The dream she had after such a long time was so vivid she could believe it happened just yesterday.

Everything was crystal clear. The cold night wind wrapping around Hyunseo’s body, her vision shaking with each step, her  fingers gripping her luggage tight to stop the trembling, even the white puffs of breath constantly streaming from her mouth.

Still, it was definitely better than before. She wasn’t anxious like she was going to die anymore. 

After waking up, instead of sobbing, Hyunseo could just think, “Ah, that’s how it was back then,” and move on. Then soon after, she blamed herself.

It seemed she hadn’t been working hard enough lately.

That’s why she had time left over for these stray thoughts.

“Hyunseo, are you okay?”

Hyunseo, who had been spacing out, flinched and looked up. Assistant Manager Hwang asked with worried eyes.

“You’ve been out of it all day. Is it because you didn’t get converted to permanent staff?”

“No, it’s just…”

“Why wouldn’t it be? I’m disappointed too. Cheer up. You’ll definitely make it next time.”

At the tone that was far too sincere to be mere pleasantries, Hyunseo curled up the corners of her lips. Assistant Manager Hwang, who patted her shoulder once, headed to his seat while sipping coffee.

The bustling noise around her finally reached her ears. Hyunseo quietly swept her eyes over the other employees in the office. Clack clack clack. The loud keyboard sounds snapped her back to attention.

She hurriedly turned her gaze to the monitor. It wasn’t hard to find where she’d left off. 

Hyunseo, who quickly found her pace again, rushed to fill in the forms. With concentration came the disappearance of the dream from her mind.

She pressed the print button and stood up. When she brought the printed documents to Assistant Manager Hwang in order, she received words of thanks. 

Hyunseo, who curled up the corners of her lips out of habit, bowed her head.

“Hyunseo—no, wait. Jungsu, could you develop this for me?”

Miae, a second-year employee, mouthed “sorry” to Hyunseo, who turned around. Realizing she’d been called by mistake, Hyunseo smiled faintly like it was fine and sat down.

Since she sat right in front, she could hear the conversation without trying. It was a request at a level she could easily handle if it had been given to her, but she didn’t show it. 

Hyunseo had equipped herself with that much sense long ago.

On the surface, they seemed to do the same work, but the reality was subtly different.

There definitely existed a line between permanent and contract employees that couldn’t be ignored. That’s why conversion was desperate, but it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

This was her second failed conversion. Unlike other contract workers who quit in disappointment, Hyunseo never intended to give up and leave. 

She quite liked this place she’d entered through what seemed like heavenly luck.

A so-called major corporation that started with financial services and now encompassed all aspects of society—construction, food, and even media. 

She knew very well that for someone like her, a GED graduate, this was a place she couldn’t dare dream of.

“Hyunseo, check your email.”

“Ah, yes!”

Hyunseo answered energetically and immediately checked her email. Her hand on the mouse moved busily.

She shook off her remaining thoughts. Thinking too much would only hurt her feelings needlessly. 

So it was better to focus only on what she could do right now. It was a kind of way of life she’d learned since being alone.

“Hello?”

[Are you busy?]

“No, go ahead. What’s going on?”

Hyunseo, who confirmed Gyeongsuk’s name on her phone screen, hurriedly left the office to take the call. Gyeongsuk was the caregiver looking after Gangseok.

[The agency is raising care fees across the board this time.]

“Really? By how much?”

[Ten percent. They’re telling everyone to charge that starting next month.]

“I see. Understood.”

[Then I’ll get back to work. You don’t need to worry about things here, so don’t stress. Take care.]

Like always, Gyeongsuk briefly conveyed only what was necessary and hung up. It was usually about money.

Whether the deposit hadn’t been made yet, or the dates seemed to be calculated wrong—aside from that, Hyunseo actually preferred that Gyeongsuk rarely contacted her. 

It was because of her true feelings of not wanting to care about every little thing.

Gangseok, who had collapsed from a stroke, was currently in a nursing hospital. Gyeongsuk was the one taking care of Gangseok, who had difficulty moving due to diabetes and alcoholic dementia on top of everything.

Though she could count on one hand the times she’d seen her face, Hyunseo trusted Gyeongsuk, who had a pleasant impression. Or maybe it was more accurate to say she had to trust her since she couldn’t care for him herself.

She typed “additional care fee” into her phone calendar and started walking. Hyunseo, who entered the bathroom at the end of the hallway, paused while turning on the sink water. 

Murmuring voices came from inside.

“But about Hyunseo. Doesn’t she seem kind of shadowy?”

The owner of the voice was Deputy Manager Jeong, a five-year veteran. Deputy Manager Jeong, who boasted connections with people from other departments, led conversations anywhere, anytime. The voice that followed was none other than Miae’s.

“A little, right? When she’s expressionless, the atmosphere gets cold.”

“Exactly. She obviously has a story written all over her face. And it’s not just any ordinary story either.”

She’d heard they were university seniors and juniors. Perhaps because of that, Hyunseo was also familiar with Deputy Manager Jeong’s favoritism in particularly looking after Miae. 

But still.

“I wonder if it’s because she didn’t get converted again this time.”

“No, she’s been like that since she joined. If you look closely, her eyes are full of troubles.”

“Is that why you keep your distance?”

“Does it show?”

“A little. But I have sensitive intuition, so Hyunseo probably doesn’t notice.”

“Even if she knows, so what. There’s no need to pretend to be close, especially when she might quit any time.”

“True.”

“Oh my, my friend in the secretary’s office texted—Director Sunwoo came to work today?”

“Really? His New York business trip ended already?”

After hearing Miae’s voice excitedly making a fuss, Hyunseo quietly left the bathroom.

She wasn’t upset. Hyunseo thought it wasn’t worth dwelling on. People naturally gossip, and when she thought about it, they weren’t even wrong, so it wasn’t too difficult to find her composure.

But she was a bit surprised. At their boldness in not caring whether anyone was outside or not.

The fact that they wouldn’t even be careful to that extent made her realize once again. Her existence, floating like dust.

“Should I smile more?”

Hyunseo lowered the corners of her lips that she’d been forcing up. Her eyes following her toes rippled shallowly.

Honestly, there was a limit to trying to appear bright. Didn’t someone say that those who haven’t been loved always show it somehow?

Feeling that the desire not to be found out wasn’t enough, Hyunseo couldn’t stop the sigh that burst out. She shrugged her shoulders once and shook her head.

She couldn’t ask for much. This wasn’t a company she joined to build friendships with people. So she entered the office vowing not to be hurt and sat down to handle her remaining work.

***

“Alright everyone, the department head is calling. He says let’s have a company dinner since we worked hard on that last project. Those with plans can skip, and those without should gather at Imo’s Gopchang on the intersection.”

“Sorry, but I’m sitting out. I have to pick up my kid instead of my wife.”

“I’m going.”

“Me too.”

“Of course I’ll go.”

“I should go too… but I haven’t finished consolidating the data yet. You all go ahead.”

While everyone except Assistant Manager Nam, who looked miserable, filed out of the office at once, Assistant Manager Hwang kept sighing deeply. 

Hyunseo carefully spoke to Assistant Manager Hwang, who was muttering “this d*mn Excel” and nervously clicking the mouse.

“Assistant Manager, if it’s what you mentioned earlier, can I handle it?”

“Hm? You’re not going to the dinner?”

“I…”

“Ah, right. Hyunseo, you hate drinking gatherings. Then can I ask you to do it instead? It’s simple.”

“Of course. Don’t worry and leave for the day.”

Assistant Manager Hwang hurriedly stood up, unable to hide his pleased expression despite looking apologetic.

“You’re going to stay and look at it until late again, aren’t you?”

“I find it fun.”

“You’re peculiar. Anyway, thanks. I’m heading out?”

When Assistant Manager Hwang disappeared with a wave, Hyunseo found herself alone in the office.

She looked around the quiet interior and soon opened the Excel file she’d been handed. 

She heard signs of employees leaving from other departments on the same floor, and soon even that could no longer be heard.

Being a contract worker, Hyunseo mostly handled work passed to her by Assistant Manager Hwang or other employees, so she often remained alone in the office like this. 

It was thanks to the company policy that allowed it as long as it was for self-development.

For Hyunseo, who had gotten into studying Excel, it was an excellent study room. 

Of course, there was the condition of not applying for overtime pay, but even that wasn’t a problem for her, whose purpose was to shake off stray thoughts. 

In fact, it was good. When she concentrated, she completely forgot even the passage of time.

She had no ulterior motive of gaining favor by handling others’ work for them. Nor was it some grand ambition to help the company. 

What was most important to her was blocking out deepening thoughts.

…Ah. It’s past 10.

Hyunseo, who had finished the work Assistant Manager Hwang entrusted to her long ago and had been fiddling with the keyboard for quite a while, checked the time and hurriedly closed the Excel window. 

No matter how unlimited it was, staying too late was inconsiderate.

Hyunseo hurriedly grabbed her bag. This big company didn’t need to worry about electricity bills, but it was better to clean up early considering the security guards who would be making their rounds soon.

She rushed onto the elevator. She only then realized she’d skipped dinner. Since it was a fairly frequent occurrence, Hyunseo naturally thought of Hyungja and quietly smiled. It didn’t seem bad to visit her after a while.

Having decided that and nodding her head, she suddenly raised her gaze. Just as she realized she’d only gotten on without pressing the first-floor button, the elevator suddenly started moving.

And then.

Ding!

“…”

“…”

As she hesitated, the door slowly opened. Hyunseo could immediately tell where she was.

Even without the number 38, she couldn’t fail to recognize the tall man standing before her. 

While she was flustered at having come all the way to where the director’s office was located alone, the man opened his lips.

“Did you come to see me?”

“N-no. I didn’t.”

“Then I guess I can get on.”

After work hours, only one of the four elevators operates. Therefore, it meant the man, who was a director, could use the elevator that regular employees ride. Yes, that made sense, but.

It definitely wasn’t a normal situation, so Hyunseo, who was extremely flustered aside from all that, hurriedly pressed herself into the corner. The man, who got on leisurely, calmly lit up the dark first-floor button.

Swoosh—the closed elevator soon slowly descended. A low voice was heard.

“Your name.”

“I’m Do Hyunseo, contract employee in the Business Planning Department.”

Tense, Hyunseo straightened her shoulders and took a proper posture. Of course, the man’s gaze didn’t reach her.

He nodded once while watching straight ahead.

At that sight, Hyunseo vaguely dug up past memories. The man seemed to have forgotten, but she’d actually told him her name two or three times before.

The places were different, but the times were roughly similar. The first time was when she, who had stayed late at the company, ran into him on the rooftop she’d gone up to under the pretext of seeing the night view. 

Next was probably in the company lobby where she’d been brought down by security. And each time, she’d stated her affiliation and name to the man just like now.

She felt bitter for a moment. It was utterly unreasonable to hope he’d remember her three-character name among countless employees. 

Especially for this remarkable man whom all the female employees in the company admired endlessly.

“I guess only contract workers work overtime in the Business Planning Department.”

Even trying not to look, she could see. The suit fit wrapping his broad shoulders, solid upper body, and long straight legs was flawlessly perfect. 

Even the body scent she faintly caught was heavy and sweet, making it even more wonderful.

Because of this, Hyunseo, who had been stealing glances without realizing it, belatedly understood the man’s meaning and opened her eyes wide. 

Just as she was about to explain it wasn’t overtime, a low voice wrapped around her ears again.

“Do it in moderation. It’s not like they appreciate you sacrificing your body for work.”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s just shitty. This d*mn company keeps growing and it pisses me off.”

The elevator, which had arrived at the first floor, stopped. Hyunseo could only stare blankly at the man exiting through the open door.

What did he just say…?

She opened the closing door and hurriedly got off. The man had already disappeared. Only after repeatedly realizing she couldn’t find him anywhere in the lobby did she let out a deflated sound.

Sunwoo Gyeom. Thirty-three. The grandson of founder Chairman Sunwoo Deokjae and the person designated as the next heir of Giwha Group. 

Unlike other third-generation chaebols his age who used their materially abundant backgrounds to live lazy and debauched lives, he was known as a tremendous workaholic.

His recognized work achievements alone were countless. Especially having successfully completed an overseas contract worth hundreds of billions of dollars and returned to headquarters just about three months ago.

He was in a truly unrivaled position. She’d heard it was only a matter of time before he inherited the chairman position.

Since he was the only grandson in three generations of a family with few children, there were no particularly worthy rivals throughout his paternal and maternal families, and he was still devoted to company work day and night. Like today, like this. 

But.

“I must have heard wrong.”

For Hyunseo, more shocking than the fact that he’d spoken to her, more than the fact that he remembered their small encounters, was his statement that she’d caught in passing.

So she concluded it was better to dismiss it as having heard wrong.

No matter how she thought about it, it didn’t match the rumors she’d usually heard about Director Sunwoo. He was exemplary, gentle, and diligent.

His outstanding appearance that completely outshone most celebrities was just an option. Even setting aside his special background as royalty, he was praised as a perfect man in every way.

Even his somewhat blunt personality was considered an excellent element supporting his clean private life, and female employees openly worshiped him. Stories about him never ceased wherever she went. He was familiar enough despite never having met him.

The center of Giwha. The core of Giwha. The remarkable man about whom it was said he kept today’s Giwha alive.

The amount of rumors she’d heard in passing was vast, but remembering they were all praise without exception, Hyunseo nodded her head again and left the darkened building. 

White breath stretched long between her pressed lips.

***

“Auntie.”

“Hm? Oh my, who is this!”

When she entered the restaurant with its sign light off, Hyungja, who had been washing dishes, pulled off her rubber gloves.

“It’s Hyunseo.”

“Yes, I’m here.”

“But why so late? Were you working until now again?”

Hyungja’s face brightened as she grumbled about what kind of company work only one person does. Hyunseo deliberately pretended not to notice that Hyungja’s eyes had subtly moistened as she welcomed her with a smile stretching from ear to ear.

“Have you eaten?”

“Do you have leftover sundae soup?”

“Again?”

Hyungja, who furrowed her brow, pulled Hyunseo’s hand and sat her at a table while saying she couldn’t live like this. From Hyungja, who hurriedly entered the kitchen, turned on the gas, and brought out a pot, Hyunseo withdrew her gaze.

The cozy shop came into view at a glance. Scanning every corner of the shop that was familiar yet seemed a bit more worn than before, she silently curled up the corners of her lips. 

Hyungja’s slightly raised voice was heard.