Impossible Romance - Chapter 21

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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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21.

“I’ll bite you hard.”
“What? Then I’ll bite you hard too!”
I felt like I’d fallen for Kwon Seok-ha’s bait again. I opened my eyes wide and glared at him.
“Where would you bite? My lips?”
Kwon Seok-ha ran his finger across his own lips.
“As if! I’m going to my room now.”
I glared at him once more before heading into my room. I could feel the heat of his gaze on my back as he watched me go.

***

Early the next morning, I finished preparing for work before Kwon Seok-ha woke and headed straight to the Company. I turned on the lights in the empty Secretary’s Office and began preparing for the day’s tasks.
The staff in the Secretary’s Office, all of whom were Kwon Seok-ha’s people, were exceptionally talented individuals. Handling Kwon Seok-ha’s duties was fundamental, and they also encompassed strategic and planning work within the Seonjin Group.
Of course, there was a separate Planning Division within the Group, but that was firmly controlled by the Chairman’s faction. Kwon Seok-jun, Kwon Seok-ha’s cousin and rival, was also lurking around that line. That’s why Kwon Seok-ha had assembled his own team like this.
Since I had joined late, I didn’t have an excessive workload yet, but I still wanted to keep pace with them. I also chose to come in early to avoid running into Kwon Seok-ha in the morning.
At lunchtime, everyone went out to eat, and the Secretary’s Office became quiet. I happened to have work to do, so I stayed at my desk alone. They all asked me to go with them, but somehow I ended up having just coffee for lunch.
Ding.
At the cute notification sound, I checked my phone to find a message from Shim Hyun-sung. Since we were middle and high school classmates, he was practically like a hometown friend.
He was someone I’d always felt grateful toward, as I’d received his help significantly when I was younger. Shim Hyun-sung had also come up to Seoul and was working at a nearby company.
He’d sent me a message asking to meet after hearing that I’d rejoined Seonjin Corporation. I was replying with equal enthusiasm.
“Something good happen?”
Just then, Kwon Seok-ha entered the Secretary’s Office carrying shopping bags.
“No, sir. I hope you had a good lunch, Executive Director.”
I stood up and spoke, then sat back down.
“You were smiling.”
Kwon Seok-ha stood directly in front of my desk with a subtly displeased expression.
“My face naturally has a smiling expression, Executive Director.”
Taking advantage of the fact that no one else was in the Secretary’s Office, I responded coldly.
“You don’t smile like that at home.”
“That’s because you’re at home, Executive Director. There’s nothing to smile about.”
I felt oddly pleased that I’d managed to land a good jab at Kwon Seok-ha for once.
“So does Secretary An smile like that at everyone except me? Even at your phone?”
Kwon Seok-ha tilted his head slightly.
“Shim Hyun-sung contacted me, so I was just looking at that.”
“Hyun-sung? You say his name pretty naturally. You must be close.”
Kwon Seok-ha’s brows furrowed slightly.
“We are close. You know, that friend who used to come and go when we were at the Villa? You’d recognize him if you saw him, Executive Director.”
I spoke as if it were nothing. In fact, when my hometown friend Hyun-sung visited the Villa, he’d met Kwon Seok-ha several times.
“I’m not going to remember every trivial relationship of yours.”
That’s what Kwon Seok-ha said, but he knew Shim Hyun-sung. The man had been a thorn in his side since childhood, and he’d only just learned that they were still in contact.
“Of course, sir.”
“That’s all that matters.”
Kwon Seok-ha turned away as if he’d lost interest. He headed toward the Executive Office and set the shopping bag he’d been holding on the desk.
“What is this?”
Jun-hee looked up.
“Bread. I bought it but lost my appetite.”
The shopping bag was filled with pastries from a famous bakery.
“Are you telling me to throw it away?”
“Wasting food is a sin. Either eat it or share it with the staff.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jun-hee thought it was fortunate timing—she hadn’t eaten lunch yet and didn’t have time to go out for something. Even better, it was from her favorite bakery. There were moments when Kwon Seok-ha’s whims were actually welcome.
“By the way, Hyun-sung said to meet up if he’s near the Company. He wants to grab dinner together.”
“But you just said you don’t remember his relationship with me.”
Jun-hee looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“Now that you mention it, I remember.”
“So… you want to have dinner with Hyun-sung?”
“I haven’t seen him in a while. I’m curious if that snot-nosed kid is still the same as he was back then.”
Kwon Seok-ha let out a dismissive laugh, his disdain evident.
“I don’t think Hyun-sung was ever a snot-nosed kid.”
Though the person in question wasn’t here, I felt compelled to correct Kwon Seok-ha’s distorted memory.
“Maybe he just put on airs in front of you.”
“He’s not a kid.”
“Anyway, pick a day.”
Kwon Seok-ha turned away. The fact that this guy—who hadn’t impressed me even at the Villa—was still in contact with Jun-hee irritated me for no clear reason.
‘Why is he suddenly acting like this?’
Jun-hee sighed softly, watching his back. The two of them had barely crossed paths a few times in childhood and had always acted like rivals whenever they saw each other.
And now he wanted to have dinner together.
Kwon Seok-ha’s whims were truly unpredictable.
Jun-hee decided to decline his request and made an evening appointment with Shim Hyun-sung instead.
‘He might not even show up at the appointed time after saying all that.’
Besides, having dinner with all three of them wasn’t something Jun-hee wanted to do. She might choke on her food.

***

The Food Alley near the Workplace was always bustling during rush hour. Office workers who had finished their day gathered in small groups, drinking and dining at their favorite spots.
Since the Food Alley itself was a passage leading to the subway, it was impossible for it not to be lively and crowded—like a sparrow passing through a mill.
“It’s been forever. Do I always have to reach out first before you show up?”
Shim Hyun-sung placed a cooked dakgalbi on Jun-hee’s plate, his tone tinged with reproach.
The two of them were at a dakgalbi restaurant near the Workplace. It was a popular spot where seasoned dakgalbi was grilled on a large, round metal plate and generously topped with cheese.
“I’ve been busy. You eat too. Don’t just give it all to me.”
“I’m eating fine.”
Shim Hyun-sung placed dakgalbi on his own plate as well. Beside it sat a cold draft beer glass crowned with white foam.
“Let’s toast.”
The two clinked their glasses and drank.
“It feels so good to drink after so long.”
“But why did you come back to Seonjin? Didn’t you say you’d never come back?”
Hyun-sung spoke as he watched Jun-hee set down her glass.
“It just… happened that way.”
I couldn’t tell him all the details, nor should I have.
“You know, you’ve always had good boundaries. We’ve been friends since middle school—how many years has it been now?”
Hyun-sung was whining more than usual, as if borrowing courage from the alcohol.
“When did I ever—”
“When? You just say what needs to be said and clam up.”
“If I said what needed to be said, that should be enough. If I didn’t say something, there must be a reason for it.”
Jun-hee picked up a piece of dakgalbi from her plate and ate it.
“Anyway, you’re so cool about everything. But seriously, are you planning to stay at Seonjin?”
“I just joined. Are you telling me to quit right away?”
Jun-hee lifted her head and looked at Hyun-sung.
“It might be difficult to leave immediately, but we’re hiring for the PR Team at our company. You know it’s my uncle’s company, right? If you come, I’ll roll out the red carpet for you.”
“Thanks for the offer.”
“What? I’m not just saying that. Don’t suffer at a place like Seonjin. Don’t you think I know Kwon Seok-ha?”
“Why would the Executive Vice President matter? I’m fine.”
I had plenty I could say, things I kept bottled up inside, but I didn’t want to bring them up again. I had no desire to talk about work with a friend I’d finally met after so long. But Hyun-sung seemed to have other ideas.
“Fine? I still vividly remember how he used to torment you every day.”
Hyun-sung’s voice suddenly rose, commanding the space in the restaurant. The mention of Kwon Seok-ha’s name in the noisy establishment might have drawn attention—this was, after all, a street controlled by Seonjin Group employees during their commute. Or perhaps it was just timing.
But I felt a gaze on me from somewhere. When I lifted my head and looked beyond, Kwon Seok-ha was standing there, looking in my direction.
It was as if a spotlight shone only on him in the shabby dakgalbi restaurant. Despite his impeccable appearance, even the sight of him with his loosened necktie and unbuttoned shirt looked like a scene from a film.
“It’s the Executive Vice President. Hello, sir.”
People throughout the restaurant recognized him and murmured. As some began to stand and greet him, Kwon Seok-ha stopped them with a gesture and walked toward the table where Jun-hee sat.
“Long time no see?”
He uttered a brief word to Hyun-sung before naturally taking the seat beside Jun-hee.
“Hello. Um, brother.”
Shim Hyun-sung suddenly stiffened upon seeing Kwon Seok-ha.

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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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