#21.

Park Min-ah arrived at the company with heavy steps. The things she experienced yesterday messed with her head, but the more it did, the more she had no choice but to put on a kind smile.

,I’m sorry for taking sudden leave yesterday. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again in the future.”

Park Min-ah’s voice trembled as she bowed her head in apology. She could feel the unkind gazes of her senior colleagues, but she ignored them and sat down at her desk.

She devoted herself to the given tasks all day long. The moment she thought of something else, Lee Han’s face would pop up again, and it felt like it would ruin everything.

Before she knew it, darkness had fallen outside the window. She looked at the clock and it was almost 9 o’clock. She roughly filled her hunger with a sandwich, but she was still hungry.

All the employees had left work a long time ago. Park Min-ah turned off her computer, turned off the lights, and sighed. She felt hopeless, as if this life of working overtime would continue in the future.

She had been holding on as an intern for six months, but the transition to a full-time position seemed distant. Judging from the company’s atmosphere, it didn’t seem like she would be given such an opportunity.

‘Is this path my future? Is there an end to this dark tunnel…?’

She walked towards her apartment with a heavy heart. It felt like the same daily life would continue tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

Then, she heard someone calling her from afar. Surprised, she turned her head and saw Lee Han smiling.

,Manager-nim. Hello…”

Park Min-ah greeted him, unable to hide her embarrassment. Lee Han stared at her intently and then slowly spoke.

,Looks like you’re on your way home from work? You look very tired.”

,Ah… yes. I did some overtime today.”

Park Min-ah looked around anxiously. Lee Han, who was observing her appearance as if it were interesting, held up a bag in his hand.

,Have you had dinner? If you haven’t, let’s have this together. I bought it, but there’s a lot.”

A savory smell wafted from the bag. Before she knew it, her mouth started to water.

,Ah… I did eat dinner…”

,Aren’t you lacking energy because you’re hungry? I saw you walking with your head down and no energy.”

Park Min-ah, blinded by hunger, fell for his suggestion.

,Then… just a moment. Thank you.”

Park Min-ah, who had been hesitating, followed Lee Han.

A slow smile spread across Lee Han’s lips.

Led by Lee Han’s suggestion, Park Min-ah headed to the management office. Only dim lights were on in the narrow office.

,Sit down. What do you want to eat?”

Lee Han shook the bag at Park Min-ah, who had a bewildered expression. Inside were foods perfect for a late-night snack, such as instant tteokbokki, sundae, and fish cakes.

,Ah… Thank you. I guess I was really hungry.”

Park Min-ah smiled shyly and sat down on the chair. Lee Han’s hands, placing the food in front of her one by one, seemed very kind.

The two sat across from each other and started eating. Park Min-ah couldn’t resist her hungry body and devoured the food. The plate was emptied in an instant.

,Eat a lot. I have more.”

Lee Han smiled and served her more tteokbokki. Watching him, Park Min-ah suddenly felt ashamed of her behavior. She lowered her head and slowly started chewing the food.

,You work a lot of overtime, and your work is hard, right?”

Park Min-ah’s nose tingled at Lee Han’s words. It felt like no one understood her difficulties, but this man was different.

,Yes… I’m still an intern, so there’s a lot to learn. So it’s hard to keep to the quitting time…”

,And it doesn’t look like you’ll be converted to a full-time employee?”

,That’s right… I’m afraid that I’ll continue to be an intern and then get fired.”

Park Min-ah started to confide without realizing it. The worries and anxieties that she couldn’t usually express came pouring out.

Lee Han offered her a reassuring comfort, as if he saw through her heart.

,Cheer up. Everyone starts like that at first. I was lucky to sit in this position, but there were days when I felt wronged.”

,Really? You too, Manager-nim?”

,Of course. Life is full of twists and turns.”

Park Min-ah’s eyes widened at Lee Han’s words. It was hard to believe that even someone who looked so reliable had difficulties. She felt a strange sense of kinship.

The two had a meal and shared various stories. Park Min-ah gradually opened her heart to Lee Han’s attitude of listening to her concerns seriously.

Before she knew it, all the food on the table was gone. She looked at the clock and it was past twelve o’clock.

,Oh my, it’s already this time. I think I should go back now.”

,Then go carefully. See you again, Min-ah-ssi.”

,Yes… Thank you so much for today. Good night.”

Park Min-ah smiled brightly and said goodbye. Lee Han showed her off with a friendly look.

The door to the management office closed, and light footsteps faded away along the hallway.

A strange smile appeared on Lee Han’s lips, who was left alone in the office.

Park Min-ah’s back, heading to the apartment with light steps, was gradually submerged in darkness.

—

After that day, Park Min-ah often headed to the management office after work. After graduating from college, she had hardly been in contact with her friends while jumping into the job market. In addition, as she worked as an intern, her relationships were almost cut off due to repeated overtime work. In this situation, Lee Han’s warm comfort and encouragement became a small comfort to her tired life, and before she knew it, meeting Lee Han had become a daily routine.

,Manager-nim, are you working overtime again today?”

,Ah, Min-ah-ssi. Welcome. I was just finishing up some paperwork.”

A bright smile spread across Park Min-ah’s face at Lee Han’s welcoming appearance.

,I bought some beer. Would you like to have a drink with me?”

Park Min-ah handed out a bag of beer without hesitation. Lee Han readily nodded his head.

,Then thank you. I think it would be good to take a break.”

Before she knew it, the two of them settled down in a corner of the office. They tilted their beer glasses and washed away the fatigue of the day.

,How’s your company life these days? Is that Lee Min-ho guy still like that?”

,Ugh, well, yeah. He subtly tries to touch me… ugh, it’s creepy.”

,Bear with it. People like that always get it back.”

Lee Han’s eyes were so kind as he spoke. Park Min-ah felt comforted and empathized with him. Even when the cans of beer she had bought were all gone, the two people’s conversation did not stop.

,Oh my, it’s already this time. I think I should go in now.”

,You seem pretty drunk… Should I take you home?”

,No, it’s okay. It’s just the apartment complex anyway.”

,No. It could be dangerous. Let’s go together.”

So the two of them headed towards Park Min-ah’s house. Lee Han naturally grabbed Park Min-ah’s arm, which was swaying slightly. A strange tension flowed, but it wasn’t awkward.

,You can go in from here. Thank you so much for today.”

The two stood facing each other in front of the front door. Lee Han looked down at Park Min-ah, who was flushed with alcohol, and smiled gently.

,You’re welcome. Go in carefully.”

It was then. Park Min-ah suddenly brought her face closer. Her lips touched Lee Han’s lips.

,’Ah…!’

Lee Han, surprised, flinched, but soon responded to Park Min-ah’s kiss. Intoxicated by the sensation of soft lips, the kiss deepened.

After a while, Park Min-ah came to her senses and hurriedly stepped back. She covered her red cheeks with her hands and lowered her head.

,I’m, I’m sorry… I was drunk and I just…”

,No, it’s okay. Um… go in.”

Their eyes avoided each other, fumbling and hesitant. Park Min-ah hurriedly opened the front door in embarrassment.

,Um… then good night!”

Park Min-ah quickly closed the door and disappeared. Lee Han stared at the closed door for a long time and smiled.

,’Hmm… easy.’

Lee Han walked down the hallway, unable to control the desire that had spread across his lips. A sinister light flashed in his eyes.

Park Min-ah took a deep breath as soon as she closed the front door. Her heart was still pounding. She couldn’t believe what had just happened.

She flopped down on the bed and buried her face in the pillow in embarrassment.

,’Why did I do that? I must have been out of my mind…’

The memory of kissing him first while drunk flashed through her mind. Lee Han’s soft lips and warm breath came to her mind vividly.

,’But I don’t think Manager-nim disliked it either…’

A smile spread across Park Min-ah’s lips at the sight of Lee Han accepting her without refusing.

,’Could it be that he likes me?’

Her heart fluttered at the thought that maybe this kind of luck had come to her.

Park Min-ah hugged the blanket, spreading her wings of imagination. What would it be like to have a deeper relationship with Lee Han in the future? If they developed into that kind of relationship…

,’Gasp, what am I thinking!’

Park Min-ah was startled by her own delusion and came to her senses. She turned her gaze and chuckled at the sight of her room.

,’Manager-nim would be surprised if he saw this. I should clean it up tomorrow.’

The events of today and the sweet imaginations of the future. Lost in that thought, Park Min-ah sighed happily and fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Lee Han, who had returned to the management office, sat at his desk and was lost in thought. A mumbling voice cut through the darkness.

,I need to take the next step soon.”

His eyes, biting his lip and calculating something. To him, Park Min-ah was not just prey to satisfy his desires. To subdue her and put her under his feet, that was Lee Han’s true purpose.

,’How can I make her completely mine…’

Lost in sinister thoughts, Lee Han grabbed his smartphone. He smiled as if something had come to mind and quickly started writing a text message.

,’This should be enough. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.’

Darkness fell on Lee Han’s face as he closed his phone. He slowly closed his eyes with a chilling smile.

So the two were spending the same night. One person was immersed in happy imaginations of the future, and the other was burning with evil plans.

A pure soul lost in sweet dreams, and a predator’s night stained with black desires. Only a quiet silence fell on the apartment.

But no one noticed the conspiracy unfolding in the darkness. No one worried about the future of a woman falling into the abyss of evil.