Heading to Yena's Home
Siwoo followed Yena toward her home.
Yena's residence was an exceptionally luxurious premium apartment.
It was not only virtually impossible to enter without invitation but also boasted exceptionally thorough security.
As Siwoo stood before the lowered barrier, a security guard's voice came through the intercom.
[Where did you come from?]
Siwoo lowered the window and replied, “3106 Dong, 3201.”
[Just a moment, please.]
After a brief wait, the guard responded.
[Confirmed.]
The barrier gate swung open.
It was an incredibly meticulous procedure. Normally, simply stating the unit number would suffice, but here they first contacted the designated unit for confirmation. Only after permission was granted did they open the door. This was precisely why outsiders could not simply enter. Especially since the complex was relatively close to the entertainment district, where many celebrities lived, the security measures made perfect sense.
Siwoo marveled anew at the apartment's security as he headed toward the parking garage.
“Yena, this way.”
Of course, the risk of paparazzi was never entirely nonexistent. That was why Siwoo had handed Yena a hat. The villains were crafty enough to slip into even this secure location.
“Thank you,” Yena said with a bright smile, accepting the hat and slipping it on. The wide brim obscured her face completely when she lowered her head slightly.
“Does it suit me?”
“You look beautiful,” Siwoo replied.
“Hehe.”
Yena smiled radiantly, and Siwoo stepped out of the car beside her, guiding her toward the main entrance.
After entering 3201, he punched in the password—0817.
“It’s my birthday,” Yena explained as she opened the door.
The elevator was already waiting, as befitting a top-tier apartment. It was equipped with an array of sophisticated facilities. Amused by the novelty, Siwoo followed Yena inside.
Everything seemed smooth at first, but the elevator suddenly stopped at the first floor.
-Ding!
Siwoo instinctively stepped in front of Yena, shielding her with his body.
Yet…
“Huh?”
The only person who had entered was Kim Yuna. Having just finished her supermarket run, she stared at Siwoo in surprise, a large tub of mint chocolate ice cream clutched in her hands.
“Producer-nim… what are you doing here…?”
Siwoo noticed she had hidden the tub behind her back and blushed as she continued.
“I-I’ll just have a little…”
She seemed to know how harmful ice cream could be for her diet. “Promise?”
“Yes…”
Siwoo smiled inwardly at the dejected expression on her face. Suddenly, a hand grabbed his from behind. The unexpected skinship made him jolt.
Kim Yuna noticed his reaction and asked, “Does Producer-nim live here too?”
“No. I came for work.”
“Ah… then the lady behind you—”
“Girlfriend,” Siwoo corrected, but it was actually Yena who had spoken.
Kim Yuna’s eyes widened in shock. She muttered in disbelief, “G-girl-friend…”
At that moment, the elevator arrived at Kim Yuna’s unit on the twenty-fourth floor.
“I-I’ll be going now,” she said, face still flushed, and hurried out. Just as she reached the door, she called back, “I’ll keep it secret!”
-Jing.
The door clicked shut behind her.
“Phew.”
Siwoo finally exhaled the breath he had been holding.
Yena chuckled from behind him. “Yuna has a lot of cute spots, doesn’t she?”
“She has a different kind of charm than her appearance.”
“It’s entertaining to tease her,” Yena replied with a small laugh.
Meanwhile, the elevator reached the thirty-second floor. Siwoo and Yena stepped out together and headed for her unit at 3201.
As Yena pressed the password in front of the door, she warned, “My sister can be a bit cold on the surface, but her heart is kind. Don’t be too surprised.”
Siwoo nodded. “I understand.”
“Shall I?”
“Yes.”
Yena pressed the button again and unlocked the door with a mechanical beep.
-Dding-ding-ding-ding.
The door opened, revealing her sister inside.
The delicious scent of food filled the house. It seemed she had prepared everything in advance upon learning of their arrival.
Following the entrance, Siwoo finally spotted her sister. The rumor that she was Yena’s identical twin was true; she looked remarkably similar, with the same gentle features. The only difference was her much larger bust and far more intimidating appearance. She spoke in a voice as sharp as her looks.
“You’re the one who got our Yena pregnant.”
It was a brutally direct remark. Anyone would feel the same way after discovering that their only younger sister had become pregnant overnight. Siwoo understood her stance, but changing her mind was his responsibility.
“Hello, sister-in-law. I am Park Siwoo.”
Siwoo bowed deeply, pressing his palms together in a respectful greeting.
She snorted. “Don’t call me sister-in-law. Just come in. I’ve already set the table.”
With that, she turned and walked inside, clearly annoyed.
Yena smiled bitterly. “She looks strict, but she’s prepared a lot.”
“I see. That must be it.”
Otherwise, the savory aroma wouldn’t have reached the entrance. If she truly meant what she said, she would understand Siwoo’s intentions. Siwoo felt relieved as he stepped inside.
“By the way, you didn’t introduce me. My name is Lee Gaeul,” she said quietly while carrying dishes to the table, then headed back to the kitchen without waiting for a reply. She seemed quite irritated, yet her courteous greeting suggested her inner kindness, exactly as Yena had described.
Siwoo was still pondering this when he heard a groan from somewhere. He turned to see Gaeul struggling to pull a kimchi container from the refrigerator.
Seizing the opportunity, he walked over. “Let me help you.”
Siwoo rolled up his suit sleeve and gently lifted the heavy kimchi tub, as if it weighed nothing. “Where should I put it?”
“Over there,” Gaeul replied, glancing at him with a fleeting smile before quickly stiffening her expression and pointing to the kitchen corner.
Siwoo placed the container exactly where she indicated. As she approached him again, she murmured, “You’re surprisingly strong.”
“Thank you.”
Siwoo bowed slightly. At that exact moment, the doorbell rang.
The intercom screen showed a delivery person placing a large box. The driver struggled visibly on camera.
Siwoo asked quietly, “Should I bring it in?”
“Please,” Yena answered with a bright smile.
Siwoo gave Gaeul a thumbs-up out of her sight and headed to receive the package.
* * *
While Siwoo was at the entrance, Gaeul walked over to Yena.
“Good man, isn’t he?” Yena asked with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with love.
Gaeul let out a deep sigh. “No matter what I say, you won’t listen?”
“…”
“Well, I’m glad he doesn’t seem like a bad man.”
Yena brightened. “Right? Siwoo is a really good person.”
Gaeul shot her a sharp glare, and Yena shrank back. Just then, noisy footsteps echoed from the entrance. Both women turned to the intercom.
Siwoo appeared on screen, holding a child.
Yet…
Gaeul’s eyes widened in surprise. The way he cradled the toddler was unbelievably steady, as if he had done it many times before.
“The neighbor’s kid came running out again,” Yena said softly, as if it happened often.
But to Gaeul, that was not the important part. She was captivated by Siwoo’s attitude toward the child: a gentle smile, arms protectively wrapped around the little one, eyes filled with tender affection. Having majored in early childhood education, she immediately understood.
He was undoubtedly in love with the child. And among people who loved children, bad ones were rare. Moreover, from the very first meeting until now, Siwoo had shown nothing but harmless sincerity.
“He’s wealthy and famous, yet his manners are impeccable.”
Siwoo seemed like a truly good man. Gaeul’s gaze toward him shifted. No, it completely changed.
Just then, Siwoo carried the child toward the neighbor’s house. He handed the toddler to the rushing parents and returned.
“Please set it here. Thank you for your hard work, Siwoo,” Yena said with a pretty smile, linking her arm through his.
“Yes, Yena.”
Siwoo was startled, glancing at Gaeul. Yet her face showed no anger. The sharp gaze remained, but she no longer growled like a threatened cat.
“What did I do right?”
Siwoo wondered, and Gaeul spoke. “Sit at the table.”
“Ah, yes.”
Siwoo nodded and followed her to the table with Yena.
Dishes were arranged precisely on schedule. The moment they sat down, the food appeared line by line.
“She learned cooking from her sister,” Siwoo thought.
He was about to rise to help when she stopped him. “Please sit.”
Despite his protests, he returned to his seat. Every time a dish was placed, Siwoo offered an awkward smile. Yena smiled back reassuringly. Once all the food was on the table, Gaeul brought in a chair and sat down.
A brief silence followed.
Siwoo spoke first. “Please start, sister-in-law.”
“My brother-in-law is older than me. Please eat comfortably, brother-in-law. Oh, try the meat first.”
Siwoo gave an awkward smile at the sudden change in her demeanor.
“What happened to her?”