Chapter 09
. A Familiar Voice
CEO’s Office, Consensio.
Secretary Kwon stood with his hands politely clasped, carefully watching Gyeonhee’s expression with visible tension.
“You feel a heavy responsibility for not fulfilling your role as a secretary, and from now on you’ll work harder to assist me? Is this supposed to be a resignation letter?”
“…It’s not a resignation. It’s… a reflection letter. I really regret it this time. Please forgive me, just this once. Hmm?”
Trying to look as pitiful as possible, Secretary Kwon rubbed his hands together.
“You’re useless. If you were of any help, maybe I’d keep you. And it’s not like you trust and rely on your boss wholeheartedly, either.”
Flinging the paper aside, Gyeonhee’s tone was sharp and full of displeasure.
“No, no, I do! I trust and rely on you 200 percent. Really.”
“Oh, is that why you had that call with Sera?”
“T-That was just a joke. A joke! Haha. Who would even believe something like that? Ha…ha…”
Secretary Kwon forced out laughter, hoping to ease the tension. But with Gyeonhee’s cold expression unmoved, his laughter quickly died out.
“The more I think about it, the less reason I see to keep you around.”
This time, Gyeonhee seemed resolute.
“Get out. Before I call someone.”
Without lifting his eyes from the papers in front of him, he dismissed his secretary.
“You’ve got store inspections today, right? Shouldn’t I go with you?”
“Not necessary.”
“…Right.”
Unable to say another word, Secretary Kwon slipped out. The door closed with a clack, leaving Gyeonhee frowning deeply as he rose from his seat. Slipping on his jacket to head out, he rubbed his back as if trying to ease a dull ache.
“Then again… even I find it hard to believe.”
He let out a heavy sigh and left the office.
Bus Stop Near the Harbor.
“Thank you.”
Stepping onto the bus, Seon-i found a seat just before the back row. She had a long trip ahead to Seoul, and so leaned back, gazing out the window with a relaxed mind.
The sky and sea were painted crimson by the setting sun. Just as she reached for her earphones, a youthful voice caught her ear.
“Here, babe. Wear this.”
Turning her head, she spotted a young couple preparing to get off. The boy, looking like a college student, draped his coat over the girl’s shoulders.
And naturally, without anyone telling them, their hands intertwined.
Watching them with a soft smile, Seon-i was suddenly swept into an old memory.
Seon-i paced nervously outside the meeting room, dark circles under her eyes from too many sleepless nights. Standing on tiptoe, she peeked in to see Gyeonhee reviewing past design drafts with his usual blank face.
“Can I answer you with results?”
She had said it boldly back then, but the process since had been anything but smooth. This was her thirty-first draft.
“Why did I even say something like that…”
Regret always comes too late, someone once said. After a moment’s hesitation, Seon-i resolved herself and opened the door.
Gyeonhee glanced at her briefly, then turned his eyes back to the draft. Even in that split second, she caught the lack of expectation in his gaze.
Seon-i pressed her lips together, marched over, and set her new draft on the table.
“This one’s name is Croc.”
It was a crocodile plush—sharp-eyed and charismatic, yet with an odd cuteness to it.
“A lion would tremble before a crocodile, but a tiny plover can step right into its mouth unharmed. That’s why I thought it fits Consensio, which is quickly rising as a retail powerhouse. Strong in business, but kind to customers.”
Gyeonhee gave no reply, only examined the character slowly and meticulously. His piercing eyes scanned every detail of the plush, as though inspecting her instead.
With her throat tight, Seon-i swallowed hard.
“…Not bad.”
He allowed the faintest smile, though clearly holding it back.
“Really? Oh my god, yes…! Sorry, I just… I’m so happy.”
Unable to contain her joy, Seon-i blurted out before quickly quieting herself, stealing glances at him. But her smile wouldn’t stay hidden.
“What’s making you that happy?”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen you smile. So…”
“…I wasn’t smiling.”
“Huh? Oh, right. Okay.”
Though her words were innocent, the conversation had taken an odd turn. Seon-i hurried to change the subject.
“Uh, it’s nothing. Anyway, I’ll bring the revised draft right away.”
As she reached for the draft, Gyeonhee’s hand suddenly covered hers. Startled, she looked up, eyes wide.
He gazed at her intently before speaking.
“Did you eat?”
The personal question—something he had never asked before—left her stunned.
“Me? Not yet…”
“Let’s eat. No, we are eating. Together.”
His voice was calm yet heavy, unfamiliar in its intimacy. Under the weight of his gaze, Seon-i instinctively bowed her head.
Even in that unreal moment, feeling his hand covering hers, one stray thought crossed her mind: His hands are so beautiful.
By the time she came back to herself, the couple on the bus had already disappeared.
Turning back to the window, Seon-i wore a faintly bitter smile.
“Why is it that after breaking up, only the good memories come back…”
She sighed deeply, but just then her phone rang.
It was Ari.
“…How did she know I was in a bad mood?”
Chuckling, Seon-i answered.
— Bad mood? Anyway, more important—where are you right now? Still far from Seoul?
Ari’s voice was urgent, almost desperate.
“Just about entering now. Why? What’s wrong?”
— Today’s collection day for President Choi’s store, and I completely forgot. The boss is tied up in another meeting, unreachable. If we’re late, he’ll just throw another tantrum and delay till next month…
Her voice cracked with panic. Knowing President Choi’s temper well, Seon-i could sympathize.
“What time’s the appointment?”
— Thirty minutes. Can you make it?
Checking the time, Seon-i nodded.
“If I hurry, I might just make it.”
— Oh thank god. Seriously, I owe you my life.
“Tteok-twi-soon?”
She was referring to their favorite snack combo: tteokbokki, fried food, and sundae.
— That’s not enough. I’ll throw in fish cakes, too.
“Wow, generous. Fine, deal. See you soon.”
Ending the call, Seon-i quickened her pace with a grin. To calm the hot-tempered President Choi, she needed to reach the store as fast as possible.
Funny Box Store.
“Hey, fix this display again.”
President Choi barked orders at his staff.
“Ugh, seriously. Just loafing around while pocketing your pay? You gonna work or not?”
With a sharp tone, he drove the employees into reluctant action.
“President Choi, long time no see! How have you been?”
Approaching with her usual easy charm, Seon-i greeted him. But he turned away, pretending not to hear, and walked in the opposite direction.
“President? President?”
She tried repeatedly to catch him, changing directions to block his path.
“No time. I’m busy today.”
“Just one minute! All I need is a confirmation for the collection.”
“Tch. I was enjoying the peace while you were gone. Why’d you show up again?”
“Aw, don’t say that. Didn’t the teddy bears sell out last time?”
“And you think that’s because of you? It’s ‘cause my store’s location is good.”
He snapped, raising his voice.
“Of course, of course. That’s why I’m here, to ask again. You’ll keep stocking, right?”
“Forget it.”
“But I even planned your last vacation, remember?”
“Hmph, I don’t even recall. And now you’re bringing it up to brag?”
“Not at all. Just saying—it’s good when we help each other out, right?”
“Tch.”
Despite her relentless friendliness, Choi finally stopped walking, beaten into reluctant submission.
“Fine, I’ll transfer the money. I’m struggling too, you know.”
Grumbling, he pulled out his phone and opened his banking app. Just then, an employee ran up in a panic.
“Boss! The men’s restroom is clogged!”
“What? I told you not to flush paper in there! And today of all days, with the bigshot visiting.”
Cursing, he shut off his app and hurriedly called building management.
Watching from the side, Seon-i bit her lip in frustration.
“They’re not even answering…”
All her hard work smoothing things over was slipping away.
“President Choi? About the collection…”
Cautiously, she tried again. He shot her a sharp look.
“Team Leader Cheon, by any chance—do you know how to unclog a toilet?”
“Huh? Well, I’ve done it at home a few times…”
“Perfect. Could you handle this one? A VIP from headquarters is coming today.”
In other words, he was asking her to unclog the men’s toilet.
Caught off guard, she opened her mouth but no words came.
“If you don’t want to, forget it. I can call someone. Anyway, don’t get in the way.”
His mood swung again, cold and dismissive.
“No, I’ll do it. I can handle it.”
“Tch, no need.”
“Really, I’ll do it. Where’s the restroom?”
Forcing a smile, she asked.
“Back there.”
Afraid he might change his mind, Seon-i rushed off.
Watching her go, Choi smirked, then checked the time on his luxury wristwatch.
“When is this guy going to show up, anyway?”
He was clearly waiting for someone important.
Men’s Restroom.
“Ugh.”
Seon-i grimaced, plunging away with all her strength. But the toilet remained stubborn, releasing only foul odors.
“The toilet won’t clear, but the smell sure is killing me.”
She tried holding her breath, covering her nose with her clothes, but it barely helped.
“What do I do…”
Utterly at a loss.
“Wh-What the—?”
Some men who had entered recoiled at the sight of her.
A young woman unclogging the men’s restroom—it was hardly normal.
“Sorry, I’m in the middle of fixing the toilet. Could you wait a bit?”
Though embarrassed, she kept her composure.
“Ugh, the smell.”
Startled first by her presence and second by the stench, they fled.
“Phew…”
Wrapping tissue around her nose, she managed to breathe a little easier.
“Okay. This time, one go. Let’s finish this.”
Resolute, she pressed the plunger again and again.
Glorp, glorp.
With every push, grotesque sights and smells surfaced.
“Aaaaghhh!”
She gave it her all. But pushing too hard, her foot slipped on the wet tiles.
“Ahh!”
She twisted just in time, crashing forward onto the floor.
“Hah…”
Face down, she let out a shaky sigh of relief. Just then, a shadow loomed over her. Assuming it was a customer, she tried to push herself up.
“Ow.”
Her palm throbbed from the fall, making her stumble.
“Sorry, sir, the restroom’s under maintenance. Could you wait a bit?”
She explained politely, but the person stayed silent.
“Excuse me, but…”
“…Quite a sight.”
The low, cold voice cut her off.
That voice—so familiar. Stiffening, she slowly lifted her gaze.
From the polished leather shoes, up the tailored suit, the neat jacket with a pocket square… her eyes traced the sharp jawline until they met his.
“G-Gyeonhee.”
Her eyes trembled violently as she recognized him.
