Team Leader Bae covered her face with both of her hands and started sobbing. Is she pretending to be crying?
Oh, no.
I'm dead.
Rina-sunbae and I started getting anxious. What if Manager Jeong misunderstands the situation? Honestly, I am the one who is in the most disadvantageous position here as I am a temporary office worker on probation who only has to say 'yes' and 'okay' to her superiors. Manager Jeong's face was clearly shocked to see the Team Leader crying, and it seemed to be us who were ganging up on her.
"Can you tell me what happened here?" Manager Jeong asked the three of us. "Team Leader Bae, why are you crying?"
As the situation gets bigger, many people from the other department came to flood the pantry. It was as if we were in a bullfighting scenario. The bulls are Rina-sunbae and me, the bull-fighter is Manager Jeong, and the girl who needs to be saved is Team Leader Bae. I don't even know why I compared the situation to bullfighting. I mean, Rina-sunbae and I are pretty and sexy little bulls.
"Team Leader Bae intruded on our conversation just to claim that our newbie here is busy seducing men and is not working hard," Rina-sunbae yelled, defending me on the full ground. "I mean, Miss Suji is busy with her work, how can she say that?"
"Is that true, Team Leader Bae?" Manager Jeong then turned to TL Bae Yunqiong, who was now in tears.
"No," Team Leader Bae shook her head in response while sobbing, "I just suggested that it would be better if she does her job properly since I would have to take her work as the project exhibit coordinator if she doesn't finish her work within Friday."
"You little--" Rina-sunbae snapped, and I held her hand to stop her from saying anything.
"But she also told me that I was too busy seducing men to do my job properly," I insisted.
"Did you say that to Miss Li, Team Leader Bae?"
"N-no,"
"She says that she didn't, though?" Manager Jeong asked. "Who am I going to trust then?"
"Well, I am a witness here," Rina-sunbae replied. "She said that."
"I don't know who's saying the correct thing," Manager Jeong said, "But I remember you asking a lot of men here in the company if they have some birthmarks. It's not appropriate. I also think you shouldn't do that; instead, you should focus on your work just like what your Team Leader said."
Team Leader Bae snorted as if saying, 'serve you right.'
Everyone's attention went to the counter. Kim Seungwoo sat up and did a morning stretch. He was most likely napping using the chairs and was unseen during the whole time, using the counter as a shield. He stood up and approached the four of us.
"Team Leader Bae, I heard you whining earlier, saying that Miss Li is busy seducing every man out there. Don't lie. I heard you say that." He then turned to Manager Jeong, "In this era and this generation, I can't believe there are old geezers who think like you. So what if she's asking about birthmarks? Is there something wrong with that? As long as the other person is not uncomfortable, she can ask whatever she wants." He then turned to the people who were at the door, "When Miss Li asked you guys about having a birthmark, did you feel uncomfortable?"
"No," Everyone answered at different timing.
"See?" Seungwoo grinned, mocking Manager Jeong. "I couldn't believe this is how you solve a small internal issue within the company. Manager Jeong. You should always be fair; the newbies here don't have anyone to help us but our superiors." Seungwoo then grabbed his wallet in his pocket, got a small card, and gave it to Manager Jeong. It seemed to be the same business card that I received from his friend. "Do you understand my point here?"
Manager Jeong tensed up as he saw the contents of the business card. "Yes, Mr. Kim. I apologize for my biased judgment." He then put the business card in his pocket and went to the door, "Scram. The show's over. Stop spreading rumors, okay?!"
+++
I sat down on my chair and started organizing my desk. People were still gossiping about what happened earlier, but I could care less. I sighed. I want a peaceful life in my office work. My phone vibrated. I checked my Kak*o Talk app. I received a text message.
Kim Seungwoo: Meet me at the 5th-floor staircase.
Oh great, just around five minutes before we should be back working, he asked me to meet up with him. Does he want that 'thank you so much, my knight in shining armor'?
I brought my phone with me and stormed my way to the door to the staircase. I held the doorknob and looked around first. The coast is clear. I slowly made my way and called Seungwoo there. He turned around and walked towards me, "You okay?"
"Yes, thank you for helping me back then," I lowered my gaze to the ground.
"I told you to always be on guard and prioritize yourself," He told me, his voice was rather calm, "I won't always be there to help you or protect you,"
"I know," I looked at him. "But I didn't ask for your help."
"What?"
"I said," I paused, emphasizing the next words coming in my mouth. "I didn't ask for your help."
"Are you not grateful that I helped you? So it's okay for others to think that you are out there, wasting your time seducing men?"
I nodded, "I'm not responsible for whatever people may think. If that's what makes them happy, so be it."
"You are okay with people thinking about that?" He said in disbelief, "You're weird."
"I guess I am, but what is it to you if people think I go around the company seducing men?"
"Well, I don't want any misunderstanding to happen. And I care about you,"
"Thank you, I mean, I was grateful that you helped me earlier." I smiled at him.
"That was not for free, though," He smiled slyly. "Nothing is considered free lunch nowadays,"
"I get it now; you called me to ask for something in exchange." I faced palm. "You're just you."
"Yes," He nodded intensely. "I mean, it's nothing really big,"
"Okay. What is it that you want?" I asked. "Money? Free lunch? Dinner?
"Homemade food. Lunchbox." He paused and smiled playfully, "Your homemade food."
Wha---