The chairman knew.
For now, that was enough. At least they were no longer carrying the entire burden without the company's knowledge.
---
The following morning, Yoongi woke up earlier than usual.
He had gone to bed late the previous night, but he had already made up his mind about what he wanted to do that day. After everything that had happened over the past few months, he thought they both deserved a little time away from the constant discussions about the company, the pregnancy and what might happen next.
He picked up his phone from the bedside table and checked the time.
It was almost eight.
He sent Seo-yeon a message.
Yoongi: Good morning. Are you awake?
Her reply came a few minutes later.
Seo-yeon: Yes. Why?
Yoongi: Get ready. I'm taking you out today.
Seo-yeon: Where?
Yoongi: You'll find out.
Seo-yeon: I don't like surprises.
Yoongi: You haven't even heard the surprise.
Seo-yeon: That's exactly why.
Yoongi smiled at his phone before getting out of bed.
He took a quick shower, dressed in a pair of dark trousers and a simple sweatshirt, then picked up his cap and face mask. He checked his phone once more before leaving his room.
He wasn't planning to spend the entire day indoors, and he knew there was a chance someone might recognise him. He preferred to be careful, especially with everything happening at the moment.
By the time he arrived at Seo-yeon's home, she was already waiting for him.
She wore a loose, comfortable dress with a light cardigan. Her hair was neatly arranged, and she carried a small handbag.
Yoongi stepped out of the car and walked towards her.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
He looked at her briefly.
"You're ready."
"I've been ready for almost twenty minutes."
"Sorry."
"You should be."
He smiled and took the small bag from her.
"Did you eat?"
"Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because I thought we were going somewhere to eat."
"That's not a good reason to skip breakfast."
"You came to take me out, not to lecture me."
Yoongi laughed and opened the passenger door for her.
"Get in."
She shook her head, smiling, before getting into the car.
Once they were settled, he started the engine.
"Where are we going?" she asked again.
"Shopping."
She turned towards him.
"Shopping?"
"Yes."
"That's the surprise?"
"You've been saying you need to buy a few things."
"I said that weeks ago."
"I remember."
Seo-yeon smiled and looked out of the window.
"Then I suppose I should make good use of today."
"Just don't empty my account."
"I haven't even started."
"That's what I'm worried about."
She laughed, and Yoongi joined her.
The drive was relatively quiet. They talked about what they wanted to buy and which stores they planned to visit. Seo-yeon had made a small list on her phone, although Yoongi suspected she would probably add more things once they arrived.
When they reached the shopping centre, he parked the car in a less crowded section of the parking lot.
He got out first and walked around to open her door.
"Careful," he said, offering his hand.
"I can get down by myself."
"I know."
She took his hand anyway.
They walked into the shopping centre together.
---
Their first stop was a clothing store.
Seo-yeon wanted a few comfortable outfits, especially since her pregnancy had reached seven months. Some of her old clothes no longer fit, and she had decided it was time to get a few new ones.
Yoongi followed her around as she examined the clothes.
She picked up a loose dress and held it against herself.
"What do you think?"
He looked at it.
"It's nice."
"You haven't even looked properly."
"I have."
"You're just agreeing with everything."
"What do you want me to say?"
"At least give me an honest opinion."
He took the dress from her and examined it again.
"I think the colour suits you, but you might find the sleeves uncomfortable."
Seo-yeon looked at the sleeves.
"You're right."
She returned it to the rack and continued looking.
A few minutes later, she found another dress.
"This one?"
Yoongi nodded.
"That looks better."
She smiled and headed towards the fitting room.
While she was changing, Yoongi waited outside, scrolling through his phone. He had a few messages from the agency, but none required an immediate response.
When Seo-yeon came out, he looked up.
"How is it?"
She turned slightly to show him the dress.
"Comfortable."
"It looks good."
"Really?"
"Yes."
She looked at herself in the mirror.
"I like it too."
She returned to the fitting room to change and later picked out two more outfits.
Yoongi carried the clothes to the counter while she continued looking through the accessories.
When the sales assistant finished packing their purchases, he collected the bags.
"Are we done here?" he asked.
"For now."
"For now?"
Seo-yeon smiled.
"Let's go to the next store."
He shook his head, amused.
---
They spent the next hour visiting different shops.
Seo-yeon bought a pair of flat shoes, some comfortable nightwear and a few personal items. Yoongi also picked out a jacket for himself after she insisted that he needed something new.
"You should try this," she said, handing him a jacket.
He examined it.
"Do I need another jacket?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because you keep wearing the same ones."
"I have other clothes."
"Then why don't you wear them?"
Yoongi looked at her for a moment.
"Are you shopping for me or complaining about my wardrobe?"
"Both."
He laughed and took the jacket towards the fitting room.
When he returned, Seo-yeon looked at him from head to toe.
"That looks good."
"You're sure?"
"Yes. We'll take it."
He turned towards the mirror.
"I think I like it."
"See? I have good taste."
"Sometimes."
She gave him a look.
"Sometimes?"
"Most of the time."
"Better."
They bought the jacket and continued walking.
At one point, Seo-yeon stopped in front of a store displaying baby products.
She looked through the glass.
"Should we go inside?"
Yoongi followed her gaze.
"Of course."
They entered the store, and she immediately headed towards the section displaying baby clothes.
There were tiny outfits arranged by colour and size. Some had little designs on the front, while others were simple and plain.
Seo-yeon picked up a small white outfit.
"Look at this."
Yoongi stood beside her.
"It's cute."
She turned it around to examine the back.
"I think we should get this."
He nodded.
She placed it in the basket and moved to another display.
Yoongi, meanwhile, had become interested in a section containing tiny shoes.
He picked up a pair and looked at them.
"Do you think these will fit?"
Seo-yeon glanced at what he was holding.
"Those are for newborns."
"I know."
"Then why are you asking me?"
He looked at the shoes again.
"They're very small."
She laughed.
"That's because the babies are going to be small."
He placed them back and picked up another pair.
"What about these?"
"Yoongi."
"What?"
"We don't need to buy every single thing you see."
"I'm only looking."
She shook her head and continued browsing.
They spent some time choosing clothes, blankets and a few other items. Seo-yeon was careful not to buy too many things because they still had several purchases to make later.
Yoongi, on the other hand, seemed willing to put almost everything he liked into the basket.
At one point, she noticed him holding another small outfit.
"Put that back."
"Why?"
"We already have something similar."
"This one is different."
"It's almost the same."
He looked between the two outfits.
"All right."
He returned it to the display.
Seo-yeon smiled and continued walking.
They eventually reached the section containing baby blankets.
She picked up two different colours and held them side by side.
"Which one do you prefer?"
Yoongi looked at them.
"The cream one."
"That's the one I like too."
She placed it in the basket.
He picked up another blanket.
"Should we get this one as well?"
"Maybe."
"Then I'll take it."
"You're becoming too interested in shopping."
"Is that a problem?"
"No, but I thought I was supposed to be the one doing the shopping."
Yoongi smiled.
"You can do that. I'm just helping."
They continued looking around until they had collected a few more things.
After paying, Yoongi carried the shopping bags while Seo-yeon walked beside him.
---
They eventually found a café on the same floor.
Yoongi suggested they sit down for a while before continuing.
Seo-yeon agreed.
They found a table near the window, and he went to order their drinks and something light to eat.
When he returned, he placed everything on the table.
"Here."
"Thank you."
He sat opposite her and took off his cap.
Seo-yeon picked up her drink.
"You know, I didn't expect us to spend this much time shopping."
"You were the one who wanted to visit every store."
"Not every store."
"Almost every store."
She smiled.
"You're exaggerating."
Yoongi took a sip of his drink.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you tired?"
"A little, but I'm okay."
"We can go home after this."
Seo-yeon shook her head.
"We haven't finished."
"What else do you want to buy?"
"I still need a few things."
He looked at the shopping bags beside him.
"How many more things?"
"Not many."
"That's what you said two hours ago."
She laughed.
"Then you should have known what you were agreeing to."
"I didn't know you had a whole list."
"I told you I wanted to go shopping."
"You didn't tell me the list was this long."
Seo-yeon laughed again and took a bite of her food.
For a few minutes, they ate quietly.
Then she looked at him.
"Do you remember the first time you found out?"
Yoongi raised his eyes.
"About the pregnancy?"
She nodded.
"At your mother's dining table."
He smiled faintly.
"Yes."
Seo-yeon leaned back in her chair.
"It feels like yesterday."
"I remember."
"You were sitting there, and I was trying to explain everything. I thought you were going to ask me a hundred questions."
"I did ask you a lot of questions."
"You did."
He laughed.
"I wasn't expecting you to tell me something like that."
"I know."
Yoongi looked down at his drink.
"I remember how nervous you were."
Seo-yeon smiled.
"I was nervous. I didn't know how you would react."
"Why wouldn't I react well?"
"At that time, I didn't know what you were thinking. We had already spent so much time apart, and there were so many things between us that hadn't been settled."
He nodded.
"That's true."
She looked towards the window for a moment.
"Everything was happening at once. We were trying to understand our situation, and then there was the pregnancy. I didn't even know where to begin."
Yoongi listened.
"Those first few weeks weren't easy," she continued. "There were so many things to arrange, and we still had to think about your work."
"I know."
"And keeping everything private made it more difficult."
He nodded again.
"It wasn't exactly a smooth journey."
"That's putting it mildly."
They both smiled.
Seo-yeon took another sip of her drink.
"But at least things are a little better now."
"Yes."
"After the meeting with the chairman, I feel like we can breathe a little."
Yoongi rested his arms on the table.
"He's agreed to keep everything private while the company considers what to do."
"That's good."
"We still need to be careful, though."
"I understand."
He looked at her.
"Did you worry about what he might say?"
"A little. I wasn't sure how he would react when he found out."
"Neither was I."
Seo-yeon smiled.
"At least he didn't ask us to make any immediate decisions."
"That's what I was hoping for."
She looked at him for a moment before speaking again.
"Do you think things would have been different if we'd told him earlier?"
Yoongi considered the question.
"Maybe. But we can't change what happened."
"True."
"We can only deal with things from here."
She nodded.
Their conversation moved to the things they still needed to prepare for the babies. Seo-yeon mentioned that they needed to check the remaining items at home and make sure they hadn't forgotten anything important.
Yoongi listened and occasionally asked questions.
"Have we bought enough blankets?"
"I think so."
"What about the other things?"
"We still need a few things, but we don't have to buy everything today."
"All right."
"And we should arrange the room properly."
"We can do that."
Seo-yeon smiled.
"You're agreeing very easily."
"Would you prefer that I argue?"
"No. I'm just surprised."
He laughed.
"Then enjoy it."
---
After finishing their food, they left the café and continued shopping.
Seo-yeon stopped at another store to look at a few household items. Yoongi waited beside her while she compared two different products.
He was checking a message on his phone when she called him.
"Yoongi."
He looked up.
"Yes?"
"Which one?"
He put his phone away and walked over.
"What are we choosing?"
She showed him the two items.
He examined them before pointing to the one on her left.
"This one."
"Why?"
"It looks better."
She laughed.
"That's not a proper reason."
"It's the only reason I have."
She shook her head and picked the one he had chosen.
They paid and continued walking.
A few metres away, a man standing near one of the shop entrances had been watching them.
He had recognised Yoongi when the couple first entered the shopping centre.
At first, he wasn't completely certain because Yoongi was wearing a cap and face mask. However, after watching him for a while, he became confident that he was right.
The man quietly took out his camera.
Yoongi was standing beside Seo-yeon as she examined another display. He reached for one of the shopping bags she was carrying and took it from her.
The camera clicked.
The man took another photograph when Yoongi leaned towards Seo-yeon to hear what she was saying.
Neither of them noticed.
Seo-yeon picked up an item from the display and showed it to Yoongi.
He shook his head, and she laughed.
The man took another picture.
He continued watching from a distance, waiting for another opportunity.
Meanwhile, Yoongi and Seo-yeon remained occupied with their shopping.
---
They eventually decided to visit one more store before leaving.
Seo-yeon wanted to buy a few things for herself, so Yoongi waited outside the fitting area while she looked around.
When she came out, she was holding a small shopping bag.
"Are you done?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Good. I think we've bought enough for today."
She glanced at the bags he was carrying.
"You look tired."
"I'm fine."
"You've been carrying all the bags."
"That's what they're for."
She laughed.
"You're not complaining?"
"Should I?"
"Maybe."
He smiled and adjusted the bags in his hands.
"Let's go."
They walked towards the exit.
As they passed the entrance of another store, the same man raised his camera again.
Yoongi had one hand holding the shopping bags while the other rested lightly against Seo-yeon's back as they walked.
The camera clicked.
Seo-yeon said something to him, and he turned towards her.
Another picture.
They continued walking without noticing anything unusual.
Outside the store, Yoongi stopped briefly to check that Seo-yeon had her handbag before they continued towards the parking area.
"Did you get everything?" he asked.
"I think so."
"Think so?"
"I'll remember if I forgot anything."
"All right."
He opened the car door for her and helped her settle into the passenger seat before placing the shopping bags in the back.
"Are you comfortable?"
"Yes."
He closed the door and walked around to the driver's side.
Once he got in, Seo-yeon looked through the pictures on her phone.
"Yoongi."
"Hmm?"
"Look at this."
She showed him a picture they had taken earlier in the baby store.
He glanced at the screen.
"That's nice."
"I like it."
"Then keep it."
"I will."
She scrolled through the other pictures.
There was one of him holding a tiny pair of shoes, another of her standing beside the shelves of baby clothes, and one they had taken together at the café.
Yoongi looked at the last picture.
"You took that without telling me."
"Because you weren't looking."
"At least you could have told me."
"Then you would have started complaining."
He laughed.
"Delete the one where I'm holding the shoes."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because it's funny."
"There's nothing funny about it."
"You looked so serious."
"Seo-yeon."
She laughed and put her phone away.
Yoongi started the car.
"Do you want to eat something else before we go home?"
"We already ate."
"I know. I'm asking if you want anything."
She thought for a moment.
"Maybe we can get something on the way."
"All right."
He drove out of the parking area.
---
The drive back was relaxed.
Seo-yeon occasionally checked the shopping bags behind them, making sure nothing had been left behind. Yoongi asked her if she wanted to stop anywhere else, but she said she had bought enough for one day.
When they stopped at a restaurant to get something to eat, Yoongi went inside to place their order.
Seo-yeon remained in the car, checking the list on her phone.
A few minutes later, he returned with the food.
"Here."
She accepted the bag.
"Thank you."
He got back into the driver's seat and continued driving.
After a while, Seo-yeon spoke.
"Today was nice."
Yoongi glanced at her.
"Did you enjoy yourself?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"We should do this again."
"We will."
She smiled and looked down at the bag in her hands.
"I think we bought more than we planned."
"You did."
"You're blaming me?"
"I'm only stating the facts."
She laughed.
"You were the one who kept picking up baby clothes."
"Those were necessary."
"All of them?"
"Most of them."
She shook her head, still smiling.
When they arrived at her home, Yoongi parked and got out to help her with the bags.
He carried them inside while she walked ahead and opened the door.
"Put them over there," she said, pointing towards the living room.
He placed the bags on the sofa.
Seo-yeon took off her shoes and sat down.
"That was a lot of walking."
Yoongi looked at her.
"Are you tired?"
"A little."
"Then sit down. I'll bring you some water."
He went to the kitchen and returned with a glass.
She accepted it and took a drink.
Yoongi sat beside her.
"Did you enjoy the shopping?"
"Yes. I told you I did."
"I just wanted to make sure."
She rested her head against the sofa.
"Thank you for taking me out."
He looked at her.
"You're welcome."
She reached for his hand.
"Next time, I'll choose where we go."
"All right."
"And you won't complain about the shopping."
"I can't promise that."
She laughed.
"Then we'll see."
Yoongi smiled and leaned back against the sofa.
For the moment, there was nothing else they needed to discuss. They had spent the day shopping, eaten together and talked about things they hadn't had much time to discuss properly.
After a while, Seo-yeon stood up and began sorting through the shopping bags.
Yoongi got up to help her.
"Let's check what we bought before putting everything away," she said.
He picked up one of the bags and placed it on the table.
"Which one first?"
"The baby clothes."
He opened the bag and began taking out the small outfits.
Seo-yeon arranged them neatly while he checked the other purchases.
"That one goes with the blankets," she said, pointing towards another bag.
Yoongi picked it up.
"Here?"
"Yes."
They continued sorting through the things they had bought, occasionally stopping to discuss where each item should go.
---
By the time they finished, the afternoon had passed.
Yoongi checked his phone and noticed a few missed messages. He replied to the ones that needed attention, then put the phone aside.
Seo-yeon was still arranging the smaller items.
"Are you finished?" he asked.
"Almost."
He walked over and helped her fold one of the outfits.
She looked at him.
"You're getting better at this."
"At folding clothes?"
"Yes."
"I've always known how to fold clothes."
Seo-yeon laughed.
"Of course."
He placed the folded outfit beside the others.
She picked up another one and examined it.
"This is the one you chose."
Yoongi looked at it.
"Yes."
"I think it's my favourite."
"Then we'll keep it near the top."
She smiled and placed it with the others.
They continued arranging the purchases, with Yoongi occasionally asking where something belonged.
Outside, the shopping centre was already getting busier as the afternoon crowd increased. The man who had taken the photographs earlier had long since moved away from the store entrance.
Yoongi and Seo-yeon remained unaware that he had photographed them throughout their shopping date.
Inside the house, Seo-yeon held up another tiny outfit.
"Where should we put this one?"
Yoongi looked at it before pointing towards the growing pile on the table.
"With the others."
She placed it there.
"All right. I think that's everything."
"Finally."
She turned towards him.
"Are you complaining again?"
"No. I'm just saying we've finished."
Seo-yeon laughed and began gathering the empty shopping bags.
Yoongi took some from her hands.
"I'll do that."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
He carried them away while she continued arranging the clothes.
A moment later, his phone rang.
He checked the screen before answering.
"Hello?"
It was Kwon.
"Yoongi, are you busy?"
"Not really. What's up?"
"I wanted to check whether you had seen my message."
Yoongi glanced at his phone.
"Not yet. I've been out."
"All right. I'll send it again."
"Okay."
Kwon paused briefly.
"And how is Seo-yeon?"
Yoongi looked towards her.
"She's fine."
"Good. Tell her I said hello."
"I will."
They exchanged a few more words before ending the call.
Yoongi put his phone away and returned to the living room.
Seo-yeon looked up.
"Was that Kwon?"
"Yes. He said hello."
She smiled.
"Tell him I said hello too."
"I will."
He sat beside her, and she showed him the remaining things she wanted to arrange.
"Can you help me with this one?"
Yoongi moved closer.
"Sure. Where does it go?"
She pointed towards the shelf.
"Over there."
He picked it up and followed her instructions.
After they finished arranging the purchases, Seo-yeon checked the list on her phone again.
"I think we still need a few things."
Yoongi looked at her.
"Didn't you say we were almost done?"
"We are. There are just some things we haven't bought yet."
"Like what?"
She began mentioning a few items, and he listened as she added them to the list.
"We can get those another day," he said.
"Yes. There's no need to rush."
Yoongi nodded and stretched his arms.
"Good. Because I think I've had enough shopping for today."
Seo-yeon laughed.
"You were enjoying yourself earlier."
"I was enjoying myself until you started visiting every section of the store."
"You were the one picking up everything."
"That's different."
"How?"
He looked at her, then smiled.
"Let's not argue about it."
She laughed and put her phone aside.
Yoongi glanced at the time.
"Have you eaten enough?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yoongi, I'm fine."
"All right."
He picked up his phone and checked the messages he had received earlier. There were a few from the agency, but he decided to respond to them later.
Seo-yeon rested against the sofa and watched him.
"Are you staying for dinner?"
He looked up.
"Do you want me to?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll stay."
She smiled.
"Good."
He placed his phone on the table and leaned back beside her.
For the rest of the afternoon, they stayed at home, talking occasionally and making small arrangements for the things they had bought.