Return of the Boy Next Door

Chapter 9

Dahyun was vacuuming the floor of her house when her doorbell rang. She went to her intercom and saw a group of her team members in the front lobby, and she went to unlock the door so that she could enter. It was a Saturday afternoon, and everyone decided to do some work at her house. It was a big project that involved multiple companies, and the deadline was a week later, so Dahyun wanted to clear it as soon as possible, and she offered to do it at her house.

They brought some gifts for the house even though Dahyun told them that it was not required. There were six of them involved in the project, excluding her, and only four chairs at the dining table, so the remaining team members sat around the coffee table. The six included Jaehyun, Minhyun, Minhee, Jaein, Kyungrim, and Youngrim.

Dahyun ordered Chinese cuisine for lunch, and they chatted as they ate before going to work.

It was overtime to work on a Saturday, so Dahyun told her father to give them an additional day off after the project was completed to compromise, and he agreed readily.

They were so busy working that they didn't take note of the time until Dahyun heard the sound of someone keying in the passcode to unlock the door. Only then did she realize it was already past eight.

"I thought you lived alone?" Jaehyun whispered beside her.

"I do..." Dahyun said and walked over to the foyer.

Although she already knew who it was since only one other person knew what her passcode was, she still sighed when she saw Hongki enter the apartment with paper bags in his hands and a duffle bag hanging over his shoulder. He blinked at the number of pairs of shoes and raised his brows questioningly when he met her eyes. He had a mask covering half of his face.

"I thought you were returning tomorrow. Anyway, my colleagues are here, so if you don't want to meet them, turn back now," she said softly, turning him around so that his back was facing the apartment.

"I'm fine with being introduced to your colleagues. Besides, they'd know about me sooner or later. Would you be okay with it, though?" he asked.

Dahyun nodded. She never minded telling people about him if he was okay with it since the person who would be affected most by this relationship going public was him.

"Then introduce me to them?" He smiled.

Dahyun returned with one of her own and took the paper bags in one of his hands before interlocking their fingers. Her colleagues awkwardly stood around the living room, and Dahyun cleared her throat.

"My boyfriend, Lee Hongki," Dahyun said, and they looked surprised when they heard the name. "And these are my colleagues," she introduced each of them to Hongki, and he gave them a bow.

"It looks like you guys are working. Sorry for disturbing you," he said.

"Oh, no, it's completely fine, and it's partially our fault for not realizing how late it was," Jaein waved her hands and answered.

"By any chance... Are you the Lee Hongki I'm thinking of? You sound the same too..." Minhee asked carefully.

Hongki nodded, "The one and only. Anyway, all of you can continue working," he smiled and took the paper bags from Dahyun before entering her room.

"Your boyfriend is a celebrity?" Jaehyun asked, shocked.

"Is that why you never show us his picture?" Minhee asked next.

Dahyun narrowed her eyes at them, "Don't get too curious about my private life, and don't go running your mouth."

"You know how well we keep your secrets," Kyungrim nudged Dahyun's shoulder with her own.