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Atmosphere: Romance, Drama / Style: Salon & Tea

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Prologue#.

Hwageum Group, one of South Korea's leading conglomerates. Everything was unfamiliar from my very first day on the job.

I fumbled even the simplest tasks, and mistakes were constant. The words "I'm sorry" slipped out dozens of times a day.

Whenever that happened, there was one person who was always the first to help.

My direct supervisor, Team Leader Song Han-gyeol.

He never got angry. He corrected my mistakes and silently stayed by my side during overtime until the work was finished. He even took the blame when something happened that would have gotten me scolded by upper management.

He always said with a smile:

"It's okay. That's how it is for every rookie."

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scene#1. Realization, Renunciation

As time passed, I gradually adjusted to the company. Mistakes decreased, and I became familiar with the work. But one thing had changed.

My feelings for him. It didn't take long to realize.

But those feelings were destined to end the moment they began. Because he had a long-time girlfriend.

Assistant Manager Jang Jae-in from the Marketing Team next door.

They were in the same hiring class and were a famous couple who had been dating for over five years.

A pair that looked perfect together to anyone's eyes.

I quietly folded my heart away. I only hoped to maintain our current relationship as mentor and junior for a long time.

A few days later. He handed me a small envelope with a bright smile.

It was a wedding invitation.

I smiled. With a face that showed nothing.

"Congratulations."

A corner of my heart crumbled.

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scene#2. The Wedding

On the day of the wedding.

The hotel wedding hall was crowded with numerous guests. Han-gyeol, wearing a black tuxedo, looked happier than anyone. Jae-in, in a pure white wedding dress, was also beautiful. The two smiled at each other, and the guests gave them generous applause.

Holding hands and exchanging vows. At the final moment when the groom and bride's lips met,

Jae-in's gaze suddenly turned toward me.

A mere instant.

Soon her gaze dropped as if nothing had happened. No one noticed that brief moment.

No one.

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scene#3. The Proposal

A month later.

After returning from their honeymoon, Han-gyeol and Jae-in came back to the office, and soon a large-scale project involving both departments began.

Naturally, Han-gyeol, myself, and the employees from Jae-in's department gathered in a conference room.

After a long meeting, the employees stood up one by one. Han-gyeol left the room first with the others.

Just as I was about to leave after organizing the materials as the last person remaining...

"Guest."

I turned around to see Jae-in standing there.

The quiet conference room where only the two of us remained. As she drew closer, a faint scent of perfume brushed the tip of my nose. After a moment of awkward silence, unexpected words spilled from her lips.

"Do you want to start seeing me?"

Looking straight into my eyes, with an incredibly calm expression.

"Behind Han-gyeol's back."