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While Ji-hyuk was in the hospital, Sa-hee stayed at Ji-hyuk’s house. She ate, slept, and showered there. She handled everything in that space. It was shameless, but she wanted to feel and imprint his scent and traces for just a little longer.
And while he was hospitalized, she didn’t visit or contact him. It wasn’t that her heart didn’t move, but she endured and endured, tearing at her skin until her fingernail marks painfully dug into her body.
On the day Ji-hyuk was discharged, Sa-hee finally packed her bags and returned home.
“So, it ends up like this. Is it really because of your mother and the princess?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Joo-ri, who had approached Sa-hee as she was brushing her hair while preparing for work, asked. The two, whose eyes met in the mirror, exchanged bitter expressions. They understood the pain of forced separation without having to say anything to each other.
“Welcome, Director.”
Sa-hee, who stood up to greet Ji-hyuk as a formality, met his eyes and then sat back down, looking at the monitor. Ji-hyuk didn’t go straight into his office but stopped and looked at Sa-hee.
“...”
“...”
She would be a fool if she didn’t feel his gaze. It was a look that scanned every inch of her, even her fine hairs. But she pretended not to notice and focused solely on her work.
Shortly after, Ji-hyuk went into his office.
“I’ve compiled a list of companies related to the interior renovation of your residence.”
Ji-hyuk looked up sharply at Sa-hee’s briefing. His expression, except for his eyes, was as emotionless as if he were wearing a mask.
“I don’t recall mentioning any renovation.”
“Your mother gave the instructions.”
“Why did my mother...”
“She looked around the house and noticed some areas that needed work, it seems.”
“I’m asking why my mother. How did she get into my house?”
“I told her.”
“Secretary Yoon.”
“I simply provided the information as a secretary when your mother asked.”
Ji-hyuk’s dark eyes became even sharper. Sa-hee tried her best to act as if she didn’t notice, behaving nonchalantly.
“Whose secretary are you? My mother’s? I clearly instructed you not to tell anyone about my house, as I don’t like people going in and out.”
“I’m just an employee, Director. I’m in a position where I have to follow orders from superiors. While I respect your words, your mother’s words were also important orders I had to follow. Please understand.”
“Yoon Sa-hee.”
“...”
“Are you refusing to answer?”
“Please call me Secretary Yoon at work.”
Ji-hyuk laughed as if he was dumbfounded. The rhythmic sound of his fingers tapping on the table spread. Judging by his slightly raised eyebrow and thoughtful expression, Ji-hyuk was very agitated inside. But it was the same for Sa-hee. She was also feeling hot inside due to his oppressive gaze.
“You’re going to erase our shared space completely.”
“That wasn’t my intention.”
“Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
At the sudden personal question, Sa-hee was momentarily speechless. Feeling pressured by the burning throat and dry lips, Sa-hee composed herself and continued.
“There’s no reason to answer personal calls.”
“Are you trying to drive me crazy?”
Instead of answering, Sa-hee took out an envelope she had brought from her files. She silently handed it to him, and Ji-hyuk’s eyebrows immediately narrowed.
“What’s this?”
“My resignation letter. Please approve it.”
“Yoon Sa-hee.”
“May I say one thing honestly?”
“Go ahead.”
“I don’t understand why you’re so upset, Director. A staff member like me can easily be replaced, and our relationship... wasn’t it always a temporary one with a set end? Just think of it as time passing a little faster. So...”
“Shut up.”
Sa-hee took a step back as Ji-hyuk suddenly stood up. He grabbed the envelope in front of him and threw it into the trash can without hesitation. Ji-hyuk stared at Sa-hee with eyes as sharp as a well-honed sword.
“You’d better give up first, because that’s never going to happen.”
“Director.”
“How are you going to bear all this punishment, huh?”
He smiled wryly and walked briskly out the door. Left alone, Sa-hee finally relaxed and gasped for breath. Her heart was pounding as if it would burst. Her hands were trembling slightly.
Looking down, she saw the corner of the envelope sticking out from the trash can. Sa-hee grabbed the end and pulled the envelope back out.
The resignation letter. Another step and name to cut off Ji-hyuk and her. After staring at the envelope for a moment, Sa-hee straightened the resignation letter and placed it back on his desk. The white envelope on the dark desk was out of place. Eye-catching.
Sa-hee, holding the documents properly, left the office without hesitation. There was no reason or room to linger.
“Get a grip, Yoon Sa-hee...”
Sitting at her desk and checking the monitor, Sa-hee shook her head and braced herself. She didn’t need any other emotions. Just one thing: she shouldn’t have any more lingering feelings anywhere.
________________________________________
“I’m home. Ah, what’s wrong?”
As soon as Sa-hee opened the front door after work, Joo-ri grabbed her arm.
“Hey, the enemy is here.”
The enemy? That meant her older brother, Cheol-woo. What was that man, who was always out and about, doing here? At the bad feeling, Sa-hee’s stomach churned. It felt like she had indigestion.
Sa-hee put her bag down on the dining table chair and opened the door. As Joo-ri said, Cheol-woo was watching TV while eating ramen. He didn’t even greet Sa-hee, let alone pay attention to her.
“What brings you here?”
Only then did Cheol-woo turn around at Sa-hee’s cold voice.
“Is that all you have to say to your brother after a long time?”
“I’m tired. Say what you have to say and leave.”
“I’m going to eat this and leave anyway, you brat.”
Cheol-woo, holding the pot, slurped the broth. Then he burped and pushed the table aside, picking up his jacket. He really seemed to be leaving quietly. Sa-hee, who was wary of what he was up to, watched Cheol-woo pass by her with suspicious eyes.
But as expected. As soon as he crossed the threshold, Cheol-woo turned back. He smiled slyly and threw something on the floor.
“Thanks for the good use. Thank you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You filmed a drama, didn’t you?”
When Sa-hee frowned, Cheol-woo chuckled and waved his hand.
“What do you mean?”
“Never mind, I’m leaving.”
Cheol-woo pushed Sa-hee away and left, making her attempt to grab him futile. Joo-ri, who was in the living room, came into the room belatedly.
“Why is the enemy like that? He seems to be in a good mood?”
“I don’t know. He’s not saying anything.”
“This doesn’t feel right.”
Sa-hee felt uneasy too. After running her hand through her hair, she bit her lower lip and noticed ‘something’ that had fallen on the floor. It was what Cheol-woo had thrown earlier.
“What’s that?”
Sa-hee bent down and picked it up before Joo-ri could. The ‘something’ was a crumpled piece of paper folded several times.
“What is this?”
“...”
“Open it.”
Her heart pounded with an ominous feeling. The moment she unfolded the folded paper, feeling a vague fear.
“A contract?”
Sa-hee’s breath hitched. Why was this in that man’s hands?
“Has your brother been here other than today?”
“The day before yesterday, during the day? He came in briefly and left right away?”
He must have searched the room then. What did he do with this?
He could do something with this...
“You filmed a drama, didn’t you?”
“Thanks for the good use. Thank you.”
Did that mean he had done something related to Ji-hyuk? The anxiety that was squeezing her heart flowed through her body.
“Did the enemy cause trouble again? Is that it?”
“No, it’s not. It can’t be.”
Seeing Sa-hee’s uneasy expression, Joo-ri stroked her shoulder. Then she hugged her tightly.
“Yeah, it’s not. Let’s not worry unnecessarily beforehand, okay?”
Sa-hee, hugged by Joo-ri, nodded. Joo-ri also buried her face in Sa-hee’s shoulder and mumbled. It’s okay, everything will be okay. But the anxiety that flowed through both of their hearts was unavoidable.
________________________________________
The next day, Sa-hee felt a little gloomy at work. It was because the employees who were chatting in groups scattered when she appeared. It had happened three times, too often to be a coincidence. There must be a reason for their reaction.
“Excuse me, Sa-hee.”
At that moment, Hae-young, an employee from the auxiliary office, approached.
“Oh, Hae-young.”
“Do you have a moment?”
“A moment? Will five minutes do?”
“Yeah, that’s enough.”
The two, who were the same age, spoke casually and were close. When Hae-young asked for her time, Sa-hee followed her without suspicion. Hae-young took Sa-hee to the pantry. Fortunately, there was no one else in the pantry.
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
“Sa-hee, don’t misunderstand or take my words personally. I’m just telling you what I heard.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“It seems like you’re the only one who doesn’t know.”
“What is it?”
Sa-hee smiled kindly and took out two teacups. It was to make coffee for Hae-young and herself. When she put the capsules in the machine and pressed the button, a whirring sound came from the machine.
“Yesterday, two employees from the auxiliary office heard something while working late.”
“What?”
“A man came and suddenly looked for the Director.”
“Looking for the Director?”
“Yeah. He caused a commotion, demanding to see him. So when they asked him to identify himself, he said he was your family member, Secretary Yoon...”
Yoon Cheol-woo. His face flashed through Sa-hee’s mind immediately.
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