After the outing, the project they’d been preparing wrapped up. The project, completed after working day and night, was a huge success. Enough to make up for falling behind Teams 2 and 3.

How else would Executive Director Han have given them a special bonus?

Today, a dinner for the entire planning team was scheduled with that bonus money. The advance team who’d finished work first had departed for the dinner location, and the remaining employees who’d finished organizing were just getting up from their seats.

Han Seohyeon, Deputy Manager from Team 2, entered the office. A core member of Planning Team 2, she received attention not only from the planning team but also from male employees in other departments with her beautiful appearance and kind personality.

As the Team 2 representative for the new joint project they were starting, she frequently came and went from Team 1, creating a friendly atmosphere with Gunwoo, making her a person of interest to Hyena. Deputy Manager Han walked straight up to Gunwoo.

“Ah, you haven’t left yet. Thank goodness.”

Her brightly smiling face was excessively pretty.

“I’d like to have a conversation about the project you mentioned last time.”

“Right now?”

“I just received important related materials, and if not now, I don’t think I can explain properly. I’ll tell you briefly on the way.”

Gunwoo nodded.

“Let’s do that. I’ll leave first with Deputy Manager Han. See you at the dinner location.”

Gunwoo left those words and exited the office with Deputy Manager Han. Hyena stared intently at the door where the two had disappeared.

“What? Could this be a date disguised as work?”

Heejin poured oil on her already boiling insides.

“They have to maintain security. It must be an important matter.”

Deputy Manager Woo added his comment, but no one seemed to believe it.

“The rumor that Deputy Manager Han is targeting our team leader is already openly circulating, you know?”

Deputy Manager Woo didn’t refute it, seemingly having heard it too.

“Deputy Manager Han is Executive Director Han’s niece. Doesn’t something smell fishy? The joint project suddenly coming down from above, and pairing a Team 2 deputy manager with a Team 1 team leader.”

“There are other employees too.”

“There are. But somehow it feels like they’re the core. Maybe Executive Director Han deliberately set it up to pair the team leader with Deputy Manager Han. Don’t you think?”

The question turned to Hyena.

“You can’t just pair people up because you want to. Their hearts have to connect.”

“True, that’s also right. We’ll just watch the show and eat the rice cakes.”

Heejin smiled playfully. But Hyena couldn’t return that smile. The entire way to the dinner location, she imagined the situation happening inside Gunwoo’s car.

Gunwoo would be in the driver’s seat, Deputy Manager Han in the passenger seat. They’d continue their conversation enthusiastically about the project, then get caught at a traffic light, and if their gazes met then…

She was startled while imagining the two getting closer and closer. They say there’s no end to imagination, and those words were exactly right.

‘No way that would happen. Who is Do Gunwoo, anyway?’

Do Gunwoo was someone who didn’t let anyone into his territory except for a specific few. There were quite a few people who’d crashed against that thorough wall.

‘What if Deputy Manager Han enters that specific group?’

Just imagining it made her feel bad. In the meantime, the car had arrived at the dinner location. Hyena, belatedly returning to reality, got out of the car.

It was the first time in a year that the entire planning team gathered. With such a large number of people, it took quite a while just to exchange greetings.

“I’d like to thank the employees from Teams 2 and 3 for joining us like this. I hope everyone has an enjoyable time.”

Starting with Gunwoo’s blunt toast, the drinking began.

Sipping her drink, Hyena glanced at where Gunwoo was sitting. Deputy Manager Han was stuck right next to him. Her eyes naturally narrowed. 

Heejin, who was drinking beside Hyena, also seemed bothered and glanced that way while speaking.

“Could they still be talking about the project? Though they look quite happy for that to be the case.”

Hyena agreed. Gunwoo, who would normally coldly push someone away, was listening to Deputy Manager Han’s words. Ultimately, it meant he didn’t dislike it.

One glass, two glasses—the drinks piled up. Even while occasionally conversing with employees, all of Hyena’s attention was directed toward Gunwoo. 

While other seats changed several times, Deputy Manager Han steadfastly occupied the spot next to Gunwoo.

“Those two are too conspicuous. They must know there’ll obviously be talk if they act like that.”

“But honestly, they do look good together. Don’t they look like a couple in a photo shoot?”

“Right. At this rate, the planning team’s first couple might be born.”

The female employees giggled. Hyena, who’d been quietly listening to their conversation, snapped grumpily.

“It’s because of the project.”

“Come on, that’s just an excuse. Even if he’s a workaholic, does it make sense to have a project meeting at a dinner?”

“It’s possible for the team leader. He’s an extreme workaholic.”

The strong rebuttal seemed strange, and the female employees exchanged glances. Hyena, with her gaze fixed on Gunwoo, didn’t notice. The next moment, Hyena’s eyes widened.

She witnessed Deputy Manager Han spill water on Gunwoo’s shirt. The wet dress shirt stuck to his chest, revealing the outline of his solid muscles. 

Flustered, Deputy Manager Han diligently wiped the area with tissues. Not just his chest, but his pants below too. Fire lit in Hyena’s eyes. She couldn’t stand it anymore.

Hyena jumped up from her seat and walked straight toward Gunwoo. But she couldn’t stop.

‘What am I to him?’

It was because of the thought that flashed through her mind at that moment. She passed right by and went outside. Cool wind cooled her flushed cheeks. Huu—the smell of alcohol vibrated in her breath.

‘What kind of existence am I to Do Gunwoo?’

Self-loathing covered her entire body in an instant. Someone approached her. It was Deputy Manager Park.

“So you were here. The wind is cold.”

“I drank a lot, so I got a bit hot.”

Deputy Manager Park, who’d been standing silently beside Hyena for a while, carefully opened his mouth.

“The person who came to pick up Assistant Manager Yoon at the last dinner—that was the team leader, right?”

“…”

“Are you two dating by any chance?”

It was a question laid on the foundation that the relative oppa story was a lie. It meant lies were no longer useful.

“No.”

A confident answer leaked out. Because they had s*x but weren’t in a relationship where they shared hearts.

“Then what kind of relationship is it?”

She was at a loss for words at the direct question. She thought about brushing off the answer saying it was private life, but doing that would only pile on more misunderstandings. After thinking for a moment, she chose the direct approach.

“He’s my mom’s best friend’s son. He’s also a neighborhood oppa I grew up with since childhood.”

As soon as the explanation ended, Deputy Manager Park asked.

“Really?”

Reading the doubt on his face, Hyena added forcefully.

“Yes. I unconsciously lied because I was worried rumors might spread strangely. I’m sorry.”

When she even bowed her head to apologize, Deputy Manager Park smiled.

“So you’re saying you’re just close oppa and younger sister?”

Hyena nodded.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell the other employees. I don’t want to be the subject of unnecessary gossip.”

Fortunately, Deputy Manager Park answered that he wouldn’t.

She thought that ended the conversation.

“Then what I’m about to say from now on won’t be a problem at all.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll say now what I was going to say at the last outing but didn’t.”

What had Deputy Manager Park said at the outing? As she tried to recall the memory.

“I like you, Assistant Manager Yoon.”

A completely unexpected confession was heard.

“I want to seriously date you.”

She was flustered.

“Ah, Deputy Manager. I…”

“You don’t need to answer right away. Think about it and answer me slowly.”

Deputy Manager Park, who’d finished speaking, took off his coat and draped it over Hyena’s shoulders. Then he walked away without giving her a chance to refuse. 

When she returned to her seat much later in a dazed state, the female employees’ curious gazes touched her.

“That coat, isn’t that Deputy Manager Park’s?”

“Ah, I briefly ran into him outside…”

“He took off his coat for you? Why?”

“The office couple might be this side first.”

Each of them teased her, but she had no energy to refute. Hyena raised her dazed gaze. Gunwoo was looking at her. Deputy Manager Han was still sitting next to him.

She didn’t know how time passed. When she came to her senses, the dinner was ending.

Hyena left Gunwoo, who’d been caught by another team’s leader, behind and went outside with Heejin to catch a taxi. Deputy Manager Han’s clear voice was heard from behind.

“I’ll go too.”

She returned home, took a simple shower, and lay in bed. Since becoming that kind of relationship with Gunwoo, it was the first time falling asleep in her own room. 

When she closed her eyes, the image of Deputy Manager Han stuck next to Gunwoo came to mind. Startled, Hyena opened her eyes.

This kind of thing would happen countless times from now on…

‘Will I be able to endure it well each time?’

She knew better than anyone that she wouldn’t be able to. Even today, hadn’t her heart been scratched countless times? 

Even though the relationship between Gunwoo and Deputy Manager Han hadn’t been defined in any way yet.

‘If someone he really likes appears, then what?’

The reality she’d been avoiding all along dug into her weakened heart.

‘How long does oppa intend to continue this relationship with me?’

Another question layered onto the question.

The conclusion of the repeated thoughts was one. That now was the time to end the twisted relationship with Gunwoo.

‘Before getting hurt more. And before hurting him more.’

As she steadied her mind like that, she heard signs of someone outside. Gunwoo seemed to have returned. Flustered at his earlier-than-expected return, Hyena drew in a breath. Click—the door opened.

He stood by the bedside and stared at Hyena silently. Fortunately, she was lying on her side so her face wasn’t visible. Suddenly Gunwoo squeezed into the spot next to her. An arm wrapped around her waist and his chest pressed against her back. 

Startled, Hyena fidgeted, but the more she did, the stronger the force wrapping around her body became. Mixed with the deep woody scent that usually came from him was a different fragrance. It was definitely the fragrance that came from Deputy Manager Han.

At that moment, the brief hesitation disappeared like a lie.

“Let’s stop now. This pointless relationship.”

The words that came out of her mouth stabbed her heart. But she couldn’t stop.

“I’ll stay at my parents’ house for a while. Once I find a place there…”

Before she could finish what she was saying, her body was turned around. Gunwoo’s black pupils were heaving with anger.