By every possible standard, Ji-Won looked stunningly handsome.
His hair was still slightly wet from the shower and was styled in an unruly manner. The black strands looked ruffled, falling over his forehead, but not enough to completely cover the skin.
Ji-Won's attire was made of black pants and a midnight blue shirt. He wasn't wearing a tie and he even left the first button undone, revealing his pale skin.
At seven everyone was already gathered in the large room. Most of them were seated at their tables, while others mingled with each other, reminiscing about the events during the day.
The Planning Department was complete, except for Director Kwon who remained in his room to rest. His old age was beginning to catch up with him and, after a day of running around, his body was sore.
During this entire time, Su-Jin stared at Ji-Won, completely transfixed. It took her a long while before she finally realized that someone was talking to her.
Yeon-Ah was asking if she wanted to go to the washroom with her. Something about her dress and needing help, Su-Jin wasn't quite sure. To be sure, her entire brain seemed to have jammed and the only thing she could do was stare at a certain dark-haired man.
As if finally sensing Su-Jin's intense gaze, Ji-Won turned his head and looked at her.
The moment their eyes locked, the black in his eyes flashed and quivered. Ji-Won gave the tiniest of starts, but recollected almost instantly. With an intake of air, he looked away, breaking eye contact. Then he took a seat on the opposite side of the table, two chairs away from Su-Jin. Seo-Jun sat beside him, ending up facing a rather flustered Yeon-Ah.
Just like Su-Jin had been about Ji-Won's appearance, Yeon-Ah was also finding it difficult to keep her eyes away from Seo-Jun. She kept stealing glances at him, feeling startled whenever he would look her away.
Finally, after nudging Su-Jin hard between the ribs for the umpteenth time, Yeon-Ah finally got her friend's attention.
"Su-Jin, I think one of my buttons got loose. Can you come to the washroom with me?" Yeon-Ah asked quietly.
At the same time, she glued her eyes on Su-Jin's face so she wouldn't glance back at the man sitting in front of her.
"Oh… Oh, yes. Of course I can. Let's go." Su-Jin replied hastily.
In all honesty, she was very happy to have a chance to get away from there. She thought that it would be best to not see Ji-Won for a little while. At least until her mind cleared up and she could finally look at him straight without falling into a silly daze.
Thus, Su-Jin quickly got up and followed Yeon-Ah to the back of the room where the washroom was located.
Sticking by her determination to not look back, Su-Jin didn't see Ji-Won glancing up and staring after her. There was a strange glitter in his eyes while he watched her leave.
In the end, this strange glance escaped unseen by anyone and Ji-Won finally pulled his eyes away from that direction. He focused his attention on the people at the table, decidedly pushing all other thoughts out of his mind.
Meanwhile, the two women walked inside the bathroom and Su-Jin asked her friend to turn around so she could check out the unfastened button.
A short moment after that, Yeon-Ah broke the silence.
"Su-Jin?"
"Hm?"
"What do you think of Deputy Director Kim?" Yeon-Ah asked, looking at her friend through the mirror.
"Deputy Director Kim?" Su-Jin asked, her eyes growing wide in surprise. "Well, I think he is a very cheerful person, with a happy disposition. He is always positive and knows how to make us feel comfortable around him. Though, I am sure he must have a more serious side to his personality."
Su-Jin finished her words, falling into a pensive daze. Then, she swiftly recollected herself and looked up, catching Yeon-Ah's eyes in the mirror.
"Why do you ask?" Su-Jin inquired curiously.
"For no reason. Just…" Yeon-Ah hesitated. "I was just curious to know your opinion, that's all." She finished with a shy smile.
Su-Jin hummed a non-committal response before continuing to speak.
"Well, you can be sure that I like his personality more than I like the Director's."
Saying that, Su-Jin suddenly bristled like an angry cat.
"I swear I have never seen someone more sour-faced than him." Su-Jin let out a loud huff. She clenched her fingers, almost yanking Yeon-Ah's button off.
"He looks good tonight, though." Yeon-Ah piped up casually.
This sentence wasn't said with any hidden meaning, merely an innocent remark.
But regardless of that, Su-Jin's breath still hitched. Her mind replayed the image of Ji-Won coming to their table just a little while ago.
She could see the man walking with a steady and determined step, exuding a powerful allure with every movement. His body appeared powerful, yet lean. His eyes were like two dark jewels that attracted the surrounding light in order to beam brighter.
In the end, Su-Jin couldn't bring herself to contradict Yeon-Ah.
"Yes, well… He may be good looking, but that doesn't excuse his poor attitude."
As she gave her reply, Su-Jin turned her head to the side so her friend may not see the small blush that had appeared on her cheeks.
After helping Yeon-Ah with her dress button, they returned to their table.
Everyone was high-spirited, eating and laughing, recounting the most amusing moments from the competitions.
Both women soon lost themselves in the exuberant atmosphere, forgetting all about their previous dilemmas.
Things were going well. Su-Jin began to relax and have a good time, but it wouldn't be for long.
At one point during the party, Su-Jin's fingers casually brushed across the base of her neck. Along with that, she involuntarily made a gesture to hold the ring.
It had been a long time since she had given up the habit of holding it every other minute. But, for a strange reason, she suddenly felt like touching the metal. Her fingers slid down, just below the collarbone, where the ring usually stood.