[Just waiting in the car for a shoot. I felt good seeing my home look like a home for the first time in a while, so I took the photo to show off. That day, you and Juhan came with the staff, and you both found such a nice spot for the furniture.]

That reminded her, Juhan must have personally delivered it.

He hadn’t said a word before or after the delivery. Same with Somin. Even after seeing Yunbin, Somin had only said that he seemed like an entertainer, though he wasn’t sure who exactly.

If Jaerim had gone, it would have been noisy. Eunsu smiled at the thought and continued her message.

[If you need anything else, come and check it out. Or just visit even if you don’t need anything.] [Sure. I’ll come to see you. I’m heading into the shoot now.] [Okay. Do well, and let me know when you’re free and what you want to eat!] [Got it.]

After putting down her phone, Eunsu felt somewhat lighter and adjusted her posture.

It was amazing how she was still connected with Yunbin. He became a top star right after his debut, and it would have been natural for them to drift apart due to his busyness.

In fact, there was a time when they hadn’t seen each other for quite a while, but he would contact her out of the blue as if nothing had changed. The more she understood how difficult it must be for Yunbin to maintain such connections while living as a celebrity, the more grateful she felt.

‘Next time, I really must treat him to something nice. Somewhere less crowded would be better, but where…’

While pondering over a few places, Eunsu shook off her thoughts and refocused on work.

As the day passed and it was past closing time, Jaerim had already left, but Seonkyeong and Eunsu remained in the office. Eunsu volunteered to work late due to the upcoming meeting with ‘Ritianne,’ and Seonkyeong had something to finish by tomorrow.

Eunsu stared at her computer screen, her umpteenth cup of coffee in hand.

‘I must secure this contract. Once this is done…’

She imagined the day they could announce that ‘Ritianne’ furniture was officially available at ‘Vida.’

Just the thought excited her.

She hoped the ‘Ritianne’ furniture, currently gaining popularity among a niche market, would become as well-known and respected as other famous furniture brands and designers. She wished for ‘Vida’ to be at the center of this journey.

While rummaging through a drawer, Eunsu glanced towards Seonkyeong.

“Manager Oh, do you have a stapler?”

“Yes, I do.”

Seonkyeong, who was just standing up with a stack of documents, replied.

“It’s in the first drawer of my desk.”

“Thanks.”

Seonkyeong left her desk, and Eunsu headed over to it.

“Here it is. Wow, how can a drawer be so tidy… Ah.”
As soon as Eunsu opened the top drawer, she quickly found what she was looking for and straightened up, accidentally nudging the mouse on the desk. The monitor brightened, revealing Seonkyeong’s work screen. It was the payroll for the employees.

Although Eunsu knew roughly how much everyone was paid, seeing it openly was a different matter. She was about to look away and move on when something caught her eye. Turning back, she tilted her head in confusion.

“500,000 won…?”

Juhan’s salary seemed off. It looked like a mistake, but it was Seonkyeong’s area of work, and it felt inappropriate to ask. Seonkyeong, who rarely made mistakes, would likely correct it soon. Just as she turned away, she found herself face-to-face with Seonkyeong, who had appeared behind her.

“Ah, here…”

Eunsu was about to express gratitude for lending her the item but stopped as Seonkyeong looked awkward and hesitant.

“Actually, the boss said not to mention it, but…”

“What is it?”

Seonkyeong awkwardly stood in front of the monitor.

“It’s about reducing the boss’s salary. He was worried it might concern the staff, so he asked to handle it quietly for now…”

“Oh…”

Eunsu stepped back.

“Okay. I didn’t mean to see it… sorry. I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything.”

With an awkward smile, Eunsu quickly returned to her desk. She tried to act normal and focus on her work, but she couldn’t concentrate.

‘Things are that bad? Since when?’

It was a topic she couldn’t discuss with Seonkyeong, let alone Juhan. Eunsu, who usually gauged sales more by feel than figures, had thought things were improving.

She thought back; there hadn’t been much revenue before. Even so, they had to go abroad to buy items, cover container costs…

“Ouch.”

Eunsu flinched, looking down at her hand. She had carelessly cut her finger on the edge of a paper, and a drop of blood appeared.

She sighed and quickly wrapped her finger in a tissue, pressing down on it.

“Manager Oh, aren’t you going home?”

A while later, Seonkyeong, who was getting ready to leave, glanced at Eunsu. Eunsu smiled.

“Go ahead. I’ll just finish this and leave.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

After Seonkyeong left, Eunsu, alone in the office, leaned back in her chair. In truth, she had finished her work a while ago but didn’t feel light enough to go home just yet.

She stood up after sitting for a while longer. After tidying up the office and turning off the lights, she headed downstairs. The lights in the first-floor showroom were already off, but a faint light was coming from the basement.

Hesitating, Eunsu carefully made her way down. It was quiet, despite the light.

Entering the basement, she saw Juhan lying on the daybed, fast asleep. He seemed to have dozed off while resting, still wearing his work apron.

On the workbench, several drawers were neatly sanded, and below was a drawer frame, its natural wood grain freshly exposed. After a couple more rounds of oiling and finishing, it would look as good as new.

Eunsu gazed down at the sleeping Juhan.

His long eyelashes cast deep shadows over his eyes, which often seemed cold but appeared much softer when closed.

‘Why are you…’

A new and unexpected question arose in Eunsu’s mind.