Even though I’d slapped my cheeks and sworn to behave, Caesar and I couldn’t even talk for about the next two weeks. He’d flown to Shanghai for an event.
Thanks to that, I could work without being tormented by stray thoughts.
‘Still… should I send a message?’
If we’re interested in each other, it’s normal to send at least a quick hello because you miss them…
‘Yeah. Better to send one.’
The second the thought hit, I used my notebook to hide my phone like I was checking my work log, and I texted Caesar.
Did the shoot go well?
When are you flying back?
I tucked my phone into my pocket like nothing happened—right as McQueen came sprinting from the far side of the floor, clearly having spotted something, and begged for help.
“Han, help.”
Right. Calls for backup had been rare lately. It felt like it was about time for something to blow up.
“What happened?”
“Noah made a mess.”
So not a hardcore customer this time—a staff mistake?
‘If it’s Noah, I get it. He’s still pretty new.’
But hadn’t it been about three months since the last incident? For a newbie, that’s practically “rarely messes up”—almost praiseworthy.
I smiled a little and asked, “What kind of mess?”
“He broke an expensive perfume—the only one left in stock. And the customer had already paid.”
McQueen sighed. “And the line’s getting discontinued soon.”
“Even if the customer turned into a demon, it’d practically be legal.”
“It’s a circus. Yelling, crying… You know Noah’s bad with those types. Please go help.”
Yeah, this is the kind of SOS you send to me.
I nodded. “Which boutique?”
“The M brand in the corner.”
“Got it. Swing by after a bit and check the situation. If it escalates, we’ll need to call Security.”
“On it.”
As soon as I answered, I headed briskly toward the corner boutique.
I could hear the wailing before I even arrived.
“It was a birthday present! What are you going to do about it? It’s the perfume my favorite celebrity uses. I begged my parents to bring me here. Give it back!”
Judging by the youthful voice, the customer sounded like a kid—maybe early teens.
I hugged the wall and stole a glance inside. I saw the back of a head in a sky-blue suit set.
‘Oh. A princess.’
If it’d been a full-grown man doing that, I’d have thought, “What a loser,” and moved on. Finding out it was a sweet little kid softened me up.
Noah seemed to be thinking the same.
“I’m so, so sorry…”
If it were an adult, he might have rattled off a stock line, but the poor guy was genuinely panicking with guilt.
‘All right, boss is here. I’ll wag my little tongue so no complaint sticks…’
I stepped in, inclined my head politely to the guardians, and knelt on one knee in front of the crying kid—bringing us roughly to the same eye level.
“Hello. I heard the perfume bottle shattered. Are you hurt anywhere?”
Startled by me suddenly kneeling, the kid answered on reflex.
“N-no, I’m not hurt.”
“That’s a relief. If a fun visit left you with a scar, it would’ve broken my heart.”
The head staffer who appeared out of nowhere started talking smoothly, and the kid actually stopped crying, a bit dazed. I kept my tone warm and gentle.
“I also heard today is your birthday. Is that right?”
“Yes…”
“I’m truly sorry we stained the happiest day of your year. I offer my deepest apology.”
Adults often make this mistake: kids do not like being treated like babies. They know when they’re being seen as immature and it makes them uneasy.
‘I knelt instead of bowing from the waist for the same reason. If I hunch, I’d be looking down on them.’
So I kept the calm, formal manner I use with adults.
“Since this was our mistake, the department store will provide full compensation. Was the broken bottle already paid for?”
“Yes. It happened right after we checked out.”
“In that case, I’ll contact headquarters, confirm remaining stock, and arrange delivery to your home.”
I gestured Noah over. “Noah, do we have a discovery set or any sampled version of the same perfume?”
“There’s a 15 ml discovery set. A box with three scents…”
“Bring one.”
Then I pulled a small notebook and a fountain pen from my uniform pocket.
“If you share your address before you leave, we’ll ship the product to you. And if you don’t mind, we’d also like to give you the discovery set as a small apology.”
The kid mulled that over for a few seconds, clearly running the math on their fingers, then nodded like a little adult.
“Okay. That sounds really good.”
“I’m very glad to hear that.”
Good. The agreement with the kid was done.
I stood and approached the guardians.
“I’ll gift the discovery set at staff discretion. Would you also like access to the lounge bar? There’s a buffet service.”
Maybe it felt generous for compensation, because both moms blinked and asked,
“Is it okay to accept that too?”
“I checked the discovery set’s price earlier—it’s not exactly cheap, either.”
“It’s a special day. We want you to leave with only good memories.”
The taller mom smiled brightly. “Then please.”
“The lounge bar is available until closing today. I’ll have the desk issue day passes.”
I snagged McQueen, who just happened to be ambling past the boutique.
“Mac, wait nearby and escort them to the desk. I’ll handle payment for the lounge day passes later.”
“Got it.”
Meanwhile, Noah returned with the discovery set, already gift-wrapped.
‘Nice touch.’
I gave Noah a quick pat between the shoulder blades for a job well done and led him over to the kid.
“Would you accept our staff member’s apology?”
The kid rubbed the tear tracks from their eyes and generously forgave him.
“I will. I’m sorry I cried.”
Only then did our oversized, retriever-like newbie break into a broad smile.
“Happy birthday. I’m really, really sorry.”
“Thank you for apologizing.”
The kid handled it with adult grace, and both moms smiled at the sight.
All three followed McQueen to the desk, faces bright. Crisis fully resolved.
‘Good.’
Even if a complaint shows up later, the manager can defend us with “the department store did everything possible.”
‘Situation closed. Just need to run the charge and we’re done.’
I exhaled in relief and paid for the discovery set at the card reader.
‘The manager will expense the full-size bottle…’
And the discovery set will get reimbursed later as a discretionary bonus once I file the report.
As I swiped my card, Noah, hovering behind me, mumbled in a small, defeated voice,
“I’m sorry. It’s always because of me…”
“What are you sorry for?”
I genuinely didn’t get it, but to Noah it must have sounded unusual.
He stared at me, eyes round. “Captain, you’re not mad?”
“Why would I be? Newbies make mistakes. If I couldn’t handle that, how would I survive corporate life? I’d go live alone in the wilderness.”
He’s been here barely a year and he’s only messed up three times—why would I scold him? Most managers would pray daily to get newbies like that.
“Quit the nonsense and go to the manager’s office and beg. Even if the sky splits in two, we need that stock brought in.”
“Yes, I will.”
“And don’t obsess over today. You’re a top-tier newbie. You actually work well.”
I was just speaking honestly, but he clearly heard it as me taking him under my wing. The big lump’s eyes suddenly went pink, and then he threw his arms around me from behind and hugged me.
“Captain, I really respect you. I’m so happy you’re my mentor… I really, really am!”
God. Am I raising a puppy or a junior colleague? Annoying as it was, I patted his back while thinking, ‘What a handful.’
Then he murmured, voice thick,
“Sniff… I—I’ll protect you, Captain.”
“…What?”
“I was a lineman, remember? Linemen protect the quarterback.”
He stepped back a pace, blue eyes glittering down at me.
“You’ve been running into dangerous situations lately. I’ll protect you. For real.”
…In his eyes, am I the same size as that little princess?
‘Also, we have Security. Why you?’
I didn’t quite follow, but I nodded like I did. Truthfully, with all the attention lately, my safety had gotten a bit shaky.
“Uh, yeah. Thanks.”
Well… this will pass.
He probably felt like I was a savior because I helped him today. Give it a few days and he’ll forget.
‘If he’s fired up to work hard, there’s no reason to douse it. I’ll just leave it be.’
For something I figured he’d forget quickly, Noah looked oddly sharp and disciplined, eyes shining.
‘He already looks like a retriever, and now he’s acting like one.’
I could almost see invisible dog hair floating through the air.
My nose tickled for no reason, and I scrunched my face and went back to my station.
Only later, when I saw the online receipt on my phone, did I realize the perfume Noah smashed had Caesar as its model too.
Noticing that, I had to think, ‘Is there any part of my life he isn’t involved in? At this rate, we’re going to end up in the same retirement home.’