chapter 43

After confirming that Shin Tae-oh's complexion had improved, there was no need to linger any longer. Se-hyeon tidied up the surroundings and stood by the entrance after Tae-oh had finished the coffee he prepared.

"I kept my promise."

Se-hyeon made sure they used dishes and even had a meal at the restaurant, so he felt that he had fulfilled his responsibility regarding their conversation from yesterday and today.

"See you tomorrow."

He offered a polite farewell, as always, not being excessively formal but maintaining a sense of neatness. He was a secretary who couldn't be easily pinned down.

"Today, it feels kind of off."

However, it seemed that Shin Tae-oh completely ignored his farewell.

"The good time we had ends with a curt farewell."

"Don't assign personal emotions like 'a good time' just because I'm your boss. It makes me worry."

As someone whose job was to speak as things came to mind and understand the implied meaning behind them, Se-hyeon felt an unnecessary sense of defiance rising within him.

"It would be nice if it could be perfect until the end, boss."

"Is it all just an act until the end, then?"

Due to Shin Tae-oh's dissatisfaction, Se-hyeon couldn't take a single step closer to the entrance.

Ignoring it and trying to leave, he caught Shin Tae-oh's gaze, and a wave of frustration surged within him.

This Taenyang... Still..

"Take care, Tae-oh."

He didn't forget Shin Tae-oh's request and bid farewell as he wished. As he did, he noticed that Shin Tae-oh's expression noticeably softened. Seeing that, he knew another scheme was brewing.

"Brush your teeth and go to bed. Otherwise, it rots."

"Don't act like my mom."

Shin Tae-oh sighed and gently touched his forehead. Se-hyeon swiftly opened the entrance door before he could say anything.

"Goodbye."

And without waiting for Shin Tae-oh to respond, he closed the door. Worried that Shin Tae-oh might follow him, he quickly walked away, trying to put some distance between them and his house.

I ran to the bus stop and quickly sat down on a chair. As I cooled down my hot breath with the cold wind, a sense of self-doubt washed over me, making me wonder what I was doing.

"I came here for no reason. Just for no reason."

Did I come to detach myself, or did I come to get closer?

Perhaps I should be more supportive of Shin Tae-oh.

"Who else can I blame? I should blame myself."

Leaning my head against the wall, I let out a long sigh. Meeting Shin Tae-oh had made me feel a bit relieved, but it made me more conscious of other people.

"Why is Ha Jin-seong like that?"

It was something that shouldn't have concerned me. Ha Min-hyuk was supposed to take charge of the project, and he had to follow Yoo Jin-ha to hinder his progress.

But something was off. It was already the second time he had come to my house.

I tilted my head as if sliding down the wall.

"I knew he was a diligent bastard, but something feels off."

I knew he was someone who took the lead and acted beyond what others asked of him. So whether he sparkled in the east or sparkled in the west, there shouldn't be anything strange about it, but there was indescribable uneasiness.

I thought maybe I should let it go and find out when the time comes, but it bothered me Ha jin-seong strange behaviour.

"What did I miss?"

I need to know what I missed in order to stretch out my legs and sleep well...

"Oh."

Now it came to me.

"Is he... wanted to just mess with shin tae-oh?"

***

"What's the matter with you?"

Yoo Jin-hyeon looked at Ha Jin-seong with a puzzled expression.

"You're being noisy."

"This is my studio. Why are you complaining about noise?"

Ha Jin-seong ignored Yoo Jin-hyeon's cold response and sat down on a chair, pointing to the bottle of liquor.

"With this."

"...Did you come to a bar or something?"

It was indeed a studio. Yoo Jin-hyeon had simply arranged some drinks on one side for himself, but Ha Jinseong shamelessly acted as if he was giving orders.

"No need for snacks."

"No, I mean, what is this place... Never mind."

Whether it was Shin Tae-oh or Ha Jin-seong, they were both the same. They would come as they pleased, drink without asking, or just sit there flicking their fingers. They were both a bunch of troublemakers.

With the thought of quickly feeding him and sending him away, Yoo Jin-hyeon placed a bottle of liquor and a glass in front of Ha Jin-seong.

"Finish your drink and leave."

Yoo Jin-hyeon, revealing his impatience, pulled out a beer. After opening it at the entrance and taking a refreshing sip, instead of a satisfied reaction, he spat out an irritated curse.

"Don't you have hands or feet?"

He poked at Ha Jin-seong, who just stared at the bottle of liquor without taking a sip.

"You have the energy to wander around and fidget, but you can't even pour yourself a drink?"

"Ahn Se-hyeon."

When Yoo Jin-hyeon roughly poured the liquor, venting all sorts of annoyance, Ha Jin-seong mentioned a name.

"Who?"

"Shin Tae-oh's secretary."

"Why that person?"

When Ha Jin-seong speaks An Se-hyeon. It wasn't about Shin Tae-oh, but because Ha Jin-seong mentioned An Se-hyeon, Yoo Jin-hyeon was curious and asked in return.

"How is he?"

"Why are you suddenly asking about that person?"

Yoo Jin-hyeon looked at Ha Jin-seong as if he couldn't understand, but he didn't say anything about Se-hyeon.

"He seemed perceptive."

"All secretaries are like that."

"Calm."

"All secretaries are like that."

"Quiet."

"All secretaries are like that."

Continuously brushing off Ha Jin-seong's words, Yoo Jin-hyeon unknowingly distanced himself, feeling a growing sense of unease.

"If there's someone like that, I can work harder, right?"

"Even if there isn't someone like that, you should still work hard, right? Don't worry about Ha Min-hyuk. You could become the chairman, you know."

"That's not what I mean..."

Yoo Jin-hyeon felt frustrated as to why his words weren't being heard. Not that he expected any response from Ha Jin-seong.

"Why is he working with Shin Tae-oh?"

Ha Jin-seong, who had already finished his thoughts, didn't pay any attention to Yoo Jinhyeon's words anymore.

"So what if he works with Shin Tae-oh? What's the big deal?"

"When Shin Tae-oh and An Se-hyeon come here, call me."

"Why do I have to do that?"

Yoo Jin-hyeon shook his head, indicating that he had no intention of doing that, but Ha Jinseong stood up from his seat.

"Since I'm going to meet Ahn Se-hyeon, do it immediately. Ah!"

As if he had forgotten something, Ha Jin-seong turned back around.

"Don't get soaked Ahn Se-hyeon in your pheromones. It stinks."

Ha Jin-seong, who had said those words, left without even touching his glass. Yoo Jin-hyeon, who was left alone, looked at the door through which Ha Jin-seong had exited.

"These guys treat my pheromones like a foul odour."

Both Shin Tae-oh and Ha Jin-seong, he disliked them both for pheromones.

***

Se-hyeon looked around the unfamiliar surroundings. On a weekday, and even a little earlier than lunchtime, he had come to the company where Ha Jin-seong worked.

"Just let me check once."

It was something he had realized yesterday. So, he came to see if Ha Jin-seong was pursuing his intentions of approaching Yoo Jin-hyeon as he pleased and, in the process, gaining someone like him wouldn't be useful for him.

The method of confirmation was simple.

"I'm here to meet Director Ha Jin-seong."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Please tell him it's Ahn Se-hyeon."

Se-hyeon had thought of asking Ha Jin-seong.

'Since I can't go to Yoo Jin-hyeon so I need to meet directly.'

On the other hand, the question of whether he was going to meet Yoo Jin-hyeon seemed a bit strange, but it seemed like an easier way to initiate a conversation. Since there is chance if he go there words will reach Shin Tae-oh's ear also.

In response to Se-hyeon's question, the front desk staff picked up the phone. The staff member, who had exchanged a few words with the other person, soon handed over an access card.

"If you go this way, there's an elevator. You can take it to the 16th floor."

"Thank you."

With a professional smile, Se-hyeon received the access card. He had thought of various ideas in his mind about what kind of conversation he would have with Ha Jin-seong, as he would be waiting for him.

At the moment when Se-hyeon was thinking about how to shake him to obtain information, Shin Tae-oh came to mind.

He might still be in a meeting and wouldn't come to see him, but it would soon be lunchtime, so who knows. Se-hyeon took out his phone and sent a message to Shin Tae-oh.

"Enjoy your meal."

He expressed that he wouldn't be joining him for lunch. Just as he was about to put his phone away with a satisfied smile, a phone call came in, causing the phone to vibrate.

"Yes, Team Leader."

Se-hyeon thought it was Shin Tae-oh.

- Where are you?

"I stepped outside. Since I'm nearby, I'll take care of what I need to do and come back in."

- Nearby? Ah, well... That works out. I was actually planning to go that way too... Let's have lunch together.

Se-hyeon half-turned his body as he listened to Lee Jin-ho's words. Although they were nearby, he didn't know when his conversation with Ha Jin-seong would end. So instead of asking him to wait, it would be better to suggest having lunch tomorrow.

"I think I might be tight on time today."

- Really? Then... Oh, right. Let's at least have coffee together. I'll order in advance, tell me what you want.

"Sure? Then I'll have an iced Americano."

- How long will it take for you to get here?

"Well... This is the Gangnam Station intersection, so it's not too far."

[TL note:- station name, hope no confusion (^⁠_⁠^)]

Se-hyeon ended the call with the secretary team leader and looked down at his phone.

"Something feels off."

Although people often asked him various things, today felt different. Unless there was a specific reason to have lunch together, there was no reason for someone to ask like this.

'Could it be that the CEO ordered it?'

If Shin Tae-oh had intervened, it would explain this nonsensical situation all at once.

However, Shin Tae-oh's reply that appeared on the message screen complicated things for Sehyeon again.

"I'll eat and come back."

Seeing this, it didn't seem like Shin Tae-oh doesn't know anything.