A child who looks like me

After Ji-heon left the meeting room, everyone’s attention turned to Jung Oh.

“Uh… uh… So, Jung Oh, you got married. With the director…”

“So that’s why the director rushed over?”

The team leaders from the Planning Team and Production Team 1 spoke in shock. Ko Eun-joo answered in place of Jung Oh.

“I called the director. Since the client, Remiremi, was here, I thought he should come to see.”

Eun-joo quickly made an excuse, but both Jung Oh and Eun-joo knew the truth. Jeong Ji-heon had come to protect Jung Oh.

Jung Oh bowed her head.

“I’m sorry for not mentioning it sooner.”

“It’s fine. Congratulations. So, you’re still going to keep working after getting married, right?”

Team Leader Ahn Chan-seop asked cautiously, waving his hands.

“Of course. Please speak comfortably, just like before.”

A long sigh from Ahn Chan-seop passed along to the Planning Team leader beside him, and then to the colleague next to that leader, like a domino effect.

The meeting had fallen apart, and it was too awkward to stay any longer, so Jung Oh quickly tidied her things and stood up. As soon as she left the meeting room, she rushed toward Ji-heon’s office before anyone else could follow her.

When she barged in, Ji-heon looked at her with a perplexed expression.

Jung Oh approached him, tightening her lips, and threw a glance.

“You swear a lot, don’t you?”

“What’s it to you? I won’t see them again.”

“But you swore in front of the employees.”

“So what? You honestly felt relieved, too.”

“…Anyway, fathers shouldn’t swear.”

“Why not? Just because you’re a father doesn’t mean you’re not a person.”

“You shouldn’t. It sets a bad example. What if you do it in front of your kid?”

“Why would I swear in front of a kid?”

Even after revealing his true colors in front of the staff, he didn’t seem to regret it at all.

“Anyway, you can’t say anything about that. In unavoidable situations, you might have to.”

“…”

“I thought I was going to kill you when you said you were close to me.”

Hearing him say that felt too genuine.

Feeling a chill, Jung Oh quickly changed the subject.

“Wow, Jeong Ji-heon has changed so much. Seven years ago, you were an innocent young man who talked to flowers and butterflies.”

“Are you saying that because my memory is fading?”

Ji-heon chuckled in disbelief at Jung Oh’s exaggerated joke.

It felt refreshing to have chased Remiremi away, but Jung Oh was worried about the consequences. That’s why she hurried over.

Although Ji-heon was part of the owner’s family, the company did not belong to him. If this incident became known, he could face even more significant backlash simply because he was the owner’s son.

“What are you going to do? What about Daewon Liquor?”

At Jung Oh’s prodding, Ji-heon set his phone down on the table and pressed a button on the screen. The voice he had heard earlier came out.

[Why are you asking me? Just handle it yourself! Dance or sing or something.] [Ugh. This is why production is a mess. AE will do anything you tell them to, but production doesn’t work like that. Where did this agent go to college? You know, those who didn’t go to good schools have such big egos.]

He had recorded Remiremi’s abusive remarks. If Daewon Liquor made a fuss about this incident, he could simply show them the recording. Jung Oh’s mouth dropped open.

“Jeong Ji-heon… you’re really meticulous, aren’t you?”

“What? Why did you stop talking?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

“You were going to say I’m really meticulous, weren’t you?”

“Oh, no. I would never say something so vulgar. Absolutely not.”

After scolding Ji-heon for swearing, Jung Oh hurriedly feigned innocence and took Ji-heon’s phone.

“But didn’t you record the part where you swore? I want to hear that again.”

“You just said not to.”

“It’s not okay for you to say it, but it’s fine for me to listen.”

Puhuh.

A few minutes ago, when she heard Remiremi’s voice in front of the meeting room, Jung Oh was filled with anger. Though she still hadn’t gotten to hit Remiremi and had only driven him away, she felt somewhat relieved thanks to her contradictory feelings. Because of Lee Jung Oh, her life was never dull.

Ji-heon grabbed Jung Oh, who was mindlessly pressing the buttons on her phone screen, and turned her face toward him. The sweet breath he exhaled made her forget the fatigue of the day.

***

Thursday: As Ji-heon had warned, the news of his marriage registration was reported. The article was simple, devoid of any photographs or gossip about amnesia or hidden children, containing only straightforward facts.

Nevertheless, bouquets kept pouring in for Ji-heon, and the office was bustling.

By afternoon, the rumor that Ji-heon’s bride was Jung Oh spread throughout the company. Whenever Jung Oh passed by, people greeted her joyfully, offering congratulations.

“It’s amazing. No one’s asking how a single mother got married to a bachelor, and no one’s begging for behind-the-scenes stories or giving hints or whispering. Everyone’s just congratulating me,” Jung Oh remarked to Eun-joo during her trip to the bathroom, receiving long greetings.

“Didn’t you know? I posted it in the group chat,” Eun-joo replied.

“Was it Ko’s doing?”

“Yes. The director said to let everyone know so that you wouldn’t get tired answering everyone.”

Eun-joo showed her the group chat screen, where Jung Oh hadn’t been active.

– Lee Jung Oh is the daughter of Director Jeong Ji-heon. The director lost his memory in an accident seven years ago, which led to a breakup with this agent, but they recently met again. And they got married.

Following Ko Eun-joo’s short and dry explanation, exclamations like “Oh my!” and “Wow!” flooded in.

“It’s not just me. Ki-hoon probably posted it in his active group chat too, and Assistant Manager Park likely posted it as well,” Eun-joo added, pointing to Ki-hoon and Young-gwang.

Jung Oh felt a bit dazed to realize that all sorts of maneuvers had taken place without her knowing. She had anticipated that once the news of her marriage registration broke, all kinds of rumors would spread and a storm would ensue.

Thinking she would have to brace herself for something she had to go through at least once, she was surprised by the relatively calm reactions, which had a secret behind them.

“I’m just a regular employee, so I was just following what the director told me. Is that okay?”

“Of course, of course! You did that for me,” Jung Oh replied.

“Lately, the director’s image is nothing like it used to be; it’s gotten really good. The last time he chased away Remiremi, his popularity skyrocketed. It’s great that good news came during such a good time, so everyone must be thrilled.”

“Thank you, Ko Eun-joo.”

“Then you should treat me to a meal. Something delicious.”

“Oh, of course! I’ll treat you to something really tasty and expensive.”

At Jung Oh’s fluttering smile, Eun-joo shrugged her shoulders like a coy girl, while inwardly feeling a bit worried. Still, she felt proud of Jung Oh’s reaction.

***

Through a friend’s message, Eun-bi learned of Ji-heon’s marriage and lamented pathetically. While her own life was spiraling down, Lee Jung Oh had hit the jackpot and was living in luxury.