{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
"I'm sorry," Joon So Min bowed her head in apology.
"Take your apology somewhere else," An Nari snapped and turned away, walking off with her heels clicking coldly against the tiled floor.
Joon So Min stared at her back, shoulders sinking. Why? Of all people to meet today... why her?! She hadn't expected to run into An Nari at the mall, especially not after everything. Heaven, do you just hate me or what?
With a frustrated sigh, she rushed into the store.
"Good day, ma'am! How can I help you?" the attendant greeted with a cheerful smile.
"I'm here to pick up the designs for Mat & Made," So Min said quickly.
"Ah, yes! One moment." The attendant brought out three carefully packed boxes and placed them on the counter. "Here you go."
"Thank you." So Min bowed politely and collected the boxes.
She struggled with them outside the mall, balancing them in her arms. Her eyes scanned the road.
"Taxi!" she called, stepping forward. Nothing stopped. No one even slowed.
Defeated, she dropped the boxes on the floor and let out an exhausted sigh. Her legs were tired, her pride was bruised, and her luck clearly nonexistent.
Then, out of nowhere, a sleek black sports car rolled up and stopped directly in front of her.
The passenger door opened and Mr. No stepped out. Her eyes widened instantly. No. Not him again...
From the car stepped out Lee Seo Jun, clad in a tuxedo, his hair slicked back, his expression unreadable.
What now?!
He looked at her calmly. "What are you doing here?"
She blinked. "W-What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to mask her nerves with a weak smile.
"Get in," he said simply.
Before she could protest, he nodded at Mr. No, who promptly picked up the boxes without a word.
"Go in," Seo Jun repeated, and this time, she obeyed.
⸻
Inside the car, the air was tense. Polished. Expensive. Joon So Min sat stiffly beside him.
"Where do you stop?" he asked, his voice casual.
"We're almost there," she replied with a nervous smile.
"Are you busy?"
"Yes... kind of. I just came to pick up the designs and I'm heading back to work," she explained, fidgeting with her fingers.
He didn't respond right away. Then, "What about my proposal?"
"You said I had a week," she reminded him, forcing another smile.
"You can give me the answer now."
So Min glanced toward the front seat. Was he seriously having this conversation in front of Mr. No?!
But there was no way out now. "Yes," she finally said. "I'll work for you."
A thick pause followed. Their eyes met briefly, locking in something she couldn't name.
"Good," he said at last. "Your phone."
She blinked. "My phone?"
"Let's exchange numbers."
She slowly handed it to him. He typed in his number and dialed. His own phone rang, and he saved her contact.
•Joon So Min•
"Done," he said.
⸻
The car came to a smooth stop in front of Mat & Made.
"Thank you so much," So Min said quickly, bowing to Mr. No, who had stepped out to help with the boxes again.
"I can take them from here!" she insisted awkwardly. What in the rich-people drama is this? He's a whole manager, and I'm making him carry boxes like a porter?!
Mr. No smiled. "It's alright, miss."
People passing by began to stare. The car alone was enough to draw attention but now they were really looking. God... they probably think I'm some idol's secret girlfriend!
"No miss, allow me," Mr. No added, already carrying the boxes inside.
One of the staff ran toward her, eyes wide. "So Min! Who's that man? Is he your father?"
So Min gave a tight, awkward smile. "No. He's not."
The girl giggled. "He looks like someone straight out of a drama."
They set the boxes down and stepped outside together. Mr. No bowed politely and returned to the car.
Lee Seo Jun was still standing by the vehicle, surveying the building.
"Thank you," she said, bowing again.
He glanced at her. "Do you like working here? Running errands?"
"Yes," she answered honestly. "Miss Kim took me in when I needed a job. I was still in school then. I learned a lot about fashion here... but I plan to open my own brand one day."
"I like hardworking people," he said, simply.
So Min's heart nearly burst. Wait. Did he just say he liked me? No... no. Focus, So Min.
"Thank you," she mumbled, cheeks warm.
"I'll take my leave now," he said, stepping back into the car.
Mr. No closed the door for him and quickly drove off.
So Min watched the car disappear, then turned and exhaled loudly. As she stepped back into the store...
"So Min!" the girls called.
"Who was that fine man?!" one asked, grinning.
"No one important," she said, flustered again.
They didn't stop teasing her for the rest of the afternoon.
⸻
Meanwhile, at a luxury building...
"Sir, we're here," Mr. No said.
Lee Seo Jun looked out the window. People were walking inside in designer suits and dresses, the building sparkling with lights and glamour.
"Okay," he sighed.
Mr. No stepped out and opened the door.
Seo Jun adjusted his tuxedo and stepped out. Calm, composed, cold,his signature.
People turned to look at him. He was elegance itself.
"Let's go, sir," Mr. No said.
The doorman bowed and opened the doors. Seo Jun flashed a black card,an exclusive emblem of the Lee family.
No one questioned him.