Chapter 1 (Part 2)

“You didn’t sleep well last night, did you? Your face says it all.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yeah. Very much so. You can’t hide your age anymore. Take care of yourself.”

In-ah had long grown numb to Hye-yoon’s remarks like these. In truth, she wasn’t in a state to care about such things right now.

Even after arriving at work, In-ah’s mind was filled with thoughts of Jinwon, whom she had run into yesterday.

She had heard he went to study in Europe and settled there.

Why was he suddenly here? Was he just visiting? No, why would someone like that be in an officetel? Then did he come to live here?

In-ah suddenly opened her eyes wide.

‘Come to your senses, Seo In-ah. Why do you care about that?’

She sighed and turned her attention back to the monitor. That’s when Hye-yoon, sitting next to her, leaned over the partition and whispered.

“The new Team Leader is starting today. Let’s see how he acts all pretentious about being educated abroad. Don’t worry, I’ll handle him.”

Park Hye-yoon was always like that. She’d say what she wanted and then disappear back into her space.

“Seo In-ah, can I see you for a moment?”

“Yes.”

In-ah sat across from Assistant Manager Jeong.

“How’s the progress on the project drawings?”

“I think I can submit them by the end of this week.”

“Really? That’s good. It’s the first project for the new Team Leader, so make sure you pay extra attention.”

“Yes.”

Before returning to her seat, In-ah headed to the pantry. She sighed involuntarily.

The previous Team Leader was nicknamed “Seonbi” (a scholar). He rarely got angry or pointed things out. That’s why he eventually left the company as if he were exiled.

Rumor had it that the company was trying hard to bring in a competent person for the vacant Team Leader position. Today was the first day for that new person.

While making coffee, she heard a commotion outside the pantry. It seemed like a signal announcing the arrival of the new face.

But In-ah didn’t waver. She filled her coffee with ice from the fridge. Iced coffee was precious.

Holding her precious iced coffee, she left the pantry. But that precious iced coffee ended up on the floor instead of in her mouth. She had collided head-on with someone passing by the pantry.

When she looked up, she saw a shirt stained with her coffee. In-ah closed her eyes tightly and bowed her head.

“I’m sorry.”

When she straightened up and looked up, her jaw nearly dropped. Her mouth fell open in surprise.

It was Jinwon. His well-groomed hairstyle and model-like suit were different from yesterday, but he was the same man with starry eyes who had once looked at In-ah with love.

In-ah turned around and headed back to the pantry.

“Running away again?”

Those words made In-ah stop.

Who was calling whom a runaway?

Flames ignited in In-ah’s eyes.

Without realizing it, In-ah clenched her lips and slowly turned to face Jinwon. Before she could even open her mouth to respond, Jinwon spoke again.

“You ran away yesterday too.”

Ah, he was referring to yesterday’s escape.

In-ah had been so flustered in the officetel hallway that she had thrown the fire extinguisher and dashed back into her apartment.

In that brief moment, it wasn’t just In-ah who had seen Jinwon.

Still, the flames in In-ah’s eyes showed no sign of extinguishing.

Who was he to talk about “running away”?

Who was the one who had left a possibly pregnant girlfriend without a second thought seven years ago?

“Team Leader Lee, this way, please.”

If it hadn’t been for Assistant Manager Jeong, In-ah herself couldn’t have predicted what would have happened next. Thankfully, Jinwon disappeared right in front of her when Assistant Manager Jeong called him over, or else who knows what might have come out of her mouth.

With Assistant Manager Jeong’s introduction, Jinwon exchanged brief greetings with the staff. Among those surprised with their jaws dropped was Hye-yoon.

Hye-yoon was a fellow designer at the furniture company and a college classmate of In-ah. That meant she knew all about the history between In-ah and Jinwon as a campus couple.

However, Jinwon didn’t seem to notice Hye-yoon among the many employees. While Jinwon had been idol-level popular with his top-tier looks during college, Hye-yoon had just been one of the juniors in his department.

Jinwon, who had been exchanging greetings with the staff, stood in front of In-ah.

“Looking forward to working with you.”

And then he turned around and walked away without even looking at In-ah’s incredulous expression.

So, he’s pretending not to know me? Fine by me.

In-ah secretly glared at Jinwon’s back.

“There’s a welcome party for Team Leader Lee Jinwon tonight, so everyone, please make sure to attend.”

At Assistant Manager Jeong’s words, the employees clapped enthusiastically. The male employees were excited about eating meat, while the female employees couldn’t take their eyes off Jinwon’s good looks, clapping with different dreams in mind.

Amidst this, In-ah urgently raised her hand.

“Excuse me, Assistant Manager Jeong. I don’t think I can attend the dinner tonight.”

“Why? You’ve known about it for days.”

“I think I need to work late on the drawings.”

***

“In-ah, can you pass the soju over here?”

In-ah handed the soju bottle to Hye-yoon, who seemed more excited than ever. She wondered why Hye-yoon was so excited.

She sat at the barbecue restaurant with a gloomy expression that she couldn’t hide. Her attempt to skip the welcome party had failed.

“Team Leader, please have just one drink. Oh, my arm hurts~”

Hye-yoon feigned a sore arm while holding a soju bottle toward Jinwon. Unable to watch any longer, Assistant Manager Jeong chimed in.

“Go ahead, Team Leader. It’s your welcome party, after all. Just one drink.”

Jinwon reached for the soju bottle Hye-yoon was holding with an indifferent expression.

“Please give it to me.”

“No, I…”

Hye-yoon couldn’t finish her sentence. The moment she saw Jinwon’s cold gaze, she had no choice but to hand over the soju bottle.

Jinwon took the soju bottle from Hye-yoon and filled his glass.

In-ah glanced at the scene and let out a hollow laugh.

‘Why fill the glass when you can’t even drink one shot? What a waste of alcohol.’

“Are you having a gathering here?”

“Oh? Go Sang-wook, what brings you here?”

“I was passing by and saw the design team. Can I join? I haven’t had dinner yet.”

“Of course, of course. Please do.”

Go Sang-wook from the marketing team was someone inseparable from the design team. Collaboration during project processes was essential due to work. Moreover, his friendly personality made him close to not only Assistant Manager Jeong but also the entire design team.

“Then I’ll join you.”

Sang-wook squeezed in next to In-ah with a broad smile. It was only after sitting down that he seemed to notice In-ah, feigning surprise.

“Oh? In-ah, you’re here too?”

“Ah… haha… yes.”

In-ah was busy smiling at Sang-wook, so she didn’t notice Jinwon’s gaze.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Has it? I feel like it hasn’t been that long.”

“Let me take over, In-ah.”

Sang-wook took the tongs from In-ah, who was grilling meat.

“You shouldn’t be doing this with such delicate hands.”

“I’m good at grilling meat.”

“I’m even better. Just leave it to me.”

Raising his shoulders and grinning, Sang-wook seemed to be the second most excited person at the gathering after Hye-yoon.

At that moment, a bowl of steamed eggs was placed in front of In-ah.

She was sure the steamed eggs had been empty just a moment ago, but when did they get replaced? Looking up, she couldn’t tell who had put it there.

“Wow, the steamed eggs here are delicious, and they’re generous too.”

For the first time, In-ah’s expression brightened. The male employee next to Jinwon had to look around for the untouched bowl of steamed eggs.

“Team Leader Lee, you graduated from Yeungjin University, right? I was your direct junior in the design department.”

“Didn’t they say the Team Leader studied in Europe?”

The question from Assistant Manager Jeong, not Jinwon, was the response to Hye-yoon’s question. Hye-yoon tried to smooth out her furrowed brow and waited for Jinwon’s answer.

“Shall we toast?”

But instead of answering, Jinwon proposed a toast. The employees eagerly raised their glasses and exclaimed, “Welcome, Team Leader!” Each of them took a sip.

In-ah instinctively glanced at Jinwon. Despite her gaze, Jinwon bravely gulped down the soju.

What surprised In-ah was Jinwon’s audacity.

Had his tolerance increased? What was with that fearless action?

It was all a bluff. By the third glass, Jinwon had quietly laid his head on the table and fallen asleep.

“Team Leader Lee! Are you okay?”

“Looks like he’s asleep?”

“No way. After just this?”

Assistant Manager Jeong held up the soju bottle in disbelief. More than half of it remained, sloshing inside. The only one not surprised at the table was In-ah.

“Anyway, what should we do? Does anyone know where the Team Leader lives?”

In-ah had to hurriedly look away. She was particularly bad at lying, so she would surely give away that she knew.

Suddenly, Sang-wook stepped in.

“Is Team Leader’s phone locked?”

“No, it’s not locked. Why do you ask?”

Sang-wook took Jinwon’s phone from Hye-yoon, who was sitting next to him. After fiddling with it for a bit, he exclaimed.

“I found the address. Dongrim-dong Saeha Officetel.”

“How did you know? Do people save their addresses on their phones?”

Hye-yoon, full of curiosity, stuck close to Sang-wook, peering at the phone.

“Delivery app. The address is saved there.”

“Oh!”

Thanks to his discovery of Jinwon’s address, Sang-wook was tasked with taking Jinwon home.