#rmoneshot

I told him about my problems at work, and he encouraged me to keep going. He suggested inviting my coworkers to dinner at the end of the month to break the ice and offered to give me Korean lessons whenever I wanted. Kim provided the comfort I desperately needed. At last, I had found someone in Korea who would listen to me, and I could listen to him.

I was at my cubicle, trying to gather the courage to speak to my coworkers. I stood up, catching the attention of the three people I shared the office with.

“Would you like to go out for dinner after work today? My treat. We’ve done great work this month.”

I spoke while bowing slightly, trying to be as respectful as possible, just as Kim had advised me.

“Oh, I’d love that. I’ve seen a restaurant nearby that comes highly recommended,” said Minjin, the youngest in the office. I smiled, thrilled that at least one out of three had agreed.

“Sure, I’ll join. We’ve only been working this whole month; we need a break,” added Hyeon, the oldest and only man in the office.

The only one left to respond was our boss, Hae.

“Alright, but this time I’ll treat you. We didn’t give you a proper welcome when you arrived. We were so busy, but now we have the time,” Hae said with a smile, which I quickly returned.

I sat back down, excited to experience what a work dinner was like. I had seen it countless times in dramas. I took out my phone and texted Kim:

—Hey! It worked! We’re going out for dinner later.

Thanks to his advice, I had found the courage to step up and make friends again.

—I’m so glad! Remember what I told you: serve the drinks and prepare the meat. That shows respect and that you want to get along — Kim replied.

We had exchanged numbers and had been texting non-stop since then, as if we both needed to share our worries. It had been a long time since I could talk to someone without fear of offending them. Maybe it was because our first encounter had been so out of the ordinary that it left no room for more anger. I felt that Kim wanted to break out of his routine; he confessed to spending too much time at work and needing a break. Knowing that we thought and felt the same made me so happy. Even though he remained a mystery, I couldn’t help but feel close to him because of how deep and easygoing he was.

—Thank you for your help ♥ — I wrote.

The dinner helped everyone relax. I made sure their glasses were always full of soju and helped Minjin prepare the meat. During dinner, she talked a lot, and I found her very likeable. Since we were closer in age, I felt comfortable around her.

“At first, when you arrived, I thought you were spoiled and nosy, but these past few days you’ve shown that you can do your job well. I hope we get to know each other better,” said Mr. Hyeon, raising his glass.

“To our new colleague,” he toasted.

We clinked glasses, and I felt happy to be getting closer to the team, though I couldn’t understand why they had formed such an impression of me when I had tried to fit in from the start. But excitement won over doubt, and I decided to enjoy the evening.

“Well, dinner was delicious, but I need to get back to my kids. It’s getting late; we should all head home,” said our boss, Hae, standing up.

We all followed her, bowing and saying goodbye as she got into her car. Mr. Hyeon also left, saying he lived nearby and would walk home. In the end, only Minjin and I were left.

“Do you live nearby?” I asked, worried about leaving her alone at night.

“Oh no, I live about 20 minutes away. Actually, I’ll take a cab. Want to share?”

She held onto my arm as if we had been friends forever, and that made me incredibly happy. However, I had to decline her invitation as she flagged down a taxi.

“Sorry, but I live a bit further, so I take the subway. It’s better for me.”

Her smile faltered a bit, and I couldn’t help but feel foolish—it was an opportunity to make a friend. However, my responsibility called. I had to get home quickly to walk Susy.

“Oh, don’t worry, I guess you’re not interested in being my friend. See you tomorrow.”

I tried to respond, to tell her that I did want to be her friend, but her words felt like an unexpected door slamming shut. She was already getting into the cab, leaving me with the answer stuck in my throat. I stood there, motionless, watching the taxi drive away, taking with it an opportunity I hadn’t known how to seize.

While walking to the subway station, the weight of doubt began to crush me. Why did it feel like no one at work wanted to get close to me? Why did they avoid me as if I were the problem? Mr. Hyeon’s comment kept echoing in my mind: “I didn’t have a good impression of you at first.” I had never done anything wrong to them; they hadn’t even given me a chance to show who I really was.

On the subway, as my mind wove absurd theories about my reputation, I felt a vibration in my pocket. I pulled out my phone and read the message:

“I’m going to walk Mitty, should I wait for you?”

A smile immediately spread across my face. The subway doors opened, and I ran out as fast as I could. The excitement of seeing him and sharing that little routine with Kim gave me a sense of relief I didn’t know I needed.

“I’m almost home, I’ll be there in 5.”

When I arrived home, the door to the house across the street opened. There was Mrs. Lee, my neighbor, with her warm smile and that gaze that always seemed to mix worry and tenderness in equal measure.

“Oh, it’s good you’re home. I just heard that there was a violent fight between a man and a woman at the park a few days ago. Even the police got involved. Did you hear anything about it?”

My heart stopped for a moment. How could I explain to her that I had been part of that mess? Of course, I couldn’t.

“People need to be very careful these days. The world is crazy now.”

I held back a nervous laugh before responding, feeling like an actress in a play I hadn’t rehearsed.

“Of course, I’ll be careful. Although I haven’t heard anything.”

After saying goodbye, I hurried inside. I greeted Susy, who welcomed me with her usual enthusiasm, and got her ready for a walk.

Walking toward the park, I saw him. Kim was there, tall and with that naturally laid-back posture. The dim light from the streetlamps highlighted the definition of his arms, and for a moment, I caught myself admiring him. Even though I had never seen his full face, there was something irresistibly attractive about him.

“Hi, Kim. Hi, Natty.”

He turned to me with a soft smile as Susy and Natty started playing, sniffing each other like old friends. Seeing them, I let go of Susy’s leash, and he did the same. The dogs dashed off to the wide lawn, their energy contagious.

“How did dinner go? Did you manage to get closer to them?” Kim asked with genuine curiosity. His tone was so warm that it felt like he was opening a door to a safe place.

“It went well. I feel like I’m starting to earn their trust. Thank you for your help; I wouldn’t have done it without you.”

I placed my hand over his on my shoulder for a moment, reaffirming my gratitude.

“I’m glad it went well for you. I wish it were as easy at my job as just inviting people to dinner,” he replied with a tired smile that hid a deeper sadness.

“What’s troubling you about work?” I asked, trying to offer him the same support he had given me.

He paused, looking toward where the dogs were playing carelessly. He seemed to be debating whether to speak or keep it to himself. Finally, he let out a sigh and admitted:

“You could say that my coworkers and I are drifting further apart. We’ve known each other for years, but now it feels like we’re strangers. It makes me nostalgic to realize that.”

We watched the dogs play, excited, as if they had known each other forever. Their carefree wagging tails and chaotic sprints seemed to reflect a pure, instant connection. I waited in silence, giving him time to gather his thoughts.

“It’s ironic,” he began, a bitter smile on his lips. “I’m distancing myself from them too. I don’t want them to realize how much their distance affects me, but I also don’t want them to feel obligated to spend time together like we used to.”

His words lingered in the air, heavy with a weight that seemed to wear him down. When he finished, he looked at me, and in his eyes, I saw a mix of vulnerability and a hint of shame for saying it out loud.

“I understand you,” I responded, trying to ease the tension. My voice came out softer than I expected, as if stepping into sacred ground.

“Before my mom passed away, my family was very close. But when she left, my dad and I drifted apart. We each tried to heal the wound she left… but we did it alone. I never tried to reach out to him, and now I regret it. My dad passed away a few years ago too, and sometimes I think about how things could’ve been if I had told him how I felt.”

The knot I felt while confessing this to Kim was strange, but at the same time, liberating. It was the first time I had talked about it with someone, and doing it with him made me feel less alone.

“I think if you reach out to them and tell them how you feel, they’ll understand,” I continued, trying to give him some hope. “I bet they feel the same. Humans are nostalgic by nature and always seek a place to return to.”

Kim gave me a small but genuine smile, and in that moment, we shared an unspoken understanding. Having someone to confide in, even for just a moment, made the burden we carried feel lighter.

To break the melancholic air, I decided to call Susy. When she saw me, she ran toward me with all her strength, wagging her tail so enthusiastically that I could almost feel the avalanche coming. Knowing she would inevitably knock me over, I ran to hide behind Kim, using him as a human shield.

The strategy, however, didn’t work. Susy slammed into him full force, knocking him backward with me trapped underneath.

“This time it wasn’t you tackling me, but your dog. You’re both a menace,” he said with a laugh as he struggled to pin me to the ground and tease me a little more.

“If you keep teasing me, people will think we’re fighting again,” I replied, laughing, finally managing to get up with his help. The night felt lighter thanks to that silly but comforting exchange.

“I think it’s time to head home. We’ll both wake up sore tomorrow,” Kim said, dusting off his clothes.

He decided to walk me to my house. But just before we arrived, a

few steps from my door, he stopped. He looked at me as if he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure. I could feel the air change around us, the kind of moment that stays in your memory long after it’s gone.

“I’m glad I met you,” he finally said, his voice soft, almost hesitant, as if afraid to say it.

My heart skipped a beat. The way he said those words, with an honesty that reached me, left me without a reply. I simply nodded, smiling, hoping my expression was enough to convey that I felt the same way.

A figure dressed entirely in black sprinted over the fence of my garden. The intruder glanced at us for a second before vanishing into the shadows.

“Hey! What are you doing?” I shouted with all the strength my surprise and fear allowed me.

The shock rooted me to the ground, as if my legs refused to respond. The reality that someone had entered my home—my private space—felt like a direct blow to the chest. Vulnerable and powerless, I could only watch as the stranger disappeared into the darkness.

“Who was that? Was it your house?” Kim asked, alarmed, his gaze darting between the direction the intruder had gone and my pale face.

Without a word, I leaned against him, unable to stand on my own from the fright. Kim didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around me, pulling me into a protective embrace that, while it couldn’t erase the fear, made me feel I wasn’t alone in that moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Although you came here for work, daily life was full of challenges—not just the language barrier but also the cultural differences. You felt the weight of disapproving looks from your colleagues every time you accidentally touched someone or made more noise than seemed acceptable here. You felt awful when your invitations to hang out were declined, as though you carried a contagious disease. That isolation weighed heavier than any workload.

To overcome this, you enrolled in several Korean classes, hoping that one day you could truly connect with someone. For now, your only outings were with yourself and your faithful companion, Susy. She seemed to be the one constant in such a strange world.

However, something unsettling had started happening. Posters of missing dogs appeared in the neighborhood, and stories of a tall, hooded man lurking around parks and yards were circulating in local chats. It was said he stole dogs for illegal breeding operations. Just imagining Susy being taken to a place like that made your skin crawl. You wouldn’t let that happen to her.

While walking with Susy in the park, she sniffed and explored everything around her with excited energy. Suddenly, an enthusiastic golden retriever appeared, wagging its tail so vigorously it was impossible not to smile. Susy gave you her pleading look, silently begging to play with her new friend. But you hesitated. The golden retriever was huge compared to your English bulldog, whose chubby frame wasn’t built for running or jumping.

Susy, however, was persistent. She began tugging at her leash with determination. The golden retriever, as if trying to help, jumped and stepped on the leash, causing it to slip from your grasp. The force nearly made you spill your coffee as Susy dashed after her new playmate.

"Even she’s better at making friends," you thought bitterly, though you couldn’t help but feel happy for her. That happiness, however, turned into alarm when you saw a hooded man approaching the dogs. Something about his posture, the furtive way he moved, set off all your alarms.

It was him—the dog thief. You knew it the moment he reached out to grab the golden retriever’s collar.

Your heart pounded as you sprinted toward them. "I won’t let you take them!" you thought with determination. The man, ignoring your presence, was already reaching for Susy. You didn’t know how to stop him, but you couldn’t just stand there. Gathering all your courage, you tackled him from behind.

The impact caught him off guard, and you both hit the ground, stunned by the fall.

“What’s your problem? Who are you?” he growled between heavy breaths, still clutching the golden retriever.

“Let go of the dogs!” you shouted, trying to sound firm as you stood up. But he didn’t stop. Fear and anger churned inside you.

You lunged at him again, grabbing him with all the strength you could muster. “Someone call the police!” you yelled at a couple who had stopped to watch the scene as though it were a spectacle.

“Alright, alright! Let go of me! This is a misunderstanding!” the man said, though his tone was more irritated than apologetic.

Taking advantage of a brief distraction, he twisted and pinned you in a tight, awkward hold. The air around you grew heavy, but you refused to give up. "This is not a misunderstanding!" you shouted, struggling, your eyes fixed on Susy, who now watched the scene with her head tilted. “I have to protect her,” you thought, fighting to break free.

“Why are you attacking me? Are you crazy?” he barked as he finally managed to free himself and scrambled backward. You knew the only way to stop him from escaping was to keep him occupied until the police arrived.

“You tried to steal my dog! How do you expect me to react?” you yelled, calling Susy to come to you, but she was more interested in playing with the golden retriever. “Traitor,” you thought, frustration tightening your throat.

The man, looking tired of the ordeal, ran a hand through his hair.

“I wasn’t trying to steal your dog. I was just petting her, and that’s my dog, Nutty. Who do you think you are, attacking someone from behind?” he said, his tone irritated but laced with exhaustion.

You couldn’t believe this man, who so clearly looked like a dog thief, had the audacity to blame you. “Really? That’s your dog? Then if you call him by name, he’ll come, right?” you challenged, crossing your arms and glaring at him skeptically.

The hooded man huffed, visibly annoyed, and tried calling the golden retriever by the supposed name. The dog, however, showed no interest at all. Your confidence grew at his failure.

“See? Still want to keep lying? You look like a thief, and you definitely tried to take my dog.” Your finger pointed accusingly at him, as if that would bolster your argument.

At that moment, a police officer approached. “Good morning. I’m Officer Hung. What’s going on here? We received a report of an altercation in the park.” His gaze shifted between you and the hooded man, assessing the situation.

“Officer, he’s a dog thief!” you tried to explain in your limited Korean. The officer seemed to grasp the gist, as he turned to the man with a raised eyebrow.

“Officer, this woman attacked me out of nowhere while I was walking my dog.” The man spoke in perfect Korean, his calm tone contrasting with your agitation. Suddenly, he seemed like a decent person, making you appear irrational.

The officer sighed, visibly exasperated. “Do you have any proof that the dog is yours?”

“Not right now. I left my phone at home, but…” The man searched his pockets, as if hoping a solution would magically appear. Something in his desperation pricked at your conscience.

“We’ll settle this at the station. Bring the dogs, and we’ll verify the facts. Alright?” the officer said, glancing between the two of you.

You nodded silently and went to fetch Susy, while the hooded man did the same with the golden retriever. As he grabbed the golden’s collar, the dog wagged its tail excitedly, leaning into his touch. A small seed of doubt crept into your mind.

“See? He’s my dog,” the man said, stroking the golden retriever gently as the dog gazed at him with adoration.

“How do I know that? He could act like that with anyone,” you replied, trying to sound firm, though your voice wavered.

The man sighed, exhausted. “Look, I can’t go to the station. If anyone finds out I was there, it could ruin my life. Please… I’m begging you, don’t do this.” His tone was so sincere that, for a moment, you believed every word he said.

Before you could respond, the officer signaled for you to follow him. “Are we done? Let’s head to the station. Sir, please don’t resist.”

The man raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “Officer, there’s really no need to go to the station. If you’ll give me a moment, I can explain better.”

The officer frowned, clearly fed up. “I’m sorry, sir, but we need to verify the facts in a more suitable location. This is not optional.”

As you walked, the golden retriever turned to you. When you tried to pet him, he huffed and bared his teeth. “Maybe I was wrong after all,” you thought, your face flushing with embarrassment.

“Officer, I think I made a mistake,” you said, your voice trembling as you bowed deeply. “He’s not a thief. I confused him… because of the mask. He’s my neighbor. Please forgive me for causing trouble.”

The officer looked at you with clear irritation. “Miss, you can’t just attack people like that. What if someone else had stopped you, or if this man had been seriously hurt? You need to be more careful before acting impulsively.” His stern gaze made you shrink back. He then turned to the man. “Are you sure you don’t want to press charges?”

“No, no. She’s my neighbor. I know she didn’t mean any harm,” the man sighed, shaking his head as though too tired to argue anymore.

When the officer left, your face burned with shame. “God, how embarrassing.” You bowed again to the man. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I’ve been having a really hard time here. It’s not easy adapting to Korea. When I thought you were going to take Susy, I just… I didn’t know what to do.”

“I wouldn’t know what to do if someone tried to take Nutty, either. Thanks for not taking this any further. You actually saved me from a much bigger problem.” His voice was sincere, though he maintained that reserved air that seemed to be part of his personality.

He extended his hand, and you shook it, still feeling like an idiot.

“Susy’s all I have since I came to Korea. If I lost her…” Your voice broke, and before you realized it, tears started to fall.

“Don’t worry.” He offered a light, playful smile. “Even though you made me exercise more than I planned, I think I’ll forgive you.”

“How about we grab a coffee to calm down?” he said, his tone softening.

Maybe, for the first time since you arrived, you had found someone interesting. There was something about him—a mix of mystery and reserve—that piqued your curiosity. You didn’t know who he really was, but you were certain you were about to be surprised when you discovered the truth about this hooded stranger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was breathing hard and my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. I was still processing what had just happened. Someone had been in my house, a stranger who had invaded my home.

“Let’s check inside,” Kim said softly but firmly, still holding me with her arms. She seemed to sense my hesitation and added, “I’ll go first. You stay behind me, okay?”

I nodded silently, gripping her sleeve as if letting go might make me collapse completely. Together, we walked to the front door.

Kim carefully opened the front door and scanned the room with piercing eyes. I followed close behind her, holding on tightly to Susy’s leash, as if her presence could protect me from the fear creeping beneath my skin.

The living room was eerily quiet. Everything seemed intact: no overturned furniture, no broken glass. But the feeling of intrusion lingered, thick and suffocating.

“Stay here,” Kim whispered before stepping deeper. He moved carefully, checking every corner, every shadow.

I stood frozen in the doorway, biting my lip to keep from calling out to him. My mind raced, imagining every possible scenario. What if another intruder was still there? What if he came back?

A few moments later, Kim reappeared. Her expression was calm but serious. “There’s no one here now. I checked every room, but a picture frame is broken in your room.”

“I don’t understand,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Why would someone…?”

Kim put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Sometimes it’s nothing personal. Maybe they were just looking for an easy target. But we should report this to the police, just in case.”

I nodded slowly, though the thought of talking to the authorities only increased my uneasiness.

As if sensing my hesitation, Kim offered, “I’ll stay with you. We can call together. You don’t have to do this alone.”

I looked at him and was grateful for his constant presence. Despite the chaos of the night, he had remained calm and guided me through the storm.

“Thanks,” I said in a shaky voice.

Kim gave a small, reassuring smile, “No problem. Let’s sit down and figure this out, step by step.”

We sat on the couch, and the silence between us was heavy, but not awkward. I dialed the emergency number with shaking hands, and Kim stayed close by. His presence helped keep me grounded as I told the operator what had happened.

Once the call was over, Kim took care of cleaning the glass and fixed the material with some duct tape she found under the sink.

“You’ll have to fix this tomorrow,” she said as she straightened up. “But for now, this should be fine.”

I looked at him, and my heart filled with a mix of gratitude and admiration. Kim was no longer a stranger. He was someone I could trust, someone who had appeared in my life at the exact moment I needed him most.

“Kim,” I began in a soft but firm voice, “thank you for everything. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here tonight.”

She looked at me with a warmth that made my chest ache in the best way. “You don’t have to thank me. I just… I didn’t want you to face this alone.”

For a moment, the fear and anxiety of the night faded away, replaced by a calm understanding between us.

“At least let me make you some tea,” I offered, needing to do something, anything, to repay her kindness.

Kim chuckled, the sound lightening the mood. “Tea sounds perfect.”

As I headed into the kitchen, Susy trotted behind me, her tail wagging as if nothing had happened. The normalcy of her behavior made me smile slightly.

Despite the events of the night, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. With Kim’s presence and Susy’s unwavering loyalty, I knew I wasn’t alone. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like things might be okay.

“Maybe you shouldn’t stay here tonight,” Kim suggested as she handed him the cup of tea. Her tone was calm, but there was a firmness behind her words that made me look up. “Don’t get me wrong, I know this is your home, but… I wouldn’t be comfortable knowing you could be in danger.”

His concern took me by surprise, and though my first impulse was to insist that he would be okay, something in his gaze made me hesitate. It wasn’t just casual concern; it was genuine, protective, almost as if this was something personal to him.

“What do you propose?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Come with me. To my house. It’s safer, and you can stay as long as you need to feel calm.”

I hesitated for a moment, my eyes searching for any hint that this might be too much. However, the warmth in his gaze and the sincere tone of his voice disarmed me.

“Okay,” I finally agreed. “Just for tonight.”

The relief on his face was immediate, but it was mixed with something else I couldn't quite put my finger on.

After the police visit, the drive to Kim's house was a strange contrast to the chaos of the night. The city seemed quiet at that hour, and the soft purr of the car's engine filled the silence. Susy was in the backseat with Natty, sleeping as if nothing had happened, while I fiddled with the hem of my jacket, nervous but strangely relieved.

Kim, for his part, was focused on the road, though he occasionally cast quick glances at me, as if to make sure I was okay. His thoughts were a whirlwind, though he hid it well. He couldn't help but feel responsible for my safety. Something about my vulnerability that night had awakened an instinct in him that he didn't often experience.

When we arrived at his apartment, my jaw nearly dropped to the floor. His house was imposing but elegant, warmly lit in the darkness.

"Is this your house?" I asked incredulously, looking around as if I were in another world.

Kim shrugged with a somewhat shy smile.

Inside, the house was even more impressive. Every corner looked like it came straight out of a design magazine, but it wasn't cold or impersonal. There were details that reflected Kim: shelves full of books, a guitar propped against a corner, a couple of paintings that looked very expensive and also gave the apartment a museum-like feel.

"It's… beautiful," I murmured, unable to hide my amazement.

Kim watched me from the doorway, hands in his pockets. There was a small smile on his lips, but his eyes reflected something deeper. "It's just a house," he finally said, his voice soft. "The important thing is that you're comfortable and safe here."

Kim showed me a room so I could rest, though he didn't leave right away. As I sat down on the bed, he remained in the doorway, as if he had something else to say.

"This isn't something I usually do," he confessed, running a hand through his hair. “Inviting someone into my house… trusting so quickly.”

I looked up, surprised by his sincerity. “So why did you do it?”

Kim hesitated for a moment before answering. “Because… I couldn’t let you face this alone. Something about you… I don’t know, I just knew I had to be here for you.”

My lips parted, but I couldn’t find the words to respond. The weight of his confession stunned me, and for a moment, we just stared at each other, as if there was something we both understood but neither of us dared say out loud.

“You should rest,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “I’ll be in the living room if you need anything.”

I watched him leave, my heart pounding for reasons that had nothing to do with the scare that night.

From the living room, Kim lay awake, a book open in front of him that he wasn’t really reading. His thoughts kept revolving around what had happened. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw my terrified expression, my fragility at the moment I had leaned against him.

He couldn’t quite understand it, but something in me made him want to protect me, to be close, to make sure I was okay. It was a new feeling, but not entirely unpleasant.

As the clock struck midnight, Kim stood up and looked toward the stairs leading to the bedrooms. Something told him that tonight would be the start of something bigger, something he didn’t quite understand yet.

The sun was softly filtering through the curtains when I woke up, enveloped in the scent of clean sheets and freshly brewed coffee. For a moment, I had forgotten the events of the previous night, but the memory came back quickly: the intruder, Kim’s house, her protective embrace.

I sat up slowly, trying to shake off the daze of sleep. After a quick shower in the spotless guest bathroom, I followed the scent of coffee downstairs. I found Kim in the kitchen, dressed in a suit that made him look even more imposing.

“Good morning,” he said with a smile as he poured a cup and offered it to me.

“Good morning,” I replied with a shy smile, taking the coffee.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Surprisingly well, all things considered,” I admitted, feeling more relaxed than I had expected.

Kim seemed satisfied with my answer. “I can drive you to work if you want.”

I nodded, grateful. I didn’t trust my own nerves to handle the morning on my own.

—------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------

En el pasillo me encontré con una de las cleaning que salía del baño. Era una mujer mayor, siempre amable, pero esta vez evitó mi mirada.

“Good morning, Mrs. Park,” I said with a smile.

She hesitated before answering, as if she was deciding whether or not she should. “Good morning, miss.”

There was something odd in her tone, a mix of respect and caution that I had felt before with those in my office.

Intrigued, I decided to follow her to the service area, they would tell me why everyone considered me a bad person, and I would figure out why Mr. Hyung had made that comment.

There were two other employees there, who stopped talking as soon as they saw me. Their gazes met briefly before they lowered their heads and continued with what they were doing.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Yes, miss. Everything is fine," one of them answered, but not with much conviction.

"I'm sorry if I'm direct," I continued, crossing my arms, "but you seem to be avoiding something… have I done something to make you uncomfortable?"

The three of them exchanged awkward glances, and after a long silence, one of them spoke.

"Miss… we don't mean to be rude, but… there's a lot of talk about you around the office," she said cautiously.

"Talk a lot? What kind of things?"

The older woman, Mrs. Park, sighed. “There are those who say you are… difficult. That you treat others poorly and don’t get along with anyone.”

My eyes widened. “What? That’s not true. I’ve never treated anyone poorly here!”

“We know,” another of the employees chimed in. “But in this place, you know how things are. Rumors spread fast.”

“Who’s been talking about me?” I asked, my voice firmer now.

The three women looked at each other, clearly uncomfortable. Finally, Mrs. Park muttered, “Mr. Hyung. He says you’re… arrogant and troublesome. That you don’t deserve to be here.”

The name hit me like a brick. Hyung was my office mate, someone I’d always had a cordial but distant relationship with.

“Hyung?” I repeated, incredulous.

“Yes,” one of them confirmed quietly. “We heard it as we walked by. He said you’re only here for favors, that you don’t know how to do your job. And… people have believed it.”

Anger began to bubble up inside me. I couldn’t believe someone I shared space with every day was sabotaging me like that.

“Thank you for telling me,” I finally said, trying to keep my tone calm. “I’ll take care of this.”

The women nodded timidly, and I left the service area, my mind working at full speed. I had to confront Hyung, but not without carefully planning my next move.

When I returned to my desk, Hyung was there, talking to a group of coworkers, their laughter filling the air. For a moment, I watched him from a distance, analyzing his every move.

If I wanted to confront this situation, I needed proof, something solid that I could use to expose him with no room for error. And if there was one thing I had learned in this office, it was that walls had ears, and words always found a way to come out.

The morning went by slower than usual. Every time I saw Hyung, something inside me stirred. His carefree smile and the way he moved around the office as if nothing was wrong irritated me more than I expected. But I knew I needed to play my cards carefully.

When the clock struck break time, I made a decision. I approached Minjin, someone I knew I could trust.

“Want to grab some coffee?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

Minjin looked up from her monitor, surprised, but nodded with a smile. “Sure. I need a break.”

We headed to the building’s cafeteria, where the hum of conversation and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. We chose a table in a secluded corner, away from prying ears.

As Minjin stirred her cappuccino, I decided to get to the point.

“I need to tell you something… something serious,” I started, keeping my voice low.

She frowned, setting her cup aside. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”

“I heard something today,” I said, trying to gather my thoughts. “It seems that Mr. Hyung… has been spreading gossip about me.”

Minjin blinked, clearly shocked. “Hyung? What kind of gossip?”

“According to the maids, he’s been saying terrible things. That I’m arrogant, that I don’t know how to do my job, even that I’m only here for favors. Basically, he’s been destroying my reputation.”

Minjin’s expression hardened, her lips forming a thin line. “That’s… that’s harassment. I can’t believe he’s been doing that. Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

"I found out today. I had no idea what was going on, but now it all makes sense: the stares, the whispers, the way people avoid me."

Minjin took a deep breath, clearly outraged. "This can't just stand there. You have to report him. What he's doing is completely unacceptable."

“I know,” I admitted, fiddling with the handle of my cup. Minjin nodded slowly, her expression now more thoughtful. “I’ve heard rumors that he has high connections in the company. That doesn’t mean what he does is right, but… it does complicate things.”

“So what do I do?” I asked, feeling trapped. “I don’t want to let it go, but I also don’t want to risk losing my job.”

Minjin took a sip of her coffee before speaking, her tone softer but firm. “The first thing is to protect yourself. If you’re going to report him, you need solid evidence. Something he can’t deny, no matter how many connections he has.”

“What if I confront him?” I suggested, though I knew it wasn’t the best option.

“That could go wrong,” she said quickly, leaning on the table. “Hyung is the type who would deny everything and make sure you look like the bad guy. But… if you can catch him in the act, maybe you can get him to give himself away.”

I nodded, letting her words sink in. Minjin had always been a logical person, someone who thought through every detail before acting. I trusted her judgment.

“I’m going to do it,” I finally said, my voice firmer. “I’m going to find proof. And when I do, I won’t let her get away with it.”

Minjin smiled at me, her gaze full of support. “I’m with you on this. If you need help, just let me know.”

“Thanks, Minjin. Really.”

“That’s what friends are for,” she replied before taking another sip of her coffee.

The rest of the break was calmer, but my mind was working at full speed. Hyung had done something unforgivable, and though I knew the road wouldn’t be easy, I was determined to put a stop to it.

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