Return of the Boy Next Door

Chapter 8

Two years had passed since Dahyun became the manager, and she handled the job so well that none of her team members had to stay past their working hours to finish their job. It was thanks to her efficient assistant manager too. With that, her routine of drinking after work returned since her relationship with Hongki remained the same, and the only time she spent with him was when he was on break or if his schedule ended around the same time as when she ended work.

It didn't mean that their relationship got weaker, though. Dahyun didn't mind; she had already expected it when she agreed to date him. After all, she grew up seeing him on television.

However, the lack of time spent with Hongki brought another problem. Her colleagues believed that she was still single, albeit her telling them that she was dating. They thought that Dahyun was saying that she was dating to avoid being set up for blind dates or having people confess to her. Dahyun couldn't be bothered to convince them and let them believe what they wanted to assume.

She had no control over their opinions anyway. Besides, she couldn't give them proof since Hongki was a public figure.

Unfortunately, that thought led her to the troublesome situation she was in. Two of her female colleagues had asked her out for a drink, and she accepted it without much thought since it was normal for colleagues to drink together. But, never did she expect to have three other guys joining them for a drink, and certainly not at a cafe. It was easy for her to realize what was going on.

"Apologies, but I'll make a move first," Dahyun said without sitting down, but she was stopped by Minhee, one of her team members and the one who got slapped by the ex-manager.

"Just once, please?" She whispered and gave a slight pout.

"I told you I have a boyfriend," Dahyun frowned.

"I know you're just saying that so that nobody bothers you to go for a date, but a group date can be fun. Who knows, you might be able to find your lifelong partner?" Minhee tried to persuade.

"Come on, if not, you're going to put us in an awkward situation since there are three of them and only two of us," Gayeon, her other team member, whispered.

They were like devils whispering in her ears, and Dahyun just drew a long breath.

"One hour," Dahyun said curtly, and both of them were grinning like Cheshire cats.

That was the longest one hour ever, and Dahyun couldn't be bothered to even entertain the guy that was hitting on her, but she had to praise his tenacity. When that one hour was over, Dahyun excused herself and told them she had another appointment. She thought that escaping the irritating situation would've ended her day, but of course, of all days, she had to bump into her boyfriend in the cafe that she didn't know he frequented until today.

The day couldn't get any worse.

He was wearing a cap and a mask, but his pair of eyes was a dead giveaway. He was sitting at a table with a full view of Dahyun's situation. She managed to spot him when she was about to leave the door with the guy who was hitting on her and telling her he'd drop her off despite her constant protest.

Smacking her lips at her sticky situation, she approached the glaring Hongki and stretched her arm out to him. "Let's go."

"Do you know him?" The guy behind her asked, and Dahyun looked at him in annoyance.

"Yes, he's my boyfriend," Dahyun said and looked at the two girls who were still sitting down.

They had a look of surprise.

Hongki took her hand, and they left the cafe together, "you have some explaining to do."

"I know. What were you doing in the cafe anyway?"