Free Web NovelThey had no idea they were each other’s matchmaking date. Beyond surprise, it was absurd, and only awkward smiles passed between them.
“Please, have a seat first.”
Kim Seokjun said, rubbing the tip of his nose. His shy demeanor made even those watching feel awkward.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Me neither.”
After the brief exchange, silence fell. Thanks to the piano melody flowing through the lounge, the suffocating atmosphere was somewhat eased.
“Ah, shall we order first?”
Kim Seokjun’s ears flushed red. His fingers flipping through the menu were hurried in an inexplicable way. His clumsy hand even accidentally tapped a glass of water. He seemed like a person who usually made such careless mistakes.
“They say this place is famous for its cappuccino. People come from far just to drink it.”
“Then I’ll have a cappuccino.”
“Two cappuccinos, please.”
After successfully placing the order, Kim Seokjun finally let out a sigh of relief. He covered his flushed face with both hands. Peeking between his fingers, he quietly stared at Heewon and finally spoke with difficulty.
“Just so you don’t misunderstand, I didn’t request this meeting.”
“Yes.”
“It’s really, really a coincidence. You can see I’m nervous and sweating right now.”
“I won’t misunderstand. Don’t worry.”
His desperate voice of excuse made Heewon burst out laughing. Thanks to that, the stiff atmosphere loosened considerably.
Soon, the ordered coffee arrived. The cappuccino, covered with cinnamon powder and creamy milk foam, looked almost too pretty to drink. Taking a sip, the bittersweet espresso and warm milk blended perfectly in the mouth. It was truly worthy of its reputation.
Until then, Kim Seokjun couldn’t calm his surprised mind. Even while drinking, his gaze wandered restlessly here and there—a stark contrast to calm Heewon.
“Did you... come here unwillingly?”
“They say you’re a handsome and kind Alpha. I was curious about what kind of person you are.”
“I’m not handsome... you must be disappointed.”
Though he said that, Kim Seokjun couldn’t hide his pleased expression.
“Then how should we address each other...? Calling you Secretary Kim feels a bit formal.”
“Call me whatever you’re comfortable with.”
“Kim Heewon.”
Heewon raised an eyebrow and smiled. The other’s eyes curved gently as well.
On the surface, the mood seemed to flow fairly smoothly, but the matchmaking meeting was a failure. It wasn’t anyone else but Kwon Youngjae’s friend, so Heewon couldn’t see him as a romantic partner. He had already given up his heart.
“To be honest, I wanted to meet you, Heewon. But I rarely had the chance.”
“Is that so? I didn’t know at all.”
“Uh... did Youngjae not tell you?”
Heewon’s eyes widened. Why did Kwon Youngjae come up here?
“Yes?”
“Youngjae knows too. That I’m interested in you, Kim Heewon. A few months ago, I even asked him.”
“What kind of request...?”
Kim Seokjun scratched his forehead gently. He seemed embarrassed to say it himself.
“At a recent gathering, I subtly asked if you could be called out for a moment. To encourage the friends... Anyway, Youngjae sent you a message, but I think you were busy then. It didn’t work out, unfortunately.”
Heewon had never heard this before. He tried to recall.
“You mean the recent meeting at the wine bar in Sinsa-dong?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“The Executive Director never called me out... I did get a message, but it was only asking me to call the driver, Jung.”
Suddenly, Kim Seokjun wore a mysterious expression and fell into thought. Being very intelligent and knowing Kwon Youngjae for over ten years, deducing the truth wasn’t hard.
“Wow, Kwon Youngjae... he really stabbed me in the back like this.”
He sighed with a dry laugh.
“Seems like he worked behind the scenes. Didn’t want us to connect.”
“Why... would he do that?”
“Because he doesn’t want to lose you.”
Heewon pressed his lips together. His heart thrashed uncontrollably.
Kim Seokjun smiled kindly.
“You asked despite knowing, right?”
Caught by the penetrating question, Heewon’s face instantly flushed. There was no way out.
“...Yes.”
Since he never guessed Kwon Youngjae’s feelings, he was surprised. Though he pressed his lips tight, the surprise and happiness didn’t fade at all.
Watching that reaction quietly, Kim Seokjun sighed and smiled.
“I shouldn’t have interfered. Honestly, when I saw you today, I thought maybe we were destined. But I was wrong. Turns out I was just the magpie trying to connect you two.”
“.......”
“Do you like Youngjae too?”
That naturally brought Kwon Youngjae to mind. The brightest person among all he knew. Being with him felt natural, and he thought of him constantly. freewebnovel.cσ๓
A difficult and sensitive boss, yet he liked him anyway. Even now, his speech, actions, and small habits lingered in his mind.
It’s serious. Heewon swallowed a bitter laugh.
Maybe giving up a one-sided love was impossible from the start.
“Yes, I like him.”
Hearing the confession, Seokjun rubbed his flushed face repeatedly. He became so flustered that he couldn’t stop chuckling. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
“Being rejected less than ten minutes into the matchmaking is so humiliating...”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t tell anyone.”
“I absolutely won’t.”
Feeling embarrassed, Heewon promised several times. Only then did Kim Seokjun smile comfortably.
“Still, since we met with difficulty, we can at least have a cup of tea together?”
“Let’s have a meal too. It’s on me.”
“Sounds good.”
Though the matchmaking meeting was a failure, Heewon felt lighter at heart. He raised his coffee cup. The cappuccino seemed to taste better than before.
At that moment, Kwon Youngjae was in a very bad mood. His sharp gaze slowly scanned the surroundings.
The elders of both families were quietly chatting face to face. The serene atmosphere of the Korean restaurant had been filled with laughter since earlier.
The conversation and mood unmistakably resembled a formal matchmaking meeting. Kwon Youngjae’s eyes carefully surveyed Lee Hajin’s parents and then his own. Turning forward, he met Lee Hajin sitting across, who looked like a culprit, completely intimidated and unable to meet his eyes.
She occasionally glanced furtively, but each time, she lowered her head, crushed under Kwon Youngjae’s fierce gaze. She knew she was the cause of this mess.
An hour earlier, Lee Hajin urgently called Kwon Youngjae for help. When he arrived, the elders of both families had gathered, and the meeting naturally became a meal. His irritation was at its peak, but since the elders were present, he didn’t storm out. Instead, he showed his discomfort with his whole body.
On the low dining table, glossy white porcelain bowls were densely arranged, and delicious food was displayed all around. But Kwon Youngjae didn’t move a finger.
Just sitting there like a decoration, it was natural that all eyes were on him. The man with a stern face throughout was the main culprit ruining the harmonious atmosphere.
Then, Lee Hajin’s father spoke cheerfully.
“Executive Director Kwon, you must be busy taking care of the company these days, but you should take care of your health especially at times like this. Our Hajin is really bad at these things. Sorry about that.”
“.......”
“My wife and I will educate her well, so don’t worry. That kid’s smart, so if taught, she learns well. Supporting your husband isn’t a difficult task.”
Lee Hajin’s mother nodded in agreement. Both of their eyes dripped affection while looking at Kwon Youngjae. They already seemed to have decided he was their son-in-law.
Kwon Youngjae stared at the elders with a dry expression. It was really not funny.
“Supporting your husband is supposed to be done for the person you marry, isn’t it?”
“.......”
“Has the marriage registration already been done without my knowledge? If so, I’ll have to consult my lawyer.”
His words made the atmosphere unbearably tense. Unable to stand it, Professor Kwon quietly admonished him with “Youngjae,” but that didn’t improve the sour mood.
Next to him, Mrs. Im was glaring fiercely. Her fierce gaze contained every harsh word imaginable.
Kwon Youngjae met her gaze directly and took a sip of water. Even while swallowing, Mrs. Im’s sharp eyes did not soften. The pheromones sharply radiating intensified the father-son power struggle noisily.
“Are you making a fuss just over a meal?”
“This doesn’t seem like a simple meal. If I’m mistaken, I apologize.”
Lee Hajin’s parents were already ignoring Kwon Youngjae. Lee Hajin also seemed to think she was wrong and had been covering her face for a long time. In the end, only Kwon Youngjae became the villain.
He didn’t care at all and reached into his jacket pocket. Habitually, he took out his phone and tried to contact Secretary Kim. No matter how many times he called, the phone wasn’t answered.
As he was about to press the call button again, Mrs. Im frowned with disgust.
“Stop bothering Secretary Kim. It’s their day off; why keep calling?”
“None of your business.”
“Secretary Kim is busy too. Don’t stir up the matchmaking person. You just sit down and eat.”
His finger hovering over the screen stopped. Kwon Youngjae only glared at Mrs. Im.
“What did you say?”
“Secretary Kim is on a matchmaking meeting now. We set it up.”
“.......”
“Don’t worry. The person has great looks, education, and job. Surely, they wouldn’t introduce just anyone to Heewon.”
Kwon Youngjae exhaled slowly. His gaze toward Mrs. Im turned threatening.
“Is this something you arranged?”
“You said you weren’t involved. So why are your eyes so wide open?”
