After a while, Denial turned to Sohee and asked softly,
"Is the file ready?"
Her voice trembled just a little as she replied.
Denial took the file from her hands and scanned through it carefully.
"Wow… you've made good progress," he said with an approving smile. "Keep working like this. If you continue to do well, I'll make sure you get a promotion."
Sohee's eyes lit up with joy at his words.
A few minutes later, the office meeting began. Denial suddenly asked her to stand and explain her project. Sohee froze, her heart pounding. Seeing her nervousness, Denial leaned closer and said in a calm, reassuring tone,
"It's alright. Speak slowly. If you make any mistakes, I'll correct them."
His gentle behaviour toward her didn't go unnoticed. The female coworkers, especially the one sitting beside Sohee, exchanged glances filled with quiet envy.
Looking around the room, Denial announced,
"If today's project is successful, dinner is on me. I'll treat everyone to a restaurant tonight."
Cheers filled the meeting room, and the employees thanked him warmly.
When the meeting ended, everyone returned to their work, leaving only Denial and Sohee in the room.
"How is your father doing now?" Denial asked, his voice lower, almost concerned.
Sohee's smile faded. "He's still in a coma."
Denial nodded thoughtfully. "Send me your father's hospital address on my phone."
She blinked, curious. "Why, sir?"
"Just send it," he replied simply.
"…Alright, sir," she said, before sending him the address.
That evening, after work, everyone — including Sohee — headed to a nearby restaurant. The air was lively with laughter, grilled chicken sizzling on the plates, soda fizzing in glasses.
In one quiet corner, Denial sat alone, his laptop open, working on office files.
Seeing him by himself, Sohee approached.
"Sir, won't you eat something?"
He smiled faintly. "I had a big lunch already. You enjoy yourself."
Her co-workers called out teasingly, "Sir, join us, please!"
But Denial only chuckled. "No hunger now. You all enjoy."
When the dinner ended and everyone left, Sohee waited alone outside the restaurant.
When Denial stepped out, she looked at him and said, "Thank you."
He raised an eyebrow. "Why suddenly thank me?"
"For paying my father's hospital bill… and for giving me such a good job," she said softly.
"Oh, it's fine," Denial replied, almost brushing it off. "If you need help again, don't hesitate to tell me."
Sohee's eyes grew warm. "Sir, you've already done so much for me. Tell me… how can I ever repay you?"
Placing a gentle hand on her head, Denial said,
"You don't need to do anything. Just work hard. If I see you make good progress this month, next month I'll make you my personal secretary."
Her heart leapt. Unable to contain her happiness, she suddenly hugged him.
"Thank you, sir…"
But then, realizing what she had done, both of them quickly stepped back, the moment hanging between them — fragile and unspoken.
---
Continue....