SIDE STORY 2

“Manager Yoon, I never saw it that way, but people can be quite presumptuous, can’t they?”

Just when Seoyeon thought the conversation had ended, Director Chung Eunhee’s voice continued, prompting Seoyeon to show her habitual smile.

“You could have given me a heads up, you know? Instead of making a fool of me, you could have said a word or two.”

Chung Eunhee carelessly rummaged through the clothes and bags Seoyeon had brought, continuing her barrage of complaints under the pretext of being hurt. In the midst of this, Dojun’s call came in, and Seoyeon had to answer as if he were a customer.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

It was the polished professional Seoyeon speaking, while the natural Yoon Seoyeon, who wanted to retort “Why is that something I need to tell you?” was well hidden. It wasn’t difficult uttering words she didn’t mean, as she had long practiced this and due to long-standing experience, but dealing with curiosity and rudeness did take its toll.

“It’s not like I’m that inconsiderate a person. Were you worried I’d say something because you two are dating? My head was spinning listening to your story. Was it because my daughter’s marriage proposal fell through? Is the Vice President regretting it? No, that’s not it. Thinking about how clueless I was in front of you, I can’t even breathe. You must have thought I was so laughable.”

“No, I never thought that way.”

Chung Eunhee gestured for the sparkling water on the table, and when Seoyeon politely offered it, she gulped it down and placed it back with a clink before speaking again.

“But you should be thankful to me, you know? Do you know what people are saying? That it’s because you got pregnant, that you’re deliberately trying to trap him, that Chairman Hwang forced you together—all sorts of rumors were going around, you know?”

Was that so?

It seemed Seoyeon’s surroundings and Director Chung’s surroundings were quite different. Seoyeon maintained her composed expression as she looked at her.

“I told them, ‘Why would a perfectly fine young lady want to be a second wife?’ Honestly, no matter how great the Vice President is, so what? From a woman’s perspective, she’s the second one. And your predecessor isn’t even from a prominent family, is she? You know who she is, right?”

Had she forgotten that she had pushed her own daughter to be in that position? 

Seoyeon silently chuckled to herself. She had come prepared, knowing Chung Eun-hee would attack her, so while she couldn’t say her pride was unscathed, it wasn’t severely damaged either.

Chung Eun-hee’s case was the most extreme, but the other customers weren’t so easy to brush off either. Curious gazes were a given, and she had received many rude questions as well. Dealing with the curiosity and rudeness was her responsibility, so she could try to endure it, but she felt bad for her colleagues, as the store had been buzzing with gossip about her personal life.

These days, most of the customers making reservations were like this, so it was inevitably affecting her work. Seoyeon looked at Chung Eun-hee, thinking that maybe she should discuss transferring to the branch office.

“So, have you set the date yet?”

Chung Eun-hee asked as she slipped her arm into the jacket Seoyeon offered.

“No, not yet.”

Although Seoyeon was being subjected to this ordeal due to the news of her relationship with Dojun becoming public, her daily life hadn’t changed much. The newly appointed Dojun was still busy, and she was also occupied with preparing for Heritage Korea’s 30th-anniversary events.

Dojun would come to her place for a late-night visit a couple of times a week, and their weekend dates were light outings. The only differences were that they would visit Dojun’s father in the hospital together, and they had a few meals at Yeonwoo Mansion at the Chairman’s request. Other than that, her life was no different from before the proposal.

That’s why marriage is something Seoyeon will do someday, but not right now. It still doesn’t feel real to her. She sees it as a promise between the two of them, a commitment to be serious and faithful in their relationship.

“The Vice President could change his mind at any time. You should hurry and set the date.”

The advice is appreciated, though. She had heard the same thing from her father just a while ago, scolding her for not pushing Dojun to make progress yet.

Seoyeon replied calmly, 

“We don’t have any plans for marriage yet.”

“Who? You? Or the Vice President?”

As Seoyeon just smiled vaguely without answering, Chung Eun-hee’s expression loosened, seemingly thinking it was Dojun.

“Well, when you’re young, it’s good to just enjoy things freely without getting caught up in formalities like engagement or marriage. There’s nothing better than meeting people without pressure just focusing on their qualifications. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes.”

Seoyeon replied obediently. If only she could escape to a world where there was no rumor and such, just the two of them, Dojun and her, whenever she wanted, that would be wonderful.

Thinking this, Seoyeon hung the clothes Director Chung had selected. She felt like she would be sulking with Dojun tonight. She’d act brusquely, asking if he knew what kind of ordeal she was going through because of him, and would just pout sulkily.

“I think I’ll stop here for today. I have a spa reservation at 4 p.m.”

With her mind all tangled up, Director Chung Eunhee left the room. After seeing her off, Seoyeon sat down on the sofa and looked at her phone. It was barely 3:30 p.m. She opened the messaging app.

[I’ll leave work at 8 p.m. I’ll come to Hannam-dong.]

The message flew towards Dojun. Her desire to see him was stronger than the urge to sulk. Maybe it’s because she really misses him today. She feels regretful about the late work hours.

***

It was when there were only 10 minutes left until closing time. Seoyeon was about to finish up the store when her phone blinked.

[I’m upstairs.]

It was Dojun. It meant he was at the 2nd-floor Korean restaurant. The thought of being able to see Dojun in just a few steps made her heart race. She usually changed out of her work clothes after closing at 8 pm, but her hands instinctively went to the cabinet where her clothes were hung.

“Hehe, looks like you have a date?”

Seong-mi, who was passing by the office, teased her with a mischievous smile. At Seoyeon’s embarrassed expression, Seongmi said,

“I’ll take care of the closing. There’s less than 10 minutes left, so you can go ahead first.”

“No, I’ll leave when it’s time to clock out.”

“Then prepare in advance, and when it’s 8 o’clock, you can head out.”

Before Seoyeon could thank her, Sungmi disappeared humming a tune. It was unexpectedly comforting that people around, especially colleagues, didn’t make a big deal out of her dating Dojun.

Seoyeon changed into a navy sleeveless dress she wore to work, put on a thin cardigan, touched up her makeup blurred from work, reapplied lipstick, put on the couple ring she had matched with Dojun, and changed her shoes to sandals.

Time seemed to be ticking away, yet it felt like it was moving so slowly. When the minute hand finally reached the top, Seoyeon said to Seongmi,

“I’ll head out first.”

“Okay.”

As if urging her to go quickly, Seongmi waved her hand. When she stepped outside, the evening air felt warm despite the time. Seoyeon hurried towards the main building’s stairs when her bag suddenly rang.

— Are you off work?

It was Miseon. Seoyeon replied “Yes” as she walked through the rotating doors.

— Didn’t your father tell you? But he told me to tell you anyway since I’m your mother. A few days ago, your dad went to see the chairman and got your fortune read. Typically, the woman’s side sets the date, but since we’re okay with it, the Chairman has asked someone he knows to find a good date.

Ah…

Seoyeon stopped walking, feeling a bit disheartened.

— He’s looked at October, November, and December. Both the Chairman and your father seem to want it done this year. I’ll send you the exact date in a message. December might be too cold, so around November might be better, considering all the preparations. Talk it over with the Vice President and let me know the date you two decide on.

Seoyeon felt a sense of time pressure. October was just 2 months away, and even December was only 4 months from now. She rubbed her temples. She didn’t want to think about marriage yet. She just wanted to focus solely on each other without any burdens.

Even though the news of their relationship had prompted those around her to constantly remind her about marriage, she had brushed it off because nothing was actually progressing. But now, being suddenly asked to pick a date made her feel disoriented.

“Okay, I’ll discuss it with Dojun and let you know.”

— I’m worried. There’s a lot for both families to prepare for a wedding, and there’s no one to consult with, and I don’t know what I should know. It’s fortunate that you’re such a capable kid, Seoyeon. If there’s anything we need to prepare from our side, don’t hesitate to let me know.

Miseon expressed her intention to step back from wedding preparations. Seoyeon didn’t want to burden her stepmother with such pressure too.

“Okay, don’t worry.”

— Okay. We need to prepare for the engagement and everything, so I’ll look into it.

After ending the call, Seoyeon took a deep breath. She decided to forget the conversation she just had. She wanted to spend some uninterrupted time with Dojun. 

Just forget everything for today and focus on each other. 

She thought so as she climbed the stairs to the second floor.

“What took you so long on the phone?”

A familiar voice rang out from the top of the stairs. Seoyeon instinctively looked up. Dojun, with his hands in his pockets, grinned. Her heart ached with a strange sense of longing. Even though it had only been a week, it felt like such a long time.

Feeling an inexplicable melancholy, Seoyeon asked as Dojun descended the stairs, 

“Why are you out here?”

“Because you weren’t coming up.”

Seoyeon glanced at her wristwatch. It was just 4 minutes past 8.

“That’s true.”

As Dojun reached her, he naturally wrapped his arm around Seoyeon’s waist. His scent and warmth, as familiar as they were, invaded Seoyeon anew.

“You must be tired from the business trip. You should’ve just stayed home, and I could’ve come to you.”

Even though she spoke with a calm voice, Dojun stopped walking. Looking up at him, Dojun stared at her face for a long time before cupping her cheek with one hand.

“I had to see you.”

His thumb slowly brushed Seoyeon’s cheek then caressed her earlobe and said, 

“I missed you.”

The words melted away the fatigue that had been weighing on her throughout the day.