SELA - 13

- “The doors are opening. Descending to the first floor.”

As the elevator doors closed, a peculiar silence enveloped the space as it began its descent. Sa-hee and Jin-ha stood quietly behind Ji-hyuk, their gazes fixed outward.

The glass-walled elevator offered a breathtaking view of the city lights below, shimmering like scattered fragments of broken glass. For a fleeting moment, the dazzling urban nightscape was enough to make them forget everything else—its beauty almost hypnotic.

Inside the rapidly descending elevator, the silence felt suffocating. Ji-hyuk, who appeared weary, briefly rubbed his eyes. Watching him, Sa-hee couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

“Someone with a loose tongue has been deliberately leaking private details.”

“Lying about pining for you is one thing, but resorting to cheap romance novels? Who’s chasing whom here?”

Ji-hyuk’s cold, cutting words echoed in her mind. What kind of rumors had Jung-min spread? What mistake had she made to warrant such humiliation?

Recalling his annoyed expression and icy demeanor, Sa-hee shivered. He was ruthless when dismissing what he deemed unnecessary—a single decisive stroke to sever ties. If he had ever turned that same face or tone toward her, she doubted she could have endured it.

“Let’s call it a day here.”

No sooner had Ji-hyuk spoken those words than the elevator chimed softly, signaling their arrival at the first floor. Without waiting for a response, he stepped out without so much as a backward glance.

Jin-ha, startled by Ji-hyuk’s abrupt departure, scrambled after him.

“See you tomorrow, Secretary Yoon!”

Before Sa-hee could respond, both men were already walking away. Stepping out of the elevator, she watched their retreating figures from afar. Slowly trailing behind, she gazed at Ji-hyuk’s diminishing silhouette.

“Ji-hyuk...”

She stood rooted to the spot, watching until his towering figure shrunk smaller than her fingernail—and eventually disappeared entirely.

“There’s a rumor going around the office. They say Madam Shin isn’t in good health, so Director Ji-hyuk has no choice but to follow her wishes.”

“That’s just a rumor. Whenever I see her at events or gatherings, she looks perfectly fine.”

“So what? Are you saying he’s willingly meeting these women because he likes them?”

“Does someone who gets rejected look like they’re enjoying it?”

“What do you mean? Do you know something, Mr. Im?”

In the middle of the morning work hours, several employees had gathered in one corner of the annex room, gossiping animatedly. What was supposed to be a meeting had devolved into idle chatter about rumors.

“Well… it’s not like I saw anything concrete…”

The group leaned closer to Mr. Im as he hesitated, scratching his cheek awkwardly.

“No, last weekend, I went to J Hotel with my boyfriend for coffee—you know how famous their café is. That’s when I saw her. She’s the daughter of some pharmaceutical company CEO—what was the name again? Anyway, she was stunningly beautiful.”

“Is her beauty even relevant here?”

“Did Director Ji-hyuk reject her?”

“What did he say when he rejected her?”

“Hey, ask one question at a time!”

Mr. Im pushed back against the crowd pressing in on him before continuing.

“He rejected her, alright? I didn’t catch all the details, but it sounded like he asked why she was wasting her precious time on him and whether she didn’t have anything better to do.”

“Wow.”

“But his expression—that was the real kicker.”

“Was he glaring? Looking annoyed?”

“Nope. He was smiling.”

“Huh?”

“It was such a warm smile! His eyes were crinkling up like this. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think they were lovers.”

“That’s just sugarcoating it.”

“If I were in her shoes, I’d be furious. Imagine being sweetly smiled at while he asks, ‘Don’t you have anything better to do?’ What are you supposed to say to that? ‘No, I came here just to see you, jerk!’”

“Could anyone actually say that to Director Ji-hyuk?”

“Well, no, but only because he’s our boss!”

“Let’s be honest here. If Director Shin weren’t our boss but some penniless vagrant—even with that face and body—I still wouldn’t dare talk back to him.”

“Tch.”

Park slapped the empty paper cup she’d been chewing on into the trash can. The others nodded silently, agreeing that she wasn’t entirely wrong.

“By the way, I heard Marketing Team Leader Nam saw Director Ji-hyuk go upstairs with one of those women.”

“Upstairs? Where?”

“At a hotel, where else do you think ‘upstairs’ leads?”

Choi pointed upward dramatically, earning curious glances from the group.

“So wait, the rejection wasn’t because he disliked blind dates—it was purely a matter of preference?”

“He’s not exactly an ascetic, is he?”

“Well, given everything he has, why would he hold back if he found someone appealing? It’s natural, right?”

“What do you mean, ‘right’?”

“You know, he doesn’t stop people from coming, nor does he force them to stay. Isn’t that reasonable?”

“I don’t know, but if I were him, I wouldn’t go home either. It’d feel unfair. I’d live it up.”

Oh’s comment elicited soft chuckles from the group. Nods of agreement followed.

“Same here.”

“You too? About what?”

“I wish I could get tangled up with Director Ji-hyuk. Some people confidently meet him alone and even spend the night, while others just crane their necks hoping for a glimpse. It’s so unfair.”

“Wow, kids these days are bold.”

Park’s complaint made Choi and Im exchange shrugs. Though only a few years apart in age, moments like this highlighted the generational gap between them.

“What are you all talking about?”

Just then, Sa-hee walked into the annex room to borrow scissors.

“Oh! Secretary Yoon!”

“Hello.”

“It’s nothing. What brings you here?”

The employees quickly plastered awkward smiles on their faces. After all, the subject of their gossip was none other than Sa-hee’s boss. Any slip of the tongue could lead to trouble.

“I just need to borrow some scissors.”

“Oh, scissors? There’s a pair on my desk over there. Feel free to take them.”

“Thank you. I’ll return them shortly.”

“No rush. Take your time.”

After giving a slight bow, Sa-hee left the annex. As soon as she reached the entrance, the chatter resumed behind her.

“It’s not what it sounds like…”

Collapsing into her seat, Sa-hee stared blankly at the borrowed scissors.

Unintentionally, she had overheard fragments of the employees’ conversation earlier. They were speculating about Ji-hyuk’s personal life, particularly his romantic relationships. Their curiosity bordered on outright judgment, painting him in ways that contradicted what Sa-hee knew.

From her observations, Ji-hyuk wasn’t the type to indulge in casual flings or jeopardize future business ties by associating with the daughters of potential partners. He was meticulous about avoiding situations that might invite gossip or criticism later. So how did rumors spread about him sleeping with every woman he met?

“It doesn’t make sense.”

Sa-hee’s certainty stemmed from firsthand experiences witnessing his behavior during arranged meetings.

Whenever Ji-hyuk attended weekday matchmaking sessions, he always brought Song, the chauffeur, and herself along—though discreetly. Even when politely declining invitations, he’d casually insist they enjoy the meal without him, often seating himself directly behind the couple. 

‘Isn’t that woman interested?’

‘Pardon?’

‘Just look at how restless she is. Why do you think she’s smiling?’

‘Well, maybe she’s excited—it is their first meeting after all…’

‘What are the chances they’ll hit it off tonight?’

‘That depends on both parties…’

‘Stop dodging the question. You decide.’

‘Me?’

‘They’re coming. The food’s expensive, so eat well. My treat.’

And yet, despite his insistence, the atmosphere became unbearable for Sa-hee, unsure whether the food was going down her throat or into her ears.

Based on these encounters, Sa-hee knew Ji-hyuk showed zero interest in the women he met. Hand-in-hand trips to private rooms? Absolutely nonexistent. So how had such rumors started?

‘Secretary Yoon seems unwell.’

‘I’m fine, Chauffeur Song. Let’s head back to the company. Director Ji-hyuk has an afternoon meeting to prepare for.’

‘…’

‘Director Ji-hyuk?’

‘Let’s rest upstairs for a bit before leaving.’

‘But we really don’t have time, and I’m truly alright…’

‘You always listen so well, but never speak up. Is that it? Bark, and I’ll walk my path?’

‘It’s not like that. We’re short on time, and I genuinely feel fine.’

‘Jin-ha, drag her along if you must.’

‘Yes, sorry, Secretary Yoon. I’m just following orders.’

‘Wait, let me leave this behind!’

Now that she thought about it, they had gone upstairs together that time. Could someone have seen them? But Song had been there too…

People tended to exaggerate what they wanted to believe. Perhaps Sa-hee herself had unintentionally fueled the rumors. Her face hardened at the thought.