The Cola Incident
It was the moment Yeong-a spoke the puppy's name. Hwigyeom shot her a sharp look. He had moments when his nerves became so razor-edged it felt as though he might explode at any second.
Weren't you fine just moments ago?
Yeong-a, puzzled, only watched Hwigyeom's expression. Then suddenly, Manager Koo clapped his hands as if remembering something.
“Oh, I watched that drama too. The female lead was really cute, but since she's a female character, wouldn't another name be better?”
“You're right.”
Yeong-a's childhood name, long forgotten, suddenly resurfaced from the popular drama's female lead. It had felt awkward yet strangely nostalgic.
“Not Yu Geumdong, but Sa Geumdong.”
“Whatever. Let's go with something else.”
Hwigyeom said, his tone slightly calmer than before.
“Yes.”
Yeah, it made sense. It wasn't right to give the name of a parent who had abandoned their newborn to a puppy already cast aside.
“How about Bokdol? He seems like a puppy who could bring a lot of good fortune to this house.”
At Manager Koo's suggestion, Yeong-a nodded immediately.
“I like it! Bokdol.”
The puppy wagged his tail energetically and barked as if agreeing at once.
“Bokdol! Oh my! He really understands!”
Leaving the excited trio in the living room, Hwigyeom turned away without hesitation. He had no idea he was about to become a passionate dog dad.
***
Several weeks flew by like days. Between the already busy schedule and adding puppy care, it made perfect sense.
In that time, Yeong-a had gone on day trips to Jeonju and Gijang with Hwigyeom, and met local government officials twice to solve the Yanggu site issue. All to find a way to resolve the resort permit problem.
But it had all been in vain. In the end, the only option was to buy the land from Byeon Jangmyeong, yet finding a way to meet her remained elusive. Then yesterday, they had finally located someone connected to Byeon.
“Manager, it's Mr. Kim Gyu-tae. He said he only has time tomorrow morning. What about Andong?”
Yeong-a pulled back from the phone call and asked Hwigyeom. Andong required a full day, and delaying any further was impossible.
“The thirsty person must dig the well. Let's stay overnight in Andong. I can handle the schedule until the next morning. I'll contact the family in Andong myself.”
“What about Bokdol?”
The Jeju day trip they had pushed back was partly because they couldn't take the puppy, and the Jeonju and Gijang trips were also for him.
“I'm doing Manager Koo a favor.”
He was eagerly looking for an opportunity to monopolize Bokdol. It was simply that Hwigyeom had never allowed it before.
“Yes. Oh, and I'll go out for lunch today. I already told Manager Koo.”
He had contacted Suho earlier, saying he might have overtime in the evening, so they decided to have lunch together first.
Luckily, lunch was scheduled with the justice team leader and a civil affairs official.
“Fine by me. I'll meet that guy.”
“How did you know?”
“It's written all over Yeong-a's face. Where is it?”
Yeong-a quickly pulled back the corner of her mouth she had almost let slip.
“There's a new rotating sushi place opening near the company.”
“You don't even like raw fish, so why sushi? Especially the kind that walks around everywhere.”
When they visited Gijang, the site manager had shown them a famous sushi restaurant. Yeong-a couldn't eat the sushi, so Hwigyeom had ordered grilled fish and seasoned ribs instead.
“I eat it sometimes too.”
“You should. My own taste suits me best.”
“Huh?”
“Eat it while it's still good.”
“Yes.”
She couldn't help but pout, but the mood quickly brightened.
Today was Yeong-a's birthday. Every year Suho had remembered to celebrate, but this year she secretly worried he might have forgotten.
Yeong-a had sharp ears. In conversations that happened around her, Suho and Chaemi often appeared together.
A few days earlier, on the way to receive her lunch box at the company cafeteria, a group of women stood outside.
‘Those two are really dating? Otherwise how does accounting team leader Suho know about the basketball team's party?’
‘Totally. I heard someone saw them leave together after the event.’
Suho, a handsome accounting graduate with a good reputation among male colleagues, was still the office heartthrob.
‘Is that ring suspicious?’
‘Is this another early-bird special for a handsome guy?’
Trying to ignore it, they didn't notice Yeong-a passing by.
‘Oh, Miss Yeong-a! You said you were friends with the two of them, right? Any news?’
‘Well, I don't really know….’
Just then, the person involved, Chaemi, came out of the cafe.
‘Just ask the actual person directly. Chaemi, are you and Suho really…?’
‘Aigoo, why do you always ask that? I said it's nothing!’
Chaemi denied it firmly, yet she gave Yeong-a a strange smile. It had stuck in her mind ever since. As expected, Suho-oppa still remembered her birthday.
In the restaurant, Suho was already waiting. Seeing his hair standing on end, Yeong-a recognized him at once.
“Op-pa!”
Suho looked up from his phone and smiled brightly.
“Yeong-a's here?”
The table Suho sat at was a four-seater right beside the sushi conveyor belt. It reminded her of the last lecture they had together.
That moment when her heart had nearly stopped, the thrill of receiving a confession in that classroom!
Glancing around, she noticed other couples sitting side by side. She had almost mustered the courage to slip into the empty seat next to him.
“Here it is.”
At the sudden voice, her bent knees snapped straight. Chaemi had dropped into the seat beside Suho.
“I heard the team is having lunch together?”
Suho naturally offered her a seat.
“I was going to, but we're going for sundubu-jjigae. It's disgusting and smelly, so I can't eat it. Plus, I came to celebrate Yeong-a's birthday too.”
Suho smiled awkwardly. Sundubu-jjigae had been his favorite food, and Yeong-a had come to like it because of him. Chaemi knew that too.
“Hey! Yeong-a! Birthday celebration? You didn't celebrate my birthday but you celebrate hers?”
“Oh, sorry. I hadn't realized it had passed.”
Although the canceled lunch invitation meant Chaemi's celebration wasn't appreciated, she felt sorry for forgetting each other's birthdays every year.
Even before eating, her stomach felt tight, so she ordered a cola. Taking a sip, Chaemi said cheerfully.
“If it weren't for me, oppa might have bought you a really weird gift.”
“Why? I thought that necklace would suit Yeong-a perfectly.”
Watching Suho shrug, Chaemi shook her head.
“That's not a necklace. The company always wears the same clothes, and at home she wears the same old high-school uniform. Practicality matters more.”
“Aigoo, you're so smart. Since we're talking about it, I'll give it to you early. Happy birthday, Yeong-a. I bought the exact same thing. It was comfortable.”
It sounded like the sneakers she had bought Suho for his birthday.
On the day she met him to celebrate his new job, she had thought he was about to confess and had worn them proudly.
She hadn't expected him to notice, but she hadn't seen that necklace either.
She should have thanked her, yet her voice caught in her throat.
Just then, a cool voice cut in.
“Kids don't listen. I told you to stop bringing harm.”
Hwigyeom picked up the cola glass in front of Yeong-a.
“M-manager?”
Hwigyeom had left the office half an hour before her. He was probably on his way back after handling business with the civil affairs vice minister.
Yeong-a was puzzled, but Chaemi greeted him with a bright voice.
“Oh my, Team Leader, what brings you here?”
“Since you're like a son to your subordinate, I couldn't let it slide after seeing the site.”
As he spoke, he slurped down the cola like it was harmful.
“Huh?”
Yeong-a frowned. Suho stood up and bowed.
“Hello, Team Leader Sa Hwigyeom. Sorry for the trouble before. Please take good care of my Yeong-a.”
“Ever since that time when you called her a grown woman, I just can't wrap my head around it.”
Hwigyeom's expression was deeply displeased. Calling her a child-like colleague wasn't enough; he didn't even hesitate to add “kid” while being shameless.
Chaemi smiled warmly and chimed in.
“They've been like family since childhood. That's why.”
“You didn't dress up as her mother too?”
“......Yes?”
Hwigyeom really was a master at stirring up tension. Yeong-a quickly pushed him away.
“Manager, please be careful. Lunchtime is almost over. Let's order quickly. Op-pa said the special set is good, right? Here, two special sets please.”
But her boss didn't understand her hint to leave.
“Make that four, please. Somehow I ended up canceling my plans too.”