Chapter 4
Regardless of the complicated thoughts running through her mind, Eunwoo successfully had Kang Heejae try on every outfit she had prepared.
Standing before the full-length mirror under the spotlight, Kang Heejae looked every bit the part of a model for a men’s fashion magazine, his silhouette carrying the clothes flawlessly.
As she took in the satisfying result, Eunwoo recalled the grueling month she had endured.
The body measurements sent from Korea were comparable to those of large-built men even by European standards. However, no matter how many times she examined HJ’s physique through photographs, he didn’t give off the same bulky impression as Western men. Even if his height and frame were similar, the leaner bone structure typical of East Asians made a difference.
After careful consideration, every piece she had prepared highlighted HJ’s superior physique. Even a large raglan-sleeved coat didn’t look oversized on Kang Heejae—it fit him just right, and the legs visible beneath it appeared impressively long despite the coat.
“Well, that’s everything tried on. Assistant Manager Kim Eunwoo, how does it look from your perspective, as the one who prepared the outfits?”
“You look excellent.”
“‘Excellent,’ you say…”
“The clothes are good, but as you mentioned, Director, I think it’s because you wear anything well.”
When she returned the exact words he had used earlier to dismiss the tailor, Kang Heejae met her gaze through the mirror and smiled, his eyes narrowing.
Up until the fitting, Eunwoo had been visibly tense, but now she exhaled deeply, momentarily forgetting that he was watching her through the mirror.
While she steadied her breathing, Kang Heejae began removing the layers he had put on, in reverse order. Eunwoo took the balmacaan coat from him and hung it neatly in the closet.
After organizing the clothes, she stood quietly, watching as he began to remove his shirt.
His long fingers—unlike a woman’s, with pronounced knuckles—held the buttons of his dress shirt. From his wrist to his elbow, the muscles surrounding the ulna were cleanly defined, shifting in shadow each time he moved.
Once he had undone all the buttons and straightened his posture, Eunwoo stepped behind him, grasping the shoulders of the shirt to help him take it off. As she slipped the soft fabric away, the scent of musk lingering on his body rushed toward her.
The smell made her feel the same dizziness she had experienced in the car. It was a scent she was certain she had encountered somewhere before.
“I thought I’d be able to see you when I came to London, Ms. Kim Eunwoo.”
Was this a continuation of what he had tried to say earlier?
She didn’t know whether he was someone who valued bonds or closeness with his staff, but if that were the case, it made things even more difficult.
“I’m sorry, Director. I have nothing I can say about that. I truly don’t remember anything.”
Apology was still the only thing she could offer. She genuinely remembered nothing.
Moreover, Eunwoo didn’t even feel any resentment toward HJ for removing her from the Strategic Planning Office.
That had been during the time when public outrage was boiling over due to tax evasion allegations involving JY. When HJ became the head of the office in that climate, the first thing he did was dismiss the secretaries who had assisted the previous director.
It was only natural for personnel changes to follow a change in leadership. Besides, Eunwoo had unexpectedly benefited from that reshuffle, so she had no reason to harbor regret.
“During my reinstatement consultation with the HR director, I mentioned the London branch as my third preference, but I never imagined I’d actually be assigned here.”
The London branch was considered one of the most desirable “easy posts” within the organization.
Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and rising labor costs, the company had begun withdrawing its manufacturing facilities from the UK. As the European headquarters moved to Germany, the London branch had become relatively quiet.
For that reason, a posting to London was now regarded as a reward for long-serving employees.
“I was able to come to the London branch thanks to your approval, Director. I’ve always been grateful for that.”
That was why she wanted to carry out his London arrangements well.
“Even though I don’t fully remember working with you…”
Taking a step back, Eunwoo bowed deeply toward Kang Heejae.
“I will do my utmost to assist you so that you can complete your work in London without any inconvenience.”
With a formal bow approaching ninety degrees, she drew a clear line between herself and the superior who seemed to be showing personal interest.
I am here to assist you, and you are there to be assisted by me. So please do not cross this line.
Watching her remain bent over for a long moment like a servant, Kang Heejae clenched his jaw before turning away and leaving the dressing room.
Click.
Only after the door closed did Eunwoo straighten up. All that remained in his absence was the faint trace of his scent, which left her feeling unsettled.
Trying on a few outfits had drained her completely.
“Good morning, Ms. Eunwoo.”
Early in the morning, as Eunwoo entered the suite, she was greeted by Secretary Seo.
“Good morning, Secretary Seo.”
Like Eunwoo, who had showered early and dressed neatly in a two-piece outfit, Secretary Seo was also in a business suit. However, his face showed clear signs of fatigue.
Did he not sleep well? Feeling uneasy, Eunwoo glanced around.
On the dining table in the center of the suite’s living room were a laptop, a tablet, a printer brought in from London, and a scattered pile of documents.
Judging by the mix of water glasses and coffee cups, it seemed he hadn’t stayed up due to jet lag but because of work.
“It looks like you started working early. From tomorrow, I’ll come up early to help.”
“These are things I have to handle myself anyway. More importantly, Ms. Eunwoo.”
“Yes.”
“For this state visit, the negotiation channel is the Korean Consulate General in London. I’ve passed along your details, and you’ll receive your badge at the welcome ceremony later.”
“Understood.”
“You may need to contact them on my behalf regarding protocol matters, so I’ve organized the channel code, the assigned protocol officer, and the direct number of the local event coordinator. I’ve also compiled information on the press centers for both Korea and the UK, so please review it.”
Secretary Seo pushed the printed documents toward her. Eunwoo picked them up, took photos with her phone for storage, and set them aside.
“The Director is currently showering after going for a swim. Before important schedules, he deliberately does intense exercise to relieve tension. When will breakfast be ready? He usually eats right after exercising.”
“Room service will arrive in fifteen minutes.”
“Good. You remember that we go over the previous day’s report at dinner and the day’s schedule during breakfast, right?”
“Yes.”
Seated across from him, Eunwoo found the documents containing the venue layout and seating arrangements. As she carefully read through them, she visualized where HJ would stand during the event and where she, as his attendant, should position herself.
Next, she reviewed the distance between the press and Kang Heejae, as well as the placement of security personnel, mentally simulating the entire event from start to finish. While doing so, room service arrived earlier than expected.
Guiding the hotel staff inside, Eunwoo asked them to set the food on one side of the large dining table that could seat ten people.
“Come to think of it, you didn’t seem to eat much at dinner yesterday.”
From the table, Secretary Seo moved his documents aside and asked.
She almost wanted to ask, Are you comfortable around the Director?
Was it just her? For some reason, being in the same space as him was difficult.
Even during meals, sitting across from Kang Heejae made it hard for her to swallow food. Perhaps it was because of his scent.
At first, she thought it was something like motion sickness, but upon reflection, it was discomfort.
However, she couldn’t say that outright, so she made an excuse.
“It was my first day meeting the Director, so I was quite nervous.”
Secretary Seo smiled as if he understood.
“Everyone’s like that at first.”
“Since you say that, I suppose brown bag meetings are frequent in the Strategic Planning Office.”
“Well, it’s basically routine.”
A brown bag meeting—meetings held while eating simple meals like sandwiches from paper bags.
While it allowed for a more relaxed meeting atmosphere, it also meant the office was extremely busy.
“There’s a lot to get through compared to the Director’s stay in London, so you’ll need to get used to it.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Before Kang Heejae came out for breakfast, Eunwoo went to the dressing room to check the outfit he would wear that day.
The London sky was overcast ahead of the outdoor welcome ceremony, and rain was expected by the time it ended. Brushing off a nearly black gray suit she had prepared the day before, Eunwoo also took out a spare balmacaan coat.
After finishing her inspection and returning to the living room, she found Kang Heejae already seated at the dining table.
Despite having gone swimming early in the morning, his appearance was impeccably neat. Even though he would soon change into his outfit for the ceremony, his semi-formal attire reflected his meticulous nature.
Noticing that his teacup was empty, Eunwoo quickly approached the table and picked up the coffee pot.
“Director, I’ll pour your coffee.”
Kang Heejae, who had been looking at his tablet, shifted his gaze to her.
“I don’t think you’re here to pour coffee, Ms. Kim Eunwoo.”
Realizing his eyes had moved to the silver pot in her hand, Eunwoo hurriedly set it down. Kang Heejae picked it up himself and poured his own coffee.
“If I needed someone to pour my coffee, I would have gone down to the restaurant.”
“I’ll be more careful going forward.”
She answered as such, but she couldn’t quite grasp what he expected her to do.
Although it had long been recognized in Korea that having employees run errands like making tea was problematic, serving tea still fell within a secretary’s duties. In fact, under the previous director JY, it had even been part of the morning routine.
Watching him lift the cup to his lips, Eunwoo returned to her seat.
“In the Strategic Planning Office I lead, whether superior or subordinate, everyone handles their own needs.”
Clink. He set the cup back onto its saucer.
“So, Ms. Kim Eunwoo, focus on what only you can do.”
For a moment, something stirred in Eunwoo’s eyes.
What only she could do.
She was already performing tasks within her assigned scope. Preparing what her superior eats and drinks—those were also responsibilities assigned to her as his attendant.
Kang Heejae’s hand reached for the stainless steel dome covering the food, drawing her gaze.
With a familiar motion, he served himself, then continued, placing food onto another plate and setting it in front of Eunwoo.
His gesture seemed to contradict the roles she had defined the night before.
As if to say, I’m not someone who simply sits and is served.
From the beginning, drawing a line in front of him had been meaningless.
Her superior was someone who could command her with a single gesture—or cross any boundary just as easily.
