The next morning, Lin Sae arrived at the office with a mixture of fatigue and vigilance. The memory of the email sent without her knowledge and the altered South branch file still lingered, like a silent shadow. She knew she had to understand what had happened, but without alerting anyone unnecessarily. Every movement, every conversation could reveal something she didn't want exposed.
She first went to her computer, checking the server logs and file modifications. The message had been sent from her account, but at a time when she was absent.
— Hmm… she murmured. Who could have accessed this… and why now?
Han Nana appeared at that moment, her bag on her shoulder, as if she had just arrived.
— Hi, she said, her impeccable smile in place. You seem worried… is everything okay?
— Yes, just… the South branch file, Lin Sae murmured, still troubled. There was a modification I didn't make.
— Oh… that's inconvenient, said Nana, sitting down next to her. Do you want me to look at it with you? Just to make sure everything is in order.
Lin Sae hesitated. She knew she could handle it alone, but Nana offered help… friendly help.
— Alright, she replied. Thank you.
They spent the next ten minutes going through the files. Nana pointed out figures, suggested hypotheses, always with that soft, serious tone:
— Maybe someone wanted to speed up the process and thought they were doing the right thing… it happens sometimes, especially under pressure.
Lin Sae nodded. Yes, it could have been an unintentional mistake. But doubt remained. She realized that Nana wasn't imposing a solution; she was simply letting her think she might be wrong if she didn't follow her advice.
— Check the last replies sent by email, Nana suggested. We could compare them with the server logs.
Lin Sae followed the advice and finally found the correct answer: a junior employee had responded to the original email… unaware that they were using Lin Sae's account. The situation was resolved, but the doubt planted by Nana persisted in her mind.
— Thank you, Lin Sae said softly, a little wary of her own nervousness.
— You're welcome, Nana replied, smiling. You know, we're both very attentive… sometimes it only takes one detail for a project to slip out of our control.
The rest of the morning passed normally. But Nana seemed to be everywhere at once: a cup of coffee for Dong Hi, a kind word for a colleague, a friendly remark for Lin Sae. Everything was perfectly calculated so that no one would suspect her true intentions.
At the cafeteria, Dong Hi arrived on time this time and sat next to Lin Sae.
— You seem focused this morning, he said with a smile. Everything okay with the South branch file?
— Yes, Lin Sae replied, a little defensive. There was just a minor email issue, but it's sorted now.
Nana arrived with a tray, sitting across from them as if it were completely natural.
— I'm glad everything's worked out, she said, smiling at Lin Sae. You would have been very frustrated otherwise.
— Yes… thank you, Lin Sae replied, polite but slightly tense.
Nana turned slightly toward Dong Hi.
— Did you see how she manages the files… impressive, isn't it?
Dong Hi nodded, but Lin Sae felt a shiver. Nana was watching Dong Hi with a particular attentiveness, a slight smile on her lips. Not provocative, not obvious… but enough for Lin Sae to notice.
— She's brilliant, he said simply. But you already know that, don't you?
— Yes… Lin Sae said, trying to smile and hide her discomfort.
Nana nodded gently, as if sharing an invisible secret.
— Yes, I know. And I'm here to make sure no detail escapes you.
Lin Sae felt a small twinge of irritation but dared not speak. Nana was subtle, perfect, charming. How could one mistrust a friend who always seemed so sincere?
In the afternoon, at the office, a small incident occurred. A report that Lin Sae was supposed to send for a future meeting had been slightly altered… again. She frowned and approached Nana's desk.
— Did you notice this? she asked, pointing at the screen.
— Oh… murmured Nana, feigning surprise. That's strange… are you sure you approved this version last night?
— Absolutely. I reviewed it before leaving.
Nana placed a hand on the corner of Lin Sae's desk, an almost reassuring gesture.
— Don't worry… sometimes files get mixed up. That's why it's better to double-check. I can help you fix it if you want.
Lin Sae felt a mix of frustration and relief. Yes, the error was minor, easily fixed… but this "innocent" help from Nana had planted a subtle doubt: what if Lin Sae wasn't as flawless as everyone thought?
As they corrected the report together, Dong Hi passed by to check a detail in his own work. Nana leaned slightly toward him.
— You know, she said softly, Lin Sae has a lot of responsibilities… sometimes she forgets to take care of herself.
Her gaze lingered on Dong Hi a moment too long. Lin Sae felt a pang of invisible jealousy, but nothing could be proven. Nana stepped back, smiling, as if nothing had happened.
The day ended, but Lin Sae couldn't stop thinking about the small incidents: the email, the South branch file, the altered report. Everything seemed resolved, yet an invisible thread connected her to Han Nana, and that thread was subtle… yet suffocating.
On the way home, she walked beside Nana, her mind analyzing every smile, every word, every gesture.
— You seem tired, said Nana, with studied softness.
— Yes… a little, admitted Lin Sae. A lot to manage today.
— That's normal, said Nana. But remember, we can always ask for help… if we know whom to trust.
Lin Sae nodded. She thought Nana was an ally… but something inside her screamed otherwise. A shiver ran down her neck.
— Yes… I know, murmured Lin Sae, without fully understanding what Nana knew.
Han Nana smiled, perfectly.
— Perfect… then rest a little. Observing… and waiting is sometimes the best strategy.
Lin Sae watched Nana walk away, unaware that the game had only just begun, and that every smile, every gesture, every word from this "friend" was another step toward what she truly wanted: to take over her entire life.