Episode 14
The car came to a stop. They had arrived at one of Seoul’s largest hotels. After handing the keys to valet parking, they moved to the restaurant on the top floor. It was a more formal dining establishment than she had expected.
“Isn’t this the place run by that incredibly famous chef?”
“That’s correct.”
Min-seon covered her mouth with her hand as it fell open. It was the restaurant of a star chef who had appeared on television numerous times.
“Isn’t it super hard to get a reservation? I looked into it because I wanted to come too…”
Memories from the past surfaced, one after another.
‘I heard that chef is an amazing cook. I’d love to go there sometime.’
‘Do you even know how much that costs?’
‘Well… I assume it’s quite expensive?’
‘And you say that knowing full well?’
When Min-seon stayed quiet, not understanding, Su-han let out a loud, pointed sigh.
‘Min-seon-ah, sometimes it feels like you really look down on my work.’
‘What are you suddenly talking about?’
‘If you understood how hard I work to earn money, could you say things like that?’
‘No, that’s not what I meant. It was just a casual comment… I’ve worked too, I know how hard it is, how could I look down on your work?’
‘See. Your tone right now. I don’t like that either. You only worked for just over two years, yet you act like you know all about my struggles. If that’s not looking down, what is? You really have no consideration for me.’
‘Th… that really wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry…’
That day’s conversation had also ended with Min-seon’s apology and Su-han’s sigh.
“Well. You’re worthy of it now.”
At Jae-heon’s nonchalant reply, Min-seon erased the memory of Su-han’s sigh etched in her heart.
The scar on her shoulder tingled painfully, and she unconsciously rubbed and kneaded it with her hand.
“Anyway, thanks to you, I’m being treated. Thank you.”
It was indeed a ‘Splendid Dinner’, just as the reward had stated. Jae-heon simply shrugged his shoulders as if it were truly nothing.
Soon, a staff member escorted them to their table. Jae-heon led the way, and Min-seon followed. Just then, her phone vibrated.
[Min-seon-ah, you were right.]
It was Yun-ji. As she stared at the screen, another message arrived in quick succession.
[There’s a conflict between the central control system and the existing system.]
[I’ll check it more thoroughly and hand it over to your team, but it seems like it won’t work out ㅜㅜ Your team must be in crisis mode too…]
[Anyway, thanks for letting me know. I got praised too. It’s my first time being praised.]
“What are you doing?”
Jae-heon’s face suddenly came close. Only then did Min-seon realize she had stopped dead in the middle of the restaurant.
“Ah, sorry. I got a message from a friend.”
“A friend?”
Jae-heon placed a hand lightly on her back, escorting her to the table. Min-seon glided into motion again.
“Yes. A close friend—”
“As I said before, I’m very competitive.”
“Pardon?”
“When you’re with me, focus only on me. No matter who that friend is.”
Jae-heon tilted his head, indicating her seat. Min-seon awkwardly took her seat. Even as she did, her mind was racing.
They were seated at a table right next to a large window. Jae-heon sat across from her. Staring directly at him felt more embarrassing than she anticipated, so her gaze wandered before finally settling on the view outside the window.
Beyond the full-length glass pane was the sight of Seoul at night, rain pouring down. It looked like a large oil painting with the nightscape as its theme.
It was beautiful. Beautiful enough that she could look at it all night long if asked.
“We will start with the appetizer.”
Min-seon, who had been resting her chin on the table, completely engrossed in the night view, jumped in surprise and sat up straight.
It seemed the menu had been pre-ordered. Before them was a scallop ceviche topped with grapefruit.
“This is really delicious.”
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
“Do you not like it, Department Head?”
When Min-seon asked, Jae-heon finally looked down at his own plate. It was as if he had only just realized what he was eating.
“No, it’s good.”
Min-seon quietly observed Jae-heon’s expression. He really is a peculiar person.
“Why? Does it remind you of something?”
Jae-heon dabbed the corner of his mouth with his napkin.
“Is there something else I’ve forgotten?”
“Do I have to spell that out for you too?”
Is there, or isn’t there?
Min-seon blinked, then quietly added,
“It seems there isn’t.”
At her words, the corner of Jae-heon’s mouth quirked up with a slight puff of air. Min-seon blinked again.
“People at the company say they’ve never seen you smile, Department Head.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. So people say all sorts of things about you.”
“What kinds of things?”
“That you’re handsome, but scary?”
“It seems they don’t work and only engage in useless chatter.”
“So, you should smile at the company too. All those strange rumors would disappear.”
Instead of an answer at the expected time, Jae-heon just stared intently at Min-seon.
“You too, Yoo Min-seon-ssi.”
“Me?”
“You look better when you smile.”
Min-seon touched her own face.
Had I been smiling? What expression was I making?
“Much better than those meaningless night views.”
“Ah…”
Was it because it had been so long? Or because of the unexpected timing of such a compliment? Her heart thumped loudly.
“Um, thank you.”
The conversation with Jae-heon just moments ago had been surprisingly fun and interesting, but it suddenly became awkward.
It truly sank in that she was sitting across from Department Head Kang Jae-heon in an atmospheric restaurant, just the two of them.
Just then, the next course arrived. The staff placed soup on the table.
“This dish is a mushroom soup featuring wild pine mushrooms. And, might you enjoy this type of premium wine? A rare wine that pairs perfectly arrived today. If it’s alright, we will serve it for you.”
Even service. It was definitely a splendid meal.
Jae-heon nodded, and soon a dark red liquid filled the wine glasses. Jae-heon picked up his glass and gave it a slight swirl.
The shimmering liquid at his long fingertips looked mesmerizing. Min-seon followed suit, picking up her glass and giving it a slight swirl.
Jae-heon gazed intently at her for a moment, then abruptly asked a question.
“Do you like wine?”
“To be honest, no. I’ve had it a few times, but I can’t really tell the taste. I must be boring to drink wine with, right?”
Jae-heon looked at her silently as if he couldn’t understand her words. Min-seon fidgeted with her fingertips.
“I mean, it’s such a fine wine, but since I don’t know much about it… Wouldn’t it be more enjoyable with someone who has a refined palate?”
Su-han had really loved wine. After work, he would often pour himself a glass and enjoy it alone. Early in their marriage, he wanted to share it with Min-seon, but when she showed little interest, he let out a deep sigh.
‘No matter how much you were raised on just gukbap, really. How can you not appreciate this taste? You, Min-seon. Fine, I’ll drink alone. What’s the point of giving this good stuff to you when you don’t even know the taste? Give it here.’
Min-seon quickly shook off the memory of Su-han. It’s already the past. No, it’s not even the past. It’s a time that’s already gone. When will I be free from his lingering shadow?
Perhaps only after I finish this revenge will I be free from those memories.
“Don’t meet men like that.”
“Pardon?”
Min-seon was startled.
“No, it’s not like anyone said that to me…”
“In the future too. If you meet a man like a fruit fly, discard him. Or kill him.”
“A fruit fly?”
“When fermenting wine, so many fruit flies are attracted. How they block those insects can determine the quality of the wine.”
“Are you joking?”
“I’m serious. Anyone who values the worth of this mere wine over Yoo Min-seon-ssi’s value is no different from a fruit fly, don’t you think?”
Min-seon blinked, then burst out laughing.
“You’re right, Department Head. A fruit fly-like man. That’s right. I should never meet a man who’s like a fruit fly.”
Yes. What’s so special about the taste of wine? When you think about it, even gukbap is such a sophisticated dish. Preparing all the ingredients, boiling it for hours…
Jae-heon shrugged his shoulders and took a sip of his wine.
“Is the job transfer preparation going well?”
It was just when the main course, steak, had been served.
Asking smoothly, Jae-heon cut into his steak. His movements were perfectly efficient, without a single wasted motion. Having finished cutting, his gaze slowly rose to meet Min-seon’s.
“Well. I suppose so.”
Jae-heon raised an eyebrow slightly.
“If you want to transfer right now, I can make it happen.”
“No, as I mentioned before, I still want to finish up some things here first.”
“And by ‘finish up,’ you mean successfully completing the presentation?”
Not understanding the intent of the question, Min-seon tilted her head.
“Are you saying you want the Innovation Support Team, Team Manager Kim Su-han, to succeed and rise high by giving a good presentation?”
She couldn’t answer the question easily.
“What is the intention behind your question…”
“It’s not that.”
