Possession: The Vice Chairman’s Love That Burns and Breaks

Simon led Ellie, who was hesitating, unsure of how to respond, to a stall set up under a large tree.

On the burgundy velvet, necklaces and rings were displayed in neat rows. A three-tiered plastic organizer held earrings with cheap-looking cubic zirconia, sorted by type, and beside it, hats and scarves were also being sold.

"Pick one."

"Pardon?"

"You just display the ones I bring back from business trips. I thought this might be something you could wear without feeling burdened."

That was because his taste was excessively luxurious.

How many people could wear items worth hundreds of thousands while working?

Ellie swallowed the excuse that had risen to her throat. Simon picked up various items and held them up to Ellie, who stood still.

Seeing Simon's unusual appearance, the vendor, thinking she might make a good profit, fussed over how anything would suit Ellie's fair skin tone.

"You must be happy to have such a pretty girlfriend."

"Yes."

It was Ellie who was taken aback by his casual response.

Girlfriend? Did she hear that right? As she looked up at his face in bewilderment,

"Why are you looking at me like that, girlfriend?"

He followed up with a playful retort. She felt his warm hand wrap around her shoulder.

"I'll take this one, please."

Simon's hand now held a small necklace, the transaction already complete. It was a rather modest piece with a thin silver chain and a small, shimmering square crystal cubic zirconia.

It was exactly to Ellie's taste.

After placing the necklace around Ellie's neck himself, Simon took her hand again and led her on. His steps were gentle, matching Ellie's pace.

Her heart clenched painfully. She couldn't help but feel excited by this man who was so naturally accommodating her.

Simon was a clever person.

So, this level of preference research would have been possible without giving it much thought.

But... suddenly, a voice of undisguised hope arose.

If he had defined her merely as a sexual partner, he would have shown only that much interest.

In other words, just her ovulation date or position preferences. At most, her lingerie preferences.

The fact that she liked crowded places, or that she was happier with a cheap necklace chosen together than an expensive one, or that she preferred this small traditional Korean restaurant they were now entering over a five-star hotel restaurant with reservations and course meals...

This was information he had no need to know. So maybe, just maybe, he felt the same way she did.

The assumption she thought she had given up on suddenly surged forward. Ellie clasped her trembling hands together.

As the small bell chimed, a bright and friendly server guided them to the best seat with plenty of sunlight.

Simon handed the menu to Ellie and poured barley tea from the teapot into a cup for himself.

"I'll have the stone pot rice set. What about you, Vice President?"

"I'm fine."

Simon snatched the menu from Ellie as she quickly looked up, and handed it to the server. He picked up the steaming barley tea, then set it back down.

"Aren't you hungry?"

"You know."

She knew without him having to finish that no matter how hungry he was, he wouldn't eat in a place like this. Simon inwardly chuckled as he watched Ellie, who seemed to be nervously gauging his reaction.

She reacted to his every word and gesture.

"I need to stop by the main house later."

Simon offered a suitable excuse.

She should know that Simon was always on an empty stomach before going to the main house, so this should be a reasonable explanation.

As expected, Ellie easily accepted this and took a sip of her barley tea.

It was this easy to manipulate someone's emotions. With appropriate gifts and a few words wrapped in pretty packaging, people often easily abandoned any resolution.

It wasn't particularly difficult with men, but with women, it was inevitably easier.

He had never been particularly grateful for it, but the decent looks he happened to be born with were a weakness for many women.

While Simon took considerable pride in his business acumen, it was also true that sometimes, appearances worked better than a hundred words. In fact, he had cultivated it to use it more effectively. The results of those efforts were his consistent exercise and refined style.

Simon dryly surveyed the small restaurant he would have ignored under normal circumstances.

It would have been easier if she wanted bags or cars, or even a house like other women. The thought suddenly brought on a wave of annoyance. It was inexplicable how a woman like Ellie happened to be so sexually compatible with him.

Then, abruptly, the woman's knee touched Simon's.

Ellie hurriedly pulled back a bit, but that didn't suddenly create more space under the cramped table. Simon lightly patted the back of her hand on the table as if to say it was okay.

Although it was likely an unintended contact, Simon recalled his initial objective.

Resting his chin on his hand, he imagined her skin that would soon be within his grasp. Soft, supple, and warm.

A relationship satisfying enough to endure even this terrible table where their knees touched.

You're too easy, Ellie.

Simon smirked. It was infuriating that Ellie, with a heart as easy to read as flipping one's palm, had dared to declare an end to their relationship.

However, Simon didn't bother to show the displeasure rising within him in front of Ellie.

He merely responded with a kind smile in front of this foolish woman.