Chapter 19
After dropping Haemin off, I drove straight to the office.
The morning traffic moved steadily, but my mind was somewhere else. I wasn't really focused on the road—I'd driven this route so many times I barely needed to think.
Haemin's kiss from earlier still lingered on my lips.
That was close.
If I had kissed him just a little longer, I might not have been able to let him go.
I sighed quietly and tapped the turn signal.
Before I knew it, I was already pulling into the underground parking lot of the main building.
I parked in my usual reserved spot. The security team gave me a quick bow as I stepped out, and I gave them a small nod before heading to the private elevator.
Upstairs, the board meeting was about to start.
The topic was the project we had talked about before with Daehan Group.
The collaboration with them was a big one—high risk, but even higher reward. Regional logistics, transportation lines, port redesigns…but if executed well, it could become the most significant partnership in the history of Korea's conglomerates.
Even so, I couldn't get rid of the uneasy feeling surrounding this deal.
__________
Harin was already waiting outside the boardroom when I stepped out of the elevator. She straightened immediately, giving me a small bow.
"Chairwoman," she greeted, then opened the door for me.
Inside, the entire board of directors stood as soon as I entered. A dozen pairs of eyes were on me, their heads bowing in unison.
I gave them a brief nod and moved to the head of the long table as Harin followed behind me.
"Sit," I said simply as I took my seat.
The sound of chairs shifting filled the room.
I glanced at the agenda in front of me, then looked up. "Let's begin. Today's focus is the infrastructure development project in the Incheon coastal district."
My gaze swept across the table. "Any updates?"
One of the senior board members cleared his throat. "Chairwoman, Daehan Group has requested a decision by the end of this week. They'd like to know whether we'll proceed with the collaboration, as they're ready to begin the planning phase."
I gave a small nod. "You've all reviewed the documents. What are your thoughts?"
A middle-aged director to my right adjusted his glasses. "I believe we should accept. Daehan's logistics network is unmatched, especially for international shipping routes. If we work with them, our construction materials for the Incheon coastal project can be delivered at half the time and lower cost. That would give us a huge advantage for future bids."
Another director nodded. "It's true. Their influence with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries could also smooth the approval process for the port expansion. If we combine their logistics power with our financial resources and construction expertise, we'll be the clear leader in infrastructure for the next decade."
But another board member raised a brow. "That's assuming they play fair. Daehan has a history of slipping exclusivity clauses into their contracts. If we're not careful, we might end up bound to their logistics routes for future projects—even ones that don't involve them."
"They wouldn't risk that," another senior director replied with a smirk. "We're not a second-tier company they can push around. Nara Group's financial reach alone is enough to cripple half their partners if they try anything. We're not the ones who need to be careful—they are."
Someone else spoke up, more cautiously. "Still, Daehan is known for long-term strategy. They might be using this project to expand their control over Korea's supply chain. If they secure too much influence in logistics for coastal infrastructure, it could weaken our future bargaining position."
Another director chuckled lightly. "Then we just make sure the deal favors us. If we keep majority control over budget allocation and design, Daehan will have no room to maneuver. At the end of the day, ports and ships are useless without buildings to store and distribute goods—and that's where we dominate."
Director Baek finally leaned back in his chair, smiling faintly.
"Chairwoman, I believe we should move forward. Daehan knows they can't build without us, just like we know we can't replicate their global shipping network overnight. If we manage the terms properly, we'll gain more from this partnership than they will. It will show Korea—and the government—that Nara Group can cooperate with anyone on our own terms, while quietly expanding our influence."
The room grew quiet, all eyes on me.
I tapped my pen lightly against the table. "Thank you for your opinions. I'll review everything once more, but I'll make the final decision myself."
Everyone gave a small nod.
I turned to Harin. "Arrange a meeting with Daehan Group on Friday. Inform them that I'll give my decision then."
"Yes, Chairwoman," Harin said with a bow.
The discussion moved to other agenda points—quarterly forecasts, investor relations, and internal project updates. By the time we finished, it was already close to 7 p.m.
_________
Once the last board member left, the room felt noticeably quieter.
Harin stepped closer, holding her tablet. "Chairwoman… how is Mr. Kim's condition now?"
I glanced at her briefly. I had already told her earlier that Haemin was in the hospital after an accident—but, of course, I never mentioned what I had done to him.
"He's fine," I said calmly. "He was discharged this morning. I picked him up myself."
"That's good to hear," Harin said with a relieved smile.
I straightened the papers in front of me. "By the way, I've decided that I'm going to bring him into the company."
Harin blinked. "…You mean, as an employee?"
"Yes. I want him working here with me. Every day."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Wouldn't that be… risky?"
"I know," I said, my tone firm. "As long as he's close to me every day, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks."
Harin lowered her gaze. She had always known how deeply possessive I was of Haemin. She just didn't know the full extent of it.
"Did… did he agree to this?" she asked carefully.
"That's not his decision," I replied flatly. "He just needs to follow what I tell him. He said he wants to finish this semester first in two more months. After that, I'll bring him here."
Harin stayed quiet for a moment. I could see pity flicker in her eyes, though she didn't say anything.
Finally, she asked, "What position will you give him?"
"He'll start as a junior analyst in the Corporate Strategy Department," I said. "It's a reasonable role for his age. Harin, make sure his desk is in the section closest to my office. That way, he isn't directly under me, but I can still keep him close."
Harin typed a quick note on her tablet. "Understood. I'll start preparing the arrangements and make sure everything is ready in two months."
"Good," I said simply. "That's all for today."
She bowed lightly, then walked ahead to open the meeting room door for me.
It was already evening, and finally, I could go home.
____________
When I finally reached the penthouse, the door clicked open with a soft beep.
The moment I stepped inside, a warm, rich aroma greeted me. Something savory, with a hint of garlic and herbs.
It smelled… good. Comforting.
I set my bag down neatly and walked toward the kitchen.
Haemin stood by the stove, sleeves casually rolled up, his posture relaxed as he stirred the pan.
Haemin turned his head slightly when he heard me. A small, gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Welcome home."
I gave him a brief nod, "…I'm back."
Even so, my eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than I meant to.
Handsome as always.
That thought came to me instantly, the same way it always did whenever I saw him like this—calm, yet still effortlessly attractive.
"Go take a shower first," he said, turning back to stir the pan. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."
After a quick shower, I returned to find the table already set. Two plates of steaming food sat neatly in the center, and Haemin was placing the last dish down.
I sat down without a word.
I took my seat, my eyes briefly scanning the meal. Everything looked good—simple, but cooked with care.
"Are you feeling okay now?" I asked as I picked up my chopsticks.
"Yeah," he replied softly. "I'm fine."
I took a bite—and couldn't help but smile a little.
"…This is good."
He froze for a second, then scratched the back of his neck, looking just slightly embarrassed.
Cute.
I didn't say it out loud, but the thought warmed me.
As we ate together, he suddenly spoke up.
"By the way, Yuna… after class tomorrow, can I go buy a new phone with Hyunjae?" Haemin asked.
My eyes flicked to him for a moment before returning to my food.
"Just the two of you?" My voice was calm, but the warning was clear.
"Yeah, just us," Haemin replied with a wry smile.
I looked at him for a few seconds before finally saying, "Make sure you're back before eight. I'll be home early tomorrow too."
"Okay, Yuna," he said, his face brightening with relief after getting my permission.
I set my chopsticks down for a moment and asked casually, "Come to think of it, you're really close with that kid, aren't you?"
Haemin nodded lightly. "Yeah. Hyunjae's a funny and kind guy. Although he loves teasing me, especially about my height, he's someone I can always rely on in class."
Without looking at him, I picked up my cup, took a sip, and said calmly, "But you don't need to get too close to him. In two months, you won't be seeing him anymore."
The room went quiet.
The sound of the clock ticking on the wall suddenly felt louder.
After a few seconds, I glanced up.
Haemin was staring at me, chopsticks frozen halfway to his mouth. His expression looked… surprised. Almost confused.
"What's wrong?" I asked evenly.
He blinked, still staring. "What… are you talking about, Yuna?"