CHAPTER 32 – Questions You May Have (Part 1)

“Ah, Professor Lee definitely looks better with Etoupe. Gray is too cold. Maybe it’s because your skin tone is warm. The sandwich is delicious. The cucumber is refreshing. Seoyeon, can I get some ice here? I must have talked too much. My throat is parched.”

The distinctive high-pitched voice of Director Chung Eun-hee resounded in the VIP room. Next to her, Professor Lee Min-hee was holding a tote bag in Etoupe color in her left hand and a light gray tote bag in her right, comparing them in the mirror.

“Yes.”

Seoyeon added a few more ice cubes from the ice bucket into the tall glass of sparkling water. As the cold ice went in, bubbles popped up from the lemon and mint leaves floating in the carbonated water.

“Seoyeon, what about the mules and loafers on this side?”

“I prepared the seasonal colors that just came in, in the sizes for you and the director. The S/S colors came out refreshingly.”

“That’s why I love our Seoyeon.”

Director Chung Eun-hee said as she took off the loafers she was wearing on the sofa.

“Professor Lee had reserved, so I just tagged along to have a casual chat. But why did you prepare this for me too? Now I can’t resist buying these again. Oh, the color is so nice.”

“Hmm. But isn’t Etoupe a bit plain? It seems too ordinary. But then again, there are only bold colors, so we do need one for daily wear.”

Watching the two talking about their own preferences, Seoyeon smiled gently. She picked up one of the tie-style scarves on the table and placed it on the bag that Professor Lee Min-hee had put down.

“The scarf you bought with the tote bag last time goes well with the Etoupe color. It’s good for adding a seasonal feel, too.”

“That’s true. Show me a few more scarves. Something refreshing for spring.”

At the professor’s words, Seoyeon smiled and said, 

“Yes, professor. Try on the mules and loafers too. I picked the colors you liked.”

Seoyeon gathered the empty soda bottle, the crumbs of cookies, and the dirty plate with cake cream, and headed towards the scarf display stand in the back office. As she was walking, her phone vibrated in her pocket.

[CEO Hwang Dojun]

Seeing Dojun’s name pop up on the screen, Seoyeon glanced out the glass door. Yesterday, Saturday, she hadn’t heard from him all day. It was only on Sunday afternoon that the phone started ringing, and she quietly pressed the answer button.

“Yes, CEO.”

— Have you had lunch yet?

At those words, Seoyeon looked up at the clock. It was 1 pm. She had been attending to Director Chung and Professor Lee, who had been in the store since around 11 am, so she had not had lunch yet.

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she kept her voice steady as she answered.

“No, I’m still assisting the customers.”

— Is it at the store?

“Yes.”

Dojun was silent for a moment on the other end. Then he asked bluntly,

— How are you feeling?

How am I? 

Seoyeon inwardly swallowed the words that were rising as she took out the scarves one by one. She had not been able to take off the scarf around her neck for two days. Yesterday, she had developed a fever during work and even had to take antipyretics.

But knowing it’s not all Dojun’s fault, Seoyeon answered calmly,

“I’m fine.”

Dojun was silent for a moment, the click-clack of a ballpoint pen tip coming from the other end of the receiver, and then his voice drowned it out.

— Would you like to have dinner together?

“I have to work until closing, so I’m sorry.”

At her apologetic words, Dojun chuckled. Feeling the call was dragging on too long, Seoyeon glanced towards the VIP room. The sound of laughter was spilling out through the open doorway, so it seemed to be going well, but there was no reason to have a long conversation that was not work-related.

“The customer is waiting, so unless you have anything else, I’ll end the call here.”

— Okay.

At Dojun’s words, Seoyeon pressed the end call button. The necklace, the kiss mark, and now this call – Dojun was gradually crossing the line. No, rather than crossing the line, it felt like he was trampling on it and disregarding it.

Maybe I should talk to him once. 

Thinking this, Seoyeon gathered the scarves and headed toward the VIP room.

Knock, knock.

She was in the middle of helping Professor Lee put on a blouse. At the sound of the knocking, Seoyeon slightly opened the door of the VIP room. The employee who had been working with her on the weekend was standing at the door.

“What’s the matter?”

“Uh, it’s just that, CEO Hwang Dojun has come down.”

Seoyeon was silent for a moment.

“Please tell him to wait for a moment.”

“Okay.”

Seoyeon closed the door again. Professor Lee, who had been admiring herself in the mirror while wearing the blouse, looked at Seoyeon and asked,

“Why? Who came? Have we been here too long?”

“No. It seems the CEO has stopped by for a moment. It’s fine since there’s still another employee. I’ll finish up here.”

At Seoyeon’s words, Director Chung Eun-hee’s head whipped around.

“Who’s here? CEO Hwang Dojun came down here?”

Without even a chance to say anything else, Chung Eun-hee threw the cookie down on her plate, dusted off her hands, and stood up, quickly walking past Seoyeon.

“Oh my, this is why I had a feeling of coming here. I thought I’d take a look. I just had this feeling that there was something today, you know. Well, I’ll go check it out then.”

“Oh my, Director Chung, you seem so happy about your future son-in-law coming down! Seoyeon, I want to try on a different color instead of this one.”

Professor Lee teased Director Chung with a laugh. Director Chung waved her hand in response.

“Am I okay?”

“Yes, yes, you look absolutely elegant.” 

Professor Lee said, giving a thumbs-up. Director Chung fixed her hair and opened the door.

“Oh my, look who it is! I see you are here, CEO Hwang! How have you been? It’s been so hard to catch a glimpse of you.”

Director Chung’s sweet voice echoed through the Heritage store. Seoyeon followed her out of the room. She saw Dojun sitting on a couch off to one side of the store, drinking tea.

“Director Chung. It’s been a while. How have you been?”

Dojun placed his teacup down and stood up, greeting her leisurely as if he had come specifically to see Director Chung. Looking up at the tall Dojun, Director Chung spoke.

“I’m always doing well. I heard from Chairman Hwang that you’ve been very busy lately?”

“Yes. I’m preparing for a move, so I’ve been quite busy. I apologize for any inconvenience.”

Dojun smiled broadly. Director Chung tapped his arm playfully.

“Of course, you’re busy. I know that all too well. Don’t worry about it. I’ve explained everything to my second daughter. She’s still a bit immature and doesn’t quite understand how busy a businessman can be. Hohoho.”

“Thank you.”

A clean smile appeared on Dojun’s face.

“Let’s have dinner sometime with the Chairman. I know you can always find time for dinner, no matter how busy you are. No pressure.”

“Sure.”

Dojun replied with a smile. Professor Lee, who had been inside, came out wearing different clothes.

“Professor Lee, you’re here too.”

Dojun greeted first.

“Oh my, you remember me? We only met once before.”

Professor Lee laughed and looked Dojun up and down with a scrutinizing gaze before giving a meaningful smile to Director Chung. They chatted about curating an exhibition at the Oreum Art Museum and introducing foreign artists.

After the round of small talk, Dojun bowed slightly and said,

“Enjoy your shopping. I’ll see you again.”

“You’re just going to leave? Did you come down just to say hello because you heard I was here? Hohoho.”

Director Chung laughed loudly as if joking. Dojun replied smoothly.

“Of course, I had to come down.”

Director Chung’s laughter rang out again. As she laughed, Dojun’s gaze shifted to Seoyeon. Standing in front of the VIP room, Seoyeon gave a slight bow.

Acknowledging her bow, Dojun nodded back. Although his lips still held a smile, his eyes scanning Seoyeon had no hint of amusement. He then turned back to Director Chung and spoke.

“I’ll take my leave then.”

After finishing his elaborate farewell, Dojun walked out of the store. As soon as the door closed with a jingle, Director Chung and Professor Lee burst into laughter.

“Your daughter’s standards are high. No wonder Yewon is so enamored with him.”

“She’s like me, she pays attention to looks. She went abroad because she didn’t like scrawny Korean men.”

Professor Lee laughed heartily at that remark. Listening to their laughter, Seoyeon turned and headed for the VIP room. As she sifted through the piles of clothes, bags, scarves, and accessories, their voices grew closer.

“You said the arrangements are almost complete. Isn’t it just a matter of Yewon coming over now?”

“Not quite. CEO Hwang is so busy that he said it’s still a bit much for now. Once things settle down, the Chairman will reach out again.”

“Oh, you’re being so modest. If Chairman Hwang has agreed, then it’s basically done.”

“Well, I guess we can say that, right?”

“Wow, Yewon will become the CEO’s wife. I need to make sure I stay on her good side.”

Laughing brightly, the two women returned to the VIP room. Seoyeon greeted them with a smile.

“I’ve brought your blouse back in the sky blue color. Would you like to try it on?”

As Seoyeon smiled, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out to check the message.

[Come to the house after work.]

She had meant to contact him at some point. She hadn’t set up the outfits on Friday since she had to go straight to the restaurant. She considered saying she would go Monday morning but sighed and sent her reply.

[Okay.]

As she pressed send, she felt a growing sense of fatigue.