SELA - 53

“And over there is the visitor log. It’s good to look through it beforehand.”

“Yes. There’s more than I expected.”

“Right? But you’ll get through it faster than you think. Also, this is a list of the snacks the Director often eats. He doesn’t drink coffee much. At most, once or twice a year, but sometimes he looks for things to suit the taste of guests who visit, so it’s good to have them prepared. Stock up on products from companies A, D, and H.”

“Products from companies A, D, and H. Got it. I should write that down.”

“Wait a minute. I’ll write it down for you.”

Sa-hee, who had taken out a pen and notepad, wrote down the list of tea and coffee brands herself. Secretary Choi Da-young sat next to Sa-hee, watching the notes with wide eyes.

“Will I memorize and get used to this quickly too?”

“Of course. Even I did it, and I have a bad memory. You’ll get used to it quickly.”

“I’m still worried though.”

“Don’t worry too much. You’ll do well.”

“Thank you.”

Sa-hee smiled, handing over the completed notes. Secretary Choi Da-young received the notes, muttering the contents, and pulled her chair back to her desk. Sa-hee organized her desk and checked the schedule on her tablet.

Sa-hee was busy with the handover these days. This was because after ‘that day’s’ incident, Ji-hyuk immediately approved Sa-hee’s resignation, and her departure date was set.

Sa-hee’s successor was supposed to be either the former secretary of Department Head Shin Soo-hyuk or one of the secretaries of Vice President Choi Jin-young, but she heard that Ji-hyuk had rejected them. He dismissed all the appointed personnel and selected a new recruit. That person was Secretary Choi Da-young.

“Do you know? Other employees say that you and I look a lot alike.”

“Really? Now that you mention it, it does seem so.”

“I like it. You’re so beautiful, Secretary Yoon. It’s a compliment.”

“Aren’t you flattering me too much? You’re the beautiful one, Secretary Choi.”

“Oh, really. Thank you.”

Secretary Choi Da-young smiled shyly at the returned compliment. She seemed quite happy.

Sa-hee had heard the joke about where they had found such a similar successor several times. She just smiled and brushed it off as a passing remark, but she couldn’t help but stiffen her expression at the joke that they had deliberately chosen someone who looked like her because they were sad to part with the long-time secretary. A short “Surely not” wouldn’t come out of her lips.

“Would you like some tea?”

“Yes? Yes. What kind of tea would you like?”

“No, Secretary Choi, please continue to review the materials you were looking at. I’ll prepare it.”

“No, but I should...”

“It’s okay. Just tell me what kind of tea you’d like.”

“Oh, then I’ll have coffee.”

“Okay.”

Sa-hee answered and stood up. She was going to prepare the tea. She gently patted the shoulder of Secretary Choi Da-young, who was looking up at her, not knowing what to do, and turned around the desk.

“Oh my, Secretary Yoon.”

“Hello, ma’am.”

Two familiar faces appeared. It was Young-shin and Ji-young. The two, like a friendly mother and daughter, linked arms and turned to Sa-hee with smiles on their faces. Sa-hee and Secretary Choi Da-young bowed their heads and greeted them.

“Hello.”

“It’s been a while, Secretary Yoon.”

“Yes.”

“We came to see our Ji-hyuk.”

“Yes, he’s inside.”

“Who’s that next to you?”

“This is Choi Da-young, the newly hired secretary.”

“Oh, your successor?”

“Yes.”

Despite the polite but only business-like and stiff answer, Young-shin and Ji-young scanned Sa-hee up and down. Their faces showed a displeased expression.

“We’ll be inside, so please bring us some tea, Secretary Yoon.”

“Yes.”

Despite having a new recruit, Young-shin specifically ordered Sa-hee to do the task. Sa-hee answered “Okay” without delay. Young-shin and Ji-young smiled kindly and entered the Director’s office.

“I’ll do it.”

“No. They asked me directly, so I should do it. Secretary Choi, please continue with your work.”

“Yes.”

Sa-hee, smiling even brighter on purpose, went to the pantry and prepared the tea. While the water was boiling in the electric kettle with the tea bags in the cups, she was lost in thought.

The fact that they specifically ordered her to make tea meant they wanted to call her to the Director’s office, but why? His mother disliked even the idea of the Director and her being in the same space.

Could it be? Did they want to show her something? Something that would hurt her feelings? If so, what was it? If it was something that would hurt her feelings, it would be Ji-hyuk with someone else...

Clunk, the button on the bubbling electric kettle popped up, and the water was boiled. Coming to her senses, Sa-hee poured hot water into the teacups and waited. She watched the tea turn yellow and red for a moment.

“...”

What was there to fear when it was all over anyway? She had even managed to push away Ji-hyuk, whom she feared the most. In that situation, carrying tea to the Director’s office was nothing.

Was it acceptance, resignation, or just pretending? Either way, Sa-hee felt a slight sense of calm. It was because she realized there was nothing more she could do.

Sa-hee took out the tea bags and picked up the tray. Then she left the pantry and headed to the Director’s office. Soon, the solid and dark-colored door blocked her view. Feeling a sudden tightness in her throat, she took a breath and knocked. Knock, knock. Sa-hee swallowed her dry saliva and opened the door.

________________________________________

As soon as she entered the Director’s office, Ji-hyuk caught her eye. He was reviewing documents, but turned to look when he heard the door open, and then looked away again when he saw Sa-hee.

Sa-hee approached the sofa and placed the teacups in front of Young-shin and Ji-young.

“Secretary Yoon gets prettier every day.”

“Thank you.”

“Secretary Yoon should get married soon too, right?”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t you know that even Ji-hyuk, who was like an iron fortress, is getting engaged? In the end, everyone has their own partner. Secretary Yoon should find a partner and get married before it’s too late.”

Young-shin, fixing her eyes on Sa-hee, tilted her teacup and spoke.

“Yes, I should.”

Sa-hee awkwardly raised the corners of her lips and took a step back.

“But how old are you, ma’am?”

Ji-young suddenly asked Sa-hee her age. She had a pure and even naive expression, as if she didn’t know anything.

“I’m twenty-seven.”

“Perfect. You don’t have a big vision for the future, so you should get married while you’re young.”

“Moon Ji-young.”

Ji-hyuk immediately stopped Ji-young’s rude remark. Ji-young immediately lowered her eyebrows and hid behind Young-shin.

“Ji-hyuk.”

This time, Young-shin called Ji-hyuk’s name. It was a kind voice with an unspoken pressure to stop.

Young-shin and Ji-hyuk’s eyes met in midair. Like a silent gunshot, their silent tug-of-war began. Noticing this, Sa-hee stepped forward to ease the uncomfortable atmosphere.

“I’ll be leaving now.”

Then Young-shin turned her head and smiled at Sa-hee.

“Okay, go ahead and leave.”

Fortunately, the tension between the mother and son seemed to have subsided for the moment. After bowing, Sa-hee turned and walked away. Thanks to her quick pace to escape the tense atmosphere, she quickly reached the door. However.

“Wait a minute, ma’am.”

Clunk, it was the moment she opened the door. Ji-young’s voice grabbed the back of Sa-hee’s neck.

“Yes?”

“Mother, why don’t we ask Secretary Yoon which engagement dress is better? It would be good to get more opinions.”

“Oh, should we? Secretary Yoon, would you like to sit for a moment?”

Clunk, the sound of a pen being placed on the desk was loud. Ji-hyuk closed the documents and looked at Young-shin and Ji-young. Ji-young glanced at Ji-hyuk and looked at Young-shin. Young-shin ignored Ji-hyuk and gestured for Sa-hee to come and sit.

“Leave now, Secretary Yoon.”

“Shin Ji-hyuk. My mother has something to ask Secretary Yoon.”

“Don’t bother people with unnecessary things.”

“Is that how you’re going to talk to me? Unnecessary things?”

Ji-young, who suddenly looked tearful, crumpled her skirt and pursed her lips. Young-shin and Ji-hyuk stared at each other again, engaging in a silent battle. The atmosphere was getting increasingly tense.

Sa-hee sighed quietly, thinking she had gotten involved in a troublesome situation. Then she switched the tray to her other hand and approached the sofa.

“I’ll sit for a moment.”

“Okay, sit down.”

“Please sit, ma’am.”

Ji-young, whose expression brightened, giggled and took out a dress catalog from the shopping bag on the floor. The large catalog looked even more beautiful and majestic when placed on the table. Ji-young looked up at Sa-hee with a proud expression. Sa-hee took a seat opposite her.

“This is pretty... this was also not bad when I tried it on.”

“Ji-young, you have long arms and legs, so this design would look good on you.”

“Thank you, mother.”

“They say short ones are worn these days too.”

“I’m thinking of wearing it when I take my wedding photos later. But for the ceremony, I think a long one would be better.”

“Okay, do as you like. What do you think, Secretary Yoon?”

“Yes, ma’am. Which one do you think is the best?”