Marriage Mate: 42

“Uh? …Yoon-seok? What’s with the coffee?”

“Haha, I just got one while buying mine.”

The iced Americano in front of him had never looked so welcoming. Just as Yu-young eagerly accepted it, he suddenly hesitated. Then, narrowing his eyes into a triangle, he scolded Yoon-seok.

“I’ll gladly drink it, but… wait, I should be the one buying! Stop bringing these all the time! I feel guilty every time.”

“It’s just once in a while.”

Even as he was being scolded, Yoon-seok was all smiles, as if he was genuinely enjoying himself. He really did have a good personality. But why was he always grinning like that? Did he actually enjoy corporate life? …Could he be a masochist? Yu-young quickly cut off his own train of thought before it ran any wilder and thanked Yoon-seok once more.

“Wow, I was about to drop dead from exhaustion. Thanks so much. Want to grab a coffee after lunch? My treat this time.”

“I’d love to! A coffee from you? I’ll take it gladly.”

“Assistant Han.”

Just as Yoon-seok’s eyes sparkled and he nodded enthusiastically, a cold voice cut through their conversation from behind. Recognizing it instantly, Yu-young’s eyes widened.

“Huh? Team Leader?”

“We have something to discuss during lunch, don’t we?”

His voice wasn’t just formal—it was outright unpleasant. Something to discuss? Had they planned to talk about something? Yu-young, looking puzzled, quickly pieced it together.

‘He must mean that… thing we have to do today.’

Swallowing hard, he looked up at Do-won with a tense expression.

“Ah, y-yes. That’s right.”

“Then let’s talk after lunch.”

Before Yu-young could even finish saying, “Yes, got it…,” Do-won had already brushed past him. Left bewildered, Yu-young stared at his retreating figure.

‘He definitely seemed… angry just now. What’s that about?’

It was impossible to figure out. He’d looked completely normal when they greeted each other this morning. What could have happened in just ten minutes since he arrived at work? Did someone higher up scold him?

‘…Not my problem.’

Shaking off the thought, Yu-young focused on tidying up his desk. He turned on his computer, logged into the messenger, and opened the files he needed for the day. After organizing his slightly cluttered desk, he took a moment to admire the framed postcard on his desk, wiping the glass clean with a wet tissue.

The morning passed smoothly. As lunchtime approached, the team’s group chat lit up with its usual discussions about the day’s menu.

[Ah… if we don’t decide quickly, the assistant manager will suggest kimchi stew again. ㅠㅠ]
[What about the department head?]
[He’s eating at home today.]
[Then how about the cafeteria? The menu looks good today.]
[Sounds good!]

Right at noon, as always, the team leader’s office door opened.

“Let’s go eat.”

“Yes, Team Leader!”

Everyone got up in unison, wrapping up their tasks. Chatting and laughing, they made their way out of the office, Yu-young following along.

“Oh, today’s braised short ribs look good.”

“Right? This place is actually famous for them.”

“Ugh, I missed out last time because I was eating a diet meal.”

“You should try it today. It’s really good.”

As the team members received their trays and found seats, the first ones to get their food started filling up the empty spots. When Yu-young sat down, only two seats remained—one directly next to him and one diagonally across.

Do-won and Yoon-seok, who had received their meals last, were walking over. Yu-young subtly signaled to Yoon-seok, gesturing toward the seat beside him. It was a natural habit since either Yoon-seok or Ju-yeon usually sat next to him. Just as he made eye contact with Do-won, the man’s expression remained as unreadable as ever.

Seeing Yu-young’s invitation, Yoon-seok’s face lit up with an eager grin. But before he could sit down, Do-won, who was walking ahead of him, smoothly took the seat next to Yu-young without hesitation. With no choice, Yoon-seok had to sit across from them, looking visibly disappointed.

Without sparing Yoon-seok a glance, Do-won spoke in his usual composed manner.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Yes, Team Leader, you too!”

“Eat well, everyone.”

“Enjoy, Assistant Manager!”

Growing inexplicably annoyed, Yu-young discreetly glared at Do-won. He had definitely seen him signaling Yoon-seok. What was that? Was he just being petty? Why put Yoon-seok in an awkward position like that?

Ugh, whatever. It’s just a meal, after all.

Shrugging off the thought, Yu-young turned his attention to the braised short ribs in front of him, a smile forming on his lips. The cafeteria’s ribs were famous for a reason.

Excited, he picked up a piece with his chopsticks and popped it into his mouth.

‘This is insane….’

Having only grabbed a quick cereal breakfast, he had been starving. The salty-sweet sauce and the tender meat blended perfectly in his mouth, making him close his eyes in bliss. Some might think he was overreacting to a cafeteria meal, but food always tasted a hundred times better after working hard.

Just then, a faint scoffing sound came from beside him. Stuffing his mouth with another bite, Yu-young slowly turned his head.

‘Right. This guy always laughs at me when I eat.’

He still hadn’t forgotten the humiliating experience from a few weeks ago when he was mocked while eating steak.

Casting a pouty glare at Do-won, Yu-young found him sitting there with his usual neutral expression, eating in a composed manner.

‘What’s his deal this time…? Ugh, fine. Laugh all you want.’

Now that he’s used to this, he doesn’t even get annoyed anymore, no matter if he clicks his tongue or chuckles beside him. The only thing that mattered was how delicious the food in his mouth was. Glancing sideways, Yu-young shot a glare at Do-won and picked up a piece of kimchi along with the braised short ribs, popping them into his mouth.

Seeing this, Do-won openly let out a small chuckle.

“Assistant Manager Han always eats with such passion.”

What now…? Was this some new way of picking a fight? Yu-young opened his mouth, ready to ask what exactly he meant by that.

“Uuhmm wuhh ahh wuuu…”

But with his mouth stuffed full of food, all that came out were muffled sounds. Covering his mouth with his hand, Yu-young could only mumble incomprehensibly. Do-won let out another small laugh at the sight.

“I get it. Just enjoy your meal.”

Yu-young, still puffed up like a hamster with food, glared at him, but before he could say anything, Yoon-seok had already started asking Do-won a work-related question. By the time he had swallowed his food, the two were already deep in conversation.

Never mind. Just focus on eating. Chewing his food, Yu-young tried to brush it off. After lunch, the team moved as a group toward the café on the first floor of the building.

“Wow, it’s so crowded.”

“Should we go to the café in the next building? It’ll probably be packed too, though.”

“Still, it might be better than this.”

The company café on the first floor was bustling, making it difficult to even step inside. The team decided to head to a large franchise café right next to the office building instead. But as they made their way toward the main entrance, Yu-young hesitated and lagged behind. Seeing this, Ju-yeon blinked in surprise.

“Then let’s go there. Yu-young, what are you doing? Come on.”

“Ah, I….”

“I have business with Assistant Manager Han.”

Just as Yu-young was about to explain that he had something to discuss with the team leader, Do-won, who had been walking behind him, cut in smoothly. Ju-yeon, momentarily caught off guard, simply nodded and turned back to join the others. From a distance, Yoon-seok looked over with the face of a dejected puppy, making Yu-young think, ‘I’ll have to buy him a coffee later,’ as he waved in Yoon-seok’s direction.

Stepping into the waiting elevator, they were left alone in the enclosed space.

‘…This is awkward….’

It was always awkward with him, but after what happened yesterday—after doing that—looking at his face had become even more difficult. Standing stiffly, Yu-young stared straight ahead like a malfunctioning robot.

And then, the pheromones. No matter how much they tried to suppress them, in a confined space like this, it was impossible not to pick up on each other’s scent. Yu-young bit his lip, trying not to take deep breaths.

“Are you close with Employee Lee Yoon-seok?”

A completely unexpected question came out of nowhere. Yu-young involuntarily responded with a dumbfounded, “…Huh?” Do-won raised a single eyebrow but didn’t repeat the question.

“Uh… yeah, I guess so…?”

“I thought Assistant Manager Kim Ju-yeon was his mentor.”

For some reason, there was a faint trace of displeasure in his tone. Yu-young, confused, nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. But why…?”

He had no idea what had him so irritated. After staring at Yu-young for a moment, Do-won suddenly turned his head away, his eyes briefly flickering with emotion. It was only for a moment, but they didn’t look as indifferent as usual.

“It’s nothing.”

As they stepped out of the elevator, Do-won ended the conversation abruptly. Yu-young was about to say something, but before he could, a dry voice came from ahead of him.

“Come to my office in ten minutes.”

With that, Do-won strode off toward his office. Watching his retreating figure, Yu-young scowled internally. He had no idea why Do-won was acting like this today.

Did a higher-up scold him? Or did something bad happen? Pondering various possibilities, Yu-young headed to the restroom to brush his teeth. Checking the time, he realized it was nearly time to go to the team leader’s office.