* * *
It was only by ‘Cheoseo’, the seasonal point marking the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, that the design to be submitted to the expo was finally decided.
After countless rejections by the general manager, the design team erupted in cheers over the final product.
Wookyung felt a quiet sense of relief.
‘Thank god…’
Each time the drafts got rejected, his anxiety grew.
Was the whole concept flawed from the start?
Would they end up telling him to scrap everything and start over?
Even though things with Saheon were progressing smoothly on a personal level, he was still a strict boss.
If something didn’t work, he wouldn’t hesitate to tell them to take another direction.
“I’m thinking of going to Pocheon this afternoon. Want to come with me, Assistant Manager Gil?”
After months of grueling work, the smiling Senior Associate Sun approached Wookyung as she was tidying her desk to leave.
“To the factory?”
“Yeah. I think it’s better to discuss directly with the plant manager. Assistant Manager Lee has to stay here, so if your schedule’s free, come along.”
Wookyung paused to think.
He knew why she was asking him specifically.
The factory head was an Alpha—a strong-willed one.
And worse, he had a superiority complex, often causing issues with Beta and Omega staff.
Especially with female Omegas—he had a tendency to look down on them.
That’s probably why Senior Associate Sun was asking.
What Wookyung was really debating was whether to go with just her, or take this chance to let Associate Choi get a firsthand look at the factory.
Associate Choi had always worked inside the office—it might be good experience for him.
Just as Wookyung was about to suggest it—
“If it’s the furniture factory, I’ll go with you.”
An unexpected voice cut into the conversation.
A large hand settled on Wookyung’s shoulder.
That touch instantly short-circuited all of Wookyung’s thoughts.
“Director…?”
Sun looked just as surprised.
Her gaze flicked to Wookyung, silently asking, ‘Do you know what he’s doing?’
But Wookyung didn’t catch it.
He was too distracted by the warmth of the hand on his shoulder.
So once again, it was Saheon who answered.
“Let’s do that. Pocheon’s not easy to get to via public transport, and there’s no guarantee we’ll get a company car right away. If I go with you, we can travel more comfortably.”
He had a point.
Still… was that really necessary?
Sun’s eyes returned to Wookyung.
Just then, he was discreetly biting the inside of his cheek as Saheon’s thumb gently rubbed the back of his shoulder blade, silently urging him to go along with it.
‘What is with this guy?!’
He was doing it on purpose.
Trying to get Wookyung to agree. Insisting on tagging along.
But for Wookyung, this was absurd.
Why would Saheon need to go to the factory?
If anything, bringing Associate Choi would make more sense.
Yet the way Saheon kept stroking his back was making him feel oddly ticklish, in a way he couldn’t ignore anymore.
And most of all, Sun was staring right at them.
“Um… what about you, Assistant Manager Gil?”
Eventually, Sun spoke up again.
Wookyung could no longer stay silent.
He swallowed a sigh and nodded.
“If the Director’s going, it should make things go more smoothly at the factory… so let’s do that.”
“Alright then.”
Once Wookyung agreed, Sun backed down.
Sure, going with a senior like that wasn’t exactly comfortable, but as he said, vehicle access might be delayed.
Worst case, they’d end up heading to the factory right around closing time.
And at least the Director could handle the prickly factory manager.
“Get ready and meet me downstairs.”
Saheon wrapped it up firmly.
Wookyung was swept along and rushed back to his desk to get ready for the field visit.
He would’ve liked to bring Associate Choi along, but with the Director going, it didn’t seem appropriate for three of them to go.
He’d have to leave that for another time.
“Mr. Choi Siwon. If I leave now, I probably won’t be back until after work. If Assistant Manager Yoon from Company G calls, please contact me right away.”
“Assistant Manager, where are you going?”
“I think I need to visit the Pocheon factory.”
“With who?”
He always asks who I’m going with, every time I say I’m going somewhere.
He doesn’t actually make a move himself, but he’s always so curious.
Then suddenly, it hit me—I’m the one who’s supposed to look after him, but maybe I’ve been leaving him in the office too much.
After all, I’m the one giving him tasks and teaching him on the TF team, but I’ve been going to the expos and the factory alone.
“With Assistant Manager Sun. Hmm, would you like to come too, Mr. Choi?”
“Ah… no, I’ll go next time.”
Seeing the way he instantly lost interest confirmed my hunch.
Lately, Choi only seems curious when it’s something related to Saheon.
‘Maybe the three of us really should grab dinner sometime soon.’
And once I come clean about my relationship with Saheon, maybe Choi will stop being so vague and passive.
“If you hit a wall with something, don’t sit on it alone—just message me right away.”
Having reached a conclusion, Wookyung gave Choi a pat on the back and grabbed his bag.
Assistant Manager Sun had apparently finished getting ready too, and stood near the office entrance.
When our eyes met, he turned away first.
Looking over to the Director’s seat, Saheon was already gone.
That’s when I remembered he said he’d see me at the parking lot.
I wanted to go down ahead of Sun and ask Saheon why he said he’d come along—but yeah, that wasn’t going to happen now.
So I had no choice but to line up with Sun in front of the elevator.
Soon the doors opened, and as I stepped forward, I realized someone else was already inside—and it was someone awkward to deal with.
“Hello, Deputy Department Head Ahn!”
Sun quickly bowed, and I snapped out of it and bowed too.
“Come in.”
Chief Secretary Ahn gave me a slightly longer look than she did Sun.
I really didn’t want to get in. Everything in me screamed to avoid being in the same space as her.
“Assistant Manager Gil?”
But Sun was already standing next to her, and the elevator was chiming—ding, ding—urging me to get in.
Reluctantly, I stepped inside, silently praying that she wouldn’t strike up a conversation.
Honestly, it had been a miracle we hadn’t crossed paths until now, even working in the same company.
Probably because CEO Choi rarely came in, and naturally his assistant, Chief Secretary Ahn, wouldn’t be around either.
Still, it felt like I’d just started forgetting that incident.
“Did you know there’s a beautiful restaurant near the factory, Assistant Manager Gil?”
“Sorry?”
“I visited not long ago. There’s a lovely garden out front. The interior is stunning, and the food quality is amazing—perfect date spot.”
I could tell Sun brought it up to ease the tension.
But why did it have to be that topic?
I never said I had a partner!
I’ve worked so hard not to make it obvious!
“Oh, shoot. Was that too personal? Now that I think about it, I’ve never heard you were dating anyone. That was nosy of me, wasn’t it?”
If only you’d known before you opened your mouth.
He apologized, a little too late.
“Actually, my partner proposed to me there recently. But even if it’s not for that kind of thing, it’s a great place to check out.”
“Ahh…”
So you’re getting married.
Got proposed to.
That’s why you’re recommending it.
Okay. Cool.
But I’m not interested.
Well—Saheon might like to hear about it.
But still, not something to be discussing here.
Can we not do this now?
Apparently, Sun wasn’t bothered at all by the pointed stares flying at him.
Or maybe I was the only one hyperaware.
“Anyway, go if you get the chance.”
“…Thank you.”
I replied and pretended to check the mirror, sneaking a glance at Ahn’s expression.
She just stared at the floor numbers like she didn’t care about the conversation.
But the ordeal wasn’t over yet.
Of all things, Chief Secretary Ahn got off at the basement level.
The same basement where Saheon’s car was parked.
“Hello, Director.”
“Hello, Chief Secretary Ahn.”
Apparently waiting for me, Saheon was near the elevator tower, and he and Secretary Ahn bumped into each other exactly as I stepped out.
They exchanged casual greetings, while I was the one feeling completely on edge.
“I’ll be going ahead.”
I thought something might happen, but it was Secretary Ahn who quickly excused herself and walked toward her car, still cool and indifferent.
At that moment, Saheon and I locked eyes in the air.
“Shall we get going too?”
He asked with a slight smile, clearly unbothered by running into Secretary Ahn.
If that’s how he felt, then fine. I nodded quickly and naturally headed for the passenger seat.
Saheon glanced at me, smiled again briefly, and unlocked the car without me even noticing.
Senior Associate Sun tilted her head at us, puzzled, and slipped into the back seat.
* * *
