Chapter 21: Unexpected Interruption

‘What a mistake opening that.’ I tried to close the door as a swift wave of regret washed over me, but a polished shoe jammed into the gap, thwarting my attempt. Han Jung-woo, having fully pushed the door open, strode inside without so much as a glance for my permission.

Han Jung-woo was impeccably dressed in a suit, as if he had just concluded a conference.

Unlike his relaxed demeanor yesterday, his hair was neatly swept back, not a single strand out of place, which gave his presence a sharper, more formidable edge.

“Yoo Seo-jin, why are you still in your pajamas?” Han Jung-woo scanned my appearance from head to toe before posing the question.

‘What business was it of his if I chose to wear pajamas, or nothing at all?’

“Do you even know what time it is?”

“Of course I do. It’s five—”

It was only when I turned to check the clock that the midnight promise I’d made to Han Jung-woo resurfaced in my mind.

I had clearly remembered it just moments ago. But between eating and chatting with Jae-hyun, the fact that I had an appointment with Han Jung-woo had completely vanished from my thoughts.

Noticing my wavering gaze, Han Jung-woo let out a small, knowing chuckle. Stung by his accuracy, I clamped my lips shut.

Han Jung-woo removed his shoes and stepped further inside. As he headed for the sofa, he addressed me, still rooted by the entrance.

“I’ll wait, so go get ready first—”

“Who’s here?”

Jae-hyun’s sudden interjection cut Han Jung-woo’s words short. Han Jung-woo slowly turned his head, spotting Jae-hyun, who had emerged from the room just then, looking for me.

Han Jung-woo slowly surveyed Jae-hyun’s disheveled state, his hair and clothes a mess from rolling around on the floor just moments ago. He let out a short, hollow laugh.

“So there was someone here.”

Han Jung-woo muttered to himself, then turned to look at me. He was smiling, yet it wasn’t a genuine smile. He was barely suppressing a surge of anger.

‘Why is *he* the one getting angry?’

It was absurd, but seeing him already sharper than usual, now quietly seething, almost made my shoulders hunch reflexively.

“There was someone here.” Han Jung-woo murmured the ominous words to himself, his smile abruptly vanishing.

I merely rolled my eyes, wondering how to navigate this predicament. Meanwhile, Jae-hyun, oblivious to the gravity of the atmosphere, blurted out loudly:

“H-Han Jung-woo?”

I shot a look at Jae-hyun, who had begun to fuss, silently pleading for him to shut up. However, Jae-hyun, already completely captivated by Han Jung-woo, failed to register my signals.

‘I need to get him out of here, fast.’

If I left the two of them alone any longer, I had a terrible feeling something would happen. To Jae-hyun, of course, not Han Jung-woo.

“Huh? Why? Where are you going!”

I grabbed Jae-hyun directly and steered him towards the entrance. Dragged along, Jae-hyun was unceremoniously evicted from the accommodation, without even a chance to put on his shoes.

“What the—! Why are you kicking me out!”

Jae-hyun protested vehemently, claiming injustice. With the front door half-closed, I spoke in a hushed voice, ensuring Han Jung-woo wouldn’t overhear.

“I’d forgotten I had an appointment with Han Jung-woo.”

“You had an appointment with Han Jung-woo?” Jae-hyun’s eyes widened in surprise, darting around.

With no time for lengthy explanations, I simply handed Jae-hyun his shoes, which were strewn by the entrance.

“Yeah, so I’ll see you later.”

“Hey, Yoo Seo—” I closed the door, leaving Jae-hyun calling out my name. After a few insistent knocks, Jae-hyun thankfully left, promising to call.

After finally dispatching Jae-hyun, who I’d expected to be more persistent, I returned to find Han Jung-woo had settled himself on the sofa. He looked as though this were his own accommodation.

‘Where did he sell his manners?’

This is precisely the problem with the wealthy. They always assume everything will bend to their will. As I struggled to suppress my surging irritation, Han Jung-woo spoke.

“Did that bastard leave?”

I didn’t need to ask who “that bastard” was; I already knew. What puzzled me, though, was why he was so hostile towards Jae-hyun.

Without a word, I trudged towards my room to prepare. Just as I reached for the firmly closed door, a dark shadow loomed over me.

I spun around to find Han Jung-woo, who had been on the sofa moments ago, now standing directly behind me. I hadn’t even heard a single footstep.

“What’s your relationship with that bastard?”

His fierce gaze confirmed that he had thoroughly misunderstood the situation.

Granted, given Jae-hyun’s appearance earlier, such a misunderstanding was plausible. Unfortunately, not an ounce of that kind of tension existed between him and me.

“He’s just a friend, something like that.”

“Just friends, yet you’re sharing accommodation?”

Han Jung-woo seemed to believe Jae-hyun and I were sharing a room. Given that Jae-hyun had emerged from *a* room, it was a reasonable assumption, but once again, it was a misunderstanding.

“He has his own room. He just came over to bring me some food.”

“And you expect me to believe that, after seeing his state?”

Han Jung-woo’s voice had swelled with anger, growing louder with each word. Yet, I still couldn’t fathom why he was so furious.

Han Jung-woo detests Yoo Seo-jin.

So why was he constantly asking questions like a possessive lover? It couldn’t possibly be that, could it?

“Look, Han Jung-woo. I don’t know what kind of misunderstanding you have, but Jae-hyun and I are—”

“Yoo Seo-jin, you’re more promiscuous than I thought.”

I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t help but stop mid-sentence.

In the drama’s storyline, Han Jung-woo was a notorious philanderer, constantly changing partners. While he would eventually reform after meeting Jung Hee-soo, that time had not yet come.

Conversely, ever since I became Yoo Seo-jin, I hadn’t spent a single night with anyone. Partly, I was rather insensitive to sexual matters, but more importantly, there simply hadn’t been anyone I was attracted to.

There was only one person I had ever reacted to, from before to now. ‘Yet, this man, who could easily get aroused by anyone, dared to call *me* promiscuous?’

“Yoo Seo-jin, were you truly that kind of person?”

Han Jung-woo’s final, confirming jab ignited a surge of anger within me. Though I had so much to say, I barely managed to hold it back, clenching my trembling hands into fists.

When it came down to it, there was no need to rise to every single one of his provocations. ‘It was a waste of time.’

“Think whatever you like. You wouldn’t believe anything I say anyway.”

“Do you intend to offer an excuse?”

As if genuinely awaiting my answer, Han Jung-woo remained silent for a moment. His gaze, fixed on me, was calm and still.

‘What kind of answer does he even want? Does he want to hear that I just rolled around with anyone, just as he suspects? Or does he truly want reassurance that nothing happened?’

But I had no intention of giving him either. Ignoring Han Jung-woo’s silent wait, I entered my room and locked the door.

Click, click—the doorknob turned a few times before it fell silent, as if he had given up. Only after confirming his footsteps receding did I head to the bathroom for a shower.

‘Who is he to talk?’

Standing beneath the cascading water, the anger I had been suppressing surged violently. ‘That bastard, who was the epitome of casual encounters, calling *me* promiscuous?’

If I had my way, I would march right out and scream at Han Jung-woo. ‘If I was promiscuous, then he, who couldn’t stop playing around, must have had his parts rot away.’

‘No, I need to hold back. I need to calm down.’

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. After that, the churning in my stomach subsided, if only slightly. Though it quickly flared up again.

Thanks to this, my shower lasted twice as long as usual. Afterward, I took my time drying my hair and getting dressed, unhurried.

‘I hoped he’d get so angry he’d just leave.’

Considering Han Jung-woo’s personality, he would have long since left rather than wait this long. That would naturally cancel our appointment for today.

Having finished getting ready, and before opening the door, I sincerely wished Han Jung-woo would be gone.

‘Damn it.’

However, contrary to my fervent wish, Han Jung-woo was still seated on the sofa. Hearing the door open, he turned his head, his gaze asking why I was so late.

“…It seems you have plenty of time.”

“If you knew I didn’t, you should have gotten ready faster.” Han Jung-woo retorted, matching my sarcastic tone.

Glancing at the clock, I saw the hour hand had already reached seven.

Well, in conclusion, it wasn’t so bad, as it meant I had less time to spend with Han Jung-woo.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, let’s go now.” Han Jung-woo rose from the sofa and headed for the entrance first.

As I started to follow, I suddenly looked to my side. The dining table, which should have been a complete mess, was spotlessly clean.

‘Could Han Jung-woo have cleaned it?’

Jae-hyun had been chased out without a chance to clean, and I had been busy getting ready, leaving only Han Jung-woo. Perhaps it was due to his personality, needing to quickly clear anything that bothered him, but for me, it was a good thing to have one less chore to do.