Hyeyoon's POV.

1 month later.

The entire room was silent, there were only sounds from the clock ticking. It was nearly 9 PM, the deadline for the final design was tomorrow at 10 AM. Everyone was working overtime for a few days already, and I had to finish my final render with the layout.

I was almost done.

I was too focused on my 3D animation when suddenly I felt a light touch on my left shoulder. I raised my face to see Kiyong was smiling behind me.

"Almost done?" he sounded lowly. Tried not to disturb anyone.

Stretching my stiff muscle, I nodded at him. He pulled a chair nearby and sat right beside me to check the design on my screen. He scrolled and nodded in satisfaction.

"Looks great," he smiled and got up from his seat. He was about to leave me but then patted his hand on my head and put his hand around my shoulder. A few other employees stole glances toward us and I frowned as Kiyong was never being so obvious showing his affection in public. As we were co-workers, he tried to be so professional every time. Though everyone knew we were a couple.

He caught my disapproval expression and chuckled. He released my shoulder and spoke to the others, "everyone has worked hard today, are you guys finished?"

"Almost done, Sir," Dahyun responded and the other responded with similar reactions. One or two already finished their part and gave me the data. I copied them and told them they could go home.

As Dahyun had also finished her part, she gave me her flash disk with a long sigh.

"What?" I giggled as I took it.

"Finally, it's done," she muttered weakly.

I smiled at her and gave the flash disk back. "Thanks, you can go home, Dahyun,"

"Thank you," she quickly gathered her belongings and stood up. "Are you going to stay here overnight?" she asked as she saw there were only me and Kiyong left at the office.

"We're heading back home too after this," Kiyong answered her for me.

"Ah," Dahyun nodded and she immediately bid her leave. Leaving only the two of us.

I had to check on their work before wrapped everything up. I was relieved as all the work could be done in time. I wished there won't be a lot of revision tomorrow. They had worked really hard on this planning and design though.

I saved all the works and it was all done. Leaned to the backrest, I was startled as I saw Kiyong was still sitting beside me.

"Oh my," I exclaimed and he giggled.

"You're too focused on your work, baby," he then turned my chair around so that I was completely facing him now. He pulled the chair closer and stared at me with his smiling eyes.

Ah, I've been so busy with the deadline and just realized that I had been ignoring him for weeks.

"Finally, know what you've had missed?" he concluded as he saw my facial expression. I couldn't help a smile and nod shyly.

"I'm sorry," I told him and he sighed. He pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back gently. Tried to send a comforting feeling. He knew I had been overworked myself for days. The hectic schedule and the workloads stole all my attention from him.

It had been a month since the last time I saw Rowoon. All the works distracted me from thinking of him. Now, the work had been done and the encounter with him would be inevitable. Their company set the date for the final meeting, and it was tomorrow.

Rowoon hadn't contacted me since the last time we got separated at Incheon International Airport. Kiyong picked me up at the airport, meanwhile, Rowoon left with his company driver.

It was the last time I saw him, and at that time, I wasn't sure about my own feeling. Even now, feels like my mind had become hazy and uncertain. There was like a huge void right in the middle and I had never felt this empty before.

Kiyong pulled out the hug and stared at me with his loving stares. I returned his smile and told him to go home.

"Let's go," I gathered my stuff and shut down the PC. Tomorrow would be more hectic, moreover, I needed to prepare myself for the day.

* * *

The journey from work to my apartment never felt this quiet but I realized that I was the quiet one. Meanwhile, Kiyong tried to start a conversation and I had no idea why my mind couldn't really focus on what he was saying.

"Hyeyoon," he called out and I turned to look at him. He was driving me home and it was already near my apartment. "Are you okay?" he asked and I frowned.

"Yes, I am," I replied hesitantly.

Kiyong seemed to think for a moment before went on, "I thought you were busy with work and deadline thus you seemed so lost recently, is there anything wrong?" he asked again and I couldn't help to feel nervous. I gulped and replied to him slowly.

"Nothing's wrong, Oppa," I lied and silently hoping he won't notice.

"Really?" he made sure and I let out a soft smile in return. Camouflaging the nervousness in my face then he finally nodded.

"I think it's because of the work. It's so stressful," I reasoned to him and he agreed.

He turned the car to my apartment building and went straight to the lobby, not to the basement. "I think so, you've overworked yourself for weeks, babe. Sleep early tonight, I'll see you tomorrow at 8.30 AM, as usual?" he smiled as he pulled over to the drop-off.

"Yes, sure, see you tomorrow," I gave him a peck on his cheek and he pulled my hand suddenly when I was about to open the door.

"It's not enough, baby, I've missed you a lot," he then captured me in a single kiss and I was startled at first but quickly restored. When did the last time we shared a kiss? I think a week ago? I forgot since I had been drowning myself with works, tried to distract myself.

Finally, giving in to the thought. I started to return his kiss slowly and he devoured more to savor the taste of my lips.

Why did he suddenly initiate a hot make-out session? And in front of the lobby?

I tried to catch my breath when he started to grab my hips and pulled me closer.

"Oppa," I called him and he broke the kiss. He saw my tired face and quickly pulled away.

I smiled in return and caressed his strong jawline. "I'm so messy right now, look, dark circle, poor makeup skill, and I can't hide these awful ghost-like eyes from my face," I mumbled randomly and he chuckled upon hearing my reason, he understood that I was tired and he then stroked my messy hair.

"I know," he said gently. "I'm sorry, I missed you a lot," he then let go of me and before I got out of his car, I turned and said again.

"How about I cook your favorite dish after this? Do you have time this weekend?" I offered and there was a wide smile plastered on his handsome face and he nodded excitedly.

"Okay, will anticipate it," he agreed and I finally got out from his car.

I saw him drove slowly from the lobby area and when he had been out of sight, I walked slowly entering the building and went straight to my unit.

* * *

The next day was hectic as I predicted since early morning. I had to prepare the final product before the meeting and thank goodness everything was completed before Kiyong arrived at my apartment. He picked me up and we went straight to the M.IT Company exactly at 8.30 AM, while Dahyun and the rest went separately by another car.

Around 45 minutes later, Kiyong and I arrived first and we immediately proceeded to the meeting room on level 9. I reached the meeting room when I saw Rowoon's secretary already in the room while preparing the tools. She bowed when saw the two of us. I quickly took out my notebook and put it down on the operator's desk.

"Do you need anything else, Ma'am?" the girl asked me and I considered for a moment before answered.

"A pointer, please," I said to her and she immediately went to fetch a pointer for me.

5 minutes later, Dahyun and Gunjoo arrived, and both of them immediately distributed the handouts to each seat in the room.

"Eonni," Dahyun approached and stood next to me just to whisper, "are you okay? You look pale," she told me and I turned to see the concerned look on her face.

"Am I?" did I forget to put my lipstick on? "do you have lip tint?" I quickly roamed my pouch and found a hand mirror. Dahyun handed me his lip tint and I applied it lightly. "Looks better?" I asked the girl again and she didn't seem to satisfy with the result.

"Put lightly on your cheeks, too," she took the tint and helped me put a few dots on both of my cheeks before tapped it with her bare hand. "Done," she nodded and I thanked her.

"What's wrong?" Kiyong who suddenly approached asked with concern in his voice and I smiled at him.

"I didn't put my make-up on properly this morning, Dahyun fixed it for me," I told him and he got closer to me and raised my face with his palm.

"Let me see," he said while examining my face and rubbing his thumb on my left cheek, "You look gorgeous as usual, just a bit tired I think, have you had breakfast?" he asked and I was too busy to eat anything. I shook my head weakly. "Hyeyoon, are you sick?" he noticed something, he cupped my cheek and as if checking my body temperature, he was seen furrowing his forehead. "I think you have a fever," he looked worried. But before I could respond, someone pushed opened the meeting room door and all the attention turned to the intruder.

"Miss Seo, have you seen this paper before? Someone put it on my desk, you should inform me clearly who sent this before—," a loud deep voice interrupted and all of the attendances in the room turned to see the tall man barged in while his eyes fixed on the paper in his hand.

He immediately realized that everyone was here and his eyes found me with Kiyong who still holding my face. It was spontaneous as my body impulsively moved away from Kiyong's touch and stood there awkwardly as if I was being caught off in a scene.

Damn! I cursed. I reacted too much as if our gesture had caused a misconception, but it had nothing to do with him though. I could see Rowoon froze at his spot and Kiyong greeted him in a very thoughtful manner. Meanwhile, I was trying really hard to avoid his sharp gaze at me.

"Good morning, Mr. Kim," Kiyong nodded and Rowoon just responded to him lowly.

He handed the paper to his secretary and slowly sat in his seat. He silently watched all of us preparing the meeting. The meeting was about to start in a few minutes and they were waiting for the General Manager.

I let Kiyong joined Rowoon at the meeting desk as I still preparing the panel for my presentation at the operator desk. I could feel Rowoon's stare still fixed on me but I ignored him. I tried to look as natural as possible. The project finally reached its final and I had to make sure that we didn't have to meet again after this.

The General Manager entered the meeting room a few minutes later and the meeting started. I began my presentation with the latest progress of the design and explained further to the final design. After almost 2 months of hard work, finally, our team could finish the whole design and planning.

While presenting, I took glances a few times to look at the General Manager's reaction about the design and he seemed satisfied. There were still a few corrections by the GM, it was still acceptable. He accepted the design and confidence enough that the HQ in Beijing would accept this as the final design.

"Thank you, Miss Kim Hyeyoon. Your trip to our branches did complete your design," the General Manager praised and I bowed in grateful. "Alright, we can wrap it up. You can work on the minor revision in this room, right? I can wait for the final output till later today, Mr. Kim will be here to help you," the General Manager provided us to use the meeting room to work on the revision. He turned to look at Rowoon and the latter nodded.

"Thank you, Sir," Kiyong bowed as the General Manager got up from his seat. The older man patted on Kiyong's shoulder and left the room with his secretary.

I slumped down to the seat behind the operator's desk and suddenly felt exhausted. My head felt like spinning and my throat dry. I reached the mineral water in front of me and drank half of it. Dahyun approached me and offering to help me with the revision. I thanked the girl and stood from my seat so she could work on my laptop. I was thinking of washing my face before joining Dahyun.

"I need to go to the toilet," I told the girl and Dahyun nodded.

As I walked past the two tall men, both of them stared at me and Rowoon looked somehow concerned. What? Did I look like a sick person or something? I somewhat felt uncomfortable with his stare. But decided to ignore him, I walked bringing my make-up pouch out of the meeting room, and went to the nearest restroom.

Closing the door behind me, I stared at my reflection in the mirror and saw how pale I was. I turned on the faucet and rinsed my face with the cold water. I touched my forehead and felt my body temperature slightly high.

I worked too hard, now I was having a fever. Why now?

I needed to tell Kiyong and asked him to drive me home. I just needed a proper rest, I presumed. I fixed my make-up and wiped my hand with the tissue. I walked out of the restroom and nearly stumbled upon seeing Rowoon was standing tall right in front of the door, leaning his long back to the wall. He was waiting for me, and now was staring at me without saying anything.

I just felt like seeing a ghost and my breath became uneven. I was trying really hard to avoid him since earlier, and now he was slowly walked closer and towering above me.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed at him and he didn't budge to retaliate the sarcasm in my tone.

He ignored my question and reached out his long arm to touch my face and he frowned. "Look how pale you are, Hyeyoon, are you okay?" the sudden concern from the most unexpected person on my list had made my mind and heart out of sync. I knew that I need to avoid this man yet my heart stupidly beating faster as his touch on my skin radiated the warmth of his palm, and it was odd. "You have a fever," he was worried and I could finally gather the strength to push aside his hand from my face.

"I'm fine," I told him as I tried to push him away but my voice even sounded so weak and unconvinced to resist him.

I should've known that the man in front of me was so persistent, he ignored my rejection as he grabbed me by my shoulder and insisted to escorted me somewhere. I tried to let go of his grip.

"Let me go, Rowoon, are you insane?" I used my remaining energy to wriggle off his grip but as if my energy had been drained out of my body, I suddenly became limp and my vision spinning around, and I had no choice but to use his strong figure as support. I had never fainted in my life and I didn't know if this was the sign. But I couldn't stand properly on my own.

"Hyeyoon?" there was another voice and it was Kiyong. I forced my face to turn and look at him when I realized that I was completely clinging onto this man and Kiyong witnessed it all. I sighed desperately. The last moment I remembered was my vision became blurry and I lost my consciousness.

* * *

My eyes fluttered open and the first thing that came to my vision was a white wall and ceiling. the smell of anesthesia was unfamiliar but my brain could work properly and recognized that I was in the hospital.

Still feeling a bit light-headed, I shut my eyes for a moment and turned to the side to see Dahyun, Gunjoo and Kiyong were there. The two stood behind Kiyong who sat on the chair next to my bed. They looked relieved as I gain my consciousness back.

"Ah, Eonni, you finally wake up," she sounded, nearly sobbed.

"What time is it?" I cracked my voice and Kiyong fed me a glass of water. "Thanks," I thanked him and he nodded. Then I suddenly realized that we  supposed to be in the meeting room. I abruptly got up and immediately felt dizzy.

"Stay," Kiyong held me to stay lying down, while Dahyun sat on the edge of the bed. 

"Don't worry about the project, Eonni, we got it done already," Dahyun smiled as if she could read my mind. I stared at the three of them and they showed me the same expression. I could finally let out a sigh of relief. 

"Thank you, Dahyun, and I'm sorry," I told them and both Dahyun and Gunjoo shook their head. They were telling me it was okay.

Kiyong then turned to the two and kindly told they could go home first and said that he would stay with me here. Both Dahyun and Gunjoo nodded and bid their leave.

"Get well soon, Hyeyoon," Gunjoo said and I smiled at them.

I looked around and frowned as I realized that it was a private room. I thought they were in the emergency room but turned out they moved her already.

"Why am I here?" I asked him when Kiyong returned to his seat after he sent the two off.

"You fainted," he sounded. There was something odd with his tone. He never sounded so firm and cold like this. What happened?

I was trying to recall the moment before I lost consciousness, and I remembered that I was with Rowoon. I gulped nervously. Did something bad really happen?

"Oppa," I called out and he responded with a short hum. "What happened?" I asked him and he still didn't want to speak.

"You can go home after finishing your IV drip, are you still feeling dizzy?" he asked me instead.

I shook my head and slowly tried to get up. He helped me leaned my back to the bedrest and positioned the pillow to support my back. He was still muted and I couldn't help to feel that there must be something wrong going on. I suddenly feared of he might already find out everything.

I was planned to tell him everything and be honest with him but my initial plan was after all the project was done. No, I originally planned after the trip but I postponed it and was ready to tell him after the project was done. But seemed like I was too late. He probably already heard it or witnessed it himself.

"Oppa," I started and Kiyong raised his face to look at me with sorrow in his eyes. My heart sank upon seeing the hurt in his eyes. I suddenly felt like a great sinner and had the urge to beg his forgiveness. I started to sob lowly, "I need to tell you something," I sounded.

But before I could finish my sentence, he cut me off, "Let me ask you first, Hyeyoon," his tone was extremely cold and disappointment was clearly visible. I shut my mouth and waited for him to speak first. Kiyong saw me quiet and went on, "did the 10 days trip with Kim Rowoon had changed your heart back to your ex, Hyeyoon? Oh no, not Kim Rowoon, Kim Seok-woo," he corrected himself and finally said the deadly question. My eyes widened upon hearing him mentioning Rowoon's birth name.

He was smiling bitterly and sounded again, "no wonder you seemed different lately, Hyeyoon. Your behavior feels, foreign, in some ways," hurt was the only word that could describe how he sounded right now, and my mind suddenly went blank.

I was still in shock and disbelief. I couldn't utter any words and not only he sensed the change in my behavior lately, but he also knew the fact that Rowoon was my ex-boyfriend. My eyelids flickered as I couldn't hide the anxiety and my nervousness. I had to explain to him everything, but I didn't know where to start.

After a long paused and as I finally regained my sense back, the only words that came out from me was a weak, "how did you know about him?"  

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A/N :

Phew~
Has anyone expected this would come? 
I think no one had guessed that Kiyong in fact know who Rowoon was. 
But decided to stay silent for all this time. 

I admit that I made everything difficult for them, but let me reveal one thing. 

This is based on a true event. I did modify the storylines, plot, setting, and background.
That's why the conflicts seem complicated. It's hard to interpret actual events into a story. LOL

I'm trying, and can't reveal anything for the final chapter. Please anticipate it.

I'll probably add some bonus chapters and spin-off after the epilog. But let's see what can I do with the story later.

P.S: sorry for the mistakes and errors.