Chapter 4: She Really Is Young
Right after Chae-ah disappeared into the staff room to grab her outer clothes.
A chilling sensation raced down my spine like a jolt.
"Wait, the staff room... I'm screwed!"
The realization hit me hard: I hadn't put away the one thing that absolutely couldn't be discovered, no matter what.
Please, let it not have caught Chae-ah's eye. If there's a god out there, just spare me this once.
I flung the door open in a near-prayerful panic.
But the world wasn't on my side.
Chae-ah stood there, picking up the panties I'd shoved into the corner by the tips of her thumb and index finger, inspecting them from every angle.
"Boss, is this... your panties?"
I didn't even have time to answer her question.
Like a hyena snatching prey from a predator, I yanked them from her grasp in an instant.
"I sometimes sleep here, so I take off my underwear. Didn't think about you. Sorry."
I tried to play it cool, totally nonchalant, but my voice trembled ever so slightly.
Overreacting would only make her suspicious about what those soaked panties really were.
If she found out they'd gotten drenched from what happened this morning, everything would come crashing down.
Chae-ah's eyes went wide as she stared at me, then she nodded.
"Oh, got it. That makes sense."
"Surprised you, huh? I'll be more careful next time."
"It's fine, boss. I'm just gonna hit the bathroom."
"Okay, go ahead."
Watching Chae-ah's back as she headed to the bathroom, I finally let out a sigh of relief.
The balloon of anxiety swelling in my chest deflated into relief.
"Haa... today's been a real ordeal."
Since meeting Chae-ah, my heart had dropped like this more times than I could count.
At this point, I wondered if she was the problem, but really, it was my own carelessness that had invited these crises.
"Boss, you ready?"
Her voice called from outside. I hurriedly stuffed the panties into my bag and stepped out.
"Yeah, let's go."
"Time for drinks!"
The moment we stepped out of the store, Chae-ah started bouncing along, urging me faster.
She already seemed buzzed, her energy skyrocketing like she'd had a few.
Clearly, she was hyped about drinking with me.
"You like drinking normally?"
"Yeah, love it. I do solo sessions at home a lot."
"You must hold your liquor well?"
"Dunno my limit. I always drink alone, so I stop before I black out."
"Good chance to find out tonight, then."
At my words, Chae-ah—who'd been matching my pace—suddenly stopped dead and stared at me blankly.
"Chae-ah, what's up?"
"Boss!"
Her face lit up with emotion, and she charged straight at me.
She barreled forward like a bull aiming to tackle-hug.
Instinctively, I backpedaled, hands out to block her.
"Wh-what the hell?!"
"You're gonna drink with me for a long time, right, boss? That's it, right?"
"Huh?"
"I love it, boss!"
She'd twisted my offhand comment about testing her limit into exactly what she wanted to hear.
I finally fended off the sudden hug by pressing her cheeks and pushing her away.
"Haa... already exhausting."
"Boss, let's hurry to the drinks!"
Having someone like me is great, truly.
But when that affection pours out so thick and aggressive, it becomes a burden I have to shoulder.
"I'm letting it slide 'cause you did great today."
"Yes, boss!"
Her work today had been flawless—no room for complaints.
As her boss, I couldn't afford to lose an employee like that, so I'd endure these outbursts and play along.
"Boss, you know? This is my first time drinking out."
"Huh? First time?"
"Yeah. Dropped out of high school, so no friends. The few I have online are just fellow illustrators I met on SNS."
If this was her first time drinking outside, her reaction made perfect sense.
It was like a twenty-year-old hitting a bar for the first time.
"Feels like a burden."
"What part?"
"Your first like this... with your boss."
"What's wrong with that? I like it."
For a moment, I'd forgotten how differently she saw "boss" from how I did.
"Glad you like it. Let's hit a place with private rooms. Nice and chill."
"Yes!"
We found a nearby spot with rooms, and sure enough, the server asked for ID.
"Whoa! Finally getting my ID checked at a bar!"
Chae-ah beamed as she showed hers, so I pulled mine out too.
"Room 8."
But the server only checked hers and guided us.
Awkward moment with my ID dangling in hand.
"Oh, got yours."
Only then did he glance at mine and nod.
Sure, I'm seven years older, but I look about the same age.
*Pfft.*
As I sighed at the embarrassment, Chae-ah burst out laughing.
"Why're you laughing."
"Sorry! Your face... pfft! Too funny."
Seeing her fail to stifle it, I realized how shameless my "we look the same" thought was.
We might look similar, but our vibes were worlds apart.
Asking me to radiate that fresh, youthful aura now? Impossible.
"Jealous."
"Of what?"
"Being young."
Might not be something a twenty-eight-year-old should say, but it's fine in front of a twenty-one-year-old.
In the room, as I took off my outer layer, Chae-ah snatched the menu and scanned it eagerly.
"Whoa, so many options! Drinks, sides—everything!"
"Order whatever. But no leftovers."
"Got it, boss! Beer or soju?"
"Soju for me. Beer’s too fizzy."
"Noted. I've only done highballs solo."
That word—"highball"—stabbed chillingly at my heart.
A past that meant nothing to me was reborn as her vibrant present.
Probably just canned stuff from a convenience store.
This night would be more special for her than I'd thought.
"Hmm, what to try... Drinks too... Uhmm..."
"Want a rec?"
"Yes, boss! Recommend some~"
I took the menu, skimmed it, and called the server.
Two bottles of soju, one beer, and a hot pot to fill the table.
"This for now. More later."
"Yes, boss."
Occasional thumps echoed from somewhere.
Chae-ah was stomping her feet in excitement.
"You look super happy."
"Yeah, mostly 'cause I'm so excited."
"Wondering what soju and beer taste like?"
"That too, but mostly what drinking with you will be like."
She propped her chin, flashing a grin, and for a moment, she stole my full attention.
That smile was pure, innocent—only possible at her age.
"Boss, one favor?"
"Shoot."
"Can I call you unni outside work?"
I pondered my answer.
Chae-ah watched me, eyes brimming with hope.
Anyone could see she wanted this.
"Can you keep doing great at work?"
"Yes! Super great!"
"Screw up, and it's back to boss outside too."
"So... unni's okay?"
"Yeah, go for it."
"Yay! Thanks, unni!"
Outside family, I kept distance—even from coworkers sharing space.
So even with Chae-ah as my employee, I'd planned to maintain that.
But it wasn't easy.
Her pure smiles and genuine reactions melted my walls instantly.
"Kinda amazing."
"What?"
As she asked, our drinks arrived, filling the table.
"Whoa, booze!"
Amazing, really.
How had this girl—who'd cornered me from our first meeting—turned into this nonstop bundle of cuteness since we started working together?
"Unni, wanna try soju first?"
"Yeah, go for it."
I filled her shot glass. She raised it, turning away to sip behind her hand.
"Chae-ah, drink comfy."
"Huh? Thought you cover up in front of elders?"
Seven years isn't nothing, but not elder status.
"Not us."
"Oh? Cool, casual it is."
Claiming she'd never had soju, she downed it in one go.
"Eup... kuhk... bitter..."
"Soju's bitter."
"Egh... not like I imagined..."
"Water."
She sipped, then stuck out her tongue briefly.
"Ack... still bitter... Unni, order soda?"
"Yeah."
"You like soju?"
"Yeah, tastes good to me."
She slammed another shot.
Downed it just like that.
"Ack... what's good about this."
"Pfft."
"Unni, why laugh?"
"'Cause you're cute."
Too much cuteness pouring from her to hide my laugh.
If we were closer, I'd have reached out to pat her head.
"Unni."
"Yeah?"
"Date me."
"What?"
Say "cute" twice, and she'd propose for real.