For Ruby (2) — The Growling Doberman

Haeseo had to tilt her head back a long way before she could look up at the enormous man's face.

The man, apparently having rushed in, drew in an unsteady breath — a sharp, audible hah. His pupils had narrowed to pinpricks.

Staring straight into those light-brown eyes, Haeseo could not deny it.

That this man — tall enough to tower over her by a good two heads, his hard body wrapped tight in a jet-black suit, looking for all the world like a Doberman — was the boy from her memory.

The shoulders that spread wide beneath his thick neck, the forearms where the lines of muscle showed nakedly even through his shirt, the heavy thighs that her two hands could barely span front to back.

Those jutting, solid muscles drew her gaze helplessly. And yet all these massive pieces connected with the fluid grace of a figure study, sleek as a finely built sports car.

He really does look like a Doberman.

Except it was supposed to be him who followed his owner around like a beloved pet.

"It's been a while—"

"I'm Wi Haeseo, starting today as your personal secretary. I look forward to working with you."

For exactly as long as Haeseo had faltered, she bowed her head deep in greeting.

"Ah, right. You've always liked that kind of setup."

"..."

"Getting dragged here by my mother of all things."

His voice had dropped considerably lower, too. She couldn't tell what he was saying in that gorgeous tone of his, and Haeseo cocked her head.

"That expression hasn't changed either."

Pfft — as Ruby's mouth curled, one dimple carved itself deep. His hair was cut quite short, perhaps because he'd been discharged from the military not long ago. The style was pretty much the same as middle school. The thick brows, the heavy-lidded eyes, the compact little face — all of it the same. So why did he feel so impossibly unfamiliar?

Clap. Ruby brought his large hands together once.

"Great. All good. But before we start, there's one thing you need to know."

"Yes?"

"I don't use honorifics with my subordinates."

"Oh."

"Not that you'd have any right to expect politeness just because you're older. Feel free to walk out now if that bothers you."

"No, it's fine. I assumed that would be the case—"

"What was that?"

"I should thank you for walking me through it so kindly, actually."

Haeseo gave a short bow and lifted her head to find Ruby scowling even more openly than before.

Ah.

She'd found the source of the strangeness she'd been sensing this whole time.

He's growling at me.

The Ruby she'd reunited with was baring his teeth, wary of her to the utmost. She had no idea why.

I'm just glad to see Ruby again.

Haeseo tilted her head. At the same moment, the crease between Ruby's brows carved itself one notch deeper.

"I don't like this. The ginseng doesn't agree with me."

"..."

"You waited on me for three years and you still don't know that?"

Haeseo stared for a moment at the special medicinal samgyetang sitting in front of Ruby. You could have said so sooner. He listened perfectly fine when an employee took his order, and then he pulled this.

"You mentioned wanting a nourishing meal for lunch, so I chose this place. Shall we move somewhere else?"

"So I can starve to death on the way?"

"Then..."

What do you want to do, you mutt? Swallowing the retort with practiced ease, Haeseo continued. "Would you like to trade with me? Mine is the perilla samgyetang."

Ruby, who had been insolently resting his arm on the table and glancing between her and the two stone pots, gave a careless nod.

Haeseo rose from her seat and carefully, carefully switched the positions of the pots. Ruby, thankfully, waited patiently while she did.

"Please, eat."

Without a word of complaint, Ruby gave the perilla samgyetang a brisk stir and took a spoonful.

"Is it to your taste?"

"Not bad. For something you like."

Thank goodness. Truly. Even though he'd once complained that perilla kalguksu was muddy and greasy and he couldn't stand the sight of it. Then again, any broth made for ginseng chicken soup would have had ginseng in it at some point — Haeseo pushed the thought aside and blew on her own medicinal samgyetang to cool it.

For all his "not bad," Ruby never picked up his spoon again. But fussing over him now, all flustered and eager to please, would only earn her a torrent of venom in return. Consulting the 101 Secrets of Serving Baek Ruby she had learned with her own body, Haeseo ate her meal in stoic silence.

The hot, nourishing food, dense with medicinal herbs, sent warmth flooding through her in no time. Such a waste of good food...

Haeseo stole a sidelong glance at Ruby, who had propped his chin on his hand again and was staring off to the side. Yes, something really is weighing on him.

After two years as a regular employee, Ruby had taken over the newly created TF Team just last year as its team leader. He'd then delivered results that revived the electronics division — a business that had long held the industry's top spot but was struggling, losing ground to competitors.

Having thoroughly completed the chairman's assignment, he'd been ordered to an executive promotion ahead of schedule. But young as he was, even a royal family member couldn't be slapped with the executive title so soon, so the plan was for him to go to the US branch, rack up one more tangible achievement, and return as managing director.

They called it another evaluation, but he'd been posted to a market so sweet it flowed with milk and honey no matter who took it — it was closer to his grandfather's affection than anything.

So why so troubled?

Under his watchful eye, Haeseo diligently dunked chunks of pure, boneless meat into pepper salt and stuffed both cheeks full. Then she chewed thoughtfully, brows knitted tight.

He'd been pushed into a great position, and he'd already had his fill of America back in his college days — it was practically a second hometown to him.

Was the US posting supposed to be two years, or three? Either way, he was the one being weird about it.

"Good?"

That startled me. She still couldn't get a read on the timing of his sudden remarks. Her mouth was still full of food, so Haeseo covered it with a hand and shot him a look.

"Right. Finish chewing, then answer."

Chew chew. Haeseo swallowed quickly, before Ruby's rare consideration could wear off, and took a sip of water.

"Yes. They said it's limited to twenty bowls a day — it really is deep and delicious."

"Must taste even better, stolen straight from your boss."

Ruby was facing her head-on now, flashing a grin. As his round dimples popped, a strand or two of his styled hair came loose.

Ba-dump. She should have been thoroughly annoyed at her boss's insane whims, yet her heart was treacherously racing.

These unguarded, boyish flashes of Ruby were what Haeseo loved most about him.

"Ugh. Honestly."

"Don't look so disgusted, subordinate."

When Haeseo thumped her fist lightly against her chest as if complaining of heartburn, Ruby's smile vanished, his face hardening into a scowl as if he'd never been laughing at all.

"Yes. I'm sorry."

It was always like this — nothing new. The apology came out as naturally as breathing now, worn smooth by habit. For a moment the grip on her spoon went slack, but Haeseo seized it again and resolutely finished off her samgyetang. Eating anything was always a win.

"You like that muddy stuff that much?"

"Yes. What can I do? I like it."

Even with Ruby sitting across from her, lips jutting in a sulky pout, Haeseo happily ladled herself some of the perilla samgyetang broth too.

Once Haeseo liked something, she almost never tired of it. She just hadn't known that would apply to a person as well.

"Thank you. Come again."

When she finished paying and turned around, she saw Ruby stretching lazily. His shoulder blades spread out on either side of him in a vast inverted triangle. The jacket strained taut to follow. She genuinely worried the seams might give.

They said clothes and position make the man — and Baek Ruby crouched well within that frame, only to writhe against it now and then like a hunting dog trying to break out of its den.

Ruby turned around. Whether it was a yawn or not, his lazy eyes beckoned her with a flick of his index finger — hurry up. Haeseo quickened her small steps, chasing after a boss who seemed twice her size.

"Short legs are one thing, but how are you slower than your own boss?"

The moment she caught up to his side, another barb came flying. It didn't really sting. It shouldn't — one or two barbs were to be expected, and Ruby had always been like this.

Then why had her heart grown so deep over someone like that? Glance. Watching him walk along with a scowl on his face, Haeseo let out a small sigh.

"Got a problem?"

"Of course not."

"You act like that and your performance review won't fill your mother's satisfaction. In the time it took you to glance away just now, I could've picked up numbers from at least ten women."

"...Were there actually women asking for your number?"

"Mouth."

"Yes, sir."

Haeseo's lips, which she'd worked up the courage to part, snapped shut again at a single word from Baek Ruby. He'd always been a bit sharp-tongued, but not to this degree.

Ever since she'd learned he'd been given that task by Director Baek, he had become, quite literally, a rabid dog.