Prey - Chapter 46
It was before Jeonghan arrived that she worked at Cheonkyung. And shortly after he came to the headquarters, preparations for his wedding began right away.
So apart from that day they met on the rooftop, all she had seen of Do Jeonghan was as a prospective partner or as a husband.
The image from the last business trip they had gone on together… couldn’t really be considered his usual self.
Jeonghan’s demeanor towards Hyunwoo was less authoritative than expected.
The impression he gave at the office had seemed somewhat intimidating.
Perhaps he wasn’t entirely cold towards the people he worked with, even during company dinners.
While Suhyeon was thinking this, Hyunwoo was mostly leading the conversation. She had seen him entertain clients a few times, but this was the first time she had seen him talk so much. Given that the other party was Do Jeonghan, it seemed he was somewhat overdoing it.
As the gathering was coming to an end, Jeonghan said,
“Seol Suhyeon, I have some things to discuss with you separately, so let’s talk after a bit.”
Startled by the thought that the meeting was about to conclude, Suhyeon paused while drinking from a black glass that had the same pattern as the soju cup.
Right in front of her, Jeonghan was looking at her. There was no hint of personal emotion on his face.
“Ah, yes. I will.”
As Suhyeon replied, a considerably drunk Hyunwoo staggered slightly as he stood up from his seat.
“Then I’ll head out first, Director. Thanks to you, I had a great meal today.”
“Okay. Please be careful on your way home.”
“Yes. I’ll see you next time.”
Hyunwoo bowed his head and headed toward the door.
Tap.
He left, and the door closed.
“……”
In the silence that fell over the room, Jeonghan quietly looked at Suhyeon.
‘With just the two of us left, that incident comes to mind again.’
Suhyeon awkwardly inhaled.
The events of that night, which she had buried while Hyunwoo was present, vividly resurfaced in her mind.
Jeonghan silently poured himself another drink.
As Suhyeon anxiously watched him, she opened her mouth.
“Please, go ahead.”
As if to say “about what,” Jeonghan raised one eyebrow. Suhyeon met his gaze directly.
“You mentioned you had something to say to me.”
Jeonghan lightly laughed, placing his glass down, seemingly amused by her insistence on using his title.
“Did you really believe that?”
“Pardon?”
Suhyeon’s eyes widened. Jeonghan stared directly into those eyes.
“The purpose today has been Seol Suhyeon from the beginning.”
“‘…!’”
Startled by his intense gaze, which revealed nothing but the truth of that night, Suhyeon inhaled sharply.
“Jung Hyunwoo was just an excuse to call you out.”
Suhyeon, who had been looking at him with trembling eyes, hardened her expression.
“If you have nothing else to say, I’ll be leaving now.”
He grabbed her hand and stood up.
“Didn’t you hear?”
At his low voice, Suhyeon paused and shifted her gaze. Jeonghan remained seated, watching her without moving.
“My intention was you. Seol Suhyeon.”
“…….”
His expression was languid, but his gaze was sufficiently imposing.
Tightening her grip on the bag strap, Suhyeon’s hand tensed. Conflict clouded her eyes.
“Sit down.”
Biting her lip, Suhyeon returned to her seat.
Suhyeon glared at Jeonghan with an angry expression.
“I’m sitting here as Seol Suhyeon of Donghwa. Please get it right.”
“Do it that way, then. If it’s more comfortable for you.”
Jeonghan, speaking as if it didn’t matter, poured soju into her glass.
Suhyeon watched him with an expression of discontent. Jeonghan, holding the soju bottle, gazed at her and said,
“Aren’t you going to pour me one? Seol Suhyeon of Donghwa.”
Reluctantly, Suhyeon grasped the bottle with both hands and poured the drink into his glass.
As Jeonghan extended his glass, she frowned and raised her glass for a toast, catching a glimpse of him smirking.
‘Is he enjoying this?’
She felt frustrated, thinking that she was the only one flustered by that day’s events.
But she knew that she couldn’t confront him; she had been overly excited instead. If Jeonghan hadn’t stopped that day…
‘Ah!’
An intense memory surged back, flushing her face with heat.
Suhyeon quickly brought the soju glass to her lips and downed the drink in one go.
‘If I can’t hide my reddened face, it’s better to use the alcohol as an excuse.’
After finishing her drink, Suhyeon took a deep breath and lifted her head. Jeonghan’s inscrutable eyes were fixed on her.
“……?”
For a moment, Suhyeon felt a slight sense of unease.
