Chapter 18. You Don’t Have… Feelings For Me, Right? (1)

Translator: Lili

While savoring the leisure of a cup of coffee after lunch, a burst of loud chatter broke the calm. It seemed the employees who had gone out for lunch were returning. Sure enough, familiar faces walked into the office. Choi, the team leader leading the group, was shaking his head like a wet dog. Observing him, Chayoung asked,

“Is it raining outside?”

“Don’t even ask. It suddenly started pouring, and I had to run all the way here.”

“Chayoung, did you know it would rain and decide not to join us?”

It was Hongjoon, who occasionally teased him with childish remarks. Chayoung smiled politely and replied,

“Of course not. Would you like to borrow a handkerchief?”

“No, thanks.”

Hongjoon grimaced, grabbed his pack of cigarettes, and headed outside. After landing his empty paper cup into the trash can, Chayoung stood up, toothbrush and phone in hand, when Choi called out to him.

“Chayoung, come here for a moment.”

Complying, Chayoung walked over. The team leader swiveled his chair to face him and spoke in a low, confidential tone after glancing around the still-quiet office.

“Do you like La Flat?”

“La Flat… You mean that band that is currently on everyone’s lips?”

“Yeah. I got some tickets, but I’m not into that stuff. If you’re a fan, you can have them. You’re the star behind the success of that project, after all.”

“Why not give them to your daughter? I heard they’re hard to get now.”

“I asked her yesterday, and she just scoffed at me. Anyway, take them if you want.”

Knowing Choi’s slightly petty and sensitive nature, it was clear that ‘if you want’ actually meant he’d sulk for days if the offer was declined, which would be a headache for everyone. Chayoung decided to take the tickets with a smile.

“Thank you.”

Sliding the tickets into his back pocket at Mr. Choi’s insistence to hide them, he left the office.

Returning after brushing his teeth, he noticed the office had filled up considerably. A glance at the clock revealed about 15 minutes of free time. Normally, he’d jump straight into work, but he had just sent off a new project proposal he had been working on for nearly a month.

Sitting down, he reached for his phone, intending to pass the time by skimming through economic news, though he rarely found anything useful.

The colleague beside him was deep in a phone call, discussing weekend plans. It reminded him it was Friday. Closing the news app, he opened his messaging app and sent a brief text.

—— What are you doing? ——

No reply came immediately. Knowing Seo Gyuha wasn’t the type to leave texts unanswered, Chayoung guessed he was probably asleep. He chuckled, recalling Seo Changsik’s worry about Gyuha’s tendency to oversleep, and called him. The phone rang several times before a groggy voice answered.

— What.

The irritation in that single word was palpable. Amused, Chayoung smiled. He must have woken him up.

“Where should we meet today?”

— What are you talking about?

“It’s Friday. A perfect day to see each other.”

A muffled grumble came through the line, the words slurred as if still half-asleep. From what he caught, it was something about not being a ‘horny dog’.

‘A very apt metaphor.’

He thought, stifling a laugh. Just imagining the tightening ache below was enough to make him shift in his seat.

“So, are we meeting today or not?”

— Who said no? … Give me a moment to wake up. I’ll call you back.

“Got it. Don’t forget to eat.”

As he ended the call and tried to reopen the news app, he felt several eyes on him. Looking up, he saw a group of coworkers chatting nearby, some of whom were glancing his way. Among them, Assistant Manager Lee Mihee’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Chayoung, do you have a girlfriend?”

Caught off guard, he laughed.

“What makes you ask that?”

“You looked so happy on the phone. So, is it true?”

“No, I was talking to a friend.”

Unconvinced, Mihee’s teasing tone continued,

“Really just a friend? Your voice could melt butter.”

“Really, just a male friend.”

Adding that it was a male friend, she finally felt satisfied and turned back to her group.

A faint weariness crossed Chayoung’s face. While Mihee was undeniably a competent superior, her interest in subordinates’ personal lives was something he couldn’t get used to.

Two hours later, just as he was engrossed in work, a short vibration indicated an incoming message.

—— I’ll be at your apartment at 8. ——

It was Gyuha. Checking the time, Chayoung’s fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard, spurred by the rare anticipation of clocking out for the day.

***