Power & Sex, and.... 39
Ara was quietly working at her desk when I approached. One of her coworkers spotted me first and greeted me warmly.
"Ah! Congressman, welcome!"
"Hubby!"
Ara, who had been deep in her tasks, looked up at the sound, saw me, and came bounding out with a shout.
"Shh! This is a library."
The people in the reading room turned to stare, startled by her voice, but Ara seemed oblivious to it all—her eyes and ears tuned only to me. She rushed from the work area, threw herself into my arms, and planted a kiss on my lips.
"Ara, we're in the library!"
I whispered urgently, but she ignored me completely, cooing, "Hubby, my husband is so handsome~" as she peppered my lips and cheeks with loud smacking kisses.
I bowed apologetically to everyone in the reading room, took Ara's hand, and tried to pull her out. Glancing back, she bragged to her coworker, "See? My hubby came to visit me," sticking out her tongue playfully.
"Ara, come on. This is a library."
I reminded her once more, and with no choice left, I bowed again to the room. "Sorry, everyone, for the disturbance."
"Our Congressman Park is a true romanticist. Let's give a round of applause for him and his lovely wife."
One person stood and started clapping, and soon the entire room rose from their books, erupting in thunderous applause. I had no option but to bow to each one individually before hurriedly escaping the reading room. Even as we slipped out the door, the clapping echoed behind us.
"Hey, what if you get kicked out of the library like this?"
"Pfft~ I'm basically on my way out anyway."
"Why?"
"Didn't you see that article by Reporter Seo—er, my grandson?"
"No, I haven't had time to check the papers yet."
"Because of that grandson of mine, every single person coming into the reading room today has been sneaking glances, or straight-up teasing me with 'You must be so happy.' I was dying of embarrassment all day."
"What the hell did it even say?"
"You'll see for yourself later, hubby. If I get fired from the library, I'm going straight to Reporter Seo to demand he finds me a new job."
Pouting with feigned anger, Ara's face was nevertheless beaming with delight at the article.
"But hubby, how'd you get such a sweet idea to come all the way to the library?"
"I didn't even see your face this morning."
"Pfft~ You said the same thing last time."
"……."
"Still, my husband is so handsome."
When I didn't reply, Ara wrapped her arms around me again, her face lighting up as she showered me with more kisses. No one around or not, how could she be so bold at her own workplace?
"Now you're gonna be embarrassed, though. You made such a scene in front of all those people."
"Pfft~ So what? It's not like I'm cheating. Who's gonna pick a fight over me kissing my own husband?"
"Aigoo, alright, ma'am."
"Hey, hubby, you got some time?"
"Yeah, haven't bought my train ticket yet. Why?"
"The director seems like he wants to see you for a bit."
"The director?"
"Yeah."
"Sure, let's do it. I owe him a proper thank-you for helping during the election anyway."
"Wait here a sec."
She dashed back into the reading room with quick steps, then returned to hook her arm through mine.
"Hey, this is your workplace."
"Pfft~ Why's a grown man so shy? Come on, let's go to the director's office. He's waiting."
The library director was standing at his office door when we arrived.
"Congressman, come in."
"How have you been? I'm sorry I couldn't stop by to thank you after the election."
We exchanged polite greetings, sipped tea, and chatted about everyday trifles. It wasn't a business visit, nor were we close personally, so there wasn't much substance to discuss.
"Congressman."
"Yes, Director?"
"What are your thoughts on adjusting Mrs. Seo's duties?"
"That's not something I should get involved in. But why do you ask?"
"With all the attention on Mrs. Seo these days, it must be uncomfortable for her."
"You should handle it according to HR principles. If an outsider like me interferes, it could lead to misunderstandings."
"Understood. I'll discuss it with Mrs. Seo."
I could guess why the director wanted to see me: handle it yourself, but make a show of asking my opinion. If the media buzz was truly disrupting her work, he could've reassigned her quietly without dragging me into it. Feeling a twinge of unease at the lack of straightforwardness, I left his office, said goodbye to Ara in the parking lot, and headed to Busan Station.
The Members' Office Building was buzzing with energy even after hours. Seeing my staff working so hard made me feel guilty for arriving two days later than planned due to unrelated drama, but I smiled, greeted them, and headed to my room.
"How was your trip?"
"Fine. Have you had dinner?"
"But we still have no leads on that Busan incident."
"I asked Officer Heo, but he had nothing either. That's why we volunteered the press conference, but it feels off."
"Don't worry too much. Even if someone makes an issue of it, the conference made clear it unfolded independently of your intentions, so it shouldn't be a major hurdle. That evening article, though—it's a huge hit."
"Evening article?"
"Didn't you see the morning news?"
"No, I was running around all day and passed out on the train."
"Reactions to your wife are exploding. They've branded you the 'Romanticist of Our Era.'"
"Romanticist? What romanticist?"
"Exactly. Are all the real romantics dead, leaving a guy like you?"
As I entered my office, Chief Aide Kim followed right in, briefing me on the youth group incident and the articles from the press dinner afterward. Moments later, Jeong-ah—who had come up to Seoul early with Eun-mi—brought in the newspaper. Splashed across the front page was a massive photo of Ara and me kissing at the restaurant, topped with the headline "Romanticist of Our Era, Congressman Park Maru".
Reporter Seo Dong-beom had gone all out, writing less like political news and more like entertainment gossip. Starting from when Ara and I first met, he detailed our love story point by point, concluding that the night's incident was just a lovers' mishap from our still-fresh marriage burning too hot.
After skimming the article, Jeong-ah showed me the online version's comments, explaining how my name had topped real-time search trends all morning—this piece was a smash hit. Not just Ajung Ilbo's Seo Dong-beom; most reporters from the dinner had covered the press conference and the afterparty antics from their angles, tying it back to the conference at the end. But Seo's detailed touch would cement a soft, human image with the public. I made a mental note to treat that guy to a lavish meal next time I was in Busan.
For now, we decided to close the book on that evening's incident. No point chasing shadows, no real damage done, and escape routes plotted for any future twists. No need to stress.
Once briefed on office happenings during my absence, Kim and Jeong-ah moved to leave. I held Kim back for a private word before we discussed it outside.
"Chief Aide, we need to terminate Choi Secretary's employment."
"Suddenly? What happened with Choi?"
"It's not an issue with him—Gu Hyunji is the only one who can run the fan cafe, but if it leaks she's from our office, it'll undermine our authenticity."
"What about her afterward?"
"She'll keep her current duties but transfer to Daesan Group's PR department."
"Daesan agreed?"
"Yes."
"Then as long as she consents, no problem."
"Got it. Could you call her in?"
Kim left, and Jeong-ah entered.
"I told Chief Aide. You okay with it?"
"Why wouldn't I be? Working here or there, it's all for you, oppa."
"Then Daesan Group—with your sister-in-law?"
"Yeah, decided to work with her. Makes it easier for me to move around."
"Sure. She's opening an office in Yeouido anyway."
In the end, Jeong-ah stepped down from her secretarial role to work at Eun-mi's office.