Chapter 37: Ryu Taesan

The conference room was filled with quiet murmurs as my team discussed the upcoming business trips. The air was professional, structured—just another routine meeting at Regent & Co. Then, an email notification popped up on my laptop screen. A formal invitation. From Solace, one of the top firms in the UK. The company where Yoon Sera had worked for the past few years. I skimmed through the details, taking in the words quickly. A collaborative opportunity. A chance to strengthen global ties. It was an important meeting. One I would typically attend alone or with a senior executive. But this time, I wasn't going alone. I closed my laptop, straightened in my chair, and looked around at the team. "We've received an invitation from Solace in the UK. I'll be going there for a few days."

The room quieted as my executives nodded, waiting for further instructions. Then, without hesitation, I added, "Yoon Sera will accompany me."

The silence that followed was deafening. From across the table, Sera stiffened. Her eyes widened slightly, and I could feel the way her breath hitched. She wasn't expecting that. I didn't look at her. I kept my expression professional, my tone even. "Since she worked there before, she knows the environment. She'll be an asset during negotiations."

I could see a few of the senior staff exchange knowing looks. Some even smiled subtly, their amusement barely hidden. They weren't stupid. They knew exactly why I had chosen her. But I ignored their silent teasing. Because the truth was— I didn't care about the logistics. I just didn't want to miss any opportunity to be near her. Even if it meant dragging her halfway across the world with me. Even if it meant forcing her to face the past she had tried to leave behind. Because no matter how much I tried to act indifferent— I still loved her. And God, I hated that I loved her this much.

Sera walked into my office, a stack of neatly arranged files in her arms. I didn't lift my gaze from my laptop, my fingers tapping against the keyboard as I worked through the last few emails of the day.

"Sit," I murmured, still focused on the screen.

She lowered herself onto the chair across from me, silent, waiting. A few moments passed. I could feel her eyes on me. Watching. I smirked slightly, still not looking up. "Why are you looking at me? Am I too handsome?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Yes."

Then, realizing what she had just said, she quickly corrected herself. "No—I mean… we can talk after you finish."

I let out a quiet chuckle. "Interesting answer, Miss Yoon."

Before she could respond, I shut my laptop and leaned back in my chair, adjusting my glasses. Then, finally, I looked at her—really looked at her. Her lips were slightly pursed, her fingers tapping lightly against her knee. She was pretending to be unaffected. But I could see the way her posture had changed, the way her breathing was slightly uneven. Still the same. Still so easy to read. I exhaled slowly, reaching for the control panel on my desk. With a single press, the glass walls of my office blurred, turning opaque. Sera didn't notice. She was too busy trying to steady herself under my gaze. I stood up, moving toward her with slow, deliberate steps. She blinked, finally sensing my movement, her body tensing slightly as I walked around the desk. Then, without a word, I lowered myself onto the couch beside her. Close. Too close. I saw her breath hitch as she stiffened in place, her fingers gripping the edges of the file she had brought.

"Mr. Ryu," she started, her voice softer than before.

"Yes?"

She hesitated. "Why did you—"

She stopped. Because she finally realized how close I was. Her eyes locked onto mine, and for a brief moment, neither of us moved. The air shifted, thick with something unspoken.Her lips parted slightly, her gaze flickering between my eyes and my lips—just for a second. But it was enough. Enough for me to know she felt it too. The tension. The pull. The years between us meant nothing in that moment. Sera snapped out of it first. She swallowed, blinking rapidly, trying to break the trance. But before she could move away, my fingers reached out—brushing lightly against the corner of her lips. She froze. I tilted my head slightly, my voice dropping lower. "Miss Yoon, you shouldn't be this careless."

She barely managed to whisper, "W-What?"

I smirked, wiping away the faint coffee stain at the edge of her lips with my thumb. Her breath caught. I lingered for a second longer than necessary, watching her expression shift from shock to something else—something dangerously close to longing. Then, I leaned in just slightly, my voice barely above a murmur.

"Make sure no one sees you like this."

Her eyes widened. I let my gaze drop to her lips briefly before meeting her eyes again.

"I'll hate it if anyone sees."

Her entire face turned red. She jumped up suddenly, her file almost slipping from her hands as she stammered, "I—I should go!"

I chuckled, leaning back against the couch, watching as she hurried toward the door. Just as she reached for the handle, I added, "Pack your bags, Miss Yoon. We leave for the UK in two days."

She turned, still flustered. "T-Two days?!"

I smirked, adjusting my glasses.

"Unless you'd rather stay here and miss the chance to be near me?"

She glared at me, her lips pressing into a thin line before she huffed and stormed out. I chuckled, running a hand through my hair. God, I hated how much I loved her.