Impossible Romance - Chapter 36

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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36.

“Executive Director, please focus on your work. Going to a restaurant for business is absurd.”
Jun-hee shook her head and retreated into her room.
Kwon Seok-ha said something from behind, but I didn’t pay attention—it was just a joke anyway. He’d probably been telling me to fix how I addressed him at home, but I ignored it. The only place I could afford to ignore him was here. That’s precisely why I could live with him in this apartment.
But the most pressing matter was getting to work. Today, more than any other day, I needed to arrive at the Company before Kwon Seok-ha.
This constant drawing closer unsettled me. If I let my guard down at the Company the way I did at home, I might slip up. Moreover, if we kept arriving at similar times like this, it would only make us more conspicuous to others.
So I rushed through my preparations with unusual urgency and left without saying a word to Kwon Seok-ha. Thanks to leaving early, I managed to catch the bus and Subway connections without delay.
“Phew….”
Only after sprinting through the Company Lobby and reaching the Elevator did a sigh of relief escape me. Moments later, as I was about to step inside, I hesitated.
Kwon Seok-ha was already there. I was startled, though it made sense—he’d driven his own car. I’d rushed specifically to avoid arriving together, so this outcome felt deflating.
“What are you doing? Get in.”
Kwon Seok-ha gestured for me to enter. With so many unseen eyes around the Company, I couldn’t afford an outright refusal.
“About yesterday….”
“I know. Just greet me properly morning and evening. Then we’ll call it even.”
I couldn’t glare at him as he spoke so confidently, so I simply lowered my head quietly—from a distance, we’d look like nothing more than a superior and secretary.
The Elevator doors were closing when someone rushed in. It was Park Hyun-sik.
“Good morning, Executive Director.”
He greeted Kwon Seok-ha, then noticed Jun-hee standing beside him.
“You both came together?”
“Yes.”
“No… Yes.”
As Kwon Seok-ha affirmed and Jun-hee quickly corrected herself to agree, the Elevator doors sealed shut.

***

The moment I stepped out of the elevator, I kept my distance from Kwon Seok-ha and walked closer to Park Hyun-sik. Though Kwon Seok-ha seemed to glance my way, I pretended not to notice and entered the Secretary’s Office.
The day began with its usual relentless pace. The Secretary’s Office hummed with activity—copy machines and printers running continuously, people moving about in silent efficiency.
Lunchtime was approaching. Kwon Seok-ha had mentioned this morning that we should eat together, but there was no way the two of us could go out alone.
As I worked, I found myself recalling Kwon Seok-ha’s restaurant recommendations, only to shake my head. Around me, colleagues were beginning to murmur as the lunch hour drew near.
Through the ambient noise, Kwon Seok-ha’s voice cut through.
“Ahn Joon-hee, shall we grab lunch?”
I froze mid-shuffle of the documents, thinking I’d misheard at first.
Was he really bringing this up so boldly?
“I’m sorry? Ah, you’re going out on business?”
I jumped to my feet and blurted out something about an errand I’d never heard of. I glanced around hoping Hwang Manager would appear as my savior, but he was nowhere to be found.
“Hwang Manager seems to be running late with work at Seongwon. Ahn Joon-hee, let’s go.”
“Yes…”
I felt the sharp gazes of my colleagues upon me. Even Park Hyun-sik’s expression registered a hint of surprise.
But it was already too late to take it back. I hurried from my seat and stood behind Kwon Seok-ha.
“Let’s go. Everyone, enjoy your meal.”
Kwon Seok-ha’s lips curved upward as he addressed the staff.
“Yes. Enjoy your meal, Executive Director.”
The Secretary’s Office staff rose and bowed respectfully. Since it was lunchtime, everyone filed out of the office. We all headed toward the elevator together.
I wanted to demand why Kwon Seok-ha was putting me in such an awkward position, but there was no opportunity. I simply fell into the role of the junior secretary, following my superior in silence.
Because we’d left about five minutes before the official lunch hour, everyone managed to fit into the elevator in this building, which had no separate executive elevator. The result was that the elevator interior looked like a miniature version of the Secretary’s Office.
Since Kwon Seok-ha had publicly declared he’d be eating with me, he stood beside me. Once again, I felt an uncomfortable prickling sensation down my spine.
“Joon-hee, ask the Executive Director to buy you something delicious.”
Park Hyun-sik spoke with a smile. Like most colleagues, he watched me being taken along by my superior with sympathy, offering what encouragement he could.
“That’s right! The most expensive thing!”
The other staff members nodded in agreement, as if cheering me on.
Then Kwon Seok-ha, standing in front, looked down at me and parted his red lips.
“I’ve heard our Company Cafeteria is quite the popular restaurant in this district. Whatever menu you’d like, I’ll treat you, Ahn Joon-hee. Feel free to choose anything. Price is no object.”
“The Company Cafeteria?”
It was Lee Soo-chul who spoke in surprise—even more shocked than I was.
The Company Cafeteria was indeed known as a good restaurant among office workers in the area, but even the most expensive items never exceeded seven thousand won.
My heart, which had been wound tight with tension, suddenly plummeted. While I felt relief, I also found Kwon Seok-ha’s teasing irritating. But naturally, I couldn’t show it in this situation.
“Executive Director, she’s our youngest staff member—please treat her to something delicious.”
Park Hyun-sik carefully shifted the atmosphere.
“What’s wrong with our Company Cafeteria? I’ve heard rumors that even employees from other companies come to eat there.”
Kwon Seok-ha, unflinching as expected, pressed the button for the basement where the Company Cafeteria was located. The air inside the elevator grew subtly heavy.

***

How fickle the human heart truly was. When Seok-ha had taken me to the Company Cafeteria claiming it was a restaurant, I’d felt somewhat deflated. Yet the cafeteria food deserved its reputation—it was genuinely delicious.
And ultimately, it had been a choice that put my mind at ease. I’d always worried that the people in the Secretary’s Office would question the nature of my relationship with Seok-ha.
Perhaps Seok-ha was teasing me for being the youngest, but I despised the image of receiving special treatment. Fortunately, thanks to Seok-ha’s actions today, I’d grown closer to the Secretary’s Office staff.
They’d subtly taken my side, remarking that what kind of superior claims to take someone to a restaurant only to bring them to the Company Cafeteria? Some even made sure to bring me coffee afterward.
At the same time, others spoke of how wonderful a superior like Seok-ha was, saying he made people feel so comfortable. Well, that was essentially the conclusion, so I simply smiled silently instead of responding.
But after work, Seok-ha brought me to an actual restaurant. My work had wrapped up late today, and I’d been planning to leave a bit later than my colleagues.
“Let’s grab dinner before heading home.”
Seok-ha was suddenly standing before me.
I reflexively glanced around.
“Everyone’s already left. Hwang Manager clocked out at the site today.”
Seok-ha spoke as if he understood my concerns.
“Yes, okay then.”
Embarrassed at having my thoughts exposed, I answered casually and tidied my workspace.

The two of us went to the Lounge at the Sungwon Hotel. I’d expected the Seonjin Hotel, so this was unexpected. The head chef here had become a hot spot after appearing on a television program.
When I gave my name to the hotel staff, they guided us to a prepared private room. Judging by the fact that I didn’t know when the reservation was made, it seemed he’d booked it directly without going through the Secretary’s Office. I’d heard reservations here weren’t easy to secure, so I was curious how he’d managed it while so busy.
“Hwang Manager happened to have business here anyway. I just asked him for a favor.”
Seok-ha spoke as if reading my mind. In other words, he’d made the reservation through the site visit.
“Really…?”
Thinking of Hwang Manager, I felt apologetic and embarrassed. He must have come for work-related reasons, and here I was causing him trouble.
“Don’t you like it? You’re making that face.”
His eyes, which had been scanning the menu, turned toward me.
“To be honest, I do. I feel sorry toward Hwang Manager, and I’m conscious of what the staff might think.”
“You think I put on a show at lunch because you were worried about appearances?”
Displeasure was evident in his slightly raised eyebrows.
“I know, but still, please be careful.”
I spoke quietly but firmly. For a moment, it felt as though time had stopped in the room, and I lifted my head. Seok-ha was looking directly at me.
“I’m the type of person who wants to do the opposite when told to be careful. What should I do?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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