It felt as if time had stopped completely.

The blowing wind could not be felt.

The sound of breaking waves could not be heard.

Only the pounding heartbeat that seemed about to burst shook Se Hee’s entire body.

Was it really him?

She couldn’t believe it.

More than resentment, longing was deeper.

Carefully, she slowly took a step.

To get even a little closer to him.

But as if sensing Se Hee’s presence.

The man moved.

Startled, Se Hee stopped in her tracks.

But the man did not stop.

He strode forward and got into a waiting car.

The car carrying the man quickly drove away, kicking up sand on the beach as if it had been waiting.

The hazy sand dust was carried by the wind and scattered over Se Hee.

When her blurred vision cleared again,

Nothing remained.

Neither the man, nor the car that had carried him.

As if she had been entranced by something.

Everything disappeared like a mirage in the desert.

Was it really a mirage?

Had she seen an illusion because she missed him so much?

Se Hee couldn’t even be sure if it was really Kyle, since she had only seen his back and hadn’t been able to confirm his face properly.

Feeling deflated, Se Hee sank down to the ground.

Was the lingering emotion deeper than resentment after all?

She wanted to say no, but it wasn’t so.

She wanted to see him.

She wanted to touch him.

She wanted to run to him and embrace him.

She wanted to fully feel his scent.

The tears she had been holding back began to flow again.

* * *

Kyle was in the car speeding away.

Dave, seated in the front, carefully observed Kyle’s expression in the rearview mirror.

But for some reason, Kyle’s expression looked peaceful.

No, he even looked quite satisfied.

What on earth was he up to?

He thought Kyle had been anxiously waiting until dawn.

But when the main character finally appeared, did he suddenly have a change of heart?

Dave prided himself on understanding everything about Kyle when it came to business matters, but in this area, he could not fathom Kyle’s mind at all.

Kyle, leaning back languidly in the back seat, slowly stroked his chin.

In truth, he had wanted to clear up all misunderstandings as soon as they met.

He had wanted to sit face to face and talk about everything that had happened.

But in the course of waiting twice, Kyle felt a surging impulse to bind Se Hee more strongly.

He had given her enough freedom, now he wanted to keep her within his space.

So he modified the plan.

When he heard Se Hee’s approaching footsteps.

How difficult it had been to suppress the surging emotions.

Kyle was satisfied with today’s plan.

This much should have been enough.

It was sufficient to stimulate her.

Kyle was relieved to see Se Hee responding sensitively to his provocation.

Because he had felt great anxiety until he saw Se Hee in person.

Kyle’s lips slowly curved upward as he confirmed that she still harbored the same feelings as him.

A trap to completely enchant Lee Se Hee, just for her.

It seemed the preparations to set that trap were complete.

An arrogant smile spread across Kyle’s face.

* * *

After experiencing the mirage yesterday, Se Hee was plagued by nightmares all night.

Kyle would approach her with a bright smile, and just as he took her hand, he would suddenly crumble away like sand.

How many times had she woken up screaming in terror?

She should be resenting and hating him, yet here she was having nightmares because she missed him so much.

It was maddening.

Lee Se Hee.

You need to get a grip.

It must be because she suddenly met all three of them.

Hyo Jun, Seong Jae, and that man who seemed to be Kyle.

Se Hee let out a heavy sigh.

She seemed to have gotten enough sleep.

Time to go to work.

She deliberately showered with cold water, but her head was still in a daze.

Since it was too early for any cafes to be open, Se Hee headed to the office empty-handed.

She first went into the small break room in the back of the office.

She put water in the coffee pot.

She emptied three packets of instant coffee mix into a cup, dissolved it well with hot water, and took a sip.

The sweet taste melted on her tongue.

Hoping the strong scent of instant coffee would wake her from her dazed state, Se Hee took her coffee cup and sat down at her desk.

She finally opened her email inbox, which she had wanted to check yesterday but couldn’t.

After taking a deep breath, she clicked on the email with trembling hands.

The contents of the email from HR were exactly as Manager Jung had said.

It briefly mentioned that the Evans Group had acquired SY Hotel and the process of gradually integrating it.

And it stated that a TF team would be formed to quickly reestablish work processes according to Evans Hotel’s management principles, to operate for 3 years in what was dubbed Evans Korea.

TF team?

It was a team that hadn’t existed at SY Hotel until now.

Se Hee opened her eyes wide and examined the contents more closely.

The qualification for application was managers and below with more than 3 years of experience.

The shocking support for those selected jumped out at her.

An enormous annual salary and special bonuses.

That alone was enough to make one’s eyes pop out, clearly differentiating from regular employees, but there were also various other allowances and special benefits on top of that.

Those conditions were enough to tempt even employees who didn’t qualify.

As a result, it stated that employees finally selected for the TF team would sign a new contract.

Evans’ management policy, resembling Kyle’s sharp personality, felt familiar to Se Hee.

She naturally moved to click on the attached application file, but stopped her hand with a start.

“Are you crazy? You should be thinking about quitting now.”

Se Hee sneered at herself for checking the contents and thinking she’d like to be selected.

At the very bottom of the email, she would surely be able to confirm the name Kyle Graham Evans as representative.

Just thinking of that name sent a strong shock through her heart.

After taking another deep breath, Se Hee slowly scrolled down.

But surprisingly, it wasn’t his name.

Interim Representative Dave Ilien.

It was a completely unfamiliar name.

What did interim representative mean? Until when?

Would Kyle come after that?

Se Hee was momentarily confused.

“Oh, you startled me!”

Just then, Manager Hong, who had entered without thinking, cried out in surprise.

“Good morning.”

Se Hee stood up from her seat.

“Assistant Manager Lee? Oh… my heart. Are you feeling alright? Did you come in this early?”

Manager Hong asked, clutching her startled chest.

“Yes. I’m fine. I was just curious about the emails I couldn’t see yesterday.”

Se Hee gave a faint smile.

“Assistant Manager Lee. You shouldn’t love only the company. You should love people.”

Manager Hong said jokingly.

“Um, Manager.”

“Yes?”

“It said Dave Ilien was listed as interim representative.”

“Yes. I saw that too. It seems like they’ll officially launch as Evans Korea in 3 months. I wonder if it’s until then, or if he’ll stay temporarily and then be made permanent. I’m curious too.”

Manager Hong said calmly as she sat down.

“Then will the Evans Group representative come as the executive after that?”

Se Hee asked anxiously.

“There are differing opinions on that. But usually the interim representative becomes permanent, right? Did you see the TF team details too?”

Manager Hong’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.

“Yes. There were so many benefits.”

“That’s what I’m saying. You’d be a fool not to apply for this. Hurry and fill out the application, Assistant Manager Lee. The special benefits were incredible. I’m going to apply too. After finishing my work first.”

Manager Hong rolled up her sleeves and began typing in earnest.

“If you just get selected, it’s like winning the lottery. If you stay with the company after 3 years, you really spread your wings. Even if you quit, you can pocket a hefty sum. It’s a definite yes.”

Manager Hong spoke enthusiastically as if promoting it.

But Se Hee only gave a bitter smile.

He may be the interim representative now, but what if Kyle comes?

Would I even be able to face him properly?

No, would he even want to keep me here?

Se Hee shook her head.

Rather than applying for the Evans Korea TF team, Se Hee needed to check job search sites.

Se Hee became depressed.

Just then, another company-wide email arrived.

It was a greeting from Interim Representative Dave Ilien.

“Assistant Manager Lee, did you see the email just now? It looks like the interim representative plans to be in charge for the time being? Yes, this is how they solidify it.”

Manager Hong must have checked the email right away, as she spoke to Se Hee.

Se Hee hurriedly opened the email too.

Looking at the contents of the email, it stated that Interim Representative Dave Ilien would be at the helm of management while the TF team was maintained.

If it wasn’t Kyle, then that meant Se Hee would be given a chance too.

A ray of hope cautiously seeped into Se Hee’s heart as well.

“It seems the TF team will be under the direct control of the representative. I’m already nervous about this. Assistant Manager Lee, let’s have a friendly competition!”

Manager Hong said with a smile.

“Of course. I’ll take on the challenge too. Fighting!”

Se Hee finally replied with a bright smile.

If Kyle doesn’t come as the representative, then I’ll work hard for just 3 years and leave.

Alright.

Se Hee cheerfully downloaded the application form.

Just then, the door burst open and Manager Jung entered.

“What’s this? Why did you all come in so early? Are you plotting something behind my back?”

Manager Jung glared at Manager Hong and Se Hee in turn.

“What do you mean plotting? We’re filling out the TF team application.”

Manager Hong said good-naturedly.

“Ah… I came in early to write that TF team thing too. I’m a step behind.”

Manager Jung plopped down in his seat.

Se Hee looked at Manager Jung with surprised eyes.

“Ah… Assistant Manager Lee doesn’t know? My actual rank is manager. Manager. You’ve heard of perpetual managers, right? My job title is business division head.”

Manager Jung spoke as if embarrassed and quickly turned on his laptop.

“So everyone’s applying, huh? Then we’re in a three-way competition. Hehehe. Who dares to beat me?”

Manager Jung let out a sinister laugh.

“Oh, come on~”

Manager Hong covered her ears as if annoyed.

Se Hee couldn’t help but chuckle too.

Since the Yangyang business division had gained some work leeway after Se Hee arrived, they quickly finished their tasks and were all earnestly writing their applications from the afternoon.

“Submission complete!”

Manager Hong was the first to announce completion.

“Already?”

Manager Jung glared at Manager Hong with beady eyes.

“Of course.”

Manager Hong boasted with a confident expression.

“Is that so? That’s great. Manager Hong. Come over here for a sec.”

Manager Jung beckoned.

“I told you we’d have a fair competition.”

But Manager Hong refused, shaking her head.

“Didn’t I say we’d go with a three-way structure? Don’t you know what a three-way structure is? Huh? Isn’t it where three people help each other?”

Manager Jung frowned and got up from his seat, then grabbed Manager Hong by the scruff of the neck and dragged her over.

“No, let go and talk. Ah… really.”

Manager Hong, forcibly dragged over, took a seat next to Manager Jung.

“Ha, Manager. It’s cheating to write things like this on a blind application. It completely reveals who you are. You’ll be eliminated in the document screening. Manager!”

Manager Hong cried out as if dumbfounded.

“E-eliminated? Then erase it right away. It’s been a while since I wrote an application like this. I’m out of practice, that’s all.”

Once again, the two’s bickering showed no signs of ending today.

Se Hee, who had finished writing her application, carefully checked the contents one more time.

She poured her desperate hope to be selected into it.

And after the final check was complete, she clicked the email send button.

* * *

Se Hee’s application immediately arrived in Dave’s inbox through the company email line.

A new email notification popped up on Dave’s monitor.

The name Lee Se Hee written in the sender field caught his eye at once.

Dave immediately reported to Kyle, who was anxiously waiting without taking his eyes off the monitor.

“It just arrived now.”