Chapter 12
"Huh?"
Shin Yu-won's heart dropped like a stone.
She had known instinctively that the intercom's clipped tone had nothing to do with the meeting. Tension coiled her spine tight.
Did he suspect something?
Or worse...
Yuan swallowed dryly and carefully set her coffee cup down.
"If you thought you could chat idly in the hallway, I should have given you more work."
Kim Seung-ju's dry sarcasm drained the tension from her so fast she nearly sank into her seat. She forced strength into her trembling knees and lowered her eyes.
"I'll be careful."
He must have caught them talking on the corridor after the meeting.
Even a few sentences felt like negligence. But Yu-won swallowed the sting and held it inside.
He'd asked her to bring coffee, yet the man himself showed no interest in it. He rested both elbows on his desk, hands clasped, and stared at her with an unnervingly direct gaze, as if he could see straight through her clothes.
Unconsciously smoothing her blouse, Yu-won opened her mouth.
"If you don't have anything scheduled for tonight..."
"Another blind date?"
His lips curved in mockery. He cut her off mid-sentence.
"Yes. This time it's Eastern Logistics—"
"I'll go with you. I'll find out who it is on the way there."
She bit her lower lip, pressing her palm hard against her nails until it stung. Only when she could bear the ache did she speak again.
"I'll tell the deputy director to take you to the restaurant."
He rose slowly from his chair. The tall man looked somehow even larger today.
"The place you choose is where you should go. Today, I'll have dinner with you."
The mocking words made her bow her head.
Why was he so cruel to her? She had no idea what had angered him.
"I'm sorry, but—"
His shadow loomed closer. Yu-won stepped back and lifted her gaze.
"I have work to do today."
"Work?"
One of his eyebrows rose. Before he could say more, she rushed on.
"I need to prepare the marketing plan the CEO instructed."
His forehead creased. Surprised by the unexpected counter, Yu-won met his eyes squarely.
"I'll stay late at the office, so I'll contact the deputy director about the location and time."
Her heart hammered against her ribs, yet she kept her face and voice perfectly composed.
His eyes narrowed. He scanned her expression as if reading her thoughts.
Late nights were half-true. She had planned to meet Kim Jun-woo, return to the office, and draft the marketing proposal.
She didn't want to see Woo-jin's back as he left for another blind date, or wait anxiously in the empty car for who knew when he might reappear.
Even if she was doing something unforgivable, this was too harsh.
"I'm looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of masterpiece you'll produce."
His mouth twisted again. The courage she'd barely gathered vanished. Yu-won dropped her head once more.
"You said bad habits needed to be broken."
His voice had returned to its usual cool tone when the sound of his footsteps retreating filled the room. She looked up. He pointed at her hand with his chin.
Only then did she realize the half-moon marks her nails had left on her palm. She unclenched her fist.
"Go."
Under the casual dismissal she fled the office like a criminal. The faint crescent scars on her palm, already fading, suddenly felt unbearably sad.
***
"Shin Secretary!"
Kim Jun-woo spotted her in front of the Port Garden and waved enthusiastically.
Yu-won returned the gesture with a small nod and quickened her pace.
"Did I keep you waiting?"
"No, I just arrived too."
Kim Jun-woo grinned and pushed open the café door. The interior was nearly empty, as expected during rush hour.
"I'll pay."
She ordered a latte at the kiosk and turned to him. Then she stepped aside to give him space while he chose his menu.
"You don't seriously plan to let me buy you one coffee, do you?"
Kim Jun-woo widened his eyes in mock offense, then added another latte to her order.
"No, of course not."
She opened her mouth to protest, but he slid his card through the machine and tapped pay before she could stop him.
Then he turned, flashing a smile.
"I want a proper greeting next time, so today I'm treating."
"Ah... Thank you."
She bowed her head helplessly. She'd been flustered since the moment they met, yet hearing his story came first.
They settled at a window table. Moments later their warm lattes arrived.
As Kim Jun-woo chatted lightly about the weather and the company, his hand suddenly reached for the bag beside him.
"All the materials the deputy director deleted are here."
He pulled out a black external hard drive and set it on the table.
Yu-won's heartbeat quickened. She asked carefully, "Why... are you helping me?"
"Huh?"
"If the deputy director finds out, it could cause trouble for you."
"It's supposed to be in the shared folder anyway. And you're not someone who would leak files."
Kim Jun-woo pushed the hard drive toward her with a playful nudge.
Yu-won took her tablet, connected the drive, and opened the files. Her eyes widened.
"!"
The screen filled with an avalanche of documents: everything from the shared folder plus brand-specific analyses and major-market reports. These were the meticulous marketing materials Kim Jun-woo had spent years gathering.
They would be the perfect foundation for her proposal.
This wasn't a trap. It was kindness.
Why was he being so kind to her?
She stared at him in silence.
"Um, over there..."
Kim Jun-woo scratched his forehead, as if guessing her thoughts. His ears had turned a faint pink.
"No hidden meaning. I completely agree with your direction for the relaunch. That's why I'm helping."
Should she really accept this so easily?
Yu-won hesitated, fingers brushing the hard drive, until he continued.
"I hear you love Moment a lot. Since it's my first company, I feel the same way."
His lips curved into a gentle smile. Guilt tightened her chest.
"I don't know how to repay you."
She transferred the files to her tablet and whispered, "Finish the proposal well and I'll have dinner with you."
Kim Jun-woo's ears flushed even redder.
Ah. The puzzle pieces finally clicked into place.
"I..."
She took a breath and spoke softly.
"I have a boyfriend, Deputy Manager Kim."
Kim Jun-woo's eyes flickered with surprise.
"That guy from the lobby the other day..."
So he had seen it too.
She clenched her fist without realizing it, then felt the sting on her palm and remembered Woo-jin's words. She relaxed her grip.
"That's right."
She nodded firmly. She had no room left in her life for anyone else.
"If you know any restaurants you like, tell me. I can send you gift cards."
"No, I want to eat with you."
Kim Jun-woo's gaze had lost its earlier hesitation and now held something oddly certain.
"Just one meal, right?"
Yu-won was left speechless.
She had to admit it was true.
He had never confessed to her; he'd simply invited her to dinner, and she'd blurted out that she had a boyfriend.
She had overstepped. Her own ears burned with embarrassment.
"All right. Once the proposal is complete, let's have dinner. I'll treat you regardless of the result."
"I'm sure you'll do great."
Kim Jun-woo flashed a thumbs-up.
"I'll head back to the office."
She gathered her things and stood. The untouched lattes still steamed gently.
Kim Jun-woo opened his mouth as if he had something more to say, then smiled.
"Do your best, Shin Secretary."
"Yes. Thank you. You have a good day too, Deputy Manager Kim."
She bowed to him and stepped outside the café. As she hurried toward the office, her phone vibrated.
The name on the screen froze her in place.
[Kim Seung-ju]