A child who looks like me

The next day, Wednesday morning.

Seung-kyu went to find Ji-heon as soon as he arrived at work. With tears welling in his eyes, he expressed his gratitude.

“Thanks to you, I was saved the other day. I really appreciate it, my dear friend.”

If Ji-heon hadn’t visited him, he might have had to take all three kids to the hospital. Just imagining it sent chills down his spine.

“It turns out I have a third child… I’m worried because my wife seems to be struggling so much.”

After expressing his thanks, he sat down and lamented his situation. However, Ji-heon showed no reaction to Seung-kyu’s woes.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Can you find out about Lee Jeong-o?”

Seung-kyu was a bit surprised by Ji-heon’s sudden request for a background check, especially since it concerned Lee Jeong-o.

“Lee Jeong-o… why?”

“I heard she has a kid. She’s a single mother.”

“Wow.”

“Just find out the basics. Who she’s living with, whether she has a man, whether she had one, and if she still does.”

“……”

“If possible, find out what kind of guy he is too.”

“……That doesn’t seem simple.”

Seung-kyu replied with a trembling voice.

However, Ji-heon didn’t retract his request.

“You’re the only person I can trust. Please.”

Seung-kyu felt flustered as he had never done a background check on anyone before, but he couldn’t say anything more. It was also the first time Ji-heon had asked him for such a favor.

***

Every second Wednesday of the month was the day that Team 2, devoted to black bean noodles, celebrated their love for jjajangmyeon.

Jeong-o didn’t forget to wear his black T-shirt. Although he felt down again after yesterday, he couldn’t resist jjajangmyeon.

As his mind and outfit melded into an all-black ensemble, it felt as though he was experiencing the catharsis of black.

Walking down the hallway to the meeting room, Gi-hoon, who was also wearing a black T-shirt, approached him.

“We look like a couple dressed like this.”

“Don’t say things like that. The word that I’m a mother has already spread everywhere.”

“Maybe it’s also widely known that I like you, Deputy.”

“Ugh, you’ll get hit. Gi-hoon.”

Jeong-o playfully tapped Gi-hoon’s arm.

Gi-hoon, with his good-natured personality, just chuckled.

But the smile Jeong-o had just managed to conjure up faded quickly as Ji-heon walked by.

He passed by the two without a word, showing no signs of recognition.

Jeong-o felt a jarring sensation in his chest, like something had shattered.

It had only been a day—no, just a few hours—since he felt they had returned to being a couple.

That brief romance disappeared like a fleeting dream.

Returning to the way things were—no, returning to the way things truly were—he was alone once again. Jeong-o quickly accepted that change.

It’s okay, I’m fine.

I’m not weak enough to despair over something like this.

***

Amid the chaos, the PT presentation day was rapidly approaching. Despite having prepared perfectly, constant revisions kept cropping up, turning the final proposal from ‘final’ to ‘really really final’ and eventually to ‘totally totally totally final.’

And thus, the day of the presentation arrived.

The elite team, fully prepared, got into the vehicle.

The attendees for the presentation included the planning team leader, Seong Mi-ran, Deputy Park Young-gwang, as well as Jeong-o and Ji-heon.

As they headed to the PT location, the headquarters of Sori Telecom, Ji-heon made a few important points.

“The launch is urgent, so if we secure the advertisement, we’ll need to schedule the shoot right away. PD, keep that in mind, and be ready to answer any questions about the filming schedule. I believe we can score points if we assure them about the overseas locations for some of the shoots.”

“Yes, Director. I’ve prepared well for that and am confident,” Deputy Park Young-gwang replied.

“I believe it will go well too,” Jeong-o added.

Ji-heon, smiling reassuringly, shared additional information.

“As you know, the CEO of Sori Telecom likes emotional connections in presentations. He has a habit of leaning forward and intently watching the presenter when the topic is interesting. If he finally likes it, he leans back in his chair and takes a relaxed posture. Pay close attention to the CEO’s reactions and manage your time wisely to achieve a good outcome.”

Jeong-o quietly nodded, focusing solely on the presentation content for the day.

Ever since it was revealed that Jeong-o was a single mother, Ji-heon hadn’t approached him privately even once. Whenever he had something to say to the presenter, he did so openly in front of everyone.

Unknowingly, Jeong-o also began to avoid Ji-heon. Following Mi-ran’s advice, he didn’t want any interaction with Ji-heon until the office rumors died down, and he wanted to concentrate on preparing for the presentation.

Jeong-o thought it was the right decision. Since then, he hadn’t faced any bullying from Eun-bi, and the preparations for the PT were going smoothly, allowing him to regain a sense of normalcy.

“You both just need to perform like you did during yesterday’s rehearsal,” Ji-heon encouraged, and Jeong-o smiled nervously. When their eyes briefly met, Jeong-o quickly looked down.

Once they arrived at the PT venue, the members were guided to the waiting room. Max Planning was the last among the three advertising agencies to present. Jeong-o noticed members from the team before them exiting the meeting room, letting out frustrated sighs.

As he exchanged glances with the presenter, the presenter smiled wryly and said, “This feels more like a pressure interview than a PT. Good luck.”

Hearing the presenter’s remark made Jeong-o even more anxious. He steeled himself and entered the meeting room.

The atmosphere was solemn, filled with stern faces. No one his age was in sight. He worried about whether he could perform well in front of the executives, who looked like they wouldn’t smile at all.

Mi-ran squeezed Jeong-o’s hand under the table. Her hand felt strangely cold, clearing his mind.

“Director Jeong Ji-heon is here in person.”

It seemed that the CEO of Sori Telecom recognized Ji-heon. Being the heir of the chairman of a sophisticated group, it made sense that they might know each other.

“Yes. Hello. I look forward to working with you,” Ji-heon briefly greeted and passed the baton to the planning team leader. The presentation commenced immediately.

While the planning team leader presented the plan, Jeong-o observed the executives’ expressions. The CEO nodded intermittently, but his facial expressions remained mostly unchanged.

Few laughed at the planning team leader’s seasoned jokes. Nonetheless, they managed to finish the presentation without any major issues.

Finally, it was Jeong-o’s turn.

Sitting down and looking at the audience was definitely different from standing up and facing them. He took in the faces of his fellow team members alongside the executives.

And there, among them, was Ji-heon.

His indifferent gaze made Jeong-o feel strangely reassured.

“Hello, I am Lee Jeong-o, a copywriter from Max Planning.”

Jeong-o began his presentation.