“Alright. Well… our executive director is not the type to be swayed by such matters, which is a problem, but let’s give it a try. But how do we separate the two?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle that.”

“But how?”

“In two days, there’s a big convention in Japan. Actually, there is someone else supposed to participate, but I’ll put your name on the list, CEO.”

“Is… is that possible?”

“I’ll just say it was a mistake. They won’t fire me right away for that. It’s the first mistake of my life.”

Director Park’s mouth gaped open, but Sodam casually shrugged her shoulders and continued.

“Just watch. Our impatient CEO Kang will fly back to Korea before the convention period of one week is up.”

“I really hope so.”

It was easy to imagine Tae Joon, who would be desperate without Seo Rin. However, Sodam had an absurd thought.

“Do you know if the executive director might run after him?”

“No. I can guarantee that will never happen.”

Director Park made a firm declaration with a serious face.

“What? Are you crazy? Why should I go there? Wasn’t Ron supposed to go?”

The next day, Tae Joon, upon receiving Sodam’s report, was furious about the unexpected business trip.

“I’m sorry. I accidentally put your name on the list.”

As she spoke with the most pitiful expression she could muster, he closed his mouth just as he was about to say something more.

Had Sodam ever made a mistake while working before?

Not to his recollection. Not even once.

It was a rare mistake, and it wasn’t an insurmountable problem. He swallowed his complaint, thinking it wasn’t decent to scold someone too harshly for one mistake.

“It’s only a week, and it’s not far, it’s Japan, our neighboring country, so couldn’t you just go and come back?”

“Ha……”

Tae Joon clutched his head.

His condition was already poor, and now a convention.

But what he disliked more was the thought of being separated from Seo Rin for a week.

The night was hellish, but he was living for the pleasure of seeing her face every day. If he couldn’t even do that, it would truly be hell.

“Why can’t I just skip it? It’s not that important, right?”

“Right. But in this world where reputation is important, can you afford to do that? My mistake it may be, but there was quite a commotion on the other side when they heard that you’d be participating. If you don’t attend, the disappointment would be considerable……”

“Alright, I’ll go! But you know, right? I hate showing my face at such events. Why on earth did you make such a mistake……”

“I’m sorry. I guess I was too sleepy yesterday. I was supposed to send the final confirmation email, and it just… happened. Oh, by the way, Mr. Michael Adams is going too!”

“Is…he?”

Tae Joon paused for a moment. It was understandable since Michael Adams was one of the most influential figures in the field of electric batteries in Silicon Valley, USA, at the time.

“You’ve been interested in investing in his company, right? I think it wouldn’t be bad to go there and talk to him directly this time.”

Sodam clasped her hands together and stood, persuading Tae Joon in the most polite tone possible. If he didn’t go, the situation would become complicated.

However, he seemed to ponder for a moment before eventually nodding.

“Fine. It’s just a week…whatever.”

Though he said that, a faint frown still creased his forehead, as if he really didn’t want to go.

“So, when do we leave?”

At Tae Joon’s question about the schedule, Sodam turned around quickly, her heart buzzing like an electric current. As she exited the room, she tossed an answer over her shoulder.

“This afternoon!”

“This… afternoon? Hey!”

Tae Joon’s shout echoed behind Sodam as she fled down the stairs.

Everyone had seen this coming. Yet, she dared to say that the reason they had to proceed this way was for everyone’s ‘wellbeing’.

If everyone could be happy at the expense of her sacrifice, she would gladly do it.

“Did the sleep inducer I gave you yesterday not work?”

In response to Director Park’s question, Seo Rin took a sip of her strong coffee and replied.

“No, it was good. Thanks to it, I was able to sleep well for the first time in a long while.”

Yes, the effect of the drug was good. The only problem was that she had slept so deeply that she dreamt a dream she hadn’t before.

It was a shockingly raunchy dream that had visited her, a woman who only had nightmares. Hence, Seo Rin had to spend the night wide awake after waking up in the early hours.

“But you’re drinking too much coffee again today.”

“Did I? I didn’t notice.”

“You’ve had four cups. Should I bring you rooibos tea from now on?”

The statement ended in a question, but Seo Rin knew. Director Park was not asking a question, but making a declaration.

“Yeah, that would be fine.”

She reluctantly nodded and shifted her gaze back to her laptop. But the words on the screen didn’t register at all.

She felt a thirst. Her throat was parched as if it was burning, and it felt as if it was contracting the veins throughout her body.

However, Seo Rin was well aware that all of this was a disguised frustration of desire.

What should she do?

Would this thirst disappear if she spent a night with Tae Joon?

She couldn’t guarantee it. The reason why she was suffering from such frustration was because she knew too well how versatile he was in love.

A single night might just whet her appetite and cause an even greater thirst.

“Ah…”

A deep sigh escaped her lips.

Her married life was heading in a very different direction than she had expected, and it was suffocating.

She thought the variable in this marriage would be Tae Joon, who only wanted to love. But in reality, the real variable was her, swaying like a reed to him.

Then, the phone rang. It was Tae Joon.

“Yes, why, Tae Joon?”

[Are you at work now? When will you finish?]

“I have a lot of work today, so I might be late. Why?”

[Ah, I suddenly have a business trip to Japan, and I have to catch a flight today. I wanted to see you before I leave.]

“Oh, today, right away?”

Surprised by his unexpected words, Seo Rin switched her phone from her right hand to her left and asked.

[Yes, that’s how it is.]

“When are you leaving?”

[I’m pressed for time, so I think I’ll have to leave the house in an hour.]

“That soon? When will you be back?”

[In a week.]

She turned into a block of ice.

[I have to go. I took your time. It’s not a long trip, so I’ll call you every day. I have to pack. Goodbye.]

“Okay. Got it.”

The call ended, but her mind was blank.

In a week? He’s coming back in a week? Isn’t that a good thing?

Although she was a little flustered because it was so unexpected, she thought that being physically apart for a week could help her regain some stability.

However,

“Director Park, I need to go home. Please prepare the car.”

She didn’t want to let him go without seeing his face, even if they were apart for a week. Despite the rush to depart, today of all days, the traffic was heavy.

“It seems like there’s been an accident ahead. We’ll have to take a detour.”

She nodded at Director Park’s words, but she was burning inside.

What would she do if she couldn’t even see Tae Joon’s face?

After an hour of anxiety and impatience on what should have been a 30minute journey, she finally arrived.

Before Director Park could open the door, Seo Rin, who had jumped out, was lucky enough to see Tae Joon just loading his luggage into the car in the parking lot.

“Tae Joon!”

At the sound of Seo Rin’s voice, Tae Joon, who was surprised, stopped loading his luggage and turned around.

She couldn’t remember what happened next.

Whether she had flown to him like a butterfly and thrown herself into his arms.

Or whether he had pulled her into his embrace.

The important thing was that she had finally found her peace.

“I’m glad. That I could see you before I leave.”

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