Chapter 4 (Part 5)

In just a few days, the streets were entirely painted red with autumn leaves.

To the n*ked eye, it was unmistakably autumn, but the perceived temperature was close to winter.

Today was the day to go to the hotel and rehearse the program.

With Mr. Kim opening the door, Seo-hye emerged from the storage room, unfolding her arms crossed against the biting cold and rubbing her arms vigorously.

Just last week, when she went to the hotel for a meeting, the weather was pleasantly cool.

Thinking about how quickly the weather changed, she entered the main house.

Whether she hadn’t left yet, Hae-mi, who was lying on the sofa watching TV, sneered at Seo-hye.

“Looks like you’re really suited for a closed room. Looking worn out suits you perfectly.”

Seo-hye turned her body towards the stairs without responding.

However, Hae-mi’s unfinished sarcasm continued to fly towards the back of her head.

“Ah, on a day like today, Do-jin should come and see you. No charm, no figure. He’d probably lose interest right away.”

She tried to ignore Hae-mi’s words, but she started to worry if Do-jin would really think that way.

Should I put on a bit more makeup than last week?

Without realizing it, she hurried up the stairs.

If she usually only applied foundation, did her eyebrows, and wore lipstick, today she put in a bit more effort.

With blush and mascara, she seemed brighter than last week.

But soon she put down the cosmetics and sighed.

What was I doing?

She felt ridiculous for trying to look pretty after having pushed him away like that.

She grabbed a tissue and rubbed her lips hard.

Then she went to the wardrobe, picked out a modest dress that covered her knees, and put it on.

Throwing on a coat casually over it, she went downstairs.

Knocking on the study door, Hwa-woong looked at her clearly as if he had been waiting.

“I’ll be going now. Please give me my phone.”

“Take it.”

Seo-hye went to the desk, grabbed her phone, and reached for the door.

“I’m meeting Chairman Won today.”

Seo-hye paused as she was about to lower the doorknob.

“I will make it definite today. I’ll ask to set the date sooner. We need to hurry the marriage so no one else covets.”

Seo-hye clenched her teeth, then released them, letting out a dry voice.

“Do as you wish. Why are you telling me this?”

Seo-hye closed the door and left.

With every step she took, it felt like the ground was sinking beneath her. It was as if she was walking through a swamp, her feet growing heavier with the sinking feeling in her heart.

“Sigh.”

She stopped for a moment and rubbed her forehead.

Feeling queasy, she rubbed her chest with her other hand.

Despite telling Do-jin with no regrets that he should marry her sister, hearing that the wedding with Hae-mi would be moved up made her heart feel painfully constricted.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Mr. Kim, who was standing at the entrance, spoke to her in a small voice.

“No. I’m heading out.”

Seo-hye nodded and put on her shoes, stepping out of the entrance.

As she walked down the stairs, she opened her phone to check the call log and text messages.

Fortunately, it seemed that Hwa-woong had passed on all work-related messages to her.

“The secretary will arrive within an hour. Prepare yourself.”

And exactly 50 minutes ago, there was a recording of a call with Seok-young.

Thinking he would arrive soon, she stepped out of the main gate.

As it had become quite cold, she tightened her collar and adjusted the bag strap that had slipped off her shoulder.

With the familiar engine noise, the car stopped in front of the house.

Yoo Seok-young got out of the car immediately and greeted Seo-hye.

“Hello, Ms. Seo-hye. Have you been waiting long?”

“No. I just came out. And you’re earlier than expected, Secretary.”

Yoo Seok-young responded with a gentle smile and opened the back door for her.

She headed towards the back of the car, feeling quite tense.

As she was about to step in, she paused for a moment, seeing the empty back seat.

Yoo Seok-young, seemingly understanding why she hesitated, explained right away.

“Oh, the Managing Director couldn’t come because a meeting was suddenly scheduled.”

Seo-hye replied with a nonchalant tone, saying, “Is that so?” and got into the car.

She felt a bit anxious, wondering if she appeared disappointed because Do-jin wasn’t there.

What if Yoo Seok-young told Won Do-jin that Seo-hye was upset because he wasn’t there?

“Sigh.”

She was beginning to feel angry at herself for unconsciously assuming that Do-jin would naturally come to pick her up, especially after putting so much effort into her makeup.

In truth, she was worried that if her feelings grew any larger, she would end up being the one hurt.

Clenching her fists tightly, she shook her head vigorously, trying to rid herself of thoughts about him.

Hoping not to think of him anymore.

***

As soon as she got out of the car after arriving, Kim Yoo-ra from the PR team, who was waiting near the entrance, ran warmly towards Seo-hye.

“Hello, Ms. Seo-hye!”

“Hello, Manager.”

“Yes, but Ms. Seo-hye, what have you been doing for a week? You seem even prettier than when I saw you last week.”

It was surely just a polite remark, but unfamiliar with such compliments, she unconsciously raised her hand to her cheek, feeling a bit flushed.

“Oh my, are you shy? It’s not like it’s your first time hearing you’re pretty, right?”

Yoo-ra, who seemed to be in her mid-30s, looked at Seo-hye, who appeared much younger, with a fond gaze.

Seo-hye quietly said thank you and followed Yoo-ra.

They went to the multipurpose room next to the PR office to hear an explanation about the teaching method. Upon hearing that the director from the foundation-affiliated orphanage had arrived, the two got on the elevator to go back down to the first floor where the seminar room was located.

“Seo-hye, you mentioned you worked at an art academy, right?”

“Yes. I’m taking a short break now.”

“Then you shouldn’t have any trouble dealing with children. Do you like kids?”

“Yes, I think I do. They’re so cute no matter what they do, so I want to teach them more.”

“Oh my… I’m really not good with kids. People around me said it would be different when I have a niece or nephew, so I thought I’d start liking kids once I had one of my own.”

Yoo-ra shook her head from side to side, narrowing her eyes vertically.

“But no, not at all. I had a niece two years ago, and it’s still difficult. So when I see people who are good with kids, I find it fascinating and envy them.”

“I’m just… fond of them, but I’m still clumsy.”

Yoo-ra chuckled softly.

“Still, they said they only brought well-behaved kids from the orphanage, so don’t be nervous.”

“Was I nervous?”

Yoo-ra leaned her face a little closer to Seo-hye, observing her carefully.

“Yes. Look at this. Your complexion is pale.”

“That can’t be.”

Seo-hye rubbed her cheek and looked at her reflection in the elevator wall.

Since it was a metal surface, it wasn’t detailed enough to show her complexion clearly.

“It’s a joke, a joke. Just trying to ease your nerves.”

“Oh.”

Seo-hye laughed awkwardly.

In the meantime, the elevator arrived at the first floor, and the doors opened.

The two headed to the seminar room and happened to meet the director of the orphanage in front of it.

After exchanging greetings, the director informed them that the children were inside the seminar room.

It had been two weeks since Seo-hye was last at the academy, so she entered with a joyful heart.

The seminar room was arranged with about six rows of two-person desks on each side

She could see the children gathered and seated at the front.

A quick glance suggested there were about fifteen of them.

They were all pre-school-aged, ranging from toddlers around three years old to slightly older children. Overall, they were all cute and small.

“Hello.”

They all greeted Seo-hye in unison.

On each desk, there was a temporary nameplate with the children’s names written on it.

Seo-hye quickly scanned the nameplates, committing to memory the faces of the children she would see at least six more times in the future.

The classes would be held once or twice a week, with a theme set for each week for the children.

She would draw a related picture at the front, and the children would follow along, with Seo-hye going around during free time to provide individual attention.

Like a fish in water, she kindly explained the process, trying to ensure there was no awkwardness during the first shoot next week.

She worked harder not only because she enjoyed it but also because she felt a sense of responsibility.

They said that if the first start went well, other genres of talent donation programs would continue with a second and third part.