CH 8

A problem arose when I least expected it. The SOS came from the customer service center where the subcontractor was entrusted. The cause was a company had requested a refund of the high-priced consulting service. Supposedly, the agent tried to appease the person in charge, but a fight broke out. Eventually, the two of them were cursing each other, and the call was transferred to the headquarters.

Since it was a fairly large business, Department Head Seo also came downstairs to the third floor. When Department Head Seo appeared, all of the employees poked their heads above their partitions. Section Chief Lee calmed the meerkats who refused to work.

“Everyone, finish what you’ve been working on. I’m going to figure it out.”

Department Head Seo grabbed Section Chief Lee’s wrist.

“Is it okay?”

It can’t be okay. If something like this happens, you get paid to solve it.

Section Chief Lee rejected Department Head Seo.

“Now don’t act like you know.”

I think that’s going to be a little difficult. Things will not work if the subordinates ignore their boss.

Actually, I understand what the section chief is thinking. I believe the issue between the two of them stems from Department Head Seo. Cheating was cheating, no matter how you explained it.

To summarize the case, the following is what happened: Yesterday, they met separately to go on a date. For some reason, Section Chief Lee left his seat for a while. Unable to wait for him, Department Head Seo developed an inappropriate relationship with a random Omega he met on the street. Department Head Seo is an inexcusable piece of garbage. I’m not sure what a rut is, but cheating is bad in any case.

It’s also not a good idea to broadcast this story live at the company. Why do I have to know the details of a fight between the couple?

Deputy Kang glanced at me and sent me a message.

[Section Chief Lee, will he be angry for a few days?]

[About to get divorced]

[But, Section Chief Lee is completely into Department Head Seo. I think they will reconcile later.]

Meanwhile, Department Head Seo and Section Chief Lee were arguing about whether he should be the one to go out or the one to stay. At the very least, they fight as they descend the stairs. The Director should be aware that the company is operating in this way. Wait, isn’t the Director currently flirting with me?

The only answer is resignation. But let’s endure it for 3 years. I’m going to put up with this dirty mess for another three years.

The two eventually left together. As a result of this, there is a new problem. The documents we needed to get approval for began to be pushed back, as the two’s out-of-office work became longer. Everyone’s faces are clouded with gloom. 

I’m nervous. I have two hours until I get off work. Is it possible to solve everything? Is it possible for me to get home on time?

I can’t even concentrate on my work because I am so nervous. What if they aren’t both working out of the office right now? What should I do if the two of them are “talking” in a dark place? Do I have to work overtime like this? Why is life so ridiculous?

“Don’t think it’s because of your skill.”

“Hyun-jae-ya…”

The two are back! Seeing that they have a cold atmosphere, I don’t think they reconciled with their bodies in the middle.

The messenger notification flashed non-stop. Everyone had been waiting for the two of them for a long time. Deputy Kang also messaged me.

[Going home on time, going home on time, going home on time!]

[Please let us go home on time]

[How come they’re so late. If the two of them went somewhere else, they need to call the audit team]

But if they come, they will work, which is another matter. Department Head Seo did not even go upstairs. Instead, he spoke with Section Chief Lee. In response to what he was saying, Section Chief Lee pushed Department Head Seo and got up from his chair. Despite the fact that he was clearly in the dark, Department Head Seo followed Section Chief Lee with a puzzled expression.

I didn’t mind so much as long as I could leave work on time.

However, the Section Chief did not return after a long time. The approval documents were piling up.

“Deputy Kim… What should I do?”

Chief Seo, who was tired of waiting, approached me with a file. The gold-lettered file with the words ‘Please Approve’ was quite thick. I look at Deputy Kang. Deputy Kang shook his head. There is nothing even Director Kang can do.

I get up from my seat. It’s time for me to step up. I nod to Chief Seo and head to the bathroom without hesitation. Section Chief Lee is definitely in the bathroom. In this case, most Omega employees relieve their anger alone in the bathroom.

My prediction was correct. I hear sobbing as I enter the third-floor bathroom. I clench my fist. Of course, I know. If my spouse cheated on me, I would be sad as well. But this is a company. It is a place to work, a place to make money, and a place to leave work.

I take a deep breath. This space is a little unsanitary to take a deep breath. I decided to take a small breath. I clench my fists and relax as I exhale.

“Heuk…heueuk…heus…eueuk…”

“Section chief, are you inside?”

“Heuk…heus….”

I feel something ominous. I knock harder on the bathroom door.

“Section chief? Section chief!”

I think I can hear rough breathing, and then the door to the toilet compartment opens. The section chief’s hand that came out through the crack in the door was pale.

“…I’m fine. Go back.”

“You’re not fine.”

I have to take a deep breath. No. This is the bathroom. There is E. coli. E. coli.

“Deputy Kim…”

Section Chief Lee walked out groggily. Section Chief Lee’s face was flushed. Something physically big seemed to have happened. Various thoughts raced through my mind. I heard that young people can also suffer from myocardial infarction. Is Section Chief Lee dying? Should I call 911?

Section Chief Lee leaned toward the bathroom wall with his fist and bent his knee. As I was supporting Section Chief Lee, something fell out of his fist. It rolled across the tile, leaving a trail.

It’s a ring. A gold-colored ring without a pattern. It’s probably the wedding ring given by Department Head Seo.

Crack, something in my heart crumbled. The soothing tropical music pierced my eardrums. I grab Section Chief’s collar. And shout,

“Ah, seriously, just stop dating him!”

Section Chief Lee’s eyes widened as I looked at him.

“…”

“…”

The belatedly dispatched reason started to laugh at me. I quickly calculate my severance pay. The day I joined the company, the day I had an interview, and the day I took on the first project were irregularly running through my mind.

Section Chief Lee grabbed my hand. Section Chief Lee turned his head toward the bathroom door as if it were broken. My eyes automatically followed the Section Chief. The afternoon meerkats had all gathered there.

Department Head Seo was also standing there.

“Deputy Kim Joo-hyuk. Come out.”

I want to set the company on fire.