The soft sound of the door unlocking. Hanna stepped in gracefully, holding a small takeout bag in one hand. She was dressed in casual luxury. Relaxed, but elegant. She kicked off her heels, stepping onto the warm floor… then froze.
Her eyes dropped to the row of indoor slippers. Two pairs had always been there. Her soft pinks. His cool navy blues. Now… there was a third pair.Bright pink. Still pristine. Still warm from use.
"You got an extra pair of slippers? For me?" she asked casually, but sharp.
Lee Ryun, who had just walked out from the bedroom, froze momentarily. Then came a grin, a quick recovery. "Of course! You always say I'm too predictable. I thought…why not mix it up? New color, new vibe. I'm getting sweeter, aren't I?" He stepped closer and pecked her cheek.
"You're so sweet ," Hanna replied, smiling softly. But something flickered behind her eyes.
She walked into the kitchen to place the food. Paused. Something didn't feel right. She scanned the counter. There it was. A pink mug. Not hers. She had her own at this villa. But this one was too… cutesy. Covered in strawberry prints.
"New mug too?"
Ryun turned fast, startled. "Yeah!…it came with the slippers. A little set. Got it at that place near Han River. You know the one."
"The one I introduced you to?"
"Exactly. Thought I'd pick up something extra."
She placed the dinner down carefully. The clatter of ceramic was a bit louder than usual. Then Hanna stepped away from the kitchen — quiet, but with purpose. Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she headed down the hall toward the bedroom.
"Babe?" Ryun called, chuckling nervously. "What, you looking for another surprise? I swear I didn't hide a puppy in there."
She placed the dinner down carefully. The clatter of ceramic was a bit louder than usual. Then Hanna stepped away from the kitchen. Quiet , but with purpose. Her feet padded quietly across the polished floor, each step careful as she moved down the hallway toward the bedroom, tension curling beneath her calm exterior.
"Babe?" Ryun called, chuckling nervously. "What, you looking for another surprise? I swear I didn't hide a puppy in there."
"Just checking something," Hanna said flatly, without turning. She opened the bedroom door slowly. The familiar scent hit her nose. Her perfume, lingering faintly.
But something felt… off.
Hanna scanned the bedroom. The bed,slightly wrinkled, but fine. Bathroom,towels hung neatly. Nothing out of place. Maybe she was overthinking.
She exhaled. Then…
"You know… there's no way I'd bring one of my cheating drama characters into this reality," Ryun said softly behind her. His arms slid gently around her waist from behind. "Especially when the lead in my life is someone like you."
His voice was low and warm, words wrapping around her like silk.
"You're too good at that… that sweet-mouth actor thing," she sighed, leaning back into him.
"Only when the role matters."
She turned to face him. Their eyes met. "Maybe I'm just being one of those women… you know, overly suspicious and full of imagination."
"Or maybe you just care." His voice was soft, almost teasing, but his eyes searched hers, trying to soothe the lingering doubt.
"Still. You must really love me if you put up with my detective phases." She let out a short breath, her lips curling into a wry smile, though her gaze remained sharp, probing for reassurance.
"Love you enough to let you search every drawer if it helps." He grinned and opened his arms without hesitation, stepping closer.
He pulled her into a tight hug. Hanna closed her eyes slowly, the warmth of his embrace sinking into her chest. Her shoulders eased. Her breath slowed. Relaxed now. Almost convinced. Almost.
The meeting had just ended. Employees at Kang Corporation were starting to wrap up. Lee Taehyun exited the meeting room with his smooth, signature confidence.
"Well, a successful start deserves a decent dinner. Let me treat everyone tonight. My welcome gift to Kang Corporation," he said cheerfully to the group.
Gasps of excitement rippled across the floor. "Wait… did he say treat?"
"He's definitely not like our usual guests."
"Dinner? Say no more. I know a very exclusive place," Bora perked up instantly. "They serve steak on Himalayan salt blocks… and the waiters wear suits tighter than your KPIs."
Everyone blinked.
"That… sounds oddly specific," Taehyun said, amused.
"I do my research, Director Lee. For business purposes," Bora replied with a dramatic hair flick.
Laughter followed. Taehyun chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment, but his eyes casually drifted toward Seri, who was calmly organizing her files. Not speaking. Just listening with a small, unreadable smile.
"What about you, Miss Im? Any recommendations?"
"Oh… I'm fine with whatever the team picks," Seri looked up briefly.
"She's fine with anything… unless it wastes her time, dulls her mind, or clashes with her shoes," Bora said with a grin, throwing Seri a knowing glance.
Seri smirked as she heard that, the corner of her lips curving with quiet amusement.
"Let's do Kangsung Rooftop? That place is fancy enough for a celebration," one of the coworkers chimed in, already reaching for their phone to check the menu.
"Perfect. 7PM. I'll book the table," Taehyun confirmed.
At that very moment, Junho stepped out from his office. The group instinctively straightened up like they'd been caught gossiping. Taehyun turned to him smoothly.
"CEO Kang. We're having dinner tonight to celebrate the collaboration. You should join us."
"Not my kind of celebration," Junho said coolly, his expression calm… but something in his eyes didn't match the words.
"Shame. I was hoping to learn your taste in wine."
Junho ignored the jab. But his gaze shifted to Seri, who was politely standing behind the group. "You'll come, right?" Taehyun turned to Seri again.
"Why not? It's part of the job," Seri replied, firm but calm.
Junho's eye twitched slightly.His eyes lingered on Seri for a moment longer. Almost like he was rethinking something. But he turned away without another word and headed back into his office. The door closed behind him.
It was a warm night at the dinner celebration, held on a glamorous open-air terrace high above the Seoul skyline. The golden lights of the city twinkled below like fallen stars. Soft jazz music hummed through the speakers. Fairy lights hung across the ceiling frame. Chic, modern, and elite but not uncomfortably stiff.
Kang Corporation staff occupied a reserved section. Drinks were flowing. Laughter bubbled.
Seri sat quietly at the far side of the long table. She was dressed in a soft beige blouse and cropped slacks, paired with minimal jewelry. Clean. Effortless. Beautiful without trying. She scrolled her phone a moment, then put it face down.
Across the table, Bora…as always was the spectacle."Guys. Does this drink match my aura or is it too… approachable?" she said, holding a mocktail up to the light.
"It looks like juice."
"It's dragonfruit infused passion fizz, okay? Not juice. It's branding," Bora flicked her hair aggressively.
"Your aura is definitely… fruity."
Bora glared, then spotted a waiter walking by with caviar. She straightened her posture dramatically, pretending to look elegant — then promptly choked on her drink.
"Do you… want a lemon wedge to complete the performance?" Seri blinked slowly.
"I was trying to manifest wealth," Bora coughed.
The group laughed. Bora fixed her hair and glanced at the entrance.
"Where's Mr. Lee? I didn't spend 45 minutes on this eyeliner just to seduce the bread basket."
One of the employees glanced at the empty entrance, tilting their head. "Maybe he's stuck in traffic," they murmured, trying to sound casual but the hopeful glance they cast toward the elevator gave them away.
At the same time, back at the office, Junho sat at his desk, finalizing reports. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt beneath a tailored navy suit, the top button undone, tie slightly loosened. The city glowed outside the glass panels behind him.
His phone buzzed.
Dinner tonight? I have more thoughts about the interview. You'll want to hear them
He stared at the text from Hanna for a moment, then picked up the phone and called her.
"You called," Hanna answered, sweet and confident.
"Where should we meet?"
"Not here. And not anywhere obvious. I'll text you the place."
"Hanna…"
"It's just dinner, Kang Junho. Don't overthink."
The line ended. Junho put the phone down slowly. Then… a flicker of thought. His eyes glanced at the time.
A few minutes later…
Soft jazz played, accompanied by a low ripple of excitement from the female staff.
Someone had just arrived.
Lee Taehyun stepped out of the elevator. Casual, but unmistakably striking. No suit. Just a clean white shirt tucked into dark slacks, watch gleaming subtly, hair slightly tousled like he walked out of a cologne ad and didn't even try.
"Even his footsteps have swag…" Bora whispered to herself, jaw dropping as she immediately dropped her fork.
"Sorry I'm late. Something came up last minute that I had to take care of," Taehyun said brightly, approaching with an apologetic smile. "Is everyone here?"
"Except Daejin, we were just waiting on you to begin…" someone said with a grin.
Taehyun glanced over with a polite smile. "Well, since Mr. Kang couldn't make it, Daejin must feel a little awkward being here without him. but that's okay."
"Well, look who finally decided to show up. Good to see you tonight, Director Lee… I was about to file a missing person report for that jawline." Bora flipped her hair with mock drama, eyes twinkling with mischief.
Taehyun offered a charming nod, slipping effortlessly into his seat. "Apologies for the suspense. I'll try to be on time next time… wouldn't want to stress anyone out."
Laughter circled the table, but Bora leaned in just slightly, eyes gleaming. "Good. Because this eyeliner wasn't meant to impress the tablecloth." Bora winked.