IT - 9

9. “Something Important Left Behind”

“Ji-soo, would you like more cookies?”

If it weren’t for Eun-ho’s kindness, Ji-soo might have slipped away from this gathering to contact Tae-ha. She could have left the dinner early or made up an excuse about not feeling well. In truth, none of it mattered. If Tae-ha had insisted just once more, Ji-soo would have rushed to him the moment she finished work.

“I’m fine. I still have a lot left.”

Eun-ho, who had been awkwardly scratching his clean-shaven face, sat down next to Ji-soo.

Eun-ho, who was the same age as Ji-soo and had officially become the announcer team leader this month, was always warm and respectful. Aside from Vice President Tae-ha, he was one of the most popular figures at Taeseong Group.

Those unfamiliar with their dynamic often misinterpreted Eun-ho’s consistent care for Ji-soo as romantic interest, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. By nature, Eun-ho was kind and pure-hearted, treating everyone equally with thoughtfulness.

“Ji-soo, I’m going on vacation next week. Do you have any plans? Maybe a trip?”

He didn’t know that Ji-soo had taken accumulated leave days after renewing her contract.

While Tae-ha was away on his business trip, Ji-soo had planned to look for a new apartment and catch up on reading. But those plans had unraveled with his sudden text about ramen earlier. With weekends and her upcoming vacation combined, she wouldn’t see Tae-ha for over ten days.

“I don’t think I’ll go anywhere. I’ll probably just lounge around at home, eating and sleeping, then eating and sleeping some more.”

“Sounds perfect! Eating and sleeping is the best kind of vacation.”

Despite his boyish, clear face, Eun-ho’s physique was robust, like that of an athlete. When he smiled gently, it felt as though his large, muscular frame had been digitally superimposed onto his delicate features—a secret behind why he ranked second in stealing attention within the company, right after Tae-ha.

Watching Eun-ho’s warmth spread effortlessly, Ji-soo couldn’t help but smile along.

“By the way, do you enjoy performances or movies?”

“I love them! Is there anything good lately? Recommend something, Team Leader Kang.”

Leaning closer to Ji-soo, Eun-ho pulled out his phone and showed her the screen. It displayed tickets with performance titles, dates, and times.

“My cousin works at a content planning company, so they’re all free. If there’s a movie you want to watch, just let me know.”

“Wow, there are so many options! Which ones are fun?”

As Ji-soo’s sparkling eyes focused on the screen of Eun-ho’s phone, she suddenly felt self-conscious. Just the proximity of her gaze seemed to make her heart race.

“Ji-soo, has something good happened recently?”

“I renewed my contract, got promoted, and my salary increased. Why do you ask?”

No, it’s because you’ve been smiling more than usual. Eun-ho swallowed the words before they escaped, offering only a faint smile instead.

“Team Leader, take your time deciding and let me know later.”

“Of course. Choose slowly.”

Eun-ho cheerfully sent the ticket information to Ji-soo’s phone. Could anyone else wear such a radiant smile as naturally as Kang Eun-ho? Ji-soo thought that if spring sunlight were condensed into human form, it would be him.

“While you’re lounging at home, if you ever feel bored or lonely, why not go out for some fresh air with a friend?”

“I don’t have many friends.”

“Would you like to go with me?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Eun-ho’s lips trembled slightly. To say he hadn’t hoped for even a miracle where he could accompany Ji-soo would have been a lie.

“Sure, why not? Hmm, I do want to see a performance, but it’s too long. How about this movie tomorrow evening?”

Surprised by her quick agreement, Eun-ho gulped audibly.

“Doesn’t the movie end late? If you prefer, we can watch it earlier.”

“I’m fine with daytime. It’s been ages since I watched a movie in the afternoon.”

Ji-soo carefully examined the screen Eun-ho had shared. Just then, the murmurs around them grew louder and faster.

When Ji-soo looked up, there stood Tae-ha, blocking her view like a grim reaper. Even though he had rushed back from his business trip, he was supposed to remain absent until today. Scanning the small groups of employees gathered in the lounge, Tae-ha walked straight to Ji-soo without hesitation and took a seat beside her.

As soon as he sat down, the other employees dispersed uncomfortably, returning to their respective spots.

“Executive Director, aren’t you supposed to be on your business trip until today?”

Eun-ho asked politely, his kindness extending even to the frosty Tae-ha. Though their families were close, the two men maintained a strictly professional relationship in formal settings.

“I left something important behind, so I stopped by briefly.”

“Ah, I see. Then I’ll take my leave. Ji-soo, I’ll contact you tomorrow.”

Contact you tomorrow? The phrase irritated Tae-ha, causing his thick eyebrows to twitch. As Eun-ho exited the lounge and glanced back casually, their eyes met. He flashed Ji-soo a bright smile.

Sigh. Returning home to find four legs in the bedroom—was this how Chasaeng must have felt?

“I didn’t realize office romances were part of your preferences?”

Tae-ha’s growling voice was low enough not to carry outside the now-empty lounge, but Ji-soo instinctively flinched and glanced around nervously. Eun-ho was nothing more than a friendly colleague of the same age—how absurd to call it an office romance.

“It’s not like that. He gave me the movie tickets because I mentioned I’m on vacation.”

How much of her conversation with Eun-ho had Tae-ha overheard? Was that why he was acting so rigidly with such a fearsome expression? After his grueling schedule, Tae-ha looked gaunt and sharper than usual.

“What kind of important dinner party requires pestering someone to come and go?”

Ji-soo was certain she had misheard. She had never invited Tae-ha to a dinner party—not unless she were delirious or completely drunk, which was impossible for her.

“You can’t possibly mean you’re coming to the dinner party?”

“That ‘what if’ is how I ended up guiding myself to the dinner venue.”

Ji-soo watched as Tae-ha sat in the lounge chair and pulled out his tablet. His statement about attending the dinner party seemed sincere.

“Did you find what you left behind?”

Tae-ha scanned Ji-soo with weary eyes, still tinged with jet lag. The fluttering emotions he had felt when he first saw her had long since settled into a comfortable rhythm. Yet recently, inexplicably, anger and frustration bubbled up whenever she was near. Why?

Take today, for instance. Rushing back from his business trip wasn’t because of Han Ji-soo’s circumstances. They hadn’t made any promises to meet. He simply wanted to accumulate moments—seeing her when he wanted, meeting her, holding her.

Tae-ha craved the sweet stability of perfect order without disruption. And somehow, he was certain Ji-soo could fulfill that desire.

She was the kind of woman who, if given an inch of slack, would wiggle her way deep inside and shake him to his core, only to retreat in panic the moment he got too close. Despite this, he had barely managed to suppress the urge to devour the tongue that dared mention other men around her.

Today, though, he wanted to obliterate that invisible line he shouldn’t cross. Perhaps it was the only way to prevent himself from descending into full-blown neurosis. Including Team Leader Kang Eun-ho, there were far too many circling Ji-soo like vultures. Dangerous predators didn’t share their possessions.

“Should I bring it to you?”

“No. I think I’ve already found it.”

Tae-ha’s gaze lingered deliberately on Ji-soo’s lips after passing over her eyes and nose.

“You’ve been well. Beautifully so.”

Lost in thought, Ji-soo bowed slightly and exited the lounge.

---

When it was announced that Vice President Cha Tae-ha would attend the production team dinner, the menu changed from pork to beef grilled on a hot plate. As planned, Tae-ha and Ji-soo ended up seated at the same table, their arrangement resembling a solemn negotiation session aimed at ending a long-standing war.

Instead of the usual boisterous atmosphere filled with shouting and drinking until voices grew hoarse, the room was eerily quiet, save for the sizzling sound of marbled beef cooking on the grill.

Eun-ho arrived late and promptly took a seat next to Ji-soo. Only Ji-soo noticed the flicker of murderous intent that flashed in Tae-ha’s eyes before disappearing. What could be bothering him now?

“I’m late. Ji-soo, have you eaten much? The ribeye here is delicious.”

After greeting Tae-ha, Eun-ho began fussing over Ji-soo. Despite the marbled beef still left on the grill, he ordered more ribeye. Ji-soo, who had been picking at her food like a slave sold to a foreign land, quickly popped a piece of perfectly grilled ribeye into her mouth.

“Is it good? The meat today is excellent. Executive Director, aren’t you eating?”

Eun-ho diligently gathered the best pieces of meat and placed them on Ji-soo’s plate before turning his attention to Tae-ha.

“Team Leader Kang, please eat as well. You must be hungry after arriving late.”

“Just watching Ji-soo eat makes me happy.”

These bastards… What are they doing right in front of me?

Tae-ha chewed on his bubbling rage instead of the meat. He fantasized about tossing Eun-ho’s bragging mouth onto the sizzling grill instead of the ribeye.

What had started as a gourmet dining experience had morphed into a horror show, but alcohol and grilled meat remained universal truths that fueled excitement. Even the awkwardness brought by the Vice President’s presence was masked by the growing intoxication.

Amidst the clamor of people calling for a second round, Tae-ha abruptly grabbed Ji-soo’s wrist. Though most of the production team boasted impressive alcohol tolerance, only the two of them remained sober. Fearing prying eyes, Ji-soo tried to push him away forcefully.

“Executive Director, please let go of my hand.”

She attempted to gently pry his fingers off, but not even one budged.

“To the parking lot behind the building.”

Ji-soo looked up, her eyes meeting Tae-ha’s in silent inquiry. Sensing her confusion about why she needed to go to the parking lot, Tae-ha leaned down and whispered into her ear.

“If you don’t want to cling to me in front of everyone and insist on getting into my car, then come with me.”

Leaving behind a low murmur meant only for her ears, Tae-ha headed toward the rear of the building. Those who had chosen the next venue—a karaoke bar—were too distracted by the flashing neon signs to notice his absence.

Tae-ha’s fury subsided momentarily thanks to Kang Eun-ho, the master of grilling. True to his calling, Eun-ho had meticulously cleared the grill and moved to another table, where he continued his diligent work of cooking meat.

“I’ll head out first.”

Though Ji-soo bid farewell to the noisy crowd, no one paid attention. Only Eun-ho, still laughing heartily, approached her quickly.

“Ji-soo, let me hail a taxi for you.”

“No, it’s fine. There’s still a bus.”

As the drunken group entered the building housing the karaoke bar, the darkened street was left with only three figures: an angry man, a cautious woman, and a kind soul.