CHAPTER 12 – Bazaar (Part 1)

“Isn’t this place kind of meh? Don’t you think so?” 

Assistant Manager Eun Jinyoung said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. Despite her words, the tonkatsu (pork cutlet) plate was clean and empty.

“You ate so eagerly for something you find average.” 

Seo-yeon remarked and Jinyoung chuckled in response.

“That’s because I was hungry, and it’s already three o’clock.”

The last day of the month is the day new products come in, so it’s a busy morning of organizing and displaying them. Seo-yeon and her assistant, Eun Jinyoung, had skipped lunch and headed down to the new tonkatsu restaurant in front of the hotel for a late lunch.

“There’s nothing essential at Wang Tonkatsu place. Just peppers and ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce). That’s supposed to be the key. It helps cut through the greasiness, but they don’t have it, so by the time you finish, it’s heavy. Still, I finished it all. But the rice balls were delicious.”

“The rice balls were delicious.”

“I’ll try the beef next time I come.”

As Jinyoung made a resolution while scanning the menu, Seo-yeon handed her a vending machine coffee. It was a less chilly winter than the previous year, but it was still winter. After paying, they stepped outside, where the cold wind tousled their hair.

“It’s high.”

Jinyoung muttered, looking at the hotel atop the sloping hill.

“I didn’t realize it on the way down because I was hungry, but it’s so much higher on the way up. You know, here, I remember my university days. It was because it was practically in the mountains. Climbing up and down for four years thickened my calves. They were a bit thinner than now.”

Seo-yeon crossed the road, listening to Jinyoung’s rambling. They passed through the main entrance where cars were passing and stepped onto the stairs set up for customers walking from the hotel.

“Oh, by the way, have you tried that? It’s all the rage in internet cafes these days. It’s a neck massager.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“I’ll buy one and try it out, and if I like it, I’ll recommend it.”

“Okay.”

Jinyoung was overflowing with information about all sorts of gossip, trendy restaurants, and new products. She had many things she wanted to eat and many things she wanted to do. Seo-yeon enjoyed seeing Jinyoung’s energetic demeanor. As they chatted and walked, they suddenly found themselves in a garden.

“Manager, let’s sit down for a moment and finish our coffee before we go inside. It’ll be our only break today.” 

Seo-yeon sat down next to Jinyoung on a bench. She sipped the remaining vending machine coffee and gazed out at the distant mountains.

“The bazaar is a lot of work. It’s good for our sales, but this afternoon’s going to be hell.”

Jinyoung remarked, looking towards the Hawoljae. Seo-yeon set her empty cup down on the bench and glanced out at the garden below. Workers bustled in and out of the open gates, preparing for the evening’s bazaar.

“Oh, right. It’s been so hectic I almost forgot. You’ve been to CEO Hwang’s house, haven’t you? How was it? Was it nice? It’s the famous villa in Hannam-dong, right? How did you like it? It’s really nice, right?”

Jinyoung’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“It was nice. The villa feels like a resort, and the house feels like a hotel. It’s really nice.”

Seo-yeon replied, prompting Jinyoung to give her a thumbs up.

“Wow. A resort in the heart of Seoul? Capitalism at its finest. I should have done it! No, I’d definitely be unable to resist taking photos and posting them on the internet or bragging to my friends. I can already see myself getting sued for privacy invasion.” 

Jinyoung jokes, and Seo-yeon laughed at her exaggeration.

“Are you going again today?” 

“Yeah. It’s already Friday.”

It felt like just yesterday when she was setting up attires, but now it was already Friday. Still, it was going to be a lot easier than the last time. There would be no luggage to carry and Hwang Dojun wouldn’t be there.

According to the secretary, there would be a lady working during the day. With her there, she wouldn’t feel like she was sneaking into someone else’s house, and there would be no interruptions, just selecting and setting up outfits in the dressing room alone, without anyone bothering. That’s why Seo-yeon felt much lighter than last time.

“Oh, oh, there’s CEO Hwang over there!”

Jinyoung tapped Seo-yeon on the arm and shouted excitedly. When she looked down, she saw Dojun walking out of the Hawoljae with his secretary and looking around the yard. He was wearing the navy suit he’d tried on last time.

Dojun walked confidently with his hands casually in his pants pockets, inspecting various booths set up around the courtyard. He nodded briefly at the explanations from the staff and occasionally said something.

“That’s the suit you took, isn’t it? He looks dashing in it. The epitome of human Heritage.”

Jinyoung commented, finishing her coffee. Seo-yeon chuckled lightly. It was then that Dojun turned his head as if drawn by something.

His gaze turned diagonally upward and landed on Seo-yeon. Seo-yeon gave a small nod of acknowledgment. A brief but significant moment passed between them. With a smirk, Dojun turned his head away.

“Jinyoung, shall we head up now?” 

Seo-yeon stood up, brushing off her skirt. Jinyoung stood up wistfully. The late afternoon sun shone down on the winter garden.

* * *

A customer finished paying and left the store. Seo-yeon checked the time as she tidied up the scattered scarves on the counter. It was already 3 o’clock. She had to leave for Hannam-dong by now to set up Hwang Dojun’s outfit.

Seo-yeon neatly folded the last scarf and placed it on the tray. As she pushed the tray back onto the display shelf, the store door swung open wide. She looked up and saw a young woman, probably in her mid-twenties, walk in wearing a thin knit tee.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

She shivered, then smiled awkwardly as she locked eyes with Seo-yeon.

“I thought it would be fine without a coat since it’s just a few steps from the hotel, but the wind is biting.”

Seo-yeon smiled and replied to the woman, 

“Welcome.”

“So this is the famous ‘Heritage.’ It’s my first time here.” 

The woman said, scanning the store as she turned around.

“Take your time looking around, and if you need any assistance or have any questions, feel free to ask. Junwon.” 

Seo-yeon called over a staff member standing in the bag section.

“Please assist the customer.”

As she was about to move away after giving a slight bow, the woman called out to Seo-yeon.

“Excuse me, could you, um, Miss Yoon… Seo-yeon, help me instead? I’m giving a gift to someone very important, so…”

The woman read the name badge on Seo-yeon’s chest. The male staff member, who appeared inexperienced, didn’t look pleased. Seo-yeon looked at her wristwatch and double-checked the time.

She had planned to visit around 4 o’clock, but it wasn’t like anyone was waiting for her at Dojun’s house, so it wouldn’t hurt to spare a little time. Turning and smiling at the woman, Seo-yeon replied.

“Of course, ma’am. Do you have any particular item in mind?”

“I’m looking for a tie.”

“It seems you’re shopping for a gentleman. Could you tell me his age range?”

“Um… mid-50s? Probably. But he looks quite young. At a glance, he could pass for early 40s. Plus, he dresses very stylishly.”

“I’ll assist you over here.”

Standing in front of the tie display, Seo-yeon pulled out a tray and picked out a few items.

“These are the best-selling ties in our store. Customers like them because they’re easy to match with any color or pattern, and they’re stylish.”

“Hmm… It’s pretty, but…”

The woman fiddled with the tie to see if she liked it, then put it down. After rummaging through the ties, she turned to Seo-yeon.

“I’m looking for something a bit more unique. I want to give a gift that stands out and can be remembered.”

“How about this one?”

Seo-yeon showed the woman several ties with bold patterns, including one with a large crown pattern on a pink background. 

The woman’s eyes sparkled as she examined the tie. 

“I think this one’s pretty. What do you think?”

It was pink and embroidered with a large Heritage crown pattern. It was a bold design for a man in his 50s, but it was a good way to make a statement.

“You said he’s a sophisticated man, so I’m sure it will look good on him. Would you like this?”

“Yes. Please wrap it nicely.”

“Please have a seat over here, and I’ll bring a new tie for you.”

Seo-yeon led the woman to the sofa for packaging and payment. She brought out a new tie, checked it over, started packaging, and asked.

“Are you a registered customer?”

“No.”

“Would you like me to register you? I just need you to fill out a few things.”

“Oh, sure.”

When Seo-yeon gestured to a staff member, the woman handed her a membership application form and a pen. As she resumed wrapping, the woman filled out the form and said to Seo-yeon.

“Actually, the recipient of the gift is my boss, an executive. I can’t just give him anything. You know how it is. He only wears high-quality items.”

After completing the form, the woman placed the pen on the table. She watched Seo-yeon pack for a moment before speaking again.

“He often wears Heritage ties and belts, so I thought I should buy them here while I was at the hotel. If I buy from somewhere he doesn’t like, he’ll just thank me, but he won’t actually wear them often, and I want him to wear them often.”

Some customers are good at talking to the staff. Some are nervous to talk, while others just enjoy talking. Either way, Seo-yeon tends to respond gently.

“I guess your boss is a very considerate person.”

“Yes. He always helps me at work, and he’s forgiving when I make mistakes. Actually, I came here because the vice president gave me a voucher for the hotel, so I thought I’d repay him this time.”

“I see.”

When Seo-yeon spoke, the woman nodded and continued speaking.

“He comforts me a lot when I’m having a hard time, and even though there’s a big difference in rank, he’s like a mentor to me. He’s a very caring and kind person. “

Excessive kindness from a middle-aged man.

The woman sitting in front couldn’t be much older than twenty-six or twenty-seven. Seo-yeon wondered if the 50-something executive’s intention was really to be kind to a younger employee. It wasn’t her place to judge, but it didn’t feel good. Seo-yeon held out the wrapped tie to the woman and said.

“I hope he likes the gift.”

The woman laughed, saying the wrapping was too luxurious. After completing the transaction and expressing her gratitude, the woman left the store briskly. Seo-yeon watched her departing figure for a moment before turning to Jinyoung.

“Jinyoung, I’ll be going to Hannam-dong.”

“Okay. Bye.”

Having asked Jinyoung to take care of the store, Seo-yeon headed outside towards the hotel entrance. Grateful that Dojun’s residence wasn’t too far away, Seo-yeon hailed a taxi.