Hope for Salvation - Chapter 5

“He was the heir to Seowon Group, until a few years ago.”

“Not anymore?”

“Yeah, he’s completely disappeared from public view now. They say he only does business from home. There were rumors about a major accident he was involved in; some say he lost his sight, others say he can’t walk anymore, and there are even rumors about severe facial injuries. Well, you know how gossip goes.”

“But why hire a secretary then?”

“I’m not sure about the details. They said if you’re interested, you should contact them directly. They also mentioned that person has it tough.”

“Why would you pity someone from a conglomerate? Even the department store you work at is a subsidiary of Seowon Group.”

Seo-jian shook her head as she chewed on the ice, feeling a dull ache in her throbbing head.

“The father who collapsed from the shock of being involved in a hit-and-run accident eventually passed away. Oh! There’s even talk that his girlfriend died in the accident and that drove him insane. They say human life is as fragile as a candle in the wind. Working at the lounge feels like a completely different world. It just goes to show that even chaebol are just ordinary humans.”

Seon-kyung, as if revealing a significant secret, exhaled deeply before clapping her hands together.

“And the most important fact! His pay is at the level of a team leader in a large company.”

Ji-an, who had been listening with a blank expression and absentmindedly fiddling with something, suddenly straightened up and squared her shoulders, her face now serious.

“Where do I contact?”

Ji-an felt a rush of nerves as she received a surprising acceptance notification after sending her resume to the email address Seon-kyung provided. She even arranged to have the interview at the cafe where she was working part-time.

Family ties were emphasized as essential.

Receiving such a quick response left her feeling flustered. But she reminded herself not to get too excited since the interview was still ahead.

This time, Ji-an planned to keep her lips sealed about the accident. Whenever she tried to explain the long gap in her resume, the interviewers showed discomfort.

Was it a crime to be sick?

After checking the appointment time, Ji-an patted her cheeks and took off her apron to compose herself. As she sat quietly at the table, preparing to introduce herself, a young couple pushed through the entrance and approached her.

Thinking they were just an ordinary couple, Ji-an was taken aback when they addressed her.

“Are you Ji-an?” the man asked.

“Yes, hello! I’m Ji-an,” she replied.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Do-seok-won.”

??, who poked at the absent-minded Yeon-joo, sat down first.

“I’m Jang Yeon-ju. We met at the cafe with Seon-kyung last time.”

“Oh, yes! I heard you had a good impression of me. Thank you,” Ji-an replied, smiling brightly.

Facing Ji-an, Seok-won found himself at a loss for words. It wasn’t easy to engage in conversation while facing someone with the same face as his deceased sister, Seo-yoon.

Seok-won, who had been awkwardly pursing his lips, gently massaged his stiff neck, feeling like his muscles were tensing up.

Between himself, Yeon-ju, and the recently awakened Kang-hyun, they confirmed Seo-yoon’s last appearance, which had become a wreck.

It wasn’t Han Seo-yoon. He knew that it wasn’t Seo-yoon, even though they were identical twins. This was just too much.

“Um, by any chance…”

“Yes?”

“Do you happen to have a twin sister who was separated from you when you were young?”

While Do Seok-won hesitated with his first words, Yeon-ju abruptly leaned forward and intercepted with a question.

“No, I’m an only daughter.”

“Are your biological parents the right ones? Or were you adopted…?”

“My biological parents are correct. Your question seems a bit impolite.”

“I’m sorry, you just remind me of someone I know too well.”

With a somber expression, Yeon-ju bowed slightly.

“Then, wasn’t this supposed to be an interview?”

As the strange questions continued, Jian’s brow furrowed. Her parents were even preparing a congratulatory party. It was a situation she couldn’t understand at all.

“No, we are indeed hiring Ms. Seo Jian.”

Sensing the mood turning sour, Seok-won quickly put on a smile and presented the employment contract he had brought.

Whether they were twins or not, for now, he intended to push her closer to Kang Hyun.

“Oh, yes. The contract.”

Suddenly handed a contract without even being told what the job entails? Strange.

About to retort at the impolite interviewer for such an abrupt move, Jian glanced at the amount written under the salary section and chuckled.

It was a smile of thorough capitalist satisfaction.

“What would I be doing?”

As Jian’s sparkling eyes met with Yeonju’s gaze, her eyes shifted downwards even more.

A child who grew up receiving overflowing love. Therefore, she had high self-esteem and a bright personality.

Even at a glance, Jian seemed that way.

Seoyoon was always lonely, rarely smiled, and was dark and quiet.

Like a sunflower waiting only for the sun. She withered away next to Tae kang hyun and disappeared.

Same age, same face.

But their personalities were worlds apart.

This person must have grown up happily.

Yeonju, unable to hold back her tears, hastily left her seat, bowing her head.

“……Uh?”

“It’s okay. The job won’t be too difficult. Think of it as a personal assistant role. I’ll be your direct supervisor, but you’ll be doing tasks assigned by Mr. Tae Kang Hyun.”

“Typical secretary duties?”

“Not quite typical. You’ll need to commute to and from his house, not the office, and there will be a lot of personal tasks rather than official ones. For example…”

“For example?”

“Like a companion.”

Seokwon spoke about the job content with a very serious face, almost jokingly.

This is utter nonsense.

Although not expressed verbally, Jian’s strange expression was clear in its meaning.

But you can’t claim ignorance of the job description.

Even after hearing reports that they found Seoyoon’s twin, Kanghyun’s expression remained unchanged.

Despite being told they would be hired as a secretary, Kanghyun remained silent. Even after four years, he remained eerily similar to the deceased.

“Am I being scammed right now?”

“No, you’re not. Here’s my business card, and this is my employee ID.”

Secretary Manager, Do Seok-won.

After confirming the logo of Seowon, Ji-an scrutinized the contract carefully.

There didn’t seem to be any major differences or suspicious parts compared to what she had studied beforehand.

“When can you start working?”

“When my part-time job is sorted out, I can start right away. Two weeks should be enough. Uh, Mr. Taekang-hyun, right?”

Again.

As the unfamiliar name was uttered, there was a queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. It was as if even her perfectly fine mouth suddenly felt dry.

“Yes.”

“I heard about the accident, and I was wondering if your friend…”

“Ah, his body has fully recovered. There are no major psychological issues either.”

I wouldn’t call his lack of emotion a mental illness.

“However.”

Seokwon chuckled, his eyes widening as he waited for Jian to continue.

“Still, He’s hurting a lot because he lost someone very dear to him.”

Someone dear to him, his father, who died in shock.

“Are there any other precautions or instructions I should be aware of?”

“Please refrain from using perfume when entering the room used by the executive.”

Jian’s eyebrows twitched up and down.

A Companion and perfume.

Although the request was unusual, considering the generous salary offered, it seemed like an easy compromise.

“Then I’ll take my leave. Please sort out the part-time work and let me know.”

Having finished his business, Seokwon stood up and debated whether to pat the departing Yeonju’s back or not, he  wrapped his hand and leave the café.

For Seoyoon, for Jian. Perhaps knowing it was a despicable act, he wanted to save the living.

* * *

He pondered over his attire for quite some time.

Since it wasn’t a corporate environment, there seemed to be no need for formality, but for his first day of work, perhaps comfort was necessary.

Especially considering the enormous salary.

After much deliberation, Ji-an settled on a casual pink suit.

It was the outfit he wore for an interview at a startup company with a relaxed atmosphere.

“Daughter! Shall Dad give you a ride? It’s your first time going to that neighborhood.”

“No, I’m not a kindergartener. I can find my way there. Dad also needs to go to work.”

As Ji-an emerged from her room, Do-cheol rose from the sofa as if waiting for her.

“But it’s your first day of work.”

“Anyway, she’s an adult now. Let her go by herself.”

Though Jeonghye’s tone scolded her husband for his overprotectiveness, there was an unmistakable hint of worry in her eyes. Just like when their daughter started her part-time job, it seemed excessive to fret over a thirty-year-old’s actions the day after tomorrow.

Their only daughter had crossed over to the other side and returned; it was natural for them to worry so much. The trauma was still evident, as Jeonghye would sometimes sneak into her room in the early morning to check if she was really there, touching her nose just to reassure herself.

“I’ll be back!”

With determination, Jian stepped out of the house.

After squeezing into the packed subway train, she regretted turning down her dad’s offer more than ever.

“I must have a good sense of direction. I found it quite easily.”

Even though the route was complicated, Jian’s legs moved swiftly and brought her to the destination in no time, guided by the address she inputted into her app.

Passing through the imposing gates of the upscale apartment complex, Jian finally entered the main lobby.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Seo Jian, starting today as your personal secretary.”

“I’m here to help you with work too. You don’t need to be so formal.”

Seeing Jian bowing respectfully like a new employee with a stiff posture as soon as the door opened, the middle-aged woman stepped back and waved her hand dismissively.

“The secretary is here, so I guess it’s time for me to head home.”

“What? Already?”

“It’s usually just a brief stint in the morning. I stayed longer today because I had to open the door. The executive’s office is at the end of the hallway. Here’s your keycard, and the password is 0612. Just use it to enter from now on.”

“Is it okay to tell me all this right away? It’s our first meeting…”

“Well, that’s what Director Do said to do.”

With a grin, the assistant grabbed her bag and left, leaving Ji-an alone. Standing there dumbfounded, Ji-an blinked rapidly.

What the hell is this place!

“If I don’t come out by 11 o’clock, please wake me up and let me into the room. Two hours of exercise, two hours of company work. Those are the only two tasks.”

No one had told her what to do. It was frustrating to have landed a job but not even received any work, let alone any handover.

Reflecting on the last conversation with Seok-won, Ji-an carefully explored the house, ensuring her footsteps made no noise.

Despite the warmth from the cream-colored walls, the overall atmosphere felt gloomy and cold.

Tap, tap. Following the quiet ticking of the clock, Ji-an gazed absentmindedly at the clock with its blue waves, as if it contained the sea itself.

“Ugh. It feels like I’ve been hypnotized or something.”

Ji-an, who had been watching the needle move rhythmically, suddenly snapped out of her trance.

Feeling a strange sense of discomfort, she rubbed her neck and couldn’t resist the thirst that had built up, so she headed to the kitchen.

As she crossed the dining room, she admired the appetizing appearance of the food laid out on the island table.

Beyond the transparent plastic covers, she could see ribs, stir-fried vegetables, seaweed soup, and a few simple side dishes.

It felt like a birthday feast to her.

Until she saw the same menu on the breakfast table the next day. And the next. And the next. Every day, until she saw the same breakfast spread.