WebNovels

Chapter 5 - The Boy With His Eyes

"Cancel the afternoon meeting."

Ye-rin looked up from her tablet, heart skipping. "Sorry, sir?"

Kang Jae-hyun didn't lift his head, eyes fixed on the document in his hand.

"I'm visiting Haneul Private Academy."

Her pulse slammed against her ribs. "…The academy?" she repeated, careful not to sound panicked.

"Yes. Kang Group funds their scholarship program every year. New students arrived this term. I want to observe the evaluation process myself."

Her ears rang. Haneul. Min-joon's school. Her throat went dry. "…I see."

"Prepare the car," he added. "You're coming with me."

Boom. Her brain exploded.

Me too?!

"No one else is available," he continued, voice calm as ever. "You're my secretary. Learn the external operations."

Her hands grew icy. "…Yes, sir."

The drive felt too short. Every traffic light turned green as if the city itself were hurrying her toward disaster.

Ye-rin sat stiffly beside the driver while Jae-hyun worked quietly on his tablet in the back. Calm. Collected. Unbothered.

While her heart tried to escape her chest.

What if Min-joon sees me?

What if he calls "Mama"?

What if Jae-hyun notices?

Calm down. Kids are in class. Just observe. Nothing will happen. Nothing—

Haneul Academy rose before them, massive in the afternoon sun. Children's laughter carried across the courtyard. Teachers guided students, parents chattered near the gates. Peaceful. Safe. Dangerous.

The principal bowed repeatedly at Jae-hyun. "CEO Kang, welcome! It's an honor!"

"Just a routine visit," he said, calm, collected.

Students peeked from behind windows. "Is that the sponsor?"

"He's so handsome…"

"He looks like a celebrity…"

Ye-rin stayed half a step behind, head lowered, trying to vanish. Please don't see me. Please don't see me.

They passed the lower-grade building. And then—

"Ma—!"

Her soul nearly left her body. She whipped around.

Min-joon.

Running across the courtyard, laughing, chasing a ball with his friends.

Thank God… he didn't see her. Yet.

She turned quickly, heart racing.

"CEO Kang," the principal said, guiding them toward the practice field. "These are some of our scholarship students."

Her stomach dropped. Practice field? That's where his class has PE today—

No. No. No.

Children lined up in neat rows. Tiny uniforms, small shoes, voices shouting greetings.

And there—her breath caught.

Min-joon.

Sweaty hair. Bright eyes. Laughing. Completely unaware.

But anyone could see it.

The resemblance. The sharp little nose. The eyes. Even the way he stubbornly stood straight. Too similar. Too dangerous.

Jae-hyun took a slow step forward. "…That boy," he murmured.

Her vision blurred. No. Not him. Anyone but him.

But his eyes didn't move away. Drawn. Compelled.

"…What's his name?" he asked the principal.

"Kang Min-joon. One of our top scholarship scorers. Very bright kid."

Kang.

The surname hit like lightning.

Coincidence? Maybe.

Still… the way the boy looked at her—something twisted in his chest. Strange. Uncomfortable. Almost soft. Like looking at something precious he didn't know he had.

Without thinking, he started walking toward the child.

Ye-rin's legs froze. If he gets closer—if Min-joon looks up—if he calls me Mama—it's over.

Her brain raced. Think! Think! Think!

And then—

"Ah—!"

A sneeze. Loud. Multiple times.

Everyone turned.

Ye-rin pressed her hands over her mouth, bending slightly. "I—I'm so sorry… Sir… I think I caught a cold this morning… I feel dizzy…"

Jae-hyun froze mid-step. "…You're sick?"

She nodded, adding a tiny cough. "Maybe… fever…"

The principal panicked immediately. "Oh dear! We can't risk CEO Kang secretary catching anything!"

Hook. Line. Sinker.

Jae-hyun sighed lightly. "…Forget it. We'll cut the visit short."

Relief crashed over her. Min-joon hadn't even noticed. Saved.

Back in the car, silence stretched. The city slipped past the windows, too quiet, too tense.

Then—

"…Seo Ye-rin."

Her heart jumped.

"Yes, sir?"

A pause. Then, "…Did you notice that boy?"

Her blood ran cold. Play dumb. "Which boy, sir?"

"The one called Kang Min-joon."

Her fingers clenched the edge of her skirt. "Oh… not really…"

"He looks strangely familiar."

Her throat dried.

Jae-hyun's gaze shifted to her, sharp and calculating. "…For a second, I thought he looked like me."

Her heart nearly stopped.

She forced a laugh. "H–how could that be, sir?"

His eyes didn't leave hers. "…Exactly."

Silence stretched. Heavy. Dangerous.

Then, too quickly, words slipped from her mouth. "…Do you have a wife, sir?"

He blinked. "…What?"

"I mean—" panic rising, "you said he looks like you, so… maybe you have a child somewhere…?"

The moment the words left her, she regretted it. Too risky. Too personal.

The car grew cold.

"…No."

Flat. Closed. Final.

No more conversation for the rest of the ride.

But Jae-hyun couldn't shake one image. A small boy. Bright eyes. Laughing. Looking strangely… like him.

And beside him—his secretary's pale, terrified face.

Why was she so nervous?

For the first time, suspicion quietly took root.

And Ye-rin pressed her shaking hands together. Today was too close. Way too close.

If fate kept playing like this… how long could she hide the truth?

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