“Director, I’ve continued to monitor Madam’s life response, but…”

Jae Ho swept his lips with a stiff face. Despite his hard work tracking Se Yoon, he couldn’t obtain any meaningful results. It was as if someone had hidden Se Yoon away tightly.

“But what? Why do you stop talking midway?”

At Joo Hyuk’s sharp words, Jae Ho slowly opened his mouth. No matter how he thought about it, the situation couldn’t be viewed positively.

“There has been no life response at all. I’ve also considered the possibility of kidnapping or human trafficking and investigated in my own way. But I haven’t found any leads yet.”

“Alright, you’ve worked hard.”

Just the thought of Se Yoon being involved with a criminal organization made his heart sink. But without that possibility, her disappearance without a trace couldn’t be explained.

Se Yoon was always a devoted mother to Seo Hoo. Even while working as a gallery director, which was her dream, she tried to spend as much time as possible with Seo Hoo. After Shin Hyuk died in vain, she could have been immersed in grief and unable to do anything. But Se Yoon controlled even her sorrow while only looking at Seo Hoo. If something had happened to Se Yoon like that… It was pitiful for Se Yoon and even more so for Seo Hoo who would be left behind.

“Let’s spare no money, effort, or time to find my sister-in-law.”

Because he absolutely couldn’t even think that she had left on her own feet.

Jae Ho, who heard Joo Hyuk’s order, answered in a resolute voice.

“Could it be that she got into an accident…”

Joo Hyuk cut off Jae Ho’s worried words at once. It was a conclusion he didn’t even want to imagine.

“If you’re done talking, you can go now, Director Hwang.”

Because he didn’t want to hear such things even in his dreams.

***

Joo Hyuk, who had been busy with work for a while, would only come home after Seo Hoo fell asleep.

But today, Joo Hyuk came home earlier than usual. As he entered the house, an exhausted Sun Young was lying halfway on the sofa, and Seo Hoo was running around her. Startled to see Joo Hyuk, Sun Young laboriously lifted her body.

“You’re home early today.”

“How was Seo Hoo today?”

“Since coming back from daycare, he’s been running around, shouting, and not eating.”

Sun Young answered in a barely audible voice. Fatigue was thickly attached to her voice.

“You can go now.”

“There’s still about an hour left…”

“It’s okay. I came early to let you off work right away.”

“Oh my, then I’m really grateful.”

Sun Young couldn’t hide the smile on her lips as she arranged her disheveled hair. She grabbed her handbag on the chair and was about to hastily leave, but paused for a moment.

“Director, you know. I raised 4 grandchildren until they entered school. But Seo Hoo is harder than all four of them combined.”

“…I understand.”

“Unless it’s just housework, I think it will be difficult to take care of Seo Hoo any longer.”

She felt like she would either get seriously sick or die at this rate. No matter how much money he gave, there were things she just couldn’t do.

“I got it, please go now.”

Sun Young hurriedly left the house without properly saying goodbye to Seo Hoo.

Joo Hyuk, who loosened his tie, couldn’t take his eyes off Seo Hoo who was still running around. Seo Hoo was originally a child born with a bright personality. But a year ago, after Shin Hyuk’s sudden death, Seo Hoo noticeably changed a lot. There were times when his rough words and actions were excessive and communication was completely impossible. Chang Hyun, a psychiatrist, gave the opinion that Seo Hoo, who couldn’t fully understand death, was relieving stress in his own way.

“Min Seo Hoo, come here.”

But Seo Hoo ran around the house like a 100-meter dash without even giving Joo Hyuk a glance.

“Min Seo Hoo! You’re not listening to your elder brother?”

“……”

This time as well, Seo Hoo, who gave a fleeting glance, naturally ignored Joo Hyuk’s words. Joo Hyuk barely suppressed his boiling anger.

Min Seo Hoo is a child under great stress right now, so as an adult, I have to endure and bear with it.

Min Joo Hyuk. Like an adult, control your emotions and don’t yell.

Min Seo Hoo is a child who needs help right now.

“Min Seo Hoo!!”

He raised his voice, unable to endure Seo Hoo who came running like a bulldozer and kept ramming his head into Joo Hyuk’s thigh. As if it didn’t even hurt to hit Joo Hyuk’s firm thigh, Seo Hoo just laughed.

“I have something to talk to you about, so come here.”

“……”

“Listen without making me raise my voice any further.”

Seo Hoo, pursing his lips, finally walked over to Joo Hyuk, fidgeting.

“Min Seo Hoo, just tell me what you want. I’ll do anything for you, so please stop tormenting me.”

If it’s something money can buy, I’ll do anything. If he needs toys, I can buy him a toy store, and if he needs friends, I can have him meet about a hundred friends his age. In this world, there’s nothing money can’t do.

But even at Joo Hyuk’s sweet offer, Seo Hoo showed no reaction.

“When an adult speaks, you should answer, Min Seo Hoo.”

“……”

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Seo Hoo finally spoke.

“Can I talk to my dad?”

What the hell is he talking about?

Joo Hyuk took a step closer to Seo Hoo. His bright eyes were full of hope.

“What do you mean… When you ask if you can talk to your dad?”

“I’m asking if Elder Brother can also talk to my dad.”

“You… can’t talk to your dad.”

If only it were possible.

He wanted to devote everything he had to such a degree. But there was no way to revive and talk to someone who was already dead and gone from this world.

Although Seo Hoo couldn’t fully understand death… Joo Hyuk clearly explained it well enough for Seo Hoo to understand. That Shin Hyuk had gone to a place where he couldn’t be seen for a long time. That he had gone to a place called heaven, but they could meet again someday.

“Why can’t Elder Brother talk to my dad?”

“……”

“That lady said she can talk to my dad?”

“Who the hell is that lady?”

Joo Hyuk’s brows narrowed.

“The hide-and-seek lady. She said she’ll tell my dad. She said if I play around and don’t listen, she’ll tell my dad.”

“There’s no way she said that.”

“It’s true! That lady said she can talk to dad!”

What the hell did she say to the child?

“Min Seo Hoo, that lady must have misunderstood something…”

“I want to play with that lady. Bring that lady to me.”

It was the first time Seo Hoo had desperately wanted something like this. Seo Hoo was indifferent even when given expensive toys. But now, Seo Hoo was clearly saying he wanted something.

“I like that lady.”

A long sigh escaped from between Joo Hyuk’s lips. Ji Soo had already refused Joo Hyuk’s offer once. If he proposed again, it could be burdensome for Ji Soo, who was a subordinate employee.

“Other than that lady, anything else. I’ll do anything else for you.”

Seo Hoo shook his head vigorously.

“I like that lady. She said she’ll tell my dad.”

“What?”

“She said she can talk to my dad!”

What kind of nonsense is this now?

Joo Hyuk roughly swept back his hair in perplexity.

***

Ji Soo was diligently making work for herself to do today as well. Last week, Sang Hee had clearly said she would teach Ji Soo how to write meeting minutes, but seemed to have forgotten about it. It had been well over a month, and there was a limit to managing work on her own. How could she survive and become a regular employee in this situation?

Ji Soo was caught up in the same worry every day. At this rate, she might have to say goodbye to the company as soon as her contract period ended.

‘That can’t happen. How did I even get into this company?’

Today, she had decided to courageously approach her seniors in a friendly manner. Didn’t they say you can’t spit at a smiling person? Ji Soo believed that if she did well, her seniors would surely recognize her intentions.

Ji Soo’s first target was Assistant Manager Jin Sang Hee. She seemed to be in a pretty good mood after coming back from vacation. So now was the perfect time, if any.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Soo confidently headed towards Sang Hee’s desk. Only when Ji Soo appeared in front of her did Sang Hee slightly raise her head.

“What is it, Han Ji Soo?”

“Assistant Manager! Is there anything I can help you with?”

“No, there isn’t. Just rest.”

“Still… I want to help you even with small things.”

“Well… then organize the snacks in the break room.”

“I already did that after cleaning earlier.”

“Alright then. Just rest.”

Did I come to the company to rest…? Ji Soo swallowed the words she couldn’t say out loud.

“Um… Assistant Manager, last time you said you’d teach me how to write meeting minutes…”

“Ah! Han Ji Soo, I just remembered something for you to do.”

“Yes! Assistant Manager! Just tell me and I’ll do anything.”

“You know the Coffee Mug cafe across from the company, right? Go buy me a vanilla latte from there.”

“……”

“What? You don’t want to?”

“No, I’ll be back in a flash!”

“Okay, come back quickly. I need to drink it before the meeting starts.”

“Yes!”

This is also a type of work. A type of work. Ji Soo repeated it several times in her mind.

Ji Soo walked briskly with her wallet in one hand. The meeting was starting in 10 minutes, so she had to deliver the coffee before then. She grew anxious. Then, Ji Soo, who bumped her head into something solid, raised her head.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“Oh, Director, good morning.”

His suit, tailored to fit his body perfectly, and his hair neatly styled with pomade made Joo Hyuk’s appearance even more perfect. On top of that, Ji Soo’s mind went blank at Joo Hyuk’s unique scent that she had never smelled on anyone else.

“I asked where you’re going.”

“I’m on my way to buy coffee. Shall I get you a drink too, Director?”

Joo Hyuk slowly shook his head.

“Never mind the coffee, follow me to my office now.”

At his cool and low voice, the gazes of the secretarial staff turned to the two of them.

“What are you doing? Not following me in?”

Like a frightened rabbit, Ji Soo followed behind Joo Hyuk.