The sky was already bright, the promise of another day hanging lazily over the city. But inside the spacious, tastefully cold apartment, Soo-ji was still dead to the world, sprawled across her bed like a cat that had no intention of waking. She'd spent the night wide-eyed under the covers, waiting for shadows to turn into assassins, for the doorknob to turn quietly, for Tae-hyun's enemies to burst in and end her because they thought she was his fiancée.
When she finally stirred, a sleepy groan escaping her lips, her lids cracked open—
Only to meet Ms. Gu-won's face inches from hers, wearing a smile so wide it belonged in a horror film.
Soo-ji's survival instincts kicked in too late. She shrieked, flailing, nearly knocking her phone off the nightstand.
"Ms. Kim, you're finally up," Ms. Gu-won chirped, unbothered, her creepy smile fixed in place.
"How long have you been there?!" Soo-ji gasped, clutching her blanket like a shield.
"Two hours, ma'am. You seemed startled."
"Two hours?!" Soo-ji's voice dropped to a strangled whisper.
"Yes, ma'am. I was waiting to ask what you would like for breakfast."
Soo-ji pressed her palm to her forehead. "Why didn't you just wake me up?"
"You seemed to be sleeping soundly," Ms. Gu-won repeated, her smile never faltering, as if carved from marble.
Soo-ji sighed, defeated. "You don't need to worry about me. I can make breakfast myself."
"Then I would lose my job. If you truly care for my wellbeing, ma'am, please allow me to keep my job." Ms. Gu-won's voice was gentle yet iron-clad.
Soo-ji blinked. "Fine. I'll just have tea."
"And for lunch?" Ms. Gu-won continued seamlessly.
"I'll eat out."
"Dinner?"
"I don't usually eat dinner."
"Very well. I will prepare your bath now. Would you prefer strawberry, lemon, rose, or vanilla?"
Soo-ji's eyes widened. "That too?" She sighed "Lemon bath, I guess."
"Excellent choice, ma'am." Ms. Gu-won finally left, leaving a trail of unsettling politeness in her wake.
Soo-ji fell back dramatically, clutching her hair. "Who knew doing nothing could be this exhausting?" she groaned, burying her face in her pillow.
The door creaked. "Good morning, Ms. Kim," came Mr. Seo-jun's calm voice.
"Come in," Soo-ji mumbled, voice muffled.
"Are you feeling well?" he asked, hovering in the doorway like a concerned ghost.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she sighed.
"I'm just outside if you need anything. Press the red button, and I'll be here instantly." He bowed politely and slipped out, leaving Soo-ji alone with her frustration.
"They're all gonna be the death of me" she murmured.
---
The conference room was a cathedral of tension, the polished oak table reflecting the somber light spilling in from the skyscraper skyline. The only sounds were the hum of the city below and the occasional click of a pen, each sound puncturing the thick silence.
At the head of the table, Tae-hyun leaned back in his chair, legs crossed, radiating an effortless authority that made everyone else feel like extras in a movie starring him.
"Let's not drag this out," Tae-hyun said, his voice smooth, but there was steel beneath the silk. "I'm allergic to wasted time."
Min-jae cleared his throat, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. "The men who killed Mr. Jung were hired thugs. Amateurs. They had no finesse."
Tae-hyun's jaw ticked, his dark eyes narrowing. "Cowards never get their hands dirty. They pay fools to bleed for them."
Min-jae nodded. "The one who ordered the hit has influence. He's not some back-alley thug. He's connected. A politician."
The room seemed to tighten around them, the air crackling.
"So, what? We let them walk because they wear suits and have fancy titles?" Tae-hyun's voice was calm, but it coiled like a whip ready to strike.
Do-yoon's voice cut in, low but firm. "Why put so much attention on them? That would only distract us from the main plan"
Min-jae glared. "They are murderers. Don't twist definitions."
Do-yoon shrugged, leaning back. "You're suggesting we punish the weapon, not the hand."
"Exactly!" Mr. Jun interjected, trying to mediate, "These guys are pawns, same as Mr. Jung was. The real players are bigger."
Min-jae's lip curled. "Oh, so as long as you're paid, it's fine? Spare me your philosophy."
Mr. Jun raised a brow. "You seem emotional about this. Or maybe you've got your own deals?"
Min-jae's fists clenched. "It's called loyalty. Try it sometime."
"Oh, please," Mr. Jun sighed, rolling his eyes. "You sound like a cheap drama villain."
Tension snapped in the air like a drawn bowstring, the room on the brink of chaos—
When Tae-hyun's gaze shifted to the back of the room, his eyes glinting. "And where exactly is my doctor sneaking off to?"
Soo-ji froze mid-step, halfway to the door, looking like a cat caught stealing food.
"I—um—I was heading to the hospital," she stammered, forcing a bright, awkward smile.
"At this hour?" Tae-hyun's gaze flicked to the clock.
"Night shift!" she squeaked.
Tae-hyun's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smirk. "It's still morning Ms. Kim. Plus your only job now is to take care of me. Let me ask again. Where are you really going?"
Soo-ji's mind raced. "Shopping," she blurted, nodding rapidly.
"Without a card?" Tae-hyun raised an eyebrow.
She spun around, glaring. "I'm not broke."
"No one said you were," he drawled, lifting his black card with a flick of his fingers. "But as long as you're here, your expenses are my responsibility."
"That wasn't in the contract. I can take care of myself." Her voice was sharp, defensive.
Tae-hyun's eyes glittered with mischief. "Then let's all go shopping."
"No!" Soo-ji's voice cracked before she cleared her throat. "I mean, there's no need to trouble yourself—"
"They won't mind," Tae-hyun said, gesturing lazily at the table of stunned men. "Especially if I foot the bill for everyone's shopping, plus it's almost suffocating here a little fresh air would be perfect."
Min-jae dropped his forehead into his hand. "Sir, we still need to finalize—"
Tae-hyun's eyes darkened. "Hey! Min-jae do I need to remind you your place Everytime? I'm getting sick of it already, the next time you cross the line I would have your head for breakfast and your brain for dinner"
"My apologies sir" Min-jae apologize though it didn't quite come from his heart.
"Do Hyung is right, we can't give too much attention to them but I can't let them go either, So gather the evidence, handle the cleanup, and don't mess up." Then he stood "now my mood is ruined" he said tossing the card to Mr. Jun, who caught it with wide eyes.
He tilted his head, that infuriating smirk on his lips. "Shall we, Ms. Kim?"
Soo-ji sighed, clutching her bag as she followed him out, muttering under her breath, "I can't even dictate his mood right now…"