Chapter- 10
Tae-wook’s car pulled into a restaurant a bit away from the company building.
The sign read “24-Hour Bone Hangover Soup.”
He parked in a corner of the lot but didn’t turn off the engine right away. Instead, he rubbed his face dryly, like trying to wash away the fatigue.
Letting out a deep sigh, he pressed his temples with his fingers and muttered bitterly to himself.
After a moment of self-mockery, he exhaled again.
“…I’m sorry, Seol-ah.”
“Huh?”
Seol-ah, who had been fidgeting with her fingers and staring at her lap, lifted her head in surprise at his apology.
“I lost my temper earlier because I was on edge. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. You didn’t do anything wrong, but I pushed you like some kind of child throwing a tantrum.”
“Oh…”
The team leader is apologizing first?
Seol-ah’s brows drooped, unsure of what to say.
“N-no, it’s my fault. If I hadn’t confused the two of you… none of that would’ve happened…”
Then it happened.
Growl—
“…?!?”
Her stomach betrayed her, loudly announcing its hunger.
Her face and neck flushed bright red. She hurriedly wrapped her arms around her belly and shut her eyes tight. Oh no. So embarrassing.
Then Tae-wook picked up his phone and wallet and spoke quietly.
“Wait here. I’ll open your door.”
Inside the restaurant, Tae-wook and Seol-ah took the most secluded table.
He glanced at the menu and asked her opinion.
“This was the only place open this early. Can you eat hangover soup?”
It was obvious he’d chosen the place with her hangover in mind.
Still blushing from embarrassment, Seol-ah couldn’t meet his eyes. She just gave a small nod.
After ordering two bowls, Tae-wook poured her a glass of water.
“Why can’t you look at me?”
“…It’s just, I’m embarrassed.”
“Because of your stomach growl?”
“Team leader!”
Her face crumpled into a flustered pout, and for the first time, his expression softened.
“Don’t worry. It was cute.”
“W-what? Cute?”
Her stomach was cute? That couldn’t be real. Her heart fluttered uncontrollably.
The tension between them seemed to melt, little by little.
Tae-wook didn’t say anything more, and Seol-ah quickly drank her water to hide her shyness.
Soon, two steaming bowls of bone hangover soup arrived, accompanied by pickled radish cubes and side dishes.
When Tae-wook handed her a spoon and some napkins, she took them quickly.
I should’ve been the one to hand him utensils first…
With that thought, she spoke softly,
“Thank you, team leader. You must be hungry since you woke up early because of me. Please eat.”
He had gone all the way to pick her up from her parents’ home earlier than usual—she figured he must be starving.
“It’s fine. You should eat plenty, Seol-ah.”
He spoke quietly and began to eat.
Following his lead, she carefully blew on a spoonful of soup and took a bite.
The rich, spicy broth filled her mouth—it was the perfect hangover cure.
Her queasy stomach started to settle, and her spirits lifted.
“This place is good. How about you, team leader?”
“It’s good. I figured we should eat before going in to work—seems like I made the right choice.”
Taking a bite of kimchi, she replied softly,
“I actually really like soups like this.”
As he mixed rice into his bowl, Tae-wook gave a faint smile.
“You look like someone who only eats pasta and steak. Didn’t expect that.”
“Ah…?”
Only eats pasta and steak?
That sounded suspiciously like a compliment. She bit her lip, trying to hide her grin.
He’s probably just being polite, she told herself.
Someone like him, who grew up in a fancy house, must be used to women who actually live that way.
“I actually love things like pork rice soup and blood sausage soup the most. What about you, team leader? Do you like these kinds of foods?”
“Of course. When I work late, I often go out for ox head soup.”
“Ah, really?”
Finding common ground made her oddly happy.
“Guess we have similar tastes, Seol-ah. Usually, these dishes are more popular with the guys—most of the women in the office don’t touch them.”
“I just love food in general, so I don’t really have anything I can’t eat.”
“It’s nice seeing you eat well. It’s… another side of you I haven’t seen at work.”
Another side of me…?
Her cheeks burned again.
They’d only talked about food, but it felt like the awkwardness between them had finally faded.
It was nice—talking like this, casually.
It felt like he was back to the kind, thoughtful team leader she knew.
As if that tense, cold man from earlier had never existed.
The car pulled into the company parking lot.
After their leisurely meal and conversation, it was almost time for work.
Tae-wook parked in the farthest corner of the second basement level, avoiding attention.
He turned to look at Seol-ah.
She met his gaze with wide eyes, and suddenly, he leaned toward her, reaching out his arm.
Startled, Seol-ah froze, shoulders tightening, eyes squeezing shut.
Is he… going to kiss me again?
“…”
But nothing happened.
When she cautiously peeked, she saw him unbuckling her seat belt.
Oh. That’s all…
“Let’s go. It’s better if you get out first. Someone might see us together in the garage.”
“Ah, o-okay. I’ll go first then.”
Her cheeks flushed again as she hurried out of the car.
As she walked past the hood, she glanced back—he nodded once through the window, a silent signal that he’d follow after her.
She nodded back and headed toward the elevator.
By the time she entered the office, a few teammates were already there.
She smiled brightly and greeted them.
“Good morning, everyone!”
“Oh, hey Seol-ah! Morning!”
“Morning, Seol-ah.”
After exchanging cheerful greetings, she sat down at her desk and turned on her monitor.
She worried someone might notice she was wearing the same sky-blue shirt as yesterday—and ask if she’d stayed out overnight—but thankfully, no one seemed to care.
Just as she reached for her pen, she heard the click of high heels.
Turning, she saw Ruby entering the office.
Her sleek office look and high ponytail suited her perfectly. As she approached, a wave of strong perfume filled the air.
“Good morning, Seol-ah?”
Ruby’s tone was confident, cool.
“Good morning, section chief. Hope you had a good morning.”
“Good morning? Not sure about good.”
“Huh?”
“It’s not a great morning for me personally.”
“Oh…”
Maybe she just had a bad start to her day, Seol-ah thought, deciding to be understanding, and turned back to her desk.
A moment later, the sound of firm footsteps echoed through the office.
Step, step.
Strong, steady—she recognized them instantly.
Just hearing those steps made her heart tense.
It was Team Leader Choi Tae-wook.
As soon as he appeared, everyone rose to greet him.
“Good morning, team leader!”
“Morning, sir!”
Though she’d just arrived with him moments ago, Seol-ah pretended not to know—standing stiffly, bowing with an awkward smile.
