Executive Director, shall I book a room ?? - Chapter 1

Every day is the same commute, but today, for some reason, my steps feel lighter than usual.

It’s not just a matter of physical condition; I have this exciting feeling, as though something good is about to happen. It feels like one of those days when something great is in store.

However, after living in this world for thirty years, a woman develops a sixth sense.

Something is up today.

If it weren’t, I wouldn’t be in such a good mood even though it’s not a Friday. This was a warning from all the experiences in my life.

“Hello…!”

“Oh, Sujin! Just in time!”

As soon as I stepped into the office, Manager Na’s loud voice greeted me, as if she had been waiting for me. I was almost dragged along to the pantry across the hallway. For a moment, I wondered why we were heading there.

“What? Who’s here?”

“The new Executive Director! He’s super young! Ugh, today I finally understood what it means when they say someone’s face lights up a room..”

Manager Na wrapped both hands around her face and bounced around like a schoolgirl. As I watched her act so childish, I couldn’t help but shake my head at the ominous feeling that was creeping up inside me.

No, it couldn’t be.

“These days, everyone manages their health and lives well. Plus, our hotel sees a lot of celebrities. What’s so special about that?”

“What are you talking about? Celebrities, I’m used to seeing their faces, and I’m mentally prepared when I see them. But this? When you unexpectedly bump into someone like that, that’s the real visual shock. Oh, you don’t even know. After 30 years, my dating cells were completely dead, but today, they’ve come alive.”

No. That’s not something a mother with a 4-year-old daughter should be saying.

However, Sujin, who wasn’t foolish enough to speak like that, just nodded along.

Earlier this year, the Executive Director in charge of the planning department retired unexpectedly due to health reasons. Given that it was a crucial executive position with several unfinished projects, they needed to fill the vacancy immediately.

But two months passed with no news about the replacement. This was a rather strange situation for a well-structured corporation, so rumors started to spread. Some people said the position was too overwhelming, and the Executive Director had left because of it. Others said that no talented candidates were interested in the position because of the workload. There were even rumors suggesting that the company had cleared the way for a big parachute appointment.

Naturally, the rumors eventually narrowed down to who the parachute would be. In fact, HJ Group’s affiliates had a number of family members and relatives in high positions. Most people thought that one of them would likely take over.

Still, no one expected it to happen.

It’s been six years since she joined Hotel Lavita.

By now, she knew enough about the company to write its entire history. She even knew the news of the third-generation heirs of the HJ Group who had started getting involved in management, such as the eldest son who was obsessed with academics and secluded himself, the second son who was involved in shady business, and the youngest son who had worked in the planning department, then went to the U.S. to complete his MBA and was now working at a local branch.

Hmm, there doesn’t seem to be anything unusual.

“By the way, judging by the fact that they’re sending him here as soon as he returns, it seems like they want to groom him properly. The Chairman has a strong attachment to our hotel, but to put him here, of all places, means they want him to learn to be a successor, right?”

Why does it feel like I’m getting closer to a truth I don’t want to know?

“Had my daughter been a little older, I would’ve been eyeing him as a potential son-in-law. People say the looks get better as they go down the line in that family. It’s true, isn’t it? You’ll see when you go…”

Sujin tried to quietly slip past Manager Na’s side but was caught.

“What? Are you leaving already? You need to prepare,” said Manager Na, pointing directly at the coffee machine. Sujin understood her intention but, as always, wanted to verify for herself.

“You’ll take it in, right?”

“What? You’re the one making the coffee—you think *I should be the one to greet that glorious face again? That’s just asking for bad karma. And who do you think I am? When it comes to loyalty, nobody beats Manager Na. Got it?”

No thanks. I don’t need that kind of loyalty.

“Hurry up and prepare it.”

She stood in front of the machine without finding any excuse, feeling uneasy. It had to be coffee, of all things. Even more ominous.

“It can’t be, right? Surely, nothing like that could happen…”

Just think about it.

A handsome man, with an MBA and a stint at the headquarters, returning after studying in the U.S. Is it really that person?

“Excuse me…”

Bang!

The door slammed shut as her hand acted before her brain could process it.

Oh my god.

What did I just see?

After a moment of disbelief, Sujin remembered that this was the meeting room and quickly re-opened the door.

“I’m, I’m sorry! My hand slipped…”

“Ah, you startled me. Kim, what’s with you this early? Still half-asleep.”

Manager Shin’s light scolding didn’t even register in her mind. When she faced the man standing right by the door, her brain went blank.

“It’s okay, you don’t see him often, but let me introduce you. This is Mr. Song Junseong, the new Executive Director in the Strategic Planning Department. And this is our lovely Kim Sujin from the Sales Department’s Room Promotion Team.”

“Song Junseong,” he said.

No way. It really is him.

Even after hearing his name twice, it still didn’t feel real.

The man she hadn’t seen for 10 years had changed subtly yet remained the same. His sharp eyebrows, deep eyes that were hard to read, and a prominent nose gave off an undeniable presence. His lips, balanced and trustworthy, felt like the same features from their past, but he now exuded a more mature vibe.

More than anything, his appearance was different. His hair was neatly styled, and the black suit he wore fit him perfectly, paired with a crisp white dress shirt and deep navy tie. The double cuffs peeking out added an elegant touch.

The aura of a man who had everything together felt different from what she remembered. His gaze was cool and unwavering, adding to the pressure. His posture, calm and controlled, emanated an air of confidence, and though he had lost his youthful exuberance, he now exuded the essence of a man on a hunt.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to give me the coffee?”

Ah, what was I just staring at?!

She stood there, frozen in surprise, and when she finally set the cup down, her hand was trembling, the sound of it clinking made her heart drop.

“Kim, you’re acting weird. Is our Executive Director too handsome that you’re nervous? You’re experiencing what we call a heart-thumping moment?”

No, that’s “heart-skipping,” not “heart-thumping”!

Just when she was about to let the inappropriate remarks of Manager Shin irritate her further, he continued with his usual inappropriate comments.

“Our Manager Kim here—ah, she’s absolutely stunning in her uniform! Too bad she’s stuck at a desk job, so you don’t get to see it.”

Of course, the moment the conversation shifted to her appearance, Sujin clenched her fists in anger.

But what can she do? As an employee with a shrinking bank balance, she just had to let it slide.

“Well, you’ll have a chance to see it. By the way, she even worked as the hotel’s promotional model once…”

“Who made this coffee?”

Just as she was about to collapse from the pressure, a voice interrupted.

She turned toward the voice, her eyes meeting his. Was it just her, or did it feel like he was cutting off Manager Shin’s words on purpose?

“Did you make it yourself?”

“Haha. Sharp as always. Our Miss Kim isn’t just a pretty face – she’s talented at everything . Guess she’s just blessed, Huh?”

Since when have you been observing me so closely?! Stunned, she couldn’t even speak.

“Honestly, a woman who’s just good at her job isn’t as appealing as one who’s also easy on the eyes. Makes you want to mentor her, you know—”*

Then—Junseong, who had been silent, raised his hand sharply. Director Shin flinched and shut his mouth. A man who’d spent his life enduring slights wouldn’t miss the irritation in that gesture.

Then, Junseong raised his hand, cutting off the conversation, and Manager Shin immediately fell silent. Sujin could tell that Manager Shin, who had spent his whole life avoiding notice, was slightly uncomfortable with the situation.

“I see.”

Junseong replied quietly before grabbing his coffee. The tension in the air was palpable as he took a sip.

“That’s delicious,” he said.

Please, don’t smile like that. You’re giving me heart palpitations.

His smile, his calm demeanor, and the low sound of his voice made everything feel like a coffee commercial. The cold impression from his serious face softened when he smiled, and it made her feel dizzy.

Then, he said something that caught her off guard.

“I think I remember something from the past… Don’t you, Kim Sujin?”

What does this mean?

“Do you remember me?”

Sujin swallowed the question she couldn’t ask as she stared at him. He turned to Manager Shin, saying:

“Let’s avoid small talk. This isn’t the place for it. And frankly, it’s uncomfortable for the person involved to hear such discussions.”

“Ah, sorry, I got carried away…”

“You don’t need to apologize to me.”

Junseong cut off Manager Shin’s words and elegantly sipped his coffee. Manager Shin, looking flustered, turned to Sujin with a forced smile.

“Sorry, Sujin. I didn’t mean to… I think of you like a daughter…”

Sujin wanted to snap back, but she simply nodded, still unsure of what was going on.

“Well, I’ll head out now.”

“What? Oh, okay…”

“But, Manager Shin, I’d like more details on what you just mentioned.”

“Oh, yes. I was just about to tell you about that. But… right now, I can’t say much.”

Junseong quickly changed the topic, and Sujin was shoved out of the room before she could finish her greetings. As she left, she could hear Manager Shin babbling, and the image of Junseong coldly staring at him lingered in her mind.

She couldn’t believe what had just happened.

“Wow…”

She stood frozen, still not believing her eyes. She slapped her cheek lightly and took a deep breath, staring at the door.

“He really came.”