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Chapter 23
“Since we’ll be seeing each other at the office, at least knowing each other’s names would be nice, don’t you think?”
“Cha Ha-yoon,” she replied softly.
The man’s eyes lingered on Suyeon’s face, refusing to look away.
“Cha Ha-yoon… what a beautiful name.”
As he repeated it, his smile grew wider and wider, the corners of his mouth never once falling.
“Let’s see each other often.”
“‘Often,’ you say.”
Secretary Kwon, who had been listening from the side, let out a curt retort, her lips twisting with displeasure.
“Will you really have that many chances to run into each other if she’s in Accounting? Not to mention, their office isn’t even in the same building. Why make such a long detour to the break room here?”
“I heard it was newly remodeled, so I wanted to see for myself. We’re all part of the same company. Isn’t that like being family? No need to divide into teams.”
“Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean you should go out of your way to inconvenience yourself.”
Secretary Kwon was notorious for her sharp tongue, and Suyeon quickly realized this was the sort of atmosphere she had to adapt to.
Word of a new secretary replacing the last—who hadn’t lasted even a year—spread like wildfire across Do-won Construction. Suyeon’s striking looks and elegant aura, so unlike her predecessors, made her the talk of the company.
“So this is the new secretary? The senior executive’s taste sure changed. Before it was all premium coffee and imported snacks, and now it’s herbal teas and gruel. It’s like some old grandmother’s palate. Did they turn the break room into a traditional tea house?”
“I heard it’s for employees who skip meals. To help them stay healthy.”
“Still, changing everything overnight feels strange.”
Even as the men bantered, Suyeon’s expression remained unchanged, unshaken.
“How’s the work so far? Your department’s famous for being grueling. Senior Executive Jung is the best at what he does, but people say he’s extremely demanding.”
“Speaking ill of someone behind their back is still slander,” Secretary Kwon interjected coldly.
The man flinched, his brows knitting.
“What, so I can’t even speak casually? Every word from you is dripping with thorns.”
“If you know it, then leave it at that.”
“…Should’ve applied to the secretary’s office instead when I joined, maybe.”
“As if anyone would’ve taken you.”
“Secretary Kwon.”
Suyeon’s quiet voice broke the tension. She could feel the awkward current rising in the room.
At that moment, Jung Yun-jae, on his way back to his office after reviewing the final interview files, stopped in his tracks.
Through the glass panel of the break room, he saw Suyeon surrounded by men. His brows drew closer together.
“Isn’t it tiring to brew coffee yourself every day, Secretary Cha?”
“It’s fine.”
“Would you like me to help? I usually come in early, and my younger brother runs a café, so I’ve had plenty of practice.”
For a fleeting second, Yun-jae even thought perhaps he should have built a private break room adjacent to his office. But then, with a short scoff, he brushed the thought aside.
“No. I’ll handle it myself.”
At Suyeon’s firm refusal, the man stepped back awkwardly, scratching his head.
“I personally hope you’ll stay with the company a long time, Secretary Cha.”
“Secretary Cha, let’s go.”
Secretary Kwon cut in sharply, her face tight with an unusual severity.
By the time Suyeon returned to Yun-jae’s office, he was already there, seated with his long fingers drumming lightly against the desk. The rhythmic tap of his fountain pen filled the silence, but his thoughts were elsewhere—clouded with images of Suyeon.
Why does it bother me so much, seeing her with other men?
He didn’t understand the reason, but the irritation boiled under his skin. Even the memory of her reddened eyes earlier, as she fussed with her tie, gnawed at him.
“Senior Executive, the interview files will be delivered the day after tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
“It’s past lunchtime. Would you like to eat?”
“I have no appetite.”
Suyeon’s gaze lingered on his tense face.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“I’m fine.”
“Breakfast, then—”
“I don’t usually eat in the morning.”
“Then let me bring you a sandwich.”
At that, Yun-jae’s eyes lifted to hers. Even if he wanted to ignore it, the faint redness around her eyes wouldn’t leave his mind.
“And you? Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“Then let’s skip the sandwiches. There’s a sushi place nearby. How about we order bento boxes and eat together with the secretary’s office staff?”
“If you mean the place across the intersection, I’ll go fetch them.”
“We could just have them delivered. Why trouble yourself?”
“It’s not far. I’ll be quick.”
She left, her footsteps quiet. But his gaze followed her until the door closed behind her.
Since that humiliating night with Kim So-hye, Yun-jae had been unable to ignore her. Her tiny, dim apartment. Her swollen eyes. Her even, unfaltering tone with him that was somehow so different from how she addressed others.
Everything about Cha Suyeon stirred something restless in his chest.
***
Outside, sunlight blazed down, hot and merciless. Suyeon felt it burn her skin, but strangely, her chest felt lighter—freer.
She had joined Do-won to uncover the truth behind the fire. Yet, every time she stood before Jung Yun-jae, she couldn’t stop wondering:
When will he remember me?
She feared the day his memories returned, and feared even more what he might do when they did.
The sushi order was packed neatly into a bag. Waiting outside, Suyeon looked up at the gleaming Do-won headquarters.
The highest floors shone brilliantly in the sun, but to her, the sight only pressed down on her chest, suffocating.
“Miss, your sushi order’s ready.”
With the bag in hand, she walked back toward the building. The elevator doors were about to close when someone pressed the button just in time.
“Thank you,” she said politely.
The man beside her was dressed in a navy suit, his entire frame draped in luxury brands. Though broad-shouldered and imposing, his sharp gaze carried a chilling coldness.
Leaning casually against the wall, his eyes narrowed on her, as if studying a puzzle.
The silence stretched.
“Doing deliveries too, I see?”
His low, heavy voice broke the stillness.
“You still use that sushi place? Guess your tastes haven’t changed.”
A short, bitter laugh escaped his lips.
“Secretary to Senior Executive Jung, aren’t you?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked if you were Senior Executive Jung’s secretary.”
“Yes.”
“When asked like that, shouldn’t you give your full name? That’s the proper etiquette for a secretary.”
“When the other party’s identity is unclear, I don’t see why I should reveal mine.”
His lips curled, amused.
“Interesting.”
His eyes gleamed with curiosity, never leaving her face. Straightening his posture, he flicked the hem of his suit jacket.
The elevator dinged open. The moment he stepped out, employees waiting nearby gasped and hurried aside.
Manager Byun’s face paled as he rushed forward.
“Director! Why are you coming from this elevator? You have your private one—”
“Does it matter?”
That word—Director—struck Suyeon sharply.
The director’s office was on the same floor as Yun-jae’s. Why had he taken the employee elevator?
“Weren’t you supposed to head straight to the president’s office? He’s waiting for you.”
Ignoring him, the man accepted the congratulatory bouquet thrust into his hands. Then, with a sly smile, he extended it toward Suyeon instead.
“This would suit her better.”
“B-but—”
“Take it.”
“I can’t accept this.”
“You’ll embarrass the giver if you refuse. There are plenty of eyes on us.”
His mouth twisted, half-smile, half-threat.
Three years abroad, and now back. They called him Do-won’s Mad Dog. His reputation preceded him—and the sharpness in his eyes proved it true.
“President’s waiting,” Manager Byun stammered.
But the director, Jung Yu-geon, didn’t head for the president’s office. Instead, with hands in his pockets, he strode toward the senior executive’s.
