ECHOES IN SILENCE | Yoon Jaehyuk FF |✅

Page | 09

"Fading memories, silent hearts "

The clock on the wall ticked away the minutes, the office filled with the usual quiet hum of computer screens and the shuffling of papers. Outside, the steady drizzle painted the windows in streaks of rain, blurring the view of the bustling city streets below. The towering buildings, clad in steel and glass, reflected the overcast sky. Cars honked distantly, but inside the office, the atmosphere was still. It was just another typical day at the company-or so it seemed.

The fluorescent lights flickered faintly overhead, casting a sterile glow across the cubicles. Inside, employees moved about, immersed in their work, though whispers occasionally broke the monotony.

A man stood leaning casually on the edge of a cubicle, his elbow propped up, his tie slightly loosened as though the corporate environment had worn him out. He stared off toward the far end of the office, where the Director's office door remained closed.

"Hey, did you hear that?" he asked, lowering his voice as his eyes darted around cautiously.

A woman nearby, busily collecting and arranging a stack of papers, glanced up in confusion. "Hear what? What do you mean?"

He sighed, rubbing his neck as if bracing for a difficult conversation. "It's about our Director."

"Wait-what about him?" Her curiosity was piqued, though her tone was still casual as she continued organizing the documents.

Before he could answer, another colleague, cradling a steaming cup of coffee, approached them, his interest piqued. "What's cooking, guys? You mentioned the Director?" He sipped his coffee, his eyes gleaming with curiosity, clearly more invested in the conversation than the other two.

The man who started the conversation scanned the area once more, ensuring no one else was within earshot. His voice dropped to a near-whisper. "I heard his girlfriend's condition has worsened. You know... the one in the coma."

The woman stopped what she was doing, her fingers lingering over the stack of papers as her brow furrowed. "Everyone knows about her. Even the newbies hear about her just by seeing her pictures in his office. But where did you get that info?"

He straightened up slightly, a hint of self-satisfaction flickering across his face. "I overheard Secretary Han talking on the phone yesterday."

"That's news," the coffee-sipper chimed in, raising an eyebrow as he took another sip. "Does that mean the Director won't be coming in today?"

"Who knows?" The man shrugged. "Or maybe... he's preparing for her funeral?" she added grimly, though the suggestion caused a shudder among the small group.

The man, visibly unsettled, narrowed her eyes. " Ahh!! Don't say things like that. It's terrible. I actually feel bad for him. I mean, how can someone stay so devoted to someone in a coma for so many years? Our Director...Sir Jaehyuk is loyal. No doubt about that."

The man with the coffee nodded slowly, his expression growing more thoughtful. "Yeah, it's incredible, really. Most people would have moved on by now, but he's stayed by her side, year after year."

The woman sighed, shaking her head. "I think it's time he let go. She's just steps away from..." She hesitated, glancing around as if the word itself might be bad luck. "...kicking the bucket. It's sad, but he deserves a chance to live his life too."

Before anyone could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps approached, and the group quickly dispersed to appear busy. A stern figure in a well-tailored suit rounded the corner, clipboard in hand. It was Secretary Jo, and his no-nonsense expression immediately put everyone on edge.