when the phone rings novel

"I've met quite a few people at the Blue House. They all appear saintly on the surface, but each harbors a few old foxes inside. And the most cunning among them is Baek Sa-eon."

"...!"

Knowing what his real job entailed, Hee-joo was taken aback. She unconsciously bit her lip, her eyes shifting.

"That guy's gaze, it's really something else. What kind of man looks at a substitute bride with eyes like that?"

Han Joon scratched his head, looking irritated. This kind of man was incredibly selfish. He only cared about himself, going to any lengths, inevitably leaving scars. He cast a complex look towards Hee-joo, who was clear and beautiful. He thought she had been collecting videos of Baek Sa-eon because she was a fan, but it turned out it was because he was her husband.

"I might get divorced."

"What?"

"That's why I came to ask for your help. Let me work. There was no wedding, no photos. At least with the briefing video, there'll be some record of us being together."

Hee-joo bowed deeply.

"Sigh..."

Han Joon felt the urge to smoke again. Seeing how little confidence she had in her marriage, it seemed Baek Sa-eon really wasn't giving her any chances. Han Joon cursed inwardly. Always fierce with outsiders... sly as a snake. Being too cold-hearted wasn't good for anyone. What a big mess.

The Climate Change Forum in the National Assembly.

The three-day seminar was held to celebrate its 15th anniversary, bringing together members of parliament from both the ruling and opposition parties, as well as representatives from government, industry, academia, research, and civil society, to discuss energy policy.

On the second day, Hee-joo went to the briefing room. She scanned the crowd, searching for Baek Sa-eon. Protesters holding placards were gathered at the entrance, shouting slogans.

"...!"

At that moment, her eyes met Hong In A's, who was interviewing the protesters. Hee-joo instinctively turned and hurried away, her footsteps echoing on the floor. Whenever she stood in front of her sister, she really felt like the "other woman." Her heart pounded violently, almost unbearable.

'Am I going mad...?'

Whether as a wife or as someone in an ambiguous relationship with Baek Sa-eon, she felt pathetic, and her mood plummeted.

"Excuse me, how did you get in here?"

A government official at the temporary barricade checked Hee-joo's credentials. She showed her work ID from the publicity office, and the man unhooked the barrier to let her in.

Entering the room, with its green carpet, the air was filled with various promotional materials—legislative forums, policy seminars, practical activities, and information on the Green Climate Award were all printed on the leaflets.

Hee-joo didn't look around but went straight to the waiting room marked "Publicity Office." With a quick glance, she spotted Baek Sa-eon, wearing thin-rimmed glasses, reviewing some documents.

"...!"

Her gaze stuck to him like glue, unable to look away. Even for someone like her, who had observed Baek Sa-eon for a long time, it was rare to see him in glasses. She held her breath, not daring to make a sound.

From the bridge of his nose, straight between his brows, to the neat line behind his ear, down to his sharp jawline—the thin glasses highlighted his sharpness and intelligence. Dressed immaculately in his suit, focused as he marked up the documents, he looked both meticulous and sharp.

"Hey, isn't this the interpreter?"

At that moment, a familiar voice called out. It was one of the male colleagues who had gone hiking with her before.

"Ah...!"

Hee-joo suddenly snapped out of it, bowing her head.

"What are you doing here? How's your health? I heard you were discharged early..."

Just as the colleague enthusiastically greeted her, Baek Sa-eon suddenly turned his head. Previously engrossed in his work, he now looked up.

"...!"

Seeing Hee-joo frozen in place, he immediately stood up, his brows furrowed, his expression serious.

"After you were taken to the hospital that day, we were all really worried, but the spokesperson didn't give any details, and visits were prohibited. We were really worried—"

"Interpreter Hong Hee-joo, what are you doing here?"

Baek Sa-eon coldly interrupted, walking towards them with a stern look. Hee-joo, as if she had anticipated this, pulled out a document and handed it to him. Baek Sa-eon eyed her coldly as he accepted it.

It was an authorization letter stamped by Director Han Joon.

As Baek Sa-eon quickly scanned the contents with his eyes, Hee-joo noticed his tightly clenched jaw and promptly looked away.

"Director Han is really irresponsible." His voice was low, laced with discontent. "Sorry, but I'll need to find another interpreter."

Baek Sa-eon quickly turned to the employee beside him, instructing, "See if you can immediately find a sign language interpreter."

After the employee ran out, Hee-joo took a deep breath, staring nervously at him.

"Why that expression?"

"......"

"Just having you beside me distracts me, even if you do nothing. If you insist on gesturing while unwell, I won't be able to focus on the script."

He pressed his temples, shaking the script in his hand. When Hee-joo remained unresponsive, Baek Sa-eon's expression grew darker.

"Hong Hee-joo, stop being stubborn."

However, Hee-joo seemed to have anticipated his reaction, and she handed over another document. This time, it was a written authorization directly from the head of the publicity department.

"Ha...!"

Baek Sa-eon sighed helplessly upon seeing it.

"I didn't expect you to be so thorough."

Despite the sarcastic tone, it almost sounded like praise, and Hee-joo couldn't help but smile. Baek Sa-eon tightly closed his mouth, frowning at her, with an expression that bore a resemblance to the one from the night before...

When Baek Sa-eon took off his glasses, pressing his nose bridge anxiously, Hee-joo instinctively stepped back. She thought it was a sign for her to leave, but suddenly, her arm was grabbed.

"Where are you going? I want to kiss you."

"...!"

He lowered his head, pressing his lips firmly against Hee-joo's.

"Mmm...!"

The usually cold man, once in contact with her skin, burned like fire. Hee-joo was completely consumed, overwhelmed. His tongue slid between her closed lips. He held her waist tightly, as if trying to devour her whole. His rough tongue twisted deeply with hers, then slowly pulled away.

"There's not much time until the briefing—will you be alright?"

He supported Hee-joo's shoulders, looking her directly in the eyes. Seeing her flushed eyes, he eventually lowered his head, almost in surrender. As he said, time was tight. Even so, Hee-joo nodded resolutely. As long as she could seize this moment, she asked for nothing more. It was a faint resolve, as if preparing to face the final stance. Because everything she had been through would be revealed in this interpretation.

The blue podium set up outdoors.

"I didn't expect we'd be entering together..."

Baek Sa-eon reluctantly pulled Hee-joo along with him onto the podium. As they took their first step, Hee-joo's heart raced to its peak.

"Today's briefing will be accompanied by the Blue House's sign language interpreter."

The clear voice echoed in the air. The eyes of the reporters and audience instantly focused on Hee-joo. Faced with so many curious gazes, her mouth went dry. Among them was Hong In A, her expression stiff. Hee-joo felt her palms slightly sweating, but at that moment on the podium, she didn't avoid anyone's gaze.

"Is this a dream...?"

Could she really be interpreting beside Baek Sa-eon? Hee-joo felt an overwhelming excitement she could hardly contain. At that moment, Baek Sa-eon's gaze met hers. Now, even without speaking, they could clearly feel each other's thoughts. Hee-joo raised her hands, ready to sign—almost in unison with the spokesperson.

"Despite facing challenges such as war, climate crises, and pandemics, the Asia-Pacific countries must take bolder steps to tackle climate change..."

Hearing his calm statement, Hee-joo began to interpret. Though she had interpreted almost all her life, at that moment, it still felt as fresh as the first time, her heart racing. Standing side by side with him, speaking the same words, filled her empty heart.

"It is now the time for our citizens to contribute to the green recovery. We have renewable energy, climate technologies, resource cycles..."

Hee-joo kept up with his words more smoothly than during practice. It wasn't a desperate chase but rather a natural rhythm.

'Is he speaking more slowly than usual today?'

Everyone knew Baek Sa-eon's tone—blunt and aggressive—but today his speech was gentle and measured.

'It's like... he's matching my pace.'

Even if it was just an illusion, it didn't matter. The feeling was so sweet that Hee-joo forgot the eyes around her, focusing only on one voice. Gradually, everything around her blurred, leaving only Baek Sa-eon's voice echoing in her mind. That voice left a trace, like a line, becoming Hee-joo's guide and everything she could see.

But maybe that was the problem. Only then did she realize that the reporters sitting there suddenly stood up, shouting, while the security guards rushed forward.

"I've met quite a few people at the Blue House. They all appear saintly on the surface, but each harbors a few old foxes inside. And the most cunning among them is Baek Sa-eon."

"...!"

Knowing what his real job entailed, Hee-joo was taken aback. She unconsciously bit her lip, her eyes shifting.

"That guy's gaze, it's really something else. What kind of man looks at a substitute bride with eyes like that?"

Han Joon scratched his head, looking irritated. This kind of man was incredibly selfish. He only cared about himself, going to any lengths, inevitably leaving scars. He cast a complex look towards Hee-joo, who was clear and beautiful. He thought she had been collecting videos of Baek Sa-eon because she was a fan, but it turned out it was because he was her husband.

"I might get divorced."

"What?"

"That's why I came to ask for your help. Let me work. There was no wedding, no photos. At least with the briefing video, there'll be some record of us being together."

Hee-joo bowed deeply.

"Sigh..."

Han Joon felt the urge to smoke again. Seeing how little confidence she had in her marriage, it seemed Baek Sa-eon really wasn't giving her any chances. Han Joon cursed inwardly. Always fierce with outsiders... sly as a snake. Being too cold-hearted wasn't good for anyone. What a big mess.

The Climate Change Forum in the National Assembly.

The three-day seminar was held to celebrate its 15th anniversary, bringing together members of parliament from both the ruling and opposition parties, as well as representatives from government, industry, academia, research, and civil society, to discuss energy policy.

On the second day, Hee-joo went to the briefing room. She scanned the crowd, searching for Baek Sa-eon. Protesters holding placards were gathered at the entrance, shouting slogans.

"...!"

At that moment, her eyes met Hong In A's, who was interviewing the protesters. Hee-joo instinctively turned and hurried away, her footsteps echoing on the floor. Whenever she stood in front of her sister, she really felt like the "other woman." Her heart pounded violently, almost unbearable.

'Am I going mad...?'

Whether as a wife or as someone in an ambiguous relationship with Baek Sa-eon, she felt pathetic, and her mood plummeted.

"Excuse me, how did you get in here?"

A government official at the temporary barricade checked Hee-joo's credentials. She showed her work ID from the publicity office, and the man unhooked the barrier to let her in.

Entering the room, with its green carpet, the air was filled with various promotional materials—legislative forums, policy seminars, practical activities, and information on the Green Climate Award were all printed on the leaflets.

Hee-joo didn't look around but went straight to the waiting room marked "Publicity Office." With a quick glance, she spotted Baek Sa-eon, wearing thin-rimmed glasses, reviewing some documents.

"...!"

Her gaze stuck to him like glue, unable to look away. Even for someone like her, who had observed Baek Sa-eon for a long time, it was rare to see him in glasses. She held her breath, not daring to make a sound.

From the bridge of his nose, straight between his brows, to the neat line behind his ear, down to his sharp jawline—the thin glasses highlighted his sharpness and intelligence. Dressed immaculately in his suit, focused as he marked up the documents, he looked both meticulous and sharp.

"Hey, isn't this the interpreter?"

At that moment, a familiar voice called out. It was one of the male colleagues who had gone hiking with her before.

"Ah...!"

Hee-joo suddenly snapped out of it, bowing her head.

"What are you doing here? How's your health? I heard you were discharged early..."

Just as the colleague enthusiastically greeted her, Baek Sa-eon suddenly turned his head. Previously engrossed in his work, he now looked up.

"...!"

Seeing Hee-joo frozen in place, he immediately stood up, his brows furrowed, his expression serious.

"After you were taken to the hospital that day, we were all really worried, but the spokesperson didn't give any details, and visits were prohibited. We were really worried—"

"Interpreter Hong Hee-joo, what are you doing here?"

Baek Sa-eon coldly interrupted, walking towards them with a stern look. Hee-joo, as if she had anticipated this, pulled out a document and handed it to him. Baek Sa-eon eyed her coldly as he accepted it.

It was an authorization letter stamped by Director Han Joon.

As Baek Sa-eon quickly scanned the contents with his eyes, Hee-joo noticed his tightly clenched jaw and promptly looked away.

"Director Han is really irresponsible." His voice was low, laced with discontent. "Sorry, but I'll need to find another interpreter."

Baek Sa-eon quickly turned to the employee beside him, instructing, "See if you can immediately find a sign language interpreter."

After the employee ran out, Hee-joo took a deep breath, staring nervously at him.

"Why that expression?"

"......"

"Just having you beside me distracts me, even if you do nothing. If you insist on gesturing while unwell, I won't be able to focus on the script."

He pressed his temples, shaking the script in his hand. When Hee-joo remained unresponsive, Baek Sa-eon's expression grew darker.

"Hong Hee-joo, stop being stubborn."

However, Hee-joo seemed to have anticipated his reaction, and she handed over another document. This time, it was a written authorization directly from the head of the publicity department.

"Ha...!"

Baek Sa-eon sighed helplessly upon seeing it.

"I didn't expect you to be so thorough."

Despite the sarcastic tone, it almost sounded like praise, and Hee-joo couldn't help but smile. Baek Sa-eon tightly closed his mouth, frowning at her, with an expression that bore a resemblance to the one from the night before...

When Baek Sa-eon took off his glasses, pressing his nose bridge anxiously, Hee-joo instinctively stepped back. She thought it was a sign for her to leave, but suddenly, her arm was grabbed.

"Where are you going? I want to kiss you."

"...!"

He lowered his head, pressing his lips firmly against Hee-joo's.

"Mmm...!"

The usually cold man, once in contact with her skin, burned like fire. Hee-joo was completely consumed, overwhelmed. His tongue slid between her closed lips. He held her waist tightly, as if trying to devour her whole. His rough tongue twisted deeply with hers, then slowly pulled away.

"There's not much time until the briefing—will you be alright?"

He supported Hee-joo's shoulders, looking her directly in the eyes. Seeing her flushed eyes, he eventually lowered his head, almost in surrender. As he said, time was tight. Even so, Hee-joo nodded resolutely. As long as she could seize this moment, she asked for nothing more. It was a faint resolve, as if preparing to face the final stance. Because everything she had been through would be revealed in this interpretation.

The blue podium set up outdoors.

"I didn't expect we'd be entering together..."

Baek Sa-eon reluctantly pulled Hee-joo along with him onto the podium. As they took their first step, Hee-joo's heart raced to its peak.

"Today's briefing will be accompanied by the Blue House's sign language interpreter."

The clear voice echoed in the air. The eyes of the reporters and audience instantly focused on Hee-joo. Faced with so many curious gazes, her mouth went dry. Among them was Hong In A, her expression stiff. Hee-joo felt her palms slightly sweating, but at that moment on the podium, she didn't avoid anyone's gaze.

"Is this a dream...?"

Could she really be interpreting beside Baek Sa-eon? Hee-joo felt an overwhelming excitement she could hardly contain. At that moment, Baek Sa-eon's gaze met hers. Now, even without speaking, they could clearly feel each other's thoughts. Hee-joo raised her hands, ready to sign—almost in unison with the spokesperson.

"Despite facing challenges such as war, climate crises, and pandemics, the Asia-Pacific countries must take bolder steps to tackle climate change..."

Hearing his calm statement, Hee-joo began to interpret. Though she had interpreted almost all her life, at that moment, it still felt as fresh as the first time, her heart racing. Standing side by side with him, speaking the same words, filled her empty heart.

"It is now the time for our citizens to contribute to the green recovery. We have renewable energy, climate technologies, resource cycles..."

Hee-joo kept up with his words more smoothly than during practice. It wasn't a desperate chase but rather a natural rhythm.

'Is he speaking more slowly than usual today?'

Everyone knew Baek Sa-eon's tone—blunt and aggressive—but today his speech was gentle and measured.

'It's like... he's matching my pace.'

Even if it was just an illusion, it didn't matter. The feeling was so sweet that Hee-joo forgot the eyes around her, focusing only on one voice. Gradually, everything around her blurred, leaving only Baek Sa-eon's voice echoing in her mind. That voice left a trace, like a line, becoming Hee-joo's guide and everything she could see.

But maybe that was the problem. Only then did she realize that the reporters sitting there suddenly stood up, shouting, while the security guards rushed forward.