Chapter 498: You really like him that much?

The drive was actually... nice? Mr. Han was a total pro. He didn’t ask questions, didn’t stare in the rearview mirror, and most importantly, he didn’t smell like four Alphas trying to out-scent each other.

I just leaned back and tried not to think about how many millions of won this armored ’welcome to your new life’ gift probably cost Ki-hoon.

​When we saw Jie-Yu standing there by the bus stop, I almost didn’t recognize her. She was wearing this floral skirt and a cardigan, looking so innocent that it was actually suspicious.

I mean, she does look innocent all the time, but there’s a different vibe around her now. Especially after tricking a wolf into thinking she was a sheep when she was actually another wolf in sheep’s clothing.

I signaled to Mr. Han that she was with me, and he stopped, coming out of the car to open the door for her.

​She gave Mr. Han this tiny, polite nod like she was a Victorian debutante, and sat down in the far, her hands folded perfectly in her lap.

​"Good afternoon, Jo-Pil," she whispered. Her voice was so soft I could barely hear it. "Thank you for the ride. It’s a very lovely car."

​I stared at her. The privacy screen was up, but she was still doing... too much. "Noona, it’s me. Relax."

​The second the door was fully shut, the ’shy girl’ evaporated. She lunged across the seat and grabbed my arm so hard I thought she’d leave a bruise.

​"JO-PIL! OH MY GOD!" she shrieked. My ears literally rang. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? The last time I saw you, you were..."

She decided to worry about me first and foremost, and I let her ask all her worrying questions before smiling at her and saying,

"I am fine now, and I don’t think I’m the one we should be talking about right now," I said, slowly, pushing her hand down.

"It’s just... the media." She wanted to say something, but shook her head, leaving it aside.

It was best to leave the heavy topic behind if it was already taken care of.

"Anyway, did you see my text? Tell me you saw it! I did it! I actually did it!"

​I winced, trying to pull my arm back. I’ve never seen her this worked up. Not from worrying and not for anything else, but I guess it works out. She was a bit too quiet before, and now, she was vibrating.

"Is it the part where you hid his ID? Yeah, I saw. I told you it was a good idea to hide it. Did he call?"

​"Call? He was practically banging down my door!" She was bouncing on the leather, her eyes wide and manic. "When he went to the bathroom, I saw his wallet just... sitting there. In his jeans. On the floor! I thought, ’Jo-Pil told me to take it, so I’m taking it!’ I shoved that thing right in my bra and just lay there like a total angel, but then I realized he might search me if he discovered it was gone, so I hid it under the lamp."

Wow, that’s really something.

"When he came out, you should have seen him!" I don’t think I want to imagine another man when he just comes out of the bathroom. Especially not one as handsome as Kyle. "He was swearing, tossing the bedsheets, looking under the bed—he was such a grumpy, confused mess. It was the best thing I’ve ever seen!"

​"You... You’re actually a menace, huh." I laughed. "I can’t believe you actually went through with it."

​"Well, I really liked him and wanted to see him a couple more times." Are you sure it’s only a couple? "We had the second date last night because I had to ’return’ it, obviously. And Jo-Pil... gosh." She suddenly grabbed a cushion and hugged it, her face turning bright red.

In case you’re wondering, yes, this car has cushions. It’s Ki-hoon we’re talking about here. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to ensure I’m comfortable.

"He acts like such a bastard, but he knows exactly what he’s doing. And the weapon he’s packing? I’m not letting him go. Ever. So, we had an agreement. Well, I decided we have one. We’re together now."

​I just blinked at her. This was the same Jie-Yu who usually looked at men like they were nothing but part of the scenery of her distorted world.

Now she was swooning over a guy who probably hasn’t used a comb in three years. Well, that part is a joke. Messy hair definitely suits him.

​"You really like him that much?" I asked. "He’s... a lot."

​"He’s perfect!" she hissed, her voice dropping to a loud whisper. "He’s so big and rough, but then I do the ’sad sheep’ eyes, and he just crumbles. I’m going to follow him into that workshop and make him so flustered that he drops his tools. I swear, Jo-Pil, I’ve never been this excited."

​I can tell.

I shook my head, feeling a bit of a headache coming on. "Just... try not to rob him again while I’m talking to him. I need those gifts finished and perfect. I don’t need him to be distracted by you stealing his things." Who knows? I gave her the idea, but she turned into Daddy’s little thief overnight.

​"No promises!" she chirped, instantly smoothing her skirt and going back to the ’shy lady’ pose as Mr. Han pulled up to the shop. "But for you? I’ll try to behave."

​We got out, and she trailed behind me like a quiet little shadow. I pushed open the heavy door, the smell of metal and sulfur hitting me immediately.

Unlike the boutique we met the last time, this time, we were meeting in his workplace in town this time.

I think I’d have preferred the boutique, but then again, he was the one with the goods.

​Kyle was at his bench, his back to us. He looked like he’d been dragged through a hedge backward.

​"I’m here for the stuff, Kyle," I called out. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

​He jumped—like, actually jumped—and spun around. He looked like he hadn’t slept in a week. The moment he saw me, he started to say something ’bastard-like,’ but then his eyes landed on Jie-Yu standing behind me with her head bowed innocently.

​He froze. His face went from pale to a deep, angry red in three seconds flat.

​"You,"