Chapter 10
**CHAPTER 10: The Newcomer**
Yeong-a swept her hand across her chest.
“Ah, I heard the resort is opening anew. There?”
Yunmi held the position of representative at Sahan Hotel. Hwigyeom’s choice had nothing to do with this.
“Eomma, you run the art museum, run the family estate, and you haven’t even married off your second son while shuttling between his newlywed home and your own. How do you pick up these details so fast?”
“It’s Chaeyoung’s father. He sounded good.”
The words were light, but they carried weight. Those houses bought under the guise of building a resort were little more than a collection of decaying mansions. One plot alone had felt shady from the start.
Doyeong, the Sahan Hotel executive, had probably been chosen for the task. Perhaps that was why Oseon had gone quiet whenever her eldest son’s name came up.
Twelve people gathered for breakfast that morning, and the meal began quietly. The table was simple, yet every dish was packed with nutrition. The food tasted excellent and looked fresh.
“When I was young, that kind of light soup was never even used. Now there’s nothing that thick anymore.”
“It’s probably because it’s still a ways from proper age, Father. Still, it’s not bad. I added it because it was tasty.”
Seong-hye, sitting beside him, smiled and slid the seasoned bowl closer.
She had poured every ounce of her effort into reclaiming the president’s seat at the head of the table for six long years.
It had been an inevitable choice, yet the shadow of that past still clung to her. The taste in her mouth turned bitter.
She had barely swallowed a spoonful when Chairman Sajunghwi scratched at her nerves once more.
“The seasoning is perfect.”
The rice was tepid. Seong-hye’s eyes narrowed, and Chairman Sajunghwi called out the name of her precious youngest son.
“Hwigyeom. No, Manager Sa. Starting the hotel shift today? Which team was it?”
What utter nonsense? Yeong-a’s vision went white in an instant. The same Hwigyeom who had climbed all the way to president at the U.S. branch by sheer force of will.
‘And he’s a manager? At a hotel run by cousin Doyeong?’
Even if she went mad and jumped around, it would do no good. Everyone else remained perfectly calm—including her husband Intaek.
That was only natural. One could do nothing but wear a mask of composure. The saying about trees shading smaller ones was true, and Intaek was nothing but a scarecrow.
Born the eldest, he had only been given the title of vice-chairman, yet real power still rested in the chairman’s hands. He was content with nothing more than shouting at his subordinates or family.
“…Haa…”
Her eyes fluttered shut of their own accord. The youngest son answered with surprising vigor.
“Yes. The resort development team. Chairman.”
If she had known earlier, she would have found some way to make him change his mind! That made sense—he had known and kept it from her alone. In the end, Yeong-a bit down on her lower lip until it hurt.
***
Monday in the penthouse suite arrived as inevitably as the previous week. Yeong-a stood before the mirror, tying and untying her hair several times. She had agreed to her first official shift with Suho.
“What time is it?”
She picked up her phone and the message from last Saturday resurfaced.
[We are pleased to inform you that you have been assigned to Sahan Hotel’s new TF team. Please note that the new TF team will undergo a separate hiring process and orientation. Further details will be provided shortly…]
“Why the new team of all things…”
She had wanted the personnel or general affairs department. According to Chaemi, that side had many connections to Suho’s accounting team as well.
When she reached Suho’s one-room apartment, he was already waiting at the entrance.
“Oppa!”
She ran over happily and Suho greeted her with a smile.
“You made it?”
“You look so handsome in that suit, Oppa.”
It was the truth. She had only ever seen him in gray joggers before, so seeing him dressed up felt like seeing a different person.
“Our Yeong-a has really grown up.”
Suho ruffled her hair. She had worn the same crisp black suit during the interview. It was both awkward and satisfying.
“But are we taking the subway? It’s so early—shouldn’t there be more people around?”
“Ah… um…”
Suho hesitated and glanced toward the alley entrance. A white sedan had just pulled into the narrow street.
“Chaemi?”
“Yeah. She said she’d pick us up since we’re going the same way. She always offers to drive sometimes.”
“Ah, I see.”
Yeong-a felt a touch of bitterness at that moment. Chaemi and she had become close through their manager classmates, and Suho had joined them later. Yet she had never imagined the two of them would grow this close while working at the same company.
“It’s not like they’re forcing you to go together, right? Chaemi’s just being kind. You should understand that.”
“Kindness or not, it still stings. It’s nice to ride together, though. I should’ve come later.”
That wasn’t all. She could save on gas too. The car stopped and Suho got into the passenger seat without hesitation. Yeong-a climbed into the back.
“Good morning! But Yeong-a! A new hire on her very first day already dressed so nicely—what’s that all about?”
Chaemi glanced over the back of the seat and suddenly frowned. Yeong-a had no idea what she meant.
“You told me to buy clothes I could wear year-round for the shop, so I did. It’s not like it’s ugly, is it? You said you don’t spend money on clothes when you’re at work.”
Suho let out a hearty laugh at that.
“You’re right, Yeong-a. You’re not trying to impress anyone.”
Of course she wanted to look good, but clothes weren’t supposed to be only for impressing people, were they? Someone who had never thought about practicality beyond fashion would naturally feel disconnected from Suho’s comment.
“But where exactly are you assigned?”
“The new TF team. Do you know anything about—”
Before she could finish, Suho and Chaemi shouted at the same time.
It was a loud cry, yet Yeong-a felt strangely calm, as if the sleepless nights had already prepared her.
“Why? Is it a tough team? They said there would be a separate orientation for new hires.”
Chaemi gripped the steering wheel and raised her voice.
“That old arrogant uncle from last time! I was worried someone would have to baby-sit the old geezer, but you’re going there?”
Yeong-a was shocked too. Taking care of a young boss was already exhausting. The fact that she hadn’t heard from the man yet was the only saving grace.
“Still, the TF team is temporary, and there are other team members. We’ll manage together.”
Suho tried to comfort her belatedly, but Yeong-a felt as though she had been slapped. Yet this shock was nothing compared to what came next.
When they arrived at the company, Yeong-a followed the additional instructions and headed to the talent development office, where she met the deputy director.
He began by giving a brief overview of the TF team.
“For starters, the team leader is Manager Sa, and right now there is only one member—Yoon Yeong-a.”
Unlike the other new hires, Yeong-a would be put straight to work without any trainee period, the deputy added.
“So there’s only me in the whole team?”
“Yes. It’s a brand-new team, so they probably plan to expand as needed. The team leader is personally handling the new employee training. You can learn the rest from him.”
The situation felt hopeless. Yeong-a’s shoulders drooped. Still, being at the company meant she could stay free of Hwigyeom’s influence. That was why she silently prayed for overtime. It was a mad thought.
“The workplace is the manager’s office. I’ve literally never sat in a manager’s office. Anyway, the team leader has turned the manager’s office into a task force room.”
“Ah, really?”
Yeong-a was now completely numb.
“It’s your first day, so I’ll guide you. Normally all new hires listen together, but for now, I’ll do it myself. This is the first time I’ve done this either.”
“Ah, really?”
The deputy director looked startled when he saw her lifeless answer, yet Yeong-a thought she probably wouldn’t have been surprised if the president of South Korea suddenly switched places with the president of the United States tomorrow.
Following the deputy down the corridor, through the elevator, and down another hallway, the glass door finally opened.
“Team leader, the new hire has arrived.”
The deputy grumbled with dissatisfaction and now bent at the waist ninety degrees. Yeong-a quickly followed suit. When she slowly straightened her upper body, her eyes went wide.
Glossy, thick hair neatly swept back, a face that dazzled beneath it, broad shoulders, and a perfectly tailored three-piece suit. That tall, broad-shouldered man—
“Manager Sa?”