By Zephyria 
I was doubtful, but I quietly returned to my seat. Both our Team leader and Ian kept giving off similar vibes. However, there was no way I would be lucky enough to be dispatched to an overseas branch. That position was coveted by people in much higher positions than me.
Still, if there was a chance…
I slapped both cheeks with my hands. Don’t expect, don’t be disappointed. Hadn’t I already experienced it? Expectations only brought despair.
I slowly organized the documents. I reviewed the data I had failed to present to Ian. Ah… is this it?
How did he notice it right away? Even I, who created this data, had to look at it for a while to understand.
I circled the incorrect content. As the number increased, sighs came out involuntarily. I was ashamed to show this data to Ian, but I also felt awe for him for discovering it with a single glance.
‘If I go to an overseas branch…’
My head was spinning. The more I repeated not to think about it, the more it came to mind like a frog. It was like craving something the more it was forbidden.
It wasn’t just that I wanted to go to an overseas branch. I wanted to go to the branch where Ian was. I wanted to extract and learn as much ability from him as I could. How much cooler would I be when I grew even more?
My heart thumped once. As if responding to my thoughts.
My body already knew. What I wanted. However, I couldn’t get what I wanted, and it was the most difficult position. Basically, I needed not only English scores but also my position in the company, Head of department’s support letter, and many other things.
“It’s going to be difficult for the time being.”
I sighed deeply and gathered the documents. It was the time Ian had mentioned. I had been lost in thought, and time had already flown by like this.
I was about to grab a coffee out of habit, but I put it back down when I remembered his words. Ian liked to buy small gifts like surprise events, and I was willing to participate to that extent.
I packed my things simply and headed to the conference room. On the way, the Team leader of the next team asked me how it was going as a greeting. I joked that it was going very smoothly and passed by.
There were quite a few people who were subtly interested in this project. Well, it was a project directly related to profit, so it was bound to be of interest.
I knocked on the conference room door twice.
“Yes, come in.”
A small voice was heard from inside. As expected, he had arrived earlier than me again. I had packed up and come relatively quickly, too. Is it that successful people have a different sense of time from the start?
The door clicked open. Through the crack in the door, I could see two cups of coffee and madeleines on a plate. The coffee and snacks Ian mentioned seemed to be those. He was such a sweet person. During the last market research, I had casually mentioned that it smelled good while passing by a nearby cafe, and how did he hear that again…?
“Ian, when did you prepare this again?”
“I thought Gyeoul seemed to be overdoing it these days, so I bought it for him to replenish his sugar. Do you like this?”
“I like all sweets.”
Ian smiled and nodded. He had a comfortable expression, as if he knew it would be like that. When I thought about it, Ian listened carefully to what the other person liked and did it for them. He was the epitome of a kind person. Was he like that to everyone?
I put down the documents and sat next to him. Ian reached out and immediately took the data covered in circles. Then he began to scan it seriously. I waited for his evaluation with my hands politely gathered, like a child being examined for an assignment.
“Hmm…”
I heard Ian’s voice of concern. I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them. It was definitely an assignment I was confident in, but now I was worried that he would be disappointed. My own inadequacy rushed in. I had thought I was a decent talent, but there were gaps everywhere.
And I had only just discovered it now.
“Is it that bad?”
“No. You don’t have to fix this much. There are parts that can be supplemented if you add a few more data. Gyeoul is like a child who is afraid of being scolded. You did so well.”
Ian smiled gently, and only then did I relax. I wondered if I was too scared on my own. But I couldn’t help it. It had been a long time since I realized his status while working together. It was amazing that such a high-level talent had boldly come to Korea. Ian’s will must have been 80% involved. They wouldn’t have wanted to send him.
Tok, his left fingertip brushed against mine. Ian playfully brought his finger closer.
“Again, again. I’m going to misunderstand if you do this.”
“It’s just a joke.”
His hand moved away. Ian answered me and quickly flipped through the paper. Then he began to write something in the empty corner of the paper. Looking at it from the side, it was the titles of previous documents. He must be telling me to refer to this.
“Ian, are you a genius?”
“Why do you think so?”
“How do you remember all that?”
The document with the exact file names recorded without a single mistake was returned to me. It wasn’t just one, but more than ten documents, and how could he remember all of this accurately? Some even had the page numbers written on them. He must really be a genius.
Ian rummaged through his pockets and then handed me another caramel in my bewildered hand. Where did it keep coming from?
“I guess it’s because I looked up too much data. I tried a little harder because it’s a project with Gyeoul, and it turned out like this. You can fix almost everything if you refer to those documents. How about it? I don’t think you’ll have to work overtime today.”
“You’re really the best!”
“The best…?”
I was trying to praise Ian, but an old-fashioned expression popped out. Ian tilted his head, wondering if he had only learned mz-style expressions. A slightly disheveled strand of hair stuck out above his forehead, bothering me. Could I dare to brush it away?
“It means you’re that awesome. Is it okay if I touch your face for a moment?”
“Of course. You can keep it on for a long time.”
Ian closed his eyes and leaned his face towards me. His sharp nose, clean skin, and familiar scent of osmanthus wafted around. I saw his fluttering eyelashes. He really had the beauty to have been a celebrity if he had just looked at his face.
I swallowed hard and barely managed to brush away a strand of hair. I saw his smooth forehead. How could this person’s forehead be so perfect?
“It’s done, Ian.”
“Already? You can touch it a little more.”
He frowned as if troubled and smiled so brightly that dimples formed. If I had the chance, I should ask Ian’s team members. If he always flirted with people like that. I should complain that my heart wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Ian turned back and rummaged through the files. He brought his body close to me and showed me what needed to be discussed.
“The factory we need to go to this time is this one. If you look at this data, it sticks out this much…”
I was subtly impressed by his calm voice, but I immediately focused on the data in his explanation. The thought of wanting to continue working with Ian did not leave my head. My heart was constantly pounding with the greed I felt for the first time in a long time.
How much could I grow if I worked with this person?
If it was this kind of greed, it was welcome. Anyway, I had no more regrets left in Korea. I nodded, feeling that the path I had to take was decided.
It was an exciting day.
∗ ∗ ∗
Woo Young-geol threw a note on my desk.
It was the first time he had approached me since that day. I thought he wouldn’t come any closer because it was insulting enough. He was much more persistent than I thought.
I unfolded the paper and checked the contents.
Head of section Kwon Yi-tae. I have something serious to say to you. Would you be available after work today?
I nodded towards Woo Young-geol, who was waiting for my answer in the distance. If I hadn’t been able to settle it before, today was the day. The day to cut him off completely.
It was all my greed. I wanted to be a mentor who was ethically flawless to him, I didn’t want to be scolded by Head of department anymore, and I wanted to escape from that fatigue anywhere.
If I couldn’t handle it, I should have cut it off from the beginning. Instead of dragging it on like this.
The day passed without any major incidents. I was feeling how lucky it was that nothing happened. Head of department had been strangely quiet since that day. I needed to watch a little more to see if this was the Calm before the storm or if the harassment was finally over. Because Head of department’s eyes were still fierce.
Woo Young-geol chose a restaurant very far from the company. It was too serious a place to have a light conversation and part ways. What on earth was he trying to say that he called me all the way here?
I sighed and opened the door. A small person wearing a hat deeply and bowing his head caught my eye.
It was Woo Young-geol.