Chapter 3
It was clear, no matter how you looked at it, that this man was rude.
“One cup of coffee, please, brewed with Yemeni Haraz beans.”
“…….”
“I don’t have much time. I’d like it within ten minutes.”
What is this? He suddenly wants me to fetch coffee?
Iseol stood there, dumbfounded.
He pressed a button on the desk clock and turned it toward her.
The 10:00 timer ticked down from 09:59 to 58 seconds.
Only then did Iseol realize that her skills were being tested.
If she failed here, there was no way she would ever serve him as her boss. That much was certain.
Her heart raced, but somehow, she felt she couldn’t show panic in front of him.
She bowed politely and, without hesitation, dashed outside, running at full speed.
As she ran, she repeated his words in her head:
“One cup of coffee, please, brewed with Yemeni Haraz beans.”
Specifying the beans suggested that he didn’t want coffee from a franchise machine.
‘Then he must want it brewed by a barista.’
Iseol opened a map app and searched for nearby cafés.
Excluding chain stores and focusing on cafés run by experienced baristas, she found five.
Two were too far to make it back within ten minutes.
She sprinted toward the closest one. Upon entering, she asked for Yemeni Haraz beans—but they were completely out.
Without wasting a second, she headed to the next café, only to find a notice saying it was closed for personal reasons.
“Put that notice online too,” she muttered in frustration, anger flaring, before heading to the last café.
This was her only hope. If this one didn’t have it, the mission would fail.
To be eliminated before even trying—what a humiliating thought.
More than wanting to impress him, she wanted to succeed for her own pride, for the five years of experience she had as a secretary, and for the honor of the chairman who had recommended her.
This wasn’t just about earning his recognition—it was a matter of self-respect.
“Do you have Yemeni Haraz beans?”
Panting, Iseol burst into the last café.
The barista-owner nodded casually.
Did that mean they had it or not?
“They do have some, but the beans aren’t in the best condition. Perhaps you’d like something else instead? I assume you’re looking specifically for Yemeni Haraz beans because…”
“One cup of drip coffee with Yemeni Haraz beans, and another with a similar aroma using different beans. I’m sorry, but I’m in a real hurry. Could you make them a little faster?”
The barista nodded and immediately began brewing.
Drip coffee takes time, so why only give me ten minutes? Was this meant to make me suffer? On purpose?
“Ha… just as I heard.”
Finally catching her breath, Iseol let out a nervous, disbelieving laugh.
This wasn’t a movie. First thing you do when meeting someone, they order coffee in ten minutes and even start a timer.
‘I’ve never received such an absurd command at work before.’
Looking back, it felt infuriating. But…
“The secretary who worked the longest stayed for about two years and earned $500,000 in incentives alone. At the current exchange rate, that’s over 700 million won. And that’s just the incentives, not counting the salary.”
The team leader’s words kept echoing in her head.
Seven hundred million?
If that was true, how much would she earn for completing a simple errand once she was officially hired?
A few tens? No, maybe hundreds?
Her mind was suddenly filled with images of countless golden bills fluttering around.
The unpleasant feelings she had just felt evaporated instantly.
Since becoming the head of her household, every penny had mattered.
Was a little bruised pride really worth worrying about?
If she endured just two years, she might earn 700 million won—or even more—just like that secretary.
“But how did that New York secretary make 700 million? I want to earn that too.”
If she performed better, maybe even more was possible.
That thought sparked a surge of determination. She became fiercely determined to pass this test.
She anxiously checked the time. Only four minutes remained.
‘The coffee isn’t even halfway done yet.’
Her legs trembled as she kept checking the time, silently urging the barista to hurry.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the coffee was ready. Iseol grabbed the disposable cups and dashed off.
“This is the Yemeni Haraz beans, and this one has a similar aroma from Ethiopian Sidamo beans.”
“Thank you very much.”
There was no time for further explanations.
Only about two and a half minutes remained. She had to run.
She kept her upper body steady to prevent spilling, moving her legs as quickly as possible.
Ignoring her aching legs, she rushed desperately toward the hotel. As expected, the team leader was waiting in the lobby.
“This is a test, right?”
“Yes. It seems so.”
Gasping, Iseol silently prayed for the elevator to reach the 35th floor quickly.
Please, hurry. Hurry.
When the doors dinged open, the team leader rushed ahead to unlock the door with the card key, and Iseol entered the room without a moment to greet him.
The first thing she noticed was the desk clock.
As she froze in place, the numbers flipped to 00:00 and rang—ding-ding.
He looked at her with curiosity, as if surprised.
Iseol carefully placed the two cups on the desk, suppressing her heavy breathing.
“You only asked for one cup.”
“The Yemeni beans weren’t in the best condition, so I also prepared coffee with another bean with a similar aroma. Left is Yemeni Haraz, right is Ethiopian Sidamo. I apologize for not being able to provide the best quality.”
She had trouble speaking at first due to her breathlessness, but after that, it went smoothly.
The man, sweating lightly, watched her nonchalantly before returning to his seat.
He sipped the Yemeni coffee first. No expression betrayed whether he liked it or not.
Then he tried the Ethiopian coffee, still unreadable.
Was this some kind of survival audition? Would she have to feel this tense every time if they worked together?
Just when she thought she might not survive trying to earn a large sum, he picked up the Ethiopian coffee again.
“I’ve always had Yemeni beans, but Ethiopian is pretty good too.”
“……!”
Her heart raced at his words, and she responded with a light, respectful nod.
The satisfaction of succeeding at something difficult was incomparable.
Only moments ago, she had been furious at the unreasonable orders, but now she felt pure pride.
This was why Iseol loved being a secretary.
The praise received for perfectly executing a superior’s orders was as sweet as any monetary reward.
“You don’t need to dress formally all the time. Feel free to be more casual. But don’t be sloppy.”
She pondered over the word “from now on.”
From now on? Did that mean she would be working with him?
He then rose and approached her. Instantly, Iseol straightened her back, tense.
She hadn’t realized before, but his cologne was quite strong—too strong for her taste.
“Seems like you’re not as inflexible as your attire suggests. You have some adaptability.”
“…….”
“Start work. We’ll observe for a while.”
