Chapter 32

"I'm going to do the same, so you should too."

Bo Bae couldn't understand what Ho Rang was talking about. What did he mean by "I'll do the same, so you should too?" What exactly? Was it about liking someone? Like, I'm going to like you, so you should like me back?

Contextually, that was clearly the meaning. But there was no way, right? Baek Ho Rang liking her? That was impossible.

This was the man who had yelled at her to stay ten meters away. He was the man who had refused a contract relationship with her even when his own life was at stake. That was how much he disliked her.

And yet, I'm going to like you, so you should like me back?

Just as Bo Bae, unable to grasp his intent, was about to ask him point-blank, Ho Rang’s phone rang. After checking the name on the screen, Ho Rang answered.

"Yes, Executive Director."

It seemed to be a call from the company. Bo Bae waited for him to hang up. She wanted to ask what he was thinking when he said those words, if he was teasing her, or if he really liked her.

"I’m in the shopping center parking lot. Ah. Then I’ll see you right now."

However, Bo Bae couldn't satisfy her curiosity immediately.

"Go home first. I have some business to attend to, so I'll stop by there before heading back."

"Ah. Okay."

"I’ll probably be late. Don't wait up."

"Who said I was waiting?"

As Bo Bae pouted, Ho Rang ruffled her hair and walked away.

Watching his receding back, Bo Bae raised her hand and gently touched her hair. It felt as if the sensation of his touch still lingered.

"What was that? Why touch someone else's hair...?"

Even as she muttered the words, her lips were curving into a faint smile.

~~~~

Do Yoon, who was preparing to leave work, shook his head with an exasperated expression as Mi Kyung entered his office without knocking.

"What's got you in such a bad mood this time?"

"Clear your schedule for the weekends."

"Why the weekends?"

Do Yoon organized the documents he was looking at, placed them on the desk, and sat down in front of Mi Kyung.

His father, Assemblyman Choi Tae Sik, was a man of large build and a fearsome impression, but Do Yoon took after his mother, Mi Kyung, so much so that people often said he inherited everything from her, from his looks to his personality.

Sitting across from each other, the mother and son were truly identical. Their slim faces, sharp eyes, pointed noses, and even their shared hatred for Ho Rang.

"Chairman Han and your father are going golfing."

At Mi Kyung's words, Do Yoon furrowed his brows. For Do Yoon, who loved to play and enjoyed the company of women, this was a completely unattractive invitation.

"What am I supposed to do at a golf outing for old men?"

When Do Yoon spoke irritably, Mi Kyung glared at him and clicked her tongue.

"Seol Hee is coming too."

"Seol Hee? Han Seol Hee?"

"Yes."

"So what?"

"What do you mean 'so what'? Do you know how much effort your father put into attending that golf gathering!"

Mi Kyung was driven to frustration by Do Yoon, who was only focused on playing around. Ho Rang, an orphan with no one to rely on, had established his own position in the company, while Do Yoon, who had respectable parents, had produced no noteworthy results.

He was constantly caught up in scandals with celebrities, filmed dancing strangely at clubs, and every year on his birthday, he went abroad to throw a lavish party. Moreover, last year he was caught drunk driving, causing Assemblyman Choi Tae Sik all sorts of humiliation.

Even with the shopping center, it was the same. Do Yoon was merely piggybacking on the hotel where Mi Kyung was the CEO, while Ho Rang, who had been running the resort, was steadily expanding his business domain. Even looking at that alone, it was clear where Chairman Baek’s heart was leaning, yet this boy still couldn't get his act together. It was infuriating.

As much as she hated Ho Rang, Mi Kyung envied his brilliant mind, business acumen, and loyalty to Chairman Baek more than anyone else's.

"Look at Ho Rang and learn something!"

"That again! If you’re going to compare me to that bastard Baek Ho Rang, don't even bring it up."

At the mention of Ho Rang’s name, Do Yoon reacted irritably.

Until kindergarten, Do Yoon was the prince of the Tae Seong Group. While not necessarily spoiled, Chairman Baek had cherished Do Yoon quite a bit, and Tae Sik also adored Do Yoon, who was to be the sole successor of the Tae Seong Group.

But that was only until Ho Rang appeared. After Ho Rang showed up, the one who changed the fastest was none other than his father, Choi Tae Sik.

Since the sole successor of Tae Seong Group had become a "half-successor," Tae Sik couldn't help but feel anxious. In a political career that could disappear at any time, he needed to secure a solid backup. For Tae Sik, that backup was Mi Kyung and Do Yoon. But when Ho Rang appeared, all his plans began to go awry.

From then on, Tae Sik compared Do Yoon and Ho Rang at every turn, provoking and trampling on Do Yoon. He intentionally made them compete, encouraged fights, and sometimes just stood by and watched. Do Yoon rebelled further, and Tae Sik despised such a son.

All that remained between the father and son were stained scars and distrust. Yet, Mi Kyung, who knew this well, insisted on saying such things.

"Meet Seol Hee before Ho Rang goes on a blind date with her."

"Meet her and do what? Seduce her or something?"

Do Yoon crossed his long legs, his words as twisted as his posture.

"Do whatever you can. Seduce her, tempt her, or fall in love."

At Mi Kyung's words, Do Yoon chuckled. His mother, who was so cold-headed when working, could be so fervent when it came to her child's affairs. She didn't care what it took.

"It’s unsightly for cousins to fight over one woman."

"That’s why you should meet Seol Hee before Ho Rang does. If the two of you say you like each other, would your grandfather really oppose it?"

That shrewd bastard Baek Ho Rang rarely attended gatherings of his peers. Instead, he made sure to attend meetings with old men who could help his business.

But Do Yoon, who loved to play, had already met Seol Hee several times. They were on "brother-sisrer" terms and had even exchanged contact information. However, Seol Hee...

"She’s not my style."

"Choi Do Yoon!"

When Mi Kyung snapped, Do Yoon laughed playfully. Seeing her son like that, Mi Kyung’s anger seemed to soften slightly as she glared at him with an expression that wasn't entirely hateful.

"Just get married first. Just do the marriage."

"Just the marriage?"

Do Yoon narrowed his eyes, looking at Mi Kyung who emphasized the word "marriage."

"Marry Seol Hee and make Tae Seong Group yours first."

"I don't know. Wouldn't that just be good for Father? I don't want to. I’m not into Seol Hee either."

When Do Yoon acted indifferent and looked away, Mi Kyung shouted in frustration.

"How long are you going to live like that?"

"Me? My whole life. I’m going to live like this forever. Just managing the hotel."

"Hmph! Do you think the hotel will be ours forever?"

At Mi Kyung's words, Do Yoon’s expression sharpened instantly as he looked at her.

"What does that mean? Isn't the hotel yours, Mom?"

To be honest, it stung that Tae Seong Group might pass to Ho Rang, but he didn't care. He had neither the ability nor the passion to lead a massive company like Tae Seong. But the hotel was different. Do Yoon had practically lived in this hotel since he was a child. He never doubted that even if all of Tae Seong went to Ho Rang, this hotel would be his. But now she was saying it wasn't?

"My shares in Tae Seong Hotel aren't that much."

"What does that...!"

"Your grandfather holds all the hotel shares. It means there’s nothing I can do as I please."

"...."

"But what if those shares are passed to Ho Rang?"

"!"

"Don't you know your grandfather modifies his will every year?"

Mi Kyung knew well. Her son Do Yoon didn't have great ambitions, but she knew how much he cherished this hotel.

"I don't know why you don't like Seol Hee, but after you're married, whether you meet the woman you want or not is up to you. Once you have Tae Seong in your hands, who would say anything?"

Do Yoon, who had been listening silently to Mi Kyung, leaned back on the sofa.

Marry Seol Hee and get Tae Seong. After that, take whatever he wanted. It wasn't a bad plan.

But he didn't know why 'that woman' had to pop into his head right now. At his mother's words about meeting the woman he wanted after marriage, Do Yoon immediately thought of Bo Bae.

The woman who had been electric from the first meeting. The woman who sent a shock through his whole body the moment he held her hand. Na Bo Bae.

Do Yoon burned with an intense desire to possess her.

"I’ll meet Seol Hee separately. I can't stand those old men's golf gatherings."

~~~~

After processing a fair amount of the piled-up approval documents, Ho Rang stretched lazily. He tapped his stiff shoulders and shifted his gaze to Bo Bae, who was leaning against the window.

For several days, they had come to work together, Ho Rang would work, and Bo Bae would write. But he wondered what was so interesting outside, as Bo Bae had been stuck to the window looking down for a while.

The wind blew through the slightly open window, tossing Bo Bae's long hair here and there. When the fluttering strands blocked her vision, Bo Bae gathered her long hair and pulled it up. Then she began to look around for something. She was likely looking for a hair tie. When she couldn't find one even after a long search, Bo Bae secured her hair with the pen she was holding.

Ho Rang watched the scene with fascination. It was fascinating that she could fix her hair with a pen, and it was equally fascinating that just looking at this woman could make him feel this good.

As her hair went up, Bo Bae’s neckline was revealed. Her white, slender neck was so pretty that he wanted to kiss it right then and there. Her skin was so fair that it was almost translucent, and the fine baby hairs resting there constantly tempted him. Her delicate skin seemed to be testing his reason.

"Ah... truly a bewitching woman."

"Huh? What did you just say?"

As Bo Bae turned her head, the clear sunlight struck her face.

This wouldn't do. She was so pretty, and just looking at her made his heart pound as if it would explode. Whether he was waking up in the morning or lying down to sleep, she was the first thing that came to mind. He felt he had to confess.

Ho Rang walked toward Bo Bae with long strides.

"Na Bo Bae."

"Yes?"

Sitting by the window, Bo Bae looked up at Ho Rang standing before her with wide eyes. As the wind blew, the white chiffon curtains fluttered, enveloping the two of them.

"I..."

I think I like you. Just as he was about to let those words out, the door burst open. Ho Rang and Bo Bae turned toward the door at the same time, their brows furrowing simultaneously. It was Do Yoon.

"Executive Director! Just a moment! Let me report to the President first...!"

The secretary following Do Yoon looked pale. When Ho Rang gave a nod to signify it was okay, the secretary bowed and closed the door.

"Don't you know how to knock?"

"Barging in is my concept for today."

Do Yoon’s gaze passed Ho Rang and settled on Bo Bae.

"What is a secretary doing in the President office?"

When Do Yoon’s sharp gaze remained persistently fixed on Bo Bae, Ho Rang moved his body to hide Bo Bae behind him.

"What does it matter to you what happens in my office?"

"It matters. Who would see it as normal for someone to be holed up with a woman at the company in broad daylight?"

Do Yoon walked over and sat on the sofa. Sensing the conversation would be long, Ho Rang signaled to Bo Bae.

"Secretary Na, you may leave."

"Yes, Sir."

As Bo Bae hurried to leave, Do Yoon spoke as if making sure she heard.

"When are you going on that blind date?"

"!"