DR 7

“…!”

 

Suhyeok’s heart lurched, sinking like a stone.

 

That guy?

 

Was he the reason she left me stranded at the wedding?

 

For some rat-faced bastard like that?

 

Fuck, that pathetic jerk.

 

She ditched me for a guy with a face like that?

 

Loved him so much she cut ties with her parents?

 

Suhyeok’s eyes blazed before he could stop them.

 

But then Ahyun shook off the man’s hand. Seeing her resist calmed his rage slightly. Still, the guy persisted, trying to steady her.

 

Suhyeok knew jumping in might make him look foolish, but his feet moved faster than his reason.

 

Slipping on his shoes, he stormed out of the restaurant, striding toward Ahyun and the man talking in the alley.

 

* * *

 

“Deputy Kang, are you okay?”

 

Ahyun turned at the voice calling her. The streetlamp’s glow cast shadows, obscuring the speaker’s face.

 

“Huh? Who’s that…?”

 

Her words slurred as she squinted. The man stepped into the light, grinning broadly.

 

“It’s me—Park Minseok, manager from Accounting Team 1.”

 

“Oh…”

 

Ahyun eyed Park Minseok warily.

 

Lately, their frequent “chance” encounters had started to bother her. His overly friendly demeanor, despite their distant acquaintance, sometimes felt like a burden.

 

“You seem pretty drunk.”

 

“Yeah… just stepped out for some air to sober up.”

 

“Looks like the new CEO loves his drinks. I saw a ton of soju bottles piled up at your table.”

 

“Uh, yeah…”

 

“Nothing tougher than a boss who’s into drinking. You’re in for it, Deputy Kang.”

 

“It’s not that bad…”

 

“I get chest pains just looking at my team leader, but you deal with the CEO every day—impressive.”

 

Too foggy to respond properly, Ahyun brushed off his chatter. But Park kept grabbing her arm, trying to support her unasked.

 

“I’m fine, so could you let go of my arm?”

 

“How about I grab you an ice cream from the convenience store up ahead?”

 

At “ice cream,” Ahyun’s eyes lit up. She always craved it when drunk. A cool, sweet chocolate cone might clear her head a bit.

 

“Ice cream? I like chocolate—”

 

“Secretary Kang.”

 

A shadow loomed over her and Park Minseok.

 

Its hulking, dark silhouette alone betrayed the owner.

 

None other than Cha Suhyeok.

 

His face was hidden in the shade, but that voice was unmistakable.

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

Ahyun shook off Park’s grip, straightening her posture to feign sobriety.

 

Suhyeok strode toward her, sliding between her and Park as if warding him off.

 

The closeness stole her breath for a moment.

 

Caught between two men, she felt a strange unease, even through her drunken haze.

 

“Said you were going to the restroom—why are you out here?”

 

“Is there something you need…?”

 

“I’m heading home. Call me a driver.”

 

Snapping to attention, Ahyun nodded.

 

“Yes, sir!”

 

As Suhyeok headed back to the restaurant, Ahyun turned to Park.

 

“I’d better go.”

 

“Too bad about the ice cream. See you tomorrow, Deputy Kang.”

 

Suhyeok glanced back, his head tilting as if to chide her for dawdling.

 

Ahyun gave Park a quick bow and hurried after Suhyeok, her steps unsteady.

 

* * *

 

Returning to the table, Suhyeok grabbed his things and stood. He’d planned to stay until the end of the dinner, it being his first day, but seeing Ahyun flirt with another man soured the already faint taste of alcohol.

 

“I’ll head out first. Directors, please enjoy and wrap up at your leisure.”

 

“CEO! Leaving already?”

 

“No second round?”

 

He’d heard the driver for the previous CEO had taken voluntary retirement and stopped coming in today.

 

Until HR found a replacement, Suhyeok would drive himself, but tonight’s heavy drinking ruled that out.

 

He could’ve asked the restaurant owner to call a driver, but for some reason, he wanted to make Ahyun do it.

 

Watching her snap to attention and chase after him, abandoning that cringe-worthy scene with the male coworker, gave him a twisted sense of satisfaction.

 

“I’ve got a lot to learn this week, so I’ll head out. I’ll stay till the end next time.”

 

“Still, it’s a shame to see you go so soon.”

 

“I’ll arrange another gathering soon.”

 

Suhyeok gave a crisp farewell and left. Ahyun, rushing back into the restaurant, frantically grabbed her bag and pulled out her phone to call a driver.

 

Not wanting to wait in the stuffy indoors, Suhyeok stepped outside and headed to the parking lot.

 

He spotted Ahyun scanning for him, looking lost.

 

“Over here.”

 

Suhyeok raised a hand from the shadows. Ahyun wobbled toward him.

 

“Sorry, sir, I didn’t check which car you drove today.”

 

Suhyeok owned several cars, and she hadn’t known which one he’d brought, so she hadn’t called the driver yet.

 

Spotting his black sedan, Ahyun’s lips moved as she crouched by the hood.

 

“Seven-seven-seven-seven…”

 

She giggled, muttering that the gold license plate “7777” was easy to remember.

 

“Hello, I’m at the Thomas Hanwoo BBQ parking lot in Yeoksam-dong. Please send a driver.”

 

Covering the receiver, Ahyun turned to Suhyeok.

 

“Where’s your place, sir?”

 

“Hannam-dong.”

 

She relayed to the service, “Yes, from Yeoksam-dong to Hannam-dong. Got it.”

 

Hanging up, Ahyun stood.

 

“There’s a backlog of calls—it’ll be about thirty minutes.”

 

Suhyeok nodded, opening the car door.

 

“Good work.”

 

“I’ll head out then. See you tomorrow, sir. I’ll never be late again.”

 

Her pointed emphasis on “never,” laced with resentment, made Suhyeok narrow his eyes.

 

Who’s she mouthing off to?

 

The woman who ditched a tuxedoed groom at the altar.

 

Yet, her slurred speech and bow tugged at something in him.

 

He didn’t know where she lived, but a woman stumbling home alone this late, in that state, seemed like trouble.

 

That Park guy from earlier bugged him too.

 

Drunk Ahyun lost all caution. If some creep hit on her on the way home, she might giggle in that flirty tone of hers.

 

Would she follow a guy offering chocolate ice cream without a second thought?

 

“Deputy Kang.”

 

“Yes, sir?”

 

Ahyun, about to leave the parking lot, turned at his voice. Her tipsy smile made his heart thud unexpectedly.

 

Was he losing it?

 

Why was his heart racing for the woman who’d crushed him?

 

Irritation surged.

 

“Never mind.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Ahyun resumed walking, then swayed, veering right in a zigzag stumble.

 

It was the textbook definition of drunken staggering.

 

This wasn’t about lingering feelings as an ex.

 

It wasn’t some pathetic attachment.

 

It was purely as CEO, unable to let a plastered secretary go home like this, that he called out.

 

“Come here.”

 

“Me?”

 

“Yes, you. Who else is here?”

 

Ahyun, struggling to focus, squinted and shuffled back toward him.

 

Worried she’d collapse, Suhyeok strode over and steadied her.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

Suhyeok knew her drunken look all too well.

 

Her eyes sparkled like they held dewdrops, her face blank as if staring into space.

 

Sober, she was a pristine beauty; drunk, she radiated an innocent charm.

 

Even that drew men in. Normally unapproachable, her drunken state made her seem within reach.