The Man Who Shakes Me (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 1

“Ji Na, wait a moment.”

Do Jin’s voice came from across the office.

“Yes, Manager.”

Ji Na immediately stood up from her seat without hesitation.

Do Jin, the team leader of Marketing Planning Team 1 where Ji Na worked, was popular among the female staff for his tall, well-proportioned frame and tidy appearance. He had been promoted ahead of all his peers precisely because he flawlessly handled every task assigned to him. The newly engraved “Manager” on his silver nameplate gleamed brightly against his monochrome desk.

More than anything else, what made Ji Na’s heart flutter was the warm gaze hidden behind Do Jin’s cool expression—a warmth meant only for her, unseen by anyone else.

And so, five years passed.

It had already been five years since they secretly began their office romance.

“Once I get promoted to manager, let’s get married, Ji Na.”

Waiting for that sweet promise, Ji Na was holding her breath—for the day he would propose.

Today marked exactly five years, and she couldn’t help but hope he might finally say something special.

With a fluttering heart, Ji Na stepped closer. Do Jin, still focused on his monitor, reached out his long arm and handed her an approval folder without turning his face away from the screen.

What he offered her was the “[Fashion Marketing for MZ Generation]” proposal she’d submitted just a few days ago.

“The brand portfolio feels weak.”

“Excuse me?”

Ji Na’s wide eyes grew even wider at the unexpected remark—after all, Do Jin himself had approved it during their last meeting.

Confused by his sudden change of attitude and unsure how to interpret his words, Ji Na stood there dumbfounded.

The already chilly office air felt unusually biting; she hunched her shoulders slightly and clutched the approval folder tightly for no good reason.

A moment later, Do Jin finally looked away from his monitor. Instead of the warm gaze Ji Na had hoped for, he stared at her with slight irritation in his eyes.

“Ji Na, our target audience is people in their twenties and thirties. Try thinking a bit more flexibly.”

The new fashion brand they were launching specifically targeted younger customers. Having just been promoted, Do Jin seemed determined to pull off his first project as a manager with great ambition—and was now being unusually demanding with his subordinates. Though secretly disappointed that he no longer treated her like an equal, Ji Na kept her feelings hidden.

“If I approve this now and send it up, it’ll just come right back down anyway. Senior management is watching our team closely right now. Let’s avoid doing double work, Ji Na.”

Do Jin gave a faint smile. It was a professional expression, yet his gentle eyes seemed directed solely at her, so Ji Na nodded.

“Yes. I’ll prepare it again.”

In truth, Ji Na had played a major role in Do Jin’s promotion to manager. The countless proposals meticulously built up over time—all crafted by Ji Na’s own hands—were a secret known only to the two of them. After all, this wasn’t the first time she’d done such work.

“By the way, Ji Na, are you really that cold?”

Caught off guard by Do Jin’s question—which wasn’t about work—Ji Na’s eyes widened in surprise.

Unlike the sweltering heat outside, the office where Ji Na worked felt as cold as early winter. Sensitive to the cold, Ji Na had no choice but to wear a thin cardigan reaching her wrists even in midsummer.

Just as she was about to answer shyly, wondering if he might actually be concerned about her—

“Wearing a cardigan in the middle of summer… We’re not just any company—we’re in fashion. Please be more mindful.”

His words were completely different from what she’d hoped for. Ji Na instinctively hunched her shoulders again and lowered her eyes to her sleeves, which now covered even her knuckles. Instead of shyness, her face burned with embarrassment.

“Manager Kim.”

Just as Ji Na was about to say something, Heo Yoon Joo—the new hire—approached with a bright smile. A strong, sweet fragrance emanated from her long, flowing black hair down to her waist. Her floral blouse and tight mini skirt were exactly what one would expect from someone who’d drawn attention from day one with model-like fashion sense.

“I’m not really sure about this, oh—Associate!”

As if she hadn’t even noticed Ji Na standing there, Yoon Joo abruptly halted mid-step.

“It’s fine.”

Do Jin smiled gently, and Yoon Joo gave Ji Na a quick nod before moving closer to his desk. As both of their attention shifted to the documents Yoon Joo had brought, Ji Na quietly returned to her seat.

She plopped down and pulled out a small hand mirror. Her makeup was barely visible, and dark under-eye circles—likely from constant overtime—cast a dull shadow beneath her eyes. She suddenly recalled Do Jin teasing her once, saying she looked like a Go stone, always wearing nearly the same outfit every single day like a uniform.

Black skirt, white blouse, and on top of that, a black cardigan.

She truly resembled a Go stone.

“Sigh…”

She couldn’t help but sigh. Her reflection felt as stifling and old-fashioned as that black approval folder.

Throughout their five-year relationship, Ji Na had devoted herself wholeheartedly to Do Jin.

It stemmed from her resolution not to reject kindness from anyone—almost as if to atone for past mistakes.

Putting the mirror down, Ji Na glanced over at Do Jin’s desk. Heo Yoon Joo still stood close beside him, apparently not yet satisfied with his answer.

Even Ji Na, as another woman, found Yoon Joo’s slim yet curvaceous figure undeniably attractive—just look at how effortlessly she pulled off that bold floral print…

“Maybe I should try wearing clothes like that too…”

Ji Na briefly considered it, then quickly shook her head.

“You should live within your means.”

It was something her friend Min Hye had drilled into her ears so often it felt engraved in her mind. That’s why, whenever she felt tempted to reach beyond her station, those exact words would surface—habitually.

“Maybe he doesn’t plan to meet up today after all.”

Ji Na gazed wistfully at the star marked on her desk calendar—a star she’d carefully drawn after counting and recounting the days for months.

Today was that day—the one she’d always brushed off with a simple laugh whenever coworkers teasingly asked about it.

Scolding herself for such pointless thoughts, Ji Na turned her eyes back to her monitor. Rewriting the proposal would surely mean another night of overtime.

“Just focus on work, Lee Ji Na.”

As she always had. For Do Jin.

The moment Ji Na placed her hands on the keyboard, soft laughter from Do Jin and Heo Yoon Joo drifted into her ears. What could possibly be so funny? Not once had Do Jin and she ever laughed while reviewing documents together. Ji Na paused briefly, exhaled slowly, and kept her eyes fixed on the screen as she began drafting her new proposal.

***

[Huge news, huge news!] [What is it?!] [Seo Jin Woo’s back in Korea!] [Whoa, seriously?!] [That Seo Jin Woo?]

She discovered her high school friends’ group chat in chaos several hours later.

Still, Ji Na assumed Do Jin would at least suggest having dinner together, so she focused all her energy on finishing the proposal. It wasn’t perfect, but with a little polishing tomorrow morning, it would likely pass—even if not brilliantly.

At the mention of “Seo Jin Woo,” Ji Na’s heart sank heavily. Though a decade had passed, hearing his name still made her feel like she was back in high school, standing in front of Jin Woo as he confessed to her. The flutter of first love still lingered somewhere deep inside her. She’d often wondered—once, twice, honestly countless times—what might’ve happened if she’d accepted his confession back then.

Perhaps because she’d never properly expressed her feelings at the time, memories of him clung stubbornly to her mind. It was also the reason she hadn’t dated anyone before meeting Do Jin.

[Jin Woo’s back from studying abroad?] [Isn’t he from that super-rich family?] [Right, that’s what I heard too.]

Her friends’ excited messages rapidly filled the screen.

[I really want to see Jin Woo again.] [Back in high school, like 99% of the girls in school had a crush on him.] [I was in his fan club! I wonder how much more handsome he’s gotten.] [Hey, hey—my mom’s close with Jin Woo’s mom. I just asked her to get his contact info for me.]

After reading Min Hye’s boastful message, Ji Na dropped her phone onto the desk.

It had nothing to do with her anyway. Even if Seo Jin Woo came back to Korea, they’d never meet. His confession was already a thing of the past—like a dream on a summer night. If they ever ran into each other, the most she’d do was hand him her wedding invitation. All she was truly curious about was how his eyes might have changed. Back then, his gaze toward her had been endearingly shy yet refreshingly honest.

“First love…”

Ji Na and Jin Woo first got to know each other shortly after he transferred to her school. Despite attracting a lot of attention for his striking looks, he was quiet and made no effort to make friends.

On a day pouring rain, she’d offered to share her umbrella with Jin Woo as he stood alone by the entrance—but predictably, he refused. Ji Na simply pressed her umbrella into his hands and ran off into the rain.

After that, she’d shown him kindness a few more times while he was alone, and gradually, they became acquaintances who exchanged greetings.

Ji Na snapped out of her reverie and turned her head. Outside the window, the sunset was already beginning to fall. The sky, flushed with crimson, looked beautiful.

Seeing the sky reminded her of the starred date on her calendar—she suddenly felt as if something good might happen.

“Ji Na, good work today.”

Do Jin approached with a neat appearance, holding a document bag, apparently ready to leave. He quietly slid a small note onto Ji Na’s desk.

[At ‘Wave’ by 7 p.m.]

Ji Na’s eyes widened as she read it. Do Jin gave her a soft smile and left the office first.

Maybe it was because they’d turned off the AC at quitting time—or maybe because of his note—but all of a sudden, the cardigan she’d been wearing felt suffocating. Ji Na quickly took it off. Her bare arms broke out in goosebumps; the air was still chilly.

Yet, she couldn’t stop smiling.

Of course Do Jin hadn’t forgotten—our fifth anniversary.

Maybe, just maybe, he’d propose today. As she grabbed her bag to stand up, Ji Na suddenly opened her desk drawer again, searching for makeup she rarely used.

“I should at least put on some lip gloss.”

When she pulled out the small mirror she’d tucked away earlier, she saw a tired-looking woman whose face bore the exhaustion of a long day’s work. Sighing deeply, she stretched her lips taut and applied lip gloss carefully. Today of all days, she didn’t want Do Jin to see her looking worn out from work.

Soon, the red sunset seemed to settle on Ji Na’s lips. Seeing her face look noticeably brighter in the mirror, she forced a smile, lifted the corners of her mouth, and tucked the mirror back into her drawer.

“Alright, time to go on a date with my boyfriend.”

With light steps, Ji Na headed toward the restaurant where Do Jin waited. It was a cozy, atmospheric place near the office—popular among couples.

True to its name “Wave,” the restaurant’s interior was blue and dim, creating a dreamlike, underwater ambiance that made Ji Na slightly nervous as she walked in.

“Oh, over here.”

Do Jin, seated at a window table in the back, waved lightly toward her. Ji Na beamed at him, her cheeks slightly flushed—but as she hurried over, she noticed there was another person with him. Slowly, her smile stiffened.