EHR 06

Chapter 06

***

It was fortunate that the chilly air was cooling the heat that had risen inside her.

Wednesday, considered the hump of the week, was her first day reporting to the secretary’s office.

Jaekyung agonized until the very last moment about whether to run away from in front of the chairman’s office.

*

“My son doesn’t want it. This contract ends here. Keep the secret, without fail.”

*

She didn’t know her husband’s face, but the face and voice of Director Jin Heeyeon on the last day Jaekyung left that house were vivid.

‘Clear up the misunderstanding about the penalty fee or whatever……, but what if Director Jin finds out? Can I hide for three months without being caught?’

Resenting herself for having signed the documents in the heat of the moment after yesterday’s meeting, Jaekyung leaned her head against the wall.

“It’s good that you came early to wait. When do you plan to open the door?”

At the cool voice from behind, Jaekyung froze on the spot. Turning around, Yoo Gam was staring quietly at Jaekyung.

“How long have you…… been here?”

“I followed you from the school gate, so about twenty minutes ago?”

Then he had watched her pacing around the schoolyard, agonizing—all of it.

Yoo Gam passed the flushed Jaekyung and scanned his fingerprint to open the door.

“Go in. If you keep standing in front of the door, you’ll be late.”

“I already logged into my work account in advance, so I’m not late.”

She had already grasped the work from the jjimjilbang at dawn using the work network she’d received yesterday.

“Are you going to keep not taking the car I send?”

“I’ll get to work on my own.”

“How long are you going to sleep there? If it gets around that the chairman’s secretary sleeps at a jjimjilbang, I’m thinking of claiming a penalty for violating dignity.”

“Are you going to threaten with the penalty fee every time?”

Even while refusing the car that came to the jjimjilbang, her heart hadn’t been at ease. In the end, it was a threat.

“And the rumors about me…….”

“Rumors?”

“Ah, no. Never mind.”

Telling him that photos of Yoo Gam and Jaekyung were circulating among the teachers would only disadvantage herself.

The chairman’s office she entered following behind Yoo Gam was larger and more luxurious than expected. A large bookshelf stood on one wall, and through the big window, morning sunlight streamed in, brightly illuminating the office.

“Over there.”

Yoo Gam’s chin, who hadn’t taken his eyes off Jaekyung’s face, pointed to the seat across from the desk where the nameplate reading “Chairman” sat.

But that seat was too close.

Two desks facing each other. A distance where just reaching out a hand would touch.

“Isn’t it too close?”

“To monitor you, being attached is natural.”

A sigh escaped Jaekyung on its own. What kind of secretary sits this close to their superior.

“Could I change the position a bit?”

“Why. Do you want to come to my side?”

“The space is large, so I’d like to move toward the entrance.”

“Why would a secretary sit far from me?”

“Just…… because it’s suffocating and uncomfortable.”

Yoo Gam tilted his head and looked at Jaekyung.

“Seems you find it suffocating being with me?”

“……Yes.”

“I took it in a good way.”

“In a good way?”

“We shared a blanket for ten months, so of course it’d be suffocating. I’ll take it as you still being conscious of me.”

Yoo Gam, meeting her eyes right in front of her, was calm without smiling. At Yoo Gam’s words—hard to tell if joking or serious—Jaekyung’s face reddened with embarrassment.

“What are you saying. I asked you not to make personal remarks. And our marriage is definitely…….”

“The story seems like it’ll get long, so let’s stop here. Do you have a lot of questions for me? Hold them in a bit and let’s take time after work.”

Jaekyung shook her head at Yoo Gam, who wouldn’t listen.

She hadn’t known because they’d never had a long conversation during their ten months of marriage, but he was an extremely guarded person.

“I have no questions.”

Yoo Gam ignored Jaekyung’s reaction and opened a work laptop and handed it over.

“Let’s start with work. Check the schedules you received.”

The moment he leaned his body toward Jaekyung, their shoulders bumped.

“Sorry…….”

Yoo Gam came closer.

“This level of distance—don’t you even know it’s basic for a secretary? Close escort is essential. I’ll handle the distance adjustment myself.”

Yoo Gam’s hand grabbed Jaekyung’s hand, which was gripping the mouse.

Their hands overlapped just like that. It was truly a moment, but her fingertips tingled as if electrified.

Jaekyung’s tense body stopped motionless, and Yoo Gam drew close behind Jaekyung as if wrapping around her.

“I’ll show you once, so focus.”

The screen turned on and the mouse moved quickly. Jaekyung held even her breath at Yoo Gam’s breath touching her ear.

Even the air in the room fell silent.

“It’s a plan to inspect Uitae Foundation’s financial management. Starting over from the beginning, checking it—that’s what Ms. Seo Jaekyung will do. Thoroughly, from one to ten. Investigate and report to me. There’s nothing difficult.”

“Yes.”

“Three months from today. Let’s unravel things one by one—work and marriage alike.”

At Yoo Gam’s touch wrapping around Jaekyung’s hand, heat spread through her whole body. If she stayed any closer, it seemed even her heartbeat would be audible.

“Um… I’ll go get some coffee. Would you like some too, Chairman?”

“Sure. If you want to pay off your debts, try various things that suit you.”

Did he have to say everything so sarcastically.

Avoiding Yoo Gam’s gaze, she entered the pantry outside the office.

Because of Yoo Gam, who made her tense coolly, her heart—which had been pounding even while making coffee—wouldn’t calm down.

“Oh! Namsan rooftop. You’re the new secretary, right?”

Jaekyung, who had been catching her breath to calm down, turned her head at the cheerful voice.

“Hello. I’m Seo Jaekyung.”

“I’m Kwon Woobin. Please call me Chief Secretary Kwon. Did you have a good date with your boyfriend Monday night?”

Chief Secretary Kwon whispered to Jaekyung as if sharing a great secret. Jaekyung was suspicious of Chief Secretary Kwon’s identity—he knew her personal schedule.

“Ah, ……yes. Would you like some coffee?”

“I’d be grateful. It must have been so awkward, right? I tried to stop the chairman, saying he shouldn’t interrupt your date, but he went out recklessly anyway. I was the one who found your information, Ms. Seo.”

At Chief Secretary Kwon’s words, the sudden events from three days ago began fitting together like puzzle pieces.

If he wasn’t the type from the news who reappears years later to obsess and stalk, could she worry a little less?

“The coffee tastes good. You could open a café.”

“Fortunately. I worked at a café for a long time.”

“You even worked as a barista? But are you and the chairman acquainted, Ms. Seo?”

Chief Secretary Kwon threw questions at Jaekyung with a friendly face like a long-time colleague.

“No.”

Chief Secretary Kwon, sipping coffee, paid no attention to Jaekyung’s firm denial, closing his eyes and savoring the aroma with admiration.

“Perfect acidity too. Now I understand why he scouted you. This coffee machine was airlifted from Europe. Matching the chairman’s coffee taste is no ordinary task. I got tired of being scolded, so I even took barista classes. Now that Ms. Seo is here, I’ll survive.”

“I’ll get going to the chairman now.”

Jaekyung, who had quickly finished tidying up the pantry, was about to leave with two cups of bean coffee when Chief Secretary Kwon nodded with a relieved face.

“Can I leave the chairman’s coffee to Ms. Seo from now on?”

“Ah……. Yes. I’ll make some for you too, Chief Secretary Kwon.”

“Whoa. Sense and diligence too. I like people who work well. If you have a hard time from now on, contact me anytime.”

Thanks to his natural friendliness, they had even exchanged phone numbers when—

“What are you two doing, attached together.”

Yoo Gam, standing at the entrance, coldly stared at the secretaries whispering with their heads together.

“The chief secretary was teaching me how to use the pantry.”

Not wanting to irritate Yoo Gam, whose brow was furrowed with a sharp gaze, she made an excuse.

“Our chairman, why is your expression so murderous in the morning? You’re a complete savanna lion king.”

Chief Secretary Kwon, treating the ice-cold Yoo Gam like an older brother and coaxing him with affectionate gestures, was no ordinary person.

*

Even after sorting years’ worth of financial documents all morning, no progress was visible.

Yoo Gam called out Jaekyung, who hadn’t shown her face once while bent over her desk.

Not only working face-to-face in the same office, but following him around for on-site inspections left no time to rest.

It was when Jaekyung was following Yoo Gam as he inspected the individual buildings of the elementary, middle, and high schools, taking notes on important details.

“Oh my. Ms. Seo. Are you alright?”

Kim Juyoung, who had texted her in the morning, approached Jaekyung with surprised eyes.