Thinking about how next time he should probably lay low and let others steal the spotlight, Seo-Jun got up to get himself something to drink.
As she watched his retreating back, Yeon-Ah felt a strange sensation settling inside her stomach.
At that moment, Yeon-Ah was suddenly hit by the realization that she liked Deputy Director Kim Seo-Jun.
It wasn't just because he was handsome or well-off. What attracted her first had been the man's personality and his easy-going manners.
Nevertheless, the earlier scene caused the momentary stupor to evaporate like smoke and, as a consequence, Yeon-Ah was brought back to her senses with the speed of light.
Seo-Jun was the kind of man who could have any woman he wanted. He had everything to recommend him: the brains, the looks and social position. Even though she didn't know anything specific about his family or past, Yeon-Ah was certain that Seo-Jun had a high standing in society.
That was mostly due to a certain air that surrounded him, giving other people the feeling that they were in the presence of some nobleman.
She, on the other hand, besides being only barely pretty and a bit smart, had nothing. She lived with her father and little brother, her mother having died when she was very young. She was also a failed athlete, with an economics degree.
The only things Yeon-Ah could be proud of was a silver medal won in high school in a national competition and having been accepted as an intern at Kangji Tourism.
With just these small achievements there was no way she could compete with the type of women who had their eyes set on Seo-Jun.
As a matter of fact, Yeon-Ah was quite certain that, had it not been for them being colleagues, she would never have the chance to speak to Seo-Jun. She was also painfully aware that, plain as she was, he might not even notice her on the streets.
Just as Yeon-Ah was thus getting enveloped in these gloomy thoughts, two members of the Planning Department had taken a seat next to her. The two men brought drinks with them and were now encouraging Yeon-Ah to have a glass as well.
She refused them once, as politely as she could. At that time, she felt her mind was too absorbed in other thoughts to be a good company.
"Come on, just one glass. Today was our company's Sports Day, so you have to celebrate with us." One of the guys kept urging. In the end, he even shoved a glass in her hand.
Meanwhile, the other man smiled at Yeon-Ah, nodding his head encouragingly.
"Indeed, he's right. You have done well in the competitions, so how can you not celebrate such an achievement?" he paused, shooting Yeon-Ah a contemplative look. "You know, judging by your looks alone, I never would have thought that you could be so good at sports."
For some reason, their words only made Yeon-Ah feel even more uncomfortable. But seeing that it was impossible to refuse them again without sounding rude, she ultimately raised the glass to her lips.
Nevertheless, right before Yeon-Ah's lips could touch the glass, someone had snatched it away.
"Do not fear My Lady, for I shall be your Black Knight1." Seo-Jun exclaimed in a dramatic voice.
He appeared at Yeon-Ah's right side as unexpectedly as if he had been summoned.
His voice was cheerful, his smile pleasant, but something peculiar flickered in his eyes. That look made the two men who were sitting across from him shudder. They exchanged a worried glance and got up quickly, excusing themselves from the table.
As soon as the two men scurried away, silence fell between the other two remaining people.
After a few seconds of suffering the awkwardness, Yeon-Ah couldn't bear it any longer. She took a deep breath and decided to break the silence first.
"Deputy Director Kim, you didn't have to…" she began speaking, but was immediately cut off by a wave of Seo-Jun's hand.
"Nonsense." He declared breezily. "What kind of gentleman would I be if I ignored a lady in distress?"
Hearing those words, Yeon-Ah scrunched up her nose. Her brows furrowed slightly and she fell silent.
In truth, she had never liked the idea of being a damsel that needed saving. She had always found the girls who swooned over men to be quite silly.
But now, despite herself, Yeon-Ah found herself in a terrible situation. She kept feeling pleasant flutters in her stomach at the very thought of Seo-Jun coming to her rescue. No matter what she did or how hard she tried, there was no way of ignoring that sensation.
The idea of growing feelings for this man made her feel anxious and agitated. It scared her witless, yet also tempted her. Both sides pulled at her heart and mind with equal strength.
Due to this internal turmoil, Yeon-Ah soon felt a slight headache forming.
The idea that Kim Seo-Jun was unobtainable, standing high above the ground like a flower on a high peak, came back with even greater force.
This unexpected shift in Yeon-Ah's disposition caused her previous resolve to only grow stronger. Whatever she was feeling for this man had to be kept in check and not allowed to evolve.
Taking a furtive glance at him, Yeon-Ah steeled her emotions and finally got up to her feet.
"Thank you very much for your help, Deputy Director Kim." she said politely, then added in a tone laced with firmness. "However, you do not need to inconvenience yourself for me. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
And with that, Yeon-Ah turned around and walked away, leaving a dumbfounded Seo-Jun behind.
A stunned silence settled over the table.
Seo-Jun remained frozen, staring after Yeon-Ah with his mouth slightly opened.
In all honesty, he felt intrigued how a female could act so cold just moments after being saved by a charming man such as himself. It had never happened before.
Usually, women would swoon and sigh, wanting more of him. They would practically throw themselves at him.
But Yeon-Ah's response had somehow given Seo-Jun the sensation that she wanted him to stay as far away as possible.
'Now that is one strange woman. Instead of looking pleased, she appears to be.. troubled, even displeased. Was I wrong in thinking that she was bothered by those two men, when in fact she might have wanted to drink with them?' Seo-Jun thought to himself after a while.
A strange feeling surfaced as this idea took root inside his head, but at that time he ignored it.