chapter 39

Se-hyeon looked out the window. Well, the only thing visible was the city near the hospital, but the sky was quite beautiful.

'Why did I do that?'

Why did I assign numbers before the names? I only did it because I wanted to fit into this world, but I didn't expect to regret it like this. If I had known, I wouldn't have done it.

Se-hyeon looked at the clear sky while hesitating over the coffee he was supposed to bring to Shin Tae-oh but now is with him. It was almost like reaching enlightenment.

"I thought you were sick."

At the sudden voice, Se-hyeon turned his head to confirm the speaker.

"I thought Secretary Ahn was sick."

Shin Tae-oh mentioned the misunderstanding that led him to come here.

"I saw you until yesterday and suddenly you got sick that you have to come to the hospital"

As Shin Tae-oh grimaced and spoke, Se-hyeon unconsciously nodded his head. Honestly, he did pretend to be sick but that was for shin tae-oh didn't know his secondary gender.

"Someone who always takes regular breaks suddenly takes time off, that's why."

"Ah... That could be the case."

Se-hyeon nodded his head and then tilted it sideways as if there was something he didn't understand.

"But why would that be a reason for the boss to come and visit..."

"I thought maybe the cycle suddenly came or something."

While Se-hyeon was surprised and held his breath, Shin Tae-oh brushed his head as if he was frustrated.

"I thought maybe se-hyeon wanted to cool down and turned on the water, and then ended up coming to the hospital. I don't know anything."

Se-hyeon couldn't find the words to say in response to Shin Tae-oh's murmuring, so he remained silent.

At that time, se-hyeon was really out of his mind and didn't remember anything properly, but if something like that happened again...

'I wonder if I'll remember everything. Maybe Shin Tae-oh went further...'

Se-hyeon shook his head, not wanting to think about it anymore.

"My father had surgery, so I came to visit. I'm perfectly fine."

"That's a relief. Oh, or is it?"

Anyway, someone lying down caused Shin Tae-oh to change the subject. He cares about even the things that could just be ignored. That's why Jin-ho can't hate Shin Tae-oh.

"Well, I heard your father needs to stay in the hospital for a week. It would be nice for him to rest comfortably during this opportunity."

"A week."

Se-hyeon recalled the price he found out for a private room in the middle. A week would easily exceed his monthly salary.

"Is it burdensome?"

"Yes? No absolutely no well if you still find it burdensome then work hard to repay it. I mean, repay it with your body, not money."

Just telling him to work hard would have been enough, but to repay it with his body... Today, for some reason, Se-hyeon couldn't let go of Shin Tae-oh's every word.

Anyway, Se-hyeon was grateful to Shin Tae-oh for bringing his father to a good hospital room.

"Someday, I will definitely repay you."

"With a verbal promise as unreliable as that, should I write up a contract?"

"A contract?"

"The more grateful you are, the more it shows your determination."

Se-hyeon didn't hide his surprise at Shin Tae-oh's meticulous personality, which was more than he had expected.

"I will do it."

Since Shin Tae-oh didn't plan on just ending it with words, writing a contract seemed reasonable.

"You thought well. I'll send the contract through the Chief Secretary, so keep that in mind."

It seemed like the situation escalated with the involvement of the Chief Secretary, but Sehyeon couldn't refuse.

"Yes."

Satisfied with Se-hyeon's answer, Shin Tae-oh turned around. He seemed like he was about to leave, so Se-hyeon followed him to see him off. But then, Shin Tae-oh looked at Se-hyeon with a puzzled expression and asked.

"Are you leaving already? I saw your mother was happy to see you earlier."

"Aren't you leaving, sir? I was going to see you off"

"I'll leave later."

What is he talking about?

"It's already evening."

Se-hyeon pointed to the sky. Winter was slowly receding, but the daylight was still short.

"My mother suggested having dinner together. Ah, She said I should eat before leaving, like her own son."

Who is your mother? Hasn't she considered that her son might be uncomfortable?

"That's why I asked for a boxed meal at a nearby hotel. The Chief Secretary will bring it."

"I'll open the door for you then."

Se-hyeon passed by Shin Tae-oh and opened the door to the hospital room.

After all, the person who brings food is the best.

***

"Oh my, the sushi is melting in my mouth."

Se-hyeon's mother's eyes widened with excitement at the sushi. Shin Tae-oh, with a faint smile, also offered her another boxed meal.

"Try the sea urchin here as well. It's quite delicious."

Not only did he recommend it, but he also served it in a way that was easy for her to eat.

"Thank you."

Se-hyeon's mother happily ate the food recommended by Shin Tae-oh. Se-hyeon's father, who couldn't eat a complete meal yet, couldn't have the sea urchin plate, but his expression brightened with just the abalone porridge.

Thanks to Shin Tae-oh's various recommendations to his mother, Se-hyeon didn't have much to do. He just picked up nearby food and ate, wondering why things turned out this way. He thought he should have taken them to that restaurant last time.

Se-hyeon glanced up and saw Shin Tae-oh looking at him. It seemed like he had realized something belatedly.

"It's delicious," Shin Tae-oh said, turning to Se-hyeon and offering him a steak. It wasn't meant in that sense at all, but Se-hyeon didn't refuse when it was given to him. He quickly devoured the small steak since there was only one piece.

As Se-hyeon took the last bite, he couldn't help but worry if someone else missed out on it.

"It was worth ordering so much," Shin Tae-oh said, as if to reassure him, and extended another plate with a different kind of steak. It was arranged so beautifully that Se-hyeon couldn't find the same menu item.

As Se-hyeon cut and ate the steak, his mother spoke up.

"Se-hyeon eats well. Do you know how rewarding that is for the person who made it?"

"Even the person who serves feels rewarded."

As Se-hyeon listened to the natural conversation between his mother and Shin Tae-oh, he chose to focus on eating his meat and blocked his ears. He didn't want to try to understand anymore.

***

In the end, they returned home in Shin Tae-oh's car.

"I will brief you on tomorrow's schedule."

Lee Jin-ho, sitting in the passenger seat, seemed to plan on briefing and finishing before they even separated. It was almost midnight, so Se-hyeon silently focused on driving.

Getting home as soon as possible was his primary goal at the moment. Se-hyeon's expression, as he pressed the accelerator and increased the speed, it was not just serious but grave.

"For lunch, you decided to meet with Yu Jin-ha. I will contact you again in the morning to confirm."

"Wait."

In the late hour, Shin Tae-oh's voice sounded unusually low.

"Did I make plans with Jin-ha?"

"It's an annual fixed schedule."

One schedule that never changes at this time of year. As if it quickly came to mind, Shin Tae-oh pressed the button for his personal amusement.

"Yu Jin-ha's birthday."

Se-hyeon had been his secretary for three years already. Yoo Jin-ha and Shin Tae-oh would usually meet around lunchtime and have a meal or drink tea together, but it was their choice. The chief secretary just kept that time empty and confirmed it was their own business.

Se-hyeon glanced at Shin Tae-oh through the rearview mirror. When he turned his head to look outside the window, Se-hyeon caught a glimpse of his profile. His elegant features followed along, and his tightly closed lips were visible.

It's been a while since shin tae-oh had that expression. He used to always have a relaxed gaze and a gentle smile. But occasionally, he would erase that expression. At times like that, it was best to wait without saying anything. Lee Jin-ho

seemed to have the same thought, as he stopped the briefing and looked straight ahead.

After passing through the tollgate, Se-hyeon quickly looked at the familiar surroundings and rushed towards Shin Tae-oh's house.

"We have arrived."

Upon Se-hyeon's words, Lee Jin-ho unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car. As Lee Jin-ho opened the backseat door, Shin Tae-oh, who had been waiting, slowly stepped out. Sehyeon confirmed that Shin Tae-oh had exited and closed the door, then started the engine.

It was to park the car. However, just before the car started moving, the passenger door opened, and someone got in.

At first, Se-hyeon thought it was Lee Jin-ho. But before turning around, he turned his head at the scent of pheromones wafting in.

"Why...?"

Why you got in again?

"Let's just go."

As Shin Tae-oh pulled the seatbelt and spoke, Se-hyeon couldn't utter a word and stepped on the accelerator. Even as they entered the underground parking lot, Se-hyeon continued to wonder why Shin Tae-oh was acting like this.

He don't know. There was a time when Se-hyeon believed he knew Shin Tae-oh inside out. He thought he knew everything about him, how to catch his attention, who he liked. There were many times when Se-hyeon moved before Shin Tae-oh even spoke. But lately, he couldn't see through that calm exterior at all.

"We've parked."

So now, get out.

Se-hyeon unbuckled his seatbelt but didn't let go of his focus on Shin Tae-oh. If anything, he became more sensitive. Even the simple act of Shin Tae-oh unbuckling his seatbelt felt frustratingly slow.

"I won't make any excuses."

Shin Tae-oh came out without being asked. As It wasn't what he wanted.

"But you know that I've changed a lot, right? I'm being careful."

Don't tell me now that you've never liked Jin-ha. I didn't ask. By the way, if you're mentioning Yu Jin-ha, it must be bothering you that I mentioned tomorrow's schedule. I don't want to know. The tone is assertive.

"I..."

As always, Se-hyeon showed no emotions and waited for Shin Tae-oh to continue his vague sentence.

Or should I avoid it?

It's clear that shin tae-oh about to ask for a date...

It took me a moment to cancel the schedule with Yu Jin-ha and offer my hand to him.

"Is it alright for the secretary to come to your house?"

As expected.

"I'm sorry. I... I bought it for a lot of money but haven't used it once."

I knew he was talking about the dish. But wait, you have the same dish at your house too. It's not like I brought them all to your place.

"Even if it's the dish... feel free to come. I want to check the dishes, so let's have a meal together tomorrow."

Taenyang didn't miss the opportunity.

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In this chapter 'I' reference to Se-hyeon or you can think as se-hyeon pov(point of view)