Eating anything just because you’re hungry will only upset your stomach.
Soft light poured in through the window at the end of the straight-line walk-in closet.
Suhyeok, who looked as though he had just stepped out of the shower, roughly dried his damp hair with a towel. His dry, indifferent gaze scanned the row of neatly hung suits. When he picked out the one he liked best, the towel wrapped around his waist slipped and fell to the floor.
From the phone left on speaker mode in the bedroom, Sim Inho’s voice reached the dressing room, following after him.
[“Are you arriving tomorrow? Once you’re back in Korea, drop by the vice chairman’s inauguration ceremony. There are plenty of people I need to introduce you to.”]
Suhyeok, who had selected a dark navy suit designed by Tom Ford from among dozens of suits, looked as polished as a high-end mannequin in a display window.
As he was in the middle of picking out a watch, his neatly furrowed brows creased slightly.
“Is it necessary to spread rumors about being parachuted in? Let’s keep things quiet.”
[“You’ve got to show how sturdy your parachute is. Otherwise, worthless pests will cling to you. Isn’t that right?”]
“Even so, I can’t make any promises. I already have prior commitments.”
[“Prior commitments? You haven’t even landed yet, and already?”]
“Yes. There’s someone who’s been eagerly waiting for my arrival.”
[“Ah, don’t tell me… your mother?”]
“Yes. I wonder what schemes she has in store this time.”
[“If you don’t feel like it, just postpone it. And since you’re coming to Korea, I’m being transferred to New York. So, do me a favor and butter up the chairman a bit, alright?”]
“Isn’t it a promotion rather than a transfer? You’re moving from executive director to the CEO of the New York branch. Anyway, I’ll contact the secretary’s office if there are any changes to my schedule.”
[“Alright then. Make sure you come. It’s been a while—we need to catch up.”]
“I’ll try my best.”
[“Okay. Goodnight?”]
“It’s daytime here.”
[“Oh, right. You’re in New York. Anyway, early congratulations on your return!”]
After ending the call, Suhyeok fastened his cufflinks while gazing out over Manhattan, unsure of when he would see it again.
At one time, this view had felt unfamiliar. Now, it even carried a hint of regret.
It had been three years since he had essentially been “sold off” to America, focusing solely on work. To survive as a lawyer in the U.S., he took on every case he could find, tackling whatever came his way. Fortunately, his efforts paid off, and he managed to resolve several high-profile lawsuits.
Perhaps it was because of that success that he ended up catching the eye of Chairman Sim—the very person he had hoped to avoid.
Well, at least it sped up the timing of his return to Korea…
“Three years, huh?”
After finishing his preparations, Suhyeok looked around the chaotic house filled with luggage before grabbing his car keys and suitcase and leaving the mansion.
Even though it was his first trip back to Korea in three years, he felt no excitement. The bright sunlight hitting his profile as he headed to the airport was so intense it made him squint.
***
“Sorry, Hajae. Oh, and don’t worry about the exhibit preparations—I’ve already finished everything. Don’t you think I deserve a bit of rest too? I might head to some island in the South Pacific, so don’t bother looking for me. Please don’t hate your irresponsible older sister too much. I’ve reached my limit.
P.S. Oh, I saw Lady Isabelle’s latest piece in your wardrobe. I’ll borrow it. It’s way too flashy for you anyway. I’ll send you a picture, so don’t be too upset. Sorry, sister!”
The long note was discovered just as Hajae opened her wardrobe to prepare for work early in the morning. Tearing off the note that was stuck to the empty hanger, her face turned pale.
“Do you even know what kind of dress that is?! Seo Hayoon…! Argh!”
Grabbing the empty hanger, Hajae let out a frustrated scream. It was still only 6 a.m., with the sun yet to rise. Stamping her feet in place, she pulled at her hair before tossing the hanger aside and sitting down at her vanity.
Even though Hayoon had caused a mess, now was not the time to dwell on it.
Hurrying, she applied her makeup for work and skillfully tidied her long hair. She put on a beige skirt and blouse.
For an ordinary office worker, leisurely mornings were a luxury. Hajae pulled out a well-worn sheath dress she had used for events, to replace the Isabel Marant dress Hayoon had taken, and put it into a garment bag.
“Not helpful at all—ever! What about the workshop… the South Pacific? She’s insane!”
The dress gifted by Executive Director Sim Inho for the vice chairman’s inauguration that afternoon was now on its way to the South Pacific. What excuse could she possibly offer him?
Going through various strategies in her head, Hajae packed her bag.
It was already 6:40 a.m. Checking the time, a chill ran down her spine.
“Taxi!”
Thanks to this pointless delay, she had wasted an extra ten minutes. For the first time in a while, she hailed a cab.
“To the front gate of Ihwan Holdings on Seocho Avenue, please! Quickly!”
***
Fortunately, the darkness of dawn still lingered.
Hajae let out a sigh of relief as she looked around the empty annex office.
Executive Director Sim, the head of the Strategy Planning Department, was a relaxed and gentlemanly boss in all aspects—except for one thing he absolutely could not tolerate.
He couldn’t stand arriving at his desk in the morning without lukewarm milk tea and freshly baked scones.
What a peculiar taste. What could lukewarm milk tea possibly taste like?
Thankful for the roughly 20 minutes of spare time she had, Hajae steeped some black tea with a strainer and quickly headed to the first floor.
“One plain scone, please!”
At the bakery right in front of the headquarters, which had been in business for 40 years, the owner—who had seen her almost daily for the past three years—promptly handed her a bag of scones.
“You’re five minutes later than usual! Miss Seo, there are only seven minutes until the executive director arrives. You better hurry.”
“I was running a bit late today. I’ll get going! Thank you!”
The buttery scent of freshly baked scones teased her empty stomach.
As the suffocating summer heat waned and autumn suddenly arrived, her heart felt strangely buoyant. The once-vivid greenery had begun to fade, and beyond the drying treetops, an unusually clear blue sky was visible.
Feeling the cool breeze on her face, Hajae sprinted toward the main building.
“Your major is public administration, and you hold a patent attorney license?”
“Yes. Is there anything you need me to…?”
“I was going to mention it during the event later, but I thought it’d be better to tell you now.”
With her fingertips trembling slightly, Hajae focused intently on Executive Director Sim’s words.
Could it be…?
“Today, the chairman’s personally selected candidate for the CLO (Chief Legal Officer) position is arriving from New York. If you worked in the legal team three years ago, you might know him—Cha Suhyeok.”
In that moment, her heart sank like a stone.
“You don’t know him?”
“No, I know him.”
Know him? Of course. I know him so well it’s a problem.
Executive Director Sim, who had been watching her with a strange look, traced the rim of his cup before pulling out some documents from his drawer and handing them over.
“Which brings me to this. I’d like you to work as his personal secretary. He became a famous star lawyer in the U.S. after winning the Skylara Air lawsuit last year. Could you take care of him, Ms. Seo?”
“I’d rather stay under you, Executive Director.”
“Of course, I can’t imagine working without you either, but… I’ll be away for about three months. I’ve been temporarily assigned to the New York branch.”
Damn it…
Swallowing a curse, she lowered her gaze.
What Sim handed her was the man’s personnel file. It was filled with dazzling credentials, his name, his age—and a photo that caught her eye.
Unintentionally crumpling the edge of the document, she forced a polite smile and raised the corners of her lips.
“I’m not sure I’m competent enough to work as a personal secretary.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve never met a more capable secretary than you.”
“Do I really have to do this?”
“Of course. You’re my secretary. He’s coming in my place, so I can’t entrust him to just anyone, can I? Why? Do you feel burdened?”
“Yes.”
Sim let out a hearty laugh at her overly honest response.
“Well, to be fair… It’s a high position for someone at the age of 33. Still, his title will be Chief of the Strategic Planning Team. Technically, he’ll be below me. I know it’s frustrating, but just endure it for three months. He’s supposed to arrive today, but I’m not sure if he’ll make it to the event.”
Sim’s smile deepened.
Realizing that arguing further might upset him, Hajae decided to step back.
As soon as she left the executive director’s office, the late-arriving employees greeted her warmly.
“Good morning, Ms. Seo!”
“Still the first one in as always? Aren’t you tired?”
“Good morning!”
“Yes, the weather’s really nice today. There’s an executive meeting at 9:30, so make sure to prepare.”
After smiling politely at them, she returned to her desk and collapsed into her chair.
Sim Inho had just fertilized the mess Hayoon had left behind.
Resting her forehead on the desk, she let out a series of heavy sighs. Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message, making her bite her lip in frustration.
–Come home. Grandfather’s calling because of Hayoon’s situation.
I knew this would happen.
There was no way her grandfather wouldn’t know that Hayoon had left Korea.
But Hayoon wasn’t the only thing weighing on her mind.
“Cha Suhyeok is coming back…? Really?”
Bad luck? No, it must be the dreaded “three calamities” year.
No… it has to be the infamous “nine-year curse.” Definitely..
