NLFSD Chapter 42

Chapter 42

 

At the same time, Kim Minji, a secretary assigned to the director’s office, was witnessing a bizarre sight. Seo Taecheon, who had stepped out of his office and was sitting on the sofa, suddenly burst into laughter. He had been staring at his phone when, out of nowhere, he laughed out loud.

What in the world… Why is the director laughing like that?

Always stern, flawless, and seemingly impenetrable—like not even a needle could slip through. Seo Taecheon, the director, exuded an image so cold and meticulous that it was difficult to even approach him. And yet, the expression on his face now was so radiant and joyful it was hard to believe it belonged to him.

He laughed, then grew serious, then chuckled softly again. His gaze, fixed intently on the small phone screen, resembled someone absorbed in an amusing spectacle.

So he’s capable of showing such rich expressions, too.

Watching Taecheon stifle laughter with his fist, Minji even found herself flustered.

“Secretary Kim.”

“Yes?”

“I have a question.”

Taecheon lifted his head and looked at her.

“Ah, yes, Director. Please ask.”

“Regarding emoticons… not the basic ones preloaded on the phone, but special ones—specifically those based on public agency mascots. Where can one obtain those?”

“Public agency mascot emoticons? Could you perhaps show me an example?”

When Minji started to approach to look at his phone, Taecheon quickly waved her off.

“Ah, I won’t show it. I’m just curious.”

“Hmm… Usually, you can download them for free from the promotional SNS pages of those agencies. Local government mascots or public agency characters are almost always distributed for free.”

“I see. Thank you for the information.”

With that, Taecheon smiled—a gentle expression Minji had never seen on him before—then turned and went back into his office.

What is going on… Emoticons? He doesn’t seem like the type to laugh over things like that.

Minji tilted her head in confusion.

“Everyone! Please head up to the auditorium on the 20th floor. Upper management has requested that everyone except essential personnel attend.”

Administrative staff from each team bustled through the partitions, delivering the announcement.

“Oh, right. Isn’t today the day they’re airing the one with Assistant Manager Lee?”

Deputy Min Hyegyeong tapped Jiwoon’s shoulder with a grin. Jiwoon, mortified, lowered his head.

“Ah… yes… Love Village.”

“You have no idea how much people are looking forward to this. I mean, seriously—filming a dating reality show with employees? I’ve lived a long time, but this is something else.”

“Right… It’s… fun.”

Today was the day the edited version of Love Village would be screened for the entire company.

To be honest, as one of the participants, Jiwoon couldn’t help but feel he might have been too emotional on the show. It was also embarrassing to expose his private side to colleagues, so part of him didn’t even want to watch. But there was no way a cast member could skip out on the screening.

At the same time, curiosity gnawed at him. To say he couldn’t bear not seeing it might be more accurate.

He wanted to see what Taecheon’s gaze had been like when looking at him. What his expressions were like when he was with Omega No. 3. What had happened between them.

On the other hand, he was worried.

Surely it doesn’t show that I liked the director, right? I faked a cramp to avoid the pool when my heart was racing—what if that’s super obvious on camera?

He was anxious that his dazed expressions during private dates with Taecheon would be revealed, and it infuriated him to think about Taecheon’s scenes with other omegas being included. Not to mention Deputy Gi Hyeonjin’s tragic rock ballad confession—that was another headache entirely.

“Ugh…”

“What are you doing? Hurry up. We need to go if we want good seats.”

Min urged Jiwoon to move, and together they went up to the 20th floor and entered the auditorium. The employees were buzzing with excitement, gathering in groups and taking seats like they were at the movies.

“Deputy, let’s sit over there, in the corner.”

“There are seats in the front row. Why?”

“Because… the director is there.”

“Ah… right.”

In the front row sat Seo Taecheon and his secretary Kim Minji. Just seeing Taecheon’s back reminded Jiwoon of the accidental emoticon incident earlier, and his cheeks burned with embarrassment.

Seriously… why hasn’t he replied yet…

He felt shy, and even a little sulky. Plus, throughout the screening, he feared his lovestruck expressions would be exposed, so he led Min to a secluded spot in the back.

“We’ll begin the screening now. Please give a warm round of applause for the company couple-matching project, Love Village.”

“Woooo!”

“This is going to be so fun!”

The room erupted in cheers and clapping. The lights dimmed, and the subtitle Love Village in JEJU appeared on screen. Jiwoon swallowed nervously and fixed his gaze on the screen.

—Let’s leave, just the two of us… casting everything away…

A nostalgic Jeju folk song played as the deep blue sea filled the screen. Silhouettes of the cast, shown in slow motion, created a mystical scene.

“Wow, the PD’s directing skills are amazing.”

“So beautiful.”

“Were there employees this handsome?”

“He’s an omega, see? His nametag says Omega No. 1.”

Gasps filled the room at the sight of Jiwoon pulling a suitcase. Afraid of being recognized, Jiwoon covered his head and ducked down.

Soon, the introduction scene of Alpha No. 1—Seo Taecheon—appeared, and the atmosphere in the hall heated up instantly.

“Whoa, he’s so handsome.”

“Look at that suit fit.”

“They say he wasn’t even originally planned to join—just suddenly showed up.”

“Yeah, I heard that too. Do you know if he ended up as a final couple or not?”

“Haven’t heard any spoilers. But if he did, that’d be huge, right? Like, we’d have our own office Cinderella story.”

Wow… He really looks incredible.

To Jiwoon too, Taecheon looked particularly dazzling on screen. Words couldn’t describe how bright and reassuring his sudden appearance had been back then.

“Assistant Manager Lee, you’re going to catch flies.”

“Huh?”

“Kidding. Your mouth was hanging wide open.”

Min laughed quietly. Jiwoon quickly touched his cheek, worried it might be flushed.

The screen filled entirely with Jiwoon’s face, accompanied by bold text.

“Wh-what the…”

He clamped a hand over his mouth as raw audio of his interview with the PD played.

—Who left the best first impression on you?

—Alpha No. 1.

“Oh my, Assistant Manager Lee voted for the director!”

Min laughed delightedly.

“T-that’s not… I mean… ah…”

“Well, he is the best among them. Actually, more than just ‘best’—he’s the perfect match. I just didn’t know you liked that type!”

His innermost thoughts had been exposed in an instant. Jiwoon’s face flamed red from sheer embarrassment.

Next came scenes of the two on dates—riding the dangerous alpine coaster, walking along the beach—pulling Jiwoon into nostalgic memories.

“You and the director seemed to have good chemistry, huh?”

“N-no.”

“Really not?”

“Yes. I told you at the end I didn’t choose anyone.”

Was it me he had in his heart back then? At that time too… did he already have feelings for me? Since he asked me to marry him and date him now… does that mean Taecheon C liked me even then? I’m dying to know if he felt the same way during Love Village.

There was so much Jiwoon didn’t know. It had only been two days since Taecheon asked him out, and he still didn’t know the why, when, or how behind being chosen as Taecheon’s spouse. He hadn’t had the chance—or courage—to ask.

Taecheon had asked him to date and marry, but had never once said he liked or loved him. Jiwoon figured he would, eventually, but for now he was curious. This video, he hoped, might serve as precious audiovisual evidence of Taecheon’s true feelings.

…If I watch a little longer, maybe I’ll find some hints.

“Wait, Deputy Gi hit on you? Ugh, what is that.”

As the video cut to Gi’s melodramatic ballad scene, Min covered her eyes like she’d seen something horrifying.

“Yeah… that happened.”

“Ugh, I feel secondhand embarrassment.”

Min groaned. Meanwhile, the video reached the part where couples were randomly matched by picking cards.

Right… that date. Taecheon C was paired with Omega No. 3… I was so jealous and miserable then.

Without realizing it, Jiwoon bit down hard on his lip. His palms were damp with sweat as the screen showed Taecheon walking in alongside Omega No. 3.