A child who looks like me

They were lying side by side with Ena in between them.

Somehow, Ji-heon was now next to Jeong-oh.

“Are you serious?”

Ji-heon asked as he placed his large hand on her waist. His gaze was deep and beautiful, prompting Jeong-oh to emphasize once more that she was serious.

“Of course…”

But her words trailed off.

“You know what needs to be done to have a little sister for Ena.”

With Ji-heon’s additional comment, he pulled Jeong-oh’s waist closer. What she thought was a warm and gentle gaze turned out to be hot and intense.

Jeong-oh seemed to finally grasp the mystery of how a child is born, swallowing hard.

They say couples start to resemble each other. But they had only just barely registered their marriage and had lived together for less than a day; yet they had already crossed the line from resembling each other to reversing roles.

Jeong-oh, who had always focused on the results, only envisioned the outcome in her mind, while Ji-heon, the results-oriented one, reminded her of the process.

“…No, I don’t know.”

“You will. My wife isn’t a child.”

Suddenly transforming into a process-oriented individual, Ji-heon’s hand slipped into Jeong-oh’s waist. The touch was so sensual that a gasp escaped her lips. Surprised by her own voice, Jeong-oh buried her face into Ji-heon’s chest.

Ena was right next to them!

As she inwardly resented Ji-heon, she playfully punched his chest. In response, Ji-heon shot up, and Jeong-oh instinctively recoiled.

“…I didn’t mean to say let’s make one right now.”

“No, you were completely serious.”

His voice and gaze were filled with desire.

Ji-heon had now lifted her up completely.

How had the man who had just confessed such a heart-wrenching and affectionate wish transformed into this? Why did that switch keep getting pressed?

Now, Jeong-oh found herself lifted by the man who loved to show off his strength. As her body swayed, she clung to Ji-heon tighter.

Having just put Ena to sleep, she couldn’t make any noise. It was a favorable situation for Ji-heon; his pretty wife was in a position where she couldn’t reject him.

As he easily lifted her and stepped out of the bedroom, he opened the door to the adjacent room. It was strange to see a bed sitting in an empty space; it made her wonder if it was for sleeping separately after a fight, but it turned out to have a rather risqué purpose.

Should she think it was fortunate that they were finally using the bed as a bed?

But once safely landed on the bed, Jeong-oh felt tiny and vulnerable.

“Today was moving day… You’re tired, oppa.”

“No. I’m not tired.”

Ji-heon replied as if it were obvious. No, it seemed he had become even more energized.

Jeong-oh couldn’t comprehend how a man who had just moved could have so much energy, like an inexhaustible power source.

Thinking back, this was indeed his true nature. He had always interpreted her words and actions in a provocative manner, turning every situation into something sensual.

She had provoked such a person on the happiest day.

She had a feeling that if she messed up today, she would end up sleeping in tomorrow.

Holding her neck, she let out a groan.

“Ahh, my neck is stiff…”

“You said the ointment helped.”

“I guess the effect has worn off. Oh dear…”

Ji-heon looked at Jeong-oh with suspicious eyes. However, he couldn’t bear to make someone who was in pain suffer further.

“Okay.”

“…”

“I won’t push you too hard.”

Huh?

Her startled arms flailed. Before she knew it, their lips met, and their chests touched. She felt his heart beating strongly. No, it might have been her own heart. Gradually, warmth radiated from the areas in contact.

As his hands moved, her body relaxed, only to tense again in response to the intensity of the sensations. She felt like she was being delicately handled by his large hands.

Could she really live happily with this man under one roof?

That was the worry that unexpectedly arose on their first night together.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

The next day.

Jeong-oh rubbed her eyes a few times, trying to get accustomed to the strange scenery upon waking up.

It was her first morning in the new house.

Just like Ena, who had shed tears wondering if this was really her room, Jeong-oh also felt unfamiliar with the new house and new room. In fact, everything felt bewildering. She had no idea when she would adapt.

She was alone in the room. As she sauntered outside, she found Guk-soon preparing breakfast, and from Ena’s room, she could hear the voices of father and daughter.

“Dad, whose bicycle is that by the door?”

“It’s Ena’s. I told you I bought her a bicycle.”

“But Ena doesn’t know how to ride a bicycle!”

“We’ll go ride it together later. I’ll teach you.”

“But you have to go to work, Dad.”

“I’ll finish work quickly.”

“Really? Promise?”

“Promise.”

“You can’t work late, okay?”

“Got it.”

“You can’t postpone it to another day, understood?”

“Understood.”

Peeking in through the open door, Jeong-oh saw the warm scene of the affectionate father and daughter, linking their pinky fingers. Seeing such a sight so early in the morning made her feel grateful.

“Mom!”

“Is your neck okay?”

Ena’s voice was followed by Ji-heon’s, which felt somewhat sharp. She wanted to say she was fine, but for some reason, she felt like replying that it still hurt.

“…Yeah. I’m okay.”

“Good. That’s a relief.”

The way he said he was relieved somehow sounded insincere. What was that feeling?

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

Eun-bi had called the same phone number dozens of times throughout the night. But it was useless. The man’s number had become a disconnected line.

Had she been deceived? Had she been used?

Eun-bi couldn’t accept it. She hadn’t lost any money or valuables. Nothing had disappeared.

But thinking back, she realized she didn’t know anything about him. Just the three letters of the name Kwon Bae-il and which company he worked for, that was it.

But even that she couldn’t guarantee. She had only seen his name on his ID for a brief moment, and they had never talked about his workplace. Eun-bi had been too busy sharing her own story to ask him anything.

She had used him like an emotional dumpster.

The man, who had continuously comforted her, had left out of exhaustion…

He had been the only one who genuinely cared about her, who gave her advice. He had been a precious person who understood her situation, her desires, and her troubled heart…

Only after dawn did Eun-bi finally fall asleep, and a call came in. It was Eun-yeob.

“Hello.”

[I sent a delivery to your house.] “A delivery? What is it?”

[It’s medicine. I barely managed to get it, so take it right away.] “…”

[Hurry up and take the medicine, and you have another date with Ham Dae-geun, so make sure to go out this time. Six o’clock today. The location is the same as yesterday.] “…You want me to take the medicine today and go out on a blind date today?”

Eun-bi snapped back in disbelief, and Eun-yeob tried to persuade her.

[He’s a good guy. He’s only ten years older than you and he’s never been married before. He’s a successful businessman and very popular, and he’s interested in you. Even after you stood him up once, he still wants to meet you.] “…”

[Make sure to seize this opportunity. You need to start living a life where you are loved, Eun-bi.]

As Eun-yeob spoke, Kwon Bae-il’s face flickered in Eun-bi’s mind. Where could he be? Why wasn’t he there to comfort her when she was struggling and feeling anxious?

A little while later, a delivery arrived at Eun-bi’s door. It was a very small box. After unwrapping it and checking the medicine, Eun-bi found herself unable to read the instructions for taking it all at once.

“Ugh.”

Tears blurred her vision.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

On the way to work, Ji-heon, as usual, dropped Jeong-oh off near the company, parked the car in the underground parking lot, and headed to his office. Just before getting on the elevator, he received a call from his father, Jae-gwang.

“Yes, Father.”

[Did you settle in well?] After learning of Yeong-mi’s misdeeds, Jae-gwang could no longer pressure Ji-heon to bring Ena over. He couldn’t even mention visiting Ji-heon’s house.

However, he couldn’t give up on his desire to meet his granddaughter, so he had become someone who waited for the right moment to contact Ji-heon.

“Yes. I finished well.”

[Good. Congratulations on getting a new house.] “Thank you.”

[I also want to meet my granddaughter.] Hearing his father’s cautiously spoken words, Ji-heon couldn’t fully welcome them with relief. He couldn’t visit Jae-gwang’s house while ignoring the deep-rooted conflict with Yeong-mi.

“I’ll talk to Jeong-oh about it.”

[Okay. Try to discuss it nicely.] “Yes.”

As Ji-heon was about to end the call with his father, Jae-gwang held him back again.

[I heard that Kim Jin-gu passed away. Do you know anything about it?]
It seemed Jae-gwang had also heard the news about Kim Jin-gu. Ji-heon considered whether to reveal that he had received an email from Kim Jin-gu but decided to keep quiet.

“No, do you know anything, Father?”

[I only heard the news late. Anyway, since Kim Jin-gu has passed, I think it’s okay to make your marriage official.]
“I’ll talk to Jeong-oh about that too.”

[Yeah. Talk to her soon and let me know.]
“Okay.”

After finishing the call with his father and reaching the ninth floor on his way to his office, Ji-heon noticed Jeong-oh standing with a stranger. Her face lit up with a welcoming expression.

Come to think of it, wasn’t there supposed to be a new copywriter joining Team 1 today?

When Ji-heon was first assigned, Max Planning had acquired Ivory Planning. However, since they couldn’t absorb the staff from Ivory Planning without relocating the headquarters, they were maintaining the current situation by occasionally exchanging personnel.

Thanks to that, Jeong-oh was able to transfer to Max Planning, and the person standing in front of Ji-heon now had also moved over from Ivory Planning.

As Ji-heon approached, the team leader of Production Team 1, Ahn Chan-seob, introduced the newcomer.

“Director, this is Deputy Manager Kwon Dong-jae, the new copywriter joining Production Team 1 today.”

“Hello. Nice to meet you, Deputy Manager Kwon.”

His greeting was accompanied by a less than pleasant expression.

Ji-heon’s gaze quickly shifted to Jeong-oh standing beside him.

“It seems you two know each other.”

“Yes, he’s my senior from my previous company. He helped me with my job change.”

Deputy Manager Kwon Dong-jae chimed in, “There was nothing for me to help with; our Jeong-oh did such a great job.”

Our Jeong-oh?

Kwon’s choice of words made Ji-heon raise an eyebrow, while Gi-hun and Young-gwang from Production Team 2 slowly rose from their seats with pale faces.

Ji-heon shot a sharp glance at them and gave a faint smile.

“Seems like our Jeong-oh is quite capable.”

Jeong-oh’s forehead beaded with cold sweat.

“I have something to discuss with our capable Jeong-oh. Can we talk in my office for a moment?”

Jeong-oh swallowed hard and answered quietly, “Yes.”

“Let’s go.”

Ji-heon turned on his heels and walked away from Deputy Manager Kwon. Jeong-oh, who had been standing there awkwardly, followed behind him. The people from Production Team 2, who had been tense, slowly returned to their seats.

Seeing Deputy Manager Kwon Dong-jae standing there with his mouth agape, startled by the young department head’s fierce charisma, Team Leader Ahn Chan-seob tried to comfort him.

“He’s just that kind of person. Don’t worry about it, Deputy Kwon.”

“……”

“If you get to know him, he’s a good guy. Really, he is.”

Deputy Manager Ko Eun-joo from Production Team 2 leaned over to Team Leader Mi-ran, who had come closer.

“Honestly, Team Leader.”

“……”

“I think the Director just comes to work to protect Deputy Jeong-oh.”

“Shh! Don’t say that.”

Mi-ran quietly scolded Eun-joo.

Jeong-oh followed Ji-heon with quick steps as the secretary from the executive office, who had come in early, stood up to greet them.

“Good morning, Director.”

“Yes.”

Ji-heon nodded briefly and entered his office right away. Jeong-oh also hurriedly greeted the secretary before following Ji-heon inside.

“There’s no need to call someone over on a Monday morning if you have nothing to say.”

Jeong-oh, realizing Ji-heon was feeling jealous about her standing with Deputy Manager Kwon, confidently retorted. Ji-heon’s narrowed gaze fell on her.

“Honestly, you have nothing to say, right? You just called me for no reason?”

“Dear.”

Ji-heon called Jeong-oh playfully, using a term she had never heard before, which made her eyes widen.

She had expected him to say something like “Don’t get too close to Deputy Kwon” or “Don’t think about working on the same project together.”

“It’s been almost two weeks since we registered our marriage, and I still haven’t heard that word.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Dear.”

It was completely absurd but strikingly serious.

“Go ahead and say it. Dear.”

With a demand that sounded like a request to return borrowed money, Jeong-oh was left speechless.