“Why? Is it the executive director?”

“No. Director Kim Yi Hyun…”

“What?”

As Hyun Ju expressed surprise, the vibration stopped.

“It hung up. But why would Director Kim Yi Hyun contact Ha Jun…”

Once again, a short vibration sounded, and both women’s eyes turned to the cell phone screen simultaneously. On the black screen, a small message window appeared showing the sender’s name and text.

[ Where are you still not home? I came home early to have dinner together… ]

Even with just the beginning of the short message visible, Hyun Ju and Yeon A could immediately understand the relationship between the sender and Ha Jun.

“Ha Jun’s man is…”

“Director Kim Yi Hyun…! Oh my goodness!”

Yeon A covered her mouth with wide eyes.

Now Yeon A and Hyun Ju understood why Ha Jun said she would leave Seoul.

With a man of that caliber, if his family opposed the relationship, it was natural that not just Ha Jun, but any ordinary girl would be unable to withstand it.

“Team Leader, what should we do about this?”

“Sigh… Let’s pretend we don’t know for now.”

“Yes…”

With a worried expression, Yeon A put Ha Jun’s phone back exactly as it was, face down.

A moment later, Ha Jun returned. Small droplets of water clung to the edges of her pale face, as if she had washed to erase tear stains.

“Ha Jun, I think your phone vibrated earlier.”

“Ah, yes.”

Ha Jun picked up her phone and checked the message.

It was Yi Hyun.

Ha Jun silently fiddled with the phone before starting to type a message.

[ I’m having dinner with the secretarial staff. I was going to get up early to go, but you came in really early today. ] [ I wanted to see you quickly. So where are you? ]

A reply came immediately, as if he had been waiting.

A small smile unconsciously appeared on Ha Jun’s lips. But she erased it as if it had never been there.

And in the eyes of the two women watching her, an overwhelming sadness flowed.

[ It’s a new salmon restaurant near Sangnam Station. If I’m more than 30 minutes late, I’ll only stay for about an hour before leaving. ]

Ha Jun sent the message and put down her phone. Hyun Ju, who had been watching her, asked carefully.

“Ha Jun. Don’t you need to go early?”

“No, it’s okay. I can leave after we finish eating this.”

“Alright. Then let’s eat enthusiastically.”

“Yes.”

Seeing Ha Jun’s brightened expression, Hyun Ju swallowed the rising pity and smiled brightly.

[This is the timeline separator]

And so, the meal of the three women, accompanied by alcohol and deliberately louder laughter and chatter, came to an end.

Each hiding their true feelings, the three women came out in good spirits and stood in front of the main road to catch a taxi. As if on cue, Ha Jun’s phone rang.

It was Yi Hyun.

Yeon A, who had glanced at the caller ID, gave Hyun Ju a look. Hyun Ju then spoke up deliberately boisterously.

“Ah, we’re going to stop by the convenience store before we go! Ha Jun, see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow, Ha Jun!”

“Yes, goodbye. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As Hyun Ju and Yeon A turned their backs to head towards the convenience store, Ha Jun finally answered the phone.

“Yes.”

– I’m parked behind you. Just turn around.

“What?”

As Ha Jun turned her head, a black sedan flashed its headlights. The car that had glided forward slowly stopped in front of Ha Jun, and Yi Hyun got out of the driver’s seat.

“I came to pick you up because I missed you.”

Yi Hyun opened the passenger door and quickly got into the driver’s seat, not giving Ha Jun time to say anything as he put her in.

“Why did you come all the way here?”

“I told you, I missed you. If I want to see you even a minute or second faster, I have to move.”

Yi Hyun’s upper body suddenly leaned over to the passenger seat. As he tried to lightly kiss Ha Jun, a loud honk from behind made him return to his seat, looking regretful.

“Let’s kiss when we get home.”

And do even more than that.

Yi Hyun muttered happily, chuckling as he stepped on the accelerator.

As Yi Hyun’s car departed, Hyun Ju and Yeon A, who had come out of the convenience store, stood in the place where the two had left.

“It’s really true…”

“I… I’ve never seen the director smile so brightly before.”

“What should we do about this…”

“I know…”

The deep sighs of the two women dissipated helplessly into the sparkling night air of the bustling street.

[This is the timeline separator]

Ha Jun, who had returned to the officetel, plopped down on the sofa, feeling slightly tipsy. Seeing her pretty, slightly flushed cheeks shining, a smile spread across Yi Hyun’s face.

“Do you want to take a bath? Should I run the water for you?”

“No, I’ll just take a shower.”

“Shall we take one together?”

“…The bathroom is too small. Let’s do it separately.”

“Then should we move? My apartment has a huge bathroom.”

“No.”

Hearing Ha Jun’s firm refusal, Yi Hyun nodded as if he had expected it.

“You’re really a difficult woman, Lee Ha Jun. That’s why I love you more.”

“…”

Suddenly hearing this confession of love, Ha Jun once again couldn’t answer today.

Even though this relationship would soon end, Yi Hyun’s words of love were helplessly pleasant, while on the other hand, it felt as painful as someone slashing her heart. As her heated eyes began to sting with tears, Ha Jun bit the soft flesh inside her mouth with all her might.

Seeing Ha Jun’s somewhat stiff expression, Yi Hyun once again expressed his belated sincere feelings.

“I love you.”

“…”

Ha Jun still gave no answer.

But even without hearing Ha Jun’s response, Yi Hyun knew that he was in her heart.

From the day he first became certain of his love until this very moment, Ha Jun hadn’t said anything, but her actions, her trembling gaze, told him so. But Yi Hyun was waiting patiently, without pressuring her.

For the moment when Ha Jun would break free from the emotionless doll-like frame surrounding her and shine brightly on her own.

So when those pretty lips finally say ‘I love you’…, his heart would flip with uncontrollable joy and his whole body would be overwhelmed with emotion.

Yi Hyun looked at Ha Jun, who was slightly averting her eyes, with a gaze full of love.

“Go shower. I’ll wait here nicely.”

“Okay…”

Ha Jun quietly got up and entered the bathroom, locking the door.

As she turned the shower faucet, the sound of rushing water filled the bathroom. Only then did tears begin to flow from Ha Jun’s eyes.

She cried because of the love that had to end as soon as it began, and she cried because of Yi Hyun who smiled at her without knowing anything. But Ha Jun immediately wiped away the silently falling tears. She couldn’t waste precious time carelessly.

Once she had made up her mind to leave, the end would not be far off.

So now, let’s cherish every last moment with Yi Hyun. That’s enough, Ha Jun thought.

[This is the timeline separator]

The next day, Se Ra, who had arrived at work on time, entered the executive director’s office, and Ha Jun stood in front of the office door behind her.

She needed to say that she wanted to resign as soon as possible to prevent a gap in work until a successor was determined.

As she took a deep breath and was about to knock, Hyun Ju called her from behind.

“Ha Jun. Can we talk for a moment before you see the executive director?”

“Yes.”

Ha Jun turned around and looked at Hyun Ju.

“Let’s go to the pantry.”

Hyun Ju and Ha Jun sat facing each other on the lounge chairs in a corner of the pantry.

“You haven’t changed your mind about resigning, right? And you’re going to tell the executive director about it?”

“Yes…”

“Actually, I saw you getting in the car with Director Kim Yi Hyun yesterday. He’s the man you’re seeing, right?”

“Ah…”

“It’s okay. I won’t say anything to the executive director. We’re on your side, Ha Jun.”

“Team Leader…”

“When I saw yesterday, honey was dripping from the director’s eyes… Is the chairman opposing it? Did he tell you to leave?”

“Yes, from his perspective… it’s natural. I want to do that too. I want to… leave without him knowing.”

Seeing Ha Jun seemingly accepting everything calmly, Hyun Ju sighed.

Then she solemnly took Ha Jun’s hand.

“I’ll help you.”

“What… do you mean?”

“You said you’re resigning and going to the countryside, right? Then within a few days, they’ll find out where you are. Don’t underestimate the information power of large corporations and chaebols. It’ll be hard for you to hide alone. They could find you in a day if they’re determined… I’ve been a secretary for the Seongjin Group’s owner family for 13 years. I know this field better than anyone.”

“Team Leader…”

“My maternal grandmother lives alone on the west coast. Coincidentally, the person who was renting a room just moved out, so there’s a vacant room. I’ll send you there. Write your resignation letter and give it to me, and I’ll talk to the executive director. I’ll also take care of getting you there.”

“Team Leader, really…”

Ha Jun couldn’t continue speaking. Her eyes welled up with tears, blurring her vision.

“Don’t cry. It’ll only be for 1-2 years, no, it could be even shorter. Once CEO Kim Il Jun and our executive director get married, the director’s marriage talks will probably start right away. As far as I know… Haa, so just think of it as taking a good rest in a place with clean air. Okay?”

“Thank you so much. Really…”

“I have some things to prepare too, so let’s go in 3 days. Bring your luggage packed lightly when you come to work. We’ll leave in the morning.”

“So soon?”

“Was I too hasty? I’m sorry. I thought you wanted to leave as soon as possible.”

“That’s true, but… just a little, just a little longer. I’m really sorry and grateful, Team Leader.”

“What are you sorry for, let’s do what’s comfortable for Ha Jun.”

Ha Jun nodded slightly and bowed her head. Gratitude and apology welled up in her eyes.

Seeing this, Hyun Ju pulled out a tissue and handed it to her.

“Geez… really, how did you end up tangled with a chaebol! Don’t they throw money envelopes in that family? Since you’re already hurt, they should at least give you a lot of money. They’re supposed to be Korea’s number one group after all.”

Ha Jun laughed with tears in her eyes at Hyun Ju’s joke. She felt like this must be what it’s like to gain an army of thousands.

A moment later, Ha Jun returned to her seat with Hyun Ju and focused on her work, pushing aside her complicated thoughts. And Hyun Ju and Yeon A kept checking on Ha Jun’s condition and comforting her.