SWP Ch 4

Yeonsoo moved towards the CEO’s office. She brushed past him at the entrance and stepped inside, hearing the door click shut behind her. Like a gatekeeper, Junhyuk only moved after Yeonsoo was inside the room.

The main lights in the office were off, illuminated only by a small desk lamp. Junhyuk crossed the dim space and perched on the edge of his desk. Without a word to Yeonsoo, he habitually loosened his tie further and gazed out the window. His profile, taking in the dark cityscape, seemed no different than usual.

Yeonsoo stood near the entrance, not even bothering to sit, just watching him. He was a man whose thoughts were difficult to decipher, even now, after they had become close. Perhaps it was that mysterious, solitary aura that had captivated her and drawn her in. But looking back now, it felt like that very allure had become a poison, cruelly tearing at her heart.

“CEO”

Yeonsoo addressed him, wanting to quickly say what she needed to and escape his presence.

“Sit down,” Junhyuk instructed dryly, turning towards her.

“What’s the rush?”

He stood up and walked towards the conference table.

“You waited this long anyway.”

His blunt directness had once seemed attractive. His innate ability to assess everyone’s weaknesses and gain the upper hand was charming. She should have listened to her friend’s warning about bad boys leaving you heartbroken.

“The subway’s about to stop running,” Yeonsoo retorted, planting her feet firmly. A faint smile played on Junhyuk’s lips, amused by her answer.

“I’ll give you a ride.”

“I decline.”

Her immediate refusal made Junhyuk’s smile widen. She always managed to surprise him and make him laugh unexpectedly. That’s why he fell for her. He hadn’t realized she could get under his skin like this. There was no one to blame but himself.

“Then stand and listen. Your removal from the TF team, Min Yeonsoo, was my decision. And I have no intention of changing it.”

Junhyuk delivered the question she was about to ask and its answer in one breath. Clean and concise. It was his usual tactic, making anyone who challenged him feel like they were in the wrong. She needed to stay focused to avoid being swept away.

“Why? What’s the reason I should be removed?” Yeonsoo asked, getting straight to the point.

“Why should I explain it?”

Junhyuk looked at her with incomprehension. Yeonsoo felt the same. She couldn’t be removed without knowing why.

“It’s my job.”

She knew that in the corporate world, you were expected to just pack your desk and leave when told. But she didn’t have to. If there was an explanation, she deserved to know. If she wanted to know, she should at least try to get an answer.

“Do you still not understand?” Junhyuk responded, his face showing frustration.

“This isn’t about Min Yeonsoo personally, it’s about the company. What company explains every single personnel change? There’s no reason to directly tell you ‘Your skills aren’t suited for this position, so you’re out,’ and no obligation to console you.”

Faced with her boss’s brutal reality check, Yeonsoo couldn’t find anything else to say.

He wasn’t wrong. There was no need to explain job changes or offer comfort. But if she was going to be treated like a disposable part, there was no reason for her to continue pouring her time, effort, and passion into this place.

Well, if you don’t like the temple, leave the monastery. Yeonsoo had made up her mind.

“I understand.”

She offered a polite bow and turned to leave, but a voice stopped her.

“Tell me what you want.”

The change in tone and the familiar informal speech told Yeonsoo exactly where he was coming from. A faint laugh escaped her lips.

He thought her breakup was about wanting something from him, that she was bothering him for some ulterior motive. Was he trying to provoke her in return, flaunting his power?

Yeonsoo didn’t know where to begin to explain herself.

“There’s nothing like that.”

She turned back to face Junhyuk, who was now sitting at the table.

“Explain it to me so I understand.”

“What?”

“Why are you breaking up with me?”

It was Junhyuk asking this, a month after the fact. And instead of trying to understand himself, he suspected her motives first. Now she could see what kind of life he had lived, what kind of relationships he had pursued.

“Because I don’t want anything anymore.”

Yeonsoo answered, keeping her emotions in check. This was the truth. She had realized that this man couldn’t give her what she wanted. If there was a reason, it was that she was exhausted.

“What did you want from me?”

His tone was accusatory, as if chiding her cowardice for leaving without explanation.

“Love”

Yeonsoo admitted, feeling a surge of misery after saying the word. Junhyuk’s eyes hardened for a moment, surprised to hear her say it.

Where did we go wrong? Even questioning it now felt like a mistake.

After a moment of silence, Junhyuk laughed soundlessly. His expression was unreadable, as if he had just heard the most absurd thing.

“What kind of love does Min Yeonsoo want?” he asked.

“To eat and watch movies in public? Or to announce our relationship to the company and get their approval? Is that why you’re doing this?”

Shame washed over Yeonsoo. She had to clench her fists to endure it. Maintaining her composure was difficult, especially in front of him. He always seemed to expose her most vulnerable parts and cruelly dissect them.

And yet, her inability to let him go was her fault, a self-inflicted punishment. She thought she had hit rock bottom, but apparently not. Yeonsoo simply stared at Junhyuk, continuing to punish herself.

“Didn’t I tell you from the beginning?”

He snapped, his gaze laced with annoyance.

“That I couldn’t give you everything you wanted? And who said it was okay anyway? If you want to play the victim, stop here. My patience ends here.”

He stood up as if he didn’t want to hear any more. Watching his back, Yeonsoo raised her voice in defiance.

“Then why did you accept? You could have ended it.”

“Why should I?”

He retorted coldly, turning to face her.

“Relationships are a two-way street. What kind of manners is it to do this without mutual agreement?”

Manners? She never thought she’d hear that word from him. Yeonsoo didn’t want to pretend anymore. She had already made up her mind, so being honest wouldn’t change anything.

“Fine. I’ll explain. I know you’re going on blind dates. That’s the reason. I’m not going to be your hidden woman. That’s why I’m breaking up with you.”

Junhyuk didn’t even flinch at her words. He simply looked at her with unwavering eyes. There was no hint of apology or guilt. She had expected this, but facing the reality of it hurt even more.

“I’ll be leaving now.”

“Did you want to marry me or something?”

Junhyuk asked, as if bewildered. Yeonsoo felt a sharp pang of pain in her chest. His expression questioned what the problem was, as if he didn’t expect her to want that. His nonchalant attitude brought a helpless smile to Yeonsoo’s lips.

“I didn’t know it would be like this at first,” she replied, looking back at him. “I thought you were at least sincere.”

Junhyuk frowned at her assertion.

“Why do you assume that?”

“Because that’s how I felt,” Yeonsoo retorted, refusing to back down. “As you said, a relationship is between two people, not just one. I felt that way, so I’m ending it. I don’t resent you. I was foolish. So…”

“….”

“Let’s end this properly.”

As if offering a final farewell to a once-familiar superior, Yeonsoo delivered her conclusion rationally. After a slight bow, she turned towards the door, then paused, adding a parting shot laced with a hint of revenge.

“And men like you, CEO, are the worst husband material.”

“….”

“At least in my opinion.”

With that final barb, Yeonsoo left the office. Junhyuk remained seated, watching her through the raised blinds. She returned to her desk, collected her bag, and walked towards the exit, never glancing back at his office.

A few moments later, the office lights went out completely. Was this the final act of her revenge, treating him as if he didn’t exist? As she thought this, the lights in front of his office flickered back on.

A woman who couldn’t even be thoroughly ruthless. That was Min Yeonsoo. Junhyuk chuckled softly.