ENED 10

Chapter 10

“Do you know that my promotion depends on you, Assistant Manager Kim?”

“On me?”

Sahyun looked at Manager Jo.

He was up for promotion to executive director this time. But even so, what did that have to do with her?

“It means that if you stand out on Executive Director Yoo Hajun’s TF team, I can beat Manager Koo and get promoted to executive director. The situation is clearly shaping up to be a competition.”

Manager Koo of the Domestic Sales Division was Manager Jo’s classmate from when they joined the company and his longtime rival.

As it happened, Assistant Manager Kang Dayoung from that department had also been selected for Hajun’s TFT. In other words, it was a showdown between Sahyun and Assistant Manager Kang, as well as between Manager Jo and Manager Koo.

“So, Kim, all you have to do is catch Executive Director Yoo’s eye at a time like this! My promotion will practically be guaranteed.”

Manager Jo’s expression turned vicious, as though he had switched faces.

Sahyun knew he was the kind of man who would stop at nothing for his own benefit, but she had never imagined he would view this situation in such a way.

His words placed an enormous burden on her, and Sahyun felt as though her throat were being squeezed.

Now she understood.

Even the reason Manager Jo had insisted on coming up to thank Hajun despite not being summoned was probably to make himself look good in front of him.

“There’s a rumor that once this project is successfully completed, Executive Director Yoo will be appointed president of one of the subsidiaries. That’s how important this project is. You’ve been assigned to something that could determine the future of our company. You can do well, right?”

Manager Jo made a shushing gesture, indicating that what he was saying about Hajun’s future was strictly off the record.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“Yes, Manager. I understand what you’re saying.”

“I asked if you can do it.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Hm-hm. Good. Let’s do well, okay?”

“…Yes.”

“Let’s go in.”

Manager Jo cleared his throat once more and led the way.

When he pressed the button for the automatic doors, the spacious interior came into view between the frosted glass panels that slid open on either side.

Secretary Gil Sangah, standing behind the desk, gave them a slight bow before pressing the intercom.

“Executive Director, Manager Jo Woojong and Assistant Manager Kim Sahyun from the Overseas Sales Division are here.”

Perhaps permission had been granted from the other side, because the thick wooden door that had seemed almost like a wall opened.

The immaculately organized space, as though it wouldn’t tolerate even a single speck of dust, resembled a gallery.

Unable to shake her nervousness, Sahyun forced herself to raise her eyes.

Yoo Hajun was slowly walking out from behind the mahogany desk.

“Have a seat.”

Hajun casually gestured toward the leather sofa in the center of his office, a business tablet in his hand.

A moment later, teacups were placed in front of the three people sitting side by side on the sofa.

Following Manager Jo’s lead, Sahyun moistened her lips with the steaming white tea.

The strongly brewed green tea slowly warmed its way down her throat.

Just as she felt her tension easing slightly, a pleasant voice came from above her.

“Manager Jo. I heard you had something to say regarding the TF assignments?”

Hajun set down his tablet with his usual languid gesture and looked at Manager Jo.

“Yes, Executive Director. Well… I came to thank you for entrusting us with such an important assignment. Haha.”

“The TF assignment isn’t even a departmental transfer, so a thank-you visit seems rather grand.”

“Haha. It is grand. You’re personally leading this project, after all. With that in mind, our Assistant Manager Kim Sahyun is only in her first year at this level, so she still has a lot to learn. But I came to ask that you take good care of her… I mean… Well, what are you doing, Kim? You should greet the Executive Director.”

At Manager Jo’s prompting, Hajun slowly shifted his gaze toward Sahyun, resting his elbow on the armrest and lazily propping his chin up with his fingers.

As if to say, Go ahead. Let’s hear what you have to say.

“Executive Director. I’m honored to be able to join the TF team. I’ll approach the assignment with gratitude… and….”

Sahyun had barely managed to get the greeting out before she hesitated.

Hajun’s gaze was no different from usual, of course.

But Sahyun couldn’t remain composed.

‘Why did he choose me for the TF team?’

She couldn’t find a clear answer to that question.

“Let’s make a few more mistakes together.”

If he hadn’t made that personal proposal, she would have accepted this assignment wholeheartedly, extremely happily, and exactly as she had said—with a sense of honor.

But what if this appointment was simply an extension of his personal feelings?

What if she had been selected because of his personal emotions rather than her abilities?

She wanted to refuse.

…No, in truth, all of that was just an excuse.

How could she possibly work under him when merely meeting his eyes made her painfully conscious of him and left her breathless?

That was when—

“Assistant Manager Kim. Why did you stop talking…? The Executive Director is waiting.”

Manager Jo urged her on, breaking into a cold sweat.

Startled, Sahyun’s gaze shifted from Manager Jo to Hajun.

The flawless man filling her field of vision was slowly leaning forward.

“Manager Jo.”

“Yes! Executive Director!”

Manager Jo straightened instantly, like a spring, and looked at Hajun as though awaiting an order.

“It seems Assistant Manager Kim finds it difficult to speak with you here.”

“Excuse me?”

“I find it uncomfortable, too.”

“Haha. Executive Director. Have I… made you uncomfortable?”

“Haven’t you noticed that you’ve been pressuring her this entire time?”

Oh, you have.

You’ve been pressuring Kim Sahyun the whole time.

And it’s been getting on my nerves.

Hajun’s gaze shot toward Manager Jo as though saying exactly that.

“I-I’ll correct it immediately!”

“Then, Manager Jo, please wait outside for a moment.”

“Executive Director…”

“The person selected as the working-level representative is Assistant Manager Kim. Wouldn’t it be better for her to personally tell me how she feels about the assignment, or thank me herself?”

Despite his gentle tone, Hajun’s eyes were cold enough to tell him to get out immediately.

Manager Jo’s face flushed as he hurriedly rose from his seat.

“Ah… Shall I? That… is a good idea, yes.”

Clearly embarrassed by the blatant dismissal, Manager Jo nevertheless remembered to bow deeply toward Hajun before leaving.

Once he was gone, the office fell silent.

Hajun sat with one leg crossed over the other and slowly shifted his gaze toward Sahyun.

Kim Sahyun sat with her hands on her knees, like someone waiting to hear her sentence.

Her face was pale.

Yet her cheeks were flushed from tension, the faint makeup doing little to hide it, and her lips were tightly pressed together.

“Assistant Manager Kim Sahyun.”

“…Yes, Executive Director.”

Only then did Sahyun cautiously look at him.

Her eyes, appearing slightly smaller through her glasses, trembled faintly.

“How have you been?”

At Hajun’s polite, gentle tone, Sahyun’s heart dropped.

‘…How could I possibly have been fine?’

Her quiet, peaceful life had been tossed around by a wave called Yoo Hajun.

Unlike him, her employer, Sahyun was merely an employee with no room for composure.

She looked at the impossibly relaxed Hajun and somehow forced the words out.

“I haven’t been doing very well.”

“Why?”

“I’ve had a lot on my mind because of various things.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve been troubled because of me?”

Unable to hide the expression that practically said, You already know, so why are you asking?, Sahyun finally said what had been lodged in her throat.

“I’ve been wondering… why you selected me for the TF team.”

“Why?”

“Yes.”

Hajun’s lips curved into a faint smile as he looked at Sahyun, whose eyes had widened behind her glasses.

As though he had anticipated exactly this reaction.

“Aren’t you the one with excellent market analysis and report-writing skills, as well as the ability to deal with local partners?”

Hajun leisurely crossed his legs the other way and rested his fingers against his temple, staring directly at Sahyun.

As though daring her to find a way out of this.

But Sahyun had something to say, too.

“I think… other people in my department have those abilities as well.”

In fact, most of them were even better than she was.

If she had to name something she did particularly well, it would probably be typing quickly, arranging templates, and working with fonts.