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Chapter 7
Startled, Yuwon froze, but Sehee, who couldn’t read such expressions, just smiled brightly.
“Here, the mole on your cheek. I’ve noticed it since the first time we met… When you smile, the corner of your mouth and the angle of the mole align perfectly.”
“…….”
“It’s fascinating.”
“…Ah.”
A beat later, Yuwon blinked. Through the gap in his slightly parted lips, an awkward laugh escaped.
Normally, he would stiffen at even a casual word, yet here was Sehee, dropping all guard and acting warmly close with just a small opening.
It was like a countryside puppy wagging its tail wildly after being petted a few times.
He didn’t dislike it. Not exactly…
But strangely, it flustered him.
The unfamiliar embarrassment didn’t fade quickly; instead, it clung stubbornly, tickling Yuwon’s stomach.
“Thank you, everyone, for your hard work!”
The small joys of office life were predictable: a steady paycheck, quarterly bonuses, vacation days, early clock-outs, and drinks with close colleagues.
Sehee was enjoying a rare Friday night to the fullest.
Soon after arriving at the Planning and Strategy Department, Sehee naturally grew close to a few colleagues around her age.
Until then, they had only shared casual greetings, but today everyone’s schedules aligned, so they met at a pub near the office.
“Wow, this feels amazing. The draft beer here is honestly the best.”
“Exactly. Ah, I feel like I can finally breathe.”
Seven people attended, so the atmosphere was lively from the start.
“Manager, you can’t reach it, right? I’ll pour it for you.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Haejun was among today’s attendees. As usual, he kindly took care of Sehee, even to the point where others teased him to take it easy.
“Wow, this tastes amazing.”
Sehee bit into the sausage Haejun had served her, smiling blissfully.
“The flavor is so rich… absolutely perfect.”
The manager across the table chuckled, watching Sehee in delight.
“You’re eating a lot today, Manager. Every time I see you, you look like you’re losing weight—it’s worrying.”
“Really?”
Had she lost that much? Sehee thought while chewing the sausage.
Now that she thought about it, her clothes did feel a bit looser.
Late-night overtime had become her routine, so perhaps it was only natural.
“Supporting the vice president must be tough, right?”
“Hmm….”
Sehee thought carefully before answering.
It wouldn’t be a lie to say it was difficult, but it wasn’t as hard as the beginning.
The challenges of the work brought greater satisfaction, and most minor stresses were offset.
Above all, Yuwon was an ideal boss.
He was strict but reasonable, unlike other executives who valued hierarchy or acted emotionally.
Occasionally… he even showed a gentle side.
So faint it was barely perceptible, yet Sehee, having already abandoned human expectations of him, felt deeply moved and satisfied with just that.
Ultimately, the important thing was that working with Yuwon wasn’t particularly exhausting or unpleasant.
“It’s much easier than you might think. The vice president is considerate, and the work itself is fun.”
“Exactly.”
Haejun, nodding, continued.
“He’s rational and clear. There’s a lot to learn from him.”
“Wow… you two are amazing.”
A junior employee quietly admired them, half-smiling with a frown.
“Every time I meet the vice president, I feel like he’s draining my soul. I know he’s impressive, but he seems a little… lacking in humanity. Billionaires really do think differently. Someone like me can’t even reach that level… that’s the feeling, roughly.”
It was far from a flattering comment.
“Well, our manager does lack some humanity. Before, that handsome face was impressive, but now it’s just intimidating.”
“Oh, I get it. He’s so polite, but sometimes you’d almost prefer if he scolded you instead.”
“Just seeing that the executives collectively bought hair loss medicine says it all. He’s so thick-haired he doesn’t even see partings, so the sorrow and frustration of bald people don’t matter to him.”
Rationally, it all made sense—but somehow, Sehee didn’t feel good about it.
Even though Yuwon paid no attention to such opinions, Sehee couldn’t help feeling a little hurt.
Was this the love-hate relationship of an anti-fan who insists on their criticism no matter what?
“By the way, I heard rumors that his personal life is chaotic. Is that true?”
“Come on, with that looks and those credentials, it’d be stranger if it weren’t. Honestly, I’d probably do the same if I were him…”
Even unverified gossip was being casually discussed.
Sehee felt a flare of indignation but couldn’t retort.
She knew defending Yuwon here would only provoke more resistance.
So she just smiled.
With hollow, empty eyes.
“Oh, right. Did everyone hear about that? You know…”
Fortunately, the topic changed quickly.
Sehee kept participating lightly, though her thoughts drifted back to Yuwon now and then.
Why did things she would have brushed off weeks ago bother her so much now?
It wasn’t quite guilt for joining in gossip—it felt excessive even to her.
There was no argument against calling it a “slave mentality.”
Or maybe it was Stockholm syndrome…
Whatever Sehee’s tangled feelings, the atmosphere of the drinking session gradually warmed.
As often happens among unmarried men and women, the conversation gradually shifted toward marriage and dating.
“Manager, really no one you’re seeing? You must be really popular, your standards must be high.”
Haejun’s admission that he hadn’t dated in a long time drew enthusiastic reactions.
A perfect-looking man being involuntarily single—people were curious why.
“It’s more that I go by instinct. I only date if I feel a real connection.”
“Usually, people who say that have their eyes on the ceiling.”
“No, just by looking at you, your standards are obviously high, right?”
Haejun smiled awkwardly but didn’t deny it. Sehee asked without much thought.
“So, recently, anyone you feel a connection with?”
“Ah.”
Caught off guard, Haejun hesitated. Covering his mouth with his large hand, he muttered, “Hmm…”
Sehee was about to dismiss the question, but he continued:
“There is. If it’s someone I’m seriously interested in.”
“Really?”
“Wow, amazing.”
The sudden confession drew admiration all around.
While everyone else was intrigued, Sehee was the only one whose eyes widened in surprise.
“Pretty? What’s your favorite thing about them?”
“Right now, everything seems good… it’s hard to choose a priority.”
“Wow, that expression just now… it almost made me feel weird too.”
“Fallen, totally fallen.”
I thought he was just all work and no personal life… when did he meet a woman…?
Sehee realized she had misjudged both Haejun and Yuwon.
With their stamina, passion, and vigor, compared to them, she was like a sparrow struggling to chase a stork.
“Manager?”
Haejun asked carefully, noticing Sehee’s sudden gloom.
“Manager, anyone you like?”
“Me?”
Just as she was about to answer that there wasn’t anyone at the moment, her phone on the table suddenly vibrated.
The caller? None other than Yuwon.
