A child who looks like me

Upon arriving at the office, Jeong-oh continuously scanned the surroundings, ready to flee at the sight of Ji-heon.

Fortunately, Ji-heon was nowhere to be found.

‘He’s a busy person, so he probably won’t be here on the weekend. By Monday, he’ll likely have forgotten all about today,’ Jeong-oh thought, shutting the door on her anxiety as she headed toward the meeting room.

There were several cups of coffee from a well-known coffee chain on the meeting room table.

Park Yeong-gwang, who had entered the meeting room first, said, “Lee, choose whatever you want to drink.”

“Is this on you, Team Leader?”

“No, it’s from the Director.”

Jeong-oh almost dropped the iced Americano she had picked up.

Yeong-gwang took a sip of his coffee and continued, “At first, I was a bit scared, but the Director seems to take really good care of the staff.”

“Really? I didn’t notice that.”

“That’s not true. At the last tasting event, he personally contacted me to make sure you wouldn’t be harassed by that difficult advertiser. That’s why I stuck close to you.”

Ah.

Realizing this unexpected fact felt like biting into ice, making her head tingle. From the time they had met in front of her old house, to the request he made of Yeong-gwang, to how he handled things after receiving her call, and now this coffee—it felt as if Ji-heon had been watching her from somewhere all along.

No matter how much she tried to escape, she felt as if she were firmly within his grasp. Jeong-oh set the Americano she had been holding back down on the table.

One by one, the team members arrived, and the competitive PT production meeting began.

Before long, the competitive PT was just ten days away. Instead of Jo Si-nae, who had been expelled from the production team, Ko Eun-joo had joined the team. Jeong-oh felt reassured by the fact that her allies had increased.

Today, for some reason, Chae Eun-bi was absent, making the meeting easier.

In meetings where Eun-bi participated, her opinions often drew subtle disapproval. She would likely follow up the next day, critiquing everything Jeong-oh had suggested, but for now, things were comfortable.

“Since we’ve discussed a lot today, shall we wrap it up? Let’s enjoy Saturday evening like it should be and reconvene tomorrow.”

“Sure!”

At Mi-ran’s words, the team members cheered. Jeong-oh, who had contributed many ideas, stood up with a sense of pride.

Just then, the studio sent over the revised work. If she could just check it quickly and head home, she would have the perfect opportunity for a cozy family dinner.

As Jeong-oh settled back into her seat, Gi-hoon spoke up.

“Are you not heading out, Team Leader? I drove today, so I can give you a ride.”

“No, I need to check on one piece of work first. You go ahead.”

“Okay, then. I’ll take off.”

One by one, the others said their goodbyes, and soon Jeong-oh was left alone.

Currently, her team was the only one in the main office for the competitive PT, so there were no other people around. Sitting alone in the office felt a bit eerie.

‘I should wrap this up quickly and leave.’

Since it was just a matter of comparing the script with the work, it wasn’t difficult; it just took time. After finishing the review, Jeong-oh also soon got up from her seat.

And then, across the room, her eyes met Ji-heon’s as he stood quietly.

‘Oh no, this is bad.’

He was at the office.

Feeling the weight of his gaze, Jeong-oh became tense, as if being punished by his stare.

“Don’t you have anything to say?” he asked as he approached her, his voice low. The moment had finally arrived.

Jeong-oh was startled internally but didn’t show it. He continued teasing her.

“Your password is quite unique, especially the ‘gyeok’ and ‘siot’ sounds.”

She had said she would let it go, but here they were.

The food she had eaten for breakfast and lunch felt like it was coming back to haunt her. Her face was turning red, but he paid no mind as he continued to poke fun at her.

“And you were going to share that with Song Gi-hoon.”

Feigning innocence, Jeong-oh responded playfully, “The ‘gyeok’ and ‘siot’ mean ‘thank you.’ You know that, right? Even unconsciously, I’m grateful to the Director…”

“What are you thanking me for?”

“There are so many reasons to be grateful. I’m always thankful. I really appreciate you helping me with today’s tasks.”

At Jeong-oh’s twisted logic, Ji-heon let out an amused chuckle.

Still, she was entertaining.

Ji-heon spent his time in the office, waiting for the hours to pass.

After he had pointed out that having Jeong-oh nearby decreased the staff’s efficiency, she had been careful about attending meetings. Instead, she decided to receive only the end-time reports without attending.

He visited her right after the meeting ended. While everyone else was leaving the company, Jeong-oh seemed to have work to do and returned to her seat.

For about ten minutes, he watched her intently as she immersed herself in her tasks. Just watching her was oddly satisfying. For Ji-heon, who had always thought of work as a nuisance, this was a refreshing sight.

He couldn’t understand why he felt this way about a woman who did nothing for him.

With a smile, Ji-heon asked, “If you’re that thankful, shouldn’t you buy me a meal or something?”

“Sure. Just let me know when you want to eat something delicious, and I’ll come to pay for it.”

“Who asked you to pay for it?”

She was unpredictable, didn’t move according to his wishes, and felt like someone who toyed with him. Yet, there was something enjoyable about watching her.

“Enough with the jokes.”

“…….”

“Let’s go. I’ll treat you to something good.”

He wanted to see her enjoying a meal again.

After a brief notice, he moved first.

Jeong-oh stood there in a daze, watching Ji-heon.

She had expected him to scold her, but he was inviting her to dinner.

Was he planning to take revenge with food? Was he plotting to feed her something inedible?

She couldn’t grasp his intentions. In a hurry, she chased after him, saying, “I’m planning to have dinner with my mom, so I’ll be going home early. I’m sorry.”

“Then I’ll give you a ride home.”

Home? He was offering to take her home?

To the house where her mom and Ye-na were?

If she happened to run into Ye-na on the way back from the playground, that would be a disaster.

‘Still, he’s offering a ride, so I might as well take it. I can just get off somewhere a bit further from home.’

Though it felt awkward, Jeong-oh quickly steadied her resolve, recalling her mission.

Maintaining a comfortable distance from him while learning more about him was usually not easy.

But that didn’t mean she could just sulk.

I know you.

I only know a fragment of you from seven years ago, from when I met you back then, but that you could be a clue.

She could move carefully, calculating how he would react to her actions.

It felt like stepping onto a slippery surface where she couldn’t tell if it was water or ice, but Jeong-oh decided to embrace her fate.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

“Do you live alone with your mother?”

Ji-heon asked as the car drove down the road.

Jeong-oh wiggled her fingers for a moment before slowly answering, “Yes.”

Her heart raced when she had to lie.

“Isn’t it uncomfortable living with your mother?” he asked.

“No, I’m like a soulmate with my mom,” she replied.

His gaze flickered towards her for a moment before staring straight ahead.

“What about you?” she asked.

“What about me?”

“Aren’t you close with your mother?”

This time, she threw the question back at him. While waiting for his response, Jeong-oh’s lips felt dry.

“It’s been a while since I lived apart from her.”

“So does that mean your mother is uncomfortable?”

“Because I’m more comfortable alone.”

“It’s not that you don’t like her?”

She sounded serious, causing Ji-heon to let out a small laugh, as if he found her question absurd.

Quick to pick up on the moment, Jeong-oh changed the subject. “But you still care for her, right?”

“I respect her, in many ways.”

Jeong-oh nodded slowly.

She wondered if questioning familial bonds was unnecessary. If there was even a slight rift between him and his mother, wanting to pry into it felt wrong.

But if not, how could she get to the truth?

Could she approach this man again?

Everything about him had changed to the point that if it weren’t for his looks, she might have thought he was someone else entirely.

Could she find a way back into his heart?

As she pondered, Ji-heon’s car arrived in the neighborhood.

“Which way from here?” he asked as he turned into an alley in front of a convenience store.

“Oh, please stop here!” Jeong-oh exclaimed urgently.

When Ji-heon parked the car, she hurriedly got out.

“Just a moment. I’ll be right back,” she said, rushing into the convenience store.

Inside, she quickly grabbed a few items.

Barley tea and gum, which she had left in his car seven years ago. And candy that she had once put in his pocket.

After completing her purchase, Jeong-oh rushed out of the store.

By then, Ji-heon had gotten out of the car and was standing blankly in the direction she had gone. When he spotted her, he approached.

Jeong-oh handed him the items she had bought at the convenience store.

“I got water in case you’re thirsty, and gum and candy for when you feel sleepy. Thank you for the ride,” she said.

Remember me.

And today, please just go back.

Ji-heon frowned slightly at the gifts she presented, his expression seeming like an effort to recall something, causing Jeong-oh’s heart to flutter.

She needed to get closer to him. They had to become more than just a superior and subordinate.

But it couldn’t be too obvious.

Could she learn about him without revealing herself entirely?

Without anyone finding out? Not even Ye-na’s existence?

‘Could we be friends?’

Slowly building trust, I would eventually have to reveal the truth.

I needed to have the strength to stand against his mother.

I would have to tell him that I had met his mother, that I had spoken to someone impersonating him seven years ago. I needed to uncover all the facts and make him believe me.

Could I do it? Did I have that kind of strength?

Thinking about the future filled her with fear. But still, she had to take that first step.

“Director, I’m actually quite good at counseling,” she said, cautiously taking a step toward him.

“If you have a difficult problem, I can listen. For example, if there’s conflict with someone, if work is hard, or if you just want to talk to someone for no particular reason.”

“…”

“I can be your friend.”

Not wanting to be too obvious…

She approached him with a fervent wish, almost like a chant, but his gaze felt sharp as if he could see through her. Jeong-oh flinched, worried that he might find her approach unpleasant.

“It might be a bit uncomfortable for you since I’m younger and just your subordinate, but having a friend who’s younger is a good thing. You might even feel a little younger yourself,” she added.

“…”

“It’s not about being a romantic friend; I can be a friend who gives you honest and tough advice.”

The silence between them felt precarious.

After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“Tough advice.”

“…”

“That’s nice.”

He said with a crooked smile.

“Friend.”

“…”

“Sure. Why not? Friend.”

His words, spoken in short bursts, seemed to carry no unhealthy implications, yet they somehow felt inappropriate.

Jeong-oh forced herself to ignore that discomfort and nodded boldly.

“Yes. Friend.”

Maybe right now, she was walking into a tiger’s den.

If she was going to enter the tiger’s den, she needed to be fully armed to catch the tiger.

“Let’s keep our friendship a secret for now. Eun-bi keeps misunderstanding things, and that’s too bothersome.”

Would he really keep this promise? That would be the first test.

Jeong-oh extended her hand for a handshake.

Ji-heon found her determined expression amusing.

As he tried to approach her directly, he was entertained by her audacity in drawing a line by calling him a friend. It was surprising to see the woman who had been perpetually tense and seemingly angry in front of him gradually come closer.

It felt as if she was placing him, someone twice her size, onto the palm of her hand and squeezing him tightly.

Ji-heon firmly grasped her outstretched hand.

Even if it was a trap, he wore an expression that indicated he was willing to step right into it.

Her palm conveyed his warm body heat.

It was just a handshake.

Why did it already feel like she was caught when she was supposed to catch the tiger?

Just when she thought they would shake hands, he suddenly raised her hand, making Jeong-oh’s eyes widen.

His lips stamped onto her hand like a brand of their new relationship.

Touch.

Gasp!

Her face flushed instantly. Jeong-oh quickly withdrew her hand and exclaimed, “That’s not something friends do! Don’t you know? Don’t you have any friends?”

“Oh. I didn’t know because I don’t have any.”

Ji-heon replied, pretending to hide his sinister thoughts with a nonchalant tone.

“I don’t mind, whatever it is.”

He was satisfied.

The title didn’t matter.

Friend or whatever. As long as he could occupy the space next to her.

Ji-heon had always lived that way.