Impossible Romance - Chapter 5

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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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5.

“I’d prefer we not dwell on the past, Executive Director Kwon.”
I deliberately emphasized his title, as if to remind him of the present. It had been ages—over four years, in fact.
“And as you mentioned, we were never in a relationship. So when I asked you to leave, that wasn’t what I meant, Executive Director Kwon.”
I paused for a moment before continuing, correcting the facts of our shared history. I carefully reframed my earlier slip—when I’d unconsciously spoken as though we’d been something serious just hours ago—hoping he’d overlook the mistake.
“Right. We didn’t even get the chance to do anything before you bolted. And on top of that, you went out of your way to humiliate me and make me feel terrible.”
“If that’s the case, I apologize.”
“You don’t owe me an apology. I was never hurt by Ahn Joon-hee. A subordinate is entitled to her little grievances.”
Kwon Seok-ha spoke as though it were nothing, yet deliberately used formal speech.
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“Don’t think I’ve been brooding over it all this time.”
“I understand, Executive Director Kwon.”
I kept my posture rigid as I answered, using his title.
“Do you really need to keep saying ‘Executive Director’? It’s not like you’re talking to the driver sitting in front. Are you confused about who you’re speaking with? I’m using formal speech with you.”
“Yes, I’ll correct that.”
Kwon Seok-ha’s leg brushed against mine. Sitting beside such a large man made even the spacious car feel cramped. It was ambiguous whether he’d done it intentionally.
“Anyway, let’s put our past behind us. Just remember we have a professional relationship, and don’t cross that line. When you come to our company, keep that in mind. If things get tangled up like that, it’ll only be a headache for me.”
In this very moment, the person who kept crossing boundaries was warning me not to cross them.
“Do I really have to transfer companies?”
“Once you hear what I have to say, you probably will.”
“I see.”
I had plenty to say, but I’d always been subordinate to Kwon Seok-ha. Never his equal. Not even now, with his gaze fixed on me.
His piercing stare made my lips tremble before I pressed them firmly shut.
His eyes held me captive, making it hard to breathe. Yet in this narrow space, there was nothing I could do. The warmth radiating from his thick thigh pressed against mine burned through my clothes.
At that moment, my stomach growled—utterly inappropriate for the situation.
Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t even managed a proper sip of water while dealing with Kim Sung-woo’s mess all day.
My face flushed crimson in an instant.
Kwon Seok-ha turned his head to look ahead.
“Can I choose where we eat?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I haven’t eaten, so I thought we could discuss work over a meal.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
I nodded with a slightly flustered expression. His sudden shift to formal speech throughout—that was his way of reminding me not to cross the line.
Watching my reaction with a satisfied look, Kwon Seok-ha gave the driver an instruction.
“Take us to Song Mok-yeon in Sangwon-dong.”
“Understood.”
The driver answered briefly and continued driving in the same direction.
It was a destination already decided from the moment we left the Hotel.

***

Song Mok-yeon, where I went with Kwon Seok-ha, was an upscale Korean fine dining restaurant.
From the entrance, it was decorated with such classical elegance that stepping inside felt like entering a traditional Joseon-era tile-roofed house. The Driver dropped us off and left for the day.
Within the gate, a garden was meticulously maintained with flowers and trees, and a private dining room was prepared in the back. The Restaurant Owner came out from the entrance to greet Kwon Seok-ha.
Kwon Seok-ha gave a light nod and naturally proceeded inward as if he knew exactly where to go. I followed him quietly and entered the indoor dining area in the back garden.
“Shall I bring your usual order?”
The Restaurant Owner himself attended to our seating and took the order rather than a staff member. The clean and luxurious interior was arranged in traditional floor seating style, with basic table settings already in place.
Kwon Seok-ha looked at me.
“You eat Korean food well, right?”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing my response, he nodded to the Restaurant Owner.
“Please prepare it as a full course.”
“Understood.”
The Restaurant Owner bowed and closed the door as he left.
“The food here is quite good. Even if you don’t like it, don’t show it—just eat.”
He tasted the appetizer placed before him. This man, always so willful, looked remarkably elegant when eating. I recalled he’d always been that way, even as a child.
“Yes. But what exactly is the work you mentioned earlier?”
Once we were alone in the quiet space, I brought up the matter of work he’d spoken of. I wanted to make it clear that we were meeting strictly on professional grounds.
“Eat first.”
“Yes.”
I answered quietly and tasted the porridge and salad that came as appetizers when the door opened and dishes began arriving.
Each one came on elegant plates with perfect plating. The flavors were impeccable. Especially for me, who hadn’t eaten a proper lunch, let alone breakfast, it was delicious beyond words.
For a moment, I wondered if Kwon Seok-ha had brought me here thinking of how I’d gone hungry all day, but that couldn’t be. He had no reason to do such a thing for me, and I knew better than anyone that he wasn’t the type of man to show consideration for others.
The quiet interior was filled only with the occasional sound of utensils clinking. Kwon Seok-ha was eating the food before him with apparent satisfaction. Since he gave no further instructions and simply ate, my discomfort eased somewhat.
After finishing even the dessert that came last, Kwon Seok-ha looked at me.
“Is there anything else you’d like to eat?”
“No, thank you.”
In that moment, realizing we’d come here only to eat, my cheeks flushed slightly.
“Then let’s go.”
“You haven’t told me about the work matter yet.”
“Oh, that. It’s about how Ahn Joon-hee was scouted by Daegwang. Since it’s company business too,”
“Yes? I’d like to know more details.”
I was about to fall back into Seonjin after barely escaping it. Kwon Seok-ha had surely created sufficient justification for this. Perhaps my family had even asked him behind the scenes.
“Get up. I’ll see you home.”
Kwon Seok-ha rose from his seat as if explaining was too bothersome.
“See me home? Where to?”
I lifted my head, tense with uncertainty.
“Are you planning to live here?”
Kwon Seok-ha deliberately widened his eyes as if he hadn’t understood, then asked.
“That can’t be right.”
“Then get up. I’ll see you home.”
His languid voice wrapped around Jun-hee’s earlobes and seeped inside. The fine hairs in her ears responded so acutely that she sharpened every sense. She had to stay alert—there was no telling what bizarre logic he might employ to reach some outlandish conclusion.
“I think I can manage on my own. There’s no need for you to go to the trouble, Executive Director.”
“What are you talking about?”
Kwon Seok-ha’s brow furrowed with displeasure.
“I appreciate the gesture, but there’s really no need to escort me.”
Jun-hee declined politely, maintaining a modest demeanor.
“Who said it was a gesture? You really know how to cross the line.”
He laughed with an air of exasperation. His eyes curved softly with mockery, yet somehow looked striking. Even the corners of his mouth, rising cleanly on both sides, seemed to be making a lighthearted joke.
“Because you said you’d see me home. From your perspective, it would be troublesome, so I meant you don’t have to.”
Jun-hee felt compelled to explain at length what they both already knew. This stubborn young master Kwon Seok-ha would only understand if she spelled it out like this.
In other words, this time too—don’t pretend you didn’t understand.
“I have somewhere to go anyway. Your place just happens to be in that direction, so I’m dropping you off on my way. Did you think I was deliberately going out of my way to escort you home? How could that be?”
Kwon Seok-ha laughed even louder, as if he found it absurd.
Jun-hee’s cheeks flushed crimson. It was Kwon Seok-ha who was being shameless, yet somehow it sounded as though Jun-hee had said something expecting something from him.
“Then please go on your way as planned, Executive Director. I’ll make my own way.”
If Kwon Seok-ha was going to be like this, Jun-hee had no choice. She could only stubbornly insist on refusing.
Having finished what she wanted to say, Jun-hee gathered her bag and prepared to leave alone. Seeing that Kwon Seok-ha didn’t counter further, she even felt a small thrill of victory, as if she’d won the match.
Kwon Seok-ha looked down at Jun-hee without speaking. Uneasy at his gaze, Jun-hee straightened her posture and looked back up at him.
“You know you’re guilty, don’t you? You keep trying to run away at every opportunity.”

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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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