EHR 10

Chapter 10

The relentless advances left her feeling sick to her stomach.

“Thanks to you… I ate well. I’ll go in now.”

“Go ahead.”

Jaekyung left the kitchen and turned her head to look at Yoo Gam sitting alone at the large marble table.

Yoo Gam, who only ever appeared tightly wound outside, seemed so calm it was as if he were a different person.

If only he wouldn’t say things like “let’s live together,” she felt she could endure it.

Other than the demand to eat meals together at the table, there was nothing special, making her feel embarrassed for having been so nervous.

Jaekyung, having entered her room, looked down at the tumbler in her hand.

‘You’ll feel self-conscious and won’t come out if you stay in your room. Take it and drink it.’

The subtle scent of tea Yoo Gam had prepared filled the room where Jaekyung was staying. Just as she took a single sip—

Piano music was heard again.

It was the piece she knew well, the one Piano Man used to play. Wondering if someone had turned on the audio, she opened her door and went out.

The sound came from the room next to the living room.

Drawn by the warm, longing-filled melody, she listened to the familiar piece from outside the door.

As the piano stopped and she was about to return to her room, the door opened.

“Is eavesdropping a hobby of yours?”

“Ah! No. Of course not. I’ve just heard it before.”

“Do you know how to play piano?”

“I’ve never tried.”

“Come in.”

“I’m fine. I’ll just go to my room…”

Yoo Gam sat back down at the piano. Like a ballet dancer on stage, his gestures were elegant. His white, long fingers seemed made for playing piano.

The comfortable, romantic melody didn’t match his cold expression.

First year of high school.

She had once wondered how she would strike up a conversation if she ever met that male student playing in the music room.

Of course, that opportunity never came.

Yoo Gam’s profile as he immersed himself in the performance was handsome beyond what Jaekyung could deny. The music stopped before she knew it.

“…Every time I hear it, it feels like healing.”

“Healing is right. Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2, 3rd movement. It’s my favorite piece. Come here.”

Perhaps because of the familiar melody, Jaekyung let down her guard and went near the grand piano.

Perhaps it was because of her curiosity about the piano she had wanted to learn.

“Sit.”

Drawn by the glittering keys, Jaekyung perched in front of the piano.

“Put your fingers on it.”

“I don’t know how to play.”

After hesitating, Jaekyung touched the black and white keys. The smooth sensation at her fingertips was incredibly alluring.

“I’ll teach you.”

Yoo Gam overlapped his fingers with Jaekyung’s and played the piano.

If only such beautiful sound could come from her own hands someday.

“Come into this room anytime and practice.”

Only then did Jaekyung come to her senses and bolt up from the chair.

The overlapped hands felt embarrassing only in hindsight.

“G-Good night.”

She felt a prickling gaze from behind, but Jaekyung hurriedly ran into her room.

She was crazy.

The cold of Yoo Gam’s hand covering the back of her hand and his breath that had blanketed her nape made her heart feel like it would leap out.

‘I’ll teach you.’

She had been shaken for a moment because of the piano.

She lay down on the fluffy bed, but the smooth touch of the keys and Yoo Gam’s fingers still seemed to wrap around her hand, making her heart surge hotly. The sorrowful melody lingered ticklishly in her ears, and even with her eyes closed, sleep wouldn’t come.

In the end, she tossed and turned all night again that day.

***

“Ms. Seo. Come here.”

The voice calling Jaekyung, who had finished preparing for work, came from the direction of Yoo Gam’s room.

“Yes?”

“Come in.”

When she quietly opened the door, she saw Yoo Gam with his upper body bare.

“You called? What… is it?”

As the muscular body toned by exercise entered her view, she was flustered but didn’t want to show surprise.

It was a completely different body from when they had shared a bed long ago.

“Bring me a shirt from the dressing room.”

“I don’t think that’s a secretary’s job.”

“This is also a secretary’s job. Check the contract later, bring the clothes first. I’m running late.”

Jaekyung bit her lip tightly and went into the dressing room.

There were clothes prepared in advance—was there really a need for her to do it?

“Starting tomorrow, do it yourself, Chairman.”

“Tomorrow too, this is Ms. Seo’s job.”

“You can put on clothes by yourself. I didn’t know dressing you was a secretary’s job. Exposure, contact—it’s uncomfortable.”

“Ah, you’ve touched but this is your first time seeing, is that it? This level of exposure is fine in front of a wife. This level of contact between a secretary and superior is fine too. I’m not asking you to hug me.”

She felt increasingly cornered by Yoo Gam’s tactics.

“Starting tomorrow, prepare my clothes morning and evening. If you have complaints, let’s rewrite the contract.”

Is the contract the only thing he has to say?

The goodwill from last night, when he said he had no demands of her, was canceled.

With a deeply stiffened expression, Jaekyung gathered Yoo Gam’s suit.

Regardless of Jaekyung’s mood, his expression looked like he might whistle in front of the mirror, and feeling like she’d lost somehow, she grew irritated.

“The weather’s clear and I’m in a good mood, so let’s have a cup of coffee in the living room before heading to work.”

“Drink alone. I don’t want any. And you said you were late.”

Yoo Gam, adjusting his cuff sleeves, curled the corners of his lips as if Jaekyung’s displeased expression was cute.

“If the wife doesn’t like it, I shouldn’t do it. That’s the know-how of a beloved husband, they say.”

“I’ll wait outside.”

As Yoo Gam, who had been looking down at her from uncomfortably close, finished adjusting even his tie, Jaekyung—as if she’d done all she needed—brushed past him coldly and went out the door first.

“If you act cold, your performance bonus gets cut. For poor attitude.”

Jaekyung, who had stopped walking in the hallway, turned around and stared at Yoo Gam.

“If the performance bonus changes based on your mood, then I should just do my work sloppily and focus on managing my expressions.”

Jaekyung, curling the corners of her lips into an artificial smile, gave a precise 90-degree bow and went out the front door.

“Seo Jaekyung, not a single word gives in.”

Whether it was Jaekyung’s prickly tone or her sharp words, everything lingered in his mind.

He shouldn’t be bewitched by that pretty face.

If he let his guard down, he had an ominous feeling that he’d be caught in Jaekyung’s snare and lose his money, his heart, and his pride.

***

A week had passed since she began working as Yoo Gam’s direct secretary.

Around this time after students’ exams ended, the school festival began.

Since Chairman Kwon founded the international school, the scale had grown every year, with not only current students but also performances by numerous alumni.

Jaekyung, having changed into athletic wear, came outside the building, and the entire school—including the auditorium—was bustling with over a thousand students and more than a hundred faculty and staff.

“Ms. Seo.”

Chief Secretary Kwon waved brightly at Jaekyung. Behind him, Yoo Gam was visible, looking at her askance.

“What’s with that outfit?”

Jaekyung looked down and checked her attire once more.

“It’s gym clothes.”

“Cover up a bit? You’re not a kid, and it’s too short.”

It was April, but he seemed to be pointing out that Jaekyung, who ran hot, was wearing short sleeves and shorts.

“I’ll handle my own clothes.”

“It’s because it bothers my eyes.”

“…What does?”

As Yoo Gam didn’t drop his dissatisfied gaze, Jaekyung inhaled for a moment, wondering what criticism he’d make now.

“That other people see it.”

It was an overreaction. She looked around, but the only ones looking at her were Yoo Gam and Chief Secretary Kwon.

“I’ll go to the gymnasium and do the on-site inspection as instructed earlier.”

It was when she was hurriedly running toward the gymnasium to escape Yoo Gam’s pointless nitpicking.

“Jaekyung!”

At the familiar voice, Jaekyung stopped walking and looked at the stairs connected to the auditorium.

Minho was approaching.

It was the first time since they’d parted at the proposal site. She’d been agonizing over how to apologize in response to his text asking for time to think.

“Minho. Have you been well?”

“Yeah, your face looks gaunt. You were upset because of me, weren’t you.”

She couldn’t honestly say she couldn’t sleep not because of Minho but because of her ex-husband Yoo Gam.

“…Yes. What brings you to the school?”

“I’m part of the hospital’s representative medical staff. I attended the foundation event last year too. You weren’t here then, Jaekyung.”

“Ah. I see.”

“If you have a moment, want to talk?”

“Now’s not a good time. Let’s talk outside after work.”

“It’ll only take a minute. I felt uneasy for not contacting you. Seeing your face, I want to clear up some misunderstandings.”

Jaekyung looked around to see if Yoo Gam might be watching from somewhere.

Fortunately, he seemed to have moved to the VIP seats. Since Chief Secretary Kwon had accompanied him, he definitely wouldn’t come looking for her.

“Then let’s talk for just a moment. This way.”

Minho followed Jaekyung to the back of the athletic field booths, away from the gymnasium.

“I’ve thought it over carefully. Let’s get married as originally planned. I’ll forgive you.”

At Minho’s bewildering words bringing up marriage the moment he opened his mouth, Jaekyung checked her surroundings in case others might hear.

“I’m grateful you understood. It’s largely my fault for not telling you in advance. But I really will decline the marriage.”

As Jaekyung shook her head and didn’t accept, Minho’s face hardened.

“You can’t get married? If you dated someone ten years older, you must have thought about marriage too, Jaekyung. It’s only natural that I take responsibility. Is your ex-husband threatening you?”

“Lower your voice. It’s not because of my ex-husband—I just don’t have thoughts of marriage.”

“Jaekyung. The other party is difficult, but. Phew. I’ll protect you no matter what.”

Minho, wearing a hurt expression, solemnly grasped both of Jaekyung’s hands tightly as if he’d made a great resolution.

The only way was to part with Minho before the misunderstanding deepened.

“Minho, we…”

“Ms. Seo!”

Chief Secretary Kwon’s voice, frantically running while searching for Jaekyung, was heard from afar.