Episode 10
Haeyoon gripped Youngin’s arm even tighter as her legs kept giving out beneath her.
“Where’s the restroom?”
She glanced around, but the hall was so large she couldn’t tell where it might be. There wasn’t a single staff member nearby to ask. To make matters worse, the body she was holding onto felt heavier and heavier.
“Team Leader, please… get a hold of yourself.”
The woman slumped against her said nothing.
“Ji Seungchan, that bastard.”
Haeyoon clenched her teeth, picturing the man responsible for getting Youngin drunk.
Sure, he might have a handsome face and be talented at acting, but how could she have any fondness for a lustful creep so desperate to get her Team Leader into his bed?
“Did you really think you’d get your way just because she got drunk?”
She could practically see the filthy intention behind his stupid drinking game, and it made her want to scoff.
She’d only agreed to tag along because her other teammates were curious about a celebrity birthday party. Now she deeply regretted letting Youngin become the target of that man’s schemes. Just as she looked down at her Team Leader with pity, a sound made her lift her head.
Her wide eyes locked on the man standing before her.
“Sir!”
Cha Seonghyeok stared at Youngin with a tight frown before shifting his gaze to Haeyoon.
“Why did she drink so much? It’s not even her birthday.”
There was a strange, simmering anger in his eyes that Haeyoon couldn’t help but notice.
“She kept losing at a drinking game, so they made her drink as a penalty…”
His frown deepened, his brows drawing even closer together.
“I’ll take her.”
Haeyoon’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Her guard went up instantly as Seonghyeok overlapped in her mind with the actor who’d said *“I’ll take her home”*. It was unnerving to have this man appear out of nowhere, demanding to take Youngin with him.
“Why… you, sir?”
Seonghyeok was amused by Haeyoon’s wariness. He hadn’t meant to test her, but he appreciated that she didn’t hand Youngin over immediately.
“Your name?”
He’d heard it before—in the elevator this morning, over lunch—but it hadn’t stuck.
“Han Haeyoon.”
He committed the three syllables to memory before answering her question.
“I have a personal relationship with Youngin.”
“What kind of…?”
“Older brother’s friend. College senior. Will that suffice?”
Not likely.
Haeyoon was naturally suspicious. But she couldn’t very well demand proof from someone who held her job in his hands, so she tried to rephrase tactfully.
“It’s just… I hadn’t heard about that before.”
That’s when the limp figure in her arms suddenly stirred.
Haeyoon’s face brightened as she looked down.
“Team Leader?”
Youngin slowly lifted her head. Seeing that, Haeyoon decided to leave the choice to her.
“Should I take you home, or would you rather go with the CEO?”
She had every intention of insisting if there was no clear answer, but then those unfocused, hazy eyes landed on the chiseled face before her.
Her lips parted slightly.
“Cha… Seonghyeok…”
With her answer, Haeyoon immediately let go of Youngin’s arm.
“Please take care of her, sir.”
She’d only referred to him as ‘the CEO,’ yet Youngin had clearly recognized him and spoken his name aloud. That was proof enough.
Seonghyeok slipped his arm around Youngin’s trembling back and pulled her toward him. Her slender body collapsed naturally against his chest. His hand wrapped around her narrow waist like it belonged there.
Haeyoon watched the two of them with a knowing look.
*Older brother’s friend? College senior?* Somehow, she doubted that was the whole story.
There was something here she couldn’t quite put into words.
As her mind spun with possibilities, her eyes suddenly widened.
“Oh! I’ll go grab Team Leader’s bag.”
“Bring it to the office tomorrow, Ms. Han.”
Seonghyeok didn’t want Youngin standing around here any longer.
“Understood. Take care.”
Haeyoon watched the two of them walk away and noticed a man lingering nearby.
“Wait… why was the CEO even here?”
It didn’t seem like a coincidence. She clearly remembered mentioning during lunch where the party was being held—and how the team was excited because it was such a fancy venue they could never afford on their own.
*Was my guess right all along?*
Heading back to the private room, Haeyoon’s face was full of excitement.
***
The man Haeyoon assumed was lurking near Seonghyeok and Youngin was none other than Jisang.
His wide eyes hadn’t returned to normal since Seonghyeok abruptly insisted they leave earlier.
Half in awe, half in disbelief, he kept sneaking glances at Youngin’s face.
“I didn’t think I’d get to see her like this.”
He was starting to piece together why Seonghyeok had chosen a table near the entrance, of all places.
“You knew Youngin was coming here, didn’t you? You sat by the door so you’d know the moment she arrived.”
Jisang chuckled to himself, swinging his legs in amusement.
“Unbelievable. She’s turned Cha Seonghyeok into a stalker. Youngin’s got to be one hell of a woman.”
“I had a reason to be here. Stop calling me a stalker.”
Annoyed, Seonghyeok gestured with his chin as they walked toward the door.
“Enough chatter. Go pay the bill.”
“Me? I only had one glass of whiskey!”
“Exactly. You had one. I didn’t even take a sip, so you’re paying.”
“Wait, what…?”
Jisang hesitated for a moment before rushing to the counter.
By the time he returned, the pair had already vanished.
He hurried up the stairs and finally caught sight of Seonghyeok’s broad back.
Youngin was resting her head gently on his shoulder, eyes closed. Seonghyeok’s large hand cradled the back of her head—it seemed less like she had leaned on him, and more like he had guided her there.
Suppressing a grin, Jisang walked over to where Seonghyeok was waiting for his valet-parked car.
“So this was your plan all along, huh? That’s why you brought your car and didn’t drink?”
“That was the plan… but I didn’t expect it to work out quite like this.”
“Huh?”
*What does that even mean?*
Jisang felt like he only understood about half of what Seonghyeok had said tonight.
Just then, a sleek black SUV pulled up in front of them.
Jisang stepped forward to open the passenger-side door, and Seonghyeok carefully lifted Youngin into the seat. Every movement was slow and deliberate, like he was handling something fragile.
Closing the door, Seonghyeok glanced at Jisang.
“I’m heading out.”
“Didn’t you say you had something important to discuss with me tonight?”
“Not as important as taking her home.”
Jisang’s face twisted into a scowl.
“Yeah, yeah. Of course it’s not.”
“I’ll call you later.”
Waving a hand toward Seonghyeok, Jisang watched him walk to the driver’s side without even looking back.
***
The moment Seonghyeok sat in the driver’s seat, he turned toward Youngin.
Leaning over to pull her seatbelt across, he caught the faint scent of roses. The urge to touch her, to pull her close and breathe her in like he used to, came crashing over him.
Suppressing the dangerous impulse, he buckled her in and straightened up.
Just to be sure, he held his finger under her nose. A faint, warm breath reassured him.
Relaxing, he let his eyes linger on her face.
He figured Haeyoon would’ve taken care of her if he hadn’t come, but still—he was glad he had.
Originally, he was supposed to meet Jisang tomorrow. But the moment he learned where the party was, he moved it up to today.
Over lunch, Haeyoon had accidentally given him the final push.
*”I’m worried Seungchan might keep pushing drinks on Team Leader like he did at the last gathering. It’s so obvious what he’s after—I don’t get why he’s like that.”*
That had been enough to make him drop everything and come here.
He hadn’t expected Youngin to be *this* drunk.
A soft tapping on the passenger window startled him.
Looking up, he saw a valet gesturing politely for him to move.
Seonghyeok straightened and buckled his seatbelt, then eased the car out of the parking spot.
As he drove, he thought back to Youngin’s hazy voice saying she’d follow him, and a quiet smile curved his lips. When he hit a red light, he glanced over.
At some point, her eyes had fluttered open. She blinked slowly, dazed.
He normally hated watching drunk people—especially when he was sober—but strangely, he didn’t mind seeing *her* like this.
“Sleep some more.”
Youngin shifted slightly in her seat, turning toward him.
“Hey… Cha Seonghyeok…”
His sharp eyes softened. Hearing her say his name—her lips finally forming those syllables instead of calling him *sunbae*—felt good.
“Are you… mad that I broke up with you? Is that why… you’re doing this…?”
He searched his feelings carefully.
No. He wasn’t angry.
What he felt was regret.
Regret for letting her walk away so easily.
Regret for not fighting harder.
“If you regret not dumping me first… then I’ll let you break up with me… okay…?”
He pulled himself out of his thoughts and answered naturally.
“For me to dump you, we’d have to start dating again.”
“Uh… that’s… a little problematic…”
Even her slurred words were oddly adorable.
“You know what? I take it back—you *were* cute when you were younger. And you’re still cute now.”
Embarrassed, Youngin lowered her eyes. Seonghyeok chuckled softly.
It had been a long time since he’d laughed like this.
“Get some sleep until we’re home.”
Reaching over, he gently covered her eyes with his large hand. In place of an answer, she gave the faintest nod.
When he checked a few minutes later, she was sound asleep—like a well-behaved child.
Watching her completely defenseless in front of him made his chest tighten.
“Maybe I should get her drunk every night.”
He couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious anymore.
(Continued…)
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