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chapter 22
Both of them were carrying stacks of documents, as if they had business in the meeting room.
While Dain blinked absentmindedly, Woo-hyun turned on the lights in the meeting room and approached the podium. Seeing him calmly set up his laptop and organize the space, Dain swallowed hard.
“Mr. Jung seems busy. Shall the two of us talk for a bit?”
Seizing the opportunity, Tae-kyung quickly asked the question. Dain couldn’t bring herself to refuse, so she quietly followed him out of the meeting room.
Tae-kyung led Dain up to his office. As they entered the elevator and Dain checked the floor number, tension settled over her face.
‘So this is the executive director’s office.’
It was the first time she had stepped into this space since starting work at Tae-woong Trading.
Tae-kyung’s office was neat, without a single plant. A wide bookshelf proudly displayed various books and awards, and the cityscape could be seen clearly through the window. With only essential furniture and no decorative items, the room felt slightly austere.
“Please, sit over there.”
In a soft voice, Tae-kyung invited her to take a seat. Dain hesitated briefly, then sat on the leather sofa in front of the table. The new furniture gave off that distinct fresh leather smell.
Startled by the plush softness, Dain glanced at the floor. Tae-kyung sat across from her, and as soon as their eyes met, he offered warmly:
“Tea? Or coffee?”
He seemed eager to bring it himself. Dain flinched and waved her hands.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll have to return to the office soon anyway.”
“I can explain through Mr. Jung, so it’s fine if you stay a bit longer.”
Dain’s eyes darted nervously. How could she decline without seeming rude? She spoke carefully:
“You can’t… just hand out salaries this easily.”
“Isn’t that more efficient? It’s just a brief conversation with a superior—maximum results with minimal effort.”
Dain, still tense, let out a small laugh at his answer. Gradually getting used to Tae-kyung’s humor, she couldn’t help but laugh freely.
Tae-kyung watched her smile intently. Just her laughter seemed to bring a soft yellow breeze into the otherwise empty office.
“Shall we start with what we were talking about earlier…?”
Feeling the mood soften, he changed the topic.
“Is something wrong? You look quite troubled.”
Dain, nervously biting her lower lip while holding her phone, replied awkwardly:
“It’s… about the company dinner.”
“I heard the entire sales team is having a dinner.”
“Yes, I was trying to find a place to leave my nephew that day.”
Ah, Tae-kyung nodded lightly. No wonder she had been fidgeting with her phone all this time.
“So, have you found a place?”
“Not yet…”
“If you want, you can ask me for help.”
Tae-kyung rested his hands leisurely on his crossed legs. It was a welcome offer, but Dain couldn’t accept it immediately as she had with Deputy Kim. She shook her head calmly.
“I’ve already owed you several favors. I’ll try to find a place myself.”
“I was worried about my nephew too, anyway.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ll be attending the dinner too, but I haven’t found anyone for Han-ul to see.”
Recalling Han-ul lying on the floor right after Tae-kyung explained the situation, he pressed his temples lightly. Dain gave him a concerned look, which was exactly the reaction he wanted. He continued with emphasis in his voice:
“Mr. Jung will pick up Han-ul, but I was uneasy about leaving him home alone. He’s so restless, he won’t just sit still, and I couldn’t leave him with just anyone sensitive…”
Sensitive? Dain tilted her head. When Han-ul played with Summer before, he had always been polite and well-mannered, hardly the restless type Tae-kyung described.
“If it’s okay with you…”
“Please call me by my position at work.”
Tae-kyung’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if disappointed by her sharp remark.
“If it’s okay with Deputy Min, how about having Summer bring him over so they can play together?”
“At your residence?”
“Summer has visited before, so it won’t feel unfamiliar.”
Dain recalled Summer having fun with Han-ul at the aquarium and during their last meeting. Surely, if the two children met again, they would enjoy themselves.
From what she saw before, Mr. Jung’s usually stoic demeanor softened completely when dealing with children. Summer even called him ‘Uncle Woo-hyun’ cheerfully later, confirming it.
“Can we check with Summer first before deciding?”
Since she had to leave her nephew in a hurry, Summer’s opinion was important. Better to find another place than have him awkwardly waiting.
“Of course.”
“Then, I’ll make a quick call…”
Dain asked permission and called the kindergarten immediately.
“Hello?”
“Hello.”
“Oh, Auntie!”
Soon, Summer took the phone, laughing. Dain quickly explained the situation, and Summer happily agreed.
After hearing the positive response, Dain stared at her phone in relief, then looked up. Tae-kyung was observing her, waiting for an answer.
“They said it’s okay. Can we go ahead?”
And so, the arrangement was set. Tae-kyung texted Mr. Jung, and without waiting for a reply, he turned to her.
Dain finally felt a small sense of relief and bowed slightly, her expression much more relaxed. The repeated nods expressed deep gratitude.
“Oh, I forgot to say something…”
Just as she was about to thank him, Tae-kyung smiled slyly and whispered, his eyes sharp like a fox watching prey:
“You remember what we talked about last time?”
“Pardon?”
“That I’d wait for your answer, Dain.”
How could she forget?
Recalling Tae-kyung’s gaze and voice that day, she swallowed hard. Though the choice was hers, his sincere eyes made it feel as if the outcome was already decided.
“I’ll use every effort until I get a positive answer.”
Tae-kyung stood and walked over to her. Dain’s stiff posture looked endearing; he couldn’t look away.
“This is part of that task, even today.”
His fingers lightly brushed her cheek, removing strands of hair stuck to her skin. Dain instinctively tensed and looked up at him. The touch was gentle, but his gaze was fierce, as if he could devour her at any moment.
“So, don’t think of my help as entirely innocent.”
He meant every word. The effort to approach carefully, and the intention to melt her heart at the first opportunity—both were genuine.
“Everything has a purpose.”
Right now, no matter the aspect, Tae-kyung was sincere toward Dain.
During work, Dain couldn’t tell how time passed. She couldn’t concentrate on her tasks at all. Deputy Kim even kept asking if something had happened the previous night or if she had trouble sleeping.
Each time, Dain smiled awkwardly and said nothing was wrong, while trying hard to calm her racing heart. Deputy Kim had a keen sense for unusual things, so it wouldn’t be good if he noticed the current situation.
“Phew…”
After work, the chilly air greeted her as she went down to the lobby. Leaving work on time gave her enough time to pick up Summer, which was fortunate. Especially since her car had a battery issue that morning, which required a visit to the garage.
‘No wonder I’m unusually tired.’
Mondays were always tiring, but today was particularly so—probably because of the car problem in the morning and worrying about Tae-kyung.
Dain quietly blushed as she recalled Tae-kyung’s expression at lunch. After a past relationship ended uncomfortably, she thought she would never feel such excitement again. She had believed romance was only for those with enough time and money.
‘Why is the executive director interested in me?’
Perhaps due to her previous relationship, Dain had low self-esteem. The fact that there was no one left to praise or comfort her made this flaw feel even greater.
So, even in moments like this, doubt and worry came before pure joy.
Wondering why someone liked her, feeling her pride lowered, rejecting the person for fear of vulnerability, keeping distance first…
Recalling the vicious cycle repeated so far, she sighed. She wasn’t sure if this time could be different. She couldn’t ask Tae-kyung directly, which made it frustrating.
“Dain.”
At that moment, a familiar voice reached her ears as she lingered near the bus stop. Startled, she turned stiffly.
In-hyuk stood there alone in a gray coat, watching her.
