Unable to sleep all night, Ha Jun tossed and turned, eventually going to work earlier than usual. Sitting at her desk in the empty office, Ha Jun kept sighing with her hands clasped together.

“What should I do now……”

Yi Hyun and Se Ra will soon become family. It would be better to leave before Se Ra finds out about her relationship with Yi Hyun. The problem is where to go after quitting this company.

“Haah……”

Just then, as another deep sigh escaped, Yeon A, who had just arrived at the office, saw Ha Jun and widened her eyes in surprise.

“Ha Jun, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Ah, just some personal matters.”

“You look terrible…… Is it because of that Choi Se Ho?”

“No, it’s not that…… By the way, thank you so much for that day.”

“It’s nothing~! Chief Kim Yi Hyun took care of it. You don’t have to keep thanking me.”

“Still, thank you.”

“Oh come on~ But really, are you okay? You look so unwell……”

“It’s just…… I’m thinking about taking a break.”

“You mean a vacation?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Ha Jun carefully opened up. Yeon A had always been on her side, and even stood up to Se Ho for her the other day. It seemed okay to share some of her troubles with her.

“……Resignation.”

Yeon A’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

“Why so suddenly?”

“……”

Ha Jun had never looked expressionless, but she had never looked sad before either….. Seeing her fragile state, as if she might burst into tears at the slightest touch, Yeon A felt troubled.

“Is there something difficult you can’t talk about?”

“Yes….. It’s a bit like that.”

Ha Jun smiled faintly. That smile looked so sorrowful that Yeon A was momentarily at a loss for words.

But soon, she firmly grasped Ha Jun’s hand.

“If you ever want to talk about your troubles or share what’s on your mind, I’m here anytime. I’ll listen carefully. Okay?”

“Thank you.”

Ha Jun smiled again. It felt good to have a friend to open up to.

“What are you two talking about? Holding hands so tightly?”

“Ah! Manager! You’re here!”

“Good morning.”

Hyun Ju nodded at Yeon A and Ha Jun’s greetings and gestured at the clock.

“I have to leave in 30 minutes, but I’ve at least clocked in at my desk.”

“The director has been out of the office a lot lately.”

“It’s good to be busy, but really, what’s going on? Ha Jun, did something happen?”

Faced with Hyun Ju’s direct question, Ha Jun hesitated before answering softly.

“Yes, it’s a personal matter.”

“Your expression has been at its darkest lately. Hmm, it’s Monday, but if you have time, shall we have dinner together after work? We can have some soju too. What do you think?”

“I’m definitely up for it! What about you, Ha Jun?”

“Ah, well……”

“We’re going to cheer you up, so you should come. Okay?”

“Alright……”

“Huh, your expressions have really become more varied compared to when you first started. Well then, I’ll go out and join you directly, so let’s go to that new salmon place next door after work.”

At Hyun Ju’s words, Yeon A clapped her hands with a bright smile.

“Ooh~ Salmon! I love it!”

“It’s my treat!”

“Yay~~! Our manager is the best!”

Hyun Ju laughed at Yeon A’s excitement. Ha Jun also smiled softly watching the two of them. She was so grateful for these precious colleagues who gently soothed her troubled heart.

“Alright, let’s work hard today too. I’m off to prepare for my field work.”

“Yes. Have a good trip.”

“Take care!”

As soon as Ha Jun’s gaze turned to her computer monitor, her phone vibrated. It was Yi Hyun.

[Did you get to work okay? I miss you.] [Yes, I arrived well. I miss you t……]

“Ah……”

Ha Jun unknowingly erased the “I miss you too” she had started typing. After contemplating what to send, she ended up not replying at all.

Two hours later, another message came from Yi Hyun.

[Are you busy? Make sure to eat a hearty lunch. I love you.]

I love you too…….

[Yes, it’s very busy today. You have a good meal too, Yi Hyun.]

“Sigh……”

The end of her small sigh was long. Yeon A looked at Ha Jun with concern. Realizing that something really was wrong with her infinitely quiet and kind colleague, even the usually bright expression on her face darkened.

[This is the timeline separator]

At that time, Yi Hyun was in a very good mood.

It sounds silly, but he was experiencing what they often say in movies and dramas – that when you fall in love, the world looks pink.

From the moment he arrived at work, his handsome face was full of smiles, which made Team Leader Han Ji Won’s eyes fill with suspicious doubt. He couldn’t understand why his boss was in such a good mood.

Even during the usually irritating planning team strategy meeting, and even with the approval document that had five typos, Yi Hyun showed a gentle smile like an enlightened Buddha.

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Ji Won decided to open Pandora’s box.

“Director, why are you in such a good mood today? Did some stock you secretly bought go up 200 percent without me knowing?”

“Me? Do I look like I’m in a good mood?”

“Yes. You look extremely happy. Just like that golden Jijang Bosal statue at the temple I went to with my mother last week. Great compassion. Namu Amitabul.”

Yi Hyun chuckled at Ji Won’s skeptical and sarcastic words.

See, see, he’s laughing again! Again!

“Ah~ Really, what is it? Tell me so I can be happy too!”

“Team Leader Han. You don’t have a partner, right?”

“You know I don’t. Wait! Director, did you get a girlfriend?!”

“Heh.”

Seeing Yi Hyun smile blissfully again without confirming or denying, Ji Won’s mouth fell open. He had known Yi Hyun for ten years since he was twenty and had witnessed all of his severe women-are-troublesome syndrome.

Wasn’t the reason he was close with Se Ra because she didn’t see Yi Hyun as a man even 0.01 grams?

The Kim Yi Hyun he knew was definitely not the type of man to smile like a loose screw just because he was dating.

“Wow…… This is really big news. To think that the great Kim Yi Hyun has a woman he likes……”

“Not like. Love.”

“Huh……”

Love, he says! Love!

This man who had been indifferent to chaebol daughters, actresses, and models, looking at them like neighborhood mutts, was now talking about love.

Ji Won was at a loss for words and just stared blankly at Yi Hyun’s fresh smile. But suddenly, as if he had just remembered something, he clapped his hands.

“Ah! That time! Don’t tell me…… It’s not, right? That woman with the loan shark debt from before?”

“That’s right.”

At Yi Hyun’s confirmation, Ji Won shouted in surprise.

“Hyung!! Isn’t that a gold digger?”

“Shut up. If you meet her, you’ll know she’s really kind. I paid off the debt on my own. Far from asking, she even refused when I said I’d pay it off. Besides, do I look like someone who would fall for that kind of thing?”

“Well, no, but…… Wait, wait a minute!! Aren’t you getting engaged to Jin Yu Ha from Hankyung Finance next month?”

“Who is?”

“Who else, you! You, Director Kim Yi Hyun!”

“I’m not.”

“Did you agree with the chairman?”

“He left on a business trip by early morning flight today. I’ll talk to him as soon as he returns.”

“Wow……”

Ji Won was at a loss for words. It seemed certain that his boss had gone crazy.

[This is the timeline separator]

After work, the three women gathered at the salmon restaurant, drinking and passing glasses back and forth in front of appetizing plates of salmon sashimi and a basket of fried shrimp.

When the topic of Ha Jun wanting to quit came up, Hyun Ju’s expression also turned serious.

“Have you really made up your mind about resigning? Is it… a man problem?”

At Hyun Ju’s question, Yeon A also looked at Ha Jun curiously.

Seeing Ha Jun just lower her eyes without saying anything, Hyun Ju nodded as if she understood everything.

“I thought you were getting prettier and your expressions were brightening up. So you really were dating…… But did you break up?”

“Yes….. So it’s a bit hard to be close to that person.”

Hearing Ha Jun’s calm response, a look of sympathy flashed in Hyun Ju’s eyes.

Was it an office romance?

Ha Jun already seemed to have many pains, and now it seemed she had received such a big wound that she was even considering resigning. It was heartbreaking.

“To go that far, sigh…… I see……”

“Yes, that’s how it is……”

“I don’t know the details, but Ha Jun must have her reasons for making this decision. Ha Jun is a sincere and honest person.”

At Yeon A’s confident words, Ha Jun’s eyes stung for no reason. It was the first time people had believed in her and taken her side like this.

“Thank you for thinking of me that way.”

“So, where are you planning to go after resigning? Do you have somewhere in mind?”

“No. I’ll have to start looking now.”

“Ha Jun is capable, so she’ll do well wherever she goes. Ah! I have a friend at Hwa Yu Cosmetics, and they’ll be hiring soon for both new graduates and experienced positions. Should I check the schedule for you?”

“No. I’m planning to leave Seoul.”

“Ha Jun! Why go that far!”

“I want to try living somewhere with good air.”

Ha Jun smiled brightly. However, her awkwardly contorted face looked almost as if she was crying painfully.

“Sigh…… If that’s your choice, we can’t stop you, but it’s such a shame. This is the prime time to work and build your career……”

“That’s right. You left your previous company because of some crazy guy, and now here because of a man…… Ouch!”

Hyun Ju, who had heard about the incident at the engagement ceremony, poked Yeon A’s side firmly.

“What good is talking about that now. Let’s just eat for now. Ha Jun, eat well and cheer up. Okay?”

“Yes. I will. I’ll just go to the restroom for a moment.”

Ha Jun, who seemed to be holding back tears that were about to burst out, awkwardly stretched her lips into a smile and quickly left her seat.

Left behind, Hyun Ju and Yeon A looked at each other, simultaneously let out deep sighs, and each took a swig of soju.

Just then, bzzzz− bzzzz− a vibration sounded on the table. Yeon A picked up Ha Jun’s phone that was lying face down, searching for the source.

Yeon A’s eyes widened at the name that appeared on the flashing screen.

“Huh? This is?”