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Chapter 08
“I’ve reviewed the proposals that were submitted.”
It was meeting time.
Jeon, seated at the head of the table, looked rather fierce. His usual sharpness—something that came out when he was displeased—was on full display. Of course, he wasn’t the type to smile just because something pleased him.
After exhaling roughly, he turned off the screen completely. All the employees, including Lee Hyun, flinched up to their shoulders, barely managing to withstand his anger.
“These proposals seem like you don’t intend to earn your salaries anymore.”
Everyone sat there with blank expressions, staring at their desks. It had only been a week since the two-month-long, grueling project ended. They needed some rest, but their workaholic boss was already pushing schedules tightly again.
Yet, no one dared to oppose him easily. Not simply because Jeon Kwon was their superior. He had an exceptional talent for highlighting strengths and mercilessly cutting out weaknesses.
Moreover, his proposals were always flawless, leaving no room for criticism, and he consistently achieved excellent results thanks to his remarkable execution.
Yes. That was Kwon Jeon. Cold, calculating, and perfectly rational to the point of appearing unapproachable.
“I don’t want my time wasted with such half-hearted proposals.”
Silence.
“I also hope you don’t take pride in working at Deowide.”
He scanned the employees around him with a look of disdain, then gestured lazily.
“Everyone leave, and have Team 2 come in.”
Lee Hyun was the first to rise and exit the meeting room. After holding the door wide open to let his team out, he hurried to Team 2.
“The director wants you to come in.”
“Was he really angry?”
Lee Hyun nodded quietly to the tense Team 2. Seeing them enter with discouraged expressions and slumped shoulders, he quickly returned to his seat.
“Ah, looks like we’re working late today.”
Ji-hye muttered in annoyance, and Lee Hyun shared the sentiment. No matter the importance of work, overtime was the worst. Just as he shifted his eyes back to the monitor, a message popped up.
[Let’s meet in front of the convenience store after work.]
It was from Jeon. Reflexively, Lee Hyun glanced toward the meeting room where Jeon was. He was holding his phone at an angle, staring directly at her.
Even as the employees in front were diligently presenting their PPTs, his gaze felt as if it were waiting for Lee Hyun’s reply. Then, he tapped his phone lightly with his finger.
Lee Hyun hurriedly raised her hand to the keyboard.
[Yes. Understood.]
After sending the reply, she looked back at Jeon. He checked the message, and only after reading it did he place the phone on the desk and return his attention to the presenting employee.
…It was a strangely stirring moment.
“By the way, what’s up with the director’s eyes?”
It was lunchtime.
On their way down to eat, Ji-hye lowered her voice but couldn’t hide her excitement as she brought up the topic. She had wanted to discuss it since the morning but had kept silent due to the fierce atmosphere Jeon had created.
“So, did he get into a fight or something?”
“I don’t think that’s his personality… Even if there was a fight, he’d throw punches, but I doubt he’d get hit.”
“Right. Who would dare throw a punch at someone with that kind of presence? Right, Deputy Hong?”
Lee Hyun blinked sharply, flustered by Woo-sung suddenly asking for her opinion. She hadn’t thrown a punch recklessly, but… recklessly throwing balls around and ending up giving the director a black eye? That was her…
“Y-yeah. Probably.”
“By the way, was the private matter the director mentioned to Deputy Hong resolved?”
‘It means Hong Lee Hyun will have to take responsibility for my night.’
Hearing that, Lee Hyun felt her face heat up. She knew he didn’t mean a naughty night, yet her body reacted in a peculiar way. The memory of that brief, unforgettable hug… a fleeting moment, but vivid enough to linger.
“Why? What private matter with Deputy Hong?”
Ji-hye also jumped into the conversation, intrigued.
Lee Hyun couldn’t possibly tell them she was essentially bound to the director every night, inhabiting his body. Not even for all the world.
“Oh, nothing really. Just… do your work properly.”
Their expressions hardened at her answer.
“Ugh, work, work, work!”
“Truly a remarkable workaholic.”
Her half-hearted explanation only fueled her colleagues’ resentment toward Jeon.
Jeon’s car, carrying Lee Hyun, stopped at a hotel in Seoul, far from their office in Bundang. It was a newly opened hotel with a European concept, exuding an elegant, luxurious atmosphere.
“I thought it would be too risky for you to go home and for my house to be discovered by parents or Secretary Oh, so I chose this place.”
“Still, wouldn’t a hotel be more dangerous?”
Ignoring her worry, Jeon handed her his black card. She had only heard of such cards, reserved for the extremely wealthy, and now held one in her hands. Carefully, she took it with both hands.
“If you run into anyone you know here, use the excuse that you came to get inspiration for a new project.”
“Ah, that works perfectly. It’s newly opened, and the concept is unique.”
“Reserve the room first and then send the host a message. Choose a floor away from mine. Later, I’ll tell you my floor so you can come secretly. Once the possessed me sleeps or morning comes, you can return home alone.”
Jeon gestured toward her with the card.
“Keep it for a while. Use it when you go back as well.”
“Yes. I’ll reserve the room and text you.”
After Lee Hyun got out, Jeon’s sedan left without hesitation, heading to the underground parking. She stared blankly at its tail before walking toward the front desk. After booking a room on the 11th floor, she sent Jeon a message.
[Director, did you park well? I reserved Room 1107.]
Then she flopped onto the bed.
“Ugh… what am I doing?”
The thought of conducting a covert night with her superior like a 007 operation gave her a strange sense of reality, but imagining meeting Hong made her happy and emotional.
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen Hong.”
The thought of seeing her pet after nearly a month made her smile. Yet, impure thoughts crept back. A hotel… a night with her superior… that day’s kiss.
“Hey! Get out! You naughty demon! Leave my body immediately!”
As Lee Hyun jumped up, slapping herself in a mock exorcism, a message notification rang.
[Room 2007.]
Checking the room number, Lee Hyun grabbed the card and went out. She peeked around, then rushed to the elevator. Maybe overdoing it? But better than being caught. After pressing the 20th floor and arriving, she repeated the cautious routine.
Knock knock knock.
“It’s me.”
The door opened immediately, and she slipped inside through Jeon’s arm.
“Hong hasn’t come yet, right?”
She asked as Jeon slowly closed the door.
“No.”
He walked over to the sofa without looking at her. Watching his expressionless face, Lee Hyun felt he, too, found the situation irritating and pointless. She felt guilty again.
“If Hong comes tonight, I’ll handle him. You must be tired, Director.”
“Didn’t you hear the fortune teller say that humans cannot interfere with divine will?”
He still didn’t look at her and added,
“Before that, there are a few things we need to discuss.”
