Try to Tempt Me - Episode 2

“I have a girlfriend.”

A moment of silence followed Do-hyun’s unexpected confession.

The temperature of the auditorium, which had been as warm as blooming cherry blossoms, instantly plummeted below freezing.

“Huh.”

Yu-bom, belatedly understanding Do-hyun’s words, let out a hollow laugh. What was ‘I have a girlfriend’ doing in a congratulatory speech? It was truly absurd.

Yu-bom shook her head and lowered the camera. And the moment she raised her head, her eyes met Do-hyun’s in mid-air.

…Huh?

Do-hyun on the platform was looking straight down at her.

He was even smiling broadly, as if his facial muscles were malfunctioning. And so beautifully!

‘What’s wrong with him? Did he eat something weird?’

Yu-bom blinked. It was strange that the man who had been annoyed with her just a moment ago was suddenly fluttering like a spring breeze.

It was like the calm before the storm. She felt like a bomb was about to drop.

“Well then. I look forward to working with you all.”

Even after his final greeting, Do-hyun didn’t take his eyes off her. He kept Yu-bom in his gaze.

As if Yu-bom was the only one in the vast auditorium, as if he could only see Yu-bom.

Just as she was getting used to that gaze, Do-hyun gave a faint smile and quickly turned his back as if nothing had happened.

Attention was focused on Do-hyun’s slowly moving back.

Yu-bom’s gaze was no exception.

Yu-bom’s eyes followed Do-hyun. And she spotted the slight upturn of his lips.

Oh dear.

Only then did Yu-bom realize that she had been caught in Do-hyun’s scheme.

From the words that he had a girlfriend to the heart-fluttering eye contact, it was all his meticulous plan.

A plan to give the impression that the girlfriend Do-hyun mentioned was Yu-bom.

Sure enough, as soon as Do-hyun’s back completely disappeared, all the eyes that had been on him turned to Yu-bom.

Dozens of eyes poured out question marks. They stung her, demanding her answer.

“Excuse me.”

A woman sitting next to Yu-bom tapped her on the shoulder.

“Yes?”

Yu-bom turned her head to see the woman’s face. It was a somewhat familiar face.

“Are you perhaps the CEO’s girlfriend?”

Yu-bom found the term ‘you’ very offensive. She also didn’t like the way she was asking so bluntly and rudely at their first meeting.

“Why would you think that?”

Yu-bom subtly cut her off.

“Just now, the CEO was looking at you when he said he had a girlfriend.”

As the woman’s voice rose, the scattered gazes began to gather again.

“…”

“And I saw you with the CEO in the hallway too.”

Yu-bom was slightly taken aback. No wonder her face looked familiar. She must have been one of the women who kept saying Do-hyun was handsome.

“Um…”

Yu-bom hesitated for a moment before answering.

But there was no time to waste thinking. In a short time, one more pair of eyes was added to those staring at her.

“No. We’re not dating.”

Yu-bom quickly drew a line. Otherwise, a ridiculous rumor that she was dating Do-hyun would spread.

“Then what’s your relationship?”

The woman asked persistently.

Yu-bom suddenly felt annoyed by the situation.

She didn’t like the woman who was throwing questions at her like an interrogation, and she liked Do-hyun even less for creating this situation.

“Kim Ji-yeon.”

Yu-bom opened her eyes sharply. She clearly called out the woman’s name written on her name tag.

“Yes? Yes.”

Ji-yeon was startled. She slyly turned her name tag upside down.

“You seem to be very rude to me, considering this is our first meeting.”

“…”

Yu-bom glanced around. Pretending not to, everyone was focused on her and Ji-yeon’s conversation.

She didn’t particularly want to tell this impudent woman, but since there were many ears listening, Yu-bom replied briefly.

“I’m not his girlfriend, I’m his secretary.”

Dozens of expressions crossed Ji-yeon’s face at Yu-bom’s answer.

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

Ji-yeon apologized in a small voice that was barely audible.

“It’s okay.”

Yu-bom finished the situation with a fake smile. There was no need to ruin her relationship with a new employee.

She picked up her camera. Getting up from her seat, she casually added.

“Oh. By the way, the CEO doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

It was a petty revenge for Do-hyun, who had pushed her into a difficult situation without consulting her.

A slow smile spread across the faces of the female new employees at her words. Of course, just because Do-hyun didn’t have a girlfriend didn’t mean he would become their boyfriend.

“Then I’ll see you again.”

Her expression as she turned around with a smile was cold.

Watching Yu-bom’s haughty back, Ji-yeon muttered.

“It was definitely the look of someone in love…”

–

“CEO, why did you say you had a girlfriend there?”

Yu-bom asked, placing her hands on her hips as if to scold him.

“It’s to block all possibilities in advance.”

Do-hyun was a man who received confessions on a daily basis thanks to his striking appearance.

But even good words were only good once or twice. Hearing the same repertoire of confessions every time, especially from company employees, was no easy task.

Besides, if he refused, they would turn around in tears and stab him in the back.

It was better for both of them to block the possibility from the start.

“Okay. Blocking possibilities is good! But why did you look at me when you said you had a girlfriend!”

“Because you’re the only person I know there, Secretary Lee.”

Do-hyun replied nonchalantly.

“You didn’t look at me even once during the congratulatory speech.”

Yu-bom pointed out sharply.

“…”

Do-hyun was silent for a moment. He slowly opened his eyes, which had been closed. He straightened his back, which had been leaning lazily on the sofa.

“So, you came here to argue about that?”

He avoided answering and asked.

“Yes. Are you going to take responsibility if another strange rumor spreads?”

“If you want.”

“Pardon?”

“I said I’ll take responsibility if you want.”

Do-hyun’s eyes darkened.

An average woman would have fallen for his eyes, as black as the night sea, but Yu-bom was not.

“Responsibility for what! Why would you take responsibility for me?”

Yu-bom snorted. His charm didn’t work on her.

Do-hyun clicked his tongue as if he was disappointed. Soon, he continued in a gentle voice as if to appease her.

“It’s easier for Secretary Lee if there’s a rumor that I have a girlfriend. There will be fewer annoying things to deal with.”

If there was a rumor that Do-hyun had a girlfriend, the confessions to him would naturally decrease. And Yu-bom would have less to clean up.

“…Well, that’s true.”

Yu-bom, who had finished calculating in her head, quickly lowered her tail. It wasn’t a losing game for her either. No, it was actually a profitable one.

“So go and spread the rumor. Not just a girlfriend, but a girlfriend you’ve been dating for a long time. No. Just say we’re getting married soon.”

“Hmm…”

Yu-bom rolled her eyes. Because she suddenly remembered what she had said.

“By the way, the CEO doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

She wanted to shut the mouth of her past self who had said that. She hated herself for spitting out those words out of petty revenge.

“You don’t want to?”

“No. It’s not that I don’t want to…”

I already said that the CEO doesn’t have a girlfriend.

“Then go quickly. You have to stay overnight anyway, so you can spread the word at the after-party.”

“Stay overnight?”

Yu-bom’s voice rose half a tone.

“The roads are frozen, so you can’t go.”

While Do-hyun was giving his congratulatory speech, the snow that had been falling in small pieces grew larger. Eventually, it even rained, making the floor slippery.

“That’s ridiculous! Today is Friday!”

Yu-bom parted the curtains with a desperate expression. Sleet was scattering.

“Go if you can.”

“…”

The floor, which had already begun to freeze, was shiny. If she drove on that road, she would end up in the hospital at the very least.

Yu-bom wanted to collapse right away.

To have to spend a golden Friday night with her boss. Could there be anything more hopeless than this?

“Here’s the key. The room is next to mine.”

Do-hyun held out a card key.

“But why are there two?”

“One is for my room.”

“I mean. Why are you giving me the key to your room?”

“You might have to come over.”

Do-hyun said casually.

“Oh my. CEO. What would a grown woman have to do in a strange man’s room?”

Yu-bom covered her mouth and opened her eyes innocently.

“…Give it back.”

Do-hyun’s face hardened and he snatched the key away.

“You don’t have to be so serious over a little joke. Give it back.”

Yu-bom held out her hand, but Do-hyun shook his head.

“No.”

“I’m sorry for joking. Okay? So please give me the key quickly.”

“Why are you so obsessed? What are you going to do in my room?”

“No, I’m not saying I’m going to your room. It’s just that it would be convenient to have the key since I’ll have to go if you call me anyway.”

Yu-bom answered gently.

“I feel like I’m entrusting a fish to a cat.”

“What did you say?”

Just as Yu-bom was about to argue further,

“Here. I’ll call you if I need you, so go out now. I’m tired and need to rest.”

Do-hyun put the key back in her hand and pushed her out.

“…What did he do to be tired?”

Yu-bom muttered as if for him to hear.

“What?”

Do-hyun’s brow furrowed.

“No. I said you must be tired, so get some rest. Then I’ll be going.”

Before Do-hyun could add anything, Yu-bom rushed out of the room. And then she went straight into room 302, which was next to Do-hyun’s.

Room 302.

Somehow, she liked the number.

“Oh…”

And she liked the interior even more.

The white snow reflected off the window, making the room look bright.

The neatly hung cream-colored curtains looked very expensive, and the vanity, bed, and small tea table also looked like they were of high quality.

Yu-bom walked straight to the bed, passing the indoor slippers in front of her. When she stretched out on it, the resilient mattress lightly supported her body.

Even the bed was better than the one she had at home.

“If I had a house like this, I would bow down and thank you every day.”

Yu-bom’s ultimate goal was to ‘own her own house’.

Some might laugh, but it was a grand goal she had dreamed of since she was a child.

Growing up in a difficult environment, she moved houses once or twice a year. The hasty moves in her young mind left a scar.

And even after more than a decade, it remained faintly.

I must buy a house in my name!

It had already been several years since she had made that resolution, but she still hadn’t paid off all her debts, let alone bought a house.

“I have to work hard to pay off my debts!”

Yu-bom jumped up from the bed. She was about to go and carry out the mission Do-hyun had given her.

“First, I need to change my clothes…”

Yu-bom’s steps stopped as she looked for her bag.

Because she hadn’t brought any clothes to change into since she was planning to return to Seoul tonight.

Yu-bom had no choice but to go down to the first floor, where the new employees’ after-party was taking place, in her uncomfortable suit.

The new employees, gathered in groups of three or five, were preparing for the after-party in earnest.

Yu-bom looked around the interior. The only face she knew was Jin-hyuk, who didn’t have a good relationship with her. But she wouldn’t know anyone anyway.

“Hello.”

Yu-bom slipped towards Jin-hyuk. She didn’t particularly welcome him, but she felt like she had to say hello.

“Yes. But what brings you here?”

Jin-hyuk replied coldly.

“Ah… I thought I’d participate in the after-party for the first time in a while. Haha.”

Was he still angry?

Yu-bom let out an awkward laugh and grabbed two bottles of soju. Then she slyly stuck her butt on the table next to her.

“Hello.”

Yu-bom used her unique sociability to stick to the aloof new employees like glue.

She released small tips for work life, such as how to avoid nagging from superiors and how to leave work on time.

At the same time, she was constantly looking for an opportunity to spread rumors.

As the atmosphere rose, Yu-bom, who had been watching for an opportunity, opened her mouth to get to the point.

“And our CEO…”

“Oh? It’s Secretary Lee!”

At that time, a woman with short hair waved her hand and approached Yu-bom. She smiled brightly and greeted Yu-bom.

“Hello. I see you again.”

Yu-bom smiled and greeted her. She also made eye contact with Ji-yeon, who followed.

“But where’s the CEO?”

The short-haired woman sat in the empty seat and sparkled her eyes.

She was overly welcoming to Yu-bom, but her purpose was not Yu-bom, but Do-hyun.

“The CEO is tired and resting.”

“Ah…”

She revealed her disappointment without hiding it.

Meanwhile, Yu-bom, who had missed her timing, felt a rapid sense of fatigue at the lengthening drinking party, which had lost its purpose.

She wondered what else to say, and eventually prescribed a drastic remedy.

“The CEO has a girlfriend he’s going to marry.”

She boldly omitted the introduction and got to the point.

“What? You said he didn’t have one earlier!”

Ji-yeon, who had been quiet, strongly protested.

“Well, it would be stranger if he didn’t have one with that wealth and that appearance.”

On the other hand, the short-haired woman nodded as if she agreed.

“I just found out a little while ago too. I was surprised when he talked about his girlfriend during the congratulatory speech.”

Yu-bom acted nonchalantly.

“So, you kept it a secret from the secretary too?”

The short-haired woman asked with wide eyes.

“Yes. I was completely fooled too.”

“That’s too bad.”

Ji-yeon muttered from the side.

“Hey. What’s too bad? Do you think he’d date you if he didn’t have one?”

The short-haired woman chuckled.

“If he has a girlfriend, you can’t even try to poke him.”

“Would he even fall for it if you poked him?”

“Hey!”

Ji-yeon glared at the woman once and then asked Yu-bom.

“But what’s the CEO actually like?”

Even though he had a girlfriend, Ji-yeon couldn’t let go of her feelings for Do-hyun.

“He’s not good.”

Yu-bom answered firmly without hesitation.

As she drank a little alcohol, the words in her heart came out smoothly. It was 100% sincere.

“Where are you going? How can a man who looks so perfect not be good?”

“First of all, his personality is not good. No, it’s not that he’s not good, it’s that he’s very bad.”

In fact, the word bad was too much.

“What if a handsome man has a good personality too? I can understand it.”

“I don’t think you can understand it…”

Yu-bom shook her head. This pitiful child seemed to have completely fallen for Do-hyun’s appearance.

“But. Do you have a boyfriend, Secretary Lee?”

Ji-yeon asked casually.

Yu-bom, who was drunk, didn’t notice her dark intentions at all.

“No. I don’t.”

Yu-bom answered obediently. Then a smile bloomed on Ji-yeon’s face.

“Wow. Why don’t you have one when you’re so pretty?”

Yu-bom was immediately pleased with Ji-yeon’s compliment.

“Oh my. Ji-yeon is prettier.”

Yu-bom had already completely forgotten about her first meeting with Ji-yeon, and she exchanged drinks with her affectionately.

.

.

.

Two hours later.

“Ugh. I’m dizzy.”

Yu-bom’s vision was shaking because she had accepted all the drinks she was given. Her head was dizzy and the floor felt soft.

Staggering.

Yu-bom, who had escaped from the drinking party and was walking dizzily, slowly climbed the stairs to the accommodation. One, one, and another. She held onto the railing tightly and carefully stepped.

After finishing the acrobatic and precarious climb up the stairs, Yu-bom finally reached the third floor.

“Um. Where’s the key?”

Yu-bom rummaged through her pockets. At the same time, the things inside fell to the floor in a heap.

“Annoying…”

She squatted down on the floor and picked them up one by one.

She put the rest of the things in her pocket and held the card key tightly in her hand like a treasure.

She went to the door and swiped the card.

But the door didn’t open. Instead, she heard a clanging sound.

“Oh! This is the CEO’s room.”

She almost made a mistake.

Yu-bom dragged her feet. And she put the card key on her door.

Beep. The door opened with a simple sound.

Yu-bom took off her shoes and went straight inside without turning on the lights.

Thud. She laid her alcohol-soaked body on the bed.

“…Huh?”

But something was wrong. The feeling was so different from the bed she had laid on before going to the after-party.

The mattress, which should have been flat, was very curved.

Is it because of the alcohol? Am I drunk?

Yu-bom opened her eyes wide. Because it was dark, she couldn’t see anything.

She groped the floor to get up. But something hard touched her palm under the blanket.

“Huh?”

Yu-bom tilted her head and moved her hand. No matter how much she touched it, it felt strange. It felt like a person’s body.

Wait, a body?

Yu-bom’s eyes widened as much as they could. At the same time, she heard someone’s voice from below.

“…This is troublesome.”

It was Do-hyun.