Chapter 7 (Part 4)

“Submit all design proposals for the Jinseong Remodeling Resort by the end of this week.”  

Assistant Manager Jeong announced loudly to the design team.  

Hye-yoon sighed deeply.  

“They must think designs just come out of nowhere when they ask for them. We haven’t even finished the Corners project.”

“Jinseong is known to be picky, right?”  

A designer from the neighboring team was the only one to respond.  

“Tell me about it. If I could, I’d ask to be exempted.”  

Emboldened by the response, Hye-yoon continued her lament. The designer scooted closer and whispered,  

“Have you heard the rumor? There’s talk of Jinseong acquiring our company.”  

“Oh, please. That rumor has been around forever. It’s been said they’re working on it behind the scenes for ages.”

Their hushed conversation was crystal clear to In-ah.  

Her brow furrowed instinctively. Memories of meeting with the representative of Jinseong Construction came flooding back.

If Jinseong were to acquire the company, it would certainly not be good for either In-ah or Jinwon.

“Seo In-ah!”  

Startled by her name being called, she looked up.  

“Your mother came to see you.”

Mom? Why would she come all the way to the company in the middle of the day instead of home? 

In-ah headed straight to the break room where her mom was waiting.  

“I brought some side dishes. You must be too busy working and visiting the hospital to eat properly.”  

“You made these side dishes?”  

Seeing her daughter’s astonishment, her mom quickly clarified.  

“You’re busy, and so am I. So, I bought them.”  

Of course. With her dad, the master chef, currently unavailable, it was impossible for such a variety of dishes to be prepared.  

Then, her mom took out another bundle of side dishes and got to the main point.  

“These are for your Team Leader.”  

“Team Leader?”  

In-ah stared at her mom, confused by the unexpected comment.  

“Since I’m here, I might as well say hello to your Team Leader.”  

“Why?”  

“In-kyung said he’s been a great help to you. I should at least thank him.”  

“Oh, it’s fine.”  

“What’s fine? I want to say hello.”  

The two began to push and pull the side dish container between them.  

Caught in the middle, the container eventually flew into the air, its lid popping open.  

Just then, Jinwon entered the break room and was hit directly by the flying side dishes.  

“Team Leader!”  

She rushed to wipe the spinach off his face.  

Her mom, now looking embarrassed, couldn’t take her eyes off the mess on his face.  

“What should I do?”  

Her mom’s face turned pale, and she quickly gathered her things and left.  

“I’m sorry, Team Leader. Just a moment. Mom!”  

She hurriedly chased after her mom, who had suddenly fled.  

Left alone, Jinwon wiped the remnants off his face.  

***  

On her way home from work, she headed to meet Haejeong at a restaurant.  

As she walked, she glanced back, aware that Jinwon was following her.  

Irritated by his presence, she suddenly stopped and turned around.  

“Why are you following me?”  

“I’m not following you.”  

His shameless response left her speechless, only able to let out a laugh.  

What more could she say when he denied following her while doing just that? She had no choice but to continue toward her destination.  

Entering the restaurant, she was surprised to see him follow her inside.  

“What are you doing…”  

“Mr. Lee Jinwon?”  

Just as she was about to confront him, a stranger approached Jinwon.  

“Hello. I’m Choi Kyutae, the one who called.”  

What was this? Embarrassed, In-ah looked around frantically for a place to hide. It was an awkward situation.

“I was really surprised to see you and Jinwon coming in together.”  

Haejeong, lowering her voice, spoke to her with a lowered head. She was quite surprised by Jinwon’s appearance.  

Thus, she began her meal with Haejeong. The delicious food, the emotional atmosphere, the pleasant music—all was perfect except for one thing!  

Right next to her, Jinwon and the stranger were dining together.  

Throughout the meal, she kept glancing at him. Unable to hold back, Haejeong asked,  

“What’s up with you?”  

“What do you mean?”  

“You’re constantly looking at Jinwon.”  

“When did I do that?”  

Though she had been conscious of him the entire time, she feigned ignorance.  

Haejeong, with a sympathetic look, said,  

“Did you decide to forgive him after hearing what happened seven years ago?”  

“It’s not like that.”  

“Then why did you suddenly cancel your trip to the U.S.?”  

“I just changed my mind.”

That was the truth. The reason for leaving had disappeared, which was why she canceled her trip.  

“Looks like that guy is trying to scout Jinwon.”

Haejeong, sitting closer to Jinwon, seemed to overhear their conversation.  

“They’re offering a much higher salary. So what about you? Was your decision to not go to the U.S. just your own?”

“I told you it’s not like that. Just eat your food and stop eavesdropping.”  

“I’m not eavesdropping; I just overheard.”  

Pretending not to listen, Haejeong suddenly exclaimed,  

“Looks like he’s changing companies. Then what does it mean that you didn’t go to the U.S.?”

“I told you it’s not because of him.”  

Though she said that, she was just as puzzled and curious about the situation.  

Changing companies when he should be focusing on his cancer treatment?  

***  

On her way home, she picked up some soju and snacks from the convenience store.  

Jinwon, passing by the store on his way home, noticed her.  

He approached her naturally, matching her pace.  

“Having a late-night snack after dinner?”  

“Yes.”  

She answered curtly and quickened her pace to walk ahead of him.  

He lengthened his stride to catch up with her.  

“Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t going to the U.S.?”  

Without looking at him, she continued walking.  

“Are you asking as my boss about reporting protocols, or is it personal curiosity?”  

“Just asking.”  

“Then I don’t have to answer, right?”  

She quickened her pace again.  

But they ended up in the same elevator.  

Along with them was one other person, making it just three in the elevator.  

The man standing between them was huge, taller than Jinwon, likely over 190 cm, with broad shoulders.  

In that situation, Jinwon turned to her and asked the question he hadn’t gotten an answer to earlier.  

“Why did you decide not to go to the U.S.?”  

She answered indifferently.  

“You’re not asking because you think I’ll answer, are you?”  

The man in the middle glanced at Jinwon. Ignoring him, Jinwon spoke again.  

“Then just tell me this. It’s not because of me, right?”  

The man turned his head toward her, seemingly curious about her answer.  

But she remained silent, her lips tightly sealed.  

“Seo In-ah!”  

“The lady said she doesn’t want to answer.”

The man, with a fierce expression, locked eyes with Jinwon.  

Facing the man’s intense gaze, Jinwon fell silent, not wanting to escalate the situation.  

When the elevator reached the 13th floor, she got off.  

Jinwon tried to follow her, but the man grabbed him by the back of the neck.  

Startled, Jinwon looked up at the man.  

“Where do you think you’re going?”  

“I live here too.”  

“Ha! As if that lie would work!”  

The man, biting his lip, gave Jinwon a threatening look. Then, he spoke kindly to her.  

“Go ahead. Quickly.”  

The elevator doors closed with the man still holding Jinwon by the neck.  

She finally let out a small laugh.  

She couldn’t answer Jinwon’s question.  

She couldn’t tell him it was because of him, because she couldn’t leave him, uncertain of what would happen with his cancer.  

***  

She went to the hospital to help her father with his discharge.  

She packed his belongings and stepped into the hallway to throw away the trash.  

After disposing of the trash and returning the water bottle, she headed back to the room.  

She encountered a familiar face heading toward the cancer ward.  

It was Jeong-ho, accompanied by an elderly grandmother.  

Assisting the grandmother to the cancer ward, he also noticed her.  

After seating the grandmother in the waiting room, he approached her.  

“In-ah! What brings you to the hospital?”  

“My dad is being discharged today. What about you?”  

“My grandmother is unwell. She’s undergoing treatment.”  

Her expression darkened.  

“So, your grandmother has cancer? Having two cancer patients around you must be tough.”  

“Two? Who else has cancer?”  

He asked her, puzzled. She replied with a confused look.  

“Team Leader Lee.”  

“Who’s Team Leader Lee?”  

“Lee Jinwon.”  

“Jinwon? Jinwon has cancer?”  

He froze in shock.  

***  

“When I asked if something was wrong, you cried…”  

As she explained to Jeong-ho, something suddenly dawned on her.  

“…Was it because of your grandmother?”  

“Yes, she’s my only family. So I’ve been a bit out of it lately. But Jinwon having cancer…”  

Continuing with a blank expression, he asked seriously,  

“Who said that? Did Jinwon say that?”  

“No.”  

“Then who did?”  

“Well, that’s…”  

She realized she had never heard directly that Jinwon had cancer.  

In-kyung’s mention of seeing him at the cancer ward, his coughing and gagging, and the way he seemed to be wrapping up work—all were circumstantial.  

Nothing was certain.  

“Maybe I misunderstood. I’m sorry for alarming you.”  

***  

After completing her father’s discharge, she returned home with her parents and helped her father settle in before leaving the room.  

“Have some fruit before you go. Sit down.”  

Her mom gestured while peeling an apple at the table.  

She sat down, picking up a fork. Her mom, watching her, asked subtly,  

“Is your Team Leader the one who got hit with the side dishes last time?”  

“Yeah, that’s right! Why did you leave so suddenly that day without saying anything?”  

“Something urgent came up.”  

She accepted her mom’s answer and put apple in her mouth.  

“What was so urgent?”  

“He seemed quite tall. Would he be good at running?”

“Who? Team Leader?”  

“Yes.”  

Her mom’s expression was full of curiosity as she awaited her answer. She found her mom’s reaction puzzling.  

“Why are you suddenly curious about his running skills?”  

“Are you close with your Team Leader?”  

“There’s nothing to be close or not about. He’s a boss. But why are you asking? You’re not going to tell me?”

Her mom, slicing the apple, replied nonchalantly.  

“Oh~ I was thinking of introducing someone.”  

“Introducing?”  

Her hand stopped mid-air, surprised by her mom’s words.  

Trying to hide her confusion, she glanced at her mom.  

“Why suddenly do something you haven’t before? He has a girlfriend.”  

“He does?”  

Her mom’s mouth opened wide in surprise.  

“Have you seen the girl he’s dating?”  

“Yes.”  

“Are they getting married?”  

Narrowing her eyes, she looked at her mom suspiciously.  

“Do you know how weird you sound right now?”  

“What’s weird?”  

“Why are you suddenly interested in whether my Team Leader is getting married?”  

Her mom, visibly flustered, busied herself with the apple peel, making excuses.  

“Well, you never know with relationships.”  

She thought her mom’s curiosity was just a reaction to seeing her handsome boss.