IT - 38

38. Use Me

After finalizing the arrangements for a meeting with Taesung Resort staff over the weekend, organizing the materials to bring, and sending workshop proposals to various departments, it was finally time to leave work. Though she wanted to stay an extra hour to finish up, Ji-soo didn’t want to give Eun-ho any unnecessary misunderstandings.

It would’ve been better if she had remained oblivious to his feelings or the fact that he was Yoo-ri’s brother, but now that she knew, she didn’t want to create the impression of avoiding him unnecessarily.

Moreover, Hee-kyung, who harbored affection for Eun-ho after Tae-ha, enjoyed sitting with them without joining their conversations—making it a relatively low-pressure situation. It could’ve been even more enjoyable if she and Eun-ho were as close as they once were.

“Team Leader, do you have a lot left to do? Should I help?”

Hee-kyung, freshly made up for her evening plans, approached and asked. Her outfit revealed just how much she anticipated tonight’s drinking session.

“No, I’m almost done.”

“Then can I head down first? The Director is already waiting in the lobby. He just messaged me.”

Hee-kyung shyly smiled, clearly pleased by the message from Eun-ho. Ji-soo, who had been about to shut down her computer, reopened the report file.

“Sure, go ahead. I’ll finish up here quickly and join you soon.”

“Okay, I’ll order something for you to eat when you arrive.”

With an excited step, Hee-kyung left the office. As Ji-soo surveyed the bustling workplace during rush hour, her eyes fell on her eerily silent phone. During Tae-ha’s business trip, he had accompanied her home every evening at this time.

“Should I call him?”

Summoning the courage to dial, she hesitated and returned the phone to her bag. Come to think of it, she’d never called Tae-ha first.

Had she said something careless earlier? She didn’t know when this sleeping arrangement would end, but so far, things hadn’t been bad. Even if it was purely physical desire, she liked that Tae-ha wanted her and sought to possess her.

They were excellent partners—easy and comfortable. Perhaps she angered him by stepping outside the boundaries he set. Or maybe their separation would come sooner than expected. With these thoughts, she rose from her seat.

“Tteumtteumi,” tucked away in a narrow alley, had recently gained fame as a hidden gem after being featured on TV. What was once Ji-soo’s cozy solo-drinking spot now bustled with activity. Sharing this space with Hee-kyung and Eun-ho layered new memories over her past moments with Tae-ha.

As she entered the cramped entrance, cheerful laughter greeted her. At a table crammed with people, Hee-kyung’s animated voice stood out prominently.

Eun-ho’s bored gaze met Ji-soo’s as she stepped inside. Both their eyes drifted to the empty seat beside him. Ji-soo moved toward it.

“Now that our Team Leader has arrived, let’s toast together!”

Eun-ho handed Ji-soo a bowl mixed with makgeolli and soda, remembering her drink preferences. While grateful, her mind wandered back to moments spent here with Tae-ha. Still, no call from him today.

By 10 p.m., Hee-kyung had dominated the conversation.

“Honestly, I thought Director liked our Team Leader back then. Guess not, right?”

Clearly drunk, Hee-kyung nearly sprawled across the table, slurring her words loudly enough to make everyone uncomfortable.

“What about now? You don’t, right, Director?”

“Hee-kyung, you’re very drunk. Let’s wrap this up. Director needs to rest too.”

Hee-kyung swatted away Ji-soo’s helping hand, mumbling.

“Honestly, our Team Leader is pretty-faced but otherwise average.”

Ji-soo stopped herself from adding anything. Watching Hee-kyung smack her lips drunkenly, her head suddenly dropped as she passed out. Ji-soo picked up her phone and dialed a family member’s number.

“I’m sorry to call so late. I’m a colleague of Hee-kyung’s. She’s quite drunk and needs someone to pick her up. Yes, I’ll text the address.”

Eun-ho chuckled softly as he poured the last of the makgeolli into his bowl. Ten empty bottles lined up beside them.

“So that’s why you asked Hee-kyung for her password earlier.”

“When slightly tipsy, she goes home fine, but when completely wasted, she passes out. Once asleep, it’s harder to manage.”

“You seem to take good care of your disgruntled employee. Hee-kyung’s lucky.”

Ji-soo lifted the jug, which wobbled slightly.

“One more drink?”

Eun-ho asked, looking at her. Hee-kyung lived near the office; her family would arrive soon. He wanted to tidy up and go home to rest.

“No, it’s late.”

“What about you, Ji-soo?”

Confused by the question, Ji-soo looked at Eun-ho. Despite spending the evening together, they hadn’t exchanged meaningful words. This led her to drink more—and faster—than usual.

“How does Ji-soo behave when she drinks a lot?”

“I’m... the same. As you can see.”

Tae-ha often teased her, saying impure desires surfaced when she drank.

Was he right? She’d consumed far more alcohol tonight than she ever did with Tae-ha, yet she felt neither drunk nor disheveled. Whatever the case, one thing was certain: she missed him intensely, regardless of who she was with or what she did.

“Not the same at all. Even with me, you’re thinking of someone else, aren’t you?”

Her startled eyes trembled briefly before calming. After glancing at the sleeping Hee-kyung, her gaze returned to Eun-ho.

“What do you mean...?”

“Do you like Vice President Cha Tae-ha?”

When confronted directly, even insincere denials became impossible. Ji-soo stared blankly, unable to respond.

Her expression alone sufficed for Eun-ho. Despite having seen them in the car, he persisted, knowingly inviting pain.

“Though I don’t know your exact relationship with Vice President Cha, he’ll soon belong to another woman. You understand better than anyone.”

Tae-ha always said emotions showed plainly on her face. Had Eun-ho noticed despite her efforts to hide them?

“If you think we’re involved, you’re mistaken. How could I be with my superior like that?”

Eun-ho willingly accepted her lie. He keenly observed how her previously vacant eyes brightened at the mention of Tae-ha’s name.

“That’s reassuring.”

Ji-soo felt uneasy about the bitter smile lingering on Eun-ho’s lips. He must have solid grounds for such certainty.

She resolved to clarify their relationship properly. If her feelings for Tae-ha caused him harm, she could sever ties immediately.

“Vice President Cha needs this marriage desperately. He won’t stop it—it’s too important.”

Though unclear about complex succession issues or management rights, Ji-soo understood how crucial this marriage was for Tae-ha. Thus, she wanted to avoid burdening him further.

“The concern you mentioned...”

“What if I help you? Use me. Play with me if you want.”

“Director.”

Eun-ho gazed at Ji-soo’s trembling hands, longing to hold them. Did she realize how often he yearned to comfort her?

“I’ll stay by your side, helping you forget Cha Tae-ha. I’ll ensure you’re not hurt or abandoned by him. Use me as a shield or a means—it’s fine.”

“Don’t talk like that, Director.”

As Ji-soo tried to stand, Eun-ho grasped her quivering hand. His cold touch seemed to answer for her silence.

“Pretend I didn’t hear what I just said. We’re both drunk. So...”

“Hee-kyung! Goodness, a grown woman drinking like this. I’m sorry.”

A man resembling Hee-kyung and a middle-aged woman approached. As they escorted Hee-kyung out, Eun-ho stubbornly held onto Ji-soo’s hand. No matter how tightly he gripped, warmth barely transferred to her icy fingers.