Impossible Romance - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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12.

I opened my eyes early that morning, surprised at how deeply I had slept despite the weight of my worries the night before.
I was grateful I had set my alarm early—I wanted to avoid running into Kwon Seok-ha anywhere in the apartment this morning. The soft light streaming through the window was so inviting that I lingered in bed for a moment, savoring the quiet.
I slipped out of bed and quietly cracked open the door to peek into the living room. The silence confirmed that Kwon Seok-ha was still asleep.
I hurried to the bathroom, showered quickly, then made my way to the kitchen for a glass of water. All the while, I kept glancing toward his bedroom door, ready to flee if it showed any sign of opening.
Fortunately, he remained lost in deep sleep. The thought brought me a measure of relief. I returned to my room and hastily prepared to leave.
I tidied the room meticulously. Kwon Seok-ha had insisted I stay here, but that was impossible. Even as a child, I had lived in a position like a servant to the master’s son, and I could not endure such an arrangement again.
This was separate from what I felt for Kwon Seok-ha. It was separate from what he felt for me.
It simply could not be.
Once I finished preparing, I left my room and headed toward the entrance.
“Where are you going? Without even saying goodbye?”
Kwon Seok-ha’s voice suddenly came from behind me.
“Thank you for letting me stay. I was trying to leave quietly so I wouldn’t wake you.”
I steadied myself and offered a polite greeting.
“Since I’m awake, you know you can’t leave quietly. Come here.”
Kwon Seok-ha crooked his finger at me.
“Me?”
I blinked, my expression clearly displeased.
“Who else is here? I have no intention of talking to ghosts, so come.”
Kwon Seok-ha settled onto the sofa as if he couldn’t be bothered to say more.
Watching his back, I let out a small sigh. He had made no sound moments ago, yet he appeared the instant I put on my shoes, as if he had been watching all along. I had no choice but to remove my shoes and walk to the sofa.
“Sit. My neck hurts.”
Kwon Seok-ha rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, then gestured toward the sofa.
I looked at him once before sitting down.
“Where are you planning to go? You’ve lost your job, so there’s nowhere for you to be, and your apartment is in that condition.”
“….”
“Are you going back to your family home?”
Kwon Seok-ha’s eyes narrowed in exasperation as I sat in silence.
“I need to gather my things. And I should start looking for a new place before that.”
“What did you hear when I spoke yesterday?”
“But how can I live under the same roof as you?”
I shook my head slightly.
“Then give me the money. Call your brother and tell him to pay back every last cent with interest.”
“….”
My eyes hardened for a moment before dropping away. He was just as impossible to reason with now as he had always been.
“I don’t trust you anymore. How many times have you deceived me since we were young?”
“When did I ever do that to you?”
“Don’t you remember borrowing money from me and running away?”
“That’s….”
I trailed off mid-sentence. The more I conversed with Kwon Seok-ha, the more cornered I became.
“See? This is exactly why I keep bringing up the past. If you keep this up, I really will put a collar on you.”
“A collar?”
“That’s right. I’ve already got you on two leashes—the Company and my apartment. Yet you won’t repay your debt and keep trying to escape from me. So I’ll really put a collar around that slender, pale neck of yours.”
“….”
Without thinking, I reached up and touched my own neck.
“Red would suit you perfectly, wouldn’t it?”
I could see his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
“Executive Director!”
I glared at Kwon Seok-ha—the way we used to fight freely as children.
“Don’t you know me? So, while I’m being nice about this, just come along quietly.”
Just like back then, Kwon Seok-ha lifted the corners of his mouth, confident in his victory.
“….”
I let out a small sigh.
How could I not understand his obstinate nature? I’d witnessed it since childhood.
“Have the moving company bring your things today. I had told you to move in this weekend, but I’ve changed my mind.”
“Why?”
“Why? A debtor keeps scheming to run away, and you expect a creditor to just sit back and allow it?”
“…I understand.”
This time, I decided to comply with his demands for now. But I made a firm resolution to find an opportunity later and leave no matter what.
“Hand over your employment documents to Hwang Manager right away. He’ll take care of your moving arrangements as well.”
“That won’t work. They’re my belongings—I need to handle them myself.”
I bristled at his words.
“Why do you always have to complicate things? The moving company will handle everything. Don’t you know what a full-service move is? Why would you waste your energy and time?”
This time, Kwon Seok-ha was the one who grew irritated.
“Still, I need to be there. There are things I want to discard…,”
I let my words fade. Even if my belongings were humble, there were things I didn’t want others to see. It was difficult to make him understand that, so I didn’t elaborate.
Kwon Seok-ha, who was confident about everything from start to finish, could never comprehend such feelings.
“Fine. Then set a date with Hwang Manager when you hand over the documents.”
Kwon Seok-ha brushed his hair back.
“Yes.”
“So you’re free now? Let’s go out together. Wait here.”
“Pardon?”
Without waiting for my response, Kwon Seok-ha headed toward the Bathroom.
I watched him go and exhaled a long sigh.
At this rate, I’d be trapped in Kwon Seok-ha’s cage without escape. Naturally, Han Seon-young came to mind. I had made a promise with her four years ago.
Yet here I was, meeting Kwon Seok-ha again. Not only that, but now I was living in his apartment and working at his Company.
‘What should I do?’
While I was contemplating how to navigate this situation, he emerged—impeccably dressed from head to toe, standing before me.
“Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?”
“To get a collar fitted.”
He turned with a sly grin, clearly delighted at the prospect of tormenting me.
I sighed and rose from my seat.

***

Seonjin Department Store, ○○ Branch.
Kwon Seok-ha draped a soft silk scarf around my neck. Given that we’d just been discussing collars, it felt like I was actually wearing one.
Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I could only feel bewildered and exasperated.
“It looks good.”
Kwon Seok-ha, standing a step away, nodded approvingly. The deep scarf in a matching sky-blue tone was an elegant accent over my pale blue dress, but after hearing his collar remarks the entire time, I couldn’t bring myself to appreciate it.
Kwon Seok-ha had brought me to the Clothing Boutique at the department store. After leaving my apartment and finishing brunch at a restaurant, we’d come straight here the moment Seonjin Department Store opened.
“As expected of the Executive Director! How do you manage to pick clothes that fit this customer so perfectly every single time? Your fashion sense is truly remarkable.”
The Store Manager beside us fawned over him with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Though it was early, and the boutique was quiet, there were no other customers—as if the staff had been notified in advance.
“Send all the clothes she tried on today to her apartment.”
Kwon Seok-ha gave the instruction on my behalf, since I was already exhausted from changing outfits multiple times.
“Thank you so much. Thank you so very much.”
The Store Manager’s face brightened as her morning sales surged. The surrounding staff members began organizing the clothes with smiles, clearly pleased.
When the Executive Director visited the general boutique instead of the VIP room, the staff had initially tensed, wondering if something serious had happened.
But the Executive Director simply wanted personal shopping, and today’s sales would translate directly into bonuses for the staff. There was no reason not to smile.
“Executive Director.”
“What?”
“These clothes are too much. Please cancel the order, even now.”
I spoke quietly once the Store Manager had stepped away to organize the garments. Being cautious by nature, I was uncomfortable revealing my true feelings even in front of others.
“Then you thought a collar would be light?”
“I’m already wearing the collar you gave me. I don’t need anything else.”
“Sure. You just take every opportunity to slip it off and plan your escape.”
Kwon Seok-ha muttered in a low voice.
“….”
“You’re struck guilty, aren’t you? You can’t even say anything.”
“I’m not guilty. I’ll do well without this burden.”
My words said one thing, but the truth was I felt caught. And his buying me clothes like this was genuinely burdensome.
“That’s nice to hear. You’re coming as my secretary, so I need to maintain my image too. Don’t you think?”
“These clothes don’t match a secretary’s salary.”
While maintaining dignity was necessary as he said, these were clearly expensive pieces.
“That’s why I bought them at a discount. I didn’t call a personal shopper, and I deliberately came to our own boutique. That settles it.”
Kwon Seok-ha waved his hand dismissively. We were already past work hours, yet he seemed utterly unconcerned. Only I was anxious.
“I’m perfectly fine with what I’m wearing now.”
The words had barely left my lips when he drew closer.
Kwon Seok-ha leaned in toward me, his head tilting toward my ear.

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