A few days had slipped by, and Ga-young now found herself in the staff lounge, a steaming cup of coffee warming her palms. She stared blankly at the wall, the rising tendrils of steam the only movement in the stillness of her thoughts.
Ji-hye strolled in, her towel draped lazily around her neck, and without hesitation launched herself onto the seat beside Ga-young.
"What's bothering you?" she asked, eyes still closed as though she could read minds with them shut.
"It's nothing," Ga-young answered, snapping out of her haze with a practiced smile that could have fooled anyone—except Ji-hye.
"You know," Ji-hye said, cracking one eye open, "you can fool the world with that smile of yours, but not me. I see straight through you." She leaned forward, her tone firm but caring.
Ga-young chuckled softly and nodded. "Sometimes it frightens me how much you know about me."
"Do you think I'd ever use it against you?" Ji-hye asked quietly.
"I know you wouldn't. But how sure are you that I wouldn't?" Ga-young replied, setting her mug down with a faint clink.
Ji-hye narrowed her eyes. "Would you?"
Ga-young scoffed, exhaling sharply. "Ms. Jin said she hates me."
Ji-hye sat up straighter. "Why let it get to you? You've got nothing to do with her."
Ga-young's lips curved into a humorless smile. "She had a reason to hate me."
Ji-hye tilted her head, studying her.
"A green snake in the green grass…" Ga-young murmured. "Is it that obvious?"
Silence settled between them, broken only when Ji-hye reached out, squeezing Ga-young's hand. "Hey. Don't let that woman crawl under your skin. She judges everyone—and she's not always right."
"She's never been wrong before," Ga-young said quietly.
"Then maybe this is the first time she is." Ji-hye leaned back with a sigh. "How did you even cross paths with that wench anyway?"
Before Ga-young could answer, Mira's voice echoed from the doorway.
"Secretary Choi Ga-young."
"Yes?" Ga-young looked up, startled.
"The boss wants to see you. Urgently." Mira disappeared as quickly as she came.
"I should go," Ga-young said, rising.
"Don't forget your coffee." Ji-hye smirked.
Ga-young smiled faintly, picking it up. "We'll talk later." She waved and slipped out.
---
Her footsteps echoed softly as she made her way to the boss's office, but midway, a commotion downstairs caught her attention. A crowd had gathered around a woman dressed in glaringly expensive attire, her presence commanding the space like a storm.
Without hesitation, Ga-young descended and bowed politely. "Secretary Choi Ga-young," she introduced herself.
The woman's eyes rolled over her name tag, and she let out a sharp scoff. "Secretary? Where's your boss? Tell him to come down here this instant."
Ga-young kept her tone level. "I understand you wish to see him, ma'am, but there are procedures you'll need to follow—"
"Procedures?" the woman sneered, muttering a string of curses under her breath. "Fetch him before I change my mind."
"I apologize, but that's not how things work here."
The slap came fast and hard, the sting blooming across Ga-young's cheek. The woman's voice dripped venom. "A mere secretary dares order me around?"
But Ga-young didn't flinch. She simply bowed, her smile still fixed in place like armor. "I apologize for enraging you, ma'am. I strongly advise you to book an appointment."
The woman raised her hand to strike again, but before the blow could fall, a firm hand caught her wrist.
"I suggest you lower your voice," Min-jae's voice cut in, calm yet sharp as a blade. "Or I'll have security throw you out."
"Who are you? Her boyfriend?" the woman spat, jerking against his grip.
"Take her out," Min-jae ordered, releasing her.
The guards obeyed, dragging her off as she kicked and screamed, promising revenge.
Min-jae stormed out.
---
Inside the office, Ga-young finally entered, her coffee still miraculously in hand. Min-jae glanced up at her and exhaled.
"Why did you let it get that far?" His tone was calm but carried a flicker of annoyance.
"My apologies, sir. I'll look into her complaint and resolve it before it escalates further." She bowed.
"You should have called security the moment she caused a scene. Did you forget the K&H policy?"
"My apologies. It won't happen again."
He studied her for a moment, then gestured toward her cup. "Drink your coffee before it gets cold."
"Don't mind me," Ga-young replied with her usual composed smile. "You said you wanted to see me urgently?"
Min-jae didn't push, only slid a stack of papers toward her. "The staff suggestion box. Most of them want a camping business trip. What do you think?"
Ga-young glanced over the notes. "If I may, sir, you shouldn't place too much weight on irrelevant suggestions. You've just stepped into power, and there are far more pressing matters."
Min-jae tapped the page. "I don't see it as irrelevant. I want to bond with my staff. It'll make giving instructions easier."
Ga-young hesitated. "With respect, the previous boss tried that. It backfired—the staff grew too comfortable."
"Then I'll take that chance." Min-jae leaned back, eyes steady. "I want to understand them."
She sighed softly but smiled. "If that's what you want, sir, I'll begin planning the trip."
He stood suddenly. "What's on my schedule today?"
She flipped through her planner. "At two, you're meeting Team Five about Project Makeover. At four, you're with the chairman and executives. At six, you—"
"Clear it," Min-jae interrupted. "I'll be meeting Ms. Jin."
Ga-young froze. "Sir, those are important meetings. Are you sure—?"
"They can be compromised." He opened the refrigerator, pulling out a chilled can, and stepped closer. Placing the drink gently against her reddened cheek, he said quietly, "You shouldn't let people treat you like a pushover. You don't have to be kind to everyone." Then he walked out.
Ga-young remained still, the cold seeping into her skin where the slap had landed. His words echoed louder than the sting.
"A pushover…" she whispered. She pressed the can tighter against her cheek, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "I've only grown more pathetic, haven't I?."