Nari slowly scrolled through the screen on her small tablet, her eyes widening with a gasp as the web novel she was reading came to an unexpected plot twist. So engrossed was she that she almost missed the soft tapping on the passenger side window.
He softly chuckled as she opened his door and patted her on her arm.
"No need, Nari," he forgave her. "It's always a pleasure seeing your dedication to literature. Although I prefer the books one can hold in hand -- the crisp smell of the pages as they turn and the sound of the spine gently cracking, I'm happy to see a young person delight in the hobby."
"Yes, Mr. Yoo," she smiled in return and was about to help him into the car when another hand grabbed his arm.
Thinking it was his assistant, she looked up with a prepared smile. Her breath caught and she stared at the man looking back at her. He was hands... no ... he was more than handsome. He was an intoxicating blend of raw masculinity and sculpted beauty. There was a dangerous energy about him, but there was conflicting safety in those reddish-brown eyes that sparkled in the afternoon sun.
Yoo SangHoon chuckled and looked around at the man with him. "Nari, this is Yun JiHo. He's the lead investigator in my firm. He's the brightest in the office and a hard worker. He always makes me proud."
He gave a nod of pride and approval toward the young man, who bowed in gratitude for the compliment.
"It's a pleasure," Yun JiHo told her politely with a quick nod of his head.
He swallowed back the words of praise he was about to speak of her appearance. He had heard a little about her from the CEO during their walk to meet the car. No one had ever heard the stern and upright man speak so eloquently about anyone outside of business, especially a mere driver. If they didn't know any better, they would swear she was a blood relative by the way the old man gushed. The last thing he wanted to do was say something inappropriate and anger the CEO.
"It's nice to meet you, Yun JiHo-shi," Nari replied with a respectful bow.
Her voice was soft but confident. She blushed at the introduction, but he didn't feel she was delicate or naïve. He had been told she moved to S. Korea as a child and had been on her own since her uncle's death. He knew life in Seoul must not have been easy for her.
She was strong, independent, intelligent, and ... she ran a chauffeur service. Not just any chauffeur service, but one that catered to an exclusive clientele. Even if he hadn't been told as much, her mode of transportation said it all.
He had marveled at the sleek black, Genesis G90 as they walked from the building. The luxury sedan wasn't unique to the upper crust of society, but he expected something more modest for a young single woman. He wondered if she had a large inheritance or perhaps took advantage of her rich elderly clients.
He smiled politely and decided it was none of his business. He knew the CEO wasn't easily duped into handouts. At any rate, he would keep an eye on the situation to protect his superior.
Nari watched as Yun JiHo helped Yoo SangHoon into the back seat. He closed the door and went to the other side.
"Will you be joining us, Do-Yun?" she asked the personal assistant as she reached for the front passenger door handle.
"Not this time, Nari," he replied with a small shake of his head. "I'll be meeting the CEO later after I've finished some work here."
She nodded as he gave her a small bow and hurried to her driver's side.
"Ask her anything you wish," Yoo SangHoon told Yun JiHo quickly before she opened her door. "She isn't easily offended, and she's a wonderful conversationist."
Yun JiHo looked at the CEO with a pondering gaze. What was the old man up to? He didn't have time to ask as the front door opened and she climbed inside.
"Is everyone buckled in?" she asked as she put on her seatbelt.
"It's a rule," the CEO smiled at the younger man with a tap to his own fastened seatbelt. "Nari cares for her passengers. Go on," he insisted, giving his subordinate no choice but to comply.
Yun JiHo smiled at the CEO's softness toward this woman. Of course, it was the law, but with the privacy tint on the back windows, no one would know. He buckled his seatbelt and watched the driver pull away from the front of the building. He watched as she carefully left the drive and entered traffic.
He looked around the posh interior of the car. It was a soft ivory leather with black marble-grained wood accents. The chrome parts shined as though it were fresh off the assembly line. In fact, the exterior was just as clean.
Did she maintain it herself or have it detailed? For it to be this clean and smell this nice, she'd have to bring it to a professional every day. He doubted she had time for that. She did it herself. He would wager a month's pay on it.
He glanced over at the CEO as the old man turned on the media screen attached to the back of the front passenger seat. It went directly to the stock market, as though the previous rider was watching the numbers, as well.
He looked through his passenger side window at the busy street as people were heading to their own destinations. Most he saw were on foot walking past high-end shops or window shopping with their significant other.
As they passed a popular women's fashion boutique, he thought of how she dressed. He couldn't place any expensive brand to the long, white silk blouse or the wide legged black trousers. Even the black suede ankle boots seemed off-brand, though beautiful and as clean as the car. She appeared professional and sophisticated enough to pass for a rich man's wife.
He turned his face slightly so he could look at the back of her hair. It was a darker shade of brown inside the car, but out in the sunlight, the copper and blonde strands seemed to glow in the afternoon sun. It was natural. Such purity couldn't be achieved from a box. A lavender jade pin shoved through a silver band held her hair into a tight bun at the back of her neck. He wondered how long it was when she took it down.
He looked to the left of the driver's side window and found her looking back at him through the side mirror. He stopped breathing for a moment when their eyes met. He took a quick breath to bring him back to his senses. She looked away and focused on the road again.
Had she been looking at him or was he assuming as such because he wanted her to be? She could have been looking in her mirror for cars so she could switch lanes, although she hadn't moved from their position. No, their eyes definitely met. Those piercing orbs that seemed to have been plucked from the bluest shade of an evening sky were focused completely on him. It unnerved him somehow.
His stomach suddenly felt knotted and he shook his head in awe. He'd seen plenty of beautiful women, some prettier than her, and all who would climb into his bed with only a word. She shouldn't have shaken him this way. It was unsettling. He didn't like it.
"See anything interesting?"
The CEO's voice suddenly invaded his thoughts like a mother knocking on her thirteen-year-old son's locked door.
"Pardon, sajangnim?" Yun JiHo replied as he turned toward Yoo SangHoon.
He had to shake himself back to what his boss was saying through the invasive imagery of her.
Yoo SangHoon chuckled.
"It was nothing," he replied.
Yoo SangHoon looked ahead at Nari and smiled inwardly at his growing idea. They were nearing his home and there hadn't yet been a conversation between the two young people.
"I believe I may forego our meeting tonight, JiHo," he announced.
"Is something wrong, sajangnim?" asked Yun JiHo in concern.
"No, no," the elder replied. "I'm exhausted. I've pushed you all to end this case as quickly as possible, but as thoroughly as our reputation deserves. Today was tiresome."
"You shouldn't work so hard, sajangnim," Yun JiHo told him. "You don't have to be at the office every day. I know, I know," he interrupted when the CEO was about to argue. "You don't like sitting at home while your subordinates work hard. There's conference calling now, you know. Video meetings, voice meetings, text, even e-mail..."
Both men laughed at the obvious teasing of the younger one. Nari glanced back and smiled at the joy she liked to see in her friend.
"Nari, can you bring JiHo home after you let me off?" Yoo SangHoon politely asked. "I'll compensate you for the extra miles. This is, of course, unless you have a prior appointment."
She glanced back to see Yun JiHo looking at her. It was the second time they had made eye contact in the mirror. It was the third time he made her heart flutter.
"I don't want to put you out," Yun JiHo told her. "I can find another ride home. Please, don't let me interfere with your work."
His soothing voice was like a low chord on a piano and as captivating as his looks. It was strong and deep, and if sounds could be touched, had the feel of velvet to her senses.
"It's no problem, Yun JiHo-shi," she replied and had to clear her throat of its sudden tightness. "I have no more appointments for the day. I'll be happy to bring you home."
She quickly looked away. Why did such an innocent remark suddenly sound so inappropriate?
Yoo SangHoon's grin widened at the blush he saw from his angle. He nodded to himself and watched out the window as the gate to his manor approached. This was a good plan.
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