Chapter 1
The New Company – 1
I saw the large letters ‘SJ’ prominently displayed on the front of the building.
At night, those letters would even light up.
I paused for a moment, looking up at the ‘SJ’ sign before walking inside.
When was my first day at my previous company again?
I hadn’t quite reached four years at my last job, so my first day there must have been about that long ago too.
My first company, which I joined right after graduating college, and my second company…
This was my third company since moving jobs, making it my third “first day,” but I still hadn’t gotten used to it at all.
Feeling incredibly tense, I scanned the lobby.
Since it was before official working hours, the speed gates were empty, and I noticed a man standing there who immediately caught my eye.
Did I come to the right place?
I went back outside to double-check the ‘SJ’ sign on the building.
Just looking at his face, you’d think this was an entertainment agency, not a regular company.
Just who is he?
I glanced at him furtively as I approached the information desk.
He was tall, easily over 180 years old has broad shoulders.
And an unrealistically handsome face to top it off.
He was making an expression like the man standing next to him was a nuisance.
Now that I thought about it, the man next to the handsome one had been talking non-stop, but I’d been so captivated by the handsome face that I hadn’t even noticed the other man was there.
“I need to get a grip.”
I shook my head.
I’d only recently realized I was the type to fall for people too easily.
So, the things I needed to be most careful of right now were handsome men and any kindness they showed me.
It was my fault for being swayed just because a somewhat good-looking guy was nice to me.
An image of Koo Hyung popped into my head.
That bastard.
I should’ve at least slapped him once before I left.
Just then, the handsome man standing by the speed gate suddenly grabbed the other man by the collar.
“Uh, what the?”
As I jumped in surprise, the employee at the information desk also flinched and hurried over to the men.
I could hear the handsome man growling in a low voice.
“That’s far enough.”
The man who’d been grabbed by the collar had turned pale as a sheet.
His feet seemed to dangle in the air for a second before the handsome man shoved him away roughly.
Oh my god. What is happening?
Witnessing this incident in the company lobby on my first day reminded me of what Na-eun had told me about big and small scandals never ceasing in this company.
Like how employees got caught up in office politics, leading to huge fights and then mass resignations.
Well, I guess that’s why they needed manpower, allowing people like me, who were looking for a quick transfer, to get in.
“Get lost.”
At the handsome man’s words, the face of the man on the floor flushed bright red, and he scrambled out of the building in a flash.
What in the world just happened?
I started wondering if I should run away like that guy did, or just walk up to the information desk like nothing happened and ask them to let me in as a new employee.
But before I could decide, the employee from the information desk came over and asked me,
“How can I help you?”
“Uh, well, I-I’m starting my first day today.”
I blurted out an answer, and the gaze of the handsome—no, now intimidating—man turned toward me.
Eek, don’t look at me.
He strode toward me with his long legs. Why, why?
Flustered, I stared at him, then tried to make a face at the guide employee, silently pleading for help.
But the employee was just looking at the man approaching me with an expression that seemed to say, ‘Lucky you.’
“Ms. Park Chaewon?”
Whoa, this thug knows my name?
Startled, I took a step back from him.
Then, as if his earlier rough demeanor had never existed, he smiled.
Oh my god.
My heart, which had been pounding fast from fear, suddenly leapt into my throat at that smile, only to come crashing back down.
I instinctively looked down at the floor.
My heart didn’t actually fall out, did it?
Just then, the man reached out his hand to me and said,
“I’m Lee Junseo. I heard you’ll be working in our team starting today.”
What?
I looked up at him again.
He’s not an entertainer or a model, but an office worker? With that face?
What a waste.
My mouth fell open as I stared at Junseo, before I hurriedly shook his outstretched hand.
Wow, big hands.
Lee Junseo’s hand was much warmer than I expected.
Maybe it’s from the good blood circulation after grabbing that guy’s collar earlier.
“That, the man from earlier…” What was that about?
I asked as I tried to let go of his hand, but Junseo didn’t release mine.
What? I looked at him. He gazed intently at me for a moment before grinning again.
Ugh, what? Why are you attacking me out of nowhere?
Startled, I averted my eyes, and Junseo spoke.
“There are occasionally rude bastards around. Ms. Park Chaewon, if you meet someone like that, let me know.”
Then he let go of my hand and walked toward the speed gate.
What would you do if I told you? Grab their collar like you did with that guy?
As I followed, Junseo swiped his card key at the speed gate and then nodded at me.
I guess that meant I should go in.
I glanced at the guide employee, but he now wore an expression of complete disinterest.
I followed Junseo through the speed gate and got into the elevator.
Ugh.
The quiet elevator echoed faintly with music.
But that just made it feel more awkward.
It was a large elevator, easily big enough for over ten people, but standing there with Lee Junseo made it feel strangely cramped.
Unable to bear the awkwardness, I finally asked him,
“Um, you said we’re on the same team?”
“Lee Junseo, Assistant Manager. Park Chaewon, Assistant Manager.”
Junseo pointed at himself and then at me as he spoke.
So we were both at the Assistant Manager level.
I looked at the floor numbers displayed above the elevator door and asked,
“Then, by any chance, are you going to be my shooter buddy?”
Junseo’s eyes curved into smiles.
He looked satisfied as he said,
“I guess so.”
Ugh. I hope not.
I must have reflexively made a displeased face.
One of Junseo’s eyebrows rose.
I considered explaining that I’d left my last job after discovering that my supervisor, whom I’d been involved with, was two-timing me, but I decided against it.
It was probably better not to get entangled with a guy this handsome.
Koo Hyung was decent-looking, but he wasn’t on this level of handsome.
I’ll have to talk to the team leader later.
Ask to change my shooter buddy.
After that, Junseo guided me to the HR team, the security team, and the department head’s office before finally bringing me to the team office where I’d be working.
Being dragged around by him, filling out contracts, applying for a security card, and greeting the department head left me feeling a bit dazed.
I was introduced to the other team members by Team Leader Lee Su-bin and finally took my seat.
My previous team at the old company had been quite large, but this one was lean.
A team leader, three assistant managers, and one associate.
“Where did you work before?”
When lunchtime came, Junseo, who sat across from me, asked.
Wait, why is this guy using informal speech with me from the moment we meet?
I looked around the table.
Everyone was pondering what to eat.
At my previous company, we all ordered the same thing.
I looked at the menu and said,
“Holiness.”
“The hot stone pot bulgogi here is really good.”
Associate Ahn Jimin chimed in.
Fortunately, it cut off Junseo’s line of questioning.
I thanked her and ordered the hot stone pot bulgogi on Jimin’s recommendation.
The bulgogi was delicious.
As the warm food filled my stomach, I could feel the nerves that had been on edge all morning finally begin to relax.
So far, so good.
Even if the guy who’s in the same office and seems like he’ll be my onboarding buddy is a bit of a lunatic.
A very handsome lunatic, it seems.
But it was okay for now.
This company was quite far from my previous one, so I probably wouldn’t meeting my old friends..
Thinking that made me feel bad again.
I really should have cursed him out properly the last time we met.
“Let’s grab a coffee before heading back.”
At Team Leader Lee’s suggestion, I happily agreed, and we headed to a nearby café.
I started to think that changing jobs had been the right choice.
After all, I wouldn’t have to see the old one anymore.
But then, an unbelievable scene unfolded before my eyes.
