Chapter 13
“Where’s Director Han?”
“He hasn’t arrived yet, so I came.”
Yunseo placed the teacups in front of the two of them. Seungwoo frowned deeply, exhaling slowly, as if his mind was troubled.
When Yunseo quietly left, Sunyoung glanced at her, then looked back at Seungwoo. His cold demeanor, so different from before, made her feel frozen.
“How did Madam end up as temporary staff again? Were you really short-handed?”
Seungwoo silently bit his lip.
This wasn’t why he had her do secretarial work. Normally he didn’t regret decisions after the fact, but now, he felt a little regret.
“Nothing to explain.”
“Ah, okay. There must be a reason.”
Sunyoung lowered her eyes and pretended to review the plan again.
“Is this the only alternative you came up with?”
Seungwoo threw the plan onto the desk as if discarding it and let out a low sigh.
The conference room felt like walking on thin ice.
It was the regular marketing planning meeting.
“Productivity per person, revenue per square meter… everything is the lowest this year. Don’t think about cutting costs—think about acquiring more customers.”
Most of the submitted plans focused on minimizing hotel expenses.
The reason hotel sales had fallen was obvious: competing hotels had sprung up all around.
As more people enjoyed “staycations,” major corporations rushed into the hotel business.
“We need differentiation to survive the competition. Let’s review this again.”
Seungwoo stood up without hesitation and left the room.
Juseok’s face visibly darkened.
The alternatives had been the result of the marketing team brainstorming day and night. Now, all of that work had been rendered worthless in one statement.
“Do we really have to redo all of this?”
“Go tell him something yourself. No, having to start over from scratch…”
“You know the boss. He doesn’t even listen to the general manager.”
Even the hotel general manager with 30 years of experience couldn’t say a word in front of the young Seungwoo. As people grumbled and stood one by one, Yunseo, who had been taking minutes in the corner, also stood.
“Director Juseok.”
“Ah, this plan… Why does it feel like there’s no breakthrough?”
Juseok finally revealed his inner thoughts and shook his head.
“Yunseo… I heard you got scolded this morning.”
His eyes fixed on Yunseo.
He seemed to be referring to when she was with Haejin. Yunseo didn’t know what to say and just gave a faint smile.
“Then why did you even come here?”
A hint of pity passed through Juseok’s eyes.
Yunseo snorted inwardly. If she hadn’t read his mind, she would have thought he meant it sincerely. She hid her thoughts and answered gently.
“Minjung’s situation was difficult. If I hadn’t come, she would have had to keep coming to the hotel even in that situation.”
“So that’s how it happened? That’s your problem, Yunseo. You never think of your own circumstances and always take care of others.”
Yunseo watched Juseok click his tongue softly and quietly stepped closer.
“Director, honestly, I’m not entirely at ease. I came because of Minjung, but as you said, I got scolded since morning, and I don’t have anyone else close in the office to lean on.”
Juseok furrowed his brow slightly.
He was a little taken aback by Yunseo’s gentle attitude.
“Is it… really hard?”
“Could you buy me lunch, Director?”
Juseok’s face stiffened as if shocked. Yunseo took a deep breath and continued.
“If you’re worried about the boss, I understand.”
“Lunch is nothing. The boss has a meeting elsewhere anyway.”
Seeing Juseok’s faint blush, Yunseo quietly cheered herself on inside.
Step by step, she thought, maybe soon she would uncover evidence and secrets.
At lunch, Yunseo and Juseok moved to a nearby restaurant and started eating quietly. About halfway through, Yunseo spoke first.
“Director, the more I see you, the more I admire you. You’ve been by the boss’s side since school. Is true friendship really that special?”
She watched his face closely, hoping for a clue from his expression.
And at that moment, she caught a fleeting smirk on Juseok’s face.
‘Exactly.’
She had confirmed it behind his glasses before, but seeing it on his face gave her chills.
“True friendship? No, Seungwoo gave me a lot.”
Juseok quickly composed himself and replied.
“Even so… I wish I had a friend like you and the boss. Then worries like this wouldn’t exist.”
Yunseo covered her mouth as if she had misspoken.
“No, no. Let’s just pretend I didn’t say that.”
“Worries?”
Juseok’s eyes widened.
“What do you mean? Was there something troubling you?”
Yunseo exhaled deeply. Juseok was gradually moving according to her plan.
“No, it’s nothing. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Tell me. What’s going on?”
Juseok pressed her, and Yunseo gave in.
“I need to keep it secret from the boss.”
“Of course. Do you think I can’t handle that?”
“Honestly… it’s been hard with him lately.”
Yunseo lowered her head and sighed heavily.
“This morning too… even though I’m his secretary and wife, he scolded me in front of a younger employee, and it hurt my feelings.”
She blinked deliberately to make her eyes slightly wet, then met Juseok’s gaze.
“It must be because I’m incompetent.”
“No. I think that was too much.”
Yunseo smiled faintly.
She hadn’t expected that one sentence would move him so quickly. Maybe her task would become easier.
“Really?”
“Yes. As you said, even if you are his wife, he should respect you. Even if he has to scold, he shouldn’t do it in front of a new secretary.”
“But you always side with the boss.”
Juseok looked troubled, then lowered his eyes. Yunseo watched silently as his expression shifted.
“Not always.”
He spoke calmly, as if having organized his thoughts.
“I’m human too.”
“Still… you’re not just a subordinate but also a friend. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that today.”
“No, I told you it’s fine.”
Juseok waved his hand.
“Really fine. And even if someone’s a friend or subordinate, wrong is wrong. Today, Seungwoo was in the wrong.”
Yunseo’s eyes widened slightly.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. Honestly, I wanted to say something but held back.”
“Please don’t.”
That was enough. Yunseo exhaled in relief.
“Please keep this a secret from the boss.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about me.”
“Thank you so much for understanding today. Could we… have more of these moments sometimes?”
Seeing Yunseo’s sparkling eyes, Juseok nodded gladly.
“Of course, anytime.”
Success.
Yunseo tightly held her phone in her pocket. It was recording. Today wasn’t particularly useful, but as she gradually opened his mind, Juseok’s true side would come out.
When the decisive words came, she could play the recording for Seungwoo. Then he might believe her.
Just as she was about to leave the restaurant with Juseok, a dark shadow blocked their path.
“Is this a welcome party for new hires?”
Black eyes fixed on them. It was Seungwoo.
It was already the way home.
Although it was past 10 PM, Yunseo was alert. The person sitting next to her was the reason.
Seungwoo looked even more irritated than usual.
Yunseo glanced at his face and cautiously spoke.
“You must be tired. But I’m sure a good plan will come soon.”
Even though she knew he hated unnecessary words, she had no choice—she had to approach him.
You need to trust me. Not Han Juseok.
Seungwoo silently looked at her profile.
His gaze was so piercing that Yunseo turned her eyes away.
“What exactly is going on in your head?”
Seungwoo spoke.
“Huh?”
“Are you really here for your friend?”
Yunseo blinked. Did she make a mistake today?
“You probably didn’t like that I was working after such a long time. Sorry. I’ll work harder tomorrow…”
“It’s not because it’s been a while.”
Seungwoo took a deep breath.
He didn’t know what exactly irritated him: being with Haejin this morning, serving tea to Min Sunyoung, or having lunch with Director Han. But one thing was clear—this version of Yunseo was not the same as before.
No, even the tea or lunch with colleagues could have happened with the old Yunseo.
What mattered was her attitude. Everything about her was completely different.
“You seem determined about something.”
Yunseo widened her eyes, then narrowed them again. In just one day, Seungwoo seemed to have figured everything out.
“Yes, I’m determined to work harder.”
Seungwoo smirked.
“Right, that’s what you’d say.”
Yunseo’s heart twinged, feeling both stung and frustrated.
Realizing once again how sharp Seungwoo’s perception was, she felt sorrow at still being unable to earn his trust.
Why do I trust the one I should avoid, but he never trusts me completely?
“I’m really not. Don’t doubt me for that.”
“Then tell me honestly. Why are you really here at the hotel?”
Yunseo pressed her lips tightly together.
Seeing her complicated expression, Seungwoo turned away.
“Fine. Don’t tell me. Even if you did, I wouldn’t believe it.”
When they got home, he opened the car door first and extended his long legs out. Yunseo stayed seated, head bowed, until he fully got out. Warm tears welled in her eyes.
