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chapter 21
“Company dinner?”
“Yeah. The manager suggested it, so we can’t really refuse. They say it’s for team bonding… but what kind of bonding is this, with people who are always busy badmouthing each other in meetings?”
Assistant Manager Kim grumbled and snorted. After Sales Team 1 had collectively failed their promotion review last time, the relationship with Team 2 had worsened, and it seemed the manager personally made the suggestion.
“When exactly is it?”
Hearing that all team members were required to attend, Dain’s expression darkened. It wasn’t just that it was a joint dinner; all social gatherings were awkward for Dain, and there was a reason for that.
“It’ll be either Wednesday or Friday evening. Oh, is this about your nephew?”
“I need to find someone to look after him in advance.”
“If you really can’t find anyone, leave him at our place! My younger sibling is already watching our son that day, and if you ask, it’ll be fine. I gave him a pretty generous allowance.”
Kim offered with a friendly smile. Having a colleague who understands your situation was reassuring. Dain appreciated it, but she couldn’t nod too eagerly.
“I’ll try contacting people nearby first. If I really can’t find anyone, I’ll ask you. Is that okay?”
“Of course. Our Assistant Manager Min helped me last time too.”
As they talked, the elevator light came on. When they stepped out into the hallway, Kim’s eyes sparkled. Through the glass railing, among the small groups gathered, one particularly handsome man stood out.
“There’s the executive director.”
Dain’s gaze followed reflexively. Taekyung, neatly dressed in a suit, stood proudly showing his long legs as usual.
The light streaming through the window illuminated him like a spotlight. He looked like an actor on stage. Kim, staring blankly at Taekyung, made a small clapping motion.
“Working hard with that face again today.”
“I know, right…”
“Who could a guy that handsome be dating? A celebrity?”
Dain shrank her shoulders and smiled awkwardly. All she could do was smile sheepishly, feeling a bit guilty. Unaware of Dain’s feelings, Kim started talking about something he’d overheard somewhere.
“I read in an article that he attended a party with a woman recently.”
“R… really? That even makes the news?”
“Well, they said it was just a simple partner, nothing special… but you never know.”
Fortunately, no photos appeared in the article. Dain didn’t know how the rumor had spread, but she felt relieved and decided she’d discuss this with Taekyung later.
If someone from the company saw the two of them together…
‘There are already enough rumors. I can’t cause unnecessary trouble because of me.’
The thought of the company dinner brought a sharp headache. It was an event she couldn’t avoid, nor could she enjoy. Still, Dain shook her head firmly.
“Assistant Manager Kim, are you having coffee? Go ahead into the office first. I’ll make it in the break room.”
“Really? Then I’ll bring Assistant Manager Min’s bag for you. Give it here.”
“Thanks.”
After handing over the bag, Dain hurried to the break room. Worrying over things she couldn’t solve was pointless.
‘I need to find someone to ask first.’
She quietly sighed, thinking of the friends she could ask for help.
“Why that expression?”
Back in the office, Woo-hyun greeted Taekyung. Taekyung had been trying to control the upward curve of his lips, but it was hopeless.
Eventually, he gave up and relaxed his face, and a bright smile floated up, completely softening his usually cold impression.
“Maybe it’s because I saw a face I wanted to see since the morning.”
“A face you wanted to see? Who… oh.”
Woo-hyun’s expression changed the moment he realized who he meant. He shook his head as if he’d seen something he shouldn’t, then put the tablet he was holding down on the table.
“I heard while coming up earlier. You said the executive director will also attend the Sales Team’s full dinner.”
“It’s the chairman’s order, so of course I have to follow. Boost morale, solidify my position… isn’t it good in many ways?”
“Not for any other purpose?”
Woo-hyun cast a suspicious glance. Usually, when other teams requested his presence at dinners, he’d find a plausible excuse to avoid it. But agreeing to this particular proposal seemed questionable.
“I regret that you’d interpret my intentions that way,” Taekyung shrugged, looking at the tablet Woo-hyun had just put down. It was a neatly organized report on Seosan Construction’s recent news.
He wanted to know exactly why Seoin-hyuk had returned to Korea, and the answer was more spectacular than expected. According to private investigation, despite his mother’s strong opposition, he had forced his way back.
‘He was really serious about that relationship? Seoin-hyuk?’
If he loved Dain that much, how could he have acted like that?
Thinking of Dain’s eyes, clouded with past sadness, Taekyung’s clenched fists ached with tension.
‘I’m different from that guy.’
From the very first meeting, Taekyung knew that he liked Summer. He liked her kind heart and Dain’s happy smile when she was with Summer.
Although he couldn’t imagine how hard it must have been for Dain to take care of Summer, her effort to hide her feelings in front of the child was touching and endearing. That was proof of her kindness.
“I confessed to Assistant Manager Min, but I got rejected.”
“…What?”
“I asked her to give me some time to think and postpone the choice a little. She agreed.”
Woo-hyun’s face turned blue then red repeatedly, flustered by the ongoing confession story. Meanwhile, the cause of it all, Taekyung, smiled boldly and confidently expressed his determination.
“Three months. Exactly three months.”
“What do you mean three months?”
Woo-hyun blurted out informally in excitement. Taekyung answered casually.
“I want to hear her say she’ll go out with me… by then, no matter what it takes.”
He wanted to apologize for hurting her as a child and restart their relationship. If Dain opened her heart to him even slightly more, he would make it happen.
“I also think three months. The time it takes until Min Dain asks you to stop because she’s tired of you.”
Woo-hyun muttered and turned around. Taekyung had been busy finishing the task he asked for and hadn’t even had lunch. Taekyung silently got up and walked over to him.
“Don’t speak as if this isn’t your problem.”
“Then, is this my problem?”
“You’ll have to help in the future too, so don’t say that.”
“What? Seriously, ha…”
Just as he was about to coldly reject, Woo-hyun imagined the cute face of Hanul floating in front of him. Thinking of the child, always excited to meet Summer, made his chest tighten.
‘Please, Hanul… don’t take after your uncle… grow up differently…’
Woo-hyun thought of Hanul’s pure, bright smile and tried to suppress his fatigue, whispering a desperate wish in his mind.
Summer was a very kind and gentle child.
Despite her age, she was quiet and polite, always earning praise no matter who she was left with. Some people worried she was too quiet.
Every time, Dain felt pained and concerned, as if seeing Summer’s loneliness. She never considered it something to be proud of or fortunate. Unlike other children, her excessive calmness revealed her lack.
“Okay… no! Don’t apologize. I ask every time anyway.”
After ending the call, Dain leaned against the wall and sighed. Tomorrow was the company dinner, and this was already the third refusal.
Her friends all had reasons, and acquaintances were similar. She hadn’t even tried contacting relatives. After losing her parents and sister, she had become cautious dealing with them.
Close relatives were avoided for fear of causing worry, and distant ones had changed numbers.
‘How should I explain this to Summer? Or… could I even leave the dinner early?’
Her team already didn’t get along with Team 1, and leaving early would bring harsher stares. Thinking of them gossiping later made her upset already.
She didn’t want to give them topics to talk about, so it was best to stay as long as possible.
“Hmm… should I really ask Assistant Manager Kim for help…?”
“What are you asking for?”
Startled, Dain let out a high-pitched scream and turned around. Woo-hyun stood there with a suspicious look, holding a stack of documents under his arm.
“Exactly. I wonder why you look so serious and worried?”
Behind him, Taekyung waved lightly with his right hand.
