The phone call hung between them like a fragile thread. Neither of them spoke for several seconds. The sound of faint breathing came through the receiver, but no words.
Mira leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowing slightly as if she could picture Jiwon's stubborn face on the other side of the line. The woman was unpredictable — like a wildfire in sneakers — and yet, she wanted her on her team.
Finally, Jiwon's voice broke the silence."...Fine," she said reluctantly, dragging out the word like it cost her pride. "But how much is the pay?"
Mira's lips curled into a small, almost teasing smile. "You'll be paid enough. Join us tomorrow."
"Enough is vague," Jiwon replied, suspicion lacing her tone. "Is it 'I-can-buy-gold-shoes' enough or 'I-can-pay-my-rent-and-still-eat' enough?"
"Both. Depending on how smart you are," Mira said smoothly.
There was another pause. Then, a curt:"Alright. Tomorrow then."
The line went dead.
🌅 The Next Morning
The elevator doors slid open to the penthouse floor of Mira's company, and there she was — Jiwon, strolling in as if she owned the place, wearing a baggy white shirt tucked halfway into loose cargo pants. Her hair was tied back loosely, a few strands falling across her face, and on her feet… sneakers that had clearly survived many adventures.
When Mira's assistant knocked and opened the office door, Mira's eyes flickered up from her laptop — and widened just a little."You…" she muttered, her voice caught between disbelief and amusement.
Jiwon grinned like she had just been complimented. "Morning."
Mira gestured for her to come in, leaning back in her chair with an assessing gaze. She slid a thick contract across the desk. "Before you start working for me, there are rules."
"Rules?" Jiwon echoed, raising a brow.
"Yes. And these are non-negotiable." Mira's voice sharpened as she read them aloud:
Professionalism at all times — in attire, in behavior, in speech.
No scandals, no unnecessary attention.
Follow company hierarchy — when I say jump, you don't ask why, you ask how high.
Confidentiality is not optional — every detail you learn here stays here.
You finish what you start. No running away when things get hard.
Jiwon signed without even reading the rest. "Done."
Mira's eyes scanned her from head to toe again. "Don't you have something… professional to wear?"
Jiwon shook her head casually. "Nope. I like these. They're comfortable. And I only have these."
The corner of Mira's mouth twitched. She glanced at her assistant. "We have a mission. Ready the car."
The assistant smirked knowingly. "Yes, ma'am."
🛍 Mission: Style Rescue
The drive to the luxury mall was quiet, except for the occasional click of Mira's nails on her phone screen. Jiwon, however, was pressed against the window, watching the tall glass buildings slide by.
When they arrived, the sheer size of the shopping complex made Jiwon stop in her tracks. "This place looks like it could buy me and sell me twice."
"That's the point," Mira replied smoothly, stepping inside.
For the next six hours, Jiwon was dragged from boutique to boutique, fitted into sleek blazers, silk blouses, pencil skirts, tailored trousers, and dresses that whispered sophistication. She went from grumbling about being a "corporate mannequin" to admiring her reflection in mirrors.
"You can have whatever you want," Mira said once, almost too casually.
Jiwon smirked. "Dangerous words, boss lady." And she meant them — because she didn't hold back.
After the clothes came beauty treatments — her hair was trimmed and styled, her nails polished, her makeup refined into an effortless glow.
By the end, Jiwon was carrying armfuls ofluxury brand bags, her sneakers replaced by sleek heels.
🌙 Back at Home
The sky had already turned deep violet when Mira's car stopped outside Jiwon's place. "See you tomorrow," Mira said, as Jiwon stepped out with her shopping haul.
Inside, the apartment was quiet. Leo still wasn't home. Jiwon placed the bags on the couch, opened each one, and beganarranging the clothes in the closet — touching the fabrics like they were alien treasures.
Afterwards, she flopped onto the couch, meaning to wait for Leo… but sleep claimed her.
🌄 The Next Day
Jiwon's school shift ended at noon. She arrived at the office in her school uniform but quickly changed into her new corporate outfit — navy blazer, white silk blouse, tailored pants — and stared at herself in the mirror for a long second before smirking.
A knock came at the door.
"Come in," Jiwon called.
It was Mira. "First day. I'll introduce you."
They walked to another office, where Mira gestured to a man in his late twenties with sharp glasses and a confident air. "This is the manager of the social media and graphic design team. He'll be your direct lead. Learn everything from him."
The man extended a hand politely. "Welcome aboard."
"Thanks," Jiwon replied with a grin.
Mira lingered just long enough to say, "Good luck on your first day," before closing the door behind her.
Jiwon leaned against the desk, already scanning the screens and papers around her.
"Coffee?" she asked the assistant without looking away from a design mock-up.
"Sure," the assistant replied, already noting that this new recruit was going to shake things up.
🛋️ Sibling Banter & Hidden Truths
The warm glow from the kitchen spilled lazily into the living room, where Leo had kicked back on the couch, one arm draped over the backrest, a mug of black coffee cooling on the table. Jiwon padded in wearing an oversized hoodie and mismatched socks, humming under her breath like she owned the place. She plopped herself down on the arm of the couch instead of the cushion, bumping his shoulder with her knee.
"Move," Leo muttered, tilting his head toward the empty cushion.
"I like this spot," she replied, smirking. "Better view to annoy you."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "You came in here just to annoy me?"
"Partially. Also because your coffee smells good," she said, already leaning forward to grab it.
He snatched the mug just in time. "Nope. You'll drown it in sugar and ruin it."
"That's the only way to drink coffee," she said, pouting dramatically. "You drink yours like a grumpy old man."
"Better a grumpy old man than a hyper squirrel," Leo shot back, taking a slow sip just to rub it in.
Jiwon rolled her eyes but didn't move away. Instead, she let her gaze wander around the room, tapping her fingers against her thigh in that restless way that meant she was hiding something.
Leo noticed. "Alright, spill."
"Spill what?" she asked, feigning innocence.
"Whatever's making you tap like you're sending Morse code to the couch," he said, nodding at her hand. "You've been… busy lately. Out a lot. Phone blowing up. Where have you been going?"
Jiwon hesitated a fraction of a second too long. "Just… places."
He gave her the look — the one that said I'm your brother, don't even try me.
"You're not my probation officer," she muttered.
"No, I'm worse. I'm your brother," Leo said, leaning forward. "And last time you started 'just going places' without telling me, you nearly got a tattoo with that one idiot—"
"Hey! That was years ago!" she cut in quickly, smacking his arm. "And I didn't even get it, so let it go."
"Not the point," he said, brushing off the smack. "You're obviously working somewhere. And I know you. You don't dress up unless you have to impress someone."
Her cheeks warmed, but she kept her voice casual. "You're being paranoid."
"I'm being right," he corrected. "So? What is it? Wait, is it some guy?"
Jiwon groaned and slid down onto the couch cushion, hugging a throw pillow to her chest. "Ugh, you're impossible."
He smirked, sensing he was getting closer to the truth. "If you're hiding a boyfriend from me—"
"There's no boyfriend!" she said a little too loudly. "And even if there was, it's none of your business."
Leo leaned back, studying her face. He wasn't buying it. "You're hiding something, Ji. And I'm gonna find out."
"You're nosy," she shot back.
"You're secretive," he countered.
"Well, at least I'm not boring."
His eyes narrowed playfully. "Oh, really?"
"Yeah. You just work, come home, drink your bitter coffee, and sulk like a melodramatic K-drama hero who lost the girl," she teased, grinning.
The jab hit its mark — his expression tightened for a split second before he snorted. "You watch too many dramas."
"You are one," she said, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Should I get you a sad piano soundtrack to match your life?"
Leo was up before she could blink, lunging across the couch. "Oh, you're dead."
She squealed, dropping the pillow and scrambling off the couch. "Not fair!"
"You started it," he said, chasing her around the coffee table.
They darted through the living room like kids again, Jiwon laughing breathlessly and Leo muttering half-hearted threats under his breath. She nearly tripped over the rug, but recovered and sprinted toward the hallway, knowing he'd catch her eventually — and maybe, just maybe, that was the whole point.