The rest of the day was a blur of meetings, but the air was charged with an unspoken knowledge. Every glance from a passing employee, every hushed whisper, all pointed back to the scene in Hyun-woo's office. Hae-in, despite her feigned nonchalance, was a coiled spring of conflicting emotions. Her embarrassment was still a dull throb, but the pride was a fierce, bright flame. She had made a statement, and she had won a small victory. The battlefield had been public, and the spoils were hers.
Just as the workday was winding down, her phone vibrated with a new message. It was him. A slow smile spread across her face as she opened it.
Hyun-woo: Thinking about our little performance. I think those two photos should be framed. What do you think? They'd look great on our nightstand.
Hae-in felt a sudden, hot flush. The audacity! He was not only unafraid, but he was celebrating their public display of affection. She typed a quick, sharp reply.
Hae-in: Don't be ridiculous. That was a one-time thing. A public scolding for your unprofessional conduct.
Hyun-woo: A scolding? My dear wife, the way you were punishing me, I might have to be unprofessional more often.
Hae-in's fingers flew across the keyboard, a familiar fire in her veins. This was their new rhythm, a digital dance of teasing and flattery.
Hae-in: Don't think for a second you're getting away with that. You're lucky I didn't use my heel to make a point.
Hyun-woo: I'd like to see you try. I'm faster than you think.
Hae-in was so engrossed in their conversation that she didn't even notice Secretary Na hovering discreetly behind her, a stack of documents in her hands.
"I wouldn't use the 'heel' threat, Director Hong," Secretary Na said, her voice a calm, professional murmur that made Hae-in jump in her seat. "It sounds a bit too much like an empty threat. He's clearly enjoying this."
Hae-in whipped her head around, her eyes wide with shock. "Secretary Na! What are you doing?" she hissed.
"Just offering some tactical advice," she replied with a subtle smile. "You need to change your approach. He's expecting you to be aggressive. You should try being… softer. It will throw him off."
Hae-in was mortified. Her personal battlefield was now being commented on by her employee. She glared at her. "I don't need your advice, Secretary Na." But her fingers were already hovering over the keyboard, her mind replaying the words. Softer? What would that even look like?
Hae-in: Don't get too comfortable, Baek Hyun-woo. I haven't forgotten about your little stunt in the hallway at your parents' house.
That debt hasn't been paid yet.
She looked at Secretary Na, a silent challenge in her eyes. "How's that?"
Secretary Na sighed, a quiet, knowing sound. "You're still playing the same card, Director Hong. He's looking for a different response." She leaned in a little, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "He's not afraid of your threats. He's looking for a sign that you… care."
Hae-in scoffed, a familiar sound of disdain, but her heart was hammering. Care? The word felt so raw, so out of place in their dynamic. But she couldn't deny its truth.
Hyun-woo: That's a very big threat for someone who goes to sleep with a pillow between them.
Hae-in's face burned with a blush. She looked at her phone, then at Secretary Na, a look of pure, unadulterated shock on her face. He knew! Of course, he knew. He wasn't just guessing; he was toying with her.
Hae-in: How did you know about that?
Hyun-woo: I know everything, my dear wife.
Hae-in's embarrassment was reaching a critical point. She was completely outmatched. She was a CEO, a master negotiator, and yet she was being bested by her husband with a few simple text messages. She looked at Secretary Na, her eyes pleading for help.
Secretary Na, seeing her boss's defeat, finally took pity on her. "Try a different approach," she whispered. "Tell him… you miss him. He's looking for vulnerability."
Hae-in hesitated. The words felt like a betrayal of everything she stood for. But a part of her, the part that had been so moved by his confession last night, was desperate to try. She took a deep breath, her fingers trembling slightly as she typed.
Hae-in: You're right. The last few days... have been... interesting. I'll admit... I miss you when you're not around.
She pressed send, her heart hammering against her ribs. It was a lie, a fabricated line based on her secretary's advice. But a part of her wondered if it was, after all, the truth.
Seconds later, her phone buzzed with a new message, and a small, mischievous smile appeared on Secretary Na's face. Hae-in opened the message, her eyes widening as she read it.
Hyun-woo: That's what I like to hear. Now, don't forget to thank Secretary Na for her advice to you. I'm sure it was very helpful.
Hae-in stared at the screen in disbelief, then looked at Secretary Na, who was now barely holding back her laughter. He had known. He had known she was there all along. He had been playing with both of them. He was not just a player in the game; he was the game master. The realization was both infuriating and undeniably thrilling.