Chapter 2 (Part 3)

At the emergency room, Jinwon had to receive treatment that involved putting a cast on his finger. It was a serious injury with a fractured finger. In-ah stood there with a complicated expression, watching Jinwon.

“Be careful not to get it wet, and don’t use the injured finger.”

Listening to the nurse’s instructions, Jinwon stood up with an awkward expression. Without saying anything, In-ah left the emergency room first. Jinwon followed her out.

In-ah, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped. Jinwon also stopped behind her. Without turning around, In-ah spoke.

“Can I use the wish I got yesterday now?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t get involved with me.”

“……”

Jinwon’s face went pale. It was the reaction he expected, but his heart wasn’t prepared for it. Unaware of Jinwon’s feelings, In-ah continued speaking without hesitation.

“At work, it’s unavoidable, but in situations like today, just pretend you don’t know me.”

“Even if it were someone else, I would have…”

“You would have helped, right? Even so, don’t do that with me.”

In-ah’s voice was as cold as ice, enough to chill the listener to the bone. Since Jinwon couldn’t see In-ah’s expression, it made him imagine the worst possible scenario.

But Jinwon didn’t know. That In-ah swallowed her last words without saying them.

‘…Because it still hurts.’

Jinwon, who had returned to the company, sat in his office quietly staring at his finger in a cast. The image of In-ah’s face as she ran towards him at the moment he got hurt wouldn’t leave his mind. Even her urgent cries lingered.

‘I liked it when she spoke informally.’

A gentle smile spread across Jinwon’s face, but it quickly darkened. He remembered another thing In-ah had said.

‘Don’t get involved with me. At work, it’s unavoidable, but in situations like today, just pretend you don’t know me.’

There was only one reason he chose this company: to reunite with In-ah.

He was glad to see her again. It felt like a dream to be able to talk with her. But it was hard not to show his true feelings. It pained him to see In-ah still hurting, and it made him sad.

However, he felt he had no right. He was the one who had hurt In-ah so deeply.

Meanwhile, In-ah was called over by Assistant Manager Jeong in the office.

“In-ah, you wanted to go to the Milan Furniture Fair, right?”

“Yes. I was disappointed that it wasn’t my turn this time.”

“This time, it’s your turn. Assistant Manager Kim can’t go because of family matters.”

In-ah’s eyes widened with joy and surprise.

“Really? Can I go instead?”

“Are you that happy?”

“Of course. I’m so, so, so happy. You know how much I’ve wanted to go.”

In-ah was in a state of excitement, clasping her hands in front of her chest. Assistant Manager Jeong added with a satisfied smile.

“Yes. Go with the new Team Leader and learn a lot.”

“…What? Aren’t you going, Assistant Manager Jeong?”

“No. The new Team Leader is going, so you’ll have a lot to take care of, In-ah. Do your best.”

“Oh, yes….”

Assistant Manager Jeong didn’t notice In-ah’s excitement suddenly drop. He patted her on the shoulder as he walked away.

In-ah’s mind was in turmoil. She couldn’t miss this golden opportunity she had finally gotten.

But going on an overseas business trip alone with Jinwon filled her with anxiety and worry.

***

In-ah was standing in the pantry, absentmindedly staring into the freezer. She couldn’t let personal feelings ruin her work.

But the overseas trip was a total of six days. They wouldn’t be together constantly, but there would be times they’d have to face each other, and six days was by no means a short period.

“Is everything okay?”

Jinwon’s voice snapped In-ah out of her thoughts. Only then did she realize the fridge was continuously beeping, warning her to close the door quickly.

In-ah hurriedly closed the freezer door. She was empty-handed, with no ice as she had hoped.

“The Milan trip, I didn’t mean to get involved….”

Jinwon spoke cautiously. In-ah’s eyes met Jinwon’s gaze.

“…I didn’t mean to ignore the wish….”

“I know.”

In-ah replied before Jinwon could finish speaking. Her tone was emotionless. Jinwon glanced at In-ah and spoke cautiously again.

“Why? Should I not even talk to you?”

“Outside of work, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t.”

As soon as In-ah finished speaking, she left the pantry, leaving a cold breeze behind.

Since they were going to Milan together, she knew it would be difficult to keep the request she just made. Even though In-ah knew this, she couldn’t help but keep her guard up around Jinwon, almost unconsciously.

With the Milan trip confirmed, In-ah was set to work overtime until the departure. She was desperate to tie up as many loose ends as possible before leaving.

As she was engrossed in her computer monitor, she turned her head and saw the wall clock showing 9 PM.

Stretching her arms wide, In-ah stood up, mumbling with a blank expression.

“I need caffeine. Caffeine with ice!”

With zombie-like steps, In-ah entered the pantry and stood in front of the freezer, only to remember that there was no ice left.

She was at a loss. Opening the freezer door with a face full of disappointment, In-ah’s expression brightened.

“Ice! My beloved ice! Who refilled the ice? I love you! Take all my love. You deserve it.”

In-ah exuberantly shouted her joy into the empty air. Returning to her seat with a victorious iced coffee, a neatly folded blanket caught her eye.

It was the blanket Jinwon had covered her with during a previous overtime night. As if lost in thought for a moment, In-ah suddenly turned her gaze.

Jinwon’s office lights were still on.

‘Ignore it.’

Just as she turned her head back to the monitor, she heard a ‘clang!’

The sound came from Jinwon’s office.

“Oh? My hand slipped. You know my grip is weak, right? Jinwon, you understand.”

“…….”

Of the three people in Jinwon’s office, Seongtae was the only one talking. Seongtae’s brother, who had come with him, stood quietly with his arms crossed, listening silently.

“Did you want to feel the Milan breeze that much? Then you should go. You can sort it out when you get back, right?”

“…….”

Jinwon’s face was unreadable. Seongtae didn’t seem to care about Jinwon’s reaction at all.

“Of all places, why this company?”

“I came here first.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

When Jinwon finally spoke, Seongtae’s anger grew. Only then did Seongtae’s brother add a word.

“Lower your voice.”

“Everyone’s gone home, so what does it matter if I shout?”

Startled by Seongtae’s yelling, In-ah quietly reached out and turned off the desk lamp.

Who were these people threatening Jinwon? If they were loan sharks, it would make sense for them to come to the company to demand repayment. 

Their behavior was typical of loan sharks, but their conversation suggested otherwise.

Then a rough voice, like that of a loan shark, was heard.

“Go live abroad. It’ll be much more comfortable for both you and us.”

“Just don’t worry about it.”

Jinwon’s voice sounded sharper than before.

“Knock, knock. Are you there? You’re listening to me, right? How many times do I have to tell you? Your very existence is the problem.”

In-ah suddenly felt she shouldn’t be listening any longer. It seemed like she was eavesdropping on Jinwon’s personal affairs, possibly something sensitive.

As she stood up and turned, she accidentally knocked over the tumbler on her desk.

‘Thud, roll’

At that moment, the conversation in Jinwon’s office had paused, and the loud noise echoed through the space.

Reflexively, In-ah crouched down to hide. Thanks to this, Seongtae, who burst through the office door, didn’t see her.

In-ah covered her mouth with both hands, trying not to make a sound, and thought.

‘Something’s going on. Who is that man?’