No, I Don't
Yu-won snapped back to reality in a jolt. She snatched up the shopping bag and slipped away into the dressing room.
A warm trace of his scent lingered in the room, but the clothes—each one neatly hung and color-coordinated—were almost colorless.
It felt as if the very space belonged to him.
A man who was proud and unyielding, yet one whose presence she had no right to claim and was therefore fortunate to be near.
Yu-won closed her eyes for a moment and drew a slow breath.
If this ended and she returned to her old life without ever seeing Woo-jin again, she would have to buy the cologne he used. After one full bottle she would forget these memories too.
Just enough time.
The clothes fit her as if measured for her. When she emerged in the new outfit, Woo-jin was nowhere to be seen.
Had he already finished getting ready? Yu-won hurried toward the bedroom door.
But he sat at the table, eyes fixed on his tablet.
“Sit down.”
He lifted his coffee without looking up from the screen.
Omelets, fresh fruit, toast—everything waited on the table. It was as though he had summoned the entire spread by magic.
Taken aback, Yu-won hesitated to sit, but his gaze rose from the tablet.
He studied her for a beat, then spoke.
“You look lovely. It suits you.”
The unexpected words made her flinch.
It was only clothing. Why did her heart still betray her like this?
She hastily took the seat opposite him, hiding her confusion.
“Did you prepare it yourself, CEO?”
“Yes.”
She had asked out of doubt, yet he nodded calmly.
“You? When did you—”
“Wasn’t it bothersome? Staying up late like that.”
A faint smile curved his lips. The warmth he had only just begun to show flooded his cheeks.
“I’m sorry.”
“...”
He set the coffee down and met her eyes. His gaze was unfathomable—deep as the sea, vast as a night sky.
“...Eat.”
He opened his mouth as if to say more, then closed it and returned his attention to the tablet. The slight furrow in his brow suggested something displeased him, but Yu-won could not guess the reason and simply lowered her gaze.
“I’ll eat...”
The meal was surprisingly good. If he had truly made it all, one almost wondered at the world’s unfairness.
She forced down a few bites and set her fork aside. Though the food was delicious, her appetite refused to return. Watching her, Woo-jin spoke.
“Eat more.”
“...Aren’t you going to eat, CEO?”
“I don’t usually eat breakfast.”
“...”
Yu-won stared, mouth agape. The table was laden with enough food for four.
How could he set out a feast for others and expect her to finish it alone?
Why prepare such a large meal if he would not eat?
She glared at him in protest, but he merely ignored the look and left her no choice but to reach for the toast. A slow curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Rrrr—
He glanced at his phone, checked the caller, and looked at her again.
“Chief Choi seems to have arrived.”
She nearly dropped her fork.
“You summoned Chief Choi?”
“Yes. I didn’t think you would be able to drive.”
“I can drive. Or rather—”
If he knew she had spent the night with him, what would he think? She wanted to ask.
Instead, before leaving his house, she spoke the words she had prepared.
“I have no intention of anything with you, CEO, regarding last night. I want no compensation.”
His movements halted as he stood.
Yu-won swallowed, her throat dry, and continued.
“So you can rest easy... that we’re done with it.”
“Indeed.”
His reply was brief. With nothing left to say, Yu-won fell silent.
“...”
“Are we ready to go?”
“...Yes.”
He picked up his jacket. His calm gaze and tone sent a chill down her spine.
She had no right to expect such gentleness.
Rrrr Rrrr—
Outside, her handbag vibrated nonstop. She had turned her phone off; when she turned it back on, a flood of messages poured in.
“Your phone keeps ringing.”
One step ahead, Woo-jin glanced back.
“Aren’t you going to answer?”
“It’s a call from home. I’ll pick it up later.”
She answered, unconsciously tightening her grip on the bag.
“Oh, I heard your parents are strict, Shin Yu-won.”
He nodded lightly.
“Ye-yes...”
The fabricated self-introduction flashed in her mind.
It had been written for the assigned position, so the sentences felt pointless now. Strict father. Kind mother. A harmonious but conservative household...
She had never imagined he remembered them.
While she frantically tried to recall what else she had written, the low tone sounded again.
“I’ll say you were working overtime for the CEO.”
“...”
“He’s so strict he didn’t even let me sleep.”
“No, that’s—”
Shaken, she shook her head, but saw the glint of amusement in his eyes and straightened at once.
“I’ll handle it myself.”
“Handle what?”
He was definitely mocking her now. Yet she still could not understand why.
“Good morning.”
Fortunately, Chief Choi Jeong-hun appeared and bowed deeply. He greeted them with Woo-jin but showed no change in expression.
It was strangely reassuring. Familiar. Ordinary.
Perhaps it was fortunate—Shin Yu-won—simply to be able to spend one night and walk away unscathed.
She steadied herself and kept walking.
***
“The next-quarter branding concept is ‘Wise Premium.’”
Seo Ju-eun, marketing team leader, flipped the slide and continued her presentation. Yu-won quickly took notes.
“We’ll trigger fear of aging and imprint Moment as the most reasonable solution. Easy, accessible premium for everyone—that’s the core of this rebranding.”
A sparkle lit Seo Ju-eun’s eyes. Yu-won could sense she was trying to impress Woo-jin.
“Do you really believe that?”
Woo-jin’s quiet voice cut through the silence.
“...What?”
Seo Ju-eun turned to him, eyebrows rising.
[Things Woo-jin dislikes—questions, stability, the ordinary. Things he likes—something unconventional, something special...]
Yu-won had unconsciously been scribbling with her pen.
“What do you think of my ideas, Secretary Shin?”
Woo-jin’s sudden question startled her so much she looked up.
“Ah... I...”
She hesitated, then spoke.
“If we focus on ‘solving problems,’ I don’t think Moment can be successfully repositioned as premium.”
“Wh-what...!”
Seo Ju-eun’s voice rose in indignation, but Woo-jin raised a hand.
“Go on.”
If she was wrong, he would notice.
Yu-won laid out everything she had thought during the meeting.
“Rational pricing won’t hold value for premium customers. Emphasizing anxiety might also feel burdensome to those who prioritize image consumption.”
“So what do you suggest?”
Seo Ju-eun crossed her arms and sneered.
“We should sell envy. Not empathy. The unattainable for some, yet irresistible to everyone.”
“...Sacrificing our loyal customers from the early days? What about the betrayal they’ll feel?”
“Can’t we have our cake and eat it too?”
“What?”
Seo Ju-eun’s expression hardened.
“I don’t know how a marketing expert like you can speak so freely.”
Her lips trembled as she fought to keep calm. If Woo-jin were not present, she might have shouted obscenities.
“Prove it then, both sides.”
The heated air dropped at those words.
...What?
Everyone in the room looked at him in astonishment—not only Yu-won.
Woo-jin swept the room with a cool gaze.
“Bring both proposals and compare them. You’ll see whose argument carries more weight.”