Don't Get the Wrong Idea
Don't get the wrong idea—Cheon Bom's car was unmistakably luxurious. The sleek exterior with that winged emblem featuring a fancy 'B' logo... I didn't know much about cars, but it screamed, "Expensive and awesome!" loud and clear.
Sliding into the passenger seat, even the ivory leather felt impossibly smooth against my skin. This wasn't like any seat I'd felt before. Was this really cowhide? "Oh." My admiration only grew from there. They say luxury cars have a smooth ride, and damn if it wasn't true—no bumps or vibrations at all as we cruised down the road. It was a sensation I'd never experienced in my life. No wonder people splurge on these things.
"......."
But the awe lasted only about five minutes after takeoff. Once that wore off, I started getting antsy about Cheon Bom. "Why isn't this woman saying anything?" She'd suggested dinner, but hadn't mentioned a destination before shoving me into the car. Now she was just driving in total silence. I tried gauging her mood for something to say, but her furrowed brow practically shouted, "Don't talk to me!" Was I getting kidnapped? The thought crossed my mind.
"A criminal who kidnaps and imprisons people... nah, probably not." Some old American drama popped into my head unbidden—a rich villain snatching folks left and right. "Stupid thoughts." I shook off the delusion with a mental scoff and glanced at her again. Even with that scowl, I couldn't just sit in silence forever. Steeling myself, I ventured some small talk.
"Um... Cheon Bom-ssi?"
"Let's talk after we arrive. It's hard to focus while driving."
"No, I mean... where are we headed?"
She went quiet at my question. Vroom. The car seemed to pick up speed... Nah, had to be my imagination.
"...There's a Japanese restaurant I know well. That's where we're going."
"Ah, got it. You must like Japanese food, then."
"No."
"......."
"......."
What the hell? You can't just drop a one-word answer like that and leave it hanging.
"...Don't get the wrong idea."
"Pardon?"
"Talking over dinner is the most efficient way, so we're eating together. That's all it is. Nothing else. Got it?"
What was this about? I couldn't read her at all. Testing the waters a bit, I tossed out a probe.
"Of course. Did I say something weird?"
"......."
Vroom. Oh yeah, she sped up. No mistaking it this time—the pace definitely picked up.
"She doesn't want to answer that one." Trying to be considerate, I changed the subject.
"What's the place like?"
"It's good. I go there often, so I'm familiar with it, and it's a nice spot for conversation... That's why we're headed there."
Her rambling response suddenly made me understand why the section chief had called her a tough customer.
"We're here."
Peering out the window at her words, I spotted an upscale Japanese restaurant. Clean entrance with no frivolous decorations, just a discreet sign that didn't reveal much to outsiders... It screamed "I'm expensive!"
"Efficient business talk over dinner, right?" Wouldn't most people pick a casual cafe for a quick bite? Guess when you've got money, you go all out.
"Welcome."
A neatly uniformed valet opened the door with a bow. Cheon Bom stepped out like it was routine and headed for the entrance. Money really does make a difference. Shoving aside idle thoughts, I followed her lead.
"That said... this kinda looks like a date, doesn't it?"
The idea hit me as we walked side by side. A man and woman stepping out of a private car for an expensive dinner—plenty of people might assume that. Plus, Cheon Bom, prickly personality aside, was undeniably attractive.
"Last time she wore pants, but today it's a miniskirt..." Her long legs, visible while driving, had an artistic curve to them. Wrapped in black stockings, they looked downright seductive. Glancing behind her as I followed, I caught a peek of that "absolute territory"—and on her, it was sexier than on most.
"How would it feel squeezed between those? Probably..."
"Irasshaimase~!"
The staff's greeting snapped me back to reality as we entered. "Damn it, what the hell am I doing?" Why was I suddenly lusting after her legs? Was I that pent up thinking about the girls tonight? I shook my head to clear it and trailed after her.
"Right this way for a private room for two."
The interior was just as impressive. A staff member greeted us at the entrance and led us straight to a room. Passing the waiting area, I glimpsed the sushi bar beyond, where stern-faced chefs sliced fish and shaped rolls. The dim hallway opened into a tatami-floored room with a traditional Japanese painting on the wall. The table settings were impeccably precise—menu prices were probably terrifying.
"Two sets of the course meal."
"Yes, sir."
Thankfully, Cheon Bom ordered right away, sparing me the menu horror.
"Alright, shall we pick up where we left off?"
Before I could savor the ambiance, she dove straight into business. Silent in the car, but the moment we arrived, no pillow talk—just work.
"Fine, let's just get through the work talk and wrap this up." Giving up on figuring her out, I listened.
"Anyway, continuing from the example. It wasn't that it didn't fit the cute & sexy vibe—it was a more fundamental critique."
"Fundamental meaning...?"
"The core concept itself is flawed. Instead of mixing cute and sexy, centering fully on cute might be better. So..."
What the hell was she talking about?
"Um, Cheon Bom-ssi?"
"Yes?"
"Cute & sexy was a confirmed combo, wasn't it? It was the requirement from the start, and I remember you agreeing to that direction in the last meeting..."
"......."
Cheon Bom went silent again, crossing her arms.
"I'm screwed."
Cheon Bom felt her face burning from the massive blunder she'd just made. Truth be told, her critique in the meeting had been a petty jab born of wanting to scold Lee Sejin. Emotions got the better of her, leaving her speechless when he countered with, "Then what's a better example?" Dinner was just a stall tactic for time.
"What do I say now...? There's nothing!"
But rethinking it, his proposal was solid—perfect for the client's commission. No flaws to pick at, so she'd thought to undermine the premise itself. Yet in her distraction, she'd contradicted her own past stance.
"......."
"......."
Her whole body itched uncomfortably as she crossed her arms and legs, but Lee Sejin's gaze from across the table stung.
She'd only meant to punish this scrub, so why had things gone so sideways?
"...Ahem. So, how do you like the atmosphere here?"
"Uh, yeah, it's... nice."
When words failed, nonsense spilled out. She awkwardly shifted topics, and mercifully, he played along.
"Very classy and cool. First time at a place like this, but you can tell it's top-notch."
"Good. Your first time, then?"
Her tone brightened a touch.
"Make sure to enjoy the food—it's excellent. Even picky girlfriends rave about it..."
"Sounds good. Gotta bring someone next time."
"Oh? You have someone to bring? I figured not."
It slipped out casually, assuming he was too busy.
"Ah, well, yeah—no, I don't. Haha."
He fumbled awkwardly, then turned it back on her.
"Who've you come with, Cheon Bom-ssi?"
"I'm too busy with work to date right now."
"I see. So that review was from exes...?"
"No, just stuff from people around me. I've never brought anyone here..."
She trailed off, then straightened up sharply.
"Don't misunderstand. It's not like I have no dating experience."
"? Oh, right...?"
His odd reaction irked her, and she pressed on.
"I had a boyfriend up until... like a month ago. I dumped him because he didn't sit right."
"Some issue, huh?"
"Yeah... he was interfering with work."
And so Cheon Bom launched into her tales, more passionately than she ever discussed work.
"So anyway, that guy was just so, y'know, incompetent in every way that I dumped him...!"
Listening to her endless ex-boyfriend stories, I thought:
"This woman is a total mystery..."
Dragging me to a fancy spot for "work talk," forgetting the agreed direction the second she opened her mouth, assuming I had no dating life, then bragging about hers.
"I only asked because she got defensive. Shouldn't have."
Tuning out her ex-rants, I scanned her body again.
"......."
Still a knockout. Not as overtly sexy as The Queens, but she could debut as a cool-type idol easy. Her long, slender fingers were pretty too. Stroking a mic stand with those? Fans would lose their minds.
"And... how would those hands feel on me?"
Slim and sexy hands. Fragile-looking, like they'd shatter if gripped hard. Holding them tight while doing anything would feel amazing. If those grabbed me...
"Excuse us. Your meal is ready."
Clatter.
The server entered with the food, yanking me back. "Shit, what the fuck?" Same as when we arrived—why these thoughts now?
"Am I seriously that horny?"
She composed herself gazing at the dishes. Knowing her shitty personality, she still looked oddly cute. No, her sharp features and attitude meshed perfectly into icy beauty vibes—
Damn, fantasies again.
"Lee Sejin-ssi? You okay?"
"Huh? Yeah?"
"You zoned out. You were listening, right?"
Busted daydreaming. No way to admit it, so I bullshitted.
"Of course. Impressed by your dating history—makes sense you'd nail the sexy concept."
"Is that how it looked?"
"Yep."
Unsatisfied, she narrowed her eyes at me. Totally caught. As I scrambled for a response, the server chimed in.
"Anything else you need?"
"Perfect timing. What's today's sake recommendation?"
"Sake? For the course, I'd suggest Imanishi Junmai..."
"Sounds good. We'll take that."
"Yes, sir."
She even added pricey sake. "Drinks too? What the hell is with this woman...?" It was supposed to be work talk.
Meanwhile, back at Da'o Entertainment, messages flooded Shin Soye's phone.