Cherreads

Chapter 45 - CHAPTER 45: Hidden in Plain Sight

Morning came too quickly.

But for Soo Bin, it didn't feel like just another day anymore.

She stood in front of her mirror longer than usual, adjusting her shirt, fixing her hair—then pausing.

"…Why am I even doing this?" she muttered under her breath.

But she knew the answer.

Kim So Hee.

The moment she stepped into the station, her eyes instinctively searched for her.

And there she was.

At her desk. Calm. Composed. Like nothing had changed.

Like last night hadn't happened.

But the second So Hee looked up—

Their eyes met.

And everything came rushing back.

Soo Bin quickly looked away, her heart already racing. Act normal. Just act normal.

"Bin."

Too late.

Soo Bin turned immediately. "Yes, Lieutenant!"

Too fast. Too obvious.

So Hee's lips twitched slightly, almost amused.

"Come here."

Soo Bin hesitated for half a second—then walked over, trying to keep her expression neutral.

"What is it?" she asked.

So Hee leaned slightly closer, her voice low enough that no one else could hear.

"You're avoiding me."

Soo Bin blinked. "I'm not—"

"You are."

Their eyes locked.

And just like that, the air shifted again.

"I'm at work," Soo Bin whispered, glancing around nervously.

"So am I," So Hee replied calmly.

But she didn't move away.

If anything—

She stepped closer.

Close enough for Soo Bin to feel her presence.

To feel the warmth.

The tension.

"You didn't answer me properly last night," So Hee murmured.

Soo Bin's breath caught. "I did…"

"You said you liked me."

A pause.

"That's not the same."

Soo Bin stared at her, flustered. "What do you want me to say then?"

So Hee's gaze dropped briefly—then returned to her eyes.

"Say you're mine."

Soo Bin's heart skipped violently.

"Lieutenant…" she whispered, completely thrown off now.

So Hee leaned in just a little more, her voice barely audible.

"Say it."

Soo Bin swallowed hard.

Her mind was spinning.

Her heart refusing to calm down.

"…I'm yours," she whispered finally.

That was all it took.

So Hee pulled back slightly, her expression composed again—but her eyes…

Satisfied.

"Good," she said simply, turning back to her desk like nothing happened.

Soo Bin stood there for a second longer, completely stunned.

She's actually insane…

And yet—

She couldn't stop smiling.

The rest of the day became a quiet game.

A dangerous one.

Small touches that looked accidental.

A brush of hands while passing files.

A glance held just a second too long.

At one point, Soo Bin handed So Hee a report—their fingers lingering just slightly longer than necessary.

Neither of them pulled away immediately.

"Focus," So Hee said calmly.

But her thumb had just brushed against Soo Bin's hand.

Soo Bin almost laughed.

Later that afternoon, Soo Bin found herself at the evidence room, organizing files when the door quietly closed behind her.

She didn't need to turn around.

She already knew.

"You followed me?" she said softly.

So Hee's voice came from behind her.

"You left."

Soo Bin turned slowly. "I was working."

So Hee stepped closer.

"And now?"

Soo Bin's breath hitched.

"Still working…"

So Hee didn't stop walking until there was barely any space between them.

"Liar."

Soo Bin let out a nervous laugh. "You're the one who came here."

"Because you keep running away."

"I'm not running—"

She didn't finish her sentence.

Because So Hee's hand had just lifted—resting lightly against her waist.

Soo Bin froze.

Completely.

"Lieutenant…" she whispered, her voice barely steady.

"No one's here," So Hee murmured.

That didn't help.

At all.

Soo Bin's hand instinctively gripped the front of So Hee's shirt, as if steadying herself.

"You're going to get us caught…"

So Hee leaned in slightly, her voice brushing against Soo Bin's ear.

"Then stop reacting like that."

Soo Bin's face flushed instantly.

"…You're doing this on purpose."

So Hee didn't deny it.

Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her gaze dropping to Soo Bin's lips.

"Maybe."

The space between them disappeared again.

This time, the kiss was quicker—

But not weaker.

It was soft, controlled… but filled with everything they couldn't show outside.

Soo Bin responded instantly, her grip tightening slightly as she leaned into it without thinking.

When they pulled apart, both of them were breathing a little heavier than before.

"…We're really going to get caught one day," Soo Bin whispered.

So Hee's lips curved faintly.

"Not if you behave."

Soo Bin stared at her.

"…You're unbelievable."

"And you like it."

Soo Bin didn't deny it this time.

That evening, as they returned to their usual routines, nothing seemed different to anyone else.

They worked.

They spoke normally.

They kept their distance.

But underneath it all—

Every glance meant something.

Every word carried weight.

And the secret between them only made it stronger.

More Chapters