“Get in… the car. No matter how much I think about it, I don’t understand myself.”

Ji Soo safely completed her business trip to New Delhi and returned to work. But for some reason, it became difficult to face Joo Hyuk after the trip. She had expected to assist Joo Hyuk more closely now that she had gone on a business trip with him, so it was unexpected.

Feeling disappointed, she kept glancing at the executive director’s office at every chance.

“Ji Soo, want to have lunch together today?”

Sang Hee surprisingly suggested first. Ji Soo’s lips kept twitching, curling up uncontrollably. A smile she couldn’t hide kept blossoming. Sang Hee, who always treated her curtly, was the one suggesting having lunch together. This was truly a huge development. Though she was on a contract, she now felt like a proper member of the secretarial department. What a big deal it was to no longer have to wander the break room alone and make do with sandwiches.

“Yes! That would be great.”

“Okay, then let me know what you want to eat, Ji Soo. If it’s something we can reserve, I’ll do that.”

At Sang Hee’s kind smile, Ji Soo couldn’t help but smile brightly in return.

Perhaps it was because she had successfully completed the challenging trip to New Delhi without major issues. She got the impression that everyone in the secretarial department had somehow become friendlier.

Would flowers now bloom in my once miserable company life?

Everything seemed to be progressing faster and better than anticipated.

***

After mulling over lunch options, Ji Soo ultimately settled on the safest choice – pork cutlet. The pork cutlet restaurant was close to the headquarters building and the interior was also quite neat and tidy.

“I had no idea you liked pork cutlet so much, Ji Soo.”

Department Head Yoon Joo Won said with a good-natured smile. As a father of two, he was practically a long-time fixture in the secretarial department, with even more experience than Jae Ho. However, he tended to shy away from risks, causing him to often get passed over for promotions.

“Eat a lot, Ji Soo. Have both the pork cutlet and the buckwheat noodles, okay?”

“Thank you, Assistant Manager.”

To think Sang Hee was being this attentive. It was almost too much to handle.

“I heard Ji Soo was quite impressive on the India business trip.”

Jae Ho suddenly praised Ji Soo out of the blue.

“Ji Soo, you turned out to be quite capable, huh? For your age, you graduated from a surprisingly good university too.”

“A Brainerd? We should’ve looked into it. Sorry about that, Ji Soo.”

Even Senior Associate Gu Chang Hyun joined in on this praise relay. At this point, it felt burdensome and overwhelming, making her want to hide in a mouse hole.

“I… didn’t really do much…”

“Didn’t do much? Just the fact that Director Min didn’t throw a fit shows you handled things smoothly. There’s a reason why people in the secretarial department avoid accompanying him on trips. From start to finish, you assisted him without getting yelled at too much. Well, except for when you went to buy medicine.”

Though she did get scolded, it didn’t feel bad. It almost seemed like Joo Hyuk was genuinely worried about her. Of course, she knew that was also just her own delusion.

“Medicine?”

Jae Ho began exaggeratedly explaining the events of that day as if boasting about his own achievements. Sang Hee’s mouth gradually fell open wider and wider as she interjected enthusiastically.

“Ji Soo, you’re tougher than you look, huh?”

“No, that’s not it.”

How could she say she had no fear at all? She just wanted to make up for failing to properly take care of her superior who was sick and thought it was her own fault. Of course, it was also because she found it hard to see Joo Hyuk looking unwell and drained.

But was that really the only reason?

As Ji Soo was momentarily lost in thought, the dishes they had ordered started being placed on the table.

“Ji Soo! Let’s eat first and talk slowly.”

“Yes! Please enjoy your meal.”

Intoxicated with a sense of belonging, Ji Soo fiddled with the edge of her employee ID hanging long and picked up her chopsticks. She was slightly looking forward to her future life at the company.

When Ji Soo had eaten about half of the pork cutlet the size of her face, Joo Won, who had been constantly checking the atmosphere, cautiously opened his mouth.

“I thought the secretarial department suited Ji Soo well, so it’s a bit of a shame.”

“What? What’s a shame?”

Ji Soo tilted her head to the side, still holding a piece of pork cutlet with her chopsticks.

“The team leader of the external cooperation team is a really nice person, Ji Soo. It won’t be too hard to adapt.”

“The external cooperation team?”

“Yeah, it may be a bit disappointing if your long-time dream was to be a secretary. But try sticking it out there for about 3 years and then apply for a department transfer.”

“I’m… being transferred to the external cooperation team?”

Looking around as if she was the only one who didn’t know anything, Ji Soo asked if they had only found out now.

“It could be a good opportunity. The way I see it, it doesn’t seem like you’re being transferred because you did anything wrong, Ji Soo.”

Jae Ho provided further explanation. Though he was explaining, he seemed just as puzzled.

If Joo Hyuk and Ji Soo had some kind of falling out and Joo Hyuk, feeling uncomfortable, intervened in this matter…

A small sigh escaped Jae Ho’s lips. He got goosebumps at the thorough attitude of the executive he served. It seemed he immediately got rid of things he didn’t want to see.

Unlike Jae Ho’s relieved face after unknowingly gaining an insight, Ji Soo’s face crumpled. It felt as if all the secretarial staff were playing a hidden camera prank on her.

“Ji Soo, you’re not crying, are you?”

“No, I’m not crying, but…”

“Right, right. When you work at a company, there will be countless cases more unfair than this. If you argue and fight every time, you won’t last long. You just need to have a drink, curse it out, and move on.”

“Thank you for the advice, Department Head.”

No matter how she thought about it, something seemed to be going terribly wrong.

The pork cutlet she had eaten just moments ago felt like it was stuck in her throat. Out of habit, Ji Soo logged into her email and was dealt the final blow once again.

Her heart dropped to the floor with a thud. No way, no way. Could the email have been sent by mistake? Even seeing her own name clearly in the email subject, Ji Soo went into denial.

There must be some kind of misunderstanding. Otherwise, there was no way she would be penalized so abruptly without justifiable reason. It was strange to transfer Ji Soo, who belonged to the secretarial department, for no valid cause, not because the external cooperation team was a dead-end job.

Though she couldn’t say she was a particularly useful secretary, having only joined the company recently…

She was doing her best at work and hadn’t made any major mistakes, so why did she have to be treated this way? She bit her lower lip hard, lost in thought.

Then suddenly, a realization hit her.

Who on earth made this decision?

Ji Soo went straight to Jae Ho. Jae Ho raised his eyebrows upon discovering Ji Soo standing blankly in front of his desk.

“Hm? What’s the matter?”

“I… wanted to know the reason.”

“Wasn’t it written in the email?”

“It said it was due to personnel supplementation, but I don’t really understand, so I thought you might know more clearly and definitively as the department head.”

Jae Ho slowly rubbed his chin, at a loss.

“Please.”

After staring at Ji Soo’s resolute gaze for a long time, Jae Ho roughly ran his fingers through his hair. He really wanted to act like he knew nothing and move on, but with Ji Soo asking so blatantly, it was awkward to feign ignorance.

“Department Head…”

“Goodness, I really don’t know either. I can’t understand Executive Director Min.”

“Executive Director Min?”

“Yeah, the one who ordered your department transfer, Ji Soo – that was Executive Director Min.”

“…”

More than the sudden department transfer, the fact that Joo Hyuk was the one who directed it was several times more shocking. Looking back on her time in New Delhi, there was nothing particularly suspicious that could be considered a major wrongdoing. The biggest scolding she received from Joo Hyuk was after going out alone… It was hard to believe that incident was the cause of her transfer.

“I’m sorry, Ji Soo. There was nothing I could do.”

At Jae Ho’s sincere words, Ji Soo’s head drooped.

***

Joo Hyuk tried his best to avoid making eye contact with Ji Soo. He needed the conviction that he had made the best decision and didn’t want to be swayed by emotions.

Just moments ago, Joo Hyuk was a bit flustered when his eyes met Ji Soo’s in front of the elevator, which was unlike him.

‘Hello, Executive Director Min.’

She must have already confirmed the news through the department transfer email and the intranet. She may have even heard from Jae Ho that this whole thing was Joo Hyuk’s choice.

Yet there was no trace of gloom on Ji Soo’s face. Although it was a decision tinged with selfish reasons, Joo Hyuk believed it was a good decision for both Ji Soo and himself. To stay at the company for a long time, it might be better to gain experience in the external cooperation team rather than as a secretary.

In any case, it would be much better than working under a freak like himself.

As he got into the sedan to head home, Joo Hyuk let out a long sigh. Then, in the scene outside the window he absentmindedly turned to, he spotted Ji Soo. With a small handbag slung over one shoulder, walking forward with confidence.

“Executive Director Min, I will start driving now.”

Kim, the driver, glanced at Joo Hyuk’s face through the rearview mirror as he spoke. Joo Hyuk’s gaze was still following Ji Soo’s movements.

The stately sedan was slowly moving towards the main gate of the headquarters when-

“Slow down.”

Joo Hyuk spoke in a firm voice.

“Pardon? Yes, sir.”

Kim, the driver, glanced at Joo Hyuk through the rearview mirror and stopped the car.

Joo Hyuk rolled down the window. Ji Soo, who had been walking confidently, turned her attention to the sedan that had pulled up right next to her and finally made direct eye contact with Joo Hyuk.

“Oh, Executive Director Min! Heading home now, I see.”

Ji Soo greeted him brightly and bowed deeply.

“…”

“Well then, see you tomorrow.”

“…”

Though she seemed a bit flustered to see Joo Hyuk’s lack of response, Ji Soo didn’t particularly ask anything. On the other hand, Joo Hyuk’s sedan didn’t swiftly pass by her but slowed down to a crawl, sticking close to Ji Soo’s side.

“Ms. Han Ji Soo, do you have nothing to ask me?”

“Pardon? No, I don’t.”

No way that could be true.

“Are you saying you have no questions? Sincerely?”

“Yes!”

Opening her round eyes even wider, Ji Soo answered. The startled rabbit’s face didn’t seem to be lying.

Joo Hyuk couldn’t understand why Ji Soo’s reaction bothered him so much. He should be glad she wasn’t pestering him for a reason. What cleaner ending could there be? However, the words that spilled from his mouth were ones even Joo Hyuk himself didn’t expect.

“Get in… the car. No matter how much I think about it, I don’t understand myself.”