An Unexpected Offer
Seo Min-ah.
“...Yes. I’m sorry.”
At the chillingly low voice, Min-ah found herself apologizing to Gyeong-rok even though he hadn’t said a word yet.
“It’s not that you’re sorry...”
Min-ah cautiously lifted her head and looked at Choi Gyeong-rok. Unlike during the meeting, there was no sharpness in his expression. It was hard to believe this was the same man who had cornered her so relentlessly in the conference room.
“Is this because of what happened at the gym yesterday?”
Gyeong-rok closed the documents he had been organizing and leaned back in his chair.
“You seemed quite startled.”
“Ah... no, it’s not that...”
Her heart was pounding and her face felt hot. Even so, she couldn’t possibly tell her boss what had happened with her boyfriend the night before.
How could I possibly say that I spent the whole day thinking about Oppa’s cock?
“It doesn’t look like nothing to me... I’ll apologize on your behalf for what happened yesterday.”
Gyeong-rok gave a short bow of his head. Min-ah started to wave her hands in denial but froze mid-motion.
“I was the one who recommended the gym, so it’s my fault. The director assured me he kicked all those people out, so something like that will never happen again.”
“Ah... no, it’s not... I mean... it’s not your fault, Team Leader. Still... thank you.”
Gyeong-rok studied the tense Min-ah for a moment before softening his voice considerably.
“Is it really nothing? You can tell me. It’s okay.”
“The truth is... yesterday... I had a little fight with my boyfriend.”
Everyone already knew openly that she was living with her fiancé and that they were about to get married, so there was no need to hide it. But she couldn’t bring up his erectile dysfunction, so Min-ah offered a different worry instead.
“Yesterday... when you helped me, Team Leader, I ended up talking about that and we argued a bit...”
“Hmm. From your boyfriend’s perspective, I suppose that makes sense.”
Gyeong-rok stroked his chin as he continued.
“Honestly, no man likes hearing another man’s name come out of his girlfriend’s mouth.”
She blinked her large eyes while staring at him. A strange, unsettled feeling stirred inside her.
I’m the one who works with the Team Leader... yet he’s not taking my side...
“Still, I’m sure your boyfriend didn’t mean any harm. Since you’re about to get married, he might just be feeling extra sensitive.”
“...You’re right, Team Leader.”
As Gyeong-rok was gathering his things to leave the conference room, he spoke again.
“Oh, but that doesn’t mean you did anything wrong, Miss Seo Min-ah.”
“...Pardon?”
The sudden remark caught her off guard, and Min-ah looked startled.
“It wasn’t like you deliberately brought it up to make him jealous. You were just startled and venting, so it’s natural that it slipped out.”
“Ahaha... that’s true, Team Leader.”
It was almost the same conclusion she had reached when talking to Min-woo yesterday. The slight resentment she had felt melted away, and Min-ah gave a small smile.
“When you go home today, try talking to him properly, Min-ah.”
“Thank you. But once Oppa gets sulky... it tends to last longer than you’d expect.”
Min-ah answered with a bright laugh. Seeing that, Gyeong-rok raised an eyebrow and asked,
“His name is Min-woo, right? Hmm... would you like me to talk to him?”
“What?”
Min-ah’s eyes widened in surprise.
“...You, Team Leader?”
“It’s nothing too serious.”
Gyeong-rok smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
“Sometimes men understand each other better. And it’s hard for me to keep watching you look so down.”
“Are you really okay with that?”
Min-ah looked at her team leader with eyes full of both worry and anticipation. If what Gyeong-rok said could lift Min-woo’s mood, that would be wonderful, but...
What if it only makes him angrier...?
She didn’t think it would improve things for the person who had caused the bad mood to step in directly. Even so, having watched Gyeong-rok’s way of speaking up close for so long, Min-ah decided to trust him.
“Then... I’ll be counting on you, Team Leader.”
Min-ah stood up and bowed deeply. Gyeong-rok nodded with a gentle smile.
—
“I think I’ll stay home and rest today.”
When Min-ah returned home after work, she crawled under the blankets and showed no sign of coming out.
“Seo Min-ah. Didn’t you say self-care is important for people in sales?”
“A woman’s heart is like a reed. You go on without me, Oppa.”
Truthfully, she needed some time alone. This was perfect. If she had asked him to stay, he wouldn’t have been able to refuse. But right now, even facing him felt overwhelming. The memory of what happened in the bathroom last night kept resurfacing.
She had never once imagined him looking at her and failing to get hard... It felt like her self-esteem had been shattered.
“Eat something and relax. There’s rice in the cooker.”
“Mmm. Can you buy some ice cream on your way back?”
So much for losing weight. Well, Min-ah had always had a body that didn’t gain weight easily. When she suddenly said she wanted to work out, I wondered what wind had blown in... and now she was quitting after just one day. Whatever. I should go anyway. Even with the membership discount, it was still expensive. I can’t just waste it.
Walking the same path I usually took with Min-ah, but alone this time, felt strangely off. I never thought I’d actually miss the chatter I used to find so noisy.
When I opened the door to the gym, the usual trainer stopped his workout and came rushing over in a panic.
“Hello, sir! Ah, I’m truly sorry about yesterday. The director has taken care of everything, so there won’t be any more incidents like that!”
He rattled off the words without pausing for breath, then watched my reaction carefully.
...It felt weird. A man who looked like he could fold someone like me in half if he wanted to was now fidgeting and watching my every move.
“Ah... it’s fine. It’s not that. I just wasn’t feeling well, so...”
“That’s a relief!”
Since he kept staring at me with that burdensome gaze and showed no sign of returning to his workout, I gave an awkward smile and headed for the changing room.
...I have no idea why he’s acting like that. I already paid for the membership, so what more is there? You shouldn’t judge people by their faces, but he doesn’t exactly give off a friendly vibe...
After a simple stretch, I got on the treadmill—no, the treadmill—and started running. Once I was breathing a little harder, I looked around for the strength machines, but I had no clue how to use any of them.
“What are you planning to work on today? I can help you.”
I turned at the familiar yet somehow unpleasant voice coming from behind me.
...Choi Gyeong-rok. Does this guy come to the gym every single day?
“I’m fine.”
“Really? Well, looking at your frame, Mr. Kang Min-woo, you don’t seem like a complete beginner. How long have you been working out?”
It felt like it would be longer if I counted from the last day I stopped rather than the days I actually exercised... Even though I knew it was empty flattery, the light compliment still felt good.
...The fact that it made me feel good annoyed me even more. Why should I get excited over a single word of praise from this guy?
...Still, since he’s Min-ah’s boss at work, it probably wouldn’t be good to be too cold to him.
“I haven’t worked out in a long time, so I’m basically a beginner.”
“Then I’ll spot you lightly. Would you like to try grabbing this?”
I sat down in front of the machine labeled Lat Pulldown and extended my arms.
“Just a moment. I’ll lower the weight. Since you said it’s been a while, let’s start slow and build up.”
...Even so, 15kg feels a little... it stings my pride. Whatever, I’ll just do it and get it over with quickly. His stare is way too intense.
“Nice. Your pulling form is very stable.”
Gyeong-rok’s hand gently touched my back.
“This is an exercise that engages the back. Now, lower slowly while exhaling, and inhale as you pull up.”
The more I exercised, the more I felt strength flowing not into my arms but into wherever Gyeong-rok was touching.
“That’s it. Round your back like that.”
“Hoo... haa...”
“Very good. You seem to have natural talent.”
Why does he keep trying to help me... If he weren’t Min-ah’s boss, I would’ve sent him away already. He really has a knack for making people uncomfortable.
“I’ll increase the weight just a little. The part that was working hard earlier should be burning by now. Try pulling with a bit less tension in your arms.”
...But his explanations are actually really good. It’s much easier to understand than watching YouTube. That body of his didn’t come from nowhere, I guess.
“Alright. Shall we stop here for today?”
“...Yes. Thank you for showing me.”
Before I knew it, a somewhat reluctant tone had slipped into my voice. Gyeong-rok didn’t seem to mind at all and simply smiled brightly.
“No need to thank me. If you haven’t eaten yet, would you like to grab dinner together?”
“...Dinner...?”
There was nothing to gain from getting on the bad side of Min-ah’s boss, but it was hard to respond enthusiastically.
“Yes. I haven’t eaten yet, and eating alone feels a bit lonely. Do you like sushi?”
“...I don’t dislike it...”
Min-ah isn’t here. Is it okay to have dinner alone with this guy? Why is he going out of his way to look after me like this? Because she works for him? Or is this just how he normally is?
To be honest, it felt uncomfortable. Do people usually act this way with someone they’ve just met?
“There’s no need to feel burdened. I’m just asking because I don’t want to eat alone.”
It was as if he had read my expression. Gyeong-rok smiled.
...It felt awkward to refuse now. I scratched the back of my neck for no reason.
“Shall we, then? Should I call Min-ah too?”
“It’s already late. Let’s invite Min-ah next time. Today, I’d like to get to know you a little better, Mr. Kang Min-woo.”
I had suggested calling Min-ah because I thought it would be awkward with just the two of us, but I hadn’t expected him to decline first.
...For some reason, I felt strangely relieved.