🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 4
“Huu.”
It was already eight o’clock.
After finishing today’s work, Yuwon rubbed his stiff neck and left his office.
Thanks to the reminder not to worry about him and just go home, the secretaries had already left early.
The next day at the Planning and Strategy Department was better than expected.
Unlike the first day, when he was both mentally and physically exhausted and became a laughing stock, the second day flew by with nonstop work reports.
There was no room for distracting thoughts between the tightly scheduled tasks.
The source of Yuwon’s intense focus was the secret and petty satisfaction he felt during the introductory meeting.
Throughout the event, Yuwon kept watching Saehee.
Of course, it was a calculated mischief.
Looking back, it might have been overly persistent, but at first, he had no intention to bother Saehee that much.
He was simply amused by her flinching every time their eyes met and her face turning red and pale, which sparked his playful side.
Like a well-fed cat poking a curled-up mouse.
Perhaps sensing an unusual hostility, Saehee grew restless and eventually made an openly sour face.
If he had let his guard down, Yuwon would have burst out laughing at how funny she looked.
If she was scared, then she at least had some sense.
Getting on the elevator, Yuwon smiled with satisfaction.
There was a big gap between the imagined worst-case Saehee from the night before and the real Saehee.
The real Saehee was laughable, insignificant, and above all, timid. She didn’t seem like a dangerous person who would cause serious trouble twice.
Realizing that he had been stressed over someone so trivial brought him relief. In fact, today he had completely forgotten about Saehee and focused only on work.
She was someone he would forget completely in time — no need to bother anymore.
Just as Yuwon firmly built his mental fortress of self-victory, he was about to enter the parking lot.
“Vi-vice president!”
“…!”
Startled by the shout that broke the silence, Yuwon spun around.
A woman was standing there, where no one had been moments ago.
His startled heart raced, and his legs wobbled beneath him.
It was Han Saehee — like a nightmare he had forgotten but now revived.
“Haa…”
Why on earth was she here…?
Or rather, did I just stagger?
Embarrassed to have been clumsy in front of that woman, Yuwon’s face flushed red.
He had lived his whole life avoiding shame, so why did he keep making a fool of himself in front of Saehee?
His heart, which had barely regained calm, flared up again.
“What exactly… do you want?”
Suppressing his boiling frustration, Yuwon quietly asked.
Saehee flinched at his harsh tone but didn’t back down despite her frightened face.
“I wanted to properly apologize for yesterday. I knew it might be rude to wait here, but since the office has many onlookers, I thought the parking lot would be better…”
“Are you admitting you laid a trap and were lying in wait?”
A trap? Lying in wait?
Saehee looked confused at the unexpected words but firmly shook her head.
“No, that’s not it. I’m sorry if you felt uncomfortable. But if you don’t mind, could you please listen to me for a moment?”
Since she was openly pleading like that, it was awkward to reject her outright.
Yuwon reluctantly stopped talking, and taking the silence as permission, Saehee let out a nervous breath and spoke resolutely.
“Yesterday, Vice President, you were unnecessarily embarrassed and your work was disrupted because of me. Perhaps… you even suffered serious harm…”
When Yuwon raised his eyebrow at her cautious addition, Saehee hurried to continue.
“I know no words can undo yesterday’s mistake. I can’t believe how foolish I was… It still pains me deeply and makes me feel worthless.”
Saehee’s shoulders slumped with grief.
Seeing her so defeated, Yuwon flinched this time.
Yesterday’s incident was truly just a mistake, not a fault.
While Saehee was unpleasant, Yuwon clearly understood that the problem was his own emotions, not her fault.
That was why he had pressed her only secretly enough so others wouldn’t notice.
“I’m truly sorry. It’s all my fault.”
“…”
“If there’s any way to compensate for the damage and stress you suffered, please tell me. I really want to know.”
The grand, even solemn apology made Yuwon feel conflicted, as if he alone was the petty small-minded one.
He hesitated, unsure how to respond, when Saehee suddenly declared.
“Actually, I’ve admired you for a long time.”
“…What?”
What did she just say?
Caught off guard by the sudden confession, Yuwon was stunned.
Could it be she actually had romantic feelings for him?
As that thought crossed his mind, instinctive rejection and suspicion surged.
Whether she knew or not, Saehee brightened her eyes and raised her voice even more.
“To be precise, I respect you as a role model. I remember all your achievements. I also listened very intently to what you said today.”
Ah, so that was what she meant.
Yuwon, who had unconsciously tensed up, relaxed his eyes.
He disliked how easily he was swayed by every word Saehee said.
But as she continued, Yuwon found himself staring at her without realizing.
“Since joining this company, I’ve wanted to work with you. My long-cherished wish has come true, and I don’t want to ruin this precious chance with foolish mistakes.”
“…”
“I don’t want to remain a pathetic and awkward subordinate. So please tell me how to make up for my mistakes. I will endure whatever it takes.”
If she had been anyone else, he might have thought the plea sincere enough. The gaze that confronted him without avoidance was quite strong, too.
Yuwon scanned Saehee carefully again.
Her gaze was sharp enough to be overwhelming.
Her stance was recklessly charging toward her goal.
Her declaration of will felt bold and even shameless.
Such a frank reveal of her hand and the desperation mixed in her clumsy negotiation — admirable effort, but the method was a mess.
If he had to rate it, it would be the lowest.
But…
Her ability to corner her prey was definitely top-notch.
If he brushed off someone who was desperately apologizing just because he disliked them, what would happen to his reputation?
Not only would he be the fool who got coffee spilled on him the first day, but he’d also get the title of petty and stingy.
For Yuwon, unexpectedly faced with an apology, the only choice was to forgive and accept Saehee.
Realizing this belatedly, he gave a hollow laugh.
He had let his guard down thinking she was insignificant, only to find himself helplessly swayed.
So this is what it feels like to be easily outwitted.
Well, it was kind of refreshing.
“So, you’re just trying to get through this momentary crisis somehow?”
“Huh?”
“You’re confidently boasting as if you know what I’m going to demand.”
Yuwon stepped closer to Saehee. Startled by his sudden change, she stumbled back.
Undeterred, Yuwon moved one step closer and tilted his lips.
His rose-red lips moved slowly.
“Manager Han Saehee.”
“…”
“Don’t you realize how scary the world really is?”
Because of his taller height, Saehee was almost completely overshadowed by Yuwon.
Now, only a few steps separated them.
Tension showed on Saehee’s face.
“What if I repay you the same way you treated me? Would you still be willing to endure it?”
“The same way…?”
Saehee momentarily showed unease but quickly composed herself.
“If that would make you feel better, then by all means.”
Her confident posture, with shoulders straightened, was quite provocative.
“What nonsense.”
Yuwon laughed and cut off her words.
Then, wiping the smile away, he spoke in a dry tone as if evaluating an employee’s presentation.
“Your enthusiasm to fix things is commendable, but your approach was all wrong from the start.”
His harsh criticism made Saehee’s eyes tremble.
“Illegal stalking, forcing one-sided conversations, chaotic emotional appeals, incoherent flattery.”
“…”
“Everything was terrible, but the worst part was…”
“…”
“Instead of downplaying your mistake, you only emphasized it and used a poor argumentative style that made you seem doomed from the start.”
Yuwon’s sharp tongue tore Saehee apart efficiently. The sting of his words was sharper than a slap.
“I don’t know how you got selected for the Planning Department…”
Like Director Cho said, she should have just laid low and pretended to be dead.
Why did she attempt a frontal breakthrough for fame and fortune?
Just as Saehee was overcome with despair and about to request a transfer interview…
“Your reckless guts are not all bad.”
“…Huh?”
Caught off guard by his unexpected conclusion, Saehee looked up at Yuwon with wide eyes.
Surprisingly, the man was smiling.
