MD 05

Chapter 5

Yeon-soo’s eyes shook violently the moment she recognized Jinhyuk.

Her lips parted in disbelief, unable to close again.

But regardless of her turmoil, Jinhyuk’s welcome speech continued from the stage.

“Welcome to HaeNam Construction. Our company strives to create a new future through creative thinking and endless challenges…”

The new employees fixed their gazes on him, listening carefully.
Only Yeon-soo’s head gradually lowered.
Her heart pounded, terrified that his eyes might meet hers.

“Our Executive Director is so handsome.”
“So what? As contract employees, do you think we’ll ever even see him again? Today’s the first and last time.”

The whispers from behind her belonged to new hires she’d met during job study groups.

Their casual chatter jolted her awake.

They were right—he was an Executive Director. A man someone like her, just a new contract hire, would never cross paths with again.

It felt like sunlight breaking into a dark cave.

---

When the speech ended, the new employees were sent to their departments. Yeon-soo headed to the Marketing Team on the 10th floor.

There were two new hires this year.

“Ah, both of our new Marketing employees are named Yeon-soo,” Manager Jin said, greeting them warmly.

Ha Yeon-soo and Kang Yeon-soo.

Aside from their surnames, their names were identical.

“Since Ha Yeon-soo is 27 and Kang Yeon-soo is 24, you can just call each other big sister and little sister.”

Assistant Manager Kim chimed in cheerfully, trying to ease the tension.

But Kang Yeon-soo’s face darkened with irritation at the words.

“Alright then. Kim, show them their desks and explain today’s work.”

The two new hires were guided to their seats—both near the entrance, spots most people avoided. One had a partition, while the other was completely exposed to the hallway.

Without hesitation, Kang Yeon-soo slipped into the seat with the partition.

“Assistant Manager, may I take this one?” she asked sweetly, eyes smiling.

“Sure,” Kim said easily.

Though that seat was supposed to be Ha Yeon-soo’s, it didn’t matter much. They were both temps, and their actual duties weren’t set yet anyway.

“Today, just review the manual. Tomorrow we’ll start real work. Here’s the company email setup—create your accounts and send them in.”

With brief instructions, Kim left.

Kang Yeon-soo glanced back. “Since we share the same name, let’s get along.”

“Of course. Please take care of me,” Ha Yeon-soo replied warmly.

“But you’re 27, right?”

“Yes, I’m a bit older,” she said with an embarrassed smile.

“At work, let’s not do the whole big sister–little sister thing. Just Ha Yeon-soo.”

Then Kang Yeon-soo turned away sharply.

Really? On the first day? Yeon-soo thought, feeling a prickle of unease.

---

Two weeks passed.

To her relief, life at HaeNam Construction was pleasant. Except for Kang Yeon-soo, everyone on the Marketing Team was kind.

And most importantly, she hadn’t encountered Jinhyuk since that first day.

Having juggled countless part-time jobs, the workload wasn’t difficult for Yeon-soo. Even the Excel she’d learned by peeking over shoulders in a temp office came in handy.

“Ms. Kang Yeon-soo, this report looks like it was done by someone experienced,” Manager Jin said, impressed.

It was a neat Excel chart showing annual sales.

“Thank you—but I’m Ha, not Kang.”

Yeon-soo corrected him with a smile.

“Ah, I mixed you up again,” he chuckled sheepishly.

It was a drowsy afternoon after a filling lunch.

“Yeon-soo, please take this to the Logistics Team,” Assistant Manager Kim said.

The Logistics Team was far away, in another building.

Kang Yeon-soo buried her head deeper, pretending not to hear.

“I’ll do it,” Ha Yeon-soo answered brightly, taking the documents and heading out.

Kang Yeon-soo lifted her head only after she left.
She had no intention of doing chores.

At first, she was annoyed about having the same name. But now, she realized it was convenient—she could dump the boring errands on Ha Yeon-soo.

Of course, Ha Yeon-soo noticed. But instead of complaining, she worked even harder.

“My goal is a permanent position.”

The more Kang Yeon-soo shirked, the more Ha Yeon-soo shone.

---

Returning from the Logistics Team, Yeon-soo saw the elevator doors about to close.

“Wait, please!”

The doors reopened.

“Thank you!”

She hurried forward—then froze.

Inside stood Jinhyuk.

Her eyes shook violently. Her heart raced. A chill ran down her back.

“Aren’t you getting in?”

He was holding the door open, his voice flat, but with a heavy, displeased air.

“Ah, yes. I am.”

She stepped inside. The elevator doors closed.

The space was large, but she retreated to the farthest corner, trying to stay away from him.

It was useless. His voice cut through the air.

“What’s your name?”

The weight behind his tone pressed down on her chest, stealing her breath.

“I’m Ha Yeon-soo, new hire in the Marketing Team.”

Jinhyuk studied her, then asked,

“Haven’t we met before?”

Her heart sank like a stone.

The floor numbers rose quickly—5, 6, 7… Her stop was the 10th floor.

Then she recalled Su-ryeon’s words:

“Men aren’t good with memory. Even if they’ve seen you once, they won’t recall clearly. At most, they’ll just remember, ‘That girl was pretty.’”

Yes, he couldn’t possibly remember her face. If he did, he wouldn’t ask.

“No, we’ve never met.”

Just then, the elevator chimed and stopped.

10th floor.

“Ms. Ha Yeon-soo.”

She froze, halfway out the door.

When the Executive Director calls, a mere employee can’t ignore it.

Slowly, she turned back. Her head dropped lower and lower, her gaze fixed on the floor.

Silence stretched between them. Finally, she dared to lift her eyes—only to find his locked on her.

His sharp stare burned against her skin. She forced a stiff smile.

“Are you sure we haven’t met by chance, somewhere before?”

His lazy drawl carried the weight of someone who already knew something.

“Of course not. Why would someone like me ever run into an Executive Director? I only go to the market, and I live way up in the hillside. Hahaha.”

She babbled nervously, laughing too loudly.

“That so.”

Jinhyuk nodded.

“Then go on.”

Yeon-soo bowed a full ninety degrees.

So flustered, she missed the faint smile tugging at his lips.

He released the button, and the elevator doors closed.

Only when it ascended did she finally exhale, pressing a hand to her chest.

“Thank goodness… I got through that.”