She narrowed her eyes again. "Excuse me…? I have already worked enough for free, Mr. Kim. This time, I want proper employment. With a detailed salary structure and incentives."
"Then, sorry, Mrs. Kim. No references will work. You'll need to apply through the job portal, give a formal interview, and get hired." He said playing along.
She gasped. "No privilege of being your wife?"
"Nope." He shook his head, enjoying her reaction far too much.
She leaned forward, eyes narrowed, voice low and playful, "What if I offer you lots of love to get hired?" she asked.
"Then you'll get paid in love, not money," he countered, smirking.
Her lips curved into a smile. "Teddy is being a bratty boss."
"And the nurse is trying to lure her way into employment with love," He chuckled.
"Okay… take my interview. I'll agree to a low wage," she said, looking up at him.
He raised an eyebrow. "A low wage? You're negotiating already?"
She nodded proudly. "Of course. I'm a responsible applicant."
He bit back a smile, pretending to be serious. "Fine. Let's see. What position are you suitable for, Mrs. Kim?"
"Please have a proper seat, miss," he said, shifting her properly on his lap, arms still wrapping securely around her from the back. He leaned, voice deep and official. "Full name?"
"Kim Hauen," she answered proudly.
"Are you married?" he asked.
"Yes, to Kim Suho," she answered, looking at his side profile,
his lips twitched... "Ohh... married to the head of the Company? Are you sure this isn't favoritism?"
"Mr. Kim, I am legally his wife. Not my fault." She replied.
He cleared his throat, hiding a smile. "Fine. What makes you suitable for this position?"
She turned her looking at him like she was presenting to a board of directors. "I have strong management skills, multitasking ability, emotional intelligence, and experience in handling one particularly adorable, needy, sulky, hardworking Teddy bear who is disguised as my husband."
He looked at her, controlling his smile. "A Teddy bear husband?"
"Yes," she said sweetly. "He needs constant supervision and timely affection for optimal performance."
A slow grin spread across his lips. "Sounds more like a sweet harassment in the workplace."
"Not harassment," she corrected smoothly. "Employee wellness."
He broke into a small laugh, leaning back to the edge of the couch as she tried to keep a straight face.
"Next question," he said, still smiling. "What is your biggest weakness?"
She thought for a second, then said, "My husband."
"And your strength?" He asked.
"My husband," she said without hesitation.
He looked away for a moment, fighting a tiny blush that she loved catching him in. Then he cleared his throat again, regaining boss energy. "Okay, last question."
He sat straighter. "Why do you want to work with this company?"
She smiled, the teasing slipping into something genuine. "Because I want to spend my days with my husband, even if we're busy. I want to see him smile in the middle of a stressful day. I want to eat lunch with him, annoy him, encourage him, and be near him always. That's all."
His eyes softened so deeply, she almost lost her breath.
Then, mischief returning, he said, "I'm impressed by your answers, Mrs. Kim, but you are rejected."
"What? Why? I answered all your questions," she asked with fake shock.
He looked at her, controlling his smile, "If you want to get hired, you should sign an exclusive contract."
She raised her eyebrows. "What exclusive contract are you talking about, Mr. Kim?" she asked.
He added, pretending to check an invisible policy file, "You must undergo a private discussion with me."
"What kind of private discussion?" she frowned.
He leaned, breathing in her neck, placing his hands on her shoulders, sliding them down her arms, wrapping around her waist. "The kind where I show my new employee how much her boss appreciates her existence."
She felt his lips brush her neck, soft and warm. "That sounds like a scandal waiting to happen," she whispered, shivering.
"Then I'll make sure no one finds out," he murmured, nuzzling into her skin.
"Fine, I'm ready to sign the exclusive contract." She said, teasing.
He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it softly. "Thank you, Mrs. Kim. I'm honored to have you on board."
"I can't wait to start working, Mr. Kim." She smiled.
"But, I won't be paying you any paycheck, Mrs. Kim." He teased her again.
She glared at him, which only made him smile, lean forward, and peck her lips softly.
"Nope. Instead, you'll get the exclusive right to handle your Teddy bear your own way, boss him around, and love him whenever you want," he mumbled, pecking her cheek.
She burst into giggles. "Fine. I'll work for free. Use me. My talent, my brain, my time… all for free."
"My pleasure," he said, smiling.
They both giggle. At their nonsense.
Then suddenly, she asked again. "You really won't pay me?"
He laughed, head falling back, warm, carefree, his arms still locked around her body. She leaned into him, smiling quietly.
And just like that, evening wrapped around them. No rush, no pressure. Just the two of them, tangled comfortably in their own small universe, teasing and loving each other in the simplest, sweetest ways.
The evening settled around their home like a gentle blanket. The last slice of sunlight slipped behind the mountain ridge, and the moon rose quietly, pale and soft, as if asking permission to enter their window.
Suho and Hauen were still curled together on the floor bed, half-watching a silly TV show, half-lost in their own little bubble. Their laughter kept bubbling up, light and effortless. Nonsense jokes. Random comments. The kind of easy joy that made the world feel harmless for a while.
"I want snacks," Hauen announced dramatically, slipping off his hold.
"Bring something sweet," Suho said without looking away from the screen.
"You are eating too much sweets, Teddy," she called back from the kitchen.
"Then bring anything," he yelled, pretending to ignore her warning.
He could hear her laughing quietly as she rummaged through drawers.
He stayed on the couch, legs stretched, eyes still half on the TV.
Then the doorbell rang.
A sharp sound. Too sharp for this soft evening.
Suho's brows knit. "Who… comes at this hour?" he murmured, getting up.
He walked to the door, the easy glow from moments ago fading into a thin line of unease. When he opened it, the night air rushed in along with something colder.
Officer Park stood there. Not alone. His entire team is standing behind him.
Suho's frown deepened. "Officer Park? What's happened?"
Park's voice held none of its usual warmth. "Mr. Kim… is Mrs. Kim home?"
"Yes," Suho answered slowly. "But why? What's going on?"
Before he could ask again, Hauen peeked out from the kitchen, a snack packet in her hand.
"Who is it, Teddy?"
The mood shifted. Park stepped inside with his officers, all of them moving with a heavy purpose.
"Mrs. Kim," Officer Park said, voice official, firm. "You are under arrest for attempted murder of Mr. Kim Suho. Multiple attempts."
The words shattered the room like a dropped glass.
"What?" Suho's voice cracked.
Hauen froze, eyes wide, breath slipping out of her in shock. The packet of snacks fell from her hand.