#20.

Park Min-ah followed Lee Han into the management office. The office, reached after passing through the dark hallway late at night, looked much larger and more classy than she had expected. But that wasn’t very important to Park Min-ah. Right now, her head was filled with fear and anxiety.

Park Min-ah grabbed a chair with trembling hands and sat down. Lee Han, sitting across from her, asked in a soft voice.

,Would you like something to drink? Like tea or a soda.”

,Ah, no… I’m okay.”

Park Min-ah shook her head, even though her throat felt parched. Lee Han’s kindness was frightening to her.

,Then let’s talk a bit. What on earth happened?”

Although his tone was calm, Park Min-ah found Lee Han’s eyes unfamiliar.

,I… I think giving food to the cats became a problem. But I really didn’t mean anything by it. Please understand.”

Lee Han’s expression softened at the sight of Park Min-ah, who was on the verge of tears as she spoke.

,I understand, Min-ah-ssi. Just calm down a little. But did my words bother you that much?”

,I have nowhere else to go if not this apartment. I might be homeless starting tomorrow…”

Park Min-ah pleaded in a trembling voice.

,Min-ah-ssi, listen to me. I’m saying this because I feel sorry for you. I don’t want to see someone’s life fall apart over something so trivial. I’ll try to resolve this well, so don’t worry too much.”

Park Min-ah nodded at Lee Han’s comforting words. His soothing voice wrapped around her ears.

,Yes… Thank you. I think I was a bit too sensitive. I’ll listen to the management office from now on.”

Park Min-ah felt a sense of relief little by little at the sympathy and understanding in Lee Han’s tone and expression. She felt like she had met a savior.

‘I got through today. The manager-nim will take care of it.’

Park Min-ah glanced at Lee Han, repeating the thought in her mind. He looked quite reliable, despite his age appearing to be in his late twenties and his aloof first impression. His name tag had the two-letter name, Lee Han, written on it.

Park Min-ah remembered that this apartment was directly managed by the Aryong Group.

‘He must be someone special. To have risen to such a position here…’

In that instant, Lee Han seemed even more impressive and trustworthy.

,Thank you so much. I feel much lighter thanks to you. Can I go back now?”

,Of course. Go and get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Lee Han gave a bright smile. Park Min-ah felt grateful and stood up from her seat.

,Yes, I understand. Have a good night, Manager-nim!”

Park Min-ah left the office with a light heart. She naively believed that Lee Han would be a reliable supporter, not her enemy.

Wiping away her moist eyes, Park Min-ah trudged towards her home. The awkward events she had experienced today felt like a bad dream.

But she had no idea that all of this was just the beginning of a nightmare. Without seeing through the sinister intentions hidden behind the kind mask.

As soon as Park Min-ah arrived home, she hurriedly washed up and flopped onto the bed. She sighed and opened a can of beer. As she watched the fizzing foam spill out, the image of Lee Han, whom she had met at the management office, suddenly flashed through her mind.

‘To be in that position at such a young age… Could he be from a chaebol family?’

Park Min-ah smiled faintly, caught up in strange fantasies.

‘Could it be that he offered to help me because… he likes me?’

Even as she scoffed at her own delusions, Park Min-ah fell into confident thoughts about her appearance.

‘Well, I’m pretty decent, aren’t I? I was popular when I was in school.’

With her cheeks flushed from the alcohol, Park Min-ah got up and stood in front of the mirror. She struck poses, looked at her profile and back, and muttered to herself.

,Heh, with boobs like these, I definitely catch the eyes of men~”

Then, suddenly, the face of her boss, Chief Lee Min-ho, flickered in her mind. His lecherous gaze, which seemed to harassingly scan her body, and his unpleasantly clingy attitude came to mind, leaving a bitter taste in Park Min-ah’s mouth.

‘How dare that old man… It’s disgusting.’

Chief Lee Min-ho was constantly hitting on Park Min-ah. Despite being in his fifties, he pretended to be young and harassed the young female employees.

,Ugh… Annoying, I need to drink more.”

As if trying to erase the memories of her painful work life, Park Min-ah emptied a can of beer in one go. She opened another can and flopped onto the bed.

Park Min-ah’s drunken state was captured entirely by a surveillance camera. Lee Han, watching her actions on the screen, clicked his tongue unpleasantly and frowned.

‘I need to fix her habits first. Tsk tsk.’

In the camera, Park Min-ah was rolling around, drinking beer with a flushed face. Park Min-ah was falling asleep in a defenseless state. In the dark night, only the quiet breathing echoed eerily in the silent room.

Lee Han had told Park Min-ah to rest assured, but he was thinking something else inside. He began to carefully prepare cunning tactics to ensnare her.

—

On her way home from work, Park Min-ah stopped by the convenience store as usual to buy beer and snacks. As she trudged towards the apartment with the heavy bag, she heard the sound of a cat meowing somewhere.

‘Huh? Is it asking for food?’

Park Min-ah looked around and moved in the direction of the sound. She saw a cat crouching in the bushes in the narrow complex.

,Oh my, look at this one. Are you hungry again?”

Park Min-ah approached the cat with a brisk walk, as if she was glad to see it. Even with her gentle calls, the cat did not easily approach.

,Hey, come here. I’ll give you something delicious.”

Park Min-ah took out an instant sausage from the bag and held out her hand towards the cat. The cat, smelling the scent, cautiously began to approach.

At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind.

,Min-ah-ssi, we said we wouldn’t do this, right?”

The cat, startled by the eerie energy, quickly ran away. Park Min-ah, frozen, slowly turned around and saw Lee Han glaring at her coldly.

,Ma, Manager-nim… This is…”

,What did I say last time?”

Park Min-ah’s heart pounded with every step Lee Han took closer. The unpleasant sound of him clicking his tongue cut through the night.

,I thought you said you wouldn’t do it again. You’re really someone who doesn’t keep promises.”

,Wait, I just…”

,Stop making excuses. I guess you forgot what I warned you about.”

Park Min-ah couldn’t continue her answer at his firm tone. She could only look at Lee Han with frightened eyes.

,Rules are rules, Min-ah-ssi. Are you going to listen to my words and let them go in one ear and out the other?”

,No… I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

A faint smile appeared on Lee Han’s lips at Park Min-ah’s trembling voice. But it was closer to mockery than compassion.

,You know something really bad will happen if you repeat the same mistake, right? Come to the office tomorrow. We need to talk about how to handle this.”

,Please don’t do that… I’m begging you.”

Lee Han left a condescending laugh as he looked down at the tearful Park Min-ah.

,Anyway, see you tomorrow.”

Park Min-ah could only shed tears as she watched Lee Han disappear into the darkness, leaving behind the sound of his shoes.

Park Min-ah dropped the bag in a sudden wave of despair. The can of beer fell to the ground and rolled away. But it didn’t matter to her. It felt like the whole world was collapsing right now.

,What should I do… What am I supposed to do now…”

Park Min-ah’s sobs, slumped powerlessly, echoed in the narrow alley. An invisible noose was tightening around her throat.

—-

At dawn, Park Min-ah, unable to sleep and tossing and turning, finally called the company and requested a half-day leave.

,Min-ah-ssi, what is this about? What’s with an intern suddenly taking a vacation?”

Park Min-ah’s throat involuntarily tightened at the sharp voice of the HR staff member. The threat and fear she had experienced last night resurfaced, making her shudder.

,I’m really sorry… My situation is too urgent… Please understand.”

Park Min-ah pleaded, almost sobbing. A sigh was heard over the phone.

,Aish… Okay. I’ll process your vacation. Don’t do this next time.”

Park Min-ah breathed a sigh of relief after barely getting permission. But she soon said goodbye in a subdued voice and hung up the phone. Park Min-ah sat on the bed with slumped shoulders. She changed her clothes, trying to calm her depressed heart.

Her head throbbed with worry about having to go to the management office in this situation. She gritted her teeth and headed to the management office with fearful steps.

The management office door creaked open. Park Min-ah swallowed hard and stepped inside, and Lee Han’s gaze, sitting at his desk, slowly turned to her.

,Welcome, Min-ah-ssi.”

Lee Han coldly stared at Park Min-ah with his arms crossed. Park Min-ah’s legs gave way at the sight. She had no choice but to walk inside with faltering steps, despite being terrified.

,Sit down.”

Park Min-ah could only nod like a mute at his authoritative tone. Lee Han sighed and stood up from his seat.

A moment later, he returned with two cups of coffee, steaming hot. Lee Han placed the coffee in front of Park Min-ah, who was staring with surprised eyes, and opened his mouth.

,You look very anxious. Let’s have some coffee.”

Park Min-ah was taken aback by his sudden, kind tone. The cold look from last night was nowhere to be found, and Lee Han in front of her now was even being friendly.

Park Min-ah cautiously sipped the coffee, unable to completely shake off her suspicion. After a moment of silence, Lee Han opened his mouth.

,I can’t just let it slide if you keep breaking the rules. You know that, right?”

There was a sense of intimidation in Lee Han’s voice. Park Min-ah flinched and nodded.

,I, I’m sorry… I won’t do it again.”

,I thought you’d say that. Actually, Min-ah-ssi, I like you. You seem like an honest and kind person.”

,Yes…?”

Park Min-ah’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. Lee Han continued, giving a friendly smile.

,That’s why I’m paying special attention to you. I’m worried that you might get hurt, that’s why.”

In that moment, a small sense of emotion arose in Park Min-ah’s heart. She was grateful that there was someone who was secretly worried about her.

,Manager-nim… Thank you. I’m really sorry. I’ll be more careful.”

,I’m glad you understand. But you see…”

Lee Han stopped talking and sighed. A cold gaze pierced through Park Min-ah.

,If I’ve gone this far to care about you, and you continue to break the rules… then something really bad will happen. You understand, right?”

Park Min-ah nodded instead of answering, terrified. She felt a threat in Lee Han’s eyes.

,So try to listen to me as much as possible.”

A threat hidden just barely beneath the surface, despite his kind tone. Park Min-ah felt a chill down her spine.

Park Min-ah’s mind became increasingly confused at Lee Han’s words. She couldn’t figure out whether he was worried about her or trying to threaten her.

,Thank you, Manager-nim. I’ll follow your instructions from now on…”

Lee Han smiled contentedly as he watched Park Min-ah answer in a trembling voice.

,Then go now. It’s late. I’ll take extra care of you for a while.”

His attitude was curt even as he spoke kindly. Park Min-ah couldn’t help but become more and more confused at the sight.

Park Min-ah left the management office with a complicated heart. She felt gratitude on one hand, and fear on the other. She trudged along, caught in a whirlwind of unknown emotions.