Unhealthy older brother’s friend

The large private room on the second floor of a seafood restaurant, far from the city’s tall buildings, was filled with members of Overseas Business Division Teams 1, 2, and 3. Since their division had recently come under the direct supervision of the CEO, the three team leaders had worked together to organize a welcome dinner for him.

Choosing the perfect restaurant had been their top priority, even at the expense of their work, but they were satisfied with their choice. The food had been served, and the tables were filled with appetizers, side dishes, and fresh seasonal sashimi.

“When is the CEO coming?”

“He said he’d come after his meeting, so he should be here soon.”

Hearing this made Seohye’s heart feel uneasy. She wasn’t sure how to face him.

Just act normal.

But what was “normal”?

The reason for her confusion was the CEO’s recent behavior. Over the past few days, he had been ignoring her. She had run into him on the way to the restroom and had tried to greet him, but he walked past her without a glance.

At first, she thought he was just busy. But it happened again when she saw him coming out of a meeting room. And again when she went to his department to deliver documents.

Each time their eyes met, he would coldly turn away. The more it happened, the more upset she felt.

Then, she suddenly realized—this all started after that night when she drank cocktails with him and blacked out.

What did I do?

Her hands trembled under the table. The scariest part was that she had no memory of what happened, but he did.

Should I apologize? But for what? I don’t even know what I did wrong.

Since she had to see him at work every day, she knew she had to find a way to fix this situation.

“Eat while it’s warm—it’s really good!”

Lost in thought, she suddenly noticed a piece of sweet potato tempura placed on her plate.

“Mmm. It’s delicious.”

She took a bite, but her mind was still preoccupied with how to deal with him.

“CEO is here! Everyone, stand up.”

At the team leader’s words, everyone quickly got up from their seats. A moment later, Jaegyeom entered the room.

“Sorry I’m late. Please, continue eating.”

“No worries at all. We just got started. This way, sir.”

The team leader practically ran to greet him, leading him to his seat.

As he walked closer, Seohye’s heart pounded. He naturally took the seat between her and the team leader.

When he unbuttoned his jacket and sat down, his shoulder briefly brushed against hers. The unexpected touch made her flinch.

Why am I reacting like this? It was just a small touch.

She rubbed her arm and shook her head.

The dinner was in full swing, with team leaders crowding around the CEO and pouring drinks for him. He drank quite a bit, and Seohye could see the number of empty bottles increasing.

She looked up without thinking—and her eyes landed on Jaegyeom.

He looked slightly tipsy.

At work, he was always cold, sharp, and strict—never allowing a single mistake. But now, he seemed relaxed, even a little drowsy. His voice was softer, making it feel like he was a different person.

While everyone was drinking, Seohye sipped quietly, feeling the pressure of the team leader’s watchful eyes.

Just as she was about to eat a piece of shrimp tempura, she froze.

She felt something unfamiliar on her hand.

She glanced down and saw his fingertips lightly touching the back of her hand.

It seemed accidental—he had leaned back, resting his hand on the floor, and their hands had overlapped.

She tried to ignore it.

But the warmth of his touch sent a strange sensation through her fingers.

She debated whether to move her hand, but she didn’t want to make it awkward. He seemed unaware of the situation, probably too tipsy to notice.

“Your face is really red. How much have you had?”

At her colleague’s question, Seohye touched her face. It felt warm.

“I haven’t had that much. Am I really that red?”

“Yeah, at least a bottle. Maybe you’re just not handling alcohol well today. Slow down a bit.”

She smiled, pretending everything was fine, but she couldn’t stop thinking about his touch.

Jaegyeom was still busy talking to the team leaders, unaware of what had happened. Carefully, Seohye pulled her hand away and placed it on her lap.

“CEO, how about a second round? I know a fun place with some pretty girls—”

“You’re quite drunk, team leader. Your wife is waiting at home.”

The dinner finally ended. The drunken team leader tried to flatter the CEO, but he was barely able to stand.

Luckily, other employees helped him into a taxi before he could make more of a scene.

“Eun Seohye, you live in Guro, right?”

Jaegyeom suddenly asked, as if he was confirming something. Seohye blinked in surprise.

“Yes, she does! CEO, are you heading that way?”

Before she could answer, her colleague responded for her. Jaegyeom gave a small nod.

“Let’s go together.”

“That’s great, Seohye! You’ll save on taxi fare.”

As the company car pulled up in front of the restaurant, she hesitated before following him.

Jaegyeom had always been intimidating. Even back in high school, when he was just her older brother’s friend, his good looks and tall figure made people feel pressured. Now, as the company’s CEO, he was even more unapproachable.

But Seohye made up her mind.

This was her chance.

She needed to find out if she had done something wrong that night and apologize properly.

Taking a deep breath, she got into the car and sat next to him in the back seat.

“Head to Guro first,” he instructed the driver.

The car pulled away from the restaurant and onto the city streets.

Although it was late, the area was still packed with office workers finishing their own gatherings.

Jaegyeom rolled down the window, letting in the cool night air. The breeze helped cool Seohye’s slightly flushed face.

He rested his arm on the window frame, his expression looking distant and bored.

How do I start? Should I just apologize right away?

She was deep in thought when her eyelids suddenly grew heavy.

No matter how hard she tried to stay awake, her body refused to cooperate.

Her biggest habit when drunk was falling asleep.

And then—

Thunk.

Her head fell onto Jaegyeom’s shoulder.

His distant gaze darkened in an instant.