TSMLS 08

Chapter 8

Why is the Vice President calling at this hour?

“Just a moment.”

Startled, Sehee immediately stepped out of the noisy pub to answer the call.

“Yes, Vice President.”

• Sorry for calling after work.

“No, not at all.”

Sehee answered reflexively, then carefully asked,

“Are you still at the office? It’s pretty late…”

• I’m about to finish up. Are you outside now?

“Ah, yes. It’s a bit noisy here.”

• I didn’t mean it like that.

Unusually hesitant, Yuwon trailed off. Being outside seemed to make it awkward for him to bring up the matter.

“I was about to head in soon. May I ask why you called?”

Sehee spoke in a firmer tone than usual to ease Yuwon’s tension. Only then did he get to the point.

• It’s nothing important. Do you have the hotel market report that Executive Director Jung Ji-won submitted? I don’t think it was shared with me.

“I’ll check right away. One moment, please.”

Sehee quickly put the call on speakerphone and opened the company mail app. But the email had already expired from the system.

“Vice President, I’m sorry, but it seems difficult to check via mobile now. Do you need the report urgently?”

• No, you can send it on Monday. Sorry for calling after hours. Have a good weekend.

Yuwon ended the call casually, without any awkwardness.

“……”

Relieved, Sehee still found it hard to leave.

It was nearly ten at night. Most people would be relaxing before the weekend, yet Yuwon was still at the office alone, and for some reason, Sehee couldn’t get him out of her mind.

Focus, Han Sehee. He’s the next owner, and you’re just an employee. Who’s feeling sorry for whom?

Despite this warning from reason, her emotions tangled messily. Perhaps she had been thinking about Yuwon for a while.

…I really am a hopeless servant, aren’t I?

Muttering self-deprecatingly, Sehee finally resolved to leave.

“Uh… sorry, but something came up, so I should get going.”

“At this hour?”

Startled by her sudden farewell, Haejun jumped to his feet. Sehee smiled apologetically as she gathered her coat and bag.

“Sorry for leaving even though you kindly invited me. Please enjoy on my behalf.”

She deliberately kept quiet about returning to the office. Knowing Haejun’s sense of responsibility, he might have followed her.

After all, all she needed to do was send the file, and she didn’t want to create unnecessary trouble.

“Leaving at this hour… sounds suspicious. A date, maybe?”

Haejun stiffened at the teasing, but Sehee, unaware of his reaction, waved her hand with an embarrassed smile.

“No, nothing like that. I really need to go. See you Monday!”

She said goodbye to everyone again and turned to leave.

Haejun’s gaze followed her hurried figure for a long while.

Arriving at the empty office, Sehee felt the late-night alcohol kicking in.

Finish quickly and go home.

She forced her focus back to the task at hand, determined not to let her concentration slip.

After thoroughly reviewing the report Yuwon requested, she even compiled additional useful materials and sent them by email.

[Han Sehee][22:45] Vice President, sorry for messaging this late. I’ve sent the materials you requested via email. Please take a look and let me know your thoughts.

Only after sending the message to Yuwon did her tension finally release.

“Ha…”

Sehee sighed, rubbing her stiff shoulders.

Soon, Yuwon replied.

[Ko Yuwon][22:49] Are you at the office now?

Seeing his name triggered a reflexive warmth. She felt glad she had returned.

[Han Sehee][22:50] I was nearby, so I could come right away. Please review it at your pace, and let me know if you need anything further.

Immediately, Yuwon called.

“Yes, Vice President.”

• I thought you said it wasn’t urgent. Why did you come back?

The voice on the other side was full of astonishment.

Taken aback by the unexpected reaction, Sehee hurriedly explained.

“Well, I was having some beers with people near the office… You weren’t done yet, and I needed a reason to leave anyway, so…”

• Looks like you drank too.

Yuwon sighed briefly.

Feeling scolded for no reason, Sehee bit her lip in frustration.

What did I do wrong…?

She had gone out of concern to help him work late, yet instead of gratitude, he showed obvious discomfort.

She hadn’t expected thanks, but still… she felt slighted.

“I’m sorry. I realize I may have unnecessarily burdened you.”

Her subdued voice carried a sense of dejection.

• No, that’s not what I meant.

Yuwon quickly refuted, then after a short silence, his tone softened.

• …Bring all your things up here.

“I’m here…”

Dragging her feet, Sehee entered his office and bowed slightly. Yuwon, who was looking at the monitor, raised one eyebrow.

“I told you to just bring your things. Why the laptop?”

“I need it to work, don’t I…?”

“Hah.”

Yuwon looked thoroughly incredulous.

Embarrassed, Sehee lowered her head. What did I do wrong? She struggled to hide her pout.

“Sit on the sofa for now.”

Sehee hesitated but finally sat. Yuwon returned from the pantry with hangover remedies and water.

“Did you drink a lot?”

“Not excessively,” she replied confidently.

Yuwon handed her the drink with a look that said sure, okay.

“Earlier, your speech was slurred. I was worried you might bite your tongue.”

“……”

“Drink this first, and once you sober up, you can leave.”

“Huh?”

“When you come to my office, you get nervous. I called you here to help sober you up.”

Surprised by his unexpected concern, Sehee froze, unable even to nod.

At the same time, an unexpected thought crossed her mind.

Could it be… his earlier sternness was his way of showing worry?

Her face warmed, and her heart raced for no reason.

Lowering her gaze to hide it, Sehee murmured,

“Thank you for caring.”

Yuwon nodded casually and returned to his desk.

In the cozy office with warm air, only the sound of keyboards filled the silence.

Sehee secretly watched him work.

His neatly styled black hair, smooth forehead, delicate eyes, well-shaped nose, sculpted lips, and perfect posture.

She had never noticed before, but Yuwon was astonishingly handsome.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but realizing he was a man made her chest flutter strangely.

Too unfamiliar to handle, she became tense, rolling her eyes nervously. Soon, sleepiness overcame her.

“…Ah.”

Sehee dozed off without realizing it, then startled awake, rubbing her lips reflexively. Her eyes trembled.

Yuwon stared at her in disbelief.

“You called me to sober up… and now you’re napping?”

“Well, it’s… warm, and the sound of typing is nice…”

Her superior working late while a drunk subordinate dozes off was embarrassing.

Seeing her red face, Yuwon chuckled.

“I’ve wanted to say this for a while.”

Was it a trick of perception? His usually sharp eyes looked softer.

“I admit I’ve scolded you harshly, but I’m not a cruel boss to call someone back after leaving work.”

“Eh, eh?”

Sehee’s eyes widened at his sudden self-reflection.

“So don’t overwork yourself. I don’t want you to feel unnecessary guilt.”

“No, that’s not it!”

Sehee blurted out loudly, biting her lip before continuing.

“I didn’t return out of obligation… I was overenthusiastic. I’ve been praised lately, and I wanted to do better.”

“……”

“I’ll be careful not to let this happen again.”

Sehee’s honest confession left Yuwon’s expression unreadable. He studied her quietly instead of replying immediately.

Why… is he looking at me like that?