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chapter 34
<Can we meet briefly in the office during lunch? Is that okay?>
Dain stared blankly at the message on her phone that had arrived that morning. It was from Taekyung. She had replied with an “Okay,” but as lunchtime approached, a nervous tension began creeping over her.
“Excuse me? Did you just say that?”
“I mean… first love.”
“Are you talking about the executive director’s first love?”
Dain had run into Woo-hyun in the lobby and immediately grabbed him, sneaking up the stairs. Whispering secrets in a deserted place felt incredibly clandestine.
“I was just wondering if you might know anything. I heard from Hanul that Director Jeong is friends with the executive director…”
“That’s true. But anything about first love or other personal matters is really difficult for me to discuss.”
Woo-hyun had anticipated Dain might ask such a question someday, but not this soon. Unsure of how much to reveal, he trailed off, eventually sharing only one fact.
“I can tell you that the person also worked at Taewoong Trading.”
“Excuse me? Even now? Or in the past…?”
“That’s a secret.”
After receiving a solemn promise of confidentiality, Woo-hyun quickly disappeared. He had looked exhausted since early morning, rushing around looking for someone.
Dain returned to the office and, under the pretext of delivering documents, spied on various departments, trying to find the person she suspected to be Taekyung’s first love. Given that Woo-hyun had insisted on keeping it a secret, it seemed the person still worked there.
Of course, it wasn’t easy to find her. Moreover, Dain didn’t know Taekyung’s type, so the little information Woo-hyun had given her wasn’t enough.
Eventually, lunchtime arrived without any results.
“Executive Director, this is Assistant Manager Min from Sales Team 2.”
Knock, knock. A voice called from inside to enter. Dain opened the door, and sunlight poured brilliantly into the room.
“Welcome.”
In the middle of the well-decorated office, Taekyung looked up from the stack of papers he had been reading. His black suit made him look sharp and elegant today as always.
“If it’s a good time now, perhaps we could have lunch together…”
Ignoring the nervous flutter in her chest, Dain stepped forward as Taekyung finally spoke the words he had been preparing to say since morning—he had planned to treat her to lunch as thanks for taking care of Hanul while he was busy.
“Wait a moment!”
As he glanced at his wristwatch, Dain hurried to his desk in surprise. Her frantic movements startled Taekyung as well.
“Your hand… did you hurt it?”
Ah, only now did Taekyung remember that the injury Inhyuk had left was still not healed. He tried to cover it with his sleeve, but Dain had already noticed.
“I have a band-aid. If it’s okay, I can put it on now.”
“Ah…”
“I’m sure it’s… somewhere around here…”
Without giving him a chance to decline, Dain quickly opened her pouch. Inside, she always carried a small kit along with her card wallet and ID.
“When I was little, I used to fall down often, so I always carried this. I’m glad I brought it today.”
Dain smiled in relief as she tore open the band-aid. Sunlight streaming through the blinds illuminated her brightly.
“Thank you.”
“How did you get hurt?”
“Just… dealing with a feisty cat.”
Does the executive director have a cat?
Dain tilted her head in confusion, but Taekyung merely gave an awkward smile and extended his hand. The band-aid she carefully applied had a cute rabbit design.
“It’s for kids…”
Seeing the design, Dain chuckled softly. Her gentle touch caressed the wound without causing pain. Through the thin skin, a delicate tingling sensation reached him.
“Dain.”
If Inhyuk saw this scene, he would probably stomp the floor in frustration. Taekyung felt a small joy as he looked at her.
“If you have time, would you like to have lunch together…”
Just as he tried to suggest it again, the door burst open, and an unwelcome voice rang out.
“Executive Director, here you are?”
Dain flinched and stepped back quickly, and Taekyung glared at the newcomer with disapproval.
“…Lee Sujeong?”
There stood Sujeong, smiling cheerfully, and Woo-hyun, looking sheepish and pressing his forehead in regret.
“I did try to stop this. I really did my best.”
Watching from a distance, Dain gasped at Woo-hyun’s exhausted state. He looked even more drained than he had that morning, as if dark heat was rising from his shoulders.
Taekyung furrowed his brows slowly, scanning the awkward tension in the room and the three people at a distance. It was hard to make sense of the situation.
“Hello, are you Assistant Manager Min?”
Dain froze at Sujeong approaching, extending her right hand. She had been flustered before and hadn’t noticed, but now she could see she was an incredibly beautiful woman.
“Lee Sujeong, what are you doing?”
At the same time, Taekyung jumped up, stepping between them. But Sujeong was undeterred, continuing her introduction confidently.
“Fiancée… well, now ex-fiancée? I’ll just say ex-fiancée.”
She simplified the complicated explanation and offered her greeting.
“Yes, yes. This is Go Tae-jin’s ex-fiancée, and CEO of Jewel Beauty, Lee Sujeong. Nice to meet you.”
“No need to greet her, Dain. She’s a woman you can ignore.”
“Isn’t ignoring someone a bit harsh?”
Despite Taekyung’s cold warning, Sujeong just laughed cheerfully. Both Taekyung and Woo-hyun sighed at her unaffected demeanor.
Meanwhile, Dain was captivated by Sujeong’s beautiful face, feeling a strange familiarity. Then she realized why.
‘There have always been rumors that Go Taekyung had a fiancée. This must be the woman.’
It was the same woman from the photo Inhyuk had shown her. Rumored to be Taekyung’s secret fiancée, though she had been an ex after their engagement ended.
“Hello, Lee Sujeong. I’m Assistant Manager Min Dain.”
Dain calmly accepted her greeting. Taekyung shook his head, signaling her not to, but Sujeong smiled, intrigued.
“I already heard from the executive director that you have a long-standing connection.”
“Wow, he described it so nicely? Lucky me.”
Sujeong smiled at Taekyung. He quietly observed Woo-hyun, smiling yet with an intense gaze. Woo-hyun desperately avoided eye contact, leaning toward Sujeong’s ear.
“Didn’t you say you had an appointment soon?”
“This is the appointment I was talking about, Director Jeong.”
Sujeong replied nonchalantly, looking up at Taekyung with a lively suggestion.
“Do you have time now? Shall we have lunch together?”
“No. I have a prior engagement.”
“A prior engagement? With whom?”
Though smiling, sparks seemed to fly between them. A strange tension filled the office.
“I’m fine, Executive Director. You two go ahead and have lunch.”
Noticing Director Jeong’s anxious expression, Dain quickly interjected. Taekyung’s first visible sign of fluster appeared as he furrowed his brows.
“But…”
“I work here every day anyway.”
Dain’s fresh smile almost made him nod, but he regained composure. Just as he prepared to reject gently, Sujeong jumped in.
“Have you not eaten yet either?”
Dain slowly nodded. Sujeong was remarkable; even though they were meeting for the first time, her warm, engaging way of speaking didn’t feel awkward at all.
Her bright attitude felt pure, almost childlike—simply drawn to people, always circling and speaking.
“What a nuisance, Lee Sujeong.”
“You should’ve answered my call earlier. I was so curious because you kept ignoring me. I wondered what treasure you were hiding indoors.”
Though it seemed immature to Taekyung, Sujeong’s unabashed smile captivated everyone.
“Let’s all go eat together. The more the merrier. Director Jeong, you haven’t had lunch yet either, right?”
“I’m fine…!”
“Hungry? Alright, let’s go quickly.”
Woo-hyun’s attempt to object was cut off. He nodded in resignation, and Sujeong naturally led the way.
“If it’s uncomfortable, we can leave now. That’s okay too.”
Taekyung whispered in a low voice. He felt uneasy about Sujeong’s unpredictable behavior, but Dain appeared completely at ease.
“No, I like it too. If it’s not rude, I’m happy to join.”
“Of course, it’s not rude.”
“Then it’s fine, Taekyung. Let’s go.”
Her eyes sparkled. Even with the informal use of his name, Taekyung eventually smiled and followed her.
“Ha…”
From behind, Woo-hyun stood with a pale face, his chest aching as he watched the three walk away.
