Baek In Ho sat at a study table near the stairs. The perfect vantage point to see her no matter where in the stacks she might have to take her cart. He was appropriately discreet. It was only because she knew he was watching her that she caught his face turned toward her, felt his eyes. Hong Seol shivered. Yoon Gu had watched her from the shadows. . .

He's gone, she reminded herself firmly. She picked up a book and slid it into its spot. She had nothing to fear.

That's why this whole business of a bodyguard had annoyed her so much. It was so unnecessary. A waste. Of Jeung's money. Of Baek In Ho's time. He must feel that too, right? Maybe, she could get him on her side. . . . No, what person in their right mind would say no to easy money?

She worried at her lip as she pushed the cart along. Maybe, she could make the money easier? He mind flipped over her classes on negotiation. It was all about finding the thing both parties could agree on, right? If they could both agree that this whole farce was unnecessary. . . .

Reaching out, she pushed the button for the freight elevator and stepped inside. Hitting the button for the next floor up she imagined her approach. . .

She found she had to sneak up on him. Despite his early willingness to carry her bag, he seemed determined now to keep a certain measure of distance between them. She tried to approach him three times and each time he moved away. The effect would have been amusing if she hadn't actually wanted to talk to him.

Eventually, she caught him standing next to a shelf, staring into an open book balanced on his hand.

"Don't you think it's a little creepy?" She asked without preamble.

In Ho swung around, startled, "Ai-yesh!" He exclaimed, and mumbled, "Sneaky little mouse. . . ."

As she continued to stare up at him, he asked warily, "What?"

"Getting paid to follow me around- don't you think it's a little creepy?"

He looked back at the book and muttered, "It might be if it wasn't so boring."

She blinked. Yes, she supposed her life must seem boring. It probably was boring. Too boring to need a bodyguard. She shrugged, "I told Sunbae it wasn't necessary but he insisted-".

"Yeah, he does that." In Ho agreed.

She tilted her head to the side and studied him. He shut the book slowly and she said, "You know him".

In Ho shifted uncomfortably, "Of course. He's my-" his mouth tripped over the word, "employer."

"No." She answered, the certainty growing in her. Her eyes narrowed, "You know him. Who are you really?"

He looked caught for a second, frozen but then his face slid into a cheeky grin and he answered, "I'm Baek In Ho, your bodyguard."

She rolled her eyes, "This is stupid. I don't need a bodyguard and you must have better things to do than follow around a boring nerd like me-"

Folding his arms, he leaned against the bookshelf, "What are you asking me?"

"Follow me for two weeks. At the end of two weeks when nothing has happened, you tell Sunbae I don't need you and you can go do a job that's actually interesting."

"Oh! Listen to this lady- go do a job that's interesting. Do you think well-paying jobs are just sitting around waiting-"

She colored, "Of course not. But you can't be happy-"

He leaned over to stare into her eyes. His irises were the color of strong tea, dark and warm. He told her, "I don't need to be happy. I don't need to be entertained. I just need to get paid." He leaned back, "Don't get in my way and I won't get in yours."

The hypocrisy of it burned. He was the one who had picked up her papers, and carried her bag, and fed her kimbap.

"Fine." She answered, jaw set, eyes narrowed, "Stay out of my way." Then she turned on her heel and stomped away.