It was a message from Jin Woo. Ji Na’s wavering eyes fixed on the screen. Just the sight of his message calmed her anxious heart.

[Yeah. Where should we meet?] [Can you come to the executive office for a moment?]

To the executive office? She suddenly remembered when she had gone to take care of Jin Woo’s grandmother.

[Is it okay for me to just come over?]

Her heart pounded.

[Of course.]

Jin Woo’s confident response brought a slight smile to her face. The gloominess that had engulfed her just moments ago disappeared completely.

[But just coming over like that feels a bit…]

As Ji Na was typing her response, she was interrupted by the voice of Director Jang calling her.

“Yes?”

Urged by Director Jang’s pressing voice, Ji Na hurried to his office, where he handed her a document.

“This is an approval document for the executive director. Go fetch it.”

Realizing belatedly that Jin Woo had instructed him to do so, Ji Na smiled wryly at the director’s cheeky grin. She took the document, and Director Jang chuckled warmly.

“You don’t have any urgent tasks today, so take your time.”

His behavior was uncharacteristically casual, prompting Ji Na to bow politely before leaving the office.

‘Seo Jin Woo really…’

He knew her better than she knew herself. Holding the thin envelope, Ji Na quickened her pace toward the executive office.

“The executive director is waiting for you.”

Exiting the elevator on the executive floor, Ji Na saw the executive office at the end of a long corridor. The secretaries, looking sharp yet elegant, seemed to have expected her arrival and guided her in.

Upon entering the executive office, Ji Na was greeted by Jin Woo, splendid in his suit, basking in the sunlight. As soon as he saw her, he pulled her into an embrace.

“Ah!”

It was the first time he had suddenly called her to his office during work.

“Is something wrong?”

Ji Na asked cautiously, nestled in Jin Woo’s sturdy embrace.

“I missed you.”

Jin Woo sighed softly, whispering. His warm breath gently touched the top of Ji Na’s head, calming her racing heart. He was her refuge in a situation where she felt like she was suffocating.

“How did you know?”

After a moment, Ji Na raised her head from his embrace and asked. Jin Woo looked down at her with warm eyes.

“That you needed my embrace.”

Ji Na said a bit shyly, and Jin Woo’s handsome lips curled into a smile.

“I know everything about you, Sister. What you need, what you want right now.”

“Wow…”

She knew he was exaggerating, but his words still made her heart swell. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to open up completely to Jin Woo.

‘What if I can’t handle it without you…’

Can I really manage on my own without you?

“Here’s the document, Director.”

Ji Na, trying to ignore her own feelings, extended the document Director Jang had given her.

“Thank you, Deputy Ji Na.”

Still in his embrace, the document was wedged between them. Jin Woo replied and then lightly kissed her lips.

“There’s been a death notice, I heard.”
A little later, Jin Woo softly initiated a conversation. Since Manager Kim Do Jin’s death notice had been posted on the company board, it was obvious that he, being an executive, would be aware of it.

“Mm.”

“Shall we go together later?”

Jin Woo asked cautiously.

“You’ve never personally attended a funeral before…”

“But I did go to the wedding.”

That was true.

Being in a position where sending a wreath or a condolence donation would have sufficed, perhaps it was because of the short time Jin Woo had spent on the same team as Do Jin before becoming an executive.

“I went because of you.”

Jin Woo, who had been staring intently at Ji Na, smiled lightly as if he had read her thoughts.

“If you go to the funeral…”

Everyone would come to know. That their relationship was more than just a simple workplace hierarchy of superior and subordinate.

“Everyone might feel uncomfortable. You too, right? You can’t attend every employee’s family events.”

Ji Na took a small step back, distancing herself from his embrace. Jin Woo watched her silently, a step apart.

“I’ll go with our team members. That seems more natural.”

“If it makes you uncomfortable, I won’t go with you.”

Jin Woo slowly parted his lips, his words hitting Ji Na as if they had struck a nerve.

“You’re leaving for America anyway, surely rumors will circulate later about which employee’s family events you attended and which you didn’t.”

It was an excuse. More than caring for him, Ji Na was afraid of their relationship being exposed.

It was already hard enough to face Do Jin in the same office every day. Ji Na’s eyes wavered again. Jin Woo, unable to watch her discomfort, stepped closer once more.

“Don’t worry about me.”

Jin Woo extended his hand and gently embraced Ji Na. His touch was soft, but his eyes were resolutely firm. His usually warm light brown eyes seemed darkened.

“Just think about yourself.”