Some employees received vacations, some embarked on journeys. Others obtained the opportunity to revamp their household goods, while some received plenty of gift vouchers.
So far, so good.
Unfortunately, some were ‘fortunate’ enough to win a ‘dinner with the CEO’, or so it seemed.
“I don’t know if I’ve won a prize or drawn a punishment. I don’t know who came up with such an idea.”
The winners of the ‘dinner with the CEO’ had been having dinner oneonone with CEO Tae Min Hyuk every past Friday, and to this point, three individuals had received this punishment, or rather, reward. Seo Woo was the final contender, and that day was today.
“No matter how much they spend on a lavish meal, it doesn’t make a difference. I couldn’t distinguish if I was chewing paper or steak, sausage innards, or foie gras. Since that day, I’ve felt like I’ve lost my sense of taste. My appetite hasn’t returned.”
In truth, Manager Yoon’s account was secretly handed down only to the next contender. Those who had been there had all mumbled ‘it was great’ when asked, just in case the word got around and reached the upper levels.
Even after a week, the oppressive atmosphere of the dining situation was still vivid, and Manager Yoon continued to have goosebumps.
“Endure tonight’s dinner well. Somehow, time passes.”
Fighting.
After Manager Yoon left, Seo Woo swallowed a bitter sigh.
‘Well, it’s not like I didn’t know.’
There had been plenty of such instances during her secret admiration for CEO Tae Min Hyuk. As long as one harbors a ‘favorite’ who constantly faces character controversies, even if the heart rots, the hardened lump in the chest can only grow stronger.
The reputation of being unbeatable in terms of ability and looks was a small comfort.
But thinking of meeting him after making such a spectacle of herself made her head spin. How great would it be if he could erase me from his memory? That was still a vain hope.
◇ ◆ ◇
Thirteen hours before the CEO went mad.
“I’m Eun Seo Woo from the reception team.”
Inside the private room of the L’Ariel Hotel French restaurant.
Passing through the hallway adorned with beautiful flower arrangements and entering the room, Seo Woo, who couldn’t move, greeted CEO Tae Min Hyuk. She felt as if she was being dragged to a slaughterhouse due to the lounge incident.
“Please, take a seat.”
With a completely emotionless face and voice, the CEO formally offered her a seat. His attitude was extremely formal.
Eun Seo Woo managed to calm her thundering heart and moved to the other side.
Her face was a mess from the coffee in the lounge earlier, and she was in uniform, a complete contrast to her current outfit. Besides, the president didn’t even seem interested.
Seo Woo began to spin a circuit of hope.
Yes, yes, he couldn’t remember me. How could he recognize every single rock tower on Jeju Island?
“We will proceed with the webzine shoot before we eat.”
Sitting opposite each other with a table set with luxurious dishes, appetizers, and wine in between, President Tae Min Hyuk and Seo Woo turned slightly to face the camera.
The space was awkward and stiff.
This was the extent of her relationship with the president. The president, sitting atop the pyramid, and she was just one of the thousands of employees. Merely an employee who had the chance to participate in an event and dine with the president, nothing more or less.
Eventually, everyone left, and a suffocating silence ensued.
Soon, the meal began, and even the clattering sound seemed to echo loudly in Seo Woo’s ears.
No matter how much she liked this man, she couldn’t eat with him.
Seo Woo swallowed her breath in a sharp realization.
◇ ◆ ◇
Throughout the meal, the president seemed like someone eagerly waiting for something.
He kept glancing at his mobile phone, and as soon as he checked the message that had just arrived, he got up from his seat immediately. He didn’t even touch the dessert that had just been served.
“Take your time. I’ll go ahead.”
It was a polite but merely formal greeting.
The cold wall seemed to be built up to the universe, piercing through the Earth’s atmosphere.
“Yes, please go ahead.”
Seo Woo, who had abruptly stood up, unknowingly bowed and greeted politely.
It wasn’t until the president left that she felt her body loosen up. Now she could breathe. As she deepened her inhalation and exhalation to regulate her breathing, her eyes were drawn to the untouched wine glass.
Just like what Manager Yoon said, Seo Woo too, due to her nervousness, hardly ate anything. Even the employee asking if they could clear away the food looked very pitiful. She felt sorry, but there was nothing she could do.
Anyway, the uncomfortable and subtle occasion had come to an end. She picked up the wine glass with a strange feeling in her heart.
‘Well, the meal is already over, so let’s drink this and go.’
Let’s drink.
And forget today.
Reset again.
Eun Seo Woo was sure that the boss wouldn’t care about her, and with just one drink, she could brush everything off as if nothing had happened.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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