whistle
Episode 10
I talk to Daehwi after he enters the building after parking.
나여주
Hmm... I think it's nice working in the same building.
Daehwi smiles at Yeoju's words and strokes her head.
이대휘
Yeah, I like that too.
Yeoju holds the hand on her head and speaks to Daehwi.
나여주
Still, things like this are forbidden at the company. I hate having to explain things to people I know if they see it.
이대휘
Okay, okay, let's do that.
Smiling, I stood in front of the elevator with Daehwi. As we rode up, our eyes met, and perhaps because of the people around us, Daehwi sent a KakaoTalk message.
이대휘
I won't forget where we first met, right?
He nodded while looking at the KakaoTalk and sent a message to Daehwi, who was getting off on the 14th floor.
나여주
Good luck today!
And then a reply comes right away.
이대휘
you also
I think as I enter the office after getting off the elevator.
나여주
(Inner thoughts) Shall we have lunch later?
Before she knew it, the female lead wanted to spend her spare time with Taehwi.
나여주
hello~
I clock in with a greeting and greet the assistant manager and manager.
서과장
Hi, Yeoju. I was actually talking about the elevator last time; was it okay?
김대리
I know, right. Are you okay?
I spoke with a smile to the two people who had worried expressions on their faces.
나여주
I was totally fine! Haha
서과장
Did the date go well?
In response to the manager's question, I cautiously continue speaking, thinking that company colleagues who know my brother might misunderstand if they saw him with Daehwi someday.
나여주
Uncle... we broke up that day, haha.
The manager brought his hand to his mouth and opened his eyes wide, and the assistant manager continued speaking.
김대리
Oh my, why? Did you fight?
Since we were very close, I explained the situation, and the manager and assistant manager patted my shoulder while getting angry.
서과장
You're so immature! You did a great job!
김대리
I know, right. It's good that you broke up!
The female lead is contemplating whether she should talk about Daehwi.
나여주
(Inner thoughts) I guess... it would be awkward if I saw this often, right?
The manager who tells me "big news" while I am deep in thought
서과장
Yeoju, you're on the promotion list this time! Congratulations on becoming a team leader?
I widened my eyes at the promotion, which was faster than I expected, and the assistant manager placed his hand on my head, grinning as he spoke.
김대리
I think I should have a drink today.
I sit down, look at the assistant manager, and speak.
나여주
Ugh, am I going to die today?
김대리
It just so happens that tomorrow is a public holiday, isn't it?
서과장
Oh my, Assistant Manager Kim really set his mind to it today? Haha
The promotions of company employees, including myself, were announced at lunch. We arranged a gathering with those on the promotion list for a company dinner.
After letting Daehwi know about the company dinner, I got back to work and it was time to leave.
서과장
So, shall we go out for a team dinner?
Smiling, I took the elevator down to the company dinner.
I was walking and laughing with the manager and assistant manager linking arms on either side when Daehwi was in front of me.
Daehwi, visible in the distance, smiled, and at that smile, I smiled too and shook my head slightly to greet him.
About 20 people gathered at a barbecue restaurant and started eating and drinking.
We took turns giving toasts and enjoyed congratulating those who were promoted.
In the department where I work, the 1st Marketing Team, there are three women and three men who mainly work on business trips.
They were the only women in our company, and the department head, notorious at business meetings, was always desperate to tear the section chief down.
Whenever gatherings like this came up, the senior executives would leave after eating, saying it wasn't fun without them.
The department head comes to sit next to me every day and picks fights.
악부장
My little one is a team leader already?
I give a cold stare at the manager, who calls me a baby in a slurred voice, and answer.
나여주
Ah... yes
I want to yell at him, but thinking that's just how company life is, I drink the soju in my glass.
악부장
Hey, no, Yeoju! We have to drink together! A love shot!
김대리
Haa... A love shot? Boss, we don't do that kind of thing these days, you know?
As the assistant manager spoke while suppressing his anger, Assistant Manager Park, who was standing next to him, stepped forward.
박대리
Boss!! I'll take the grub shot, haha.
Speaking loudly and boomingly, I lead the Manager by the hand and stand up. Watching Assistant Manager Park doing a love shot together while standing, the three of us give a thumbs up.
서과장
Wow, that commanding presence, Assistant Manager Kim is so lucky~
김대리
Manager, stop joking around.
The assistant manager speaks to the manager with a slightly flushed face.
As I tilted my head and looked at the assistant manager, the manager mouthed each letter.
서과장
The two of them are flirting!
Only then did I look back and forth between the two assistant managers as if I understood, and Assistant Manager Park looked at me, winked, and put his hand to his mouth, saying, "Shh!"
I nod and speak to myself.
나여주
Okay, okay, received.
The atmosphere was better than I expected, and on my way back from the restroom, I got caught by the manager in the smoking room.
악부장
Huh? Yeoju, come here to our team leader.
As soon as our eyes met the manager gesturing to me, I couldn't help but walk away.
He talks to me about this and that while smoking a cigarette.
악부장
When are you getting married? Didn't you have a boyfriend?
나여주
Um... we broke up.
악부장
Oh my, did you break up? Then shall I introduce you to my nephew?
As the manager placed his hand on my shoulder, I coughed at the smell of cigarettes, turned my body, and pulled his hand away.
Then, the manager says with a slightly annoyed expression.
악부장
Seriously, a boss can smoke a cigarette, but you're giving him such a hard time.
나여주
Ah... no. I have a bit of a cold...
He was making excuses for that again, and feeling upset, he looked slightly into the distance and spoke.
나여주
Are you planning to go home, Manager?
In response to my question, the manager said he hadn't finished drinking yet and went inside first, and I followed him into the company dinner.
As soon as I sat down, the manager spoke loudly, as if to make sure I heard him.
악부장
These days, even when a boss worries about the future and tells kids about it, they just shrug it off... tsk tsk.
I was angry at the sound of the manager clicking his tongue, but I tried hard to hold it in and just stared at my glass.
Then the manager continued speaking
악부장
They just give me a hard time for smelling like cigarettes. I don't know what use they are for promoting me to team leader. I have to scream and hang in there.
At those words, the company people looked at me, who had become a team leader.
I just let out a sigh. Just as I was about to open my mouth, Manager Seo spoke.
서과장
Exactly, haha. I heard that these days, if you keep kids occupied while smoking, they might call the police. You should be careful, right, Assistant Manager Park? Let's quit smoking?
The manager, who had been watching my reaction, lightened the mood with eye contact with Assistant Manager Park.
박대리
Ah hahaha I understand haha Let's toast. Cheers.
As the atmosphere changed for a while, the department head left, and I left the company dinner with the section chief, Assistant Manager Kim, and Assistant Manager Park.
김대리
Assistant Manager Na, cheer up. Is this the first time he's acted like this?
I smiled at the assistant manager's words, and the manager massaged my shoulders and said
서과장
I hit you with words, so cheer up. Ugh, I was just getting carried away today.
박대리
Hey, want another drink? Do you buy it for me every week?
I opened my mouth at Assistant Manager Park's playful remark.
나여주
Exactly. If it weren't for the fact that my company is so high up and the department head, it would be perfect, haha.
Everyone agreed and suggested having another drink, but since I had drunk too much, I promised to meet next time and left.
It was already ten o'clock, and I felt like having a cup of coffee at a cafe, so I took the coffee I ordered and sat down.
As I sat in the chair, I felt as though my body were relaxing.
I thought of Daehwi when I was upset, but I felt it was still too early to talk about this.
나여주
Ugh... I drank too much. I feel dizzy.
I send a KakaoTalk message to Daehwi while drinking coffee.
나여주
ㅡ Um, I'm finished with the company dinner.
A reply came soon after.
이대휘
Where are you? I was working overtime today too, so I just finished.
Ah... I reply thinking of Daehwi, whose timing is just perfect and who makes me want to lean on him more and more.
나여주
I see. I'm at @@ Cafe.
The female protagonist is typing intently while looking at the keyboard because she doesn't want to be caught drunk.
이대휘
I'll wait for you.