* * *
“Assistant Manager, aren’t you leaving work?”
“I just need to finish this first.”
Wookyung answered without even looking up from his monitor.
Since he had a business trip coming up, he needed to clear his workload beforehand.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“No, it’s fine. Choi Siwon, you should go home first.”
As he clicked his mouse, he still sensed someone lingering nearby.
When he turned around, Choi Siwon was staring at him.
“Ah…”
Wookyung realized too late that his response had been too curt.
Lately, he had been spending more time dealing with Director Choi, which meant he had unintentionally neglected Choi Siwon.
Maybe telling him to just leave without even looking at him had come off as cold.
Not that Choi Siwon seemed like the type to take it personally, but still.
“This is just organizing past work, so it’s not something you need to handle. I’ll send it over tomorrow, so you can go home for today.”
He explained more clearly, making sure Choi Siwon understood.
The project was in the final planning stages, with design discussions underway, so there wasn’t much left for him to do.
The only task he had assigned to Choi Siwon today was gathering information on trending showroom styles in the U.S.—
Something that would come in handy once they arrived at the expo.
“Understood.”
With a polite nod, Choi Siwon turned to leave.
Watching him go, Wookyung returned his focus to the monitor—
Only for his gaze to drift naturally toward Director Choi’s desk.
The man had stepped out earlier and still hadn’t returned.
Had the CEO called him in again?
Or was he in an external meeting?
Since the monitor was only turned off, it seemed like he was planning to come back.
“Not my problem.”
Annoyed at himself for caring, Wookyung stretched as if to shake off the unnecessary thoughts and forced himself to concentrate on work.
The office was quiet, with only him and a couple of design team members left.
Occasionally, he heard them whispering, but it wasn’t distracting.
As he busily searched for data, a notification blinked in the bottom right corner of his screen.
If he hadn’t misread it, the sender was Director Choi.
‘He’s not coming back but messaging me?’
Muttering complaints internally, Wookyung opened the chat.
At the top, a new message indicator flashed beside Director Choi’s name.
[Director Choi: Wookyung, are you still in the office?
Me: Yes, Director.
Me: Do you need something?]
If his status was online, it meant he was at his desk.
So why ask?
[Director Choi: Can you do me a favor?
Me: Please go ahead.
Director Choi: There should be some documents on my desk.]
Wookyung instinctively looked at the desk, though he couldn’t see what was on top from where he sat.
[Director Choi: Could you bring them to the CEO’s office?
Me: Understood.]
Delivering paperwork wasn’t an issue, but the destination was.
Why the CEO’s office?
It was already past six.
Were the Director Choi and the CEO still in a meeting?
‘But what if I go there and run into Manager Shin and Director Min having another lovers’ quarrel… Or worse, just run into Director Min…’
Assistant Manager Kim mentioned that things haven’t been great between those two lately.
That would be a headache in many ways.
Still, since Director Choi already gave me the order, he have to move.
Wookyung slowly got up from his seat.
Assistant Managers Sun and Senior Associate Lee were looking at him, so he spoke first.
“I’m running an errand for the Director Choi. Should I pick up some snacks on the way back?”
Instead of mentioning that he was heading to the CEO’s office, he brought up a topic they’d like.
“That’d be great. How about some street food? I’ve been thinking about something spicy after using my brain so much.”
Street food meant going down to the basement of the building.
But until what time were they open again?
“They’re open until 8 PM, so it should still be fine.”
Noticing Wookyung’s hesitation, Senior Associate Sun quickly added the information.
Tteokbokki…
Just thinking about that spicy, chewy texture made his mouth water a little.
He was definitely feeling a bit hungry.
Since it’d still be a while before he could leave work anyway, he might as well buy plenty.
Would he be able to get the company card from Director Choi?
Lately, whenever he mentioned food, the wallet opened without hesitation.
Wookyung scrunched his nose at the thought—but then he remembered.
To do that, he’d have to get past the hurdle of the CEO’s office first.
As soon as that thought hit him, his chest felt tight, and his heart grew heavy.
That envelope the CEO handed over when he visited, claiming to be an old friend of Manager Shin’s…
No, never mind.
That’s not the important thing right now.
“Got it. It might take a bit of time.”
“No worries. We can’t leave before 9 PM anyway.”
They really had a way of saying sad things so cheerfully.
Well, the remaining overtime crew were all frontline warriors, working until the last train was about to stop.
“I’ll bring back tteokbokki, fried snacks, and some fish cake soup. Anything else you want?”
Since the two of them weren’t fans of soondae, he left that out.
Senior Associate Sun immediately chimed in.
“If they have any hot dogs left, grab some of those too.”
She even gave him a thumbs-up, as if to acknowledge his good sense.
“Alright, I’ll be back.”
Wookyung blinked once, grabbed the approval documents from Director Choi’s desk, and left the office.
If he had needed to report to the CEO anyway, he should have done it earlier.
Then he wouldn’t be agonizing over it like this!
His gaze fell on the file tucked under his arm.
If they specifically called and asked him to bring it over, it must be pretty important.
Curiosity sparked in his mind.
Should he…?
He glanced around, feeling a bit guilty.
The mirror only reflected himself, deep in thought.
He looked up at the CCTV.
If the security team checked, this entire moment could be reported back to Director Choi later.
If rumors spread that a planning team employee peeked at his boss’s documents, that would be a disaster.
‘Maybe it’s that important.’
Even as he thought that, Wookyung slowly lifted the file cover.
Inside were three neatly arranged A4 sheets.
The moment he read the title on the first page, the elevator came to a halt.
“What the…”
Did he read that wrong? Just in case, he fully opened the file.
No, it wasn’t a mistake.
“They’re really reporting this to the CEO?”
Was Director Choi out of his mind?
Or was this some kind of ploy to embarrass someone?
And why, of all people, did he have to be the one to deliver it?!
The elevator doors were about to close, so he didn’t have time to think deeply.
He was on the top floor now, a place he usually had no reason to visit.
The hallway lights felt brighter than usual—maybe it was just his nerves.
He spotted the large sign that read “CEO’s Office” and took a deep breath.
‘If there’s a secretary, I can just hand it to them.’
That way, he wouldn’t have to face either Director Choi or the CEO himself.
Of course, that meant he’d have to buy the street food with his own money, but avoiding an awkward encounter was worth it…
“Assistant Manager Wookyung, you’re here?”
His thoughts were cut off.
When did he get there?!
If he was already standing there, he should’ve made some noise!
Why was he leaning against the wall, arms crossed, and smirking like that?!
Startled, Wookyung pressed the file against his chest, took a deep breath, and met the man’s gaze.
“Give it to me.”
“…Yes.”
He responded on purpose.
But he didn’t hand over the documents right away, making Director Choi raise an eyebrow.
Wookyung knew by now that his perfectly shaped brows always lifted slightly in moments like this.
“Senior Associate Sun and Senior Associate Lee are working overtime until 9 PM.”
He made sure to meet his gaze as he spoke, then finally passed over the documents.
“Oh… Then you haven’t had dinner yet. I was actually going to suggest we eat together when I came down earlier, but I got stuck in a meeting.”
As expected, Director Choi caught onto his intentions right away.
He pulled his wallet from his pocket and took out a card.
“Use this to get something for all of you.”
…But something about the way he said it felt off.
He didn’t just say to buy food—he said to come back.
“I wanted to go with you, but as I just mentioned, my discussion isn’t finished yet. So, sorry, but while you’re out buying food, I’ll wrap up here and come down.”
It sounded suspiciously like ‘Drop by the snack shop and head back to the office, and I’ll meet you there.’
No way, that wasn’t what he meant… right?
But honestly, what Wookyung wanted to ask more than anything was whether his proposal was really going to be shown to the CEO.
All sorts of words swirled in his mouth, but only one answer came out.
“Yes, I’ll be going then.”
Wookyung gave the expected response and turned around.
Lately, that gaze sticking to his back was starting to feel too familiar.
* * *
