* * *
“Uh… yeah, that’s right. Wait, you noticed too?”
Manager Shin chuckled awkwardly, looking a little embarrassed.
Don’t laugh. That only made it worse.
No, the real problem was that things had already gone too far.
Wookyung never should have gotten involved with them in the first place.
What possible reward had made him think any of this was worth it?
“Yeah. Choi Siwon and Director Choi are cousins. But that’s a secret, so don’t go spreading it around, okay?”
“I won’t.”
And he didn’t want to hear any more.
Wookyung had zero interest in their family tree.
He had already figured out that their rooftop argument was based on this so-called “truth.”
“I know you can keep a secret. Like how you didn’t tell Woohyun about me and Kyowon dating until we revealed it ourselves.”
That was just because he couldn’t be bothered. Wookyung had no desire to get involved in other people’s relationships.
Besides, if he had told Gil Woohyun, he would’ve pestered him endlessly, asking how it happened and digging for details.
“When we finally told him, you should’ve seen how shocked he was! You would’ve found it hilarious.”
Doubtful.
Woohyun was probably more shocked that Shin Jaehyun had managed to ruin his own life by getting tangled up in this.
Come to think of it—that night, Woohyun wouldn’t stop whining even though Wookyung had been half-asleep.
At the time, Woohyun had lured him in with the promise of a celebratory drink for becoming a college student.
But in the end, Wookyung drank more than him and got completely wasted.
He remembered dragging Woohyun’s excited, foolish, and downright pitiful self home that night, finding it both amusing and exhausting.
Who knew there was this kind of backstory to it?
“Anyway, Director Choi really doesn’t like Choi Siwon. Since it was forced on him by the Director.”
“Yeah.”
He didn’t care. Stop talking.
Wookyung hadn’t gotten this iced Americano to listen to office politics.
Was that why he suddenly craved something cold?
Had he subconsciously known he’d be hearing something this infuriating?
At least if the drink tasted good, he could tolerate it.
But it was bitter and dry—if he had to suffer through this, the least they could do was offer him some expensive dessert.
“Anyway, since I’m not on that team, I can’t cover for him. So, Wookyung, take care of it.”
“Yeah.”
His answer was short.
That didn’t mean he’d do it—it just meant he heard him.
So, please, stop looking at him like you’re relieved.
“That’s all. Oh, should we grab some desserts on the way back?”
Weren’t they trying to keep their relationship a secret?
Why was Manager Shin suddenly acting so relaxed and cheerful?
Sometimes, he seemed so sharp, but other times, he was just plain dense.
“Sure,” Wookyung agreed.
Of course, he wouldn’t say no.
If Manager Shin was offering, why not?
“I brought the company card. Get whatever you want.”
Company card?
Hell yeah.
Fine, he’d listen to Shin’s nonsense if it meant free snacks.
Macarons, madeleines, cookies, cakes—all of them gleamed in their colorful, delicious glory.
“Assistant Manager Gil, were you that hungry at lunch?” Manager Shin asked, sounding half-impressed, half-amused.
“No.”
What kind of question was that?
The company cafeteria was better than most restaurants.
They served high-quality meals three times a day for free, offering a choice between two different cuisines.
Wookyung always ate well—at least one serving, sometimes two, piled high on his plate.
“I just really like desserts.”
And wasn’t this the moment for the company card? This was his chance.
Eyes gleaming with determination, he aggressively filled his basket, catching Manager Shin’s curious gaze.
Not that it mattered—Wookyung’s eyes sparkled with such excitement that they bordered on madness as he tossed items in left and right.
After an exhilarating dessert shopping spree, he returned to the office to show off his spoils.
“Wow… Assistant Manager Gil, you’re amazing!”
“Assistant Manager Gil, what’s this? Is this a celebration treat for passing probation?”
“Thanks for the food!”
As his coworkers expressed their admiration, Wookyung pointed at Manager Shin.
“Manager’s company card.”
“Ah-ha.”
“Knew it.”
Senior Associate Park let out an awkward exclamation, while Assistant Manager Kim nodded knowingly, as if this was to be expected.
“Well, anyway, thanks for the treat.”
Associate Lee smiled brightly and quickly began distributing the treats, while Associate Choi stared intensely, as if he had something else to say.
By now, Wookyung had figured out why.
‘Yeah, I knew it.’
A newly recruited special-entry hire?
He had his suspicions from the start.
Every time they saw the CEO Choi secretly looking after him, everyone had a hunch.
‘Ha… So the new boss is also from that family?’
This company really is hopeless.
He needed to avoid getting involved any further.
And to do that, he had to maintain a safe distance.
While focusing on his morning tasks at work, the phone suddenly rang.
It was the one between him and Assistant Manager Kim.
Their eyes met.
‘You pick up.’
‘No, you pick up.’
‘It’s probably for you.’
‘Not a chance. It’s definitely for you.’
After a silent but intense battle, Wookyung—who received more work requests than Assistant Manager Kim—reluctantly picked up the receiver.
“Yes, this is Assistant Manager Gil Wookyung from Planning Team 1.”
—Assistant Manager Wookyung.
A chill ran down his spine.
Instinctively, he pulled his ear away from the phone.
What was that just now?
He could’ve sworn he heard both breathing and laughter at the same time.
“Assistant Manager Gil, what’s up? Who is it?”
Assistant Manager Kim asked curiously.
Should he just hang up?
Pretend he didn’t hear anything and go about his day?
Why did this person call?
A strong urge to slam the receiver down surged, but Assistant Manager Kim’s intrigued gaze prevented him from doing so.
“This is Assistant Manager Gil Wookyung speaking. May I ask who’s calling?”
—Oh dear… So you’re still not familiar with my voice.
The voice feigned disappointment.
But who even are you?
Wookyung stubbornly refused to acknowledge the familiarity.
“Could you please state the reason for your call?”
—There’s no need to be so formal with me.
Excuse me?
Since when did we have a relationship where we could drop formalities?
If anything, weren’t we an uncomfortable pairing?
‘You’re the pervert. I’m the victim.’
What else is there?
Why are you acting so close?
And what’s with the heavy breathing and chuckling…?
—Can we meet for a moment?
“You want to meet me?”
He blurted out the question before biting his tongue.
His tone had slipped from professional to personal in his flustered state.
As expected, Assistant Manager Kim, who had been eavesdropping in secret, immediately turned his head, his eyes shining with curiosity.
‘Mind your own business. I’m not telling you anything.’
—Yes. It’s a bit too long to discuss over the phone. I’d rather talk in person.
Stop speaking like we’re close!
‘Who is it?’
The longer the call went on, the more invested Assistant Manager Kim became.
The more this dragged on, the worse it would get for him.
“Understood. I’ll be there shortly.”
—Alright, I’ll be waiting.
The smooth, almost affectionate tone made Wookyung frown as he ended the call.
Something felt gross, like sticky residue clinging to his ear.
‘Can pheromones transmit through phone waves?’
If so, that call was contaminated—by an excessively seductive alpha pheromone.
“Who was it?”
“A work call.”
He answered half-heartedly and stood up.
Should he report this to Manager Shin?
He glanced at the desk but saw that Shin hadn’t returned yet.
He’d been dragged away by Director Min earlier, probably off somewhere—like the archive room, the director’s office, or a car—doing something inappropriate in some secluded corner.
‘These pheromone slaves are beyond saving.’
In the past, he might’ve gone to find him, but not anymore.
Instead, he simply sent a message saying he was meeting Director Choi and left the office.
“Assistant Manager Gil!”
A voice called out behind him.
He turned to see Associate Choi striding toward him with purpose.
Why is he getting so close?
Wookyung took a step back, but Associate Choi closed the distance just as fast.
“Say what you need to, Choi Siwon.”
Just don’t come any closer.
He even tilted his head back, urging Associate Choi to hurry up.
But after calling out so boldly, Associate Choi just stood there, staring at him intensely.
Why are his eyes so fierce?
“I’m not like Saheon hyung.”
“…Huh?”
What is he talking about?
And why did he just casually drop Director Choi’s name like that?
“So you don’t have to treat me that way.”
“…What?”
What way?
‘Could you explain in a way I can actually understand?’
‘Why do you get to know everything while I’m left in the dark?’
“I won’t make mistakes. I’ll do well.”
And with that cryptic declaration, Associate Choi turned around and walked back to the office, leaving Wookyung standing there, utterly bewildered.
It felt like getting smacked in the face with a stray piece of paper blown by the wind—unexpected and nonsensical.
“…What the hell was that?”
He had no clue.
Didn’t want to know.
He pressed the elevator button and headed upstairs.
He’d been here before, but the place felt unfamiliar, probably because he never wanted to get too comfortable here.
“You’re here? Have a seat.”
Or maybe it was because of Director Choi, who was smiling at him just as unsettlingly as Choi Siwon had.
“What do you need from me?”
“Why don’t you sit first?”
His expression practically screamed that he wouldn’t say anything unless Wookyung complied.
The temptation to turn around and leave grew stronger.
“You’re still very clear about your boundaries, I see.”
And since when did we know each other well enough for you to talk like that?
“So, do you remember me?”
Who even are you?
“…Who are you?”
* * *
