Chapter 49
Baek Yeong was a man as sharp as a knife.
Whether it was because Baek I-hae had told him not to talk to her, or because he had no intention of getting close at all.
‘He really doesn’t open his mouth except when giving work instructions.’
Beyond that, he only responded when Baek I-hae asked first about something unclear.
She didn’t like the way he looked at her with surprise when she initiated conversation, but she hated even more showing any sign of incompetence in the tasks he assigned.
Unexpectedly, Baek Yeong’s favorability rose due to Baek I-hae’s way of separating public and private matters.
‘Who would have thought his favorability would go up by 3 just from seeing how I work.’
Yes, favorability wasn’t limited to romantic attraction like with Seo Do-gyeom.
‘There’s favorability like seeing someone as family, the way it is with the old man, or gratitude like with Yeol.’
There could be favorability from friendship, or simply from a first impression.
Positive emotions like admiration or affection would all count as favorability, after all.
‘In that sense, Baek Yeong’s increased favorability probably means he sees me as someone decent to work with professionally.’
She didn’t know exactly what Baek Yeong was working on, but he seemed quite focused. She had been wondering if they should eat lunch together, but he had ordered sandwiches, including one for himself, which surprised her.
In the quiet office, Baek I-hae pondered as she swallowed her sandwich.
‘He’s even working while eating lunch.’
She glanced at the man who was barely touching his sandwich while poring over documents.
In the end, he set the sandwich down and dove right back into his work. No wonder he doesn’t put on weight.
After finishing her entire sandwich and still not feeling full, Baek I-hae rubbed her stomach.
‘I might really be a pig, just like Yeol said.’
At least it was a good thing she was learning self-defense from Seo Do-gyeom and building up her stamina in the process.
Spotting the coffee machine and tea bags in the corner, she stood up. After a brief hesitation, she turned to Baek Yeong.
“Would you like some coffee?”
Only then did Baek Yeong lift his head to look at her. He blinked slowly for a moment before nodding.
“This is just putting in the capsule and pressing the button, right?”
“Yeah. You can have some too if you want. There’s ice in the pantry.”
“But I’m still a student?”
“It’s not alcohol—it’s coffee. What’s the big deal.”
Is that so.
Baek I-hae, who had never tried coffee before, felt her eyes light up.
As she fiddled with the capsule, wondering if she needed to tear open the wrapper, Baek Yeong approached unnoticed and said,
“Don’t tear it—just put it in here like this. Close the lid, select the coffee type, and press the button.”
Then he placed a pink mug under the machine and hit the button.
The coffee streaming out of the machine was fascinating. She twitched her nose at the aroma that filled the room in an instant.
‘The coffee smells so good.’
If there hadn’t been the kidnapping incident—or if she hadn’t known he was involved with gangsters—she could have fallen head over heels for Baek Yeong.
His gruff demeanor, combined with the way he quietly looked out for her, kept drawing her in. Though he probably wasn’t even aware he was doing it.
‘Well, since it’s my first time with coffee, he must have figured I wouldn’t know how to use the machine. It’s only natural, so I shouldn’t read too much into it.’
It wasn’t out of pity, and certainly not because he had any fondness for her.
“The sandwich.”
“Yes?”
“Did it suit your taste?”
Baek Yeong asked as he handed her the pink mug. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Baek I-hae lowered her gaze to stare at the cup.
“Yes, it was delicious.”
“Good. From now on, when I order mine, I’ll get one for you too. But if it’s inconvenient, you can eat in the staff cafeteria.”
“I actually prefer eating here, but—oh, by the way, how much was the sandwich I had today?”
“Forget it.”
Baek I-hae, as if suddenly remembering, hurried toward her bag to grab her wallet.
That’s when Baek Yeong grabbed her shoulder and then released it. Pulling out a black mug, he said,
“I’m not so strapped for cash that I need money from a student.”
Well, Seo I-heum was the same way, and as the head of the organization, Baek Yeong probably had plenty of money.
He wasn’t someone she needed to impress, and since he said it was fine, there was no point in forcing the issue.
Baek I-hae nodded. Now that she’d gotten the coffee, she knew she should head back to her seat.
But instead, she stood beside Baek Yeong, staring at the black mug as it filled with coffee.
After a brief silence, Baek I-hae spoke up.
“But I actually prefer salmon sandwiches. I like seafood. I’m not picky, though.”
Baek Yeong’s fingers wrapped around the mug’s handle. For some reason, she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the motion.
Was it because those hands had wrapped around her waist before, or because they’d just touched her shoulder?
“Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.”
He brought the mug to his lips with a faint smile. As he walked back to his seat, Baek I-hae returned to hers as well.
Her first taste of coffee had a wonderful aroma, but the flavor was bitter. She genuinely wondered why adults drank this stuff.
But why was it that…
‘It’s not bad at all.’
Her lips kept returning to it.
Even knowing it was bitter, she was captivated by the enticing aroma—perhaps that was the reason.
After lunch, there was no further conversation. When quitting time arrived, he merely told her she could leave on her own, since there was no need to say goodbye to him.
‘What could be keeping him so busy?’
After a brief hesitation, Baek I-hae bowed her head in place of a farewell and stepped out of the office.
-I’m waiting at the cafe on the first floor!
As she exited the office and called Ye Eun-seol, he responded as if he’d been anticipating her call.
-What would you like to drink? I’ll order it ahead.
“Get me something reasonably cool. Skip the coffee—I already had some.”
-Got it. I’ll be on the second floor, so come up when you get here.
Baek I-hae acknowledged, ended the call, and quickened her pace diligently.
The coffee shop on the first floor was exceptionally large, as it catered to external customers as well. Ascending to the second floor, the flashy blonde hair immediately caught her eye.
“It’s convenient that your hair color makes you so easy to spot.”
“Ah, you’re here?”
Ye Eun-seol smiled and pointed to the seat across from him, inviting her to sit. His outfit was neat, yet it contrasted with Baek I-hae’s distinctly student-like appearance.
Wearing a suit, of all things. It felt oddly like gazing at an adult, so she stared in fascination until he noticed her gaze and remarked,
“Is it that intriguing?”
“Yeah. Dressed like that, you do look like the son of a wealthy family. But is it okay to meet here? Don’t we have to do it in secret or something…?”
“There aren’t people out there with that much interest in me.”
Ye Eun-seol teased her for watching too many dramas. Then he gestured toward the cake placed in the center, urging her to eat it.
Baek I-hae felt a momentary wave of confusion before asking cautiously,
“How much is it? I’ll send you the money. And isn’t cake pricey in places like this?”
“It’s about the same as anywhere else, I suppose. Forget it—what would I do taking money from a student?”
Yet he himself was a student, his expression utterly indifferent. Even so, he seemed puzzled by Baek I-hae’s flustered reaction.
“Is this your first time at a cafe? Girls come here together all the time.”
“Ah….”
Baek I-hae hesitated for a moment before replying.
“In my previous life, I grew up in an orphanage, so this is my first time buying and eating something at a cafe with my own money.”
“……I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s not really a big deal. Nowadays, the old man gives me pocket money quite generously.”
Still, from her standpoint, it felt like a substantial amount, so she was hesitant to spend it carelessly and simply kept it tucked away in her bank account. There’s a saying that those who’ve handled money know how to use it well, after all.
She figured it was easier on her mind to wheedle Seo I-heum or Seo Do-gyeom into buying her what she wanted, as she took a sip of her drink.
Ye Eun-seol, who had been watching her intently, asked,
“This is just my own thought, but wouldn’t this world actually be better for you? Was there someone you liked back there?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then why are you so eager to go back?”
At the question posed with genuine bewilderment, Baek I-hae clamped her mouth shut tightly.
Yes, no family, no friends, no dreams realized. Returning would only mean being alone once more.
She probably couldn’t even eat two bowls of rice without minding others’ eyes, the way she did at Seo I-heum’s house.
She could understand Ye Eun-seol’s confusion.
“……It just feels like this isn’t my place.”
Unable to voice the fear that she might be abandoned at any moment, Baek I-hae forced a smile as she spoke.
