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Episode 6
Iryeong, frustrated by the situation, suddenly stood up.
“Are you shocked?”
Did he really need an answer to that?
She was far beyond “shocked,” and so she showed no reaction to his casual question.
“Still, a confession from someone like me isn’t a bad offer, don’t you think?”
She thought, If “getting cocky because of your looks” applies to anyone, it’s definitely the Executive Director.
“…Executive Director.”
Locking eyes with him, Iryeong sat back down.
“Are you crazy?”
She finally said the words she’d only rehearsed in her head.
“Let’s just say I am. But in return…”
Lee Jun smiled leisurely before continuing.
“Let’s do things your way, Ms. Chae Iryeong. Whether it’s dating or marriage.”
She already had yet another unpleasant arranged date lined up for that evening. Those suffocating blind dates might finally end if one actually succeeded.
“I’m in a bit of a hurry, you see.”
He had been looking for someone to pretend to be his girlfriend to appease his mother—and found Iryeong at just the right time.
“Executive Director!”
“Call me by my name. The way I call you Iryeong.”
Like his older brother had done, he figured if he claimed she was the woman he loved, the matchmaking issue would resolve itself.
“We’d make good partners.”
Faced with his absurd proposition, Iryeong had no idea how to respond.
“You’re alone anyway, aren’t you?”
Ugh. She was single, but she didn’t appreciate a confession so full of selfish intentions.
“Why me?”
“Because you’re the only one around me who’s recently had a spectacular breakup.”
He was ruder than he appeared. She couldn’t understand why the team respected him as their superior.
“The best way to get over someone is to meet someone new. Wouldn’t you say trading in a junk car for a luxury one sounds pretty good?”
He said it shamelessly, without even a hint of embarrassment.
“Are you under family pressure to get married or something?”
She blurted out the first thing that came to mind, incredulous.
“Not at all.”
Jun casually crossed his legs and shook his head. He wasn’t planning on showing her all his cards just yet.
“I won’t put you in a difficult situation.”
“I never said I’d date you or anything like that. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
She shot back sharply.
“Then tell me your reason. Why do you need this?”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Chae, but it’s for personal reasons.”
He clearly had no intention of giving her a straight answer.
How was he supposed to say, I want to use you as a shield to avoid blind dates?
“You do realize how rude you’re being right now?”
“Maybe that’s part of my charm.”
His brazen attitude made it clear: he was indeed crazy. Arrogant, even while asking for a favor.
That was the moment Iryeong decided she absolutely did not want to get involved with Lee Jun.
“When are you returning to the office?”
“I’ll be back before the end of the day.”
Quitting time was 6 p.m., and his matchmaking date was scheduled for 7. That meant he had just one hour to get an answer from her.
“I’m short on time, so I’ll leave first. Let’s finish this after work.”
Jun stood up without getting her answer.
It didn’t look like things were headed toward a happy outcome.
“Don’t walk. Take a taxi.”
He handed her his personal card anyway.
Something about the sight of her walking with her cheeks flushed red from the cold reminded him of a stray cat.
“If you date me, taxis will be the least of it.”
“W-what? I don’t need this…!”
Before she could return the card, he left the café in a flash.
Iryeong stared at the card in disbelief, replaying the absurd situation in her head.
“Avoided a junk car, only to run into a lunatic…”
He was clearly determined to stick to her like a leech.
All this started because she’d mistakenly gotten into his car that day.
“Maybe that’s part of my charm.”
Charm, my foot. He was beyond rude—practically insufferable.
She was irritated, yet she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
The Lee Jun she saw in the office and the one she met on Friday didn’t seem like the same person. And the one she saw today felt different yet again.
Confused, she sat frozen, lost in thoughts of him.
As the end of the workday approached, Iryeong returned to the office.
The seat she’d sat in that morning now felt unbearably uncomfortable.
She peeked at Jun from behind her monitor. He was calmly focused on his work.
How can he be so shameless?
Was this really the same man who’d begged her to date or marry him?
Feeling thirsty, she went to the break room and grabbed a glass of cold water.
“He really does look like he belongs on a movie set.”
Even in the break room, she found herself stealing glances at him. She couldn’t see his expression clearly from here, but she could picture it well enough.
Since she’d joined the company, Jun had always maintained a cool, detached expression. Plenty of employees admired that look.
“Cool? Yeah right. He’s just shameless.”
She shook her head and downed the rest of her water.
She’d already decided to reject him. A man pushing for romance or marriage without even a clear reason was suspicious.
“Maybe I’ll just get some fried chicken tonight.”
She mentally stamped his proposal as less appealing than chicken.
Feeling lighter, she decided to finish her report and head home early.
“Oh, you’re here too, Iryeong? Want some coffee?”
Some teammates entered the break room before leaving for the day.
“No, I already had some!”
She timed her exit carefully.
“Then at least have this. It’s sweet and soft—really good.”
A senior colleague handed her a cookie.
Not wanting to seem unfriendly, she accepted it.
“Section Chief Seo doesn’t seem interested in inheriting the company at all.”
“Not just you—everyone here thinks the same. It’s obvious he’s content where he is.”
They began chatting about Lee Jun’s older brother, Ilhae.
“Between the two, the Executive Director would make a better CEO, don’t you think? His performance speaks for itself.”
Ilhae had been stuck as a section chief in the development team for years.
“Exactly. He’s good-looking, business-savvy—he’s got it all. I vote for the Executive Director as the next CEO!”
As the team praised Jun, Iryeong lost her appetite for the cookie.
She couldn’t understand why someone so admired would make such a ridiculous offer to her.
“I’ll head back to my desk first. Enjoy your coffee.”
Uncomfortable with the continued praise, she excused herself.
Everyone respected Seo Lee Jun. Even without his mother’s influence, he’d carved out his own position.
He was a man worthy of respect as a superior.
But that was all.
Iryeong had no interest in getting involved with anyone at work. She knew all too well the rumors and trouble that came with it.
When quitting time arrived, most employees left the office, but she stayed behind.
“Not heading home, Iryeong?”
“I found a few mistakes in my report. I’ll finish up here—you go ahead.”
There were no mistakes in her two-page report. She lied smoothly.
“I’ll check the perfect version tomorrow, then. See you!”
Her coworker left without suspicion.
She fixed her gaze on her monitor, ears tuned to the sound of footsteps. The office gradually quieted.
She glanced around—the only ones left were her and the Executive Director.
“Phew…”
The decisive moment was coming.
It should’ve been simple: reject him and leave. But her heart was racing as if she’d just finished a sprint.
She placed a hand over her chest and took deep breaths, trying to calm herself.
“Hoo… hoo…”
No matter how many breaths she took, her heart wouldn’t settle. A faint ringing filled her ears.
She needed to get this over with to regain her composure.
“Executive Director.”
She called out calmly, waiting for his response. But there was none.
Is he playing hard to get now?
Without realizing it, she was starting to care about his reaction. He’d seemed so impatient before, but now he was taking his time, and it was her who was feeling antsy.
Biting her lip, she suddenly felt her pride sting. It was as if she were the only one who wanted this moment.
What should I do…
She had planned to reject him. But his silence was making her uneasy.
Maybe this was his plan all along.
He really was infuriating.
“Executive Director?”
In the quiet office, she called softly, her voice teasing.
“This is your last chance.”
She coaxed him, almost flirtatiously.
Click. She heard his mouse move quickly.
“Come to my desk right now.”
The one getting restless wasn’t her—it was him. And she’d decided to make him squirm.
Would Lee Jun come as she expected?
She didn’t have to wonder long.
Like a well-trained retriever, he approached her quickly.
His usually composed face was flushed. He actually looked nervous.
“Let’s date.”
She’d planned to refuse, but her lips betrayed her brain. The words came out smoothly, like someone who’d made up her mind.
“But on one condition.”
“Alright. Tell me.”
He looked ready to agree to anything. Iryeong smiled brightly.
“Let’s date for real.”
She gave him an answer he couldn’t possibly complain about.
But Jun rubbed his chin, looking troubled.
“You said to choose one of the two. I choose dating. Marriage is too much.”
She checked his reaction again, but he remained deep in thought, making her uneasy.
Ah. I fell for the lunatic’s tricks again.
Iryeong realized she’d once again walked straight into the predator’s trap.
