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Minseok’s smile falls. He goes completely still.

I frown with worry. “What is it?”

“You said it.”

“Said what?”

Instead of answering, he picks me up again, jumping around so I have to cling to his neck because I’m afraid of him dropping me.

“What is going on?” My voice is bouncing as he continues to whirl me around.

“You called me Oppa.”

I laugh now. “I guess it just slipped out.”

He finally sets me down. “But you mean it, right?”

I pretend to think about it and he pinches my cheek in retaliation. “Yes, I meant it, Oppa.”

He leans in, turning his ear toward me. “What? I don’t think I heard.”

“Oppa,” I say with a laugh. “Oppa, Oppa, Oppa.”

He grins so wide, his dimples crease. “Yup, that’s what I thought I heard.”

When he kisses me, I feel his giddiness transfer to me.

I keep waiting to get used to the sensation of kissing Minseok. But just the feel of his palms against my cheeks makes me light up. It’s thrilling and comforting all at the same time.

I’m so engrossed in Minseok. That must be why I don’t hear the door lock beep. I don’t hear the click of it open. But I do hear the thud of something dropping.

Minseok and I jump apart to see Hongjoo standing over a crushed cake box, frosting splattered at her feet as she gapes at us.

I’m sitting on the couch, hands folded, head lowered.

Before we could come up with a convincing lie, Hongjoo calmly asked Minseok if he could leave.

Now, I feel a little abandoned. He could have tried to stay and explain things with me. But, then again, as I watch Hongjoo pace angrily across the living room floor, I don’t blame him. My manager can be fierce when she’s truly pissed. And she definitely is now.

“So, you lied to me. No, youhidthis from me. How am I supposed to help you, toprotectyou, when you hide things this huge from me?” I know she’s not expecting a response. She’s been pacing and muttering like this for five minutes.

But I finally can’t handle the guilt or tension anymore. “I didn’t mean to make things hard for you.”

She finally stops pacing and turns slowly to glare at me. I immediately regret saying anything.

Then she lifts her eyes to the ceiling and sighs. “I just don’t even know where to begin with this, Shin Hyeri. This isnotsomething I have the bandwidth to deal with right now.”

“Then maybe let’s pretend you didn’t see anything?”

“Yeah, sure.” Hongjoo barks out a laugh. “And who do you think the company will blame first when your little secret comes out?”

“It won’t,” I insist. “We’re being careful.”

Hongjoo lifts a disbelieving brow. “Hyeri, this is too risky for both of you right now. The company won’t be happy.”

“Please don’t tell them, Eonni.” I lift my folded hands. I’m ready to get down on my knees if I have to. I can’t give up Minseok, not yet.

She shakes her head sadly as she comes over to sit next to me. “You have to stop this, whatever it is.”