Chapter 89

If there was such a thing as a cold trust in a frozen world (meaning, Si-Jin’s trust which had consequently been forced on Hyung-Wook), then within this trust, Hyung-Wook preferred to deal with trivial issues on his own terms. Si-Jin was the busiest person in the whole company. Reports of who, for what reason, was suddenly absent from work were unnecessary unless Si-Jin was looking for said person.

“But Ms. Kim Na-Yool did not commit any crime, and neither got involved in an accident or anything bad… That’s what she said.”

However, things would be a little different if a leave request was urgently submitted for the very same day, with the heavy word ‘police station’ as its reason. It is best to inform HR of any serious matters in advance. Hyung-Wook looked at Si-Jin, still maintaining the same posture as he turned the pages holding his tablet PC.

Only then did his motionless lips start moving.

“’That’s what she said’?”

“What?”

“Is that all?”

Si-Jin had only quoted him and asked a short question, yet it felt like a scathing comment. Hyung-Wook pondered for a moment, as Na-Yool’s earnest request to ‘not report in detail to the president as it was a very personal matter’ lingered in his mind.

What was considered a ‘detailed report’? Although Hyung-Wook pretended he did not know much, and that he had just heard a few facts just in passing… Although he was being evasive, Hyung-Wook ultimately concluded that he himself did not seem to know about Na-Yool’s situation in detail. Her call to say that she was on the way to the police station lasted less than two minutes. Then, was it not the same as telling him to not say anything?

“…Yes, so, what a relief, right? If she had hit someone on her way to work or something, that would be…”

“If it were to happen, she would be the one getting hit. How could she hit someone.”

“Ah… right, Ms. Kim Na-Yool doesn’t drive.”

Hyung-Wook struggled for a while with his words to find a middle ground that would not reveal too much. He at least tried, so hopefully, Na-Yool would not blame him. Besides, even if the president knew, it is unlikely that he would gossip with the whole company!… So it was not particularly in Na-Yool’s disadvantage.

“Here is the thing. Actually, Ms. Na-Yool’s ex-boyfriend—”

“—that fucking bastard.”

“P… pardon?”

Hyung-Wook could not utter a single word, his jaw jerking like a broken automaton.

Ah, of course, I must have heard it wrong. As far as Hyung-Wook knew, Si-Jin was a respectable boss who, whether in the company or at an office dinner party under the influence of alcohol, would never casually swear in front of his subordinates, let alone use abusive language. Although it was also why people found him even more irksome…

So, it could not be right. Si-Jin could not have said these words.

“I’m listening.”

What an elegant wording to urge him to spill what he knew! Hyung-Wook quickly came to his senses and continued talking.

“It seems her ex-boyfriend was really a nasty piece of work. I’ve heard it’s been quite some time since they broke up, but apparently he himself hasn’t been able to accept it at all.”

“……”

“So he pestered her to get back together… but they didn’t, he only kept on harassing her. I don’t know since when it started, but anyway, it led to the ‘incident’ that happened this morning. You know, aren’t dating violence cases spiking these days? I am a man too, but there are a few too many lunatics out there, it’s baffling.”

“Was she hurt?”

Si-Jin mercilessly brushed off Hyung-Wook’s personal input. He himself soon appeared to awkwardly notice that he had been babbling off topic.

“Ah, right. It’s the most important! She said she did not. Of course, I asked right away about it! If she had been harmed in any way. But fortunately, she said she didn’t get injured.”

However, Hyung-Wook still had no choice but to keep babbling in vain. He did not know much, to begin with, Na-Yool was reluctant to report in detail, and amid it, Hyung-Wook simply was a subordinate earnestly reporting to Si-Jin — or rather, snitching to. What was he supposed to do?!

“Anyway, she said she called the police because it didn’t look like she could solve it on her own. According to Ms. Na-Yool, it really is a minor issue. She even laughed it off, saying she was going to the station just to scare the guy off and knock some sense into him… but still, if it really was not a big deal, would she call the police? If only out of consideration for their dating history.”

Hyung-Wook unrestrainedly asked in all sincerity, only to shut up in the middle with an awkward smile. Of course, Si-Jin did not seem to have any intention to smile back.

“…In any case, since she is unharmed, all is good. After suffering today, she should relax and rest at home this weekend. Thanks god it’s the weekend! Ah… I think she mentioned he came to look for her at her doorstep? She might not even feel safe staying at home, then. Ugh, what a madman!”

“……”

“To think it happened right from morning, what a shock! And here I thought this kind of gloomy jerks only acted up at night… What a scary world! Really scary.”

“……”

“I’m already worried that my daughter might meet such a dreadful man in the future. These days, women ought to be careful of who they date, really, or else, if they end up with this kind of guy, like Ms. Na-Yool…”

“Get out.”

“Sorry?”

“I think I’ve heard enough, so get out and work.”

Saying that, Si-Jin had already walked past Hyung-Wook and was closer to the door. While Hyung-wook turned around and stared at him bewildered, Si-jin, who had quickly crossed his spacious office room, disappeared from his sight in an instant. Hyung-Wook presumed that he must have some urgent business and marveled at Si-Jin’s cold and detached character anew.

No matter how busy Si-Jin was, how could he act so openly disinterested after hearing just a few words about his employee being taken to the police station as a victim?

“…Wait a minute, I did tell him everything I heard!”

Na-Yool’s request was still vivid in his mind. ‘Especially to the president’. ‘I don’t wish for the president to know much about it. She clearly insisted on ‘the president’ and no one else… Never mind. It is not as if it had any deep meaning. She probably just felt distressed mentioning her embarrassing ex-boyfriend issue to him.

80% of Hyung-Wook’s worries were for Na-Yool, while the remaining 20% were about how he would avoid her out of guilt. Hyung-Wook came to his senses only after standing for a while by himself in Si-Jin’s office. Walking to the door, he was about to return to his desk, when…

“…Mr. President?”

How Hyung-Wook managed not to scream when he bumped into Si-Jin was praiseworthy. First startled by the door suddenly burst open right in front of him, then startled once again by Si-Jin standing there, Hyung-Wook turned white in fright.

Si-Jin was breathing heavily like he had just rushed in. It was evident that he had come back after reaching at least the elevators, which were at quite a distance from his office. But who knew what for…

“Number.”

“What?”

A single word, one short request fell out. Hyung-Wook did identify it as a request from Si-Jin’s tone, but he could not fully understand the content of the request.

‘Number’? What number? As Hyung-Wook stupidly stared at him with a confused look, Si-Jin ruffled his well-groomed hair along with a frustrated sigh and made a proper sentence.

“The phone number with which Ms. Na-Yool called you earlier. Give it to me.”

Hyung-Wook promptly fumbled around in his pocket. While looking for his cellphone, he did not even have the leisure to question why he had to find it. Si-Jin had such an effect on people. A talent for making the person to whom he made a request somehow follow his word without even pondering over the reason. Like a weird sense of duty, as if something terrible would happen if they did not comply…