Prey - Chapter 72
The attitude of Seol Hee-nam when he met Do Jeonghan, and the way he seemed to be watching from next door to make sure Seol Hee-nam couldn’t come over were all quite strange in many ways.
Even though she tried to forget, she eventually asked the reason that continued to weigh on her heart that day, and Do Jeonghan answered.
It had to be you.
‘Why on earth?’
To calm her troubled heart, Suhyeon picked up her water glass and brought it to her lips.
He was on a business trip to the U.S., so it meant she wouldn’t be able to ask for a while.
At that moment, Hyunwoo spoke up to change the topic.
“Everyone knows there’s a company dinner tomorrow evening, right?”
“Oh, right. It’s tomorrow? Are we having something delicious?”
“Of course. It’s a whole department dinner for the first time in a while.”
Hyunwoo, grinning, narrowed his eyes as he looked at Suhyeon.
“Hey? Why does Team Leader Seol look so forgetful? Did you forget? Is that what it is?”
“Oh, no. Not at all.”
Hiding her embarrassment from Hyunwoo’s probing, Suhyeon quickly forced a smile.
She had completely forgotten as she got lost in thoughts of Do Jeonghan.
* * * * *
The next day, due to the dinner, Suhyeon finished work at 4 PM and headed with her colleagues to the dinner venue near the company.
They rented a suitably sized Japanese restaurant where the department members could sit comfortably without any inconvenience.
Hyunwoo stood up before the dinner started and began speaking on behalf of everyone.
“We’ve had great results this quarter, but the dinner has come a bit late. I dare say that things are going well because everyone has worked hard.”
“That’s right!”
“Exactly!”
The employees, already lifting their glasses high, playfully chimed in.
“I hope we can see the southern new city development project through to the end, and I also wish for the other ongoing contracts to proceed smoothly. Let’s raise a toast!”
“To the toast!”
Clink! Clang! Clang!
After the raucous sound of glasses clinking, most were emptied quickly. The drinks poured for each other ran out faster than usual.
The excited atmosphere of taking on a development project of unprecedented scale since the company’s founding made them empty their glasses more
quickly.
As Hyunwoo moved around pouring drinks, he also poured for Suhyeon.
“Here, our Team Leader Seol, who made this project possible, should have a drink too!”
“Oh, no. It’s thanks to you, Deputy Manager.”
Suhyeon shifted the credit back to Hyunwoo, but he shook his head.
“Come on, what are you saying? It’s because Seol Suhyeon is a lucky charm that this large project came rolling in.”
At his words, delivered with a friendly face and without a hint of embarrassment, Suhyeon’s cheeks slightly flushed.
“That’s…”
“Hmm?”
Suddenly, a surprised voice was heard.
Hyunwoo and Suhyeon turned their heads. People’s gazes were focused on the entrance.
‘What’s going on? Did the chairman come?’
With the loud murmur, Suhyeon also leaned her head to look towards the entrance.
“!”
Suhyeon’s eyes widened.
The man she had seen on the TV screen yesterday at lunch was entering the restaurant in a gray suit.
‘Why is Do Jeonghan here…?’
Suhyeon found it hard to believe as she watched him walk toward her.
The man who had said he was in the U.S. just yesterday was now here?
With an unreal gaze, she saw Jeonghan walking directly toward her, looking straight at her.
Clatter.
Seeing that his gaze, unmistakably directed at her, made contact, Suhyeon stood up from her seat.
“Wait, is that Director Do Jeonghan?!”
Hyunwoo quickly dashed in front of Jeonghan and bowed deeply.
“It’s good to see you again, Deputy Manager Jung Hyunwoo.”
Do Jeonghan extended his hand to shake hands with Hyunwoo. He then looked around at the surrounding people, who were focused on him, and said,
“I hope I’m not interrupting your pleasant gathering.”
“Of course not!”
“No, it’s an honor for you to be here!”
Excited voices erupted from all around.
“That’s right! It’s a privilege for us that Director Do Jeonghan has come. Please, have a seat over here.”
Hyunwoo quickly led Jeonghan to sit directly across from where he had been sitting.
That meant it was right next to Suhyeon.
“It’s fortunate that Team Leader Seol Suhyeon is at the same table. You should say hello to the Director.”
As if urging her to greet him, Hyunwoo gestured toward Suhyeon.
Finding some sense of reality while looking at Jeonghan sitting next to her, Suhyeon lowered her head.
“Hello, Director.”
“It’s been a while.”
Although it hadn’t been long since the day they had drinks together with Hyunwoo, Suhyeon still felt a sense of unreality and only nodded.
