

Grrrggl—

Right then, her stomach made a loud growling sound.

“Is there even a restaurant open at this hour?”

Mumbling to herself, Jisoo slowly got up from her seat. Just then, she heard the sound of the outer office door opening and closing.

Who could that be? At this hour? On a weekend? No one should be at the office.

An unexplainable sense of unease crawled down her spine.

She stood up quietly and tiptoed toward the door. Despite the sound she had just heard, the silence outside felt like it had swallowed everything.

Just as she touched the doorknob carefully, the inner office door suddenly burst open, making all her caution pointless.

“Ah!”

She nearly fell backward, but a strong hand caught her just in time. A familiar scent reached her nose.

The face she saw looking up from below seemed almost unreal, like a painting. The dim light cast deep shadows across the man’s face.

His neatly styled hair, strong brow bones, and high nose bridge made up a handsome, masculine face.

His lips, closed in a straight line, were emotionless just like always. It suited his cold personality.

Is this a dream? Am I seeing things now?

“Vice President Cha?”

No. This wasn’t a dream.

Standing right in front of her was the very real Cha Lee Heon.

“What is it?”
His tone asked, why are you here at this time?

“Oh, I just had something to check”

Quickly pulling herself together, Jisoo stepped back and tried to explain.

But his sharp gaze still seemed to pierce right through her. As expected, his voice was as cold as his eyes.

“Looks like you’re handling the entire exhibition planning by yourself, Ms. Do.”

“Of course not. I’m just doing my part.”

Right after saying it, Jisoo regretted her tone. Worried she sounded too defensive, she quickly added:

“There’s a meeting on Monday I was organizing the agenda.”

At those words, his eyes shifted from the clock back to her face. For some reason, her cheeks felt hot, as if his gaze had actual heat.

Am I imagining it?
 He paused briefly before replying, more softly this time.

“I see.”

“Then, continue. With your work.”

Leaving behind dry words as cold as his expression, he walked past her.

Jisoo blinked, watching him go. A strange chill made her rub her arms. Doesn’t he have his own office? Why is he here?

While her mind was racing, Lee Heon sat down calmly and even made himself comfortable. Then, with a glance toward her, he motioned with his eyes.

“Aren’t you going to work?”

“Oh… right.”

Was that a command?
 Jisoo sat back down at her desk, abandoning the idea of leaving. She couldn’t just walk out in front of her boss.

Overtime on a weekend. And with Cha Lee Heon, of all people.

She hadn’t planned to leave early, but she had chosen to come in on the weekend hoping to work in peace.

So much for that plan.

Sighing softly so he wouldn’t hear, Jisoo reopened the documents. Maybe it was better this way. Lee Heon’s presence left no room for wandering thoughts. It forced her to focus.

Let’s work. Just work.

Adjusting her glasses, she picked up the papers again.

Time passed. She didn’t know how long. But eventually, the silence around her started to feel strange. Not even the sound of turning paper.

What is this…

The silence wasn’t normal. It felt off.

Without thinking, she cautiously lifted her head and instantly froze, as if struck by lightning.

Lee Heon, who she thought had been working, had his eyes fixed solely on her.

They were at a distance, but she could tell. His eyes had been focused on her the whole time. Their gaze naturally met.

She couldn’t begin to guess what he was thinking behind those deep, shadowy eyes.

A heavy silence passed between them, tense like a stretched rubber band.

Her throat tightened; her fingertips trembled. Her heart beat so loud she could hear it in her ears. Yet her gaze stayed locked.

The one who looked away first was Jisoo.

Grrrggl—

Right then, another loud stomach growl broke the silence. Jisoo stiffened.

Did he hear that?

“Ms. Do.”

His deep, quiet voice cut through the air between them.

He did hear it. Of course. It’s dead silent here.

Jisoo groaned internally, wishing she could disappear from embarrassment.

She turned her stiff neck. Her dry lips stayed tightly closed.

Her large, clear eyes looked at Lee Heon. She didn’t realize her gaze, like chains, might be holding him there.

“You’re not going home?”

She gently shook her head.

“Later I plan to.”

Her lips moved softly, and his eyes naturally landed on her red, full mouth.

Grrrggl—

But again, her stomach made a sound. She lowered her head in shame, her ears turning red.

All her nerves were focused on the man just a few steps away. Then came the sound of a chair slowly sliding back.

One step. Two steps.

His footsteps were definitely coming toward her, syncing with her frantic heartbeat.

“I told you not to distract me.”

Even my stomach is a distraction to him now…?

Unable to reply, she looked away, blinking slowly. But he didn’t seem to expect an answer. His eyes flicked to her pile of documents.

“Do you still have a lot left?”

“No, not really”

“Then let’s go. Let’s eat.”

Caught off guard, she repeated:

“What?”

“Did you not hear me?”

“Oh, I mean”

“Let’s eat. I don’t want people saying Taesung works their contract employees to death.”

He said it was a hassle. A cold kind of kindness.

Jisoo opened and closed her mouth several times, unable to find the right response.

I get what you’re saying, but why with me? Why now?

She couldn’t say it out loud. Nor could she refuse. Instead, she swallowed dryly and watched his broad back as he walked out first.

In the end, they ended up at a traditional Korean restaurant a little way from the office. If they really just wanted to eat, any nearby restaurant would have done. But he had driven her here, to this far and expensive place. She couldn’t figure out why.

Usually his eyes were either blank or cold, like he was looking at something meaningless. But today, his gaze felt different. It was subtle but definitely not the same. She didn’t know the reason.

“Eat.”

“Yes Thank you.”

Startled by his unexpectedly gentle tone, Jisoo picked up her chopsticks.

The only sound between them was the clinking of dishes. The silence felt suffocating.

Then, his calm voice broke it.

“Have you thought about it?”

“What?”

Jisoo looked up, surprised by the random question.

“What I said before.”

But his face showed no emotion. Jisoo fumbled to respond.

“You said you’d help me get my memories back.”

“And I think I asked if you’d still do that, even if it meant sleeping with me.”

Gasp!
 Startled, Jisoo choked and coughed. The words didn’t match his cold, blunt tone.

He clicked his tongue and handed her a water glass. But she wasn’t even thinking straight enough to register the gesture.

‘If I can help you recover your memory… I’ll do anything.’

Her bold promise.

‘Even if I asked you to sleep with me?’
 His cold reply.

She had worked so hard to gather her courage, but to him, it meant only that much.

Pathetic.

She remembered how she’d nodded seriously back then. And how small and foolish she felt afterward. She had understood his side too. She knew losing his memory must’ve been traumatic. And probably full of painful things.

She was the desperate one. She knew begging for emotions made understanding and kindness feel worthless. Still, if she didn’t try, she feared she’d regret it even more than she already did.

Jisoo took the water glass, hiding the slight tremble in her hand. The coolness sank into her palm.

“Back then I misspoke.”

“I said something I shouldn’t have.”

Her throat tightened again, as if something were choking her. With short breaths, she continued.

“I’m sorry.”

Why did it seem like, after those words, his expression softened just a little?