After lunch, nobody seemed particularly eager to move.
Mostly because Min-Hyuk had somehow turned lunch into a photography expedition.
He stood outside the restaurant scrolling through his phone with an expression of deep concentration.
Seo-Yeon looked over his shoulder. "...How many?"
Min-Hyuk didn't answer. "Min-Hyuk."
He continued scrolling. "Four hundred and twelve."
Seo-Yeon stared at him. "Four hundred and twelve pictures?"
"Four hundred and twelve good pictures."
"You took four hundred and twelve pictures in one afternoon."
"I was documenting our trip."
"You photographed the same building seventeen times."
"Lighting."
"You photographed a lamp."
"It was a beautiful lamp."
Seo-Yeon slowly closed her eyes. "Please stop."
Min-Hyuk smiled. "No."
A few steps away, Yoo-Na was having an entirely different problem.
She was staring at Hea-In.
Hea-In was sipping her drink peacefully.
Yoo-Na narrowed her eyes.
Hea-In noticed. "...Why are you looking at me?"
"I don't like you."
"I know."
"Just making sure you remember."
Hea-In smiled. "I wouldn't forget."
Yoo-Na continued glaring.
Hea-In took another sip.
Then suddenly coughed.
Yoo-Na blinked. "I didn't do anything."
"You were glaring."
"That isn't a crime."
"It feels like one."
Ji-Ah laughed quietly.
Even Seo-Yeon turned away to hide a smile.
Meanwhile, Min-Ji was still beside Ha-Joon, quietly checking whether he needed anything.
She handed him his phone when he asked for it, fixed the collar of his coat when it had folded awkwardly, and kept close enough that she was almost always within arm's reach.
It was exactly how she'd been before.
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing obvious.
And somehow...That made Ji-Ah feel worse. She didn't want to admit it. So she didn't. She simply looked away. Eventually, everyone finished eating.
Ha-Joon stood and reached for the bill.
Min-Hyuk immediately said, "I'll pay."
Ha-Joon looked at him. "No."
"Why?"
"I'm responsible for everyone."
Min-Hyuk raised an eyebrow. "You're enjoying this."
"No."
"You are."
Ha-Joon handed over his card. "I'm paying."
Yoo-Na whispered to Ji-Ah, "CEO privilege."
Ji-Ah smiled. "Definitely."
Once everything was settled, they stepped outside.
Two cars were waiting at the curb.
The first was for Ha-Joon and Min-Ji.
The second had Min-Hyuk and Seo-Yeon in the front, with Yoo-Na, Hea-In, and Ji-Ah in the back.
Ji-Ah carefully approached the second car, trying not to put too much weight on her injured ankle.
She had almost reached the door when she heard "Ji-Ah."
She stopped.
Ha-Joon stood beside the first car.
He looked at her. "Come here."
She hesitated. "...Me?"
"Yes."
She slowly walked toward him. "What?"
"You're coming with us."
Ji-Ah blinked. "What?"
"It's cramped in that car."
He glanced briefly toward her ankle. "Your leg needs more space."
She immediately shook her head. "No, no. I'm fine."
"You can barely walk."
"I can walk."
"Ji-Ah."
"I'm serious."
He said nothing. Just looked at her. That calm, quiet stare. The one that didn't need an argument because he already knew he'd won.
Ji-Ah stared back.
Then smiled awkwardly. "...Okay, sir."
Yoo-Na, from the other car, watched the entire exchange with an expression that said I saw that.
Ji-Ah ignored her.
She walked around to the other side of Ha-Joon's car and carefully got inside.
Ha-Joon entered after her.
Min-Ji took the seat on the opposite side.
The arrangement immediately felt... Uncomfortable.
Min-Ji settled beside Ha-Joon and leaned slightly toward him, showing him something on her phone.
Ha-Joon looked at the screen and listened while she explained whatever she was showing him.
Ji-Ah turned toward the window. She watched Vancouver pass by.
Buildings. Trees. People walking along the sidewalks. But her mind wasn't really there.
I knew you before she did.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her coat.
I was the one who introduced you to the family.
I was the one who stayed beside you through all those things.
And now...
She glanced sideways. Min-Ji was still talking quietly to Ha-Joon. Now you're getting married.
Ji-Ah looked away again. And somehow I'm the one who feels like a stranger.
Her throat tightened.
You don't even realize how much that hurts.
She immediately shook the thought away. "No."
She whispered it so quietly neither of them heard. "Don't think like that."
Because none of this was about her feelings.
Not right now.
There was something much more important.
That man.
That voice.
Min-Ji's secret.
I'm going to find out who he is.
Her eyes narrowed.
Even if I only find one clue. "Ji-Ah."
Ha-Joon's voice pulled her back.
She blinked.
He was looking at her. "We're here."
She looked outside.
They had stopped. "Oh."
She straightened. "Right."
Ha-Joon got out first.
Then he walked around the car and opened her door.
He held out his hand. "Come. I'll help you."
Ji-Ah looked at his hand.
Then at him.
For a second, she almost accepted it.
But something in her chest tightened.
She shook her head. "No."
He waited.
"I can do it."
"You don't have to prove anything."
"I know."
She carefully moved her injured foot down. "I can walk."
Ha-Joon watched her.
She stood slowly, wincing despite her best effort to hide it.
His expression remained calm.
But his eyes dropped immediately toward her ankle.
Ji-Ah noticed.
She forced a smile. "See?"
She took one careful step. "Perfectly fine."
Ha-Joon said nothing.
Ji-Ah took another. "...See?"
Still nothing.
She sighed. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
He finally answered. "Because you're clearly not fine."
She puffed her cheeks slightly. "I'm fine enough."
He shook his head.
But instead of arguing, he simply walked beside her. Not touching her.
Just close enough to catch her if she stumbled.
Ji-Ah noticed. She didn't say anything.
For once... Neither did he.
The moment they stepped into the hotel, everyone slowly began disappearing toward their respective suites.
Ji-Ah was still thinking about the conversation in the car when Min-Ji suddenly fell into step beside her.
Her expression was pleasant.
Almost too pleasant. "You really didn't hear the warning, did you?"
Ji-Ah glanced at her. "What warning?"
Min-Ji's smile remained. "I don't think I made myself clear enough earlier."
She leaned slightly closer. "Ha-Joon's reputation is at the edge."
Ji-Ah's expression hardened.
She lowered her voice. "Then tell me who that man is."
Min-Ji's eyes flickered.
For the first time, that perfect smile faltered. "Shh."
Ji-Ah frowned. "You know exactly who I'm talking about."
Min-Ji looked around quickly. "Don't draw attention."
"Then answer me."
"I already told you what happens if you keep digging."
Ji-Ah stepped closer. "You threatened me with a video. Fine. But that doesn't explain why there's a man in your room."
Min-Ji's smile returned. "You're very curious."
"And you're very suspicious."
Min-Ji gave a tiny laugh. "Good night, Ji-Ah."
She walked away.
Ji-Ah watched her go.
Definitely hiding something.
She turned toward the hallway.
Hea-In had just disappeared into her own suite.
Ji-Ah's eyes followed the closed door.
Something inside her told her she should talk to Hea-In.
Immediately.
But she stopped herself.
Not yet.
She needed something first.
A clue.
Something solid.
Then she'd confront her.
Ji-Ah finally entered her room.
She closed the door and leaned against it.
For a moment, she simply stood there.
She didn't notice Ha-Joon watching her from farther down the hallway.
His eyes remained on her door until it closed.
A little later, Ji-Ah sat on the edge of her bed.
Her injured ankle was propped slightly on the mattress.
She looked around the room.
The hotel was quiet.
Too quiet.
She sighed and leaned backward. "What a day..."
She touched her forehead.
Min-Ji. The video. The mysterious man. The warning. And now her ankle.
She was exhausted.
A knock sounded.
Ji-Ah lifted her head. "Who is it?"
No answer.
The door opened.
Ha-Joon stepped inside.
Ji-Ah blinked.
"...You."
He closed the door behind him. "Who else?"
She stared at him. "What do you want now?"
He was dressed casually, wearing a simple black shirt and dark sweatpants.
His hair had fallen slightly over his forehead, making him look much less like the intimidating CEO everyone knew.
In one hand, he carried an ice pack.
In the other, a small tube of ointment.
Ji-Ah looked at both.
Then at him.
"...What's that?"
"You tell me."
He placed them on the floor. "You didn't properly treat your ankle."
"I was going to."
"When?"
"Eventually."
"That's not an answer."
He sat down in front of her.
Then gestured toward her injured leg. "Give me your foot."
Ji-Ah hesitated. "...Why?"
"Because I'm treating it."
She quietly moved her leg toward him.
Ha-Joon carefully supported her ankle.
His movements were slow and gentle.
He applied the ointment first, careful around the swollen area.
Ji-Ah winced.
He immediately stopped. "Does it hurt?"
"No."
He looked up. "You just winced."
"Reflex."
"You're terrible at lying."
"I've been told."
He continued.
Every movement was careful.
When he placed the ice pack against her ankle, he adjusted it slowly so the pressure wouldn't hurt.
Ji-Ah watched him.
His eyebrows were slightly drawn together.
His attention completely focused on what he was doing.
He looked... Different. Not cold. Not distant. Just Ha-Joon, Ji-Ah's expression softened, She found herself staring. His fingers. His hair. His eyes.
The tiny crease between his brows whenever he concentrated. She didn't even realize she was smiling.
Ha-Joon continued talking. "You shouldn't have walked on it."
"I know."
"You should've told me immediately."
"I know."
"You could have made it worse."
"I know."
"You keep saying you know."
"Because I know."
He finally looked up. And caught her staring. Silence.
Ji-Ah didn't look away.
Ha-Joon blinked once. "...What?"
She slowly shook her head. "Nothing."
"Then why are you looking at me?"
Ji-Ah smiled faintly. "Why are you getting so worked up?"
"Because you're injured."
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
She sighed. "I'm not dying."
His expression softened. "Ji-Ah."
She looked at him.
"You don't understand." His voice was quieter now. "I always get worried when people I love get hurt."
Ji-Ah's eyes widened. People I love.
Her heart gave a strange little jump.
Ha-Joon continued looking at her. "You're one of them."
Ji-Ah blinked rapidly.
Once. Twice.
Her cheeks slowly warmed.
She looked down. "...Oh."
That was all she managed.
Then, desperately trying to recover her dignity, she added, "Thanks, sir."
Ha-Joon's expression immediately changed. "Sir?"
Ji-Ah shook her head quickly. "No."
He waited. "Ha-Joon."
He nodded. "Better."
She smiled. "My pleasure."
He stood. Then, before she could ask what he was doing, he gently helped her shift farther onto the bed.
"Hey..."
He adjusted her position and placed a pillow underneath her injured leg. "There."
He checked that her ankle was properly elevated. "Don't move it unnecessarily."
Ji-Ah nodded. "Okay."
"Stay like this."
"Okay."
He straightened.
Then paused. A loose strand of hair had fallen across Ji-Ah's forehead.
He reached down and gently brushed it aside. Ji-Ah went completely still.
Ha-Joon's fingers lingered only for a second before he withdrew his hand.
Then he lightly tapped her cheek twice. His expression was completely serious.
"Get some rest."
Ji-Ah stared at him. "...Okay."
He turned toward the door.
"Thank you, Ha-Joon."
He glanced back.
A faint smile appeared. "My pleasure."
Then he left.
The door clicked shut.
Ji-Ah remained perfectly still. Her cheeks were still warm.
She slowly touched the spot on her cheek where he'd tapped her. "...What is happening to me?"
She fell backward onto the pillow.
Then pulled the blanket over half her face. "This trip is dangerous."
A pause. "...And not because of the cold."