"Cat got your tongue, huh?" Jiang's expression was furious as he glared at Ryu Gil, waiting for him to confess. His anger wasn't subsiding.
"S-sir! I-I…j-just…wanted t-to make s-sure if y-you're sleeping…" Ryu Gil's voice was trembling because of the fear of getting caught.
"And?" Jiang's hand remained firmly on the wall, blocking any chance for Ryu Gil to escape.
"Huh?" Ryu Gil glanced at Jiang, mustering the courage to look him in the eye. As soon as he took a glance, he averted his gaze when he saw the storm brewing in his boss's eyes.
"What were you going to do if I was asleep?" Jiang pressed, his mind racing to the worst-case scenario. He trusted this secretary of his, admired his passion and liked him for his naivety. The thought of betrayal left Jiang both shocked and afraid.
"N-nothing! R-really!" Ryu Gil stared at the floor, trying to avoid Jiang's piercing gaze.
"Oh? You're asking me to believe that?" Jiang scoffed, his trust was faltering. The idea that Gil might have some ulterior motives gnawed at him.
"Then, let me guess! You were checking if I was asleep so you could steal files from my computer. Isn't that right, Mr. Secretary?" Jiang smirked, though it was heartbreaking for him. He hadn't expected Ryu Gil to be the mole.
"What?" Ryu Gil's head snapped up, finally looked at him. He was relieved that his boss didn't get his true intention. But hearing those words from Jiang left him totally stunned.
"Why're you acting so surprised? Tell me honestly, are you the spy?" Jiang stepped back, sensing that Ryu Gil wouldn't run.
"No! I'm not! Why'd you say so? I…was really checking if you…you were sleeping or not, but I never had those kinds of intentions! I like you! I-I mean, I like this company more than any other employee! I would never betray you! I mean this company!" Ryu Gil suddenly acted hyped up as he wanted to convince Jiang that he wasn't any traitor.
"Really?" Jiang looked at him suspiciously. Ryu Gil had a habit of blinking his eyes while lying. Yet, here he was, looking at him with wide, unwavering eyes. Jiang sighed internally. Maybe Gil was telling the truth after all. And this was the reason he felt guilty for shouting at him without listening to him before.
"Then?" Jiang scratched his forehead, awkwardly trying to smile but failed.
"I…knocked, but you didn't respond. So…" he looked at the floor again, feeling guilty of his actions.
"Oh." Jiang glanced away, he was getting embarrassed and also didn't know how he should react.
"And…I just…wanted to…wipe your…drool." Ryu Gil was looking downward, so Jiang couldn't catch him blinking his eyes.
"Huh? D-drool? I was drooling?" Now that Jiang heard something very embarrassing about himself, he blushed out of abashment. He was also very shocked as nobody told him about it before. Moreover, of all the people, he needed to hear it from his secretary, who caught him dozing off although he doesn't even remember whether he really fell asleep.
Ryu Gil nodded vigorously, his eyes squeezed shut as if he was confirming the truth. Jiang stood still, feeling like he had just turned to stone.
"You may leave! But, my eyes will be on you," Jiang said stiffly, trying to regain some control. When the truth is, he was too embarrassed to deal with the situation further.
"Y-yes, sir!" Ryu Gil rushed outside, he dared not to look back as all he wanted was to escape from there right then.
Meanwhile, Jiang remained rooted at his place, completely flabbergasted as he couldn't still believe the fact his secretary just told him. Did I really drool? He was still confused and embarrassed.
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When Jiang got home, he noticed his mother was waiting for him in the living room, watching TV.
"Oh, you're back! Come here! I have news for you!" She waved him over excitedly, patting the spot on the couch beside her.
Jiang walked over without a word. He was curious as it was late and she was supposed to sleep at that time.
"What?" Jiang stood right in front of his mother, blocking the view of the screen.
"Sit down first!" She grabbed his hand, urging him to sit beside her, her face lit up with excitement.
Jiang sat down obediently and stared at his mother with questioning eyes.
"Ma Ri's mother called! She was asking what we think about her daughter. She also told me they'll come over this weekend if everything is alright with us. What do you say? Are you free this weekend? Even if you're not, clear your schedule, okay?" His mother was speaking so fast, it was like she'd been holding her breath for hours.
"Why would they come?" Jiang was caught off guard.
"Of course because I wanted to see her! I only saw her in the picture and I wanna see her in real life too! Moreover, their parents need to see where they're sending their daughter, no?" Mrs. Ahn looked at him, grinning as if she was the happiest person in the world, at least at that time.
"Do whatever you want. Why involve me? I'm going to check out a property for business this weekend." Jiang sighed. Did he just dug his own grave by agreeing with Ma Ri's idea?
"Omo! What are you saying?!" His mother gasped.
"They also want to meet you, too, you fool! You two need to spend time together! If you're not here, who'll show her around? Don't you guys have a lot to discuss? I bet you have! In my days, I was so shy that I couldn't even talk with your dad for a year!" Mrs. Ahn's voice grew louder with each sentence.
"But…" Jiang's voice cut through because of his mom.
"No buts! Can't you reschedule your business visit? Please?" She pouted, a tactic she knew always worked on either Jiang or his father.
"F…" Jiang tried to curse beneath his breath. But her mother's sparkling eyes made him stop. He sighed again.
"Fine! I'm tired! Can I go upstairs now? You should go to sleep as well! Did you take your medication?" Jiang stood up, guessing her mother was only awake just to share the news.
"Yes, your majesty. I'll go to bed once the movie's over." She chuckled, amused by her son's reaction, thinking he must've been shy. Jiang started walking towards the stairs, but stopped in the middle.
"Oh, mom!" He just remembered he had something to ask his mother.
"Hmm?" She answered absentmindedly while focusing on the TV.
"Do you know if I…drool while sleeping?" He asked as it was bothering him since he heard it from Ryu Gil.
"Huh? How would I know?" She responded inattentively. Then she gasped, turning toward him with wide eyes as she just reckoned something.
"Wait! Did someone tell you that?" Her voice was a mix of shock and curiosity. Jiang was stepping on the stairs. He paused and turned back.
"Hm." He nodded slowly, his face was serious.
Hearing him, her eyes as well as mouth got even wider.
"Who? Did you... sleep with...?" she wanted to make sure if her son was doing something vile in their ignorance.
"Mom!" Jiang's face flushed bright red. He knew exactly what she was implying.
"Then who told you?" She tried to act casual but was clearly curious.
"F**k! Forget I asked." Jiang was truly embarrassed and annoyed. He stormed up to his room. His mother shrugged and went back to her movie, still chuckling to herself.
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[The next morning]
Jiang just turned on the computer and looked through the papers Ryu Gil brought to him the previous evening. He didn't notice him while coming to his office and felt relieved. It'd be awkward if he saw him since he couldn't forget about the matter. He was still embarrassed and after attempting many times, he could finally divert his mind into his work.
At that time, he heard a knocking sound on his door. He sat properly, thinking it could be Ryu Gil, since he comes to his office first thing in the morning. He stayed quiet as he didn't know if he could really encounter him now.
He heard the knock again, this time a female voice. He was relieved and replied, "Come in!"
As he got some emails and the notifications just popped up on the computer screen, rather than looking at the person, he focused on his computer. It wasn't until he sensed the silence that he glanced up.
He was astonished by seeing the person as he didn't expect it.
"Why are you here?" He asked sharply, seeing Ma Ri standing in front of him. He acted as if she was the most disturbing at that moment.
"Why do you think I'm here?" she shot back, clearly irritated and mad. Jiang blinked confusedly. What did he do? Why is she acting like he turned her life upside down? He couldn't get any answers.