Impossible Romance - Chapter 45

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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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45.

The weekend slipped away as if it were merely an hour. It was genuinely dangerous when two people whose hearts had somehow connected in every conceivable way occupied the same space. Despite agreeing to stay apart, I’d find myself drawn back to him whenever I turned around.
I had personal tasks to accomplish, yet somehow I ended up doing them with Seok-ha instead. Even when retrieving laundry from the dryer in the Laundry Room, I’d turn to find him there.
“Why did you wash my shirt?”
Seok-ha reached for the shirt in my hands. Normally, Kang Manager handled his laundry.
“I wore it, so I should wash it.”
I felt inexplicably embarrassed—I’d put it on after waking in his Bedroom this morning.
“If you wore it, you shouldn’t wash it. I was planning to wear it to work.”
“You’re joking.”
I glanced at him sideways and tried to reclaim the shirt. But of course, nothing went smoothly. As we both tugged at the fabric, we ended up embracing instead.
Just as Seok-ha released his grip on the shirt, I tumbled directly into his arms.
“Ahn Joon-hee, you’re more reckless than I thought? Throwing yourself at me like this.”
“I’m not.”
My face flushed crimson as I protested. Yet being near him made everything feel electric—as if the slightest touch would send sparks through me.
His large hands cupped my burning cheeks. The cool touch brought momentary relief, but then—as if by unspoken agreement—our lips met.
The soft yellow light of the Laundry Room enveloped us both. Seok-ha held me tightly against him. The shirt we’d been fighting over lay forgotten on the floor.
“I’ll need to wash the shirt again.”
His low whisper drifted through the air. I spent the night nestled in his embrace, trembling.
The next morning, we woke in the same place and rushed through our preparations for work. Though we’d normally get ready separately, Seok-ha refused to let me out of his sight for even a moment.
He even followed me into the Bathroom, bustling about. Eventually, he dried my wet hair with his own hands, his expression radiating satisfaction.
Of course, I couldn’t resist playing with his necktie. While he selected clothes in the Dressing Room, I stood beside him, draping each tie around my own neck and checking the effect in the mirror.
It reminded me of childhood, when I’d hidden his school uniform to tease him. He’d caught me then and scolded me severely, but now, after so long, that mischievous spirit had returned.
As a result, I nearly arrived late to work. Checking the time, I hurried out of the apartment.

Fortunately, I’d left early enough to avoid traffic, and we arrived at the Company without incident. Inside the elevator with just the two of us, I finally spoke.
“You absolutely cannot let it show. Work is work.”
“I know.”
“Then start by letting go of my hand right now.”
I shook my hand free from his grip. From the moment we left my apartment until arriving at the Company, Seok-ha hadn’t released it once.
“I’m holding your hand so you don’t trip. It’s only natural for a superior to do.”
He smiled with his narrow eyes slightly raised, his confident demeanor utterly shameless.
“Excuse me? What kind of logic is that?”
I laughed despite myself at his absurd reasoning.
“A healthy secretary puts the superior at ease, and that’s how the company runs smoothly.”
He gently rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb.
“I don’t see how that connects to health at all.”
“By the way, I have to visit my family home this evening. What will you do for dinner?”
“I’ll work late anyway, so it’s fine. The Company Cafeteria is excellent.”
I answered with a smile. After all, he was right—the Company Cafeteria truly was a great place to eat.
“That company has a real problem. Why is there so much overtime?”
Seok-ha feigned annoyance, his eyes narrowing as if he were genuinely upset.
“Tell me about it.”
“Anyway, don’t skip dinner. Eat well and wait for me to return. I’ll expect a proper greeting.”
“How long are you going to keep expecting greetings? Isn’t this mutual consent now?”
Though I was arguing the point, just imagining it made my neck burn with embarrassment.
The problem was how suddenly everything had started. I’d been the one swept up in intense emotion, suggesting we sleep together, and now here we were. I had nothing to say in my defense.
“Mutual consent or not. I’ll keep expecting them.”
Seok-ha looked thoroughly pleased with himself the entire time. I was about to say something when the elevator doors opened and Park Hyun-sik stepped in.
I panicked and quickly released Seok-ha’s hand, then moved away from him toward the corner of the elevator, lowering my head. My heart felt like it had dropped to the floor.
“Good morning, Executive Director. Jun-hee is here too?”
“Good morning.”
“Hello.”
Seok-ha greeted him with ease, and I quickly composed myself and bowed.
Park Hyun-sik glanced between us both, then moved to the back of the elevator. It seemed like we’d been having a conversation, but it would be awkward to ask.
‘Must be my imagination.’
Park Hyun-sik tilted his head and stared at the polished elevator doors. After that, no one spoke as the elevator quietly ascended to the Secretary’s Office.

***

The Secretary’s Office door opened, and as Seok-ha stepped inside, the staff members who had arrived earlier rose from their seats to greet him.
“Good morning, Executive Director.”
“Good morning.”
Seok-ha nodded as he walked past. Park Hyun-sik and I, who had followed him in, made our way to our respective desks.
“Executive Director, I’ve organized the Daewon High-tech documents and filed them.”
Hwang Manager approached Seok-ha directly and spoke.
“Why don’t you take it easy on weekends, Hwang Manager? Why do you work so hard?”
Seok-ha raised one eyebrow in displeasure, then lowered it. Seeing Hwang Manager, yesterday’s incident suddenly crossed his mind.
“Pardon? But sir, you’re the one who said you needed it urgently today….”
Hwang Manager looked at Seok-ha with an aggrieved expression, blinking his eyes.
“Ha ha. I mean take it easy while you work. Work quickly on weekdays, but rest on weekends.”
Seok-ha patted Hwang Manager’s shoulder and headed toward the Executive Office.
“So you’re telling me to work all night during the week?”
Hwang Manager’s mouth fell open as he followed him into the Executive Office. From his huffing silhouette, he seemed quite aggrieved.
Watching the two of them, I felt a pang of guilt and bit my lower lip. I barely managed to suppress the laughter that threatened to escape. Seok-ha and Hwang Manager had worked together for so long that even their banter looked comfortable.
“Jun-hee, is something good happening?”
Park Hyun-sik asked tactlessly from beside me.
“No! Ah, I should prepare the Executive Director’s coffee. Would you like some too, Park Hyun-sik?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
Hearing his response, I fled to the Break Room as if escaping. My face had suddenly grown hot, and I needed to cool it down.
Why did I feel like I was inadvertently having an office romance? I’d spent the entire weekend with Seok-ha and even came to work together, so it felt like people were starting to notice. I felt guilty without meaning to.
Yet somewhere in my heart, as if a balloon were floating there, I felt buoyant. The lingering thrill of those shared moments seemed to grip my heart even now.
I needed to pull myself together. I filled the coffee machine with water first. After putting beans into the grinder and setting out a cup, I flipped the switch. The sound of beans grinding was welcome.
It was a signal that the day had begun. I made a small resolution to work hard and become an employee worthy of recognition. A rich aroma rose from the white cup as the coffee pooled within it.
But suddenly, an inexplicable unease swept down the back of my neck. It was the anxiety that the balloon of excitement in my heart might burst at any moment.

“By the way, I have to visit the Family Home today.”

Then I remembered what Seok-ha had said. The source of anxiety that would burst my hope.
Seok-ha was going to the Family Home. Probably to meet the Chairman or the Vice Chairman. Of course, Han Seon-young would be there too.
“Ah….”
At that thought, my legs lost their strength, and I felt as though I might choke on the coffee’s aroma. No, it felt like I was finally waking from a dream. I’d been having such a blissful dream all weekend. A dream so intensely joyful that I’d forgotten reality itself.

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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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