EPISODE 003
1112 Words
No matter how much Joonho claimed to care for her, it made no difference. He was obviously obsessed with Eunha. When someone even looked at her, he detested it. He saw her as his own. And he would stop at nothing to keep her in that state.
They both entered the office thirty minutes later. Without saying a word, Joonho went directly to his desk. Eunha walked to her place without glancing at him. Joonho forced her to remain in his office, in contrast to other assistants who had their own cubicles. He said it was easier to work closely with her. He only wanted her near him, but she knew better.
She initially detested it. She desired privacy. However, she eventually stopped arguing. It wasn't worthwhile. She simply tried to ignore him, concentrated on her work, and completed her assignments. Joonho, meanwhile, appeared to make every effort to attract her attention.
After opening her laptop, Eunha busied herself with meeting rescheduling, phone cancellations, and email responses. At that moment, someone entered without knocking. Her face was already irritated as she looked up.
It was Tae-woo, of course.
She gave a small shake of her head and resumed typing. Joonho's friends didn't appeal to her. Except for Min-jun, all of them irritated her. The only good one was him.
Tae-woo observed her icy reaction.
He laughed and said, "Wow," as he approached Joonho. "Your employees are truly exceptional. Not even a greeting.
Joonho grinned as he reclined in his chair.
He remarked, "Perhaps that's because she's more than just staff." She is in charge here. My yeobo.
Eunha didn’t even flinch. With her eyes fixed on her screen, she continued typing.
With a sigh, Joonho turned back to face Tae-woo. You're not the kind of person who just shows up. What is happening?
Tae-woo smiled and said, "You know me too well." "Mostly business. However, I also wanted to catch up.
They began talking about a project they were funding. Eunha did her best not to listen. She did. She was unable to concentrate, though, as their voices filled the room. So, without a word, she stood up and left.
Half a year ago...
Eunha ate lunch and laughed with a group of children while they sat on the grass. The breeze was light and the sun was warm. Finally, it felt like peace. Eunha simply listened with a smile as the kids talked about absurd topics.
The head of the orphanage, Madam Eun-sook, then approached. She had a serious expression on her face.
"There are some people here who are requesting you, Eunha," she said softly.
Her grin dimmed. "Who are they?"
Madam Eun-sook gave a headshake. "I don't know. However, you ought to visit and speak with them.
Eunha got up and turned to face the children. "Please don't leave until you've finished eating. I'll be right back.
The children joyfully exclaimed, "Yes, sister!"
Telling herself it was probably nothing, she headed for the office building. But she had a bad feeling in her stomach. And her heart fell when she entered.
The people she detested the most were there.
They appeared to be proud to see her and to be at home as they stood there. Every face has a fake smile. As if they were a joyful bunch with fond memories. However, she only saw the suffering they inflicted on her.
None of them ever gave a damn, and they were all part of her past. They mistreated, abused, and exploited her. Among them was her ex-husband, Joonho.
No, no longer a husband. The divorce papers had been signed by her. She had freedom.
Why have they come now?
She crossed her arms and stood before them.
She asked sharply, "What do you want?" "I no longer have any connection to you."
The phoney smiles ceased. A few people rolled their eyes. Some simply had irritated looks.
Min-jun took a step forward. At least he had a gentle face.
"Eunha, how are you?"
"Better. Much better," she remarked, beaming broadly. "More content as well."
Tae-woo rose from the sofa and approached her. "Get packing. You're returning.
Her heart skipped a beat. Her fists clenched. "Why would I return there?"
Already furious, Seo-joon interrupted. "You deceived everybody! You wrote that letter to disparage us even though you knew the family loved you!
Eunha's voice lifted. “You’ve got to be kidding me! You believe I planned something after everything you did to me?
She had trembling hands. Her voice broke. She didn't even give a damn.
“All I ever wanted was peace. A quiet life. Away from all of you.”
“You’ll come crawling back when we do things our way,” Tae-woo said calmly, but the threat was clear in his voice.
Eunha stepped forward. “Are you trying to scare me? Because I’m not afraid of you anymore.”
“Oh, really?” Tae-woo raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps we ought to begin our next project here."
She froze.
Her heart fell.
Not in this place. Don't come here, please.
The only place she had felt secure in years was this orphanage. Even though she had only been here briefly, she felt at home. She was treated like family by the staff and children.
I can't have that taken away from me.
"You wouldn't," she muttered.
"Would we not?" Tae-woo grinned.
Smugly, Seo-joon added, "No one's stopping us."
Madam Eun-sook had returned to the room, and Eunha turned to face her. "What's happening?"
With hesitation, she remarked, "They stated that they would like to fund something." "They didn't specify exactly what."
Eunha remarked, "You can't let them." "They are attempting to compel me to return."
Madam Eun-sook appeared distressed. "Eunha, assistance is needed here. We've been having trouble. If they provide assistance...
"There is a cost," Eunha stated. "Believe me."
Tae-woo folded his arms. "You can make this simple or complex. Your decision.
Eunha's mind began to race. It seemed like everything was collapsing once more. As if the past were gradually drawing her back.
She gave Min-jun a look. "Are you truly in favour of this?"
"I just want you to be safe," he said softly after glancing down.
She said, "Then you should know that I'm safer here than anywhere close to Joonho."
The room was silent.
Nobody knew how to respond.
However, she did.
"I'm not going back to that life, no matter how much you threaten, buy off, or destroy everything around me."
Then she left, her heart pounding but her steps steady.
She was unsure of their next course of action, but one thing was certain:
She wasn't going down easily.
- Writer
