It was a random proposal. I stared at him, momentarily caught off guard, since I hadn’t expected anything like it. Kwon Yido shrugged as if it were no big deal.

“You won’t tell me what you want, so I can only give you what I want to give.”

So, why do you want to give it to me?

“...Does it also have to be something that won’t disgrace your reputation, Mr. Kwon?”

I racked my brain. Kwon Yido’s proposal was honestly worth considering. Rather than receiving two cars or whatever, it’d be easier to manage if I just took one thing I actually needed.

“That’s not necessary, but at the very least, you should be able to explain why you want it.”

“Does the price range not matter at all?”

“For most people, they’d be asking about the upper limit... but for you, Mr. Jung, it’s the lower limit, isn’t it.”

I nodded silently. As if he’d expected that, Kwon Yido let out a soft laugh.

“It doesn’t matter.”

It was a moment I should’ve felt lucky. I didn’t know why he was going so far to make me take something from him, but since the opportunity had come, I had to take it.

“Then, in exchange...”

“In exchange?”

“Could you just... take it back without thinking it over?”

“...”

Kwon Yido’s expression twitched for a moment, like he’d been blindsided. “I’ll reconsider the car key,” wasn’t a firm refusal—it left room. He really was a businessman, playing word games even over something like this.

“You’re sharp.”

He slid one hand into his pocket and gave a faint smile. The way his elegant eyes curved softly was similar to what I’d seen on the day of the engagement. He should smile like this on TV too. His smile was nice—what a waste.

“Let me ask you one thing. Why do you dislike cars so much?”

“...It’s not that I dislike them.”

I liked cars just fine. I just wasn’t into collecting them like Kwon Yido. I had my own preferences.

“I just don’t think there’s a need to have a lot.”

“A lot, you say... Is two considered a lot?”

So very Kwon Yido. Clearly this man had no idea—anything over three was too much, wasn’t it?

“Well, alright. Let’s go with what Mr. Jung says. If you bring me what you want, I’ll take the car key back.”

“...You’ll have to promise.”

“Should we pinky swear?”

He frowned slightly and held out his pinky finger. Anyone could see he was joking, but for some reason, I felt like humoring him. As I hooked my pinky around his long finger, Kwon Yido blinked, looking surprised.

“...”

“There’s no contract to stamp, after all.”

Our fingers, briefly linked, pressed thumbs together before parting. Kwon Yido didn’t withdraw his hand right away. He just stood there for a while. I started wondering if I’d gone too far by playing along. Just as I had that thought, he smiled more gently than ever.

“Let’s do this from now on when we make a promise.”

“...”

No way—that was a joke, right?

“Anyway, you can use it temporarily for a week. You’ll need a car if you plan to go out.”

“Yeah, well...”

I thought of saying, I don’t use things that belonged to other people, but just nodded instead. The words, I don’t have anywhere to go, also stopped at my throat. Honestly, if I needed a car, I could just bring mine from the main house. I’d just left it there because I had no use for it.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

Kwon Yido checked ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ the time again, frowning slightly. Maybe it was really time to leave. Someone who seemed like his secretary signaled from the garage entrance. Kwon Yido casually raised a hand to tell them to wait, then tilted his head toward me.

“Get a checkup from a doctor sometime soon.”

“A checkup?”

“Yeah, a pheromone test.”

He added it like it was nothing.

“Physical changes aren’t exactly a good sign. If the suppressant isn’t working, it could lead to complications. We should at least find out why your heat cycle changed. Unless you plan to stay home all the time, you’ll need to be prepared.”

“...”

“I’ll call the doctor. Just get a few basic tests related to your pheromones. If it’s more convenient, you can go to the hospital. What would you prefer?”

He wasn’t wrong. I’d actually been thinking I should talk to Professor Choi, my primary physician, sometime soon. Still, I was surprised Kwon Yido brought it up first—and a bit unsettled that he assumed I wouldn’t just stay home.

“...Whatever’s more convenient for you, Mr. Kwon.”

“Then let’s do it at home. I’m sure you’d be uncomfortable going back and forth to the hospital.”

“Alright, then... we’ll do it at home.”

Now that I thought about it, there were quite a few strange things. He’d asked me to come to the house, but he never said I couldn’t go out. Even when giving me the car, he’d prefaced it with “if you plan to go out.”

“...I have a question.”

“A question?”

Kwon Yido checked the time again. From what I could see, it was about the time he’d normally be leaving. Still, he looked at me like he was willing to listen.

“Am I... allowed to go outside freely?”

“...?”

He tilted his head, visibly confused. As if the question was completely unexpected. After a short pause, Kwon Yido answered in a strangely subdued tone.

“I didn’t imprison you, Mr. Jung.”

“...”

Why did those words hurt a little? It felt oddly familiar, like someone had said something similar before. With his gaze slightly lowered, Kwon Yido added in a quiet voice:

“I have no intention of restricting your movement.”

I wanted to ask—then why did you bring me into your house? What’s in it for you?

“...I see. Understood.”

I didn’t ask. For many reasons. First, it really did look like he needed to go to work. Second, a part of me was quietly warning me not to. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“I’d better get going. I’ll be home late, so eat a good lunch and take it easy.”

With that, Kwon Yido walked briskly ahead of me. I followed after him, trying to settle my thoughts. The key in my hand clattered noisily.

***

Someone brought the phone in the late afternoon, well past lunchtime. I’d holed myself up in the room reading, thinking I should be cautious just for today. A tall, broad-shouldered man handed me the new phone at the entrance and gave a polite bow.

“I’m Lee Taeseong, Executive Director’s bodyguard.”

The phone was the latest model of the brand I used. I had expected something from Seonho Electronics, but apparently they’d respected my preference. The sparkling, brand-new look was more overwhelming than anything.

“You’re working hard, even on a Saturday.”

A bodyguard, not a secretary? That thought crossed my mind, but I answered with a polite smile out of courtesy. Lee Taeseong, who had introduced himself, looked me over with little interest and replied flatly, “It’s no trouble.” His response wasn’t particularly remarkable, but instinct told me everything I needed to know.

'This person doesn’t like me.'

“The backup is complete. If you notice anything odd, please let me know. Here’s your original phone as well. Just in case, we had the screen repaired.”

“Oh... thank you.”

“No, it was all on the Executive Director’s orders.”

There were people like that—those who clearly disliked anyone around their boss.

When he said “Executive Director,” his eyes lit up with pride. He must really admire Kwon Yido. It was no wonder he didn’t like me, the so-called fiancé.

Well, sure. For someone supporting such a high-ranking figure to be sent on errands like this—of course the situation would be frustrating.

“Please tell Mr. Kwon I appreciate it.”

I said so and offered a slight nod, expecting him to leave immediately. But he lingered with an awkward stiffness. When our eyes met, Lee Taeseong reluctantly opened his mouth.

“...The Executive Director instructed me to stay as your escort until he returns.”

“Escort?”

“Yes, for driving or small errands...”

“...”

My expression darkened. Not just his—mine too, after hearing that.

“...Shouldn’t you be protecting Mr. Kwon, since you’re his bodyguard?”

“There are plenty of others assigned to his protection.”

Well, of course. Someone like Kwon Yido wouldn’t just have one or two people on his team. When I was working as a division head, I’d had multiple bodyguards too—but I hated the hassle, so I kept it minimal.

“So you’re staying here, by my side... the whole time?”

Lee Taeseong pressed his lips together tightly. It wasn’t a silent affirmation—more like a flat-out refusal to say it aloud. Then, subtly averting his eyes, he spoke with formal precision.

“I’ll be waiting nearby, and I’ll only enter when necessary.”

“...Mr. Lee Taeseong, what exactly is your role again?”

“Driving, errands, and bodyguard duties. If you have any messages for the Executive Director, you may also deliver them through me.”

So in short, he was a jack-of-all-trades. Honestly, it was hard to believe his main job was bodyguard.

Kwon Yido’s house had more than ten different layers of security systems installed. One press of a button would summon armed police, and the CCTV system had no blind spots. There were multiple guards stationed inside already—why waste a personal escort on me?

“I’ll just... make a quick call.”

Leaving Lee Taeseong where he stood, I walked a few steps away with the new phone in hand. Even as I distanced myself, he stood perfectly still, hands clasped behind his back. It somehow made me uncomfortable.

'It’s exactly the same...'

The new phone really was identical to my old one. The background, the contacts, the message history—everything. I tapped the number saved under “Kwon Yido” and waited for the call to connect.

Rrring. The familiar tone was followed by a low voice on the other end.

“Yes, Kwon Yido speaking.”

His voice was curt. There was some rustling in the background—maybe he was working. It was the first time I’d ever called him. The ambient noise made my back tense instinctively.

“This is Jung Sejin. ...Is now a good time?”

...

There was a brief silence. Was he busy? That thought only lasted a moment. Kwon Yido’s voice came again.

“Is something wrong?”

There was an oddly urgent note in his tone. As if he’d come running if I said yes. I glanced at Lee Taeseong and lowered my voice.

“It’s nothing serious... Mr. Lee Taeseong brought me a phone. He mentioned you assigned him as my escort.”

“...Ah.”

The soft exclamation carried both relief and realization. As the tension eased, so did his voice.

“If you don’t like him, I’ll send someone else.”

“No, that’s not the issue...”

I almost stumbled over my words. If I don’t like him, he’ll send someone else? He made it sound far too simple.

“I think you misunderstood, Mr. Kwon. I really don’t need a driver. Or someone to run errands for me.”

“I thought you agreed to take whatever I gave you.”

“...A person isn’t an object.”

It was a good thing he wasn’t in front of me. If he had been, he’d have seen the look of disbelief on my face. Even if I hadn’t meant to, I definitely would’ve stared at him in exasperation.

“Anyway, it’s not necessary. If I need to say something to you, I can just call.”

“A call, huh... If I hadn’t sent the bodyguard today, would Mr. Jung have called me at all?”

“...”

The answer was obviously no. There’d be no reason for someone like me, just sitting at home, to contact him.

“I told him not to get in your way, so just keep him around. You can’t have too many secretaries and bodyguards.”

“...I never needed more than two secretaries.”

“Which is why the only one you kept was Mr. Kim?”

His voice dropped to a chilling low. I shut my mouth at the abrupt shift. Then, a little calmer, he continued.

“He used to be a security team leader. Former national judo athlete. He’s also a skilled driver.”

That explains the size. So he was an athlete. And a team leader at that. Why give someone like that to me?

“But he works for you, Mr. Kwon. Isn’t it strange for him to be looking after me?”

“I hired him. I decide how he’s used. What’s the problem?”

He showed no signs of backing down. Normally, one of us would’ve yielded by now—but I wasn’t about to. I already knew from experience how uncomfortable it was to have someone constantly by my side.

“Mr. Kwon, I really don’t need an escort. If you want to keep an eye on me, CCTV would be easier...”

“Keep an eye on you?”

“...”

'That’s not what I meant to say...'

“If that’s how you see it, I have nothing more to say.”

“...No, that was a poor choice of words.”

“It’s fine. I understand how you feel, Mr. Jung.”

I’m screwed. That was the only thought that came to mind. He said he understood, but the tone didn’t feel like it at all.

“Mr. Kwon, I...”

“I should’ve just monitored you. Maybe then you wouldn’t have spent so long trapped in that greenhouse.”

My mouth shut tight. His voice was cold, but the feeling it left wasn’t unpleasant—it was... something else. That became clearer with what he said next.

“You’re the one who collapsed without saying a word after I told you to reach out if anything happened. If I hadn’t come into the greenhouse, would you have stayed like that all day? If it had been the garden instead, would you have called me then?”

His gentle voice stayed even, without rise or fall. That’s why it cut in deeper. That’s why I kept thinking—

'Why is this man so worried about me?'

“I’ll keep it simple—just let him accompany you when you leave the house.”

...Why is he worried about me like this?

“Sorry, but I just can’t imagine you reaching out first, Mr. Jung.”

He wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t a situation that warranted this level of sensitivity—especially not for us. Our relationship was just...

“It’s not even a business deal. No need to be so formal.”

“...Mr. Kwon.”

“Yes?”

“Are you... worried right now?”

...

The question slipped out before I knew it. The quiet around me fell completely still. Even the faint rustling from earlier stopped, like someone had hit pause.

How much time passed? Finally, Kwon Yido sighed lightly and muttered:

“You’re good. I didn’t expect you to shut me up like that.”

What a letdown of a response. My shoulders ached—maybe I’d tensed up without realizing. As I awkwardly rolled them, Kwon Yido brought the conversation to a close.

“I should go. We’ll talk more at home. For now, just keep the bodyguard with you. Like I said, he won’t get in your way.”

“...Alright, sure.”

In that short time, my energy had completely drained. It happened sometimes—I’d get worked up and then just give up. Right, it’s not like I have the right to refuse anyway. I was about to hang up when Kwon Yido spoke again, slowly.

“And... just so you don’t misunderstand...”

He trailed off, hesitating. I strained to hear, wondering what he was about to say. His low voice pressed gently into my ear.

“...I am worried.”

Click. The call ended. I checked the phone too late—his voice didn’t come back. Only the dull beep, beep echoed in my ears.