Chapter 5

The moment Yeon-su recognized Jin-hyuk, her eyes shook violently.

Her lips even parted on their own at the unbelievable sight.

But regardless of her inner turmoil, Jin-hyuk’s welcome address continued from the podium.

“Welcome to HaeNam Construction. Through creative thinking and relentless challenge, we strive to create a new future…”

All the new employees fixed their eyes on him, listening intently.

But unlike the others, Yeon-su’s head kept lowering further.

Her heart pounded in fear that their eyes might meet.

“Our executive director is so handsome.”

“So what? Do you think a contract worker will ever cross paths with him? This will probably be the first and last time.”

A whisper came from right behind her.

They were new hires who had passed together after meeting in a job prep study group, exchanging envious comments about Jin-hyuk.

Their words snapped Yeon-su back to her senses.

They were right. That man was an executive director.

Which meant someone like her, a new contract hire, would never run into him again.

It was like sunlight breaking into a dark hole.

* * *

After the welcome ceremony ended, the new employees moved off to their respective departments.

Yeon-su headed for the Marketing Team on the tenth floor.

This year’s new recruits for the Marketing Team were only two.

“Oh my, both our new hires in Marketing have the same name.”

Manager Jin greeted them warmly.

Ha Yeon-su and Kang Yeon-su.

The other new hire had the exact same given name as her, only the surname was different.

“Since Ha Yeon-su is twenty-seven and Kang Yeon-su is twenty-four, you two can call each other older sister and younger sister.”

Assistant Manager Kim chimed in.

He meant to lighten the mood on the first day, but Kang Yeon-su’s face soured in irritation.

“Alright then, Assistant Manager Kim, show them their seats and give them today’s simple handover.”

After brief introductions, Kim led the two to their desks.

The two empty seats by the entrance were theirs.

Most avoided those spots. One was partially shielded by a partition, but the other was completely exposed to the hallway.

Kang Yeon-su immediately slipped into the partitioned desk.

“Assistant Manager, I can take this one, right?”

She even smiled sweetly as she asked.

“Of course.”

He agreed without hesitation.

Technically, that seat had been assigned to Ha Yeon-su, but it wasn’t worth fussing over.

They were both contract workers anyway, and their duties hadn’t been set yet.

“For today, just go over the manual. Actual work starts tomorrow. Here’s the guide on setting up your company email, so get those done and send them in.”

Kim gave his brief instructions and returned to his seat.

“Since we share the same name, let’s get along well.”

Kang Yeon-su said with a smile.

“Yes, please take care of me.”

Ha Yeon-su replied kindly.

“But you said you’re twenty-seven, right?”

“Yes, I’m a bit older than most new hires.”

Feeling self-conscious about her age, Yeon-su gave an awkward smile.

“Even if I’m younger, let’s not bother with the whole older-sister, younger-sister thing. Ha Yeon-su.”

With that, Kang Yeon-su turned away.

Sigh. Watching her back, Yeon-su felt a wave of disbelief.

Surely the bad feeling on the first day was just a coincidence.

* * *

Two weeks passed since Yeon-su joined HaeNam Construction.

Contrary to her first-day worries, work life was pleasant.

Except for Kang Yeon-su, everyone in Marketing was kind.

And thankfully, she hadn’t run into Jin-hyuk again since the welcome ceremony.

Having worked countless part-time jobs, the beginner-level tasks came easily to Yeon-su.

Even the little bit of Excel she had picked up at a temp office job was a huge help.

“Kang Yeon-su, you’re so skilled I’d believe you weren’t a new hire but an experienced worker.”

Manager Jin praised, glancing at her report.

It was an Excel file neatly charting sales revenue by year.

“Thank you. But it’s not Kang, it’s Ha, Yeon-su.”

She gently corrected him with a smile.

“Oh dear, I mixed them up again.”

He laughed sheepishly, and they both chuckled together.

It was a drowsy afternoon after a hearty lunch.

“Yeon-su, can you deliver this to the Logistics Team?”

Assistant Manager Kim handed her a file.

The Logistics Team was located in a separate annex, quite a trek from the main building.

Kang Yeon-su kept her head down, pretending not to hear.

“Yes, I’ll take care of it.”

Yeon-su answered brightly, taking the file and leaving.

Only after she was gone did Kang Yeon-su raise her head.

She had no intention of handling errands.

At first, having the same name had annoyed her.

But now, she realized it was convenient. She could shove all the grunt work onto Ha Yeon-su.

Of course, Yeon-su could see right through the petty trick.

Still, rather than complain, she worked even harder.

‘My goal is a permanent position.’

The more Kang Yeon-su slacked off, the further she strayed from that goal. And the closer Yeon-su got to it.

When Yeon-su returned from delivering the file, the elevator doors were just closing.

“Excuse me, hold the door!”

At her call, the doors reopened.

“Thank you.”

She rushed forward, but froze at the sight inside.

There stood Jin-hyuk, the VVIP client of the Baby Bodhisattva.

Yeon-su’s eyes shook violently again. Her heart raced, a chill running down her spine.

“Aren’t you getting in?”

Holding the open button, Jin-hyuk asked.

His voice was casual, but carried an edge of annoyance.

“Yes, I am.”

She stepped inside, and the doors shut.

The elevator was spacious, fitting for such a large building.

Yeon-su pressed herself into the farthest corner, trying to keep her distance.

But her effort was in vain.

“What’s your name?”

The weight in his voice was undeniable.

It pressed down on her until her breath caught in her throat.

“I’m Ha Yeon-su. I just joined the Marketing Team.”

At her answer, he asked again.

“Haven’t we met somewhere before?”

Her heart dropped.

5, 6, 7…

The numbers climbed quickly above the door.

The Marketing Team was on the 10th floor.

“Men don’t really remember faces well. He’ll probably just think, ‘That Baby Bodhisattva was pretty,’ and that’s it.”

Su-ryeon’s words surfaced in her mind.

Right. There’s no way he would remember me clearly.

If he did, he wouldn’t be asking like this.

“No, we haven’t met.”

She denied it firmly just as the bell dinged and the doors opened.

The 10th floor.

“Miss Ha Yeon-su.”

Just as she tried to hurry out, Jin-hyuk called her back.

An executive director had spoken. She couldn’t pretend not to hear.

Yeon-su turned slowly, her head ducking lower, her eyes fixed on the floor at a forty-five degree angle to avoid his gaze.

But Jin-hyuk said nothing.

Unable to endure the silence, Yeon-su finally lifted her head.

His eyes met hers directly.

Under that piercing stare, she forced a weak smile.

“We really haven’t crossed paths before? Not even by chance?”

His languid tone carried the weight of someone who already knew the answer.

“Of course not. How could someone like me ever meet an executive director? The only markets I go to are open-air markets, and I live way up in the hills. Ha ha ha…”

She babbled nervously, laughter spilling out too loudly.

It only made her look more awkward, though she was too tense to realize it.

“I see.”

Jin-hyuk nodded.

“Then I’ll leave you to it.”

Yeon-su bent ninety degrees, bowing deeply in farewell.

In doing so, she completely missed the faint smile tugging at his lips.

As soon as he lifted his finger from the button, the doors slid shut slowly.

Only when the elevator rose out of sight did Yeon-su let out a shaky sigh of relief, pressing a hand over her chest.

‘Thank goodness I got through that.’
 

To be continued

Join the GS Discord to stay updated on the latest chapter releases:

https://discord.gg/PRZEAJZE3J