Chapter – 17
Jung-wook stared at her ever-changing expressions with a small smile. Then, bending slightly at the waist and tilting his head, he studied her face closely and said,
“By the way, you really do look like a Maltese.”
“Huh? M-Me?”
“Yeah. I’ve thought that for a while now.”
…So earlier, when he called someone a puppy, he meant me?
Seol-ah had no idea why he was saying such a thing and instinctively stepped back a little.
“Are you heading into the office now?”
“Yes… but what are you doing here, Jung-wook-ssi?”
One corner of his lips lifted, and he let out a soft snicker.
“I came in here to see you.”
“What?”
As she stared blankly at him, he added with a smile in his voice,
“Kidding.”
Then he winked—wink—before saying,
“See you later.”
He turned around and walked away.
Watching the normally quiet and rational team leader look identical to Jung-wook and even wink like that gave her severe emotional whiplash.
This is pure chaos…
Seol-ah felt like she finally understood why Tae-wook had hated being around his twin brother all throughout childhood and even now as an adult.
If I’m this confused and overwhelmed when I like the team leader, how confused must everyone else have been?
For Tae-wook, it might have been an enormous source of stress.
She sat at her desk, turned on her computer, and popped a strawberry-flavored candy into her mouth.
Just as she moved the mouse to finish the report she’d been working on yesterday, the sound of dress shoes approached the office—step, step.
It was Tae-wook.
As the team leader arrived, the team members stood to greet him over the partitions.
“Team Leader, good morning!”
“Hello, Team Leader! Good morning!”
Tae-wook straightened his posture and dipped his head slightly, his deep voice pleasant to the ears.
“A good morning to everyone.”
His gaze briefly flicked to Seol-ah. Their eyes met for only a second, but her cheeks warmed pink.
This is the real Team Leader…
She had momentarily confused him with Jung-wook earlier, but this man was the true team leader.
With an aura and presence that was unmistakable.
Seeing him now brought back yesterday’s secret, heated kiss in his office—unbidden and vivid.
And today, his lips looked especially glossy. They reminded her of how they had glistened with her saliva last night.
Did he put on lip balm? They looked so soft and shiny that she couldn’t help staring, heart pounding.
Pull yourself together, Kim Seol-ah.
Just then, Tae-wook stood before the team with a serious expression.
Normally he would head straight into his office and then begin the morning meeting, but today he spoke first, his eyes weighty.
“I have an unexpected announcement to make today.”
At his deep voice, all eyes turned to him.
“This morning, a new intern was assigned to our Management Support Team. I know this is sudden and may come as a surprise. However, it was decided as an unscheduled appointment, so I ask for your understanding. As this is their first time joining as an intern, there will be many things they are unfamiliar with. I hope everyone will help and encourage them so they can adjust well.”
No sooner had he finished than someone walked in from the office entrance, buttoning his suit jacket as he approached with long strides.
All eyes shifted from the team leader to the new intern.
Seol-ah’s eyes widened.
No way. That’s…! So Jung-wook was assigned here? The rumored parachute hire is him?
As he walked over, Jung-wook spotted her and grinned wide.
Startled, she quickly looked away.
The other team members also looked shocked.
“Huh? Isn’t that the Team Leader?”
“Why is the Team Leader walking in again? What is happening?”
“A doppelgänger?! Do we have two Team Leaders?!”
As whispers erupted, Tae-wook closed his eyes briefly.
He knew this reaction was inevitable. But he couldn’t go against his father, Chairman Choi Hoe-chan’s wishes.
Standing beside Tae-wook, Jung-wook bowed politely.
“Hello. I’m intern Choi Jung-wook. I look forward to working with all of you.”
The team clapped awkwardly. Whispers spread immediately—So he’s the rumored parachute hire…
After a steadying breath, Tae-wook continued calmly,
“Choi Jung-wook is my twin brother. He’s joined as an intern to learn the work. The sudden appointment has caused some rumors, and yes—those rumors are true. He will also be undergoing management training. I would appreciate it if everyone could support him. Jung-wook, I expect you to do your best to contribute to the team’s goals. Understood?”
“Yes, Team Leader. Understood.”
“It so happened that he was assigned to my team. I know it’ll be confusing at first because we look alike, but you’ll get used to it soon enough. Over time, you’ll naturally realize how different we are.”
As he massaged his temples, finishing his explanation, the female staff exchanged wide-eyed, astonished looks.
“So… that means the parachute hire really is the chairman’s son?”
“Then if the intern is the Team Leader’s twin brother… that means the Team Leader is also the chairman’s son and currently in management training?”
“Wow. I knew the Team Leader had everything, but now he’s even more untouchable. This just made him even more out of our league.”
Hearing the whispers, awe spread across Seol-ah’s face.
So the Team Leader was that incredible. Then the rumor about him becoming department head early makes sense—it was part of management training. And his family home was huge when I accidentally saw it… He’s a gold spoon…
He was the future CEO of the company.
She was lost in thought when she realized Tae-wook was looking at her.
He stared deeply at her for a moment, then looked away and pointed to the desk farthest from her partition.
“Jung-wook, you’ll sit at that desk at the end. If you need help or guidance, come to me.”
With a polite but distant tone, he finished speaking and immediately turned on his heel, striding into his office.
Chaos lingered among the staff as they watched the “Team Leader-lookalike intern” walk to the end of the room.
“They look too identical.”
“It’s like we have a second Team Leader. A Team Leader clone wearing an intern badge.”
Ruby, too, was overwhelmed.
For years she’d secretly loved the Team Leader—and now a man with the same face, height, and build existed right here?
She was shocked beyond belief.
Later that morning, Seol-ah clicked open the company messenger while working.
Isn’t the Team Leader the one who must feel the most confused and uncomfortable?
He had told her he hated being around his twin, yet now they would be working together in the same team. Surely that would affect him emotionally.
So she sent him a message:
[Team Leader, what happened? Are you okay working in the same space as your brother now?]
It didn’t take long for a reply to arrive.
[Seol-ah-ssi, come to my office. Bring any file binder with you.]
Her heart thumped.
He was openly calling her to his space now.
Before, he at least gave an excuse by requesting a certain file, but now he didn’t care—he just wanted her to come without drawing suspicion.
Feeling her heart flutter, she glanced at the small mirror under her monitor.
After a quick check, she grabbed a random file from her shelf and stood up.
As she walked toward his office cautiously, Ruby watched her with narrowed eyes.
Ruby bit down on her lower lip, struggling to keep her expression neutral.
That sly fox… going to seduce the Team Leader again? She goes into his office alone at least once a day. So annoying.
Oblivious to Ruby’s boiling rage, Seol-ah entered the office.
Tae-wook sat at the long executive desk reviewing documents.
As soon as he heard the door close, he pulled his chair back.
He looked at her and tapped his thigh with his finger, motioning with his chin.
“Come here.”
