Emergency Instinct - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Tae-jun’s brow furrowed deeply.

 

He was disappointed.

 

He understood his mother’s desire to see her daughter-in-law, but for even his rational father to join forces and create such an absurd situation.

 

Moreover, this was a blind date that had already ended. Hadn’t he clearly conveyed his rejection?

 

Tae-jun turned around without hesitation.

 

“Oppa! Wait a moment!”

 

She immediately ran over and grabbed his arm.

 

Tae-jun immediately swatted her hand away.

 

“You should use proper titles. Why would I be your oppa?”

 

“Ah, haha. You’re uncomfortable with that. Then, I’ll call you Tae-jun-ssi.”

 

Despite his coldness, she curled up the corners of her mouth and smiled.

 

A fake smile with hidden intentions.

 

It was a masked face he’d seen countless times. Where the words from the mouth and the words from the eyes were completely different.

 

Looking closely, he could guess.

 

The false rumors circulating in the hospital were likely this woman’s work. Seeing how she deceived his mother to arrange another meeting, she was probably not ordinary.

 

Tae-jun had no intention of playing along with these obvious schemes anymore.

 

“But how did you hurt your forehead? Your mother didn’t seem to know either, so the examination…”

 

Despite his indifference, she began fabricating all sorts of concerned words.

 

Tae-jun took out his phone without feeling it was worth responding to.

 

A moment later.

 

“Mother, where are you right now?”

 

-You met Bo-kyung, right? It didn’t seem like there was time to waste, so Mom arranged a meeting.

 

“…”

 

-Don’t make Bo-kyung too anxious. Mom knows now that you have feelings too.

 

“What is that supposed to mean?”

 

-I heard it all from Bo-kyung. The atmosphere between you two was good from the blind date, right? When you said you were going to be director, I had a feeling, but Mom is so happy.

 

Looking at Cha Bo-kyung coldly, Tae-jun listened quietly.

 

-Actually, I did hear the rumors at the hospital, but I wasn’t sure. But yesterday your father said this. He met the vice director and heard that you were properly smitten with a hospital resident. Right? Bo-kyung?

 

So this is how false rumors become truth when they spread around and around.

 

A hollow laugh escaped through Tae-jun’s teeth. There couldn’t be a more forced development than this.

 

“Mother.”

 

Tae-jun, who had been listening quietly, lowered his voice and spoke.

 

-Huh? Yes, why?

 

“It’s all false rumors, and you’re mistaken.”

 

-Mistaken? All of it?

 

Tae-jun looked down at Cha Bo-kyung as if she were an insect.

 

-What, what do you mean? Then why the hospital…? No, the vice director clearly…

 

“It’s a different woman.”

 

-Wh-what does that mean? A different woman?

 

“I don’t want to create misunderstandings, so don’t arrange such unpleasant meetings again.”

 

-Then you should have told me beforehand… No, who is it? Are you serious?

 

“I’ll visit you soon and explain.”

 

Tae-jun ended the call decisively. Then he looked down at Bo-kyung eerily and spoke.

 

“I hope there won’t be any more entanglements. And clean up the false rumors that spread in the hospital yourself.”

 

Bo-kyung gritted her teeth at his cold gaze.

 

Though momentarily frozen in panic, she soon shouted in rising anger.

 

“Don’t lie. I know you don’t have a woman. I already investigated everything, so what…”

 

Bo-kyung, who had lost her reason and blurted out about her background investigation, belatedly covered her mouth.

 

But it was already spilled water, and she felt her breath constrict under his eerie gaze.

 

“If I hear false rumors again.”

 

He spoke chillingly with a contemptuous look.

 

“It won’t be fun. Even your father’s position can’t be guaranteed.”

 

It was a clear threat beyond a warning.

 

Bo-kyung, who instinctively sensed danger, couldn’t say anything.

 

Instead, she swayed toward him with a shocked expression, leaning as if about to collapse.

 

She naturally expected him to catch her. It was a method that had never failed in front of men before.

 

But he snorted and backed away as if something dirty might touch him, then turned and left.

 

Th-this bastard!

 

Bo-kyung, left alone and staggering, trembled with unbearable rage.

 

“Why, why won’t I do! Aaaaah!”

 

Bo-kyung finally let out an excited scream.

 

She couldn’t bear it.

 

Thinking she couldn’t have him made her want him even more desperately.

 

***

 

Meeting Kyung-seok without being late, Ji-an took a seat by the restaurant window.

 

“The atmosphere here has changed a lot.”

 

Coming after a long time, the interior had completely changed and was very romantic.

 

“These days, this is supposedly one of the hottest dating spots.”

 

“It looks like it.”

 

Looking around, except for them, everyone looked like dating couples.

 

If she had known this, she should have paid more attention to her outfit.

 

Unlike Ji-an who wore jeans as usual, Kyung-seok came out in a suit complete with a vest that he only wore to conferences.

 

“Everyone’s stylish and pretty. Don’t you think?”

 

“Senior, you look really great today too. Dressed up like this, you look like a different person.”

 

“Really? It was worth the effort. Haha.”

 

Kyung-seok scratched his face, looking embarrassed.

 

Clothes must follow personality too.

 

She hadn’t realized it, but even wearing a stiff suit, Kyung-seok looked soft and warm.

 

He was completely different from Seo Tae-jun. He wasn’t burdensome at all.

 

When facing Tae-jun wrapped in a suit, she often felt so tense it was hard to look at him properly.

 

With his large, straight frame and model-like good posture, plus his unusually broad shoulders. His chest muscles that made his shirt taut, and his eyes that were too deep, making her breathless.

 

And what about his expression? Even without doing anything wrong, it made her mouth go dry for no reason.

 

In many ways, Seo Tae-jun made people nervous. But comfortable Kyung-seok was reassuring.

 

Looking at Kyung-seok in his suit while unconsciously comparing him to Tae-jun, Ji-an was startled and lowered her gaze.

 

I’m crazy. Hong Ji-an, what are you thinking right now?

 

Feeling sorry toward Kyung-seok, Ji-an roughly shook out her confused thoughts.

 

“What’s wrong, Ji-an? Is the menu not good?”

 

“No. Everything’s fine.”

 

Ji-an hurriedly ordered and drove Tae-jun from her mind while telling Kyung-seok about accepting the promotional model job.

 

“That’s great. Don’t worry about the schedule, just do well. I’ll speak directly to the professors. Especially Professor Cha. Since Professor Cha has been handling promotions until now, he might feel left out.”

 

Kyung-seok rejoiced as if it were his own matter and gave generous advice.

 

The food was delicious and the conversation was enjoyable. Fortunately, Seo Tae-jun didn’t come to mind anymore either.

 

After finishing even dessert deliciously, Ji-an handed Kyung-seok a paper bag she had prepared.

 

“What’s this?”

 

“A gift. It’s nothing special. I always seem to be only receiving from you, so I bought something.”

 

“Oh? This is a necktie.”

 

“Senior, you go to many places following the professors. I thought you’d need it.”

 

“Thank you. Really, I never expected this… I should change to this one right away.”

 

“No, senior, you don’t need to….”

 

Ji-an shook her head in confusion. But he was already wearing the necktie she had given him.

 

“Does it suit me well?”

 

“Yes. It looks wonderful.”

 

“I’m glad I dressed up today. Actually, I have a gift too.”

 

Kyung-seok took out a small box from his inner pocket and casually handed it over as if it were nothing special.

 

Kyung-seok had always given her small gifts frequently. Things like chocolate, candy, or snacks.

 

She naturally assumed it would be something similar, but inside was an expensive hair pin with a luxury brand logo.

 

“Senior, this is too much….”

 

“Finding something that would suit you well wasn’t easy. I spent hours choosing at the department store.”

 

Kyung-seok’s eyes were trembling as if anxious.

 

Only then did realization hit her like a blow to the head.

 

Ah, I’ve been the only one comfortable all this time. Senior has been this nervous.

 

The nice restaurant atmosphere and Kyung-seok’s well-dressed appearance began to look different.

 

At the same time, so did Kyung-seok’s heart that had been secretly caring for her all along.

 

Why hadn’t she noticed sooner?

 

“Ji-an, how do you see me as a man?”

 

“….”

 

“I know your situation isn’t good right now. I also know that you haven’t thought of me as a man all this time.”

 

Kyung-seok’s gaze became even more serious.

 

“But I felt I had to tell you my feelings now. Could you think about me seriously from now on?”

 

It was a sincere and honest confession.

 

Ji-an could easily imagine a future with him.

 

Kyung-seok was a skilled doctor and a good man. Being by his side would be peaceful and stable.

 

Unlike Seo Tae-jun who had gripped and shaken her, making her breathless.

 

She knew it clearly in her head.

 

But no matter how much she mulled over Kyung-seok’s words, her heart didn’t sink to the floor, her solar plexus didn’t tighten madly, and she didn’t tremble with thirsty longing.

 

She just felt sorry….

 

Ji-an lowered her head with a bitter expression.

 

Kyung-seok’s confession only made her realize even more clearly the emotions she had been turning away from.

 

Before she knew it, Seo Tae-jun had taken a place in a corner of her heart.

 

So deeply that she could no longer pretend not to know.

 

“Senior. I’m sorry.”

 

Just as Ji-an barely shook her head.

 

Buzz! Buzz!

 

Her phone began to vibrate. Along with a loud ringing that struck her chest.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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