4 PM, GK Hotel Headquarters, 10th floor Smart Conference Room.

The camera moved busily following Team Leader Go, the presenter.

The executives listened attentively, looking at the materials Team Leader Go displayed on the monitors in front of each of them.

“Park Hill Resort is located in an area where we don’t have a hotel, and it has many winter leisure facilities such as ski slopes. If we develop joint tourism products through future business agreements, it can be a win-win for both parties.”

When Team Leader Go placed his pen on the screen projected on the conference room table, the photos and charts were greatly enlarged. Every time his hand moved, a dozen or so eyes quietly followed.

“We can enjoy the infrastructure of that area at a lower cost than building a new resort or hotel.”

Tae Ha said, watching the tourist trends and current status of Park Hill Resort displayed before his eyes.

“They have considerable specialized know-how as they’ve been in the resort business in that area for a very long time.”

“With the tourism industry struggling due to frequent external issues, if it’s efficient, by all means. It’s hard to survive on competition alone, so let’s take what we can through collaboration. How about meeting with Park Hill after confirming possible products to develop in connection with our overseas resorts?”

Director Kim lent support to Team Leader Go’s words and asked Tae Ha for his opinion.

“Calculate the cost aspects and bring accurate data.”

With Tae Ha’s words, the screen that had filled the table turned off.

As soon as the joint meeting with executives ended, with the business agreement with Park Hill as the agenda, Tae Ha got on the elevator with Woo Young.

“Organize the meeting materials and report by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Okay.”

“And tonight, after attending the dinner with the management, go home right away. I’ll be going to Phantom Art Center.”

“Why? Ah! Today’s the day you’re watching the musical.”

Woo Young snapped his fingers with an expression of sudden realization.

“Are you excited?”

“How do I look?”

“Like you’re about to die from anticipation.”

“Yes.”

Seeing Tae Ha smiling slightly, Woo Young carefully asked.

“Is Eun Seo suing?”

“Well, I haven’t heard anything about a complaint being filed.”

“What if she’s willing to pursue criminal charges too?”

“Do you think she will?”

“Yes.”

Woo Young nodded firmly.

“If I go to prison, come visit me. You’ll bring me some food, right?”

“Why bother? If you cough a couple of times in a wheelchair, they’ll roll out the red carpet and let you out.”

“I’d like a checkered pattern for the knee blanket. You push the wheelchair.”

As the two were chuckling, the elevator stopped at the 18th floor.

Hearing the two approaching, Assistant Manager Han who was working quickly stood up.

“Song’s secretary hasn’t come yet?”

Tae Ha’s steps slowed in front of the secretary’s desk. It was because the woman who should have been there was not visible.

“No, sir. It seems her outing is running a bit late.”

“Any separate contact?”

“There was no contact, sir.”

Assistant Manager Han unnecessarily stroked the phone once and fidgeted with one hand.

Thinking that the boss has been looking for Song Eun Seo quite often these days.

Worried that he might be scolding Song Eun Seo for coming in late, Assistant Manager Han added:

“The traffic must be heavy.”

Tae Ha nodded slowly, but couldn’t hide his disappointment.

He had permitted Eun Seo’s outing in the afternoon, which she said would be done quickly.

She said she had to go to the publishing house for translation work. He said it would be a good thing.

Anyway, Eun Seo wasn’t someone who would remain a secretary, so he didn’t want to take away her opportunities.

He would have allowed even if she asked for a day off. But, if she goes off to find other work like that, one of the ties with her will be cut.

“Oh, sir. The purchasing department brought the finalized sample of the new uniforms that are changing this time and left it in your office.”

At Assistant Manager Han’s voice, Tae Ha moved his halted feet again.

“I see. Finish your work and go home when you have time.”

* * *

An expensive white car smoothly stopped in the executive parking lot of the GK Hotel headquarters.

After turning off the engine, Ha Eun took a deep breath of the air inside the car. She could smell Tae Ha’s cologne in the car.

It was Tae Ha’s.

Since Tae Ha’s touch would have been all over the car, it felt like touching him wherever she rubbed.

She even wiped the rearview mirror once, but then scrubbed it hard with a tissue because of fingerprints. She thought about putting her lips on the seat but decided against it. Not because it seemed perverse, but because if lipstick got on it, Tae Ha probably wouldn’t let it slide.

Pfft, a snicker escaped.

Yesterday, the plan to go on a drive alone with Tae Ha had completely fallen through.

Thinking about the date, she endured the cold atmosphere of Misung Investment’s second daughter, and endured the boring long speech about scholar’s rocks that Chairman Kwon was rattling off, poking her thigh.

How plum blossoms bloomed inside the stone, how the carp moves dynamically, how the head of the stone is the head of a dragon.

She listened to such stone talk while fighting sleep, purely because of Tae Ha.

She even wore her best clothes. It was completely ruined beyond repair.

The more that happened, the more she wanted to have Kwon Tae Ha.

He’s not lacking in anything, but overflowing.

Even at the moment of handing over the car keys, even that bored and chic expression was charming.

He was too good for Eun Seo. She who wouldn’t even allow a candy fallen on the ground.

“Song Eun Seo, you should have just stayed buried in the countryside. So annoying.”

If there was one gain, it was the expectation that she might be able to see Tae Ha’s office while returning the car.

Ha Eun sat in the car a little longer waiting for Tae Ha to leave work. If she went up to the office at that time, he probably wouldn’t make excuses about being busy.

Ha Eun’s eyes sparkled with light.

* * *

Chiiik.

Eun Seo, who got off the bus, passed through a street lined with cafes and restaurants and turned the corner.

The building was a few meters away.

The publishing house contacted her in the morning. They said they wanted to talk in person if possible.

There was only one reason for the publishing house to want to see her.

Nothing but the proposal she had submitted before. And if they called her all the way here, Eun Seo thought it must be about the contract.

As she walked, a smile spread across her face. Only good things have been happening lately. The translation work, the job Tae Ha got her, and even the college re-admission seemed likely to be approved.

And Tae Ha.

Yes, that person. That person is the best thing.

Even today. As soon as she received the call from the publishing house, Eun Seo applied for an outing with an urgent heart.

Then Tae Ha leaned back in his chair, detaching his upper body from the desk, and asked.

[A good thing?]

When she said yes, Tae Ha tapped the armrest with his finger and smiled very ambiguously.

[Go ahead.]

It didn’t seem ‘gladly’, but he permitted it.

[Come back before 5 o’clock. I’m going straight to Phantom after dinner with the management.]

Was he worried she might not make it on time?

“Hello?”

As she opened the door of the publishing house and entered, everyone sitting there raised their heads at once, unlike before.

“You’re here?”

One person guided Eun Seo to the director’s office.

“Director, Song Eun Seo is here. Shall I bring out some tea?”

“Yes, is coffee okay?”

The director asked Eun Seo who had just entered.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

After the employee brought coffee and disappeared, the director took out a white envelope and handed it to Eun Seo. Then he scratched his forehead and began to speak.

“Um. I don’t think the proposal will work out. Recently, another translator submitted a proposal for the same book, and um, that person had a bit more capability. It’s a decision made through a meeting, so I can’t do anything about it. The reason I called you here is, I thought I should return the original proposal you left before. And I wanted to meet in person to say I’m sorry.”

The director paused and sighed.

“I’m sorry. This is my sincerity, I don’t usually do this, but because Song Eun Seo went back and forth troublesomely, and I felt somewhat sorry, I wanted to give it to you.”

What does this mean?

It was a conversation that could have been done over the phone, but calling in person.

And an envelope at that. She only submitted a proposal, not even doing any translation work.

Just when she thought only good things were happening.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to give me money.”

“It’s for transportation expenses. Come on, take it.”

There was some back and forth, but in the end, Eun Seo didn’t accept it.

After receiving the director’s overflowing consolation, praise, and encouragement, Eun Seo roughly stuffed the proposal envelope into her eco bag and left the publishing house.

But as she was about to leave the building, a person suddenly popped out of the first floor book cafe and called Eun Seo. It was the woman she had seen in the office earlier.

“Ms. Song Eun Seo. Just a moment.”

The woman gestured to Eun Seo, then quietly took her out. Then she looked up at the window where the publishing house was, and after realizing no one was watching, she took Eun Seo out to the street.

Not knowing what was going on, Eun Seo just blinked and followed her.

The woman bought two juices at a convenience store on the street and handed one to Eun Seo.

“I don’t have much time, so I’ll speak briefly.”

“What’s going on?”

“Don’t be too disappointed about this matter.”

The woman lowered her eyes sadly and sighed deeply.

“Actually, for the children’s book translation, Song Eun Seo did better.”

“Pardon? But the director said someone else did better…”

“It’s not like that. The director did what he could, but the chief editor overruled him. There’s a translator the chief editor is very close with. The chief editor saw the proposal, said the book was good, and that they couldn’t entrust a series of children’s books to a rookie. He made a huge fuss and had a big fight with the director. But what can you do? The director lost.”

“…”

“It’s not just this field, but everywhere. Skill is important, but connections are important too. There’s hardly any room to squeeze in here as it is. For a first-timer, you need at least a graduate degree to have a chance.”

The woman trailed off.

She said she shouldn’t normally say such things considering the company, but she was angry so she told her, that the chief editor was a real scumbag, but not to confront the company about it.

She said she’s just telling her in case she might get discouraged by this incident and give up on translation work.

At the end, she slipped in a story of what she herself had experienced.

Hoo.

After bowing her head, tears suddenly welled up. She wanted to argue, but the publishing house was a huge power figure to a mere newcomer, and if any bad rumors spread, it was uncertain if another opportunity would be given.

This isn’t the first time.

Even when she got accepted in competitions, she couldn’t get a single job because of her lack of qualifications.

Why are you crying over something so trivial, as if you’ve only had successes all your life?

While wiping tears with the back of her hand waiting for the bus, Tae Ha’s face suddenly came to mind.

“Should I call?”

Or not.

But somehow it felt like everything would be okay if she could just hear his voice.

It felt like his voice alone would be comforting.

It was the first time. That she missed someone.

Eun Seo barely swallowed the big lump that had risen to her throat and searched for her phone in her eco bag.

A phone that’s now almost tattered from long use.

Where was Kwon Tae Ha’s number again? It was speed dial 1.

Biting her lip, she tried to turn on the phone screen with her damp fingers, but the phone screen was black.