TMP Chapter 3: I’m Actually Shy

When Kangwoo asked how she could be so sure, Haewon answered without hesitation.

“Because you’ve never acted like the other men.”

“And how did the other men act?”

“They pretended otherwise, tried to go in circles, but in the end… it was always about sleeping together.”

Not as naïve as I thought.

“Did it ever cross your mind that maybe I just lack confidence?”

Kangwoo’s voice was teasing, but Haewon only smiled and replied firmly.

“Not at all.”

“Then you must not know me very well. I’m actually pretty shy.”

A man who had just brought her to a hotel room under the pretense of a toast was now claiming to be shy? Haewon barely managed to suppress the laugh that almost escaped her lips. She decided to wait and see what exactly he was getting at.

“You would’ve been better off just saying you never had the chance.”

Of course, she wouldn’t back down. A true lawyer through and through.

Kangwoo let out a short chuckle and stood up. He could feel Haewon’s gaze trailing him as he poured himself a drink and returned to his seat.

Setting a glass in front of her, he picked up where they left off.

“So… does that mean today’s my chance?”

“I thought this was work.”

“Oh, what a shame.”

Despite his words, Kangwoo didn’t look the least bit disappointed. His expression remained composed, exuding an effortless nonchalance.

That kind of ease—Haewon had never had it, not even once. It was something only those who were born privileged possessed. She, who had spent her life fighting to survive, could never even begin to imitate it.

“When are we making this toast?”

Haewon deliberately changed the subject.

“Are you uncomfortable around me?”

Why ask something he already knew the answer to? It was a pointless question.

To Haewon, Chairwoman Cha Myeonghee was a benefactor she owed for life. And Kangwoo was her only son. What more explanation was needed?

As long as Kangwoo remained Chairwoman Cha’s son, Haewon would never be able to feel at ease around him.

Instead of answering, she simply looked at him in silence—an unspoken confirmation. Kangwoo, understanding her immediately, shrugged. A fleeting thought crossed his mind—this wasn’t going to be easy.

“Nothing helps people loosen up like alcohol. Shall we toast?”

Their glasses clinked, the clear sound resonating in the quiet room. Without a word, both drained their drinks at the same time.

“And now—”

“You’re just waiting for an excuse to leave, huh?”

His voice carried a trace of disappointment, but Haewon remained unfazed. She had no intention of getting too close to him in any personal setting. The only reason she had come tonight was because he had framed it as a work obligation.

“I need to leave before the trains stop running.”

“Your place is pretty far, isn’t it? Isn’t it a hassle to commute every day?”

Should she tell him?

Haewon hesitated for a moment, recalling the key to the apartment Chairwoman Cha had given her. Ultimately, she decided to be upfront about it.

He would find out sooner or later anyway—there was no point in keeping it a secret.

“Chairwoman Cha arranged a place for me.”

She placed the apartment key on the table.

Kangwoo’s expression stiffened slightly as he stared at the key. His gaze, much like when they had met at the house, gradually turned cold. It was impossible to read his emotions.

How long is he planning to just sit there and stare? Haewon was starting to feel restless.

“So, you’re saying my mother gave you this?”

As Kangwoo tapped the key card lightly with his index finger, his expression grew increasingly complex.

“As a congratulatory gift.”

“She told me she’d only accept my gratitude, yet you got this?”

Didn’t take him for the type to hold grudges. Haewon made a mental note of this new piece of information about Kangwoo while he picked up the key card and examined it back and forth.

“What’s your apartment number?”

“Well…”

She hadn’t checked yet.

“In case you were curious, I live on the 11th floor.”

She wasn’t curious at all. Ignoring him, Haewon rummaged through her bag and pulled out the envelope that had contained the key card. The unit number was written on the front.

“The 10th floor.”

“So you’re right below me.”

Why did he look so pleased about that? Kangwoo smirked in satisfaction.

“I’m in unit 1104. What about you?”

Why was he so interested in her apartment number? Whatever the reason, it wasn’t like she couldn’t answer. Wearing a blank expression, Haewon replied indifferently.

“1004.”

A brief silence fell between them.

She hadn’t thought much of it when she said it, but the moment the words left her mouth, it felt off. Angel? That didn’t suit her at all.

Though it wasn’t intentional, it sounded like she had just declared herself an angel. Haewon felt awkward.

Kangwoo, seemingly thinking the same thing, twitched his lips, clearly struggling to hold back laughter.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Yeah, I know. Me too. But… where are your wings?”

Instead of snapping at him to stop teasing her, Haewon abruptly shot to her feet. Her face was probably burning red, like a ripe tomato. She hated that she had let her guard down.

The only logical course of action was to get out of there—fast.

“I’ll be going now. Goodbye.”

“Mm, go on.”

Kangwoo didn’t even try to hide his laughter. He outright chuckled, even waving as she left.

Haewon stormed out without looking back. She felt both embarrassed and annoyed at herself for getting flustered.

 

✼ ✼ ✼

 

Late at night, Chairwoman Cha Myeonghee couldn’t fall asleep. She pressed her temples, trying to ease the dull headache when a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

Chief Secretary Yoon entered, carrying a tray with a teacup.

“It’s chamomile. It should help you sleep.”

A gentle fragrance filled the study, following the wisps of steam rising from the cup.

Cha had emptied about half of the tea when Yoon placed a neatly sealed envelope on the table.

“You’re later than expected.”

Cha picked up the envelope, her tone dry.

“I waited until they got home to confirm.”

“Good. One should sleep at home.”

Inside the envelope were photos—images of Kangwoo and Haewon entering a hotel. A series of pictures captured them getting out of the car and walking into a room.

“That was faster than I expected.”

Cha examined the photo of Kangwoo and Haewon stepping into the hotel room together. A knowing smile crept onto her lips.

“They didn’t stay in the room for long.”

“Oh?”

Her response was indifferent as she flipped through to the next page.

Yoon considered suggesting they take precautions now, but he held his tongue. If Cha thought it necessary, she would have given the order already. Interfering would be overstepping.

After reviewing the last photo, Cha slid them back into the envelope.

“Get rid of it. No traces.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Yoon accepted the envelope with care.

“What about Kangwoo?”

“He went to the officetel.”

“Send Mrs. Cheong over and have her stock the fridge properly. He’ll be staying there for now.”

“I’ll see to it.”

“You should rest, too.”

With a polite bow, Yoon left the study with the envelope in hand. He couldn’t understand what Chairwoman Cha was planning. Placing Kangwoo and Haewon in the same residence—what was her endgame?

Cha stepped onto the terrace and opened the glass door. The night air was still heavy with the heat of the day.

Looking up, she spotted Kangwoo’s darkened window.

“I’ll marry the person I love. I respectfully decline your involvement in my marriage.”

She had once suggested a formal matchmaking meeting for Kangwoo, only to be met with fierce resistance. But Cha Myeonghee wasn’t one to back down.

If it was going to happen anyway, it was better to let it happen quickly. A fire that flared too fast would burn out just as fast. Instead of interfering and making things worse, it was wiser to wait for it to collapse on its own.

She trusted her instincts.

Even at midnight, the lingering heat was relentless. This summer was going to be a long one.

The Day Before Work

Haewon busied herself packing. She was moving into the officetel.

There wasn’t much to pack, so it didn’t take long. Still, the thought of leaving behind the home she shared with Jungsook—who was like a mother to her—and her younger siblings brought a flood of memories.

“Haewon, are you done packing?”

Jungsook, the director of Ja-hwal Dream(self reliance) Center’s Bobaewon orphanage, entered Haewon’s room.

“Yes.”

“Need any help?”

“No, come in.”

Haewon pushed her suitcase aside, making space for Jungsook to sit.

“A young woman your age should have more to pack than this… It’s too simple.”

Jungsook let out a wistful chuckle, trying to mask her emotions. Sending Haewon off felt like sending her own daughter away.

Knowing that, Haewon responded with a deliberately light tone.

“I’m keeping things simple on purpose.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I dressed up too much with this face, no man in the world would leave me alone.”

“Oh my, that’s true! Of course!”

Jungsook burst into laughter. It was the warm, hearty kind that always lifted spirits.

“Our Haewon is so stunning, even Miss Korea couldn’t compete!”

Haewon laughed along but suddenly thought of Kangwoo.

“I’m no different. I just… get shy easily.”

His words had seemed so random then, but now they popped into her head again.

What nonsense.

“What’s going on, Director?”

“Unnie, is something funny?”

Hearing Jungsook’s laughter, Haewon’s younger siblings peeked through the open door, their big, bright eyes sparkling like stars.

“It’s nothing.”

Shaking her head, Haewon pushed aside thoughts of Kangwoo. Unnecessary questions only cluttered the mind. It was better to erase them completely.