SELA - 20

Click, click, click. No matter how much Ji-hyuk made his discomfort obvious, Na-yeon refused to back off. Eventually, he stood up from his seat.

“Stop bothering me and disappear until I return.”

It wasn’t a threat, but it might as well have been. Without bothering to grab his jacket, Ji-hyuk moved past Na-yeon. But in an instant, she swiftly reached out and grabbed his arm.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Let go.”

“Nope. Won’t let go.”

Ji-hyuk looked down at her, half exasperated, half annoyed. Meanwhile, Na-yeon clung even tighter, linking her arm through his. Sa-hee, now stuck like an unwanted sack of barley, quietly observed the two. To her, every point where their bodies touched seemed magnified.

“I’m not in the mood for games. Let go.”

“I’m not doing this for fun, you know? Your dad said we should all have lunch together later. He’s treating.”

“Are you joking? Why are you two deciding my lunch plans?”

“Why so serious? It’s just a father treating his son to a meal.”

Na-yeon’s words earned her a derisive snort from Ji-hyuk.

“Exactly. Why are you butting into a father-son bonding moment?”

“Because this was originally a meal your dad arranged for me . Get the context right, will you?”

As Na-yeon continued her endless chatter, refusing to budge, Ji-hyuk stared down at her with dry irritation. After a long, silent exhale, he picked up his jacket without letting go of her grip.

“I’m not clueless enough to intrude where I’m not wanted. You two enjoy your cozy lunch.”

“Hey! Are you really going to act like this?”

“Unlike some people, I know my place.”

With that, Ji-hyuk smirked. There was no room for argument—his decision to ignore her was clear. Watching him, Na-yeon felt her dwindling fighting spirit evaporate completely.

“I’ll be back in five minutes.”

Meaning she had five minutes to disappear. Seriously. As Na-yeon glared at him, he raised an eyebrow and turned away. She was tempted to smack his back out of sheer frustration.

Should she really leave like this? Sighing deeply, Na-yeon took a step back. Glancing around absentmindedly, her gaze landed on Sa-hee, who still stood waiting patiently nearby. Something clicked.

‘Sa-hee! Sa-hee!’

From behind Ji-hyuk, Na-yeon mouthed Sa-hee’s name, jumping slightly to get her attention. Sa-hee tilted her head in confusion, mouthing back, “Yes?” Thankfully, she seemed to understand.

“Help me. With Ji-hyuk.”

That was Na-yeon’s true intention. Realizing what she meant, Sa-hee glanced between the two, hesitating.

When Sa-hee remained silent as Ji-hyuk began walking away, Na-yeon exaggerated her pout. Sa-hee couldn’t keep pretending not to notice. Finally, she spoke up, her voice smooth and deliberate.

“Director Ji-hyuk.”

Just as he was about to exit the office, Ji-hyuk paused and turned his head toward Sa-hee.

“The lunch appointment Na-yeon mentioned—it seems fine for you to attend.”

With his hands stuffed in his pockets, Ji-hyuk fully turned to face her.

“Why the sudden change?”

Standing straight to meet his gaze, Sa-hee replied emotionlessly.

“It seemed you were reluctant because of a prior engagement.”

“Not entirely wrong. Prior commitments should be honored, shouldn’t they?”

“In fact, Vice President Choi from Gishin Construction contacted us to postpone due to personal matters. I was planning to report this to you shortly.”

After digesting the news, Ji-hyuk ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek before asking again.

“This isn’t the first time they’ve postponed, is it?”

“The second time since July of last year.”

“All that begging for a single meal, and now this.”

“…”

“Guess they don’t need me that badly if they can survive without it.”

Sa-hee kept her gaze lowered, calm and composed. Ji-hyuk continued nonchalantly.

“If they can’t make it, there’s nothing we can do. For now, hold off on connecting with Gishin.”

“Yes, understood.”

Pleased with Sa-hee’s crisp response, Ji-hyuk nodded approvingly.

Meanwhile, Na-yeon busied herself observing the unfolding situation, her large eyes darting back and forth. It seemed her intentions might still have a chance.

“So, we’re going together, right?”

Seizing the opportunity, Na-yeon asked brightly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Ji-hyuk turned from her to look at Sa-hee.

“Secretary Yoon should join us too.”

“What? No, I’ll eat separately.”

“You have to eat anyway.”

The thought of sitting at a table where the chairman, Ji-hyuk, and Na-yeon laughed and joked left Sa-hee feeling suffocated, as if her throat were tightening. The pressure weighed heavily on her chest. Smiling politely, she responded:

“I’ll eat with my colleagues. Thank you for considering me.”

“For someone so grateful, you sure know how to decline. Anyway, we have a meeting with Jeonggi Group in the afternoon. Let’s eat and head straight there. Stop arguing and follow me.”

“But I—”

Today, Ji-hyuk was unusually insistent. Normally, he would have accepted her refusal without question. Just as Sa-hee began to feel cornered—

“Hey, Ji-hyuk.”

Na-yeon interjected. Both Sa-hee and Ji-hyuk turned to look at her. Na-yeon beamed like the sun.

“Let’s have lunch just the two of us. I think Dad has something to discuss with you privately.”

Ji-hyuk raised an eyebrow, clearly questioning her statement. Ignoring his skepticism, Na-yeon gently patted Sa-hee’s arm.

“Sa-hee, I’m sorry. It’d be great if you could join us, but I hope you understand.”

After a brief pause, Sa-hee regained her composure and replied.

“Of course. I understand.”

“I knew you would. I’ll treat you to a nice meal another time. This occasion feels… different. My apologies.”

“Not necessary.”

She meant it. The more Na-yeon apologized, the heavier Sa-hee’s heart grew, sinking deeper into unease. While Sa-hee worked to steady her emotions, Na-yeon had already sidled up to Ji-hyuk.

“It’s a bit early, but let’s head upstairs. They’re probably waiting.”

After checking her watch, Na-yeon spoke to Ji-hyuk. Without responding, he alternated his gaze between her and Sa-hee before turning to leave. His face remained impassive, unreadable as ever.

Waving goodbye to Sa-hee, Na-yeon hurried after Ji-hyuk, catching up just as he opened the door. Together, they disappeared through it.

“…”

What was this feeling? Certainly not pleasant. Long after the door had closed, the image of their retreating figures replayed in Sa-hee’s mind like a lingering afterimage.

Sa-hee felt her energy drain away. Her carefully maintained posture as a secretary crumbled, and her hands, which had been neatly clasped, loosened limply.

“Sigh.”

Rubbing the back of her neck with one hand, Sa-hee exhaled deeply. Somehow, her day had started off on the wrong foot.

________________________________________

After lunch, the usually quiet director’s office buzzed with activity. Na-yeon, using work as an excuse, had glued herself to the space instead of returning home.

No matter how much Ji-hyuk glared at her with his sharp, feline-like eyes, Na-yeon paid him no mind, thoroughly enjoying herself. However, when his indifference persisted, her enthusiasm quickly waned. Without any reaction from him, she found it hard to stay entertained.

“You’re no fun, Shin Ji-hyuk. Ugh, this is boring.”

Stretching out horizontally on the sofa with her legs draped over the armrest, Na-yeon grumbled complaints under her breath. While pondering how to provoke a reaction from him, a voice chimed in through the intercom.

• Director, it’s almost time for the Strategic Planning Department meeting.

“Understood. Tie.”

• Yes.

Tie? Propping herself up on one elbow, Na-yeon watched as Sa-hee entered the room. Their eyes met briefly, exchanging nods.

As Sa-hee approached the desk, Ji-hyuk rose from his seat. His tall, lean frame was as striking as ever. The few buttons he’d undone out of frustration were quickly fastened again. Just as Na-yeon felt a strange sense of disappointment, Ji-hyuk and Sa-hee moved closer together. Na-yeon also stood and took her seat.

Naturally, Ji-hyuk positioned himself in front of Sa-hee. In her hands were two ties, which she held up against his chest, comparing them.

“I’ll go with this one.”

“Fine.”

With his approval, she made her choice. Setting the unused tie back on the desk, she waited as Ji-hyuk bowed his head slightly. Sa-hee then draped the tie around his neck, her movements precise and efficient as she tied it neatly.

“…”

Na-yeon felt a peculiar stirring within her. Something about the scene intrigued her. Ji-hyuk accepted Sa-hee’s touch far too casually. The Ji-hyuk she knew would never tolerate such physical contact from anyone else.

Standing close enough for their breaths to mingle, the two finally stepped apart after Sa-hee finished adjusting the tie.

“One minute until we leave.”

“Yes, understood.”

Gathering the spare tie from the desk, Sa-hee bowed slightly and exited the office. Watching silently from her seat, Na-yeon’s curiosity surged as she fixed her gaze intently on Ji-hyuk.