There was a strange tension in the executive office of ACS Aviation, which has been rapidly rising in stock price recently, within ACS Group, ranked 2nd in Korea’s business world. Gil Seop, the chairman of ACS Aviation, occupied the main seat on the sofa, while Joo Hyuk and Gang Jin sat side by side across from him.

Gil Seop took a sip of coffee as if drinking poison, then spoke leisurely.

“I’m thinking of keeping Shin Hyuk’s matter confidential within the group for now. I hope Executive Go will work hard to cover Shin Hyuk’s share as well.”

“Don’t worry about that part, Chairman.”

“I have high expectations for Executive Go. I hope you’ll properly wrap up what Shin Hyuk left unfinished.”

“I won’t disappoint you.”

The sudden death of his second son Shin Hyuk. The group was cautious about his death becoming a public spectacle amid consecutive major planned projects. It wasn’t an accidental death or due to illness, but a life ended by his own hand. It was clear how the media would pounce if they found out about this.

“Later when the opportunity arises, we’ll proceed with your executive inauguration ceremony slowly. You must be busy, so Executive Go can go now. I have some family matters left to discuss with Joo Hyuk.”

“Yes, have a good conversation, you two.”

Gang Jin bowed to Joo Hyuk as well, but his gaze was focused solely on Gil Seop.

An awkward silence fell between the two left behind. Gil Seop, who was licking his dry lips, broke the silence first.

“So what do you plan to do with Seo Hoo?”

Not long after his younger brother Shin Hyuk’s sudden death, his wife Se Yoon’s whereabouts became uncertain. She said she was going out for some fresh air, but it had been two months without any news. Joo Hyuk was suddenly left in charge of his nephew Seo Hoo.

“I have to raise him until we find my sister-in-law. What else can I do?”

Joo Hyuk answered with an indifferent attitude. His dark eyes sparkled beneath thick, straight eyebrows without double eyelids.

“Who’s taking care of Seo Hoo?”

“A sitter is diligently looking after him.”

Of course, he had no intention of mentioning that he had gone through three people in just two months. All three quit before completing even a month. Since he paid significantly more than the average salary, it couldn’t be because of money. It must be because of his particularly fussy nephew Min Seo Hoo.

“Why don’t you consider leaving Seo Hoo at the main house?”

“If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll do that. Changing his environment again now wouldn’t be good for Seo Hoo. Anyway, I don’t need to worry much since I leave him at the company daycare and the housekeepers help with pick-up when it ends. On weekends, I’ve hired someone to look after him all day.”

“Still, you’re at a time when you should be busy working, but you’ve been burdened with Shin Hyuk’s work and Seo Hoo on top of that.”

The smiling face of his brother Shin Hyuk briefly flashed through Joo Hyuk’s mind and disappeared. He took a sip of water, feeling a bitterness in his mouth.

“I wonder if something happened to Se Yoon. Seeing all these unfortunate events in a row, I feel like we need to perform a gut ritual.”

“You’ve certainly aged. To see the great Chairman Min relying on shamanistic beliefs.”

“I’m turning 70 the day after tomorrow. Even in this era of centenarians, I can’t insist I’m young at this age. Let’s have lunch together.”

Gil Seop let out a long sigh and stood up. Joo Hyuk also stood up, and Gil Seop lightly patted his shoulder. Joo Hyuk was tall enough that Gil Seop, who was about 170cm, had to look up at him. Feeling momentarily threatened by his son, Gil Seop cleared his throat and left the room.

***

“Ji Soo Han? Come see me for a moment.”

“Yes, Team Leader!”

Ji Soo responded energetically and followed Jae Ho. Ji Soo had joined ACS Aviation a month ago. It was a late start in her career compared to others. Perhaps because of this, she was in a state of heightened alertness.

The place Jae Ho led her to was the company’s employee lounge. It was a multi-purpose relaxation facility created for the welfare and convenience of employees, a space lacking nothing for eating, sleeping, and playing.

Jae Ho practically lay down on a large beanbag sofa. As dust scattered in the air, Ji Soo momentarily held her breath.

“Sit comfortably, Ji Soo Han.”

“Yes, Team Leader!”

However, she couldn’t possibly lie down on a beanbag sofa facing Jae Ho. In the end, Ji Soo sat on a multi-person sofa, bringing her knees together and placing her hands on them.

“Since the Executive Director is having lunch with the Chairman today, I called you here because I have some free time.”

“Ah, yes.”

How important could this be? She swallowed hard, suddenly feeling tense.

“As you know, you shouldn’t think of yourself as a secretary yet, right?”

“Yes.”

This was something she had heard a million and twenty-one times over the past month. Is he going to talk about that again today? Using this precious lunch time?

Please stop.

But Ji Soo nodded, smoothly lifting the corners of her mouth.

“Your current status is neither quite a secretary nor not one. Why? Because you’re not yet capable of performing the duties of a secretary. As I’ve said before, for the first year, you should approach your work with the mindset of assisting your seniors rather than supporting the Executive Director. Of course, this is assuming your contract gets extended!”

“Yes! I understand well.”

“Actually, I don’t want to repeat what I’ve said before, but…”

If you know, please stop.

“Today, the Chairman specially visited the Executive Director’s office.”

Gil Seop rarely showed his face in the Executive Director’s office. The fact that he came all the way here meant the situation was already serious. Jae Ho’s lips, which knew everything about Shin Hyuk’s death and Se Yoon’s disappearance, quivered slightly.

However, he couldn’t easily open his mouth due to Joo Hyuk’s threat to hold him responsible if any of this leaked out.

“That means the company atmosphere is serious. Therefore, you shouldn’t upset the Executive Director’s mood. It also means that Ji Soo Han, who is not yet proficient in her work, shouldn’t step forward.”

“But, Team Leader, what if the Executive Director specifically assigns me a task…?”

Jae Ho burst into laughter at Ji Soo’s rather cute question.

“That will never happen. Why would he look for Ji Soo Han, a half-baked secretary, when he has capable people like me, Manager Yoon, or Assistant Manager Gu? While Executive Director Min extremely dislikes insubordination, he hates incompetent people even more.”

“Ah… I see…”

Jae Ho cleared his throat a couple of times and stretched his neck to look around. After confirming that no one was around, he leaned his upper body towards Ji Soo.

“If the Executive Director looks for Ji Soo Han, it won’t be just for work.”

“If not for work, then what would he look for me for?”

“Hmm.”

Since I’m keeping the really important matters confidential, it should be okay to say this much. This isn’t my thought, it’s just a rumor going around.

“Do you know why the Executive Director chose Aviation among the group’s Aviation, Hotel, Construction, Finance, and Distribution sectors?”

“Isn’t it because he’s from the Air Force?”

“That’s the public reason. Ji Soo Han. Do you know how many countries and cities ACS Aviation flies to?”

“Of course! We fly to a total of 132 cities in 50 countries worldwide.”

“Right, that’s it. That’s the reason.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s a widespread rumor that children who resemble the Executive Director can be found wandering around in those places.”

What? What did I just hear?

Ji Soo’s eyes blinked slowly as her mouth gradually opened. Then, coming to her senses, she shook her head.

“You mean…”

“Yes, if you don’t want to become the Executive Director’s 133rd woman, be careful. I’m giving you a heads up.”

“I… see…”

“Work hard, Ji Soo Han. It’s not easy to get into a big company like this at your age. Endure your contract period well and make sure to become a permanent employee.”

“Yes! Of course!”

“The important thing is having the mindset to endure. You know that, right?”

Jae Ho winked and gradually moved away from Ji Soo’s sight. After sitting in a daze for a while, Ji Soo checked her wristwatch. Having been held up by Jae Ho, only 20 minutes of her precious lunch time remained.

Since she was already in the lounge, she figured she could have a meal with the free sandwiches provided by the company.

“There’s quite a variety of sandwiches.”

Ji Soo chose the thickest sandwich and took a hearty bite.

Mmm. As expected, the taste of this big company.

Although it had only been a month, the company had not been disappointing in even the smallest things. It remained to be seen, but so far her company satisfaction was 100%. Sometimes she even felt intoxicated by the sight of herself wearing the employee ID badge.

Just as Ji Soo was reaching for the drink refrigerator, her throat clogged by the sandwich, a loud noise came from far away. Surprised, she turned her head to see a boy running towards her, flailing his arms.

“Aaaaaaaang aang!”

Did he have a motor in his mouth? How could such a small child’s voice be so loud? The child showed no sign of stopping even after seeing Ji Soo.

“Wa, wait. Kid, that’s not… not…”

Before she could put down the sandwich in her mouth, the child’s small body collided with Ji Soo. Ji Soo, who had been standing blankly, fell down.

Thud.

Fortunately, her lower back hit the edge of a low cabinet instead of her head. The pain was enough to make her gasp, and she found it difficult to breathe.

“Hup, ha.”

As she was exhaling rough breaths, someone came running frantically from afar.

“Seo Hoo, Seo Hoo!”

Ji Soo placed her hand on her lower back and twisted her body slightly. An animal-like sound involuntarily escaped from her throat.