Another Life With You

Seri's Song

Even though Seri and Gu Seung-jun had met in her office to discuss Queen's Group, she found herself unable to concentrate on the matter at hand.

"...the shareholder's meeting will be in two weeks' time. Do you think that's enough time? Yoon Seri ssi? ...Yoon Seri daepyonim? South Korea's Number-One-and-most-glamorous-businesswoman Yoon Seri daepyonim?"

Seri started and blinked at Seung-jun. "Don't get smart with me," she berated him, curling a strand of hair behind her ear to cover up her embarrassment. She never lost hold of her attention like this, but the silly, teenage-girl part of her brain kept wandering back to that night in the snow, Ri Jeong-hyeok's arms snug and warm around her.

"I thought you'd be running full steam ahead now that Yoon Se-jun has stepped down as Chairman," Seung-jun said, narrowing his eyes at her. Even though he was sitting casually, ankle on knee and arms spread across the back of the sofa, his scrutiny put Seri on guard.

She straightened up and willed her face to stay expressionless. "I'm glad I could help you with Se-jun, but I don't think I'll be aiming for Queen's Group Chairwoman again, Seung-jun ssi."

He frowned, tilting his chin up as he deepened his scrutiny. Seri had to consciously keep all the muscles in her body still, telling herself not to move a single one even though she was cringing inside with the thought that he could see right through her professional front.

"Is it the close call with Seri's Choice's stocks? I thought your mother had already transferred her shares to you."

Seri shook her head, even though part of it was to do with that. Seri's Choice was her first creation, her great success, her longest-standing relationship. The idea of losing it was like a stab in the chest. "It's not a good time, with all the media coverage. For me or for Queen's Group."

Seung-jun continued to stare. "And it's not at all related to a possible new romance?" his seriousness crumbled into an impish grin as he leaned eagerly forward.

"What?" Seri asked indignantly. "I would never...! I don't make business decisions based on my personal life!"

"But you don't deny a new romance?" Seung-jun said triumphantly, leaning so far forward now Seri thought he might fall off the sofa. "I bumped into Ri Jeong-hyeok the other day, you know, and he was glowing like a pregnant woman! Looked happy as a clam!"

"He did? Did he tell you about our date?" Seri asked, abruptly thrown off her track.

"Psyche! I didn't bump into him," Seung-jun said with a Cheshire cat grin, looking extremely self-satisfied. "So, there is something going on between you two."

Exasperated, Seri groaned and buried her face in her hands. "Gu Seung-jun! I don't know why I let you into my office!"

"For my sound advice and charming conversation?" Seung-jun suggested innocently, scooting along the sofa so he sat on the end close to Seri's armchair. "Well? How's it going with Mr. Bodyguard then? I imagine he's the type to move at a turtle's pace when it comes to relationships."

"Slower than a turtle!" Seri said, giving in to the urge to confess. "I mean, alright, I was the one who said that we shouldn't kiss when I was drunk. But not a peep from the man since then! You'd think he would drop by, send me something more than a message on the phone. Maybe bring me for a meal again. No! Nothing."

"I didn't take you to be the shy and retiring type, Yoon Seri ssi," Seung-jun said, delighting in the high-school quality drama of it all. It was certainly his duty to egg her on. "In this day and age, surely a woman can approach a man just as boldly? Most definitely when it's a woman like you."