* * *
In the end, Wookyung couldn’t escape.
He simply lacked the skills to shake off three superiors at once.
“What would you like to drink?”
“Three iced Americanos, and one Java Chip Crumble Frappuccino—light on the ice, but with extra whipped cream.”
Holding the black card in his hand, he approached the counter, his eyes burning as he placed the order.
The cashier, unfazed, maintained a friendly smile and confirmed it without hesitation.
“One Java Chip Crumble Frappuccino with extra whipped cream and three iced Americanos. What size would you like?”
“Regular for the Americanos, and the largest size for the Frappuccino.”
“Understood. I’ll ring that up for you.”
Wookyung handed over the card to the bright-eyed cashier, who briefly hesitated.
Meeting that gaze, he spoke firmly.
“Please process the payment.”
If Wookyung had been dragged here against his will, then no one had the right to complain if he ordered the most expensive drink.
And to make matters worse, he had to endure this coffee time with an assistant manager, a manager, and a division chief.
‘How did I end up in this mess…?’
He lingered near the counter, deliberately trying to avoid looking like he was part of their group.
“Assistant Manager Wookyung, have a seat. I’ll bring the drinks over.”
A large hand suddenly rested on his shoulder, sending a shiver down his spine at the soft, low voice.
Turning around, he found Director Choi smiling at him.
“It’s fine. I’ll carry them. You should sit.”
He spat out his response quickly, without a single pause, making Director Choi blink a few times.
Then, that irritating smile appeared again.
“I didn’t bring you here to run coffee errands. So, I can carry them.”
Absolutely not.
If only one of the four drinks stood out, it would be too obvious that Wookyung had ordered the most expensive one.
He had planned to grab his first and discreetly pass along the others.
That brilliant plan couldn’t fall apart now.
“I refuse.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized—was that too firm?
“I mean, it’s okay.”
He quickly corrected himself and glanced at Director Choi.
There it was again—that smugly upturned mouth!
Did he really think he wouldn’t notice?
Acting like he wasn’t smirking wouldn’t fool anyone.
“Alright then, let’s just wait together.”
Director Choi was relentless.
Even when Wookyung tried to shoo him away with glances and subtle gestures, he stubbornly remained close by.
How did he even end up here?
‘Why do you think? It’s because of this damn leech beside you!’
Just as frustration was creeping up again, a quiet voice reached his ear.
“To be honest, I feel a bit awkward sitting over there. I don’t get why they insist on having their lover’s quarrels at the office.”
Do those two not care about time and place?
Just because they’re the main characters doesn’t mean they have the privilege to act however they want.
This is a workplace.
Before being a couple, they are superior and subordinate.
‘Work and personal matters should be kept separate.’
Meanwhile, why is he whispering right into my ear?
That unnecessary closeness made his ear tingle.
At that moment, he suddenly recalled what had happened on the way to work earlier.
His eyes sharpened, and he quickly turned his head—
“…….”
Something soft and warm had just brushed past him.
He blinked, trying to process what had just happened.
“One extra-whipped Java Chip Crumble Frappuccino in the largest size, and three regular-sized iced Americanos are ready!”
The energetic voice of the employee snapped him out of it.
Instinctively, he turned toward the counter.
As he shifted his gaze, he happened to catch sight of Director Choi.
‘What’s with him?’
Why is he covering his mouth with his hand?
And are his ears… slightly red?
“Sir, please pick up your drinks!”
Not bothering to dwell on it, he seized the opportunity.
Now was the time to complete his mission before anyone caught on.
Grabbing his own drink first, he quickly straightened up and called out to Director Choi.
“Director, grab the coffee.”
Since he had insisted on carrying them, Wookyung saw no reason to refuse.
Watching as Director Choi hesitantly picked up the tray, Wookyung swiftly stepped back.
“Thank you. I’ll be heading up first, then.”
He bowed slightly in thanks.
The transaction was complete—he bought coffee, received it, and that was the end of their business.
Sure, earlier, he had used Director Choi as an escape route, but not anymore.
“Woo—”
“Manager Shin, Director Min, I’m sorry, but I have work to do. I’ll be heading up first!”
Before Director Choi could grab him, Wookyung quickly signaled to Manager Shin and Director Min.
Luckily, Manager Shin caught on.
“Oh, of course, Assistant Manager Gil. Go ahead. Sorry about earlier.”
If you’re really sorry, please make sure this never happens again.
‘No, I should just avoid situations like this myself.’
This is why they say to always double-check that a fire is out and to look in all directions before crossing a street.
Whether that metaphor made sense or not didn’t matter.
Right now, all that mattered was getting out of there before anyone tried to stop him.
Thankfully, just as he reached the elevator, the doors opened.
He swiftly stepped inside, keeping a hawk’s eye on the entrance in case Director Choi tried to follow.
“What’s his deal?”
Why is he staring at me like that?
His gaze is practically drilling holes through me.
Then, suddenly, a thought crossed his mind.
“Oh… the coffee.”
Slowly lowering his gaze, he saw the massive Frappuccino in his hand, at least two sizes bigger than Director Choi’s Americano.
“Is that what he’s looking at? Come on, he’s rich. He can let this slide.”
Clicking his tongue, Wookyung mercilessly pressed the close button.
Work went smoothly after that.
Everyone was curious about why Director Choi had called him, but after he remained silent, their curiosity quickly died down.
A few new messages popped up in the office chat, filled with speculations about the new TF team.
[Assistant Manager Kim: I just heard some fresh news from the Overseas Sales Department.
Assistant Manager Kim: You absolutely cannot spread this anywhere. Got it?]
If it had already reached Assistant Manager Kim’s ears, it meant the news was practically public knowledge.
Yet, he seemed oblivious to that fact.
[Senior Associate Park: What is it? Just tell us already. 😑]
As expected, instead of promising secrecy, Senior Associate Park urged him to spill the news.
But Kim, completely lacking awareness, seemed to think Park was just dying to hear the gossip.
He sent a laughing emoji followed by a finger-on-lips emoji in quick succession.
[Assistant Manager Kim: It’s about Director Choi Saheon. I heard he’s part of the HK Group chairman’s family.]
Not exactly groundbreaking news.
That rumor had already circulated in the group chat among the assistant managers.
But Assistant Manager Kim wasn’t done yet.
Another message popped up immediately.
[Assistant Manager Kim: And you know… He’s suppodsedly the secret son of Choi Jongkyu, the second son who was pushed aside by Vice Chairman Choi Jongwon during the succession battle years ago.]
That typo was bothering Wookyung.
The urge to correct it was unbearable.
“그 외” (geu oe) meant something outside a certain scope. (Translated as suppodsedly.)
If the sender meant to verify a fact, they should have used “그 왜” (geu wae)! (Translated as supposedly.)
His habit of meticulously checking for typos while writing reports was making his life unnecessarily difficult.
[Senior Associate Park: Another chaebol family scandal?
Senior Associate Park: Last time, it was about the executive director’s son joining the company.]
Wookyung tried not to react.
[Assistant Manager Kim: Why bring that up here?
Assistant Manager Kim: I’m just saying, there’s a rumor~~~ that’s all!
Senior Associate Park: Yeah, sure. 😑 I mean, it’s possible, right? His last name is Choi, after all.
Assistant Manager Kim: Right?!]
Assistant Manager Kim eagerly agreed, clearly thinking Senior Associate Park was validating him.
Wookyung shook his head.
‘Idiot Kim,’ he thought. ‘He’s being sarcastic, and you don’t even notice.’
Senior Associate Park had a talent for messing with Assistant Manager Kim.
No wonder he could effortlessly turn down ridiculous project proposals from the Sales Team with just a few well-placed words.
He tried to refocus on work, but his personal messenger window blinked with a new message.
A sinking feeling settled in his chest as he checked the sender.
‘Oh, come on. Not you again.’
He sighed even before reading the message.
He already knew what it would say.
Ignoring it was tempting, but Manager Shin’s warning lingered in his mind.
With a reluctant sigh, he clicked on the message.
[Associate Choi: Assistant Manager, I need to talk to you privately. Do you have a moment?
Associate Choi: Can we meet at the rooftop garden for a bit?]
There must have been some kind of mystical energy flowing through that rooftop garden.
* * *
