Chapter 6
“I told you clearly, it’s not me.”
Jian’s voice, slightly raised, trembled faintly.
If she said she remembered, what was he planning to do with that information?
Honestly, the one who should be wearing a face full of betrayal was Jian.
He was the one who called her dirty back then, so why was he so desperate to dig up those worst memories?
Jian gnawed on the tender skin inside her lip.
“Are you saying you can’t even remember something from ten years ago because you’ve rolled around with too many guys?”
“Director. You keep saying things like that, and it’s sexual harassment.”
Deciding she needed to be firm, Jian clenched her fists and shouted.
She barely managed to hold back the tears that almost spilled out.
It was even more infuriating because, thanks to Taejun, she hadn’t even tried to date any other man.
She hoped he would just think he’d messed with a crazy dog and leave her alone.
“You’re good at that.”
“…?”
Taejun spat out such words, not like some pervert.
And then, on top of that, came his bizarre action of suddenly patting her head.
Completely unable to predict Taejun’s behavior, Jian couldn’t give any answer.
“Don’t act like an obedient little bitch. You need to know how to talk back like that.”
The fingertips that had traced down from the crown of Jian’s head gently circled her earlobe.
The manipulation of her sensitive area caused a strange, dull heat to rise in Jian’s lower abdomen.
She needed to pull away, but her body wouldn’t listen.
Her mind wanted to ignore him, but her body seemed to have already recognized Taejun.
As she looked up at him with a complicated expression, he bent down and whispered in her ear.
“WS Hotel, room 1104.”
“…!”
“We were pretty compatible back then, so if we do it, you’ll remember.”
“Director.”
“Come by when you feel like it. I’ve developed a taste for no-strings-attached relationships.”
To say something like that so bluntly at their first meeting in ten years.
Jian thought she understood what Taejun thought of her.
“I intend to bring out those memories you keep repeating like a parrot, saying you’ve forgotten them, by whatever means necessary.”
“…!”
“You know me well, Jian. I’m the type who sees things through to the end.”
One corner of Taejun’s mouth twisted up crookedly.
He was even worse than on the day she had been told they were breaking up.
Make sure everyone attends the company dinner tonight for the new Director’s welcome party. No exceptions.
Right after lunch, a company-wide memo was sent out via the internal messenger.
Deputy Director Jung knew something that even Jian, the secretary, didn’t.
‘This is insane.’
Having to face him throughout the workday was bad enough, but now she had to see Taejun’s face even after work.
Jian was in utter despair.
She had no appetite, so she barely touched her lunch, yet her stomach still felt unsettled.
Her head throbbed just from thinking about it.
The suggestive things she’d heard in the executive office that morning played a big part in this.
‘A welcome party for someone I don’t want to welcome.’
Jian shook her head and gripped her mouse.
Just then, Minju from the next desk spoke to her.
“Secretary Seo, why do you keep sighing? Is something wrong?”
“Oh, no, nothing’s wrong. Was I doing that?”
Thinking she’d only been doing it inwardly, Jian smiled awkwardly and asked.
Minju, widening her already large eyes, nodded vigorously.
“Yes, you kept doing it. Are you feeling unwell?”
“Oh… I guess so. Why was I doing that?”
Jian rubbed the back of her neck, pondering what to say.
She considered pretending to be sick to create an excuse not to attend the welcome party.
But doing anything conspicuous would definitely make her the subject of gossip.
She could almost hear the whispers: ‘How can a secretary not attend?’ ‘She’s already acting up.’
So, Jian squeezed her eyes shut and resolved to attend the dinner.
“That’s a relief. I was starting to panic for a moment, thinking I’d have to go alone since I can only really talk to you, Secretary Seo.”
“Of course I have to attend. It’s the Director’s welcome party.”
Jian forced a smile, saying what she didn’t mean.
“Let’s make sure we sit together. By the way, Secretary Seo, did you watch that drama yesterday?”
Based on past experience, people this talkative rarely clicked with her.
There had been many who showed excessive friendliness at first, only to badmouth Jian later for being lukewarm in return. As talkative as they were in front, they were just as bad behind her back.
‘I hope Minju isn’t like that.’
But she didn’t have the energy to pretend to be someone else just to match Minju’s pace.
All her nerves were focused on Taejun, leaving her busy just gauging his mood.
Jian puffed out her cheeks with air, thinking there could be no hell worse than this.
True to a dinner attended by Taejun, the menu was premium beef.
The fact that he had rented out the entire restaurant so employees could enjoy the dinner comfortably showed his consideration.
“How can he be so perfect? We thought we’d hit the jackpot with his looks, but he even takes care of our stomachs like this!”
Secretary Lee Hyena, one of the secretarial team members, clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling.
“I wouldn’t mind having this kind of dinner every day. But Secretary Seo, when is the Director coming?”
Minju, who had been enthusiastically agreeing with Hyena, asked Jian.
“He said he’d come after finishing up some work he was reviewing.”
“I see. I hope he comes soon. Wow, never thought I’d see the day we’d be waiting for our boss at a company dinner.”
Minju looked around at the other secretaries with bright, shining eyes and continued.
“Do any of you other secretaries find yourselves looking forward to coming to work every morning?”
“Pfft. Don’t even get me started. I wake up 30 minutes earlier to do my makeup now.”
While everyone naturally chatted amongst themselves, Jian had too much on her mind to join in.
Just as she was listening with a fake smile, dishes began to appear on the table.
After the basic place settings were arranged, special cuts of meat were brought out, eliciting continuous gasps of admiration from everyone.
The staff even explained each cut and grilled the meat right there for them.
She picked up a piece of perfectly cooked meat with her chopsticks and took a bite. Her appetite, which had seemed nonexistent, suddenly returned.
‘Delicious.’
But since she hadn’t eaten properly for days, the rich food didn’t sit well in her stomach.
“Let’s all toast!”
“Let’s have more get-togethers like this among the secretarial team in the future.”
“Sounds great!”
Clink!
Four glasses met in the air with a bright sound.
After emptying their glasses a few times like that, Jian began to feel slightly tipsy.
It was far less than her usual limit, but she had been drinking almost on an empty stomach.
She cupped her cheeks with her hands, and sure enough, they felt hot.
‘I should stop drinking.’
Jian just touched her lips to her half-empty glass before setting it down.
Minju, who was sitting next to Jian, stood up and said quietly, “I’m going to briefly visit my old team.”
“Okay, sure.”
Minju had been seconded from the Overseas Sales Department, and her former teammates, whom she’d worked with until a few days ago, were also at the dinner.
It was the same for Jian, but she knew well that no one would welcome her, so she stayed put.
This familiar yet never-adaptable feeling of everyone seeming to have a good time while she alone felt isolated.
Eventually, Jian picked up her discarded glass and poured the remaining alcohol into her mouth.
That was when it happened.
“Is the Director here?”
Taejun appeared at the dinner.
He nodded slightly towards the employees who acknowledged him and made his way over to where the secretarial team was seated.
“Is the food to your liking?”
Then, without hesitation, he sat down next to Jian.
Minju had gone to her old team for a bit, so that was the only empty seat. But since she and Taejun shared a past that no one else should know about, Jian’s body stiffened in shock.
“It’s absolutely delicious, Director. I’ve never been to such a fancy company dinner before. Thank you so much.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
The other secretaries eagerly tried to engage Taejun in conversation.
Only Jian kept her mouth firmly shut.
She wished she could grill some meat rather than just sitting there silently.
But the restaurant staff had done everything and left, so there was nothing to fiddle with.
She just sipped the alcohol she had intended to stop drinking.
But even that proved difficult, so she put her glass down on the table.
Then, she pretended to focus on the conversation between Taejun and the secretaries, which she couldn’t even hear.
‘…!’
Something touched her fingertips, which she had placed on the bench-style seat.
She knew it was Taejun’s hand without even looking down to confirm.
Startled enough that something rose in her throat, Jian froze, unable to do anything due to the situation.
She tried to calm herself by biting the tender skin inside her lip, but…
‘What is this?’
Taejun’s hand crept up and covered hers.
His large hand enveloped her entire hand, then tightened its grip.
“Director, we look forward to working with you.”
“Likewise.”
While Jian felt suffocated, as if someone were squeezing her heart, making it hard to breathe,
Taejun continued conversing casually with the secretarial team.
Fortunately, since the wall was behind her, no other employees could see what was happening. But because the entire Overseas Sales team was gathered, even the slightest movement felt risky.
With all her nerves focused on the hand touching Taejun’s, yet unable to do anything, Jian felt like her chest would explode.
She wanted to snap at Taejun, who was putting her in such an awkward position, but realistically, all she could do was…
Hope the time would pass quickly.
‘It’s okay. It’s okay.’
She repeated that to herself and just as she lifted her gaze, which had been lowered…
‘…!’
Her eyes met Mijin’s, who was glaring at her sharply.
It was a look that seemed to know exactly what was happening under the table.
