Guarded Hearts || Yoon Jeonghan ||

CHAPTER 12

Jeonghan's Pov

I arrived at the mansion, and the first thing I saw was Jessica pacing anxiously by the door. She didn't even let me step inside before launching into her tirade.

"Mr. Jeonghan, look at the time! It's already 7, and we need to leave for the dinner by 8. Why are you so late?" Her frustration was evident on her face, the tension etched in every line.

"Will you let me enter my house first?" I replied, trying to maintain my composure.

"Oh, sorry! Come in, please," she said, moving aside to clear the entrance.

"Mr. Jeonghan, please get ready. We have to leave in just a few minutes," she urged.

I paused, a thought striking me. "Oh, Jessica, I forgot to mention—plans have changed. I'm not going to dinner.I'm too tired and just wants to sleep." I dashed toward my room, knowing she'd bombard me with questions if I stayed any longer. Honestly, I needed an excuse to avoid that dinner, and I thought I'd pulled it off—until Jessica caught up.

As I flopped onto my bed and started scrolling through my phone, a loud, insistent knocking echoed from my door.

"Mr. Jeonghan, open the door! We need to talk," she called, her voice a mix of frustration and urgency.

"Mr. Jeonghan, you can't just lie to get your way! This isn't fair. Please, open the door!" she pleaded, desperation creeping into her tone.

I knew if I didn't respond soon, she'd probably break the door down.

"What part of 'I'm tired' don't you understand? You're not helping," I replied, my voice strained as I imagined the look on her face.

"You promised you'd go to Mr. Yoon's house! Now you're making a fool of me," she said, her voice tinged with helplessness.

"I know I said that, but right now it's not possible," I replied, attempting to close the door. She caught it, her small frame wedged against it.

"You can't do this! Please, sir!" The urgency in her voice made it clear how much this mattered to her.
She had to look up to see me, I can see her big brown doe eyes wide with pleading. I could see she was desperate, and it struck a chord in me. Why was she so insistent?

"Mr. Jeonghan, please! I've already informed Secretary Kim, and he's waiting for you."

Before I could respond, her gaze held me captive , shes not saying anything right now but Those eyes—are speaking on behalf of her,
What is happening to me?

"Okay," I finally relented, Had I really just agreed because she pleaded so earnestly?

"Thank you Mr. J---" I closed the door before she could say one more thing to me.

Jessica's pov

"Thankyou Mr. J--"  before I could finish, he slammed the door shut in my face. I slid downstairs, still reeling from the sudden turn of events. First, he refused to attend the dinner, and then, after a few minutes, he agreed. Was he on his period or something?

As I sat on the sofa, I couldn't help but wonder what had just happened. After a few minutes, Jeonghan walked downstairs, looking dashing in a three-piece suit. This was the first time I'd seen him wear a suit, and I had to admit, he looked divine. He resembled a prince charming, but his personality still sucked.

Jeonghan glared at me, his irritation palpable. "What are you waiting for now? Should I go back and sleep?" he snapped.

I hastily got up and replied, "No, no, let's go."

As we headed to the car, Jeonghan seated himself in the front passenger seat, while I got behind the wheel. I don't know why but him seating right right across makes me nervous, I want him to take his backseat like he used to.

As we arrived at the destination, another grand mansion like Jeonghan's,the guards acknowledged Jeonghan, but he ignored them, striding past them with an air of superiority. Secretary Kim greeted him, but Jeonghan dismissed him with a curt nod.

Secretary Kim guided Jeonghan to the area where Mr. Yoon's business partners were waiting. However, just as we were about to enter, Jeonghan stopped and turned to me. "Aren't you coming?" he asked in a demanding tone.

I was taken aback by his question. "Why would I come now?" I replied, confusion etched on my face.

Secretary Kim intervened, "Yes, Mr. Jeonghan, she will stay right here. She cannot join the dinner."

Jeonghan's expression turned stubborn. "Why not? You told me she's not only my bodyguard but also my assistant. She'll manage me everywhere."

Secretary Kim hesitated, "But, sir, this is a private dinner. She cannot join."

Jeonghan's voice rose, "She will come with me. That's final. If she can't, then I won't go either."

I tried to reason with him, "Mr. Jeonghan, what are you saying? This isn't possible. I can't join you there. Why are you even arguing about this?"

Jeonghan's gaze locked onto Secretary Kim, his jaw set. "I've made my decision."

Secretary Kim nodded and stepped outside to discuss the matter with me, I told him that he's doing this intentionally. He wants to mess things up.

Secretary Kim returned to the dinner area. After a brief conversation with Mr. Yoon, he came back and said, "Jessica, you can come too. Let's go."

I hesitated, unsure why I was being allowed to join. As we entered the dining area, Mr. Yoon introduced his son to the guests and then introduced me as one of his loyal workers who took good care of Jeonghan, even though it's been a few days I know why he's doing this -- to make his guests not question my existence.

Throughout the dinner, Jeonghan seemed disinterested in the business discussions, his eyes fixed on his phone or gazing around the room with a look of boredom. I had to whisper to him repeatedly, "Behave nicely, or you look irritated. Fix your face."

Jeonghan's responses were monosyllabic, his attention elsewhere. I wondered what was going through his mind, but his expression remained impassive, a mask that hid his true thoughts.

As the dinner progressed, I couldn't help but feel like an outsider, a mere spectator in a world of high-stakes business deals and social politics.