Chapter 5. Have We Met Somewhere Before?  

“Haah. Why on earth did I do that that night?”

Because of her first-ever impulsive act, her mind had been restless lately.

“It’s because I fell for that handsome face.”

As usual, Han Yerin, first to arrive at Executive Director Mo’s office, let out a deep sigh.

The fortunate thing was that, after spending the night with Lee Hyun, nothing else occupied her mind except thoughts of him.

Her goal had been achieved by embracing him that night. The problem, however, was that even when she closed her eyes, Lee Hyun’s face, moving like a beast above her, kept resurfacing in her mind.

“He must have seen the note I left, right?”

Though it had been an unforgettable, blissful night, it was safer to leave it as just a one-night stand.

After all, Lee Hyun also only intended to spend one night. If she hadn’t left, he would have been the one to disappear first.

She didn’t want to wake up alone in the morning and feel that emptiness, so she left the hotel as soon as she saw him close his eyes.

Although their departments were different, and there was little chance of crossing paths at work, she still felt uneasy every time she came to the office.

“Anyway, I had heavy makeup on and wore a wig that day.”

Even if they did meet, the chances of Lee Hyun recognizing her were slim.

“Come on. Would someone like him even bother looking for a one-night stand? A man as busy as him?”

With countless women surrounding him, what was so special about me that he would care about a woman he spent just one night with?

Thinking that, Yerin greeted the other secretaries as they arrived one after another.  

“You guys heard, right? Executive Director Mo got fired.”

“Yes, we heard.”

Yerin, seated at her desk, stared blankly at the door to the now-empty office.

Executive Director Mo of Jiseok Electronics, whom Yerin had served, had been dismissed for his inappropriate behavior.

The staff in Executive Director Mo’s secretary’s office looked visibly relieved.

“See? He should’ve kept things under control.”

“Honestly, it’s a relief he got caught now, isn’t it?”

“Absolutely. But it looks like we’ll all be assigned to different departments now.”

“It’s a shame; I got attached to everyone.”

“Let’s make sure to meet up often and chat.”

“Oh, the transfer announcements just came out.”

At those words, Yerin accessed the company bulletin board.

With a desperate hope that her new boss would be someone decent this time, she clicked on the announcement.

And then, she froze.

“Wow, Secretary Han, you’re so lucky!”

“Seriously. Isn’t he the boss everyone dreams of working for?”

“Of course! Secretary Han, you must have saved a country in your past life!”

All the secretaries in the office envied Yerin.

“Secretary Han, why are you frozen like that?”

“She probably can’t believe it. They say working for him is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“Well, yeah. Even I wouldn’t believe it. So jealous, Secretary Han.”

“You’ll get to see that handsome man every day now! After looking at bald Executive Director Mo, your eyes are going to be so happy!”

Amid the commotion, Yerin blinked her eyes open and shut.

“This can’t be happening.”

Still, the announcement hadn’t changed.

“This is seriously…”

Even if it were a dream, it was a cruel one.

The boss Yerin was to serve starting tomorrow was none other than…

“Congratulations, Yerin. You’re going to be serving Director Cha Lee Hyun.”

…the very Lee Hyun she should never cross paths with again.

This was truly a cruel twist of fate.

***

The morning she wished would never come had arrived.

Having to serve Lee Hyun starting today, Yerin’s steps to work felt heavier than ever.

“Isn’t this seriously a joke of fate?”

She and Lee Hyun were supposed to have nothing to do with each other.

If not for this absurd transfer decision, that is.

Jiseok Electronics had plenty of more competent and experienced secretaries than her.

She’d even heard that the competition to join Lee Hyun’s secretary’s office was fierce.

“Why me…”

No matter how many sighs she let out, the frustration wouldn’t go away because the situation wouldn’t change.

If they hadn’t crossed paths at work, it could have ended as a perfect one-night stand.

But now, she’d have to see his face every day, right by his side.

“He wouldn’t recognize me… right? No way.”

Yerin wanted to put her full trust in the power of the heavy makeup and wig Nari had applied for her.

Because if not, she had no other lifeline to hold on to.

“Even if he does recognize me, so what?”

It wasn’t wrong for two consenting adults to spend a night together, but the problem was that she’d done so with the boss she was now supposed to serve.  

“He must not recognize me. Absolutely not.”

She had wished to never cross paths with him again, not even in death.

But as if mocking her wishes, this transfer announcement had been made.

With a nervous face, Yerin stepped into the secretary’s office of the Display Business Division’s Director at Jiseok Electronics.

“Hello.”

Seeing her enter, Secretary Choi greeted her with open arms.

“Welcome.”

Secretary Choi guided her to her desk and, with excessive kindness, took care of her.

While she was exchanging greetings with Secretary Kim and Secretary Shin, who worked in the same office, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Hearing the sound, everyone shut their mouths and returned to their seats.

Secretary Choi lowered his voice and whispered.

“Director Cha Lee Hyun will be arriving soon.”

“Oh, okay.”

Yerin bowed her head deeply.

She wanted to let her hair down to cover her face, but that would ruin her neat appearance, so she couldn’t.

A moment later.

Lee Hyun entered the office.

And upon spotting the woman with her head bowed low, he struggled to suppress his laughter.

“Director, this is Han Yerin, the secretary taking over my position.”

Yerin slightly raised her head and bent her waist at a 90-degree angle, offering an overly formal greeting.

To anyone else, it might seem excessive, but this was her best effort to avoid showing her face.

Lee Hyun chuckled softly as he watched Yerin, who remained bent over.

“Secretary Choi, make sure to hand over everything thoroughly.”

“Of course.”

After glancing at Secretary Choi’s face, Lee Hyun gave his instructions and quickly walked into his office to answer a call.

Watching the door close, Secretary Choi whispered quietly to Yerin.

“Director Cha is quite cold, but as long as you do your job well, you won’t have any trouble.”

“Oh, okay.”

Secretary Choi, still bothered by how Lee Hyun hadn’t even properly greeted Yerin, kept reassuring her that while he might seem cold, he wasn’t a bad person.

“Once you get used to it, he’s not a particularly difficult boss to serve.”

However, there was no conviction in Secretary Choi’s face as he said this.

Yerin, curious about why she had been assigned to this position, asked Secretary Choi.

“But aren’t there many other capable candidates?”

“Well, yes, but…”

Secretary Choi leaned in closer, as if sharing a secret, and whispered.

“Director Cha specifically chose you.”

“What?”

Yerin unintentionally raised her voice and then quickly looked around, embarrassed.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just so surprised.”

“It’s understandable. Even though you’re relatively new, you’re known for being exceptionally skilled. That’s probably why Director Cha wanted you.”

Though it was a compliment, she couldn’t feel happy about it.

‘Why did he specifically choose me?’

Could it be that he recognized me?

If so, she might have to submit her resignation immediately.

Though she had been a secretary for quite some time, the tension in her body wouldn’t ease because the boss she had to serve from today was Lee Hyun.

Having a one-night stand with a superior she’d have to face daily at work…

“Haah.”

The mere thought of it made her sigh.

Seeing Yerin sigh, Secretary Choi quickly spoke up.

“I won’t completely let go of my involvement, but from now on, Secretary Han, you will be in charge of fully assisting the Director.”

“Understood.”

“Yerin, the Director has a bit of a perfectionist streak.”

As if things weren’t uncomfortable enough.

It was said that Lee Hyun didn’t know the meaning of doing things halfway when it came to work.

“It might be a bit tough at first to get in sync with him.”

While speaking, Secretary Choi kept observing Yerin’s expression.

Every secretary chosen as his successor ended up resigning within a week, saying they couldn’t handle it and submitting their resignation letter.

Worried that Yerin might do the same, Secretary Choi was extremely anxious.

“I am a little scared, to be honest.”

“I’ll try to cover for you as much as I can during the handover.”

“Thank you.”

In the meantime, the intercom on Yerin’s desk rang.

“You can answer it.”

There was only one person who could call her like this: Lee Hyun.

Suppressing her trembling fingertips, Yerin picked up the phone.

“Yes, Director. This is Han Yerin.”

“Bring me the report from the Product Planning Team now.”

As soon as the call ended, Secretary Choi asked what was discussed.

“He asked me to bring the report from the Product Planning Team.”

“Oh, that…”

Secretary Choi’s face grew even paler.

“It’s such a mess that if you bring it as is, you’ll probably just get scolded.”

The meeting with the Product Planning Team was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

Why was he suddenly asking for the report he was supposed to review before the meeting?

Secretary Choi brought over the printed report and briefly explained it to Yerin.

Then, as if he had made up his mind, he wore a determined expression.

“Let’s go in together today.”

Knock-knock—

When Secretary Choi knocked, a low voice from inside told them to enter.

Yerin clasped her hands tightly together as she stepped into the office.

She wondered if this was how a rabbit felt stepping into a tiger’s den.

She felt so uneasy that she wondered if she’d need to wear a mask to work every day from now on.

Fortunately, Lee Hyun still had his gaze fixed on the document he was reviewing.

Secretary Choi cautiously approached the desk and placed the report on one side.

“Director, this is the report from the Product Planning Team.”

Only then did Lee Hyun slowly lift his head.

His gaze was sharp and cold, a stark contrast to the look he had on the bed that night, making her doubt if it was even the same person.

“Secretary Choi, leave us.”

“What? No, I should stay here with—”

“Han Yerin.”

For the first time, Lee Hyun shifted his gaze to Yerin.

Seeing her face, the indifferent look in his eyes wavered slightly.

“Yes, Director.”

There was no response from Lee Hyun.

Tap-tap—

The sound of his index finger rhythmically tapping the desk was the only thing that echoed in the office.

Yerin slowly straightened her back.

His cold eyes were fixed on her.

As if he had something to ask, Lee Hyun didn’t hesitate and posed a question.

“Have we met somewhere before?”