loveless

How office works

Jiwon couldn’t sleep, anticipating how she would strut in and introduce herself with brisk confidence. Her mind drifted to what had transpired between her and SoHyun — how he treated her as if she were invisible.

It amazed her how he could reduce her pride to nothing. Every time he crossed her mind, she felt like throwing up. The thought of him made her sick. Angry.

She hated everything about him.

He was the undeniable villain in her story.

She got ready as early as possible. She couldn’t bear to be left behind by her so-called husband. She wore a short dress — something completely inappropriate for an office.

She stared at herself.

Out of all the dresses she owned, all the designer clothes… not one suitable for work.

She already knew SoHyun would look down on her again. She wished he had told her earlier. That way, she could have prepared.

As she walked down, SoHyun looked at her like she was ridiculous. It wasn’t her fault she didn’t have office clothes. He looked irritated.

“Get in the car,” he commanded, as always.

Jiwon rolled her eyes in frustration. He had always been like that with her — nonchalant, angry, as if her existence alone irritated him.

She got into the back of the Rolls-Royce Sweptail, sitting beside her distant husband, who could hurt her without saying anything or even touching her. It was ironic how he could make her feel wounded without a single word.

The silence was awkward.

The silence was loud.

She felt it piercing her soul as the driver started the car. She wondered if this was how his mornings always felt — silent.

“So… how are we going to do this?” she asked, trying to start a conversation, even though she knew it would be impossible.

She was in a marriage where she could do anything, yet she felt trapped. Caged.

“I prefer my mornings quiet,” he replied sternly, his voice low and husky.

Maybe the cold morning air made his voice rougher. She had expected his tone, yet she still felt hurt. She bit her lip and looked out the window.

“You might hurt yourself,” he warned.

“Like you give a damn.”

“You’re right, I don’t. I just don’t want to be painted as an abusive husband.”

“Oh please, get a hold of yourself,” she replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

SoHyun smirked coldly, as if amused.

She picked up her phone and checked her messages.

She froze.

She was being cast on the news. A picture of her ignoring Su-A’s hand. She was labeled as the jealous, unhinged wife.

She scoffed at how narrow-minded people could be. She was in utter shock.

“Is this real? f*****g unbelievable,” she said.

SoHyun gave a soft smile, as if satisfied watching her anguish.

“You know you’re the devil, right? How could you find this satisfying?” she asked, flabbergasted.

For the first time in her life, she saw him smile genuinely, his fingers resting on his chin. She had seen him smile many times before — always forced. But there was something different about this one.

It was beautiful.

He looked better than he ever had in her eyes. He always seemed like he had a miserable life, but right now he looked happy.

She couldn’t get enough of it, but it was cut short, as if he suddenly realized he wasn’t allowed to be happy. He had always been like that, acting as if happiness wasn’t an option.

“You’re a narcissist,” she joked with a bright smile.

It was like she had forgotten everything he had done to her. For some unexplainable reason, she found delight in his happiness.

To her, it felt like she had glimpsed a treasure.

They arrived at the office. Park Group was boldly written across the gigantic building.

SoHyun stepped out and opened her door like a gentleman. Jiwon rolled her eyes as she got out. They walked in side by side with their escorts.

They looked like a power couple.

People who had doubted their match could now see how good they looked together.

SoHyun accompanied Jiwon into her office, leaving the escorts to their departments.

Her office had already been designed — not to her preference, but not entirely bad. It was large. She could manage.

Her fingers ran across her desk as she made her way to her seat.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, in awe.

SoHyun remained speechless as he watched her get fascinated, exploring the office like a child who had just received a tremendous gift.

He introduced her to the employees she would be working with. He was in charge of the project. Even though it had been her idea, he had to oversee it since she was new.

He informed them about a meeting at eleven for a briefing. She needed to adjust to the office and learn what working actually felt like. She had a lot to learn.

He left shortly after briefing her.

Jiwon inhaled deeply and sighed.

“The smell of an office,” she smiled. “I love it!”

She walked around carefully, examining everything like it was a dream.

A knock.

She gasped and rushed to her desk.

“Come in,” she said.

A young lady, probably in her early twenties, walked in. She was pretty, wore light makeup, and had a neat look.

“Morning, ma’am.”

“Morning…” Jiwon looked confused.

“Oh, you haven’t seen my resume, I presume. I’m Han Go-Ra, your secretary.”

Jiwon was bewildered. She had a secretary now.

She quickly got up and hugged Go-Ra tightly, leaving her in shock. She pulled away almost immediately.

“No need for the formality. I feel like we’re going to be good friends.”

Go-Ra stood speechless.

“What? I’m not like my husband?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh God, don’t call me ma’am. It makes me feel old.”

“I must say, you’re quite different.”

“I’m entirely different, sweetheart. I know you expected me to be busy and unhinged like the internet says — well, I’m not.”

Her secretary laughed softly.

“There you go, love. I almost thought no one here was allowed to smile. Like this place is a graveyard… that jerk.”

Her door slowly opened again. Her heart raced, thinking it might be her husband.

But it was her friends.

She smiled in relief and ran to them.

They hugged tightly.

Crystal pulled away first. “This is pretty impressive,” she said proudly.

Bitna walked to the chair and spun it around excitedly.

“I say this calls for wine!” Bitna suggested.

“Bitna, this is an office, not a bar.”

“Oh sorry, Mrs. Director,” Bitna replied sarcastically.

“That doesn’t mean we can’t do it,” Jiwon said with a wink.

Bitna screamed in excitement.

“Good thing I brought my Château Margaux 1990,” Crystal said, pulling it out.

“No you did not!” Jiwon exclaimed.

“What about glasses?”

“I’ve got them,” Bitna said, taking them out of her purse.

“You guys are insane,” Jiwon laughed.

“Honestly, I thought I lost my drinking buddy,” Bitna said.

“Same!” Crystal added.

Bitna sat on Jiwon’s lap as Crystal poured the wine.

“Cheers to Jiwon’s new life!”

They drank and laughed together.

“You know it’s just Director now, right?” Jiwon corrected.

“Whatever,” Bitna said.

“I can’t believe I’m the only housewife in the group,” Jiwon said.

“Yikes,” Crystal replied, taking a deep gulp.

“Just start a business then.”

“Nope. I’d rather be a rich man’s wife,” Jiwon winked.

“What about the divorce?” Crystal asked.

“Well… it’ll have to wait,” Jiwon said quietly.

“You can just quit all this and live with me.”

“I know, but this is my dream. Besides, I’d just inconvenience you.”

“She’s single. How would you inconvenience her?” Bitna joked.

“Hey, Bitna,” Crystal scolded.

Jiwon laughed. It had always been like this with her friends. They made her happy.

She accompanied her friends out before heading to the meeting room with her secretary guiding her. Her husband was already speaking when she entered.

She got tired almost immediately.

Everything he said sounded dull to her. She paid no attention, her mind wandering as she stared at her phone, tempted to play games. Then a notification popped up.

Kang Joon-Gi.

Her fingers paused.

After the banquet, he had never replied to her text. She had assumed she’d been ghosted. Unable to resist, she opened the message.

Hey.

She replied.

One message turned into many. She got lost in the conversation, forgetting herself completely — even laughing out loud in the middle of the meeting.

The room fell silent.

SoHyun looked at her sharply, anger flashing across his face. Without another word, he closed his file.

“The meeting is postponed,” he said coldly.

Whispers spread across the room.

Her phone buzzed again.

I’m waiting in front of your office.

Her heart lifted.

She left the meeting room and hurried back.there he was — Kang Joon-Gi, standing outside her office, holding a burger and a milkshake, waving with a bright grin.

She walked faster, a wide smile breaking across her face. She hugged him lightly before ushering him into her office.

“How did you know I was here?”

“It’s all over the internet,” he said, laughing.

“Those insufferable people.”

They laughed together, soft and in sync.

“Here,” he said, handing her the food.

“My favorite… just what I needed. It’s like you read my mind.”

“I know you,” he replied gently.

The room grew quiet.

Memories from their past lingered in the air, making the moment awkward.

“Thank you,” she muttered softly, smiling with quiet gratitude.

“Congratulations on becoming Director. So when are you throwing a party?”

“Party?”

“Yeah. Isn’t he celebrating you? Your husband, I mean. Usually the company—”

The door opened.

SoHyun stepped in.

His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp.

“I’d like to have a word with my wife,” he said sternly, staring at Jiwon.

“Well, I’m with a visitor,” she replied, standing her ground.

“Then he should leave,” SoHyun said coldly.

Joon-Gi gently held her hand to calm her.

“I’ll wait outside,” he said.

“It’s going to be a long talk. I suggest you head back to work — if you have one,” SoHyun added without looking at him.

Joon-Gi left, speechless.

“I’m beginning to think you’re just a drunk,” SoHyun said.

“What do you mean by that?” she asked.

“Where do you think you are? Bringing whoever you like on your first day. Inattentive. Dressed like that. Texting during a meeting. I knew you were foolish, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad.”

“Have you been spying on me? Did you install a camera in my office? You creep!”

“I’m glad I did. You mock me.”

“I mock you? You’re the freak barging into my office and installing cameras!”

He chuckled coldly.

“I bet you never planned on throwing me a party.”

He laughed loudly, mockingly.

“Did I say something funny? You think I’m a joke?”

“Yes. I do.”

“What’s wrong with having a little fun? You kill me day and night. They’re the only ones who make me happy. I’m human, after all!”

“Your rant is laughable. This isn’t a fairytale. This is reality.”

“Sometimes I want to escape it!”

“You’re not a child, Jiwon.”

She ran her hands through her hair, overwhelmed.

“I’m giving you one last chance. Don’t mess it up.”

“You’re not my boss.”

He removed his wristwatch slowly.

Her breath caught.

Was this the day he would finally hit her?

He suddenly grabbed her and lifted her onto the desk.

Her back met the polished surface.

His tie was loosened now. His jacket hung open. The sharp control he always carried looked slightly undone. His shirt clung to his frame, outlining his build.

He had never looked more dangerous.

Or more attractive.

She hated that she noticed.

“I know you’re a spoiled princess,” he said calmly, eyes locked onto hers, “but I will throw you out if this continues.”

Then he stepped back and left.

She stayed there, seated on the desk, confused, breathless.

Only then did she breathe again.

Jiwon later called Joon-Gi to accompany her to buy proper work clothes before going home.

Work hours ended, and he waited for her. She slipped out of her office quietly, not wanting to run into her husband — the man who had called her a hooker.

She walked toward Joon-Gi. He stepped out of his car and opened the door for her.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

That voice.

She turned.

Park SoHyun.

Hands in his pockets, walking toward them.

“I’m going home,” she said.

“Get in the car.”

“You’re not the boss of me.”

Joon-Gi stepped forward. “What’s going on?”

“I’m talking to my wife,” SoHyun said coldly.

“I was talking to Jiwon.”

“And where do you think you’re taking my wife?”

“I’m taking her to the mall.”

“I can take my wife shopping. Now step back from a married woman.”

Jiwon knew SoHyun would never lose this battle.

“Sorry for wasting your time, Joon-Gi. I’ll make it up to you.”

Joon-Gi looked disheartened as SoHyun smiled coldly.

SoHyun grabbed her hand and walked away with her.

At the mall, he took her to the VIP section. He sat on the couch, watching her try outfits while sipping his coffee.

Then his eyes landed on a purple dress displayed on a mannequin.

He stood up.

“Have her try that,” he told the attendant.

“It’s one of a kind in Korea,” the attendant said.

SoHyun returned to his seat.

Moments later, Jiwon stepped out.

The deep purple fabric shimmered under the lights. The dress hugged her waist before flowing smoothly down. The neckline was elegant, the cut refined. Paired with black heels, she looked powerful, graceful, commanding.

His eyes moved slowly from her heels upward.

He stared.

Speechless.

“How do I look?” she asked.

For once, Park SoHyun had no words.

She looked majestic.

Like the dress had been made for her.