ACTSV chapter 43

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Wonbeom received a phone report about how HMTM Marketing was handled.

Legally, it was a separate company from the multi-level marketing firm, and he had considered leaving it alone, but in the end, he decided to use it as an example and crushed it.

“It’s fine as long as it was wrapped up well. Take care of the guy who worked with them too.”

— Yes, it was handled cleanly.

While talking with Lee Cheongoh, Wonbeom, who had been busy and temporarily forgotten about Jingyeom, found himself tapping the armrest of his chair unconsciously.

The last encounter had been so bewildering that it lingered in his mind.

When he had said he wanted cold water, Jingyeom had gone to the store to buy him bottled water.

The old Baek Jingyeom would have taken the opportunity to draw him into his home, not resort to such a simplistic action.

Even though he had lost his memory, it was hard to believe someone could change so drastically.

Typically, one’s true nature remained the same, and the fact that Jingyeom had been duped by the multi-level marketing scheme was proof of that.

There was even a small anticipation of what kind of unexpected actions he might show next.

Lost in thought, Wonbeom was brought back to reality by Lee Cheongoh.

— There’s one more thing to report. Director Sun came by yesterday.

“I know, it was about the funds, right?”

— That too, but he also asked about where Baek Jingyeom works, so I told him. I believe he visited yesterday.

“…Director Sun?”

— Yes.

Wonbeom stopped tapping his fingers and leaned back in his chair.

He had just finished some busy tasks and was about to take a breather.

A slight change appeared on his usually expressionless face.

“Send me the details of Baek Jingyeom’s workplace too.”

During lunch, Secretary Yang stood up, saying she was going to eat first.

Since there were two secretaries, unless they were all eating together with Wonbeom, one usually stayed in the office.

Today it was Jinwoo’s turn.

As Secretary Yang was about to leave, the office door opened.

“We’re having a company dinner today.”

“…Pardon?”

It was an unannounced and sudden company dinner.

“You’ve all worked hard this week. Since the work is done, we should have a dinner. Come on.”

They had no choice in the matter.

It was fortunate that they didn’t have any lunch appointments, or they would have had to cancel them at the last minute and face complaints.

The three of them headed to the underground parking lot.

If it were somewhere close, they would have walked, but the place Wonbeom chose required a car ride.

While company dinners were usually held in the evening, they always had theirs at lunch.

This stemmed from Wonbeom’s strong preference not to see Secretary Yang’s face after work hours.

Secretary Yang was excited about the rare company dinner.

Recently, she had been very busy, not only with company work but also handling Wonbeom’s personal matters, making it even more hectic.

While taking the elevator down, Secretary Yang’s mind was filled with various dinner menu options.

Wonbeom had said they had worked hard, so she expected they would go somewhere nice and expensive.

Seizing the moment while Wonbeom was on a call, she asked Jinwoo.

“Where did the director say we’re going?”

“Jung Restaurant.”

“Again?”

“He always eats there.”

“I thought we’d eat something different for a company dinner!”

Secretary Yang’s lips twitched as if she were exasperated.

Jung Restaurant was the closest Korean restaurant to the company.

They had gone there for the last company dinner as well.

While the food was neat and tasty, going there too often could become tiresome.

Secretary Yang grumbled about why they always went for Korean cuisine while other departments chose fancy barbecue restaurants, high-end restaurants, or bars.

“I’ve been saying I want to eat sushi. How come we never go there? It’s not even that expensive!”

“But you don’t really like raw fish, do you?”

“Raw fish and sushi are different.”

Isn’t it just the difference between having rice or not? What other differences could there be?

Jinwoo wanted to ask more but held back.

Working with Director Tak had taught him that none of the people around him were quite normal.

Secretary Yang was at least just slightly out of the normal range.

Once Wonbeom arrived, the three of them headed to Jung Restaurant.

While eating, Secretary Yang grumbled, glancing at Wonbeom, filled with determination to eat something different next time.

Usually quiet, Wonbeom remained silent throughout, with only Jinwoo occasionally responding.

Thus, the meal came to an end.

“You’re heading straight back to the office, right?”

“No. I have somewhere to stop by.”

There was no outside appointment today. If there had been, the two secretaries would have known.

Jinwoo and Secretary Yang exchanged glances, asking if the other knew, but both shook their heads.

“I’ll go. Secretary Yang, you head back first.”

“As expected! Our Secretary Baek, so reliable!”

Secretary Yang said happily. However, she had to turn back from her steps toward the company.

“Did you forget it’s a company outing? We all move together.”

“Yes, sir…”

Jinwoo couldn’t understand why he had to drive to this destination at this time.

More than that, how did Wonbeom know this place? He sighed.

When he first entered the name into the navigation, it seemed familiar.

Then, upon seeing the address, he immediately knew where it was.

Jinwoo clicked his tongue briefly.

It was obvious the café would be busy during lunchtime.

He wished they could have settled for something simpler, but the directors’ interest was unyielding.

He didn’t want to create a connection between Wonbeom and Jingyeom.

So, he subtly suggested before they left not to go.

“It’s lunchtime, the traffic will be heavy, and there are many closer cafés. Let’s go to one of those.”

But Wonbeom was adamant.

“They say the drip coffee there is delicious.”

“Since when do you drink coffee?”

“Starting today.”

So, he had no choice but to personally bring Wonbeom to Jingyeom.

At that time, Jingyeom was incredibly busy working.

It seemed like the rumors had spread overnight, as it felt even busier than the previous day.

As the customers’ age demographic shifted to younger people, smoothies and ade were in high demand, so the staff had to busily replenish ingredients on the spot.

Greeting customers upon arrival was essential, but he was too busy taking orders.

People sometimes asked various questions, causing the line to build up.

Asking about the menu was fine since that’s a customer’s right.

However, personal questions were tricky.

“Aren’t you a celebrity?”

“No.”

“Why not? Have you ever thought about becoming one?”

“No, I haven’t. If you’re done with your order, can I take the next one?”

Jingyeom said, smiling as warmly as possible, to the point his lips trembled.

The customer grumbled as they took their pager and left, and Jingyeom turned the order sheet over and looked up again.

“Oh?”

Jingyeom gasped upon seeing the man standing before him. His surprise was brief.

“Jinwoo!”

He smiled broadly, showing all his teeth and curling his eyes sweetly.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m on a company outing. It’s really crowded here. The coffee must be good.”

“Yeah. The drip coffee is good. You should try it. Do you have to leave right away?”

Jinwoo glanced at Wonbeom. It wasn’t his decision to make.

If Wonbeom wanted to head back to the company, they’d take their coffee to go.

But the tables were all full, so there seemed to be nowhere to sit.

With Jingyeom’s gaze fixed solely on Jinwoo, Wonbeom subtly cleared his throat.

“Am I invisible?”

Jingyeom’s face, which had been beaming at Jinwoo, turned to Wonbeom with the same broad smile. It was impossible not to see Wonbeom, who stood taller than those around him.

“Oh no, Director, hello!”

Jingyeom shook his head with a smiling face. Today, he wasn’t wearing sunglasses, so he could meet Wonbeom’s eyes directly.

It was different from when he greeted him in front of the company. Back then, he had been a bit intimidating, but not today.

“Yes.”

Wonbeom felt a strange sensation as Jingyeom, who usually hid behind Jinwoo or avoided his gaze, now looked him straight in the eyes.

Since the multi-level marketing incident, it seemed he had become more comfortable with himself.

“You came at a good time. Our coffee is delicious!”

Jingyeom started listing the main menu items as if he were promoting the place.

Actually, he just wanted to chat a bit longer, even though he just needed to take the order and move on.

Because of the unusual crowd today, he was on edge about making mistakes.

Seeing familiar faces, he felt relieved and even more glad to see them at his workplace.

“Work seems fun.”

“Yes! It’s fun.”

He nodded sincerely.

Originally, Wonbeom’s purpose for coming here wasn’t the coffee. He was just curious about Jingyeom’s new job.

He had asked Secretary Yang to arrange a position for him but hadn’t yet told Jingyeom to come.

Jingyeom looked behind them and spoke softly.

“Oh… there are customers waiting, so I can’t talk for long. What would you like? Jinwoo, what will you have?”

It was a shame to send Jinwoo off like this, but it was work hours.

Jingyeom recommended the drip coffee while also greeting Secretary Yang, who had been standing quietly.

Secretary Yang had seen Baek Jingyeom when he visited the company before. But it was the first time since Jingyeom had lost his memory.

‘They said he had amnesia. He’s really different now.’

The Jingyeom who visited the company before had been quite irritable, especially towards Jinwoo.

He hadn’t shown that irritation in front of her, but Jinwoo’s unease was evident.

She had no intention of meddling in someone else’s family affairs, so she stayed out of it. But anyone could see they weren’t the most loving siblings.

Recalling that time, Secretary Yang finished her greeting with a smile, surprised at the drastic change in Jingyeom’s demeanor.

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