The Unspoken Truth
"Eunbyul is the number one bride material, seriously. Hey, Assistant Manager Park, make a move, man!"
"Oh, come on... we just met today, what are you talking about..."
"Huh? So if you had met before, you would've made a move?"
"No~ that's not what I meant,"
Whether they were blathering on or not, she kept her eyes fixed on him. It was as if she were saying, I’m different from that woman, I’d be better for you. After watching him as if to ask what he thought, she slowly brought her empty glass to her lips. He quickly snatched the glass away and whispered under his breath.
"Stop... stop drinking. You’re going to cause a scene."
"Why? I was just saying what I thought."
This girl is really something else...
"Yeah... yeah, I... I heard your thoughts, so stop now... If we get caught like this..."
"Caught doing what?"
Ah... is she one of those crazy ones too?
"What’s gotten into you? Let’s talk about this at the office tomorrow."
"I’m already curious about what we’re going to talk about, how about a trailer..."
"Enough. You’re asking for trouble."
Where did the girl who was just scolded go? Drinking really changed her. ...Honestly, for the better. She bit her lip with a cute expression and looked at him. Fortunately, no one else was watching her. He sobered up instantly from the pressure of the situation. He didn't know why she was acting like this, but it felt wrong. As he always said, work was for the office, and company dinners were an extension of work...
"Alright, one more toast!"
—
"How’s that cigarette?"
"Oh, it’s nice. It even has a sweet taste..."
"It’s a sugar capsule, so it tastes sweet. Should I buy you one later?"
"Oh, no. I’ll buy it myself. Thank you."
How is it already 10 PM? The male employees who had gone out to smoke returned inside. The female employees were chatting among themselves; this department had a 50:50 gender ratio, so it was always appropriately noisy. As soon as he walked back in, it seemed they had been talking about him, as one asked:
"General Manager, do you not like expensive cars? Like sports cars?"
"Oh... I bought one once, but it was dangerous and a bit complicated to operate... so I sold it as a used car right away."
"Wow... so even the General Manager uses second-hand markets..."
"Hey, how much was that thing?"
"Are you worried about money?!"
These people, really.
"I’m a salaryman too, you know."
"I think the General Manager is really unique."
"In what way...?"
"The previous General Managers acted like aristocrats, didn't really mix with us... there were a lot of people like that."
That was true. It was one of the big things that had changed positively since he arrived. At first, he had thought that at least in this department, he didn't want them to be afraid of him or walk on eggshells. And as time passed, all the staff stopped trembling or worrying when they saw him, and sometimes they treated him like a real friend or a senior colleague. He didn't dislike that at all. In fact, it was exactly what he had hoped for.
"I really hate that kind of thing. ...Even the Chairman treats his home like his company, so solemn..."
"What’s he like? Did you really get hit with a vacuum cleaner hose?"
"Hey, you have no filter..."
"...A little... sometimes? Not that often..."
They burst into loud laughter again. Everything he said made them crack up. Then, the male employees asked:
"General Manager, did you... serve in the military?"
"Yes, as a KATUSA."
"Ah..."
"Ah..."
"Whoa, that’s unexpected."
"But why isn't it in the news?"
"My father told me not to brag about military service... and I was discharged early due to injury. I hurt my leg a little."
"Oh my... that doesn't sound like 'a little.' Are you okay?"
"Haha, it’s nothing now. Back then, they were talking about cutting off my toe or not... *ahem*, looking at it now, I don't think I've had many conversations like this with you all. ...I should have company dinners more often."
Even though they might hate it,
"Oh, I’ll go every time. I love drinking."
"But wouldn't it be hard to drink with your boss? Like, if he forces you to..."
"No, if I were the Management Control Director, I’d take the General Manager out for dinner every day. I’m just too curious about so many things."
"....?"
"I want to go too!"
What are these reactions? Then, the topic of conversation suddenly shifted to her.
"...General Manager, how did you marry your wife?"
"Hmm..."
It’s not really the place to think about that woman. Come to think of it, he hadn't even checked his phone to see if she had replied. They had been talking so much.
"...We just dated and then got married."
"For how long?"
"About 7 years? 8 years? Since high school..."
"Wow... why date for so long?"
"Well, people with good personalities usually have long-term relationships."
"The General Manager is a pretty good guy, after all."
"So how’s married life? Is it good? Like, are you two lovey-dovey..."
No, I’d rather die than say it’s good. He didn't say anything, just offered a smile.
"What’s with that reaction! She even packs you lunch!"
That’s not good either. That crazy woman forced her way in...
"But still... you love her, right?"
Someone mimicked a movie line, complete with tone and expression, looking at him and then around the room. Amidst the laughter, he didn't say a word, just smiled because the atmosphere was funny. Then, looking to his side, Eunbyul... is she drunk? Why is she having so much fun? She slowly opened her mouth, speaking as if to him.
"I don't think it’s good... it seems like he’s living tied down."
"What are you talking about? The General Manager received a lunch box just recently, and he picks up his wife and takes her home every day."
"General Manager’s wife, she’s older than him, right?"
Suddenly, the atmosphere turned cold and the laughter died out.
"If the wife is older... I think it would be hard. That’s just me."
Just as everyone began to alternate between looking at her and him, she seemed to try to lighten the mood.
"Ah! That’s just my opinion~ Well, maybe you’re happy!"
"Wow... the secretarial staff is different."
"How does she know things like that?"
"I knew it was a love marriage, but I didn't know she was older."
"Wait, General Manager, are you living tied down? I mean, since she turned the company upside down, *urp*, Team Leader, *urp*,"
"Hey. Be quiet. Asking a superior if they’re living tied down, what kind of question is that, huh?"
He just laughed sheepishly, trying to wrap up the situation quickly.
"Oh, well, sometimes you’re tied down, marriage is just like that..."
—
The dinner ended and he paid the bill. He wondered how the alcohol bill alone could hit 1 million won, but looking back at the thirty people staring at his card with sparkling eyes, he thought it was worth it. As soon as he paid, he quickly took cash from his wallet and handed it to them one by one amidst the applause.
"Take a taxi home. If you brought your cars, call a designated driver and get home safely. No drunk driving!"
"Yes! Understood!"
Then he got into the car with her. The driver was waiting. Seeing the staff waving or bowing, he responded and slowly closed the window.
"Let’s drop the secretary off first, then we’ll go. Driver."
"Yes. General Manager."
"Ah, why did you say things like that? People are going to think it’s strange. Like what kind of relationship we have."
"Why? Just tell them, whatever!"
She looked at him, giggling about something.
"And what relationship? You’re the one making up all the rumors, General Manager."
"No..."
"We were university seniors and juniors, right? We went to the library cafe to study together, what’s wrong with that!"
"Oh, I give up..."
"...Ah, and if I told them I liked you, well... that would be embarrassing for you. Right~"
He heard the driver cough in the front, wondering if he’d misheard something. He let out a deep sigh and twisted his lips, begging her to be quiet. For some reason, she found that funny and kept giggling as she looked at him. The car arrived and stopped, and he and she opened the doors. After she said goodbye to the driver, in front of the apartment complex entrance,
"So, teach me well so I don't become a burden."
"I’ve done all I can."
"Not that, teach me something else."
What is she talking about...
"Ugh. Senior, you still only work and study. You don't pay attention to anything else."
"I don't have time to pay attention to anything else. Well... what else should I teach you? How to get a good performance review?"
"No."
She looked at him with clear eyes, as if she were completely sober now.
"...?"
"We’re outside the company, and we didn't meet to work. Right?"
He didn't say anything.
"That’s what I said to you earlier, Senior."
"..."
"I won't take my husband’s money. I’ll tell him to spend it however he wants. And I won't live tied down. Ah, I’m going to marry someone older, so I’ll be the one tied down instead. Well, that wouldn't be so bad. ...I’ve never dated before, so I wouldn't be very good at it, but..."
"Yeah, you should meet a good person soon. So go inside now..."
"Do you remember?"
He stared at her. As if asking what she meant. Or perhaps he was just pretending not to know.
"That I said I would wait."
"...I don't know, I don't want to remember..."
"It’s frustrating. I guess I’ll have to teach you myself."
He looked at her, and she looked at him. She should just go home. Does she live alone? Or are her parents worried...
— *Smooch.*
Come to think of it, he seemed to be slightly tipsy too. He had been careful, but he hadn't even realized she was standing so close to him. They weren't usually this close...
— *Smooch.*
Slowly standing on her tiptoes, she suddenly kissed him briefly. Then, once more. Embarrassment bloomed on his face. Quite quickly. And then he quickly touched his lips. Between the scent of alcohol, he could smell a refreshing apple scent—was it her perfume, or her natural scent?
"What are you doing..."
"...Senior, I found out. I’m going to teach you that fact."
She slowly pulled her red lips away and spoke without words. Then, he watched her walk away, his eyes wide.
"That you have 'finally' divorced... that is."