Chapter 61
“Surprisingly, our Hyun-oh is quite cautious,” Seon-ung chuckled as he spoke.
It wasn’t frightening to hear those words. He had become accustomed to people’s rumors by now. What worried him was elsewhere.
“No, but I’m worried it might negatively affect the company.”
“Yeah, right. Rumors will spread eventually.”
Then Seon-ung narrowed his eyes.
“I’m not particularly fond of your mother either.”
Seon-ung had married his wife when he was in his twenties, and they had lived harmoniously until his mother passed away about twenty years ago when Hyun-oh was about ten years old.
But Seon-ung’s son, Hae-chan, hadn’t. Shortly after getting married, he had an affair with the famous actress Lady Cha, and their forbidden love, between a famous chaebol heir and an actress, had been the talk of the town at the time, appearing in magazines.
For Seon-ung, who had lived with one woman for a lifetime, it was something he could never understand.
Seon-ung frowned and murmured.
“But you can’t judge children based on their mother. And it’s the same for fathers who leave their wives and flirt outside. I prefer someone who can lead the PY well.”
Even with Seon-ung’s declaration, Hyun-oh remained silent.
When his grandfather called him today, he had just thought it was to confirm how badly he was hurt in the accident. It was too sudden.
And there was one more thing that bothered him.
“And Han Dong Group, it won’t be a big help for the business in the future either.”
Sua’s family had lost all their glory since their marriage. Hyun-oh didn’t care, but people at the company might think differently.
However, contrary to his thoughts, Seon-ung pursed his lips.
“When has our family ever gained from in-laws? As long as the person is fine, it’s okay. Above all, if your father becomes the chairman, not only his abilities but also his private life will continue to be talked about. Hae-chan has suffered enough. If I see that again, I won’t be able to live.”
With that, Seon-ung laughed heartily.
“Well, by then, I might be dead. Can I die in peace? I’m worried.”
“I’m worried, too.”
“That boy speaks well.”
It wasn’t a pleasant thing to hear. Seeing Seon-ung, who had become so strict, Hyun-oh didn’t think it was just a dream to live to be a hundred or even a hundred and ten. He was still worried about the company’s situation, enough to come out to check the status at the headquarters, so he had said enough.
Looking at Hyun-oh’s face, which had lost a little weight due to the accident, Seon-ung asked again.
“How about you, Hyun-oh? Are you getting along well with your wife?”
“We’re doing well.”
“Well, if you came to me for a favor before, you won’t do anything foolish from now on, will you?”
Hyun-oh narrowed his eyes at the sudden talk about Sua.
“I’m good with my wife.”
Even though they had almost divorced before, they were now perfectly in sync. Hyun-oh’s mind was filled with Sua twenty-four hours a day. How much he wished she had been with him today in Pyeongchangdong. How many times he had thought about it.
He felt like he was becoming a fool. Considering that all the accidents were somehow connected to Han Sua.
But Seon-ung didn’t seem quite satisfied with that answer.
“Will you live like your father, like Hae-chan?”
“….”
“Meeting other women, making your family cry in your prime, living like that.”
“I’m not interested in other women besides my wife. That’s been the case until now.”
Hyun-oh had no interest in anyone other than Sua. Even if it hadn’t been Sua, Hyun-oh, who had no love in his life, but to think about being with another woman like that sweet woman, how disgusting it was to even think about it. If Sua found out about it.
If she cried again.
He would never forgive himself. There was nothing in the world worth that much.
“I’ll never do such a thing.”
At that, Seon-ung tapped his desk. The tea in the cup shook with his gesture.
“That’s enough. I already know how capable you are.”
Then Seon-ung smiled broadly.
“It’s impressive how much of a great woman my granddaughter-in-law is, to have you so wrapped around her finger.”
“…Yes. She’s an amazing woman.”
“Alright, that’s good. It’s better to be a little like that at home.”
Seon-ung chuckled and looked outside.
The large garden bathed in sunlight through the big window was visible.
Although the wildflowers blooming in the garden seemed complicated at first glance, he knew that Seon-ung liked it and that the gardeners had created it with sincerity, emphasizing its naturalness.
Looking at the tangled grasses, Seon-ung spoke.
“The garden looks even better after the typhoon. I’ll have to give it a touch-up.”
“….”
“There won’t be easy days ahead. There will be many words and many incidents. But… always remember the lives of thousands, if not tens of thousands of people, are at stake on your shoulders, including your employees. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“You respond quite coolly,” Seon-ung chuckled and called someone from outside.
“Bring in the food. We should at least feed our grandson before he leaves.”
With that, Seon-ung’s kind lips, no longer those of the honorary chairman but of a grandfather, formed a big smile.
***
A seemingly ordinary, yet extraordinary married life of two people had begun.
Today, Sua came home from work first. Looking around the empty house, she sighed and spoke.
“Is he still not here? Well, Hyun-oh did say he would be late.”
As she put down her bag, a hint of disappointment flashed across her face.
Even though they had been living together for over six months, Sua’s heart still fluttered when Hyun-oh’s arrival time approached. Should she call him? Or should she wait a little longer? Debating, Sua eventually gave up and headed to the dressing room.
After changing clothes and styling her hair, she stepped into the living room.
Thump.
In the distance, the sound of the door opening could be heard. Like a meerkat, Sua stood up straight as the sound reached her ears.
“It’s Hyun-oh.”
Quickly coming out of the dressing room, Sua walked towards the entrance. And there, as expected, she saw Hyun-oh taking off his shoes.
Hyun-oh was wearing a well-tailored suit with a cast on his right arm, causing his jacket to hang off his shoulders, but the black suit hugged his well-built body, and as he bent down to take off his shoes, his sturdy thighs were revealed on top of the suit.
Sua stood still, gazing at him. Hyun-oh, noticing her gaze, narrowed his eyes. When their eyes met, his elegant smile curved slightly upwards.
“You’re here?”
“Yes. Sorry for being late.”
“The meeting ran longer than expected.”
As soon as he entered the house, he threw the document bag he was holding in his left hand and embraced Sua.
“I’m back.”
“….”
Taken aback by the sudden skinship, Sua’s face blushed. Hyun-oh’s approach was more persistent than before. Today, too, the distance between the man who approached her was close. His sharp nose gently tickled Sua’s neck as he leaned in.
“I missed you.”
At his sweet words, Sua’s fair skin, which had been white just moments ago, turned red. She wouldn’t let herself regret it anymore. Like Hyun-oh’s vow not to leave her alone, he became sweeter and softer.
“I missed you too. But, um…”
Feeling his skinship becoming more intense, Sua regulated her breathing.
“It’s dinner time, right? Aren’t you hungry yet? Mrs. Housekeeper said she made some stew for dinner tonight.”
Seeing Sua trying to change the subject, Hyun-oh chuckled. The sound echoed, reaching Sua’s body.
“Not hungry yet.”
“Really? Then how about you take a bath first? I still need to freshen up since I haven’t removed my makeup yet.”
Afraid that something might happen before she had a chance to wash up, Sua hastily suggested, but Hyun-oh raised the corners of his lips.
“Sure, I’d love to soak in the tub after a long time.”
Strangely, Hyun-oh’s laughter sounded more muffled than usual.
***
Although he had showered with the cast on, taking a bath with water in the bathtub was a first. Sua put a waterproof cover over his cast and looked up at him.
“Then go ahead and take a bath comfortably. I’ll prepare dinner.”
As Sua spoke, Hyun-oh stopped her.
“Where are you going?”
“…What?”
“You haven’t removed your makeup yet, and you haven’t showered either.”
“…Yes?”
What was he talking about? Was he telling her not to go? They were standing in front of the bathroom now. From here on, they would have to undress and enter together… Was he suggesting they bathe together?
As Sua blinked in confusion, Hyun-oh dropped the bombshell.
“I want to take a proper bath today. So… let’s go in together.”
With that, he pulled Sua towards the bathroom.
Stripping off their clothes in the steamy bathroom, it was just Hyun-oh and Sua, alone together.
Was this okay?
Sua swallowed her dry saliva.
