“Oh, okay. Got it.”

The office buzzed with excitement following the announcement of the dinner. Continuing the phone call became impossible.

“The dinner tonight is being hosted by LJ Electronics at Wang Galbi House, known for its famous beef ribs,” the manager announced, adding to the growing anticipation.

“Wow, really?” 

“I hear the prices at Wang Galbi House are sky-high! It’s not an easy place to visit, and we’re having dinner there?” 

“That’s what you’d expect from LJ Electronics. I’m going to eat enough galbi to last a lifetime, haha.”

Even employees who hadn’t been particularly interested in the dinner perked up, excitement gleaming in their eyes at the mention of the famous restaurant.

“Team Leader Jin, we’ve got to make the most of this galbi tonight! In a way, we owe it to you. You really nailed that presentation today.”

Inha nudged Seol-ah’s shoulder and gave her a knowing wink, but then let out a sigh.

“What’s wrong? Oh, is it because of him?”

“Yeah, it’s uncomfortable. I can deal with seeing him at work, but the thought of sitting through a dinner with him… it’s just exhausting.”

Seol-ah replied, furrowing her brow and releasing a deep sigh that echoed her frustration.

“Don’t you dare let him get to you,” Inha said firmly, shaking her head. “Why should you be the one feeling uncomfortable? If anyone should feel guilty when you two cross paths, it’s him. You have every right to hold your head high. Got it? So straighten up, get rid of that frown, and stand tall.”

Inha pressed her index finger against Seol-ah’s furrowed brow as if smoothing out the lines. At that moment, Seol-ah realized she could no longer avoid telling the truth.

“What are you doing? Come on, let’s go,” Inha urged, grabbing Seol-ah by the shoulder.

Seol-ah quickly spoke up.

“Manager, I have something to tell you.”

“Whatever it is, let’s talk at the restaurant. The others have already left, so come on, let’s go.”

Inha replied, brushing off Seol-ah’s attempt to speak as she turned to leave. But Seol-ah stopped her firmly.

“My boyfriend is coming to the dinner tonight.”

“What? What did you just say?”

Inha asked, eyes wide in surprise.

Seol-ah hesitated, unsure where to start.

“It’s a long story, and it’s too much to explain right now…”

“Let’s take my car. We can talk on the way.”

Inha suggested, her expression turning serious. Sensing the weight of the situation, Seol-ah nodded in agreement.

A short while later, sitting in Inha’s car, Seol-ah briefly recounted how she met Hwi-gang. As expected, Inha’s reaction was dramatic.

“Wow, I didn’t know our Seol-ah had such a bold side!”

“Don’t tease me. Even now, whenever I think about that day, I want to crawl into a hole.”

“Oh, come on, it’s no big deal. A one-night stand is as common as a cup of coffee these days. Still, I admit it’s a bit shocking to hear that you did it. But how did it lead to marriage? Was it that good?”

Seol-ah’s mind flashed back to something Hwi-gang had once said: The chemistry is unbelievable. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red. But there was no way she could repeat that line to Inha.

“Well, it wasn’t bad.”

Seol-ah replied, trying to downplay it.

“‘Not bad’? Come on, something that’s just ‘not bad’ doesn’t lead to marriage. What are you hiding from me? Spill it.”

After a moment of hesitation, Seol-ah finally admitted.

“Okay, fine… It was really good. Seriously.”

Inha grinned widely, clearly enjoying the confession. She laughed at Seol-ah’s flushed cheeks.

“You don’t even have to say anything. I could probably fry an egg on your face right now, it’s so hot. Haha!”

“Please, stop teasing me, Senior.”

Seol-ah replied, patting her burning cheeks with her palms and giving Inha an exasperated look.

“But seriously, who is he? I haven’t met him yet, right?”

Seol-ah cleared her throat awkwardly before answering.

“You’ve already met him.”

“What?”

Inha was so shocked she slammed on the brakes, causing the car behind them to honk loudly. She quickly hit the gas again, ignoring the angry gesture from the driver behind. Right now, that wasn’t her biggest concern.

“I’ve met him? So, he’s part of the TF team? And you kept a straight face through all of this? Wow, I feel so betrayed!”

Inha exclaimed, still trying to process the news.

Seol-ah’s expression grew tense. The real surprise was still to come, and she wasn’t sure how Inha would react.

“Is it that guy with glasses? He looked like the sharpest one on the TF team.”

“No, it’s not him… it’s…”

Seol-ah began, her voice faltering.

“Wait, let me figure it out.”

Inha interrupted, clearly enjoying the guessing game. She thought for a moment, then snapped her fingers as if she’d solved a riddle.

“Ah, I got it! The guy who’s a bit bulky but good-looking – the one from the marketing team? Am I right? He didn’t seem sexy at all, but who knows, maybe he’s good in bed.”

“No, not him either,” Seol-ah said, flustered. “It’s someone else.”

“Wait, hold on. Then it has to be… him.”

“Who?”

Seol-ah’s heart raced as she sensed that Inha was finally catching on. She swallowed nervously as Inha’s eyes widened in recognition.

“There are only two left, and if I can’t guess, I’d be a total idiot. One of them is the idiot Lee Jung-jae, so the other one must be the head of the marketing team. But that guy looked a bit older, mid-40s maybe? He must be a lifelong bachelor. I mean, there are a lot of eligible bachelors in their 40s these days. He wasn’t particularly good-looking, but hey, it’s not like you live off the looks. Still, I’m having trouble imagining the… bedroom stuff.”

Seol-ah couldn’t hold back a sigh, realizing that Inha was completely off track. It was now or never to clarify things before her friend’s wild imagination went even further.

Seol-ah couldn’t find the right moment to interrupt, so Inha kept guessing.

“What’s with that face? Am I wrong?”

Inha finally noticed Seol-ah’s expression and gave her a curious look.

“If it’s not him, then who is it? He’s the only one left!”

Seol-ah hesitated, knowing that telling the truth would change everything. She braced herself.

When Inha finally paused and gave her the chance to speak, Seol-ah took a deep breath and said, “It’s Kang Hwi-gang.

“Wow, what a cool name! It’s the same backwards and forwards – Kang Hwi-gang. But wait… who is Kang Hwi-gang?”

Inha asked, looking confused.

Seol-ah felt her nerves fraying as she realized she’d have to spell it out.

“Kang Hwi-gang… the leader of the TF team.”

The realization hit Inha like a bolt of lightning. Her eyes widened and she let out a dramatic gasp.

“The leader of the TF team?! Seol-ah! Are you serious?”

After about two seconds, the realization hit Inha like a ton of bricks. She let out a scream.

“K-Kang Hwi-gang? The senior executive from LJ Electronics? The one who set up the TF team?”

“Yes,” Seol-ah confirmed, bracing herself.

“Ahhh!”

Inha let out another scream.

“Manager, the light, the light!” Seol-ah shouted.

Inha, too shocked to notice the red light, slammed on the brakes, causing the tires to screech as the car barely came to a stop. Pedestrians crossing the road gave her angry looks and muttered under their breath.

But none of that mattered to Inha.

“So you had a one-night stand with the senior executive from LJ Electronics, and now it’s leading to marriage?”

Inha’s eyes were wide with disbelief, trying to process the unexpected revelation.

Seol-ah nodded slowly, confirming everything, while Inha continued to stare, still trying to process the shocking revelation.