ALRE 15

Chapter : 15

“Ah, I ran into Kang I-young at the first-floor lobby. She said she was on her way to an interview with the president.”

“…Really?”

Was it a relief that it wasn’t the secretary’s office delivering this news?

“She said she’s not sure yet, but you’re not actually going to hire her, right?”

“Overstepping your bounds. Send the 3DMAX work to Director Park Sun-ho for approval.”

“…Yes.”

Jaewon watched Team Leader Kim leave before stepping out of his office.

“Director Kim.”

“Yes, sir.”

Director Kim Mi-hyun stood up, looking nervous.

“Make sure you collect all the hiring documents properly without missing anything.”

“Understood.”

Jaewon headed toward the conference room.

After all this chaos, and she still says she’s unsure?

Who does she think she is?

Just wait. I’ll teach her properly.

He tightened his loosely hung tie.

In the distance, Director Park Sun-ho, heading toward the conference room, saw him and ran over cheerfully.

Thump, thump, thump.

It was a wonder the building didn’t collapse.

After the interview, I-young rushed home and had dinner with her father, Jusik.

The food on the table, prepared by I-young, was presented neatly.

Living alone in her officetel aside, Jusik gave I-young a disapproving look as she came home again, fawning over him.

“No matter how you look at it, it won’t help.”

“Don’t you think you come here too often?”

“More importantly, how’s the taste? Isn’t the soybean paste stew delicious?”

Proud of her cooking skills, I-young looked at her father with sparkling eyes.

Taking a bite, Jusik began commenting.

“Our daughter’s skill at making soybean soup seems to be improving.”

I-young stiffened.

“This isn’t soup; it’s stew.”

“You really are your father’s daughter—stubborn. How is this stew? It’s soup.”

“It’s stew.”

“Right, stew.”

“Oh, I misspoke. I said stew.”

“Stubborn. I want to eat the stew Madam Choi makes, so don’t do this here. Got it? Let your father have some romance.”

I-young sighed deeply and put down her spoon.

“Dad, are you really going to marry Madam Choi? You’re not doing this just to marry me off, are you?”

“Careful what you say; that could cause trouble if Madam Choi hears. You’re a bold child.”

Even in his fifties, Jusik dressed like he was in his thirties.

Jeans and a turtleneck made him look far younger than his age.

Compared to him, Madam Choi was an ordinary middle-aged woman.

Running a café, she looked plain and older, so they didn’t seem like a good match.

As if reading I-young’s thoughts, Jusik smiled.

“When a man reaches my age, his perspective on women changes. Got it?”

“Don’t lie.”

“You might choke on your food listening to me. Anyway, tell me about today. What did Director Jung say?”

Little did I-young know that the ‘Director Jung’ was the CEO of Won Interior.

Anyway, I-young felt she should confess why she came home today, cooked the stew, and acted coy.

“He said I should start work, but he’s thinking…”

“Starting work? I expected that. My daughter will be recognized wherever she goes because she takes after me.”

She was about to say he’s still thinking, but her father interrupted with joy.

Seeing him smile brightly made her pride feel trivial, and her resolve wavered.

Her father must have set aside his pride to personally request her presence because of her shortcomings.

On the way home from the company, I-young received a message from Won Interior:
Pack your documents and start work next week.

“Dad, can’t I just get a job at another company?”

Still clinging to her last bit of hesitation, she asked.

“Do you think there’s a better place than Won Interior? And with your skills, can you even get in somewhere else?”

“…Okay. I get it.”

“Good, smart choice.”

“But isn’t that guy a psycho?”

“Who? Director Jung? You’re not weak either, so you’ll manage. Besides, you’re not in a position to talk.”

“What’s gotten into you, Dad?”

“Learn well under him. You know I have a good eye for people, right? If you miss this opportunity, you’ll regret it for life.”

“Regret what? I can live with you my whole life. What’s there to worry about?”

“Child, I have Madam Choi, you see. From now on, don’t come here. You’ll interfere with my love life. If you’re here, Madam Choi won’t want to come. Would your father have to hop between hotels instead of enjoying a comfortable home?”

I-young’s face turned beet red.

“Dad!”

“Child, you should experience deep love yourself. See if you turn out like your father or not.”

“I don’t care. I’m leaving.”

“Good decision. I’ll do the dishes, so go on.”

Pouting, I-young put on her jacket and headed for the front door.

Jusik called out loudly.

“Work hard at your job. Don’t disgrace my name, understood?”

“I don’t care.”

I-young grumbled as she closed the door behind her, and Jusik gazed at the door with affection.

She was a daughter so precious it wouldn’t hurt even if you put her in your eyes. That was still true.

But could he always keep her in his arms?

Knowing that death would come someday and they would have to part forever, he had to start letting her go, more firmly.

Even thinking back to when I-young cried in fear at her first period made his heart ache.

Though he took care of her, he was always busy making a living, leaving her mostly on her own.

He knew that I-young acted immaturely and coyly on purpose.

Thinking of her trying to cheer him up whenever he was down made him feel pity even now.

He remembered the times she cooked meals, made soup, and set the table with her tiny hands as an elementary schooler.

How many times he had swallowed tears late at night while watching her do all that?

All he wished for was that she would do well with Director Jung.

A good match now would make it less embarrassing if she met her future mother.

Even if Director Jung didn’t think much now, after spending time with I-young, he would surely recognize her charms.

Last week, the repair work at the officetel had been completed neatly and efficiently. It was thorough, true to CEO Jung Jaewon’s style.

I-young spent the weekend catching up on housework.

Finally, Monday morning arrived.

So, I really have to start work today.

Let’s see.

All the documents are ready.

Better pack the portfolio book and tablet too.

Prepared for work, I-young left the front door with a solemn expression, like a general heading into battle.

Since she had already decided to do this, she wanted to do it properly and avoid embarrassing her father.

She arrived at the company by subway.

But as she approached the entrance, her steps felt heavy, as if weighed down.

She trudged through the building, crossing the lobby.

They told her to come to the conference room…

I-young studied the building directory posted by the elevators.

Since she hadn’t been assigned a department yet, she had to go to the conference room on the 7th floor.

Training would apparently take place there.

Now that she thought about it, wasn’t the president’s office on the 7th floor too?

According to the directory, the 7th floor had the president’s office and executive offices.

“Where are you going?”

A security guard approached and asked I-young.

“Oh, I’m a new employee. I need to go to the conference room on the 7th floor.”

Showing her phone message, the guard smiled kindly and pressed the 7th-floor elevator button for her.

“Thank you.”

The flawless, sparkling elevator ascended quickly.

But had she come too early?

Stepping off, I-young looked around the silent corridor.

There wasn’t even a single ant—it was far too quiet.