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Episode 5 — English Translation:
It had been three months since Cha Iryeong joined the marketing department.
“Did they seriously send her out this early?”
The low, quiet murmur from Seo Ijun reached her ears clearly.
Why was he suddenly thinking about things he hadn’t cared about for the past three months?
As a junior employee in the marketing department, Iryeong’s daily job was to visit department stores and company-owned shops where AE Cosmetics had stores, and collect feedback.
It had always been routine — but for some reason, today it bothered him more than usual.
“Assistant Manager Baek, come to my office.”
Before he knew it, Ijun’s lips moved on their own, calling Baek Hyunwook, her direct supervisor.
“It’s about Cha Iryeong.”
“Oh, Iryeong? She just went out for fieldwork.”
The moment Hyunwook mentioned her name, he broke into a big grin.
“Why is she the only one who gets sent out for fieldwork?”
Ijun’s question came out sharper than he’d intended — clearly, he didn’t like that smile.
“Well, Executive Director Seo…”
Hyunwook looked awkward, caught off guard.
“It might snow today. Was it necessary to send her out?”
Even though he knew the company’s rules better than anyone, Ijun kept saying unreasonable things.
“Fieldwork means store visits, doesn’t it? To assess on-site conditions.”
“Yes, sir. You’re absolutely right.”
It was company policy — a directive from CEO Lee Jeong-ae herself — that marketing strategy team members personally observe the store sites. Reports from store managers were helpful, but firsthand observation was more reliable.
“Most people actually prefer office work, but everyone here went through the same fieldwork for over three months before reaching their current positions.”
It wasn’t because Iryeong was a contract worker that she was sent out so often.
“We all did fieldwork for more than three months before moving up. So I don’t think she’s being treated unfairly.”
Hyunwook’s crisp explanation made Ijun’s hair bristle.
Why was he, an executive director, suddenly nitpicking old traditions?
He had called Hyunwook over just to vent, and ended up embarrassing himself.
“You can go back now.”
“Yes, sir.”
He watched Hyunwook’s retreating back absentmindedly.
She was just doing her job — so why was he so distracted by it?
Loosening his tie in frustration, Ijun let out a deep sigh.
“…Wait, Assistant Manager Baek.”
He called Hyunwook back.
“Which stores is Cha Iryeong visiting today?”
Once again, his mouth moved without his permission.
“The Cheongdam Department Store flagship, and three nearby brand stores.”
“Alright.”
Why this stubborn, inexplicable interest in her?
He figured he’d have to go see her himself to find out.
By lunchtime, Iryeong finally arrived at one of the AE Cosmetics stores near the department store.
“This winter’s colors are fantastic. Usually skincare sells well in winter, but unlike last year, color cosmetics are doing great.”
She had heard this at the department store too, but she noted everything meticulously.
“Customers love that we used different models for different skin tones. Whoever came up with that idea has amazing insight!”
She even marked that point with a star in her notes.
Recently, the marketing team had wanted to hire a trending celebrity for the campaign, but Seo Ijun had stopped it.
Instead, they used several rookie models for various ads — which turned out to be a big success.
“And this lipstick! The name alone is brilliant, don’t you think? Whoever came up with it nailed it!”
The unique product names were a major part of their popularity.
Iryeong glanced at the neatly displayed lipsticks, particularly at two that had been bestsellers since their summer launch.
“We push the new products, but customers keep buying these two.”
The staff member held up the summer lipstick products.
“The names alone really captured women’s hearts.”
The bestsellers were called “Capturing Her Heart” and “Steal the Lips.”
Seo Ijun had personally been involved in their development, marketing, and even naming.
“How did they even think of names like that? I’d love to meet the person behind it.”
Ironically, Iryeong herself owned one of those lipsticks — she bought it for the color but had never actually worn it.
She was busy writing everything down when—
“That brilliant idea? That was me.”
A familiar low voice pierced her ear, making her entire body tense up.
She slowly turned around — and there he was, the very man who should’ve been in the office: Executive Director Seo Ijun.
“I was passing by and saw someone I knew. What a coincidence, isn’t it?”
She stared at him, wide-eyed.
“Oh… What a coincidence indeed.”
She didn’t believe it for a second. No one in the company was busier than Seo Ijun.
“It really is a coincidence.”
“Right… I see.”
She was sure he had a reason for being there. Which meant there was only one thing she needed to do—
“Sir, you can go ahead with your business. I’m done here, so I’ll leave first.”
Run away.
She bowed and started to leave when—
“Who are you having lunch with?”
She froze mid-step at the suspicious question.
“Have lunch with me.”
“…What?”
Her smooth exit came to a screeching halt.
“Invest your lunch hour in me, Cha Iryeong.”
He even grabbed her shoulder, just like that Friday night.
“You won’t regret it. So, invest in me.”
“Are you… trying to sell me something?”
She narrowed her eyes at him.
“Sell you something? No. I’m trying to seduce you.”
He leaned in close, his warm breath brushing her ear as he whispered—
“Aren’t you curious? I promise you won’t regret it.”
His sticky, low voice wrapped around her like a snare.
Her heartbeat sped up wildly — every instinct screamed at her to run.
“I saved you that Friday night, didn’t I? This time, save me.”
That night, he’d seemed like a prince on a white horse, rescuing her from trouble.
Now, hiding some scheme behind his charming smile, he extended his hand.
Curiosity got the better of her — and she stepped outside with him.
They stood facing each other on the cold, windy street, neither speaking first.
She stared into his dark eyes, questions swirling in her mind.
Why had this busy man come all the way here?
“Do you… want some kind of compensation?”
“You got it. Exactly.”
“C–Compensation?”
This man wasn’t a prince. He was crazy.
“That night, I saved you. Even gave you a ride in my car.”
He smiled smugly.
“At the very least, you owe me gas money.”
“G–Gas money?”
She gaped at him in disbelief.
“It’s an expensive car. Round trip burned quite a bit of fuel. That’s easily tens of thousands of won.”
He clearly wasn’t serious about the money.
“Are you hungry?”
“It is lunchtime, after all.”
He showed her his watch, its diamonds and sapphires glittering just past noon.
“Would something simple be alright?”
“I’ll eat anything — as long as you’re paying.”
She hadn’t expected a rich executive to demand gas money and a free lunch.
“Fine. I’ll buy. Follow me.”
“Gladly.”
He grinned, his tall frame towering beside her. For a second, he looked like a big retriever wagging its tail for food.
So why was he complaining now?
“Are you seriously settling my gas money with a burger?”
“What’s wrong with a burger?”
They had ducked into the nearest burger joint to escape the freezing wind.
“Do you know how much gas costs? And you’re paying me back with bread?”
He grumbled without taking a bite.
She shut her mouth to avoid seeming stingy.
The “basic” ₩5,000 burger quickly turned into over ₩20,000 as he kept adding ingredients — five extra beef patties, no less.
“Here. You eat this.”
He shoved the monstrous burger toward her.
“You’re not eating?”
“It’s a bribe. You eat it, and answer my questions.”
Was he out of his mind?
“Did you cleanly end things with that bastard?”
Her thoughts went blank.
“Why… are you even asking me that?”
“Even if it makes you uncomfortable, I need to know. Did you break up?”
He was relentless, his expression serious.
“You heard everything that day, didn’t you? It’s over.”
“Completely? Cleanly?”
He asked again, unsatisfied.
“I need to know for sure.”
His gaze was intense, predatory — like someone who never lets go once he’s bitten down.
“That’s none of your business, sir.”
Why was he ripping open old wounds like this?
The mood soured completely; her appetite vanished. She was just about to stand up when—
“Starting now, I intend to pursue you seriously.”
He said it so casually, like it was nothing.
“W–What are you talking about!”
“Let’s date.”
His expression was calm, but his eyes were blazing.
“D–Date? What are you saying right now…”
“If dating’s inconvenient, we can get married right away.”
He was insane. Who proposes out of nowhere like that?!
