An emergency alert was issued to the Compensation Support Team since morning.

“Ms. Jin. Are you not in your right mind? The customer clearly told you to deposit the money into a different account since the registered one is seized, but why did you deposit it into the originally registered account?”

“I apologize. I should have checked more thoroughly…”

Team Leader Kwak scolded So Yi with an annoyed expression.

Although she apologized, So Yi was furious inside.

A few days ago, a customer who was using a stock trading app complained that they missed an important stock trade because the internet connection was lost while they were in the elevator.

Since the complaint was severe, it was decided to provide a small compensation to console the customer, and So Yi was in charge of the case.

So Yi had informed the customer service staff that she would process it once they submit the approval request. After reviewing the approval document submitted by the staff, So Yi gave the final approval.

At that time, she clearly checked the different account requested by the customer before approving it, but now they’re saying the deposit account was suddenly changed.

It seems like she’s really out of it these days.

“What are you going to do? The customer is demanding the staff who processed it to come and apologize in person.”

“…”

“Submit an additional compensation approval. Hurry up and go.”

“What?”

So Yi widened her eyes and looked at Team Leader Kwak.

“What else can we do when they’re threatening to report us to the Korea Communications Commission or the Financial Supervisory Service? See, you should have checked and processed the work properly.”

“But it’s in Incheon, Team Leader…”

“Incheon is only a three-hour round trip from here. Think of it as going out for some fresh air and come back quickly.”

“But still, no matter what…”

“Ms. So Yi, you seem to be a bit out of it lately because of your dating. Let’s take this opportunity to get your mind straight.”

Team Leader Kwak spoke firmly with his clasped hands on the desk.

“Hurry back. I’ll send you the customer’s contact information and address via messenger.”

So Yi sighed and returned to her seat, plopping down.

“What did he say? Do you really have to go?”

Hye Na, who was sitting next to her, poked her head out and asked.

“Yeah…”

“Oh my… That’s insane. Telling you to go all the way to Incheon to apologize? And it’s not even a business trip but an outside errand?”

So Yi nodded, holding her throbbing head with both hands.

Submitting an additional compensation approval isn’t a big deal, but being told to meet the customer in person…

Just thinking about it makes her skin crawl with disgust.

But she has to somehow prevent it from being reported to the Korea Communications Commission or the Financial Supervisory Service…

So Yi gritted her teeth and submitted an outside errand approval in the attendance reporting system.

A moment later, So Yi’s phone vibrated.

[You’re going there in person?]

It was Si Heon. He must have seen the outside errand approval So Yi submitted.

[Yes. They said they’ll report it to the Korea Communications Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service if I don’t come in person.] [Don’t go.] [I don’t want to go either. I don’t even remember changing the account number. I just reviewed the document submitted by the customer center as it was and gave approval before sending the notification.] [That’s why I’m telling you not to go. I’ll give the customer additional compensation and tell them to get over it.] [Sigh… What if they really file a complaint with the Korea Communications Commission then?] [I’ll tell them I’ll give even more compensation.]

It’s just not getting through to him. So Yi let out a deep sigh as if frustrated.

[If it gets filed with the Korea Communications Commission, I’ll also get points deducted. I’m scheduled for promotion next March, and it could affect my promotion too.] [So. You’re determined to go?] [Yes. The appointment time is almost here. I need to leave now.]

As So Yi was about to get up from her seat with her bag, another message came from Si Heon.

[Fine. Then I’m coming with you.] [This is the timeline separator]

“I sincerely apologize for depositing the compensation into the previously registered account instead of the one you requested.”

So Yi bowed her head halfway and spoke politely.

“Is that it?”

The customer So Yi met at the cafe was a woman in her early 40s.

As soon as she saw So Yi, the woman crossed her arms, leaned back on the sofa, and told her to apologize. When So Yi finally apologized, the woman sarcastically asked if that was it.

“I also feel deeply sorry for taking up your precious time due to my mistake.”

Si Heon was sitting at a table in the back, watching over So Yi.

So Yi had strongly dissuaded him from meeting together.

Knowing his personality to some extent, she knew he would only be a hindrance, not a help at all.

“Why did you put the money into the seized account? I had no intention of giving a single penny to that account, but because of you, I ended up giving money.”

“I apologize. I really have nothing to say.”

“So. If you’re sorry, what are you going to do about it?”

“Pardon…?”

“A small compensation of 50,000 won and an additional compensation of 100,000 won. Is that it?”

The woman sat up, narrowed her eyes, and spoke with a meaningful expression.

“Of course, it’s partly your fault, but my phone is old so the internet connection is particularly bad in elevators. I heard that employees of H Telecom can buy the new model phone made by Daehan Electronics at a discounted price.”

Ah! Now I understand why she wanted to meet in person.

If she calls the customer center, the content of the call is automatically recorded, so she wanted to avoid that and make an unreasonable request.

“You must be an employee too, right?”

The reason she requested the staff member who directly handled the case, not the call center representative who talks to customers, was also because of the employee status.

“If I give you the money, can’t you buy that phone at a discounted price and give it to me?”

“Ah… That’s…”

The newly released Daehan Electronics phone could be purchased at half price not only by Daehan Electronics employees but also employees of the three domestic telecom companies as part of a promotion.

Even if it’s a promotional event, it’s information shared only with employees, so where did she hear about it?

Although So Yi grasped the woman’s intention and true feelings, she stuttered, unable to find a way to deal with it. At that moment, Si Heon, who was sitting in the back, abruptly stood up.

“Hello, I’m Cha Si Heon, the CEO of H Telecom.”

The woman’s eyes widened at Si Heon’s sudden appearance.

So Yi, who was sitting across from her, tried to signal to him that it’s not okay while avoiding the woman’s eyes, but Si Heon ignored it.

In the end, he made a promise to the woman to buy and send her a new model phone, and sent her away.

“CEO! Providing personal goods or money as compensation like this will lead to customers exploiting this case.”

So Yi spoke to Si Heon with a frustrated expression after getting into his car.

“Then should you have apologized more?”

“If I made a mistake, I should apologize. Until the other person’s heart is appeased.”

“Did you kill someone, demolish a building? What grave sin did you commit to apologize to that extent?”

Si Heon replied indifferently as he started the car.

“Someone was harmed because of my mistake. Regardless of my intention, if someone was harmed, it’s proper to apologize first. Just like if I accidentally kicked a stone while walking and it hit someone, the proper thing to do is to apologize first.”

“That woman was just exploiting the situation. She wasn’t someone who wanted an apology. So it’s faster to give her what she wants and end it.”

So Yi stared blankly at Si Heon for a moment and then gave up, leaning her head heavily against the headrest.

What kind of report should I make when I return to the company…?

At that moment, Si Heon operated the button on the steering wheel to call Jang Woo.

“Jang Woo. Please report to the office that Team Leader Jin So Yi from the Compensation Support Team will be leaving work directly after her outside errand today.”

– Yes. I understand. But where are you, CEO?

“Incheon.”

– What? Why there?

“I won’t be going to the office today either, so don’t contact me unless it’s urgent and go home when it’s time to leave.”

– Huh? Then the ri-

Si Heon pressed the end button just before Jang Woo could say the word ‘ring’.

“You’re not returning to the office today?”

So Yi, who was listening next to him, asked.

“Since we came all the way to Incheon, we should see the ocean. And eat raw fish.”

Si Heon smiled and gently held So Yi’s hand.

[This is the timeline separator]

After walking along the beach for a while, the two entered a Japanese restaurant overlooking the sea to have dinner.

As she approached the window of the room guided by the staff, So Yi exclaimed in admiration.

“Wow… It’s so beautiful.”

Beyond the window, the setting red sun was slowly dyeing the sea.

“Beautiful is beautiful. But we still have something to talk about.”

“Pardon…?”

So Yi asked back with a puzzled expression, wondering what he wanted to talk about.

“Why did you meet Baek Do Hun a few days ago?”

“Ah… You said you forgave me.”

She approached the table with an embarrassed expression and sat down.

“I said I forgave you, but I didn’t say I wouldn’t talk about it.”

Si Heon narrowed one eyebrow and looked at So Yi.

“Ah… Do Hun’s mother packed some side dishes for me. Since we’ve been friends since we were young, Do Hun’s mother often packs side dishes for me.”

“Side dishes?”

“Yes, like kimchi or banchan.”

He couldn’t understand why that guy’s mother was packing So Yi’s side dishes, but he held back for now. It’s something I can take care of from now on.

“Don’t accept them anymore.”

“What?”

“Whether it’s side dishes or anything else. Don’t accept anything from other men.”

So Yi’s eyelids fluttered rapidly. Si Heon pulled his body closer and placed his elbows on the table.

“From now on, only accept what I give you.”

So Yi momentarily held her breath at Si Heon’s serious gaze.

Does he really like me? Can I get my hopes up?

Just as she was thinking of mustering up the courage to ask today, there was a knock and the server entered.

While the server was setting up the food, So Yi looked at the sunset again.

The sunset, which had been gently dyeing the sea until a moment ago, was now engulfing the sea as if it would burn it red.

So Yi quietly watched the end of the sea being slowly devoured.

Even that vast sea loses its color and turns red when the sun approaches with determination, so how can I endure it?

Even if darkness is all that remains after the sun sets and it becomes pitch black, this moment is so wonderful.

The wide sea spread out beyond the window was just burning fiercely, dyed by the setting sun.