Episode 2
The dodgeball game dragged on with barely any excitement.
No one dared to throw the ball at Geonhak or Jae-yi.
In fact, whenever a ball flew their way, department heads would jump in to block it, making it effortless for them.
As the game lost its spark, Geonhak found himself quietly watching Jae-yi standing in front of him.
Even just looking at the back of her head, he could tell how tense she was.
At this rate, she’s going to faint.
His eyes drifted toward the back of her pale neck.
Interesting.
She had a mole—just like Soo-ah’s—in the same spot.
Except… hers was heart-shaped.
“Han Jae-yi.”
His voice came from directly behind her, making her flinch.
“Y-yes?!”
She looked like she’d seen a ghost.
“Sorry if I startled you.”
“N-no, not at all.”
She could feel the sweat starting to form at the back of her neck under his gaze.
“It’s just… the mole on your neck. It kind of looks like a heart.”
“A heart?”
I didn’t know I had one there. That’s… weird.
She reached up to touch the wrong spot, and he gently took her hand, guiding it to the right place.
“Not there. Here.”
His warm hand settled lightly over the back of hers, and she froze.
“T-thank you, Executive Director.”
She slowly turned her head—and there he was, just inches away.
Those thick, precisely shaped brows… deep brown eyes that seemed to shift in tone… lips that radiated masculine charm.
He’s… dazzling.
The other employees around them, on the other hand, weren’t looking so thrilled.
Especially Assistant Manager Park Min-joo, who had secretly harbored feelings for Cha Geonhak. Her eyes were burning with jealousy.
She’s doing something even I haven’t been able to pull off.
So annoying. Maybe if I hit her in the face, I’ll feel better.
Min-joo lifted the ball high and hurled it with all her strength at Jae-yi, who wasn’t paying attention.
Fwoosh—
As the ball came flying at her like a cannon, Geonhak’s body moved on instinct.
“Ah!”
He yanked Jae-yi into his arms, shielding her. Their bodies collided in a tight embrace.
Her face burned hotter than ever.
The moment he touched her, her heart felt like it might explode.
Earlier, she’d trembled because of his handsome face—
Now, it was his touch that made her chest throb uncontrollably.
Focus, Han Jae-yi.
“The ball was headed your way. Are you okay?”
She quickly shook her head and answered.
“I-I’m fine.”
They parted quickly, but her heart was anything but calm.
Despite her answer, her body was still stiff with tension.
Geonhak let out a crooked little smile.
“You can relax now, Han Jae-yi.”
“Ah, yes, sir.”
“Seriously. Relax.”
“Yes…”
She answered well enough, but clearly hadn’t relaxed at all.
That made Geonhak chuckle.
—
After a quick shower, Geonhak stepped out of the bathroom, a large towel wrapped around his waist.
He sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his damp hair with another towel.
He and Jae-yi had ended up winning the final match of the retreat.
He thought of how happy she looked.
“Thank you so much, Executive Director! This is the first time I’ve ever won anything!”
Her bright voice echoed in his mind. So did the way she’d flinched under his touch earlier.
“Maybe she’s calmed down by now.”
Zzz—Zzz.
His phone buzzed on the bed. He checked the screen and smiled before quickly answering.
“Where are you right now?”
His voice was warm, but the one on the other end—Yoon Soo-ah’s—sounded drained.
― “Geonhak… can you talk right now?”
“What’s wrong with your voice? Are you sick?”
― “No, just… tired.”
Even through the phone, he could feel how worn down she was.
“Where are you? I’ll come to you.”
― “I’m at home.”
“Already? I didn’t think you’d be back in Korea so soon—”
― “Not the Korea house. I’m in the U.S. one.
I… I can’t come back.”
His brow furrowed, grip tightening around the phone.
― “I’m sorry, Geonhak…”
“If it’s too much, I’ll talk to the Chairman myself. If you can’t do it, then I will.”
― “No, don’t. Please don’t go that far, Geonhak.”
It was always like this with her.
Just when he was about to give up, she’d pull something like this.
“Yoon Soo-ah. What even am I to you?”
― “You know already… Geonhak, you’re everything to me. I love you—just like you love me.”
The same old loop.
A relationship that never ended.
She knew that. That’s why she kept playing him like this.
― “I’m sorry, Geonhak. Just a little longer… If you wait, I’ll—”
Click.
He ended the call.
Tossed the phone onto the bed and flopped down beside it.
His arm came up to cover his eyes, as if his head was pounding.
“If you’re just going to mess with me, then don’t reach out.”
—
That evening, just as Manager Im had said, Jae-yi packed up her things and stepped out of her room.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened, and she started to move—then stopped in her tracks.
“Executive Director…”
His gaze slowly lifted.
Just earlier, those same eyes had smiled at her.
Now, they looked cold.
She greeted him politely and stepped into the elevator.
He looked… different. Something must have happened.
Was it something bad?
Noticing her gaze, Geonhak turned his head.
“Do you have something to say?”
“I was just wondering… are you alright? You seem upset.”
“I’m fine.”
The curt tone made Jae-yi feel awkward.
But even so, she didn’t want the conversation to end here.
She wanted to talk to him more. To get just a little closer.
She clutched the handkerchief tied to her suitcase.
“Thank you again for earlier. It meant a lot. I was thinking… I could give you the prize—”
“Han Jae-yi.”
His voice turned cold.
“Y-yes, sir.”
“That’s up to you. You don’t need to report every little thing to me.”
“Oh… okay.”
Her lips clamped shut.
Yeah… I knew it.
You went too far, Han Jae-yi.
Why are you like this today?
Just because he touched you? Just because he said your name?
Or is it just… that today feels so unreal?
The truth is, Executive Director…
I’ve liked you for a long time.
Jae-yi swallowed her thoughts and spoke quietly.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“No need. I should’ve kept my distance.
This only happened because I crossed the line.”
Ding.
The elevator reached its floor. Embarrassed, Jae-yi quickly stepped out.
Once she left, Geonhak closed his eyes.
‘I’m sorry, sir.’
The way she’d apologized flashed in his mind.
Her bright smile from earlier had vanished—now replaced with a timid, withdrawn expression.
He slowly opened his eyes.
“Sigh.”
As he looked down, something caught his attention.
A handkerchief—hers.
It had been tied to her suitcase.
“She forgot it again.”
He couldn’t stop thinking about her.
He stared at the handkerchief for a long while.
—
Jae-yi’s legs felt like they were filled with sand as she headed toward her new room.
Her eyes flicked toward the number on the door: **1014**.
Then she froze.
Inside, voices were whispering harshly.
“Han Jae-yi, seriously. Isn’t she hilarious?”
Through the half-open door, she heard female coworkers gossiping.
“She was fluttering her eyes at the director like a freaking schoolgirl. I almost threw up. And don’t even get me started on how she kept pressing up against him with her butt—it was disgusting.”
“Told you. She’s not as innocent as she pretends to be. Always acting all quiet—so annoying.”
Jae-yi stood frozen outside, her grip tightening on the handle of her suitcase.
― “Once again, all Chamyeong Group employees, please head to the rooftop.”
As the announcement echoed through the resort, the gossipers got up to leave.
Jae-yi quickly hid behind a nearby column.
“She’s rooming with us, right?”
“Ugh, gross. Her depressing face, that tacky outfit—I hate all of it.”
“I just hate her for no reason.”
They laughed as they left.
Jae-yi’s shoulders trembled ever so slightly.
This… wasn’t new.
This was normal. It always happened.
Once the hallway quieted down, she finally stepped out from behind the pillar.
Why now… why here…
Her gaze locked with someone down the hall.
Cha Geonhak.
The last person she wanted to see her like this.
Her face flushed red with shame.
She ducked her head and rushed into the room.
Dropped off her suitcase, then slipped back out.
He was still there.
Why hasn’t he gone up yet?
Should I say something?
No… Jae-yi, don’t.
She lowered her head again and walked past him.
Geonhak, hands in his pockets, quietly watched her go.
In his pocket… was the handkerchief she had left behind.
He watched her steady, almost too-calm figure.
“I was going to give it to you if you cried.”
He gripped the handkerchief tightly.
She was always like that.
Always appeared in his line of sight.
Always carried the weight of the world.
And yet… she never seemed broken.
There was something strangely strong about her.
Geonhak leaned against the opposite railing, watching.
Across the way, a confrontation was unfolding.
The loud woman clearly at fault.
Jae-yi, bowing her head, ready to take it all.
‘So now this is my fault, is that it?’
‘No, Assistant Manager Park. I’ll send it over right away.’
The angry woman left in a huff, and Jae-yi sighed softly.
Then bowed to a passing department head.
Her face looked startled… but not hurt. Not betrayed.
Just resigned.
That made Geonhak’s eyes widen for a moment.
That quiet acceptance… it felt powerful.
Thinking back, Han Jae-yi had always been the same.
Geonhak muttered under his breath, still watching the place where she had stood.
“And that’s why I can’t stop thinking about you, Han Jae-yi.”
—
To be Continued…
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