Chapter 66. I Need You (7)

Translator: Aura

Minkyung stared at Hyunseong’s face for a moment. His expression was filled with anxiety and worry, which was unlike the usually positive and confident Hyunseong.

“I know that’s your business, Minkyung.”

Minkyung giggled, looked away and replied,

“What more could there be? He’s the Executive Director.”

Hyunseong’s gaze stayed on Minkyung’s cheek for a moment longer…

***

It was Friday night, two hours had passed since the last meeting ended. Minkyung looked at the closed door as she organized a stack of documents so that Lee-Seob could easily see them. This week in particular, except for meetings or lunch, Lee-Seob stayed in his office almost all day. He called Minkyung only a few times.

In fact, the one who felt more uncomfortable was Minkyung. She didn’t understand the reason, so her discomfort only grew, as if she had fallen into a swamp where her feet barely touched the bottom. Every time she saw his face she got nervous, but she tried hard to hide it, which made her feel pathetic.

Whenever he fixed his eyes on her intensely, she felt a tickle. Lee-Seob narrowed his eyes as she frowned. He looked at her as if trying to examine something that was not clearly visible. She wanted to see herself in his pupils, she wanted to ask him why he looked at her like that. However, she was more likely to demand that he stop.

‘Why…?’

She was embarrassed by how unclear and irrational she was. Even in the face of such a gaze, she found it difficult to accept that somewhere inside her a fire was burning. Her world was turned upside down because of this man.

Every time she came home from work, it was as if she had fought something immaterial until she was exhausted. Her limbs weakened and her heart pounded…

Minkyung was deep in thought, but as soon as she heard Lee-Seob’s office door open, she immediately stood up nervously. It wasn’t until well after 10:00 o’clock that he came out and confirmed the cancellation of his weekend schedule.

“You canceled all my weekend appointments, right?”

“Yes, as you requested. I canceled all your appointments and rescheduled them for weekday lunches next week. By the way, sir, what are you doing this weekend?”

“I’m going to have fun. I’ll have both my phones off, so I won’t be available for any appointments.”

Lee-Seob spoke as if he had entered Minkyung’s head and then came out. It was difficult to move the appointment he had with a government official from the goods and construction sector, whom Lee-Seob would have liked to meet, to a weekday.

“Uh, what about the official from the goods and construction sector…?”

She said hesitantly, and Lee-Seob looked at her with an expression that he was aware of it.

“I won’t see anyone this weekend.”

“Can’t you meet with him briefly?”

“Senior Manager Kang, I’ve worked hard these past few weeks. It’s harmful to the skin.”

Lee-Seob ran his hand across his cheek. It was typical of him to act like a fox when he wanted something.

“That’s why I made you a reservation at the spa for Sunday before noon, after the gym.”

At Minkyung’s lively response, Lee-Seob let out a soft sigh,

“I went on business trips, worked overtime, and had a lot of appointments. I’ve already forgotten what it’s like to get home before 11.”

“Yes, it must have been stressful.”

“Senior Manager Kang, are you okay?”

“For me, it’s normal to work overtime.”

Lee-Seob looked away and laughed. Then, suddenly, he apologized profusely.

“I’m sorry to give you so much work.”

He reached out and lightly caressed Minkyung’s cheek,

“Still, your skin looks beautiful.”

For the past two weeks, he had not touched her or come within such intimate distance. Besides, most of the workers had left the company at this time of night. It was common to feel frazzled at this point, both mentally and physically. Minkyung clutched her chest tightly. She then naturally avoided his hand and said,

“You have good skin too, Mr. Representative.”

Lee-Seob made eye contact and smiled slightly. His face, covered in a layer of fatigue, was both endearing and strangely disturbing, making her want to turn her head.

“Let’s leave work together.”

Minkyung was startled by the casual suggestion and shook her head.

“We can’t do that.”

The number of days Lee-Seob stayed in his studio apartment in Cheongdam had decreased. Still, she preferred that Assistant Manager Kim not drive her to her apartment.

“Why?”

“It will attract attention if Assistant Manager Kim…”

“We will only go together to the entrance of the company, what were you thinking?”

‘Ah, I went too far.’

Minkyung’s ears became hot.