Embarrassment inducing apologies

Su-Jin blinked several times, bewilderment written all over her face. She never thought that other departments could ask them for recommendations. Suddenly, she was curious about something else. Did Director Kang ask the others about this as well or just her?

Before Su-Jin could stop herself, her mouth had already opened, blurting the question out.

"What about the others?"

She saw Ji-Won shaking his head slowly. Then, with a sigh, the man spoke slowly.

"So far I have asked Miss Lee and unfortunately she doesn't know anyone with an arts degree. Seo-Jun doesn't know anyone who would be available right now either. That leaves only you and Jung Seok. Apparently, Jung Seok has majored in arts, but right now he is too caught up with the financial analysis to make time for anything."

Seo-Jun listened carefully. After Ji-Won finished his explanation, she nodded in understanding.

"I know someone, but I will have to ask her. Is it alright if I give you an answer tomorrow?"

"Of course." Ji-Won's eyes widened slightly. Frankly, he hadn't expected her to be this willing to help, so he felt very surprised.

"Thank you." Su-Jin said.

Just then, her mind slipped towards different thoughts. While thinking about how to ask Mi-Suk about the substitute matter, Su-Jin wasn't careful with her expressions. As she stood there in a daze in front of Director Kang's desk, the corners of her lips lifted slightly. So, without realizing, she actually smiled at him.

Ji-Won, who had unexpectedly been hit in the face with that smile, felt his mind blanking out for a moment. Due to his mind falling into a daze, Ji-Won subconsciously raised his lips as well. His voice also took on a more lighter tone when he replied to her previous words.

"I should be the one thanking you."

The change in his expression, as well as his tone, took Su-Jin completely by surprise. She froze, gaping at him like he was a stranger. She simply couldn't recognize this man as the cold and indifferent Director Kang she knew.

Seeing her startled expression, Ji-Won's smile slowly faltered. He cleared his throat and quickly tried to recover his aloof image by adding a few work related words.

"Without the promotional pictures we cannot begin the planning phase of the event. Therefore, it is very important to have them as soon as the concept is established."

Nodding in agreement, Su-Jin dazedly made her way towards the door. Just as she was on the verge of opening it, she suddenly changed her mind and turned around. Ji-Won gazed at her, curious as to why she had stopped.

Then, just like a real 'no mouth to filter' person, she decided to speak before her brain could fully process the words.

"About last night… I am really sorry. You were very kind to help and I must have troubled you." She said quietly, looking down at her feet.

Her words made Ji-Won jump to his feet. He was so flustered that in his haste he hit the edge of the desk. Several small objects rattled and some even fell with a light thud on the carpet floor.

This sudden movement startled Su-Jin into looking up. Their eyes met and they both stared at each other, obviously mortified, but for different reasons.

After recollecting herself, Su-Jin continued to speak quietly.

"Director Kang, I am not an ungrateful person, so I really wanted to thank you for staying with me last night and making sure I was taken home safely."

Su-Jin said all this with careful consideration, yet her words only made Ji-Won inwardly groan. All this while he had hoped the subject would never be opened. Just like a coward, he pretended nothing happened, but now that she had brought it up herself there was no way for him to keep hiding from this. Nevertheless, that didn't mean he couldn't try.

As if trying to escape from something terrible, Ji-Won quickly shook his head, waving a hand dismissively.

"There is really no need to thank me. In truth, I didn't do much anyway. It was your…"

Here, Ji-Won momentarily paused, hesitating on how to continue. For some reason he just didn't feel comfortable saying the word 'boyfriend' or 'lover' to her face. Shifting his eyes away from her, he coughed lightly. By doing so he tried to hide his inner thoughts.

"What I mean is… Like I said, I didn't do much. I am glad you got home safely. Next time, just make sure you drink less." He finished awkwardly with a firm nod.

At the same time, he felt so embarrassed on the inside that his heart was raising up a tempest. For some reason, he felt that his current IQ was lower than a preschooler's. Where did all his degrees and diplomas go? Also, what happened to that eloquence of his when dealing with the higher management? He honestly did not know himself.

While Ji-Won was suffering from his inner turmoil, Su-Jin's voice pulled him back to the conversation.

"Still, I wanted to say thank you and also offer my apologies. Please don't mind if I said or did something wrong last night." She insisted, bowing her head slightly.

As she was fumbling with her fingers, a sheepish expression appeared on her face. She also seemed to be quite troubled, yet, this only made Ji-Won shift his inner tirade towards her. feel even more indignant.

'Don't mind it you say? As if that's so easy to do!'

Ji-Won inwardly exploded with indignance. Then, as he remembered last night's events clearly, he suddenly felt absolutely mortified.

'Also, what's that about IF you said something wrong or IF you did something wrong? How about you calling me all sorts of names to my face, such as rude jerk, a horrible man and even a Grim Reaper? Moreover, you pulling at me forcefully and telling me that I have beautiful eyes and that I should smile more often… what the hell was that?!'

Ji-Won fumed, but no later had he thought of that last part, that his mind unexpectedly turned in a different direction.

'Well, I guess that last part may not have been so bad. Nevertheless, some propriety should still be maintained when…'

Reaching up to here, Ji-Won's thoughts suddenly screeched to a halt. At once, he instantly gave himself a mental slap.

What the hell was he thinking? May not have been so bad?! How could that be?! It seemed that this conversation had to end, right now, or else who knew what other strange thoughts his mind might concoct next.

Taking a deep breath, Ji-Won decidedly opened his mouth, cutting the conversation short.

"I received your apologies. There is no need to discuss this matter further. You may return to your desk, Miss Park."