The Man Who Shakes Me (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 6

Do Jin and Yoon Joo stood outside the open door.

“Huh? That’s the handsome guy from earlier.”

Yoon Joo was the first to greet Jin Woo.

“You must be close with Associate Lee.”

Yoon Joo laughed as she stepped briskly into the elevator. Jin Woo merely nodded in response to her friendly chatter.

“Do you have business at the office?”

“Yes.”

The bright smile he’d shown Ji Na was nowhere to be seen. The imposing aura emanating from Jin Woo’s handsome face felt distinctly unlike that of an ordinary office worker.

Jin Woo replied coldly and turned his gaze straight ahead.

Do Jin, for his part, stood there keenly aware of Jin Woo. Though neither offered a greeting, an inexplicable tension filled the narrow space.

“Manager, how about spending the weekend with me?”

Having just glanced at Jin Woo, Yoon Joo now spoke to Do Jin.

“You seem quite friendly with Associate Lee—what’s your relationship?”

Cutting off Yoon Joo’s words, Do Jin’s sharp question drew a faint smirk from Jin Woo. Still leaning casually against the wall with his hands in his pockets, Jin Woo kept his eyes fixed straight ahead as he answered.

“I like her.”

At Jin Woo’s words, Do Jin’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Could he really not know that Ji Na already had a boyfriend?

“She’s already got a boyfriend.”

Do Jin’s incredulous tone sounded almost like a moral reprimand.

“I know.”

Jin Woo’s voice dropped slightly lower.

“As you know, feelings like this aren’t something you can control.”

As he spoke, Jin Woo glanced subtly toward Yoon Joo—as if drawing a parallel between Do Jin and Yoon Joo’s own situation. Behind his glasses, Do Jin’s eyes narrowed sharply, trying to decipher Jin Woo’s true intent.

Just then, the elevator arrived at the first floor.

“Oh, you two look great together. Well then.”

Jin Woo gave a crisp farewell and stepped out of the elevator first.

Do Jin watched Jin Woo’s tall, retreating figure with a displeased look. He clearly didn’t like him. In contrast, Yoon Joo clasped her hands together, gazing after him with a dazed expression.

“Wow, he really is handsome.”

Do Jin glanced sideways at Yoon Joo, flustered.

“He said we look good together, Manager.”

“Let’s go home.”

Without hiding his discomfort, Do Jin started walking first.

“Let’s go together, Manager-rin-nim~”

Yoon Joo called out sweetly, quickly following behind Do Jin.

After stopping by the General Affairs team and returning to the office, it was already time to leave. Empty desks from those who’d already left caught Ji Na’s eye.

Her gaze finally landed on Do Jin’s desk. It was neatly organized now, unlike earlier—clearly, he’d come by while she was away.

“Sigh…”

Her energy drained instantly. Lately, Do Jin—despite sharing the same office—felt increasingly distant. She’d seen his message but still hadn’t replied. Holding her phone, Ji Na typed out a message.

[Did you get off work…?]

She deleted it.

[Did your field visit go well?]

Deleted again.

[You must be tired from going out for work. Have a nice dinner and rest well.]

After much deliberation, she couldn’t bring herself to send it. Ji Na lowered her phone limply.

“Lately, I’ve felt insecure around him.”

That was it—the moment she’d failed to read warmth in her boyfriend’s eyes.

Perhaps Ji Na already knew the truth. She was afraid of facing it.

“You should get married too now. Hasn’t Do Jin said anything?”

“I’m getting married this time. I’ll send you the invitation.”

Her family’s and friends’ eager expectations and curiosity pressed down on her chest like heavy stones.

“Ugh…”

Ji Na sighed wearily as she tidied her desk. She planned to submit the report early the next morning. Just as she grabbed her bag, her phone rang.

[Sure. Let’s go hiking this weekend.]

It was a message from Do Jin. Ji Na smiled faintly. She felt excited at the thought of hiking together again after so long and having a proper chat. Her slumped shoulders lifted once more.

“Oh, right.”

Ji Na’s expression calmed as she picked up the shopping bag containing Jin Woo’s coffee-stained clothes. A subtle fragrance—perhaps his scent—brushed past her nose.

“I should return these.”

She thought she understood Jin Woo’s intention—and that intense gaze fixed on her.

“Get a grip, Lee Ji Na.”

After all, she wasn’t that naive 18-year-old girl anymore.

The next day, the office was chaotic from the moment work started. Director Jung’s booming voice echoed loudly.

“These are the interns who’ll be working with us starting today. I specifically requested someone to oversee our department, so they specially sent new staff just because of me.”

“Specially” appeared twice—classic Director Jung, never shy about taking credit.

“Intern Seo Jin Woo. Intern Jo Young Hee. Just these two—they’re our new family in Planning and Marketing, so please train them well.”

Following Director Jung’s applause, the staff clapped too. Ji Na was too stunned to notice Ji Hye’s intense stare from beyond the partitions or Do Jin’s irritated glare.

“Why is Seo Jin Woo here…?”

So that “business at the office” yesterday, that interview—this was it?

Jin Woo wore a neat black suit, just like yesterday—but this time, his shirt sleeves weren’t rolled up. The female employees’ eyes brightened as they took in Jin Woo’s perfectly tailored appearance.

“Alright then, get to work. Associate Lee.”

At Director Jung’s call, Ji Na finally stood up and approached. No matter how many times she rubbed her eyes, as if seeing a hallucination, Seo Jin Woo was still standing right in front of her—handsome as ever.

“This is Associate Lee Ji Na—our team’s ace. She’ll be assisting you both, so learn well from your senior.”

With a hearty chuckle, Director Jung wrapped up the brief introduction and disappeared into his office.

“Hello, Associate. Nice to meet you.”

Intern Jo Young Hee, with her neat bob, bowed promptly. And next to her—Seo Jin Woo…

Jin Woo stood relaxed, offering Ji Na a gentle smile.

“We meet again, Associate Lee.”

She hadn’t expected to see him again. She’d already carefully washed his expensive shirt and hung it to dry yesterday—but no, that wasn’t the point right now.

Flustered for a moment, Ji Na quickly regained composure and offered a professional smile.

“Yes, nice to meet you. I’m Associate Lee Ji Na. I’ll give you a general overview of your tasks here in our office.”

Her stiffly formal tone made her intentions obvious—she was drawing a line. Jin Woo simply watched her, hands clasped behind his back, content just to be near her.

She was the person he’d missed so deeply.

“Oh, and normally, each intern gets one mentor. Associate Lee Ji Hye.”

At Ji Na’s call, Ji Hye approached with a bright smile.

“Associate Lee Ji Hye. Nice to meet you, Intern Jo.”

Oops—Ji Na’s carefully composed expression wavered. She’d assumed she’d be assigned Seo Jin Woo…

Ji Na stood there wide-eyed, mouth slightly agape, but Ji Hye paid no mind and led Intern Jo back to her seat.

Jin Woo gazed calmly at Ji Na, showing no trace of nervousness or excitement. He looked more at ease than anyone else in the office.

“So, my mentor must be you, Associate Lee Ji Na.”

This was a disaster.

Ji Na bit her lip hard. She couldn’t believe Jin Woo was now an intern in her department—and that she was stuck as his mentor.

“Well… I guess there’s no helping it.”

Ji Na gave an awkward smile as she spoke to Jin Woo. At least their desks weren’t next to each other—that was a small relief.

“Associate.”

Do Jin’s low voice called out to her.

“Oh—then just sit at your desk, and I’ll explain your tasks.”

Ji Na practically fled from Jin Woo as she hurried over to Do Jin.

“Yes.”

Do Jin looked at her with a hint of annoyance.

“I still haven’t received the report…”

“Oh, I’ll send it right away.”

Right—the report.

Ji Na replied quickly. Do Jin clicked his pen and looked at her again, as if he had something more to say, so Ji Na stayed standing before him.

“Where should we go hiking?”

It was the first time Do Jin had directly mentioned their date plans inside the office. Ji Na’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if she’d misheard.

“Huh?”

Then she remembered his message from yesterday and stammered her reply.

“How about Cheonggyesan?”

It was a place they’d hiked with colleagues early in her tenure.

“Fine.”

Do Jin nodded.

“Let’s meet at the entrance at 8 a.m.”

“Okay.”

It really was their first hiking date in so long. Ji Na allowed herself to hope this might feel different from their recent fifth-anniversary dinner.

Given Do Jin’s noticeably softer demeanor lately… maybe…

P-r-o-p-o-s-a-l…?

Her face flushed instantly. Ji Na fiddled with her cheeks for no reason and returned to her seat.

She clicked her mouse to send the report to Do Jin and prepared the tasks to brief Jin Woo. As she stood up, she glanced over at Do Jin—only to find Heo Staff standing right next to him, having arrived at some point.

“It’s fine.”

They weren’t anything. Reassuring herself, Ji Na walked toward Jin Woo.

Jin Woo’s desk was by the window—the spot that got the most sunlight. He seemed to be turning on his computer and browsing through things.

He looked like he’d stepped out of a fashion spread—stunningly beautiful. His deep chestnut hair glinted amber in the sunlight, and his flawless pale skin seemed to glow.

Ji Na stared at him blankly for a moment—then jolted back to her senses as Jin Woo turned his head.

“Associate.”

Ji Na slowly approached and placed the documents she’d brought onto his desk, smiling politely as he addressed her.

“These are our Q2 planning documents and average sales reports. Please review them as part of your learning and gather the data needed for drafting a new proposal.”

She deliberately kept her tone as stiff as possible. It was necessary—to draw a clear line with Jin Woo.

“If you have any questions—”

Ji Na’s words faltered as her eyes met Jin Woo’s dark brown gaze. His eyes burned with such intensity she nearly forgot how to breathe.

She feared she might get burned if she stepped any closer.

“—feel free to ask anytime.”

Ji Na finished quickly and turned away. Though the day had barely begun, she already felt completely drained. Glancing over at Ji Hye, she saw her busy explaining something to Intern Jo.

“I need coffee…”

Shuffling zombie-like toward the break room, Ji Na only remembered the coffee machine was broken once she saw it.

“Ugh, what kind of day is this…”

It was ridiculous—she’d barely been at work and already needed to go out for coffee. She pulled out a paper cup, resigned to having instant coffee, when Jin Woo’s voice reached her.

“Anything you’d like me to run errands for?”