Chapter 87: Office Romance? (3)

 

Being a newcomer, I wasn’t assigned any difficult tasks.

 

My work mainly involved basic document preparation, updating statistical data, and PowerPoint presentations.

 

These were tasks I did every day, so I could handle them smoothly without any issues.

 

By now, I had even become proficient at handling work calls.

 

“Yes, I’ll send the document within an hour as requested. We have double-checked it on our end, but the director suggested a cross-check. Should there be any corrections needed, please feel free to call this number. It’s alright to contact us even after hours. Yes, have a good day.”

 

After hanging up the phone, I went back to typing on the keyboard.

 

“Han-gyeol, after sending the email, could you try issuing the tax invoice based on this contract?”

 

“Yes, sure. Should I issue it using the supply value mentioned in the contract? Is the client already registered?”

 

“Ah...? Did I already tell you about this? I was just about to.”

 

“I have experience issuing invoices. If the client is registered, I’ll issue the invoice using the contract’s supply value. But could you review it before issuance?”

 

“Of course, I’d appreciate your help.”

 

“Understood.”

 

As a newbie, it’s best to just do what you’re told. Trying to take initiative prematurely can sometimes lead to mistakes.

 

After the final review, I sent off the email. Then, before issuing the tax invoice, I carefully read through the contract again.

 

“Um, senior?”

 

“Yes, what is it?”

 

“Something seems off with this contract.”

 

“What part?”

 

The senior colleague seated next to me came closer to look.

 

“The total amount, down payment, and the balance don’t add up. The total is stated as 8 million won, but the down payment is 4 million won, and the balance is listed as only 2 million won.”

 

“Whoa, that was a close call. Thank you for checking. You haven’t issued the invoice yet, right?”

 

“No, should I hold off for now?”

 

“Yes, I’ll call the client to redo the contract. Thanks for letting me know.”

 

“Sure. Is there anything else you’d like me to do?”

 

“Not at the moment. If you’re looking for something to do—”

 

While the senior was speaking, a team leader from behind approached with their chair.

 

“Ah, Han-gyeol, if you’re free, could you take a look at this?”

 

“Ah- Yes, of course.”

 

“Helping the team leader with their work seems like a good idea.”

 

I moved to look at the team leader’s monitor.

 

“Han-gyeol, do you know how to use Excel?”

 

“I know the basics.”

 

“Could you try to remake this form then?”

 

“Sure. How much time can I invest in this?”

 

“Well, it’s not urgent. You can work on it when you have nothing else to do.”

 

“Got it. Is there anything in particular I should keep in mind?”

 

“Hm, as long as it’s efficient, any method is fine. But it would be great if it could be a bit more intuitive.”

 

“Understood.”

 

As soon as I returned to my seat, I opened the Excel form.

 

It was constructed with basic formulas, but I saw many areas for improvement. Coding could make it easier, but if any problems arose, there might be no one to fix it, so I decided against it. Instead, I started modifying the form using Excel functions, macros, and VBA I remembered.

 

It had been a while, and I wasn’t sure I’d remember, but as I got into it, it went well.

 

By the time it was quitting time, I had finished revising the form.

 

It was quite intuitive and easily modifiable if needed.

 

After uploading the form to the cloud, I informed the team leader.

 

“I’ve updated and uploaded the form you mentioned.”

 

“Already? That was faster than I expected.”

 

“There were only so many applicable changes. I think this is the best I could do.”

 

“That’s fine. I’ll check it tomorrow morning. Start wrapping up for the day.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

A timely departure from work felt like a dream.

 

Is Eun-ha’s work done?

 

I glanced over at Eun-ha to see her expression was gloomy, seemingly faced with a problem at the last minute of work.

 

Seeing Eun-ha so downcast made me want to rush over and help immediately... but not merely as a ‘colleague,’ but rather as a ‘boyfriend,’ so I held back. I wanted to take care of her work too, but that would be too much.

 

Eventually, after six o’clock, I left the building with other team members.

 

Eun-ha seemed to be preparing for overtime, busily organizing something.

 

“I’ll head out first.”

 

“Ah, sure!”

 

I decided to wait outside.

 

“Which way are you going, Han-gyeol?”

 

“Oh, I have an appointment nearby.”

 

“Is that so? See you tomorrow then. Take care~”

 

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

 

After bowing in farewell, I headed to a café near the office.

 

I ordered an iced americano and sent Eun-ha a message.

 

[Let me know when you’re done.]

 

Usually, she would reply immediately, but perhaps she was too engrossed in her work to respond right away.

 

I hope she doesn’t stay until dawn, missing her terribly.

 

***

 

I had just finished watching a movie on my phone inside the café when I received a message from Eun-ha.

 

[Eun-ha: I’m done now. Heading out~]

 

As soon as I saw Eun-ha’s message saying she was finished, I packed my bag.

 

After clearing my empty coffee cup, I dashed towards the office building.

 

From a distance, I saw Eun-ha trudging along, looking exhausted.

 

I quickly passed by her side and lightly tapped her shoulder.

 

She turned her head in surprise, and our eyes met.

 

“Whoa, Han-gyeol? You didn’t go home?”

 

“Are you hungry? Let’s grab some food—ugh!”

 

In the middle of the street, Eun-ha suddenly jumped into my arms, hitting the pit of my stomach with her head, leaving me momentarily breathless.

 

“Such a violent way to show affection...!”

 

“It’s Han-gyeol. I missed you... and here you appear right away?”

 

“Can you not hit my pit of the stomach if you want to see me longer?”

 

I gently embraced Eun-ha.

 

Is this okay, right in the middle of the street?

 

Well, after a long day, let it slide. I couldn’t push her away when she was this happy in my arms.

 

“Ah... it feels so good to be in Han-gyeol’s arms.”

 

“You worked hard staying late. Let’s go eat.”

 

“Can we stay like this a little longer? Ah, this is healing... I love it.”

 

“Okay. Let’s stay like this for a bit longer.”

 

I slowly stroked Eun-ha’s head. The more I did, the more she snuggled into my embrace and acted spoiled.

 

“Stroke me more.”

 

“I am, aren’t I?”

 

“Touch me more.”

 

“Your choice of words is weird, you know?”

 

“Can’t you touch me?”

 

“Should I?”

 

“What a pity!”

 

Eun-ha looked up and smiled brightly.

 

It’s lethal... makes me want to touch her.

 

“Han-gyeol, I’m hungry.”

 

“I figured. What do you want to eat?”

 

“Hm- I want sushi. Sushi.”

 

“Okay. There’s a place nearby. Let’s have sushi.”

 

“And cold soba too.”

 

“Sure~ Let’s go.”

 

Eun-ha stepped out of my embrace and held my hand tightly.

 

“Ah- Now I feel like I can live again.”

 

“Happy to be off work?”

 

“It’s not just that. I can hold hands with Han-gyeol like this. Can’t we secretly hold hands at the office? Just three times.”

 

“Three times turns into thirty in a blink.”

 

“Then, just one kiss.”

 

“No. Let’s go have sushi.”

 

I pulled Eun-ha’s hand closer and said,

 

“Just you wait and see... give it 3 weeks.”

 

“So, the chills down my spine recently were because of Eun-ha?”

 

“Exactly. In 3 weeks, you’ll be eaten up quietly. Got it?”

 

“Alright.”

 

Entering the sushi restaurant, we ordered salmon and halibut sushi.

 

“Han-gyeol! Let’s have some beer.”

 

“We have work tomorrow, don’t we? How about we just stick to cola?”

 

“No. I really feel like having a beer right now.”

 

Perhaps it was a kind of romance that being twenty brings with it. Well, a bottle of beer shouldn’t be a problem.

 

“Alright, let’s just have one bottle of beer.”

 

“Yay! Excuse me, one bottle of beer, please.”

 

“Sure. I’ll need to check your IDs first, though.”

 

“Okay~”

 

Eun-ha showed her ID with a lively expression. After showing mine, we received a bottle of beer.

 

“There’s no bottle opener...”

 

Might as well just use a spoon.

 

-Pop!

 

The beer was opened.

 

“What? Did you just open that with a spoon?”

 

“Yeah. There was no opener, so...”

 

Hmm, was that a bit too much?

 

“Han-gyeol, have you... ever drunk beer before?”

 

“No, no. I just saw it in dramas and tried it, and it worked?! Haha...! Hahaha..! Here, take your glass!”

 

“Ah- Okay!”

 

I poured beer into Eun-ha’s glass.

 

As I was about to pour some for myself, Eun-ha eagerly grabbed the bottle.

 

“I’ll pour it for you!”

 

“Would you? Then I’ll gratefully accept.”

 

I handed her the bottle and lifted my glass. Eun-ha carefully poured the beer and then smiled broadly.

 

“Let’s toast, Han-gyeol.”

 

“Yeah~ You worked hard today.”

 

“You too, Han-gyeol. Cheers~”

 

“Cheers~”

 

Our glasses clinked with a clear sound. Watching Eun-ha sip her beer cautiously was incredibly cute.

 

There wasn’t a single thing she did that wasn’t adorable.

 

After gulping down her beer, Eun-ha slightly furrowed her brows and said,

 

“This tastes bad...!”

 

Why is she so cute?

 

“Eun-ha.”

 

“What?”

 

“I really love you. I love you so much~”

 

Eun-ha’s face slowly turned red at my declaration of love.

 

“Your face is turning red already?”

 

“It’s the, the alcohol-!”

 

“Sure~ Let’s go with that~”

 

I then downed the beer Eun-ha poured for me in one go.

 

The beer tasted sweet.

 

Did someone sprinkle sugar in it?

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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