Chapter -01
With a fluttering heart, Seol-ah walked out of the office pantry, her face still flushed.
The paper cup of coffee in her hand trembled slightly with the lingering excitement.
When she glanced back, she saw her team leader, Tae-uk, stepping out of the pantry as well, straightening his tie.
His gaze was fixed squarely on the glass-walled team leader’s office at the far end of the room—
as if, the very moment he stepped out of the pantry where they’d just shared a quiet, thrilling secret,
he’d already shed every trace of personal emotion to return to being the cool, composed superior.
That look—so professional, so detached—was exactly that.
“He’s so sexy…”
Ironically, it was that sharp contrast—the switch from warmth to control—that made him even more attractive to Seol-ah. Her cheeks warmed further.
Back at her desk in the Management Support Team, she tried to calm her racing heart, but it was impossible to focus on work.
What had started so innocently—a simple thought to grab an iced coffee—had turned into something far more dangerous.
“Oh? Team leader.”
She had just turned around, coffee cup in hand, when she noticed him.
Tae-uk had closed the pantry door behind him and now leaned lazily against the wall, arms folded, his eyes fixed on her.
“…So this is where you were.”
The deep rumble of his voice, sliding over his throat like honey, made her ears tingle.
“Were you… looking for me?”
Wide-eyed like a startled rabbit, she stared up at him.
He slowly pushed himself off the wall and came closer, step by deliberate step.
When that tall, broad-shouldered frame loomed before her, Seol-ah’s pupils quivered on instinct.
He was at least a head taller than her, and from him came a faint, clean citrus scent.
Through the window behind him, late-spring blossoms swayed in full bloom—
and there he stood, a man with the looks of a sculpted actor and the bearing of someone impossibly composed, gazing at her with quiet intensity.
So this is what they call an office “something.”
“I wanted to talk about the report you submitted.”
His long, smooth fingers reached up, gently brushing a strand of her hair aside.
“But now that I see you looking at me like that…”
“Ah…”
“…I’m not sure we’ll end up talking about work.”
Thump, thump.
How had it come to this—that someone as unreal as him, her own team leader, would be flirting with her?
She felt the damp edge of the sink pressing against her back, her shirt absorbing the cool moisture,
but in that moment she couldn’t have cared less.
Tae-uk braced both hands on the counter behind her, caging her in.
Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it. She instinctively held her breath.
Then he tilted his head slightly.
Time itself seemed to stop in the cramped pantry as his face drew closer—
and then the soft citrus of his cologne filled her senses.
A gentle pressure met her lips.
Their first kiss.
He didn’t move, perhaps out of consideration for her nervousness—just pressed his warm lips lightly against hers,
then slowly pulled away, his eyes opening.
A quiet sound escaped her.
“Your lips are sweet.”
His deep, resonant voice brushed against her ear.
“What did you eat during office hours, hmm?”
“Ah… I—I had a strawberry candy earlier…”
“Eating candy during work hours. That deserves punishment.”
The low vibration of his voice sent heat rushing to her face.
Then he leaned in again—his lips finding hers, this time with more purpose.
When he parted her lips and caught them gently between his, a spark ran through her whole body.
The world blurred like an ink-wash painting.
Color drained away, leaving only the sensation of time melting and emotions bleeding softly outward.
But she knew—as soon as they stepped out of this pantry, everything would reset.
They’d go back to pretending nothing happened, working side by side as though they were strangers.
It was the fleeting heartbeat of a first love, the kind that made you wish you could stop time itself.
She could still taste strawberry candy on her lips, and now—faintly—on his too.
A short kiss.
No—too brief, too hesitant even to call a “kiss.” Just the lightest exchange of breath and sweetness.
“I should cool down a bit before I go out.”
His low voice rolled through her, his eyes still fixed on her face.
“You can head out first.”
He stepped aside.
“Y-yes, then… I’ll go first!”
She didn’t understand why he wanted her to leave first, but her cheeks were burning too hot to ask.
She hurried out of the pantry, still dizzy from the heat rising inside her.
That was how it began—her something with the team leader, Tae-uk.
Six months into her first real job, Seol-ah had never imagined romance would find her here,
like spring arriving quietly after a long, lonely winter.
In college, she had turned down every confession from boys she didn’t like, pouring all her energy into studying.
But now, out of nowhere, a romantic, almost cinematic love was blooming in the middle of her office life.
“A man that handsome, that capable, and it’s me he’s flirting with? Could this really be the start of an office romance?”
Outside, white petals drifted past the office window like a gentle shower of blessings from the world itself.
* * *
Lunchtime.
The entire Management Support Team, led by Tae-uk, went out together to a nearby barbecue restaurant.
They had reserved a private room, courtesy of Manager Oh, who had arranged it per Tae-uk’s request.
“Team leader’s treating us today! He said he feels bad for working us too hard lately,
so let’s all eat to our hearts’ content!”
The team burst into cheers and applause.
Tae-uk, not one for visible emotion, just sat with his usual cool expression, gesturing lightly with his hand for everyone to start eating.
“Thank you, team leader!”
The staff eagerly dug into the premium beef, thrilled at the unexpected feast.
From her seat several spots away, Seol-ah snuck glances at Tae-uk between bites.
He had taken off his jacket, hanging it neatly on the rack, his crisp white shirt and perfectly knotted tie gleaming under the warm light.
Even his tie pin—undoubtedly expensive—caught the glow elegantly.
“How can someone be that perfect?”
Unconsciously, she touched her lips again, remembering the kiss.
Just then, Tae-uk looked up—and their eyes met.
“……”
“……”
The rest of the team was too busy with the meat to notice,
but in that silent moment, the two of them shared a secret glance that made Seol-ah’s lips twitch upward before she quickly looked down.
“The grill on that side’s running low on meat. Manager Oh, order more rib-eye.”
“Yes, sir! Right away, team leader.”
Watching him press the call button, Seol-ah smiled faintly, feeling like the extra meat order had been meant for her.
* * *
After lunch, on the way back to the office—
Tae-uk walked ahead with Manager Oh and Seol-ah, while two other female employees trailed behind,
their eyes fixed on the trio.
Rubi had been in love with Tae-uk long before Seol-ah ever joined the company—two years, at least.
And now this newbie, this fresh-faced rookie, was suddenly hanging around him all the time.
Her gut told her something was off—and a woman’s intuition rarely lied.
“Ranjung.”
Rubi’s tone was sharp as she addressed her friend and fellow employee, Choi Ranjung.
“Yeah, Rubi?”
“That Seol-ah girl. Don’t you think she’s getting a little too cozy with the team leader?
Always hanging around him, trying to catch his attention—it’s too obvious, right?
Tell me I’m not just imagining it.”
Ranjung pursed her lips.
“Hmm… Now that you mention it, she does ask him a lot of questions.
Always finding some excuse to be near him.”
“Exactly. I knew it. My instincts never lie.
That newbie’s totally flirting with the team leader—trying to reel him in.
And of course, everyone knows how handsome and competent he is… She’s probably trying her luck.”
Rubi’s eyes narrowed, tongue pressing against the inside of her cheek.
“Right? She’s wagging her little tail at him. You’re sharp as always, Rubi.
I mean, what woman in this office hasn’t crushed on Team Leader Choi?
That girl just doesn’t know her place.”
Buoyed by Ranjung’s words, Rubi’s irritation hardened into conviction.
No, she wasn’t imagining it.
That naïve little rookie really was trying to seduce her Tae-uk—
the man every woman in the office secretly admired.
“Pretty face and nothing else… So annoying.”
After all, Rubi had been quietly, faithfully in love with him for years.
She wasn’t about to let some fresh graduate steal him away.
In an office full of women who all adored the same man,
one thing was certain—
That girl just made an enemy.
Rubi’s eyes gleamed coldly.
