Chapter 4

The Unknown

Tap. Tap. Jae-hee stapled the documents together with a serious expression. Eight copies in total. It was a proposal for a spring event to be distributed at the regular Thursday marketing meeting.

After counting the number of documents one more time, she stretched her arms. She yawned lazily and thought about the upcoming meeting. Manager Kim would probably find something to pick on. And Manager Kim was busy with the TF team these days. The person who had gathered the TF team was Executive Director Cha Kang-joo.

She let out a small laugh.

“It’s ridiculous.”

It was absurd how her thoughts always led back to Kang-joo, no matter what she thought about.

She had been puzzled all day.

Why?

Why?

Why did he behave that way?

She couldn’t simply dismiss it as mere affection or liking. Cha Kang-joo was a man she couldn’t understand, whether it was in the past or now. His ambiguous inner thoughts felt mysteriously secretive.

Their kisses were always so impulsive.

Their first kiss, when they were young, had been like that too. After that kiss, she thought he liked her, but he cruelly rejected her and left for overseas. And when he returned, he had built a solid wall around himself.

Even after their second kiss at the hotel, he hadn’t said anything in particular. And the same was true for their third kiss yesterday.

‘…But why did he say it was the second kiss yesterday?’

A sudden, unnecessary question came to mind. Hadn’t he said that during the second kiss, he was lucky that his stockings didn’t rip?

It was only the third time. It wasn’t that many. Perhaps she meant nothing to him, as she couldn’t even properly remember those three kisses.

It was obvious he would have many women around him. So, she could probably just let this kiss go. But she’s not like that, she’s different from him. What feels casual to him feels so heavy to her.

Jae-hee felt a surge of annoyance.

Knowing everything about her, knowing everything. He seems to approach her, then suddenly distances himself. And when she tries to approach her first, he coldly cuts her off. He’s always making people anxious and desperate, that despicable man.

‘Why bother thinking about it.’

Jae-hee shook her head and pushed him out of her mind. Nothing would change just because she was agonizing alone.

She got up. She had some time before the meeting, so she thought she would have a cup of coffee. As she was leaving with her cardigan, Manager Kim called out to her from behind.

“Yoon Jooim.”

“Yes.”

Jae-hee turned around. Why was he calling her “Yoon Jooim” when he always called her “Hey” or “Yah”? Manager Kim was standing at Jae-hee’s desk, looking at the prepared meeting materials.

“Are you going to present this at the meeting later?”

“Yes.”

Flick, flick. Manager Kim flipped through Jae-hee’s documents, frowning as if something didn’t suit him.

‘What else is he trying to pick on?’

She remembered when she had told him the initial outline before, and he had attacked her, saying it was old-fashioned. So, she was planning to present it at the meeting first and compare it with other proposals.

“Take this off the agenda for this meeting.”

“Then what should I take to the meeting?”

“I’ll say that I’ve cut yours. There are also things from Deputy Manager Im and Associate Yoo. Or we can just rack our brains and create something new.”

Jae-hee hesitated for a moment. There was no way this plan would be approved if Manager Kim was opposed to it like this. He would definitely team up with Team Leader Jeong and stomp on it. So, she decided to give up cleanly.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll withdraw. I don’t have any more ideas now.”

“Okay.”

It wasn’t like failing a proposal was uncommon anyway. It was better to fail early on than to have it scrapped after it had progressed.

Manager Kim took the documents and turned around, saying he would dispose of them when he went to the shredder. ‘I was going to use the back of these for notes,’ Jae-hee mumbled, but he had already disappeared like the wind.

A moment later, Manager Kim and Team Leader Jeong were discussing Jae-hee’s event plan.

“I told Jae-hee to discard this first. Since Executive Director Cha said we should focus on improving the brand image in the long term, I think we can start by suggesting this, Team Leader.”

“Yes, let’s start with bottled water and gradually build up the brand image step by step. Let’s push for that.”

“Yes, yes.”

Team Leader Jeong patted Manager Kim on the shoulder with a grin. He seemed to be so pleased with Manager Kim for finding the materials for the TF team meeting. Whether he had taken it from Jae-hee or picked it up from the ground, it didn’t matter.

Team Leader Jeong stood at the center with a confident expression. He held up a sample of a water bottle and showed it around.

“Since the last meeting, I’ve been thinking hard about a topic that could go viral, and I think we should start with bottled water and gradually build up our brand image,” he said.

In the sixth-floor conference room, the second meeting of the TF team that had been convened earlier was underway.

The conclusion of the previous meeting had been simple. They were to create a promotion centered around BTL marketing using SNS and pamphlets, and bring one idea each to the next meeting. They were to consider materials that could be linked to healthcare products.

Team Leader Jeong handed out one water bottle to each person. It was a sample water bottle with a pastel-colored event cover.

“It’s spring, and people are exercising a lot, so we’re going to provide free water to selected gyms. We’ll encourage famous SNS stars to use specific hashtags. It’ll create a healthy image.”

Team Leader Jeong held the water bottle next to his face and continued.

“These days, it’s all about being pretty and hip. Look at this. The design, the color. Isn’t it pretty? It’ll take good photos, right? We’ll also put a catchy phrase on it. Something like, ‘Spring, blooming’. And we’ll recruit a few SNS stars.”

Team Leader Jeong lowered the water bottle with his hairy hands and smiled.

Looking around, everyone seemed to be in a good mood. It seemed like this idea would work. His heart pounded just thinking about being able to contribute a major opinion to a project that Executive Director Cha Kang-joo was leading. It was time to cook up a more detailed explanation.

At that moment, Kang-joo, who had been facing Team Leader Jeong’s smile, opened his mouth.

Resting his chin on his hand, he asked Team Leader Jeong nonchalantly,

“But Team Leader Jeong, is that your idea?”

Team Leader Jeong’s face hardened instantly.

Was he asking because he knew something, or was he just joking? But there was no way Executive Director Cha Kang-joo could know whose idea this was.

Besides, he had simply borrowed an unreleased idea from an employee named Yoon Jae-hee. It was only natural for members of the same team to share their work. There was no need to feel guilty either. After all, marketing team ideas weren’t solely owned by one individual. Team Leader Jeong justified himself in this way.

Team Leader Jeong chuckled and patted his cheeks.

“People think I look so unfashionable that all my ideas must be old-fashioned too, but I’m Team Leader Jeong of the marketing team! My ideas are always fresh and vibrant!”

Kang-joo chuckled as well. The corners of his mouth were turned up in a smile, but the look in his eyes as he stared at Team Leader Jeong was rather cold.

“Yes, you really don’t look like you’re fooling around.”

Although it could have been considered a rude remark, everyone simply laughed it off. Even Team Leader Jeong himself.

Team Leader Jeong’s presentation continued.

“Because our Sunkang products have such a long history, even though we’re the industry leader, our image is stagnant, isn’t it? So, this time, let’s try something a bit more pop... you know, that kitschy image that Director Cha mentioned! Let’s bring that up.”

“But isn’t that too obvious?”

“It’s better than offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Hydrate yourself with vitality in the blooming spring! Let’s design a visually appealing product that matches the spring flowers, and advertise it in conjunction with the new healthcare hydration supplements that are coming out. In the summer, we can go with the same color for carbonated drinks. And alcoholic beverages too.”

Manager Kim, who was assisting Team Leader Jeong, chimed in from the side.

“If we put a cute cover on it as an event and add a funny phrase, people will naturally post hashtags and it will go viral.”

Team Leader Jeong confidently took over the conversation.

“Our Sunkang products are known for their quality, aren’t they? But they’re also expensive. Anyway, we’ll use that to our advantage and clearly show that it’s an expensive, beautiful, and healthy product that’s guaranteed. Our strawberry drink has a lot of strawberries in it, doesn’t it? Let’s put a beautiful pastel-colored picture of strawberries on it, and make it as pretty as possible.”

With a face that was anything but pretty, Team Leader Jeong kept mumbling about how pretty it would be. And he finished by checking Kang-joo’s expression.

“So, Manager Kim and I have come up with this.”

Kang-joo had been staring at Team Leader Jeong with a strange look since a while ago. When Team Leader Jeong stopped talking, he lowered his eyes and seemed lost in thought. Team Leader Jeong’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he waited for Kang-joo’s response. After a pause, Kang-joo looked up again.

“Since our design is also a strength, it would be good if Team Leader Jeong’s suggestion were a one-time thing. I think it’s positive to focus on creating a healthy image through virality among gym-goers and exercisers.”

“Thank you.”

“As Team Leader Jeong said, in a world where everyone is exaggerating, our Sunkang products are too modest compared to their quality.”

Everyone laughed a little at that. Team Leader Jeong did too. Pushing through the laughing team members, Kang-joo quietly stared at Team Leader Jeong. Coldly and sharply.

“Executive Director, did you call for me?”

Jae-hee bowed deeply as she entered Kang-joo’s office. She had been in the middle of her afternoon work when she was called and had come up immediately. It was a place she thought she would never come to again, except when she had come up after being scolded by Team Leader Jeong.

Kang-joo, who had been looking at some documents, looked up.

“Jae-hee, remember the event planning document I saw in my car? I told you I had something to tell you about it.”

“Yes, Executive Director.”

Jae-hee nodded.

Kang-joo threw the document he was holding onto the desk and leaned back in his chair.

“Is the marketing team handling that?”

“No, it was an initial plan, but it was scrapped.”

“Why?”

“Because it was too obvious.”

It was a common occurrence for initial plans to be scrapped, so she answered easily.

“Was it an idea that came up during a marketing team meeting?”

“No, it was discarded during the planning stage.”

“Because of a superior’s opposition?”

“Yes.”

“Was it Manager Kim or Team Leader Jeong?”

“Ah... yes.”

How did he know? She was startled for a moment but quickly calmed down. Besides her superiors, there were only a few other people in the department. He probably guessed based on the fact that she had a bad relationship with them.

Kang-joo let out a chuckle.

“Don’t be too disappointed, because it would have been a waste of effort anyway. That’s why I called you...”

He trailed off, and a strange expression crossed his face. Then he gestured towards the door.

“I’m done with what I had to say, so you can go now.”

“Yes, Executive Director. Thank you for your concern.”

Jae-hee bowed her head and left the room. As soon as she was out, she leaned against the door and put her hand on her heart, which was pounding.

She wondered if she answered correctly. Did she react well? As soon as he mentioned the ‘event planning document I saw in my car,’ her heart had pounded, making it difficult to stay calm. It was because she was reminded of the kiss they had shared in the car that day.

The hot tongue that had entangled with hers, and the lips that had softly brushed against her ear were still so vivid. Who would imagine that the man sitting so neatly in his office could sometimes hold such intense excitement in his eyes?

While the person she had kissed was calmly talking about work, she was the one who was getting all worked up.

Jae-hee took a few deep breaths and looked up again. Looking back on her conversation with him, she felt like he had called her to give her some advice. Judging by his comment that it would have been a waste of effort, it seemed like a similar event had been planned somewhere.

‘He seems so indifferent, but he’s also quite kind…’

Jae-hee tilted her head, puzzled, before leaving in front of Kang-joo’s office.

Left alone, Kang-joo rested his chin on his hand and tapped the desk lightly with his fingertips. After a moment of organizing his thoughts, he sat up straight and pressed the internal phone button.

-Yes, Executive Director.

“Please move up the date of the TF team meeting scheduled for next week. As soon as possible.”

-Yes, I understand.

The promotion that Team Leader Jeong was leading was about to proceed. And it would be under Team Leader Jeong’s leadership.

As always, the weekend arrived. Jae-hee opened the door to Kang-joo’s house and naturally slipped into the kitchen.

“Good morning, sir.”

“You’re here?”

She greeted him from a dark spot. Kang-joo was standing by the window, watering a plant with a watering can, one hand in his pocket.

The water droplets sparkled in the sunlight. His bangs fell askew over his lowered forehead, and his fine hair also shimmered in the sunlight.

Jae-hee stared at Kang-joo as if hypnotized and moved the food containers mechanically. The sound of water droplets splashing on the leaves was refreshing. Even the plain white short-sleeved shirt he was wearing looked stylish. And the firm muscles of his arm that were revealed beneath the cotton tee.

Even though he was just wearing a plain white tee and cotton sweatpants, with his hair slightly disheveled, he looked as if he had stepped out of a magazine.

She gulped involuntarily. As if he had heard the sound, Kang-joo turned his head. Jae-hee, who had been stealing glances at him, was startled and quickly lowered her head. His indifferent voice pierced her lowered head.

“Are you thinking of joining the TF team?”

“Are you talking about the team that Team Leader Jeong and Manager Kim are on?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why all of a sudden?”

A single droplet of water fell from the tip of the watering can. He casually shook off the watering can and replied with a playful smile.

“Because I might be busy soon.”

Jae-hee pretended to think, furrowing her brow.

“I’m just a regular employee, so of course I have to participate if you tell me to. But honestly, I’m not really eager. I’ll be honest with you since you already know. My superiors don’t exactly have the best intentions towards me.”

“Yes, I know.”

“I don’t want to make things worse. I want to stay at this company for as long as possible.”

“Our company has good benefits. And the executive is handsome. I understand why you’d want to stay for a long time.”

Kang-joo made a joke, seemingly serious with his expressionless face, and then left the room with the watering can.

After a while, he returned and sat on the sofa, quietly watching Jae-hee.

Jae-hee felt his gaze but pretended to ignore it.

Hmm, this is a bit uncomfortable.

His gaze, which followed my every move and gesture, made me increasingly nervous. It was difficult for me to face him so casually after such an intense physical encounter.

How many women had he been with to be so nonchalant about it? I even felt a slight resentment towards him, a resentment that I knew I shouldn’t have and had no reason to feel.

After tidying up the food containers, Jae-hee turned around. Mustering up her courage, she spoke to him, who was still watching her.

“But, sir, why did you do that to me that day?”

It was a deep question she had always kept to herself.

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t figure it out. It would be better to ask him directly rather than fretting over it alone. Kang-joo replied with a somewhat brazen expression.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Well... that... you and I...”

Jae-hee pondered how to break the ice. She rubbed the marble countertop, searching for the right words. ‘Should I ask, “Sir, you kissed me first”?’, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

Kang-joo chuckled.

“Are you talking about when I asked you to kiss me in the car?”

“... .”

“Or was it when we kissed at the hotel?”

“Ah...”

“Or maybe it was when I buried my head between your legs like a dog?”

With an endlessly indifferent expression and a monotone voice, he dropped bombshell after bombshell. Jae-hee’s face turned bright red, and she could only move her lips. She had never expected him to be so direct.

“Well, I wonder why I did that. Maybe I like seeing you cry? Or maybe I’m a pervert who’s dying to take your clothes off right now?”

It was too confusing for her to process such a blunt question. She felt awkward every time she encountered this unfamiliar side of him.

In a voice as gentle as if he were talking to a child, he asked,

“Why do you think I do this, Jae-hee?”

“I don’t know, that’s why I asked.”

“You don’t want to know?”

“No, I don’t. I mean, what does that even mean?”

She wanted to answer as calmly as he did, but her voice trembled involuntarily. It felt like all the embarrassment between them was solely hers.

She felt inexplicably wronged and upset. She hated herself for being so anxious and eager.

He got up from his seat and approached Jae-hee. He slowly lowered his head towards her. Jae-hee couldn’t bring herself to look at him directly. She only stared at his firm chest in front of her.

Kang-joo stared intently at her, avoiding his gaze.

With a voice as gentle and patient as if he were teaching a slow learner, he said into her ear,

“Just think of me as a crazy man who goes wild over your face and body sometimes. It’s okay.”