IMFOBO | CH 25 | A Mark of Ownership

Tae-san’s expression was grave.a1d23e8fd841f5f2

His brow ec84531463 was furrowed 8ac1e19284 as if 45c12f0979 something displeased e5172d3148 him.a49bab37d0183eae

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“What, what about my lips?”695221e66b7261d2

“You really never give me a dull moment, do you?”e7dcd34afb2f3efc

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Just then, Jeong-seok turned 6073ddd74c to them, looking disgruntled.f90b9ab4440234b1

He was rubbing his 0cdd8fdfef arm roughly, squinting with 54f8abc548 evident displeasure.e8098307b6a63c42

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“Can’t you two save the lovey-dovey stuff for when you’re alone?”2a231f5802c3dfe6

Lovey-dovey?6165410d1bcfcc23

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The words b967efcb01 seemed so c5dfa243a6 out of 733e634c82 place between 4cf475a014 Tae-san and 98db410126 her, making 98b0e3213e Eun-cho flustered 71969c61c7 but also 1ae4125780 relieved.0cb00693c6df7f66

The fact 6089c1a01d that they f78cc62588 could fool b3478543a5 even those 2e04d2c209 closest to 485e81a52d them meant 0d76c76747 they must 7a445e0cf2 look convincingly 1ca51beb60 like a e0a19aef7f couple to f5568259ac outsiders.4053b61c08ec7756

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“As we discussed, make an appearance at the party after the inauguration ceremony.”71edf37611c1b506

The two 6eb0ec769d waved their 4c3db531fa hands dismissively 396444da32 and disappeared 2b88d2d6ee down the 0e293e0315 hallway.b52c5d6e9d37295c

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Eun-cho watched Jeong-seok and Su-ji walk away, but she couldn’t shake Tae-san’s words.0c31c58d90146a4a

Her haphazard application of d52e774405 lipstick had clearly backfired.1869891582d91fda

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She turned 5b38e389c0 to look 4d80584d95 at her 85a8a3336e reflection in 1af812148d the bronze-tinted 0ee414e8bf glass wall.e4cca4b746daa523

“Where are you going?”fa3bb12e2f23b344

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Ryu Tae-san smoothly caught 3c7731447b her arm.d99131c33b8a08c4

He must have bf71efdc71 noticed that the 49df49dcbb re-applied lipstick was 0358a0fc18 too thick.ba1ec3445f268314

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Everything from her hair 0a4becbb16 to her shoes had 47511f1404 been styled by professionals, cc8a108e22 except for her makeup.39ad8c5d9290cc5c

Eun-cho felt self-conscious, as 10a7767dab if Tae-san had found c240897af0 the one flaw in f9a89859b9 an otherwise perfect object.de8549e5cca139ac

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“You’ve made a mess of your face.”04812e96df578f2f

“…Is it that bad?”de02b6595483e629

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He pulled a 04f6075b40 neatly folded handkerchief 18279633ae from his inner cb3891a2da pocket and moved 6cab757ba0 toward Eun-cho.9a86397c60fc462a

Caught off a2c77a23eb guard, Eun-cho e5feb75036 froze as 2b9299ae79 he gently 84d0963caa dabbed at 9a72147533 her lips.9bb2e220b6844b38

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Why did cfb0fe4cbf this simple 09ba8ee77c touch make 4ed331d698 her cheeks ee73b86c90 flush?db9111c700235a11

She wanted to 05edf84d07 disappear.651b9e04b818b099

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“Did Bong Su-jo do this for you earlier?”db9f2b0685a3fbe5

“That’s not…”42b370dfd0935121

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“Don’t get too friendly. That’s beyond just being friends.”5b652119601da69c

It wasn’t Bong Su-jo, but Bong Su-ji.f418e92a7ea74124

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It seemed like a deliberate slip, but Tae-san didn’t seem to care.7ba23b74f11017e0

“This isn’t working.”8573758b8d0273d7

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A gentle fd5a100f35 smile played 4647ead3f3 on his d08a662d55 lips, a 8846760783 hint of 9ec0ae4667 playfulness in 26d2621606 his expression.ae6886304907337c

There was something almost e07d2ba69e teasing in his tone.237967655d770baf

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Tae-san stared intently at Eun-cho’s face, then slowly ran his finger along the edge of her lips, smudging the lipstick that had bled outside the lines.f6528113309f9acd

“…!”bb02e7d30a04393e

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His hand, which had 754ed4b9e5 been hovering around her 5f5f6b8985 mouth, now touched her c780fb07cd lips.8ae04973fe548875

Before she could even c137219874 react to the fleeting ab14ad6f30 contact, Tae-san patted the f891b2b1b8 lipstick to even it 1bfcd1784a out.397db785aead198d

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Her lips parted 3b4e1a6a01 slightly, revealing a e630dbd348 glimpse of red.d8c64f069e05bc62

His fingertip f959c550aa brushed against 147f8c9bb6 her teeth dbc6a3adc0 before pulling 3571ae1f72 away.4e7d61db28907d08

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Tae-san casually 63a12f9242 wiped his 20ba728548 finger on cfd352b379 the handkerchief, 61e384a637 but the 951eda9eef red stain e389122801 left behind 6b4d2da450 seemed strangely edd77085a8 suggestive.59f0ad0ff5702a27

“Is it okay now?”be343e7af94e96b6

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Eun-cho asked, sounding uncertain. He grinned again.53b02e3a17dad6fc

Tae-san leaned b59014ea77 closer, his e6da8b177c lips near 7028bd80f2 her ear.8be91793dd7978e4

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“You look beautiful.”9719d7b45c71162f

Seriously, what is 95d5ea540b this guy?731c67ccd4b82f4d

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Even though she knew it was a playful joke, she couldn’t hide her embarrassment.0d45c6f9363602a5

It seemed 1a25c5b2bd like this 21ddef6319 man had 7579d98f64 discovered how 527d4468e5 much he 3ec34ecfe1 enjoyed teasing ddda2c2714 Lee Eun-cho.35dea1862fad98a1

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Otherwise, his 8db7a8f3d0 mischievous expression 2bb9ba32a2 made no 9721405831 sense.16d7479a6dd891fd

“Are you always like this?”21ba9990c422d2a6

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“Like what?”912eab9f61df9954

“Are you this sweet to women?”79d65e0bbb8d8f4f

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She hadn’t 6d8cae0011 checked a 22357b9792 mirror, but a89da4d978 she had 23c562ff11 a feeling 99f4b17a44 her lips a9a21d1117 might’ve been b4ed694244 jutting out 851a812ebe in a 87b4ceac40 slight pout.cdfcb8606e803cfe

Normally, guys would jump to deny it at times like this, but Ryu Taesan…1d9ea8366d06ecdd

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“Sometimes, when necessary.”d6bb3218c6350c01

He was ecf9f7af9c brutally honest.2e9ed2f73a81987a

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“We still have some time left. Would you like to have a cup of tea?”21151a779ca237df

“Yes, let’s.”c007e4a911eb7e5e

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She was barely holding 7a721cc173 it together.3dedb1dba93b5648

Standing next to Tae-san 3ac092375c meant she was soaking 9965f52c9b up all the attention bedaff5bbc from passersby.41cbddad7a1ee9af

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Ever since 5f617b93bc Ryu Tae-san 8eb7dc6992 began touching 7d9dbedc53 her lips, 027c0da077 it had 5b01de5074 reached a a78c434747 fever pitch.31b3ad6b1b58aa30

Overwhelmed by the unwanted attention, Eun-cho eagerly accepted Tae-san’s offer.889ca482a4160ae3

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They were striking on 97f93fb3b9 their own, but standing 20104a0d7f side-by-side, they looked every 0d9d544204 bit the couple.8b9655da8bbaadf7

Even without matching outfits, 0b8fac3727 coordinating the tones of 9b39fa0194 their clothes with a 007d523911 similar fabric pattern could 5bfd2412ae create the illusion of 9a641df0f2 a pair.38bb883ac4bfcf35

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With this newfound e1ebac76fb realization, a ticklish 3b34f2b806 feeling spread through b4559922c7 her stomach as f1830ae87c she became aware cdd71cb3df that they looked 01d464f7a0 like a couple.842cd429f51afb2c

“The deli here isn’t bad.”5ab87781a14cec9e

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Tae-san moved first, 062cfd5df2 offering a brief 2c59580f97 explanation.5f0d8ac4f935b1b0

When he noticed that 33ce84e70e she was a few 67142e305b steps behind, his eyes d814b6cb32 seemed to ask why 2e7ce30f2b she was standing so 0fe39dfa2b far apart, so alone.c4f5b3b942b5de5f

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Even at 5fe0c642bc this slight 471ee7eb96 distance, that c36ce724e3 man was 0fd38eeda7 the only 61e2c0489d thing that ab12da67e3 appeared crystal 927978a3be clear.2eaec31dec949dde

“Aren’t you coming?”4dd1f7df5f276d52

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A ruthless man, 46dd4e64ce yet so gentle 59356717c5 with her.fe5cad3a3c943d1f

Eun-cho pressed her lips 5a10efa750 together, still tingling from 646d88a716 his touch.6c533318da054fd8

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She didn’t expect any fabricated kindness.cad2a792faaea6bc

Kindness was a ca5ec13668 burden.4c2e22bb696da1a6

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It came a8bfb006af with more 776b2b571c responsibilities, and 7f0e436d44 in the b9cdc73b41 end, the bc28ac1c2e loneliness she e396481fba had to c277e61e31 bear alone 20168f0b77 would only 9219116c10 grow.0d187264c34ffafe

Eun-cho was afraid d43084ac4c of being abandoned, 03d6648f83 of being alone 9601605185 again.24ebee17f000fc9c

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Her grandfather was already 1417e5de04 gone, and now even 8eb84f6ba9 her grandmother was preparing dae2ff0052 to leave her side.c81d1f96fa1d6dab

Eternal kindness didn’t exist.ace2cb21b4fa2612

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So she wouldn’t dare believe in that kindness.e2220d159485869d

Eun-cho lowered her 7a0f514a62 gaze, steeling herself.0a6c5fc6d3b3a65b

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“Let’s pick something to drink.”d8648f89ac17e24c

“Black tea, please.”f5c1a721cf2d8bc9

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Tae-san expertly ordered the 26185197d1 drinks along with several 51ef5ed59b chocolates from the display fa5f99c10c case.ad2e797d5451b807

They sat down fe73c3c02a with their respective 45039ecb58 drinks: strong coffee e3ac10be7b for him and dd9d6c0ef3 a light black 2c1cba9bb9 tea for her.7254a93070068d3e

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“…”504835ab1a3a4567

Why was 38670d3222 he staring 3d58ae9ca7 at her 509fd6b71d like that?0dfa4adf3f6a69c2

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This man never seemed ef9327ea00 to be the first b92ca268d6 to look away.2fa3c6b16c28c275

In the 21e906183c end, it a9e6795341 was Eun-cho 26bf95d66b who averted bab3989c6e her gaze.bb876bba983c8bb1

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Feeling awkward, 47c5de5e73 Eun-cho put 9c6605f66f a chocolate 696ddbf1c1 in her 6b7ec1ec37 mouth.36bac73f209aca25

The bittersweet chocolate slowly 95fe9a528b melted in her mouth.3fc73fcf737a917a

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It clung to 0befb2e1c3 the tip of 42722975f3 her tongue, filling 8e253433c4 her senses with 49046ca9b0 its rich aroma.d9c0812779f67603

It wasn’t exactly healthy, but the sweet taste was definitely tempting.81e82d7b535a1020

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Just like c5d3a5c57f Ryu Tae-san.1af48d6c12e09951

He stretched his 06cd70353e long legs under e9a258a059 the table.3049edb7f302f0dc

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Tap.68da088515b4e5dc

Their knees touched 3c43e5a193 briefly before separating.7962717a9ffbe619

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Eun-cho froze for 87d5a0a614 a moment at e2745ab09e the fleeting contact.553b597e63161539

Was it intentional? These subtle touches kept 35827b8a74 happening.8d205ff5a99179c2

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He didn’t seem like the type of man to use these kinds of tricks.9eddc8cbfd0dce6e

Women would 9ed0b25a25 be throwing ca70c7193e themselves at 9c451bb65d Ryu Tae-san 251c86cefc without him 97c5c30b1c having to 78894cf725 lift a b701600633 finger.9f4d3ae78706ce6f

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Eun-cho tried 03a62602c2 to appear ecf1dffcce unfazed, lifting fe170950b5 the teacup f002fd4339 to her d82d70e892 lips, the 454412a9d6 red liquid 681554fb13 sloshing gently.a211ce152b9501dc

But the sweet taste 0a0f815047 of chocolate had already 8f10d9afa1 spread to the back 242552a468 of her tongue, preventing d500c4dfc7 her from fully savoring 5ac2a5c7d9 the aroma of the f7a72ed54f tea.7abb06dbae3f2590

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Whether it was a planned intention or an unintentional mistake, she shouldn’t care…670971dd41366670

But it wasn’t easy.5565e8a730514d62

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“You look great today.”d8821a652b8f2c9b

“I know. I put some effort into it.”197e7b80907446a9

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The answer to her cee51f36aa attempt to break the 831c4a22d8 awkward silence was so 0ce6b01fcc typical of Ryu Tae-san.f182e5c9f62a1334

Judging by his 6af181c030 beaming smile, he 84ac82a447 must have meant bff156ecaf it.75c5c98940674367

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“Here.”15f5f90b96ee0dbe

He placed a f2c8f6c9f3 small box on a9fd7d3173 the table.edc243d1ab158224

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Opening the ea8914186b muted red a32e038940 jewelry box, 424864e0ac she saw 4a8881ec1f a ring.f1fb8d944eabfa42

A teardrop-shaped 67fe50c8e7 diamond and bfd066ea68 a white 7683c20d69 gold band 5ff6d2dd0d paved with 23fdd879ca shimmering gems.f08d5dcea8eb7329

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How many 448ea02325 carats was 8695ed3841 that thing?7b147b32f5a8cbd4

Excessive. It was far too b0dc040045 much.4c06ed1543b2eed0

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“I thought we should have a mark of ownership to make it convincing.”3c5d1fa4f0607e61

She wasn’t expecting a romantic proposal, but such blatant marking of territory?3543dbeeac692b65

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Like a 71177a2782 dog tag 50726550f4 or a 1405956f77 collar.2d5fdf418ee21109

Eun-cho couldn’t help but laugh.0e7ef3baa8ecd261

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Why would he 4348e8c2a3 leave things like 5df7e606fa clothes and accessories c6aae035f4 to his subordinates 47771bd642 but personally take 802aaa5df7 care of the 25a2e3d9b6 ring?1b18f5758b10e648

“It’s quite large and eye-catching. I’ll use it well and return it.”3a242ca4c555ae82

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“Why bother? Keep it. It’s yours, Lee Eun-cho.”5c9181225d09679a

He raised an eyebrow, 2249844da4 seemingly annoyed by the b7c513ef33 mention of returning it 7317d03243 so soon.d58997910561c3fd

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He was 27758df4c2 urging her 16f8da4bcb to accept b5ff4b102e a ring 09f59e4eef that was a07ae8c342 probably worth e943faa043 more than 48847ce3a3 she could 97e09fecf8 imagine.6e3607de0990b49d

Besides, when would she 01512ecee6 ever wear something like 6ee69cd058 this?1610eca82528773a

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Was she ff0d0bf4ed being overly 131346b396 anxious in 8e8a236e87 thinking that 1745aebed2 it would 43985829cd make her 8664c474ee a target 36766d0b9f for all 83f5b75eb3 sorts of 5ecd4e5fee crimes?fe3936d8431bb775

“It’s too much. Both this dress and the ring.”3785d2381ec1f6fd

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“I never take back anything that leaves my hands, so throw it away. Or sell it online.”5a14cdbfc8d2b1b8

How did he even da8884b137 know about online reselling?a17cf0e3dd8d7b28

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Tae-san, looking frustrated by Eun-cho’s hesitation, slipped the ring onto her left ring finger.a964de969043aebc

It fit 581544ad63 perfectly, as 9ac1e11803 if he 2efff9ac31 already knew 6d95ec78b5 her size.6acfdb8910bf3617

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He was showing 8394073cc1 off his experience 48783a4326 here, too.cb2bb3583c47360f

It suited her slender, pale fingers, but it still felt like it didn’t belong to her.b9d4b175256b6358

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As if she 04189d5f19 were coveting something 7b3d0de804 that was beyond aa6c6d17da her reach.aaf0b6d8fe9bf5ad

No matter how 17bd5ad48f much she gave 5b8a4d898c her most precious 8b8023c4b1 possessions, she could 9a9979c5d9 never repay him.7e498f6f7a7c63b5

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The feeling that she was accumulating debts she couldn’t repay weighed heavily on her heart.1da3f9cf5cbd07b8

“There’s only one person we need to win over: our old man. He’s probably already finished his investigation into you, Lee Eun-cho.”71439d32285d0254

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“Are there any other people I should be careful of?”8354d36241a0d6e2

“Not really. Just stick close to me.”f36eda1bbdaa7992

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The teacups were almost 3e5b658605 empty.252c4ea7cd880639

Tae-san gave 13b9f14532 a subtle 40cc504216 nod, and 62d86d23a7 Eun-cho rose 24fa74c398 from her c1932b702b seat, trying 9085126634 to suppress 685c19b841 her nervousness.e5d1ca4a10289872

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Tae-san offered his arm to Eun-cho, and she remembered the promise she had made that day: to smile beautifully while taking Ryu Tae-san’s arm.ae293200c68b5cdf

“Ah…”1dcd0757350c4f6a

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Just as Eun-cho was about to take his arm…2edc8d439781869a

He gently took 69029d6131 her hand.921fe12bb50d65f9

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“I think this will be better.”107409fa4734db19

He smiled brightly as 90c89d6720 their eyes met.db3cd9919f3a6dbb

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It was fcd3c3baa0 a dangerously 278af3a248 charming smile.cbcc18b7c9d7dda2