Pay With Your Heart

Chapter 318: Distraction?

No matter how hard Eun-sun thought about it, she still couldn’t wrap her head around why Father Lee would want to threaten her with Dan-Han’s position or the fact that Dan-Han might have lied to her and that he had health issues that he had never mentioned to her. She didn’t know which of these issues she was to pay more attention to, but they all twirled around in her mind, bugging her and giving her a headache even though it was still so early in the day.

Would father Lee really take his son’s inheritance just to send her away? She knew how cold the man could be and how much he disliked her, but never did she imagine he’d take it this far.

She lay on her bed as she thought about the possible ways he could threaten Dan-Han’s position, but all she thought about was Lee Ji-Tae. He was the only person in the Lee family tree who could rival Dan-Han for his position. Could this be the reason for his sudden return? Did Dan-Han know about this? Ji-Tae’s appearance suddenly seemed suspicious to her. She heaved a deep sigh as she kept pondering about this.

“That’s the third time you’re sighing this morning. Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Hei-Ran asked with concern after seeing Eun-sun’s countenance. She looked perturbed, so she had her eyes fixed on her while she waited for her response.

“Nothing.” Eun-sun lied. She didn’t intend to lie, but Hei-Ran had a lot on her plate at the moment, and she didn’t want to be an extra burden, especially not with this.

Hei-Ran cocked her brows. “I know you well, Eun-sun. Tell me what’s wrong.” She pressed.

Eun-sun rose from the bed and fixed her clothes. “You have a lot on your plate already. We can talk about it when you’re more settled.”

.....

“Same thing you said about the thing you wanted to tell me two days ago.” She said. Hei-Ran walked closer to her and held her hand, causing Eun-sun to glance at her. “You know you can tell me anything, right?” She asked while Eun-sun nodded.

“I’ll tell you, but give me some time to figure things out. I promise I’ll tell you.” She assured her. Hei-Ran didn’t know what else to say; she could only nod her head as she patted her.

“Come on, let’s go. We’ll be late for work.” Hei-Ran urged.

“You mean, I’ll be late for work. You run the company now, Hei-Ran.” Eun-sun told her just in case she has forgotten. She was an employee, while Hei-Ran was an employer.

“Well, that doesn’t mean I can slack off, even though I can just work from this tempting bed which is calling onto me to lie on it.” She swooned. “I need more sleep.” She sighed as she longingly stared at the bed. She has been having sleeping less lately because of work and A-Yeong.

Eun-sun shook her head and walked away. She wasn’t in the mood for Hei-Ran and her morning dose of drama. Hei-Ran was a born drama queen, and no one could dispute that. “Join me when you’re ready.” She said while walking away.

Arriving at the company, Eun-sun stood before Dan-Han’s private elevator as she contemplated stepping on and going up to him, but she quickly decided not to. What was she going to talk to him about? That she knew he had lied to her, or about his personal health situation that he has kept away from her, or that his father was planning a coup with his cousin? Which should she start with? And he might still not want to see her, so there was no need to go to him.

And yes, she was still angry just like he was because now, it seems they were both guilty of the same thing. Keeping secrets. But she was yet to confirm what Ji-Tae had said.

She walked away and took the public elevator, but she didn’t head straight to her office; rather she made a stop at the third floor – Ji-Tae’s office.

She knew it wasn’t a smart decision, but she couldn’t help it. Her brows creased, and a frown crossed her face when she saw Ji-Tae smile at her with a surprising look etched on his face.

“The heavens must be smiling at me this morning.” He chirped as he walked around his desk towards her. His eye slowly trailed her from head to toe before settling back on her small heart-shaped face, which looked adorable with the pink gloss she had on.

“You look beautiful, princess.” He said as he approached her, but Eun-sun took a step back, her eyes staring daggers at him, literally telling him not to take another step closer.

He chuckled at her fierce stance, which he found very cute. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” He asked.

“What you said last night-” She briefly paused and continued again. “Is it true?” She asked-her small face reflected no subtle emotions whatsoever.

Ji-Tae sighed and leaned against his desk while he closely observed her. After several seconds which felt like aeons, he finally spoke up. “What do you think?”

“That you’re trying to mess with Dan-Han by wanting to drive a rift between us. Is that it?” She asked.

Ji-Tae tsked and looked away before staring back at her. “And if I say yes?” He raised a brow at her. Eun-sun didn’t reply immediately as she tried to gauge this countenance. But hell! that stupid smile forever glued to his face was something she couldn’t see past.

“Then I’ll advice you to stop.” She said.

“And if I don’t want to?” He tilted his head to the side while he looked at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.

Eun-sun narrowed her eyes at him as a thoughtful look hovered on her face. “You’re trying to distract him, aren’t you?” She asked and took a step closer. While the man also rose to his feet.

“You want to use me as a distraction for him while you-” She paused in a way that piqued his interest as he looked at her like he was waiting to hear her complete her statement.

“Why are you really Lee Ji-Tae?” Her face turned grave as she asked.

She had her feet fixed to the ground when he suddenly took a step closer to her and looked in a way she couldn’t understand. He lowered himself to her level and stared her directly in the eyes.

“That’s the mystery I am yet to unravel. Maybe you can tell me, hmm.” His hand reached for her chin, but she firmly grabbed it before he could touch it.

He chuckled when she tightened her grip around him, and her eyes blazed with fury.

“What a grip you have, baby.” He smirked, but she tightened her grip even more, making the smile on his waver as his wrist turned red.

“Whatever you’re trying to do, I’ll advise you to stop it now. Because it might be the end of you.” She drawled. She glared at him with ferocious intensity before letting go of his hand, making him hiss. He stared at his hand before staring at her with fascination.

Eun-sun ignored him and walked away with a resolution in her heart. She might not have been able to help Dan-Han and his mother, but she’ll help him save his company.