Chapter 44 - Looking For A Substitute (1/2)

During this time, back in the Director's office, Ji-Won was just receiving some paperwork from Miss Jung. The secretary had come to his office right after Su-Jin went downstairs. The documents needed Director Kang's signature before being sent further up to the Senior Director. They regarded the Corporate Social Responsibility event that was going to be held that Friday.

”Thank you very much, Miss Jung.” Ji-Won said, handing her back the signed papers.

Just as the secretary was about to open the door, he thought of something and stopped her.

”On your way out, would you be so kind as to tell Miss Park to come to my office?”

Miss Jung stopped with her hand hovering above the doorknob. She half-turned her body, politely replying to the Director.

”Miss Park is not at her desk at the moment. Someone came here to see her, so she is currently downstairs in the lobby.”

”Some came here? Who?” Ji-Won asked before he could stop himself.

”A young man called Park Min-Jun.”

”I see.” Ji-Won said quietly, then he added hastily, ”Thank you, Miss Jung. That will be all.”

”Very well, Director Kang.”

Miss Jung offered him a small bow and left the office.

After he remained alone, Ji-Won deactivated his automatic window shades. For the next fifteen minutes, he kept glancing at Su-Jin's desk.

When she finally came back several minutes later, Su-Jin's face looked flushed and her face carried a bright smile. When she looked up towards her desk, her eyes met that of Director Kang's.

They both froze on the spot, unable to look away. In that moment when their eyes locked, both their complexions suffered some changes.

The traces of a smile have all but disappeared from Su-Jin's face, leaving her with an almost blank expression. Meanwhile, Ji-Won appeared to have been hit over the head with a blunt object. His gaze darkened slightly and he looked stunned.

Time stopped for just a second, but then everything began to move again.

Fighting off a small cough, Ji-Won slowly recollected his wits. He waved a hand, motioning for Su-Jin to come to his office.

Noticing his gesture, Su-Jin snapped out of her daze. She instantly began to feel worried.

'What does he want to see me for? Is it about last night? Did I really do something terrible that I should be ashamed of?' She thought frantically.

As she walked towards Ji-Won's office, Su-Jin felt like she was on her way to meet her demise. This imagery only added to her anxiety, making her think even more ridiculous thoughts.

'Is this how those who have been sentenced to death by poison felt as they walked towards the bowl of poisoned wine? Were their hearts beating with so much apprehension, almost bursting out of their chests?'

During her internal turmoil, Su-Jin completely disregarded the fact that her imagination was completely and utterly historically inaccurate. Those people she was now sympathizing with actually did not have to walk anywhere. In fact, they only had to kneel on a straw mat and wait for the bowl containing poison to be placed before them. They were literally sitting and waiting to die.