The workday was over, but my steps got faster as I walked down the office hallway.
'What kind of unilateral decision is this?! Transferring me without even talking to me first? Do they think I'm some kind of doll they can just throw away?!'
The sound of my shoes echoed on the marble floor. My breathing was slightly ragged, not from being tired, but from my emotions boiling over.
I finally reached the door to the team leader's office. Without knocking, I pushed the door open.
"Team Leader! Team Leader!" I yelled in an angry tone.
But... the room wasn't what I'd imagined.
A woman was standing there with her back to the door. Her long, straight black hair fell down to her back. She was tidying up a pile of documents on the team leader's desk.
When she heard me call, she turned around
Her face was pretty and cute, with round eyes. The tight white blouse she wore highlighted her large chest, while the black knee-length skirt paired with black stockings made her body curves even clearer. The black high heels added a formal yet seductive touch.
"Oh, Joon-ki-ssi," she greeted politely. "The team leader is out of the office."
I stopped in my tracks, holding myself back for a moment.
"Wh... where did she go?" I asked, my voice still heavy with anger.
The woman just looked down for a moment, as if hesitant to answer.
Meanwhile, in the VIP room of the restaurant where the dinner was held, President Director Han Seok-ryul patted his stomach, which was full of food. Empty soju bottles were lined up on the table.
"Since you came all this way," he said, raising his glass, "how about we have another drink?"
"Thank you," Na-young replied with a flat face. She took her glass, sipped a little, but her expression didn't change at all.
As the night got later, the dinner ended.
Outside the restaurant, Na-young walked with Branch Manager Han Dae-jung. The streetlights illuminated them.
"Good job," Dae-jung said, patting her shoulder. "The CEO is so happy that we were able to handle the problem and make that troublemaker transfer to the branch office. This way, the hidden camera case won't be an issue anymore."
He smirked, then added, "Congratulations. You'll be the head of the main office soon. No one can stop your promotion now."
Na-young bowed her head slightly, her expression still stiff. "Thank you."
"But don't get too happy yet," Dae-jung continued in a mysterious tone. "I'm leaving this matter to you. Don't forget, the President is still inside. Everything has to remain under control."
He tilted his head, glancing behind Na-young.
Na-young also turned...
And there, I was already standing.
I stood right behind Na-young, clutching my phone tightly, my eyes staring sharply at my surroundings.
"Team leader..." my voice was heavy, full of pent-up emotion. "What the hell is this about a transfer to a branch office?!"
I could feel my face getting hot, my blood boiling. My jaw clenched, my expression filled with fury.
Na-young was silent for a moment, then looked at me with a blank stare.
"I'm not leaving until I get a reasonable explanation," I said, glaring at the team leader.
Na-young just let out a soft sigh, a small smile forming on her lips.
"Hmmm..." she mumbled, as if contemplating something.
I frowned in confusion, but then she turned to me. "Let's talk in the car."
Without waiting for a reply, she walked towards her car. I was forced to follow.
Soon after, we were inside the car. The engine gave a low growl as the vehicle started to leave the office grounds. The city lights flickered in the window, creating long shadows on Na-young's still-cold face.
"How dare you come at me like this," she said flatly while steering. "We could have talked about this at the office tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!" I yelled. "The transfer starts tomorrow! I have to talk now."
My breath was ragged. My hands gripped the seatbelt tightly.
"So what's the reason behind all of this? I didn't do anything wrong. Why am I being transferred?"
My voice was getting louder. "Team Leader, you promised you'd handle the issue of people still being suspicious of me. And now I'm just transferred to an out-of-town branch office without any consultation?!"
The day the hidden camera case first started...
I stood in front of Na-young's desk with a flustered look.
"So... you're asking me for help because you're being bullied?" she asked coldly, as she tidied the nameplate on her desk.
I nodded weakly.
Na-young snorted. "This isn't a kindergarten where I have to force you all to get along. That's something you have to handle yourself."
"But this is really unfair..." I said softly.
"Okay, okay, I get it. Don't continue."
She crossed her arms under her chest, leaning her body forward slightly. Her gaze pierced me.
"Go back to your desk. I'll take care of it later."
"Thank you..." I sighed in relief.
Back to the present...
"Ha..." Na-young sighed in frustration, the voice trembling with emotion. "You think this is disciplinary action? This is all for your own good, Mr. Joon-ki?"
Na-young glanced over, her expression unchanged. "Why can't you understand? This is our way of helping."
I returned her gaze with a puzzled look. "What do you mean...?"
Suddenly, my eyes widened. "WATCH OUT, A CYCLIST!!" I screamed.
From inside the tunnel, a cyclist suddenly appeared in front of the car.
Instantly, Na-young swerved the wheel. The tires screeched loudly, my body was thrown to the side, but the car managed to avoid him.
"Phew..." she let out a quick breath, then gave a slight smirk. "So noisy. I saw him."
I was still out of breath, my heart pounding.
Na-young spoke again, this time in a calmer tone.
"Mr. Joon-ki, I know you weren't the one who installed that camera. But it's difficult for us to make things go back to how they were."
I was silent, a little surprised to hear that confession.
"By the way..." she glanced at me. "Did you know?"
"What?" I asked cautiously.
Na-young stopped the car on the side of the tunnel and pulled the handbrake. She turned to face me completely, her gaze sharp.
"All the female employees here think Mr. Joon-ki is a pervert."
She paused for a moment, then added in a firm tone. "Well... it could just be a misunderstanding. But isn't that also your fault?"
Her words were like daggers. I could only stay silent, my eyes wide, trying to process the accusation.
"But that's not the problem," she said. "What's more important is... you won't easily fix your reputation as long as you're at the main office. As long as you're here with a name that's already tainted, Mr. Joon-ki..." she paused for a moment, looking straight at me. "...you'll end up getting fired. It could happen sooner than you think."
I was silent. Her words were like a hammer hitting my head.
It's true though... working at a branch office is a safer choice. At the same time... maybe I can come back here again someday, I thought.
I gritted my teeth. "People think I'm a bad guy. Why do I always have to go through this? I'm the victim here!"
My breath was ragged, my hands clenched on my thighs.
Should I just give up? I thought. I just started to get used to the office... now I've lost the chance to feel comfortable in this place.
For the first time, I felt like there was still hope at this office. Especially since I started getting closer to Eun-ji... the image of her smile flashed in my mind, calming me, if only for a moment.
But Na-young's voice cut through my thoughts.
"And it seems the rumors about you being a pervert... are actually coming true, huh," she said, glancing at me. A slight smile formed on her lips.
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
Na-young leaned forward, her finger pointing to her own chest.
"I know you've been looking at this the whole time..." she whispered softly. "Looking at my boobs just now."
I instinctively glanced, then quickly turned my face away. But the sight was already clearly burned into my eyes. Her breasts were large, protruding beautifully from beneath her slightly open white shirt.
Na-young gave a small laugh.
"Well then... do you want to take a closer look?" she said, shifting her sitting position, her hand touching her own nipple through her shirt. Her fingers were teasing, her face flushed from the effect of the alcohol.
Slowly, she spread her thighs, and her tight black skirt also lifted.
"I'm really horny right now... I had a lot to drink just now..."
My heart was pounding. My body was stiff, a mix of shock, anger, and temptation.
Na-young leaned even closer to me, our faces just a few inches apart. The scent of perfume mixed with alcohol assaulted my senses.
"But can you... keep this a secret from everyone else, Mr. Joon-ki?" she whispered coyly.
She looked at me with her seductive, beautiful face, and her glowing red lips.
"Just consider this a farewell gift..." she added softly, before a mischievous smile spread across her face.