Chapter 73: A Shocking Return

The office buzzed with excitement these past few days. The new year always brought fresh resolutions and anticipation.

But a loud clap, like a disruptive noise, shattered the mood. Who was clapping in the office on a Monday morning? I looked up and saw the HR team leader—the same one who’d pushed me to join the executive interviews. He’d come down to the marketing department, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Alright, everyone, stand up and pay attention! I’m here to introduce our new Strategic Planning Director.”

Me, Ah Young, Bae Ji An, and the rest stood awkwardly, exchanging silent glances that screamed, What’s this guy’s deal? Ah Young quickly messaged me.

Why’s he introducing the Strategic Planning Director to Marketing?

No clue. Probably crazy.

I typed back, annoyed.

But the next moment, everyone froze as a towering figure entered. A model-like man, so tall he ducked slightly at the door, strode in. His camel-colored long coat looked straight out of a fashion magazine, paired with crisp black pants and a turtleneck that made his already large frame appear almost ten heads tall. Gasps echoed around me.

The moment our eyes met, I nearly screamed.

“…Hello. Starting today, I’m Choi Do Yoon, the new Strategic Planning Director.”

He spoke, looking directly at me.

Time stopped. I forgot to breathe. The floor seemed to collapse beneath me, my body feeling like it was disintegrating under a lightning strike.

Choi Do Yoon stood before me.

After six years.

What the hell is happening…?!

My legs nearly gave out. Why was he here?

The delicate, almost manga-like beauty of young Do Yoon was gone, replaced by a cold, sharp expression. He was so different I almost didn’t recognize him. His once-sparkling eyes were now calm, like a still night, piercing me with an unreadable gaze. Frozen, I could only swallow hard.

At 27, not a trace of his childhood remained. He’d fully transformed into the novel’s male protagonist.

“How…”

I muttered, trembling. Thankfully, the HR team leader’s loud voice cut in.

“Our Director Choi Do Yoon has a special interest in marketing, so we arranged this introduction.”

Do Yoon shifted his gaze from me, addressing the department.

“Creating great content is vital, but packaging and promoting it is just as important. I’m very interested in the marketing team. I look forward to working with you.”

He gave a brief bow. A tense silence followed until someone—clap, clap—started applauding, followed by others awkwardly joining. Among them was Bae Ji An, new and oblivious, staring wide-eyed at Do Yoon. Their eyes met.

A realization hit me like a bolt.

No way. Because the heroine joined here, the hero followed?

This was insane. The novel seemed hell-bent on pairing them, no matter what. I felt a mix of fear and anger at this invisible force. Logically, their connection made sense, but why was I so furious?

I stared at Ji An’s profile—her neatly tied hair, bright eyes, clear skin, gentle demeanor. Standing with Do Yoon, they’d look like a perfect couple.

The HR team leader spoke again.

“Despite his youth, Director Choi was personally recommended by Chairman Choi Man Sik. Please support him fully.”

Murmurs spread. I’d been lost in thoughts of the novel, staring at Ji An, and hadn’t noticed everyone sneaking glances at me. Snapping out of it, I looked around, confused, and they avoided my eyes.

Then I accidentally locked eyes with Do Yoon. His gaze, now burning, bore into me. He’d been looking at Ji An moments ago—when had he turned to me?

Is he mad because I was staring at his girl?

Wasn’t this overprotective? I hadn’t done anything! Feeling guilty, I jerked my head away, my cheeks burning under his stare.

Moments later, his low voice echoed.

“…I’ll see you all often.”

With that, he strode out, the short HR team leader trailing behind. Only after he left did my legs give out, and I collapsed into my chair.

When did he even return?

Without a word…

No, that’s fine. We haven’t spoken in six years.

But Seung Hee and Grandfather keeping this from me was too much. I nearly fainted from shock. Dizzy, I closed my eyes and took deep breaths.

Bae Ji An, approaching Ah Young, saw me and gasped.

“Sunbae-nim, are you okay?”

Her heroine-like voice startled me, snapping my eyes open. I was terrified I might unknowingly kidnap her or something. Being friendly felt awkward, but ignoring her did too. If I’d known this would happen, I’d have failed her at the interview!

Caught between tension and confusion, I chose escape.

“Yeah, I’m fine…”

I shot up, grabbing the cigarettes from my desk. I needed the cold air to clear my head.

“I have something to do…”

The heroine’s arrival meant the side character should step aside, but it stung. Why couldn’t I catch a break in my own space?

Damn it.

I’d rushed out without my coat. Going back meant facing Ji An again, so I headed to the rooftop.

Opening the door, a brutal cold hit, like it could freeze running water. My warm body turned to ice instantly.

“Argh!” I yelped, but stubbornness kept me there. Shivering, I tried lighting a cigarette, but my frozen fingers or the wind made it impossible. I was probably the only lunatic up here in this weather.

Then it happened.

Someone draped a heavy coat over my shoulders, wrapping me in warmth. Stunned, I turned—and saw the last person who should be there.

Choi Do Yoon.

“Long time, hyung.”

My unlit cigarette fell to the rooftop floor.

“You, you… you…”

I stammered, speechless.

As I looked up, pale-faced, he stared back, his expression unreadable, just like before.

“No words for me?”

It wasn’t that I had none—my mind was blank.

“It’s been forever, but you didn’t miss me much. You were too busy staring at that woman.”

Flustered, his words sparked anger. You’re the one who ghosted me for six years!

“My entrance wasn’t even a surprise, huh?”

Who prepares a surprise for six years? Joke or not, that was absurd.

“By the way, that woman—her name’s Bae Ji An, right? Funny how names like that aren’t common.”

He gritted his teeth, as if the cold—or something else—was getting to him. Snapping to, I threw his camel coat back over his shoulders. Taller by a head, I had to stretch to reach.

Then he bent down, grabbed my waist, and pulled me into his chest. I ended up tucked into his coat, like lovers in the cold. His lips brushed my forehead. Mortified, I leapt back.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

My face burned. But Do Yoon, as if he hadn’t heard, asked calmly.

“You looked cold. Wanna head down together?”