Unexpected Offer
Shin Yu-won gave a start at the question that came out of nowhere. “Multi?”
He held up the tablet screen he had been studying. Charts and text filled every inch. Data on Auxerre Resort renovations and competitive analyses from rival brands.
Yu-won shook her head. “I’m honestly not confident. Just focusing on driving feels like it’s already more than I can handle.”
“Tayo.”
He handed the tablet over without waiting for an answer, tilting his chin toward the passenger seat.
Woo-jin knew a fight was pointless; the outcome was already decided. Yu-won obeyed without hesitation and slid into the seat.
“What do you think is Elma’s greatest strength?”
Everyone knew the contract for Auxerre Resort’s amenity services was already a done deal. Elma and Moment were simply on different scales.
Still, Woo-jin refused to back down. Yu-won understood exactly how huge a victory that contract would be for the future of Moment.
“What if we dig deeper into that area?”
The moment he started driving, Woo-jin launched straight into aggressive questions. Yu-won scanned the tablet and answered earnestly, but it was clear he wasn’t actually listening to her replies.
The road that had once been lined with warehouses and apartment complexes had slowly given way to rice paddies, fields, and the approach of mountains. The questions stopped. Woo-jin seemed lost in his own thoughts.
The view of mountains and fields was breathtaking as summer arrived. The vivid green spread across the windshield.
A memory long buried rose to the surface. His parents had been consumed by factory work, but when the seasons changed they always took her with them on trips.
The destinations weren’t always grand, but the silly jokes and small gestures inside the car had been enough. Even as a child she had already known those moments were precious.
Why did the memory surface now, of all times?
It was gone forever. Yu-won pressed her palm to the glass and stared blankly at the passing landscape.
“What are you doing?”
Woo-jin’s gaze flicked sideways.
“The scenery is too beautiful.”
“You’re right. It feels like we’re actually on vacation.”
To her surprise, Woo-jin answered with surprising gentleness. Sunlight breaking across the window caught his sharp profile. Yu-won lowered her head to hide the flush rising in her chest.
Her phone vibrated on her knee. She had set it aside earlier to search for answers to his questions.
The screen lit up with a message from Kim Hak-yeon.
<
Resort contract. No matter what, block it no matter what.
Yu-won flipped the screen away. Her palms grew damp. Fortunately Woo-jin was still focused on the road and hadn’t noticed.
She bit the inside of her cheek hard.
She had no intention of doing anything that would hurt Moment, especially with the incident involving Kim Seung-ju. And at this point, with the questions about the accident four years ago resurfacing, she could never do what Kim Hak-yeon asked.
Tap.
Woo-jin’s fingers brushed her knuckles and returned to the wheel. Only then did she realize she had been pressing her palm hard against her own nails.
“Ah.”
She immediately relaxed her hand and looked at him, but he was still staring straight ahead.
***
Floor 37, 187 guest rooms.
Auxerre Resort, the only premium resort on Yeosu’s main island, was a landmark visible from every direction along the coast.
The entire front opened straight to the sea, and the whole 37th floor was finished with floor-to-ceiling glass curtains that reflected the sky and ocean with dazzling brilliance. The limestone panels on the sides and back gleamed clean white, looking from a distance like a vertical line connecting sea and sky.
Yu-won could not look away from the view as they approached the resort.
After parking and entering the lobby, she saw a covered walkway leading from the main entrance. The floor was finished with the same white stone, and the path opened directly onto the beach.
Thanks to the post-renovation open period, the interior felt refreshingly quiet.
Yu-won called Baek Myeong-hwan’s secretary to confirm the exact meeting location.
“Thank you for coming all this way. What shall we do about this?”
The secretary appeared after a short wait, expression troubled.
“Chairman has an urgent matter and it seems the meeting today won’t be possible.”
“Then when will it be possible?”
Yu-won asked, startled. The secretary smoothly swiped his phone screen.
“Tomorrow afternoon at four.”
This was a polite refusal. Yu-won bit her lip.
They had already signed with Elma; there was no reason to create an awkward position just to reject them.
From Auxerre’s perspective Moment might be insignificant, but Woo-jin was a Taekyung executive. Given that the conglomerate dominated construction and distribution, it would have been difficult to make an enemy of him.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Yu-won hesitated, but Woo-jin nodded calmly. The secretary followed suit.
“Understood.”
Once the secretary left, Yu-won turned to Woo-jin. He asked with an oddly relaxed tone.
“Do you have an urgent schedule tomorrow?”
She checked her phone. Friday had no major appointments.
“Everything can be rescheduled.”
“Then let’s reschedule. Let’s sleep and leave.”
Woo-jin answered lightly and headed straight for the front desk. He took a card from his wallet and handed it to the employee.
“Check us in, please.”
Yu-won froze in place.
Sleep here tonight?
Just like that, he was inviting her to stay the night? She could only chew her lip.
The front-desk staff soon returned, handing two sealed envelopes to Woo-jin.
“Here are the keys.”
Woo-jin offered one to Yu-won. Room 2701. The number was embossed on the front of the white envelope.
Her eyes darted to the second envelope in his hand. 2702.
Her shoulders, still tense, finally relaxed. What kind of misunderstanding had she come to? Her face burned.
“Since we’re already here, let’s enjoy the feeling of being on vacation.”
Woo-jin exhaled lazily, gaze drifting toward the exit. Even without looking, she knew his dark eyes held the deep blue sea.
“Sir, right now—”
How could he be so calm when Baek Myeong-hwan had already refused? He had personally taken charge of the contract, yet here he was.
“Then what should we do?”
Woo-jin gave a small laugh and turned back to Yu-won.
“Everything’s already prepared. The meeting’s postponed. What else is there?”
“That’s—”
“Should we just wait for Chairman Baek right here?”
“…”
“I hate inefficient things.”
The logic was strange. Was enjoying the vacation feeling efficient? Yu-won wanted to ask, but she kept her mouth shut.
Understanding her silence, Woo-jin strode toward the exit. Yu-won followed without choice.
A bellboy opened the door politely for them.
The moment they stepped outside, salty sea wind brushed their skin. The afternoon sea glittered under the sun, meeting the sky. Beachgoers strolled slowly, relaxed.
Watching the scenery made Kim Hak-yeon’s message, the accident four years ago, and the unresolved heavy reality fade away for a moment.
It really did feel like we were on vacation.
The thought slipped out before she realized. Woo-jin glanced at her.
“Is there somewhere you wanted to see while we’re here?”