The next day, the conference room felt heavier than ever.
Min-jae's presence, as usual, was like a dark cloud — his strict posture, unreadable gaze, and frost-edged tone seemed to drain whatever warmth might've dared to linger. No one dared crack a joke or even breathe too loudly.
The door creaked open, and Ji-hoon stepped in, his soft smile instantly cutting through the room's icy air.
"Sorry I'm late — something came up," he said sincerely, bowing slightly.
Min-jae looked up, his eyes lingering on Ji-hoon for a moment before leaning forward.
"You came just in time. Please, have a seat," he said — oddly polite, and enough to make a few heads lift in surprise.
The meeting wrapped up quickly after that, ending with a brisk exchange of files and clipped goodbyes. Within minutes, everyone scattered back to their stations.
In the staff lounge, Ga-young and Ji-hye lounged on the couch, their laughter softly filling the otherwise quiet space. Ji-hoon strolled in, hands casually tucked into his pockets.
"I can't believe you two are still this close," he said, amusement in his tone.
"What? Were you expecting our friendship to die?" Ji-hye scoffed. "I knew I didn't have many well-wishers."
"How have you been?" Ji-hoon asked.
Ji-hye tilted her head playfully. "How do I look?"
Ji-hoon squinted, pretending to examine her. "Like a married woman with three kids."
"Hey!" Ji-hye gasped dramatically. "How can you say that? I'm deeply wounded."
"You're being ridiculous. Isn't that exactly what you are?" Ga-young said, suppressing a grin.
"You too?" Ji-hye turned to her, scandalized. "Wow. My best friend betrays me in broad daylight."
"There's nothing wrong with it," Ji-hoon said with a small chuckle. "You still look good."
Ji-hye stood abruptly, clutching her chest in mock pain. "For your information, I have only one kid. And my husband says I don't look a day over eighteen." With a toss of her hair, she swept out of the lounge.
Ga-young chuckled quietly as the door swung shut behind her.
"Did I say something wrong?" Ji-hoon asked, genuinely confused.
"No," Ga-young replied. "She's just being dramatic."
"Ga-young," he said suddenly.
She turned to him. "Yes?"
"If you're free, I'd like to treat you to dinner tonight. At my place."
Her eyes widened. "Pardon?"
"I'm sorry — that sounded too casual. A restaurant would be better," he corrected.
"No, no… it's fine," Ga-young said, smiling faintly. "You just caught me off guard. Let's do it."
Before Ji-hoon could respond, a bright voice interrupted.
"Sorry to bother you, Ms. Choi — Mr. Min-jae requests your attention," Su-min said, her words quick and sweet before she scampered away.
Ga-young sighed. "I'll see you later," she told Ji-hoon before leaving the lounge.
The moment she stepped into Min-jae's office, the weight in the air seemed to double. She stood before his desk, wondering — not for the first time — why she had ever gotten involved with him. Was it ever real? Or was she just someone he pitied?
"Ms. Choi," Min-jae's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Yes, sir?" she replied, straightening.
"I need a favor," he said, his tone carefully measured.
"A favor?" she echoed.
"Yes. You know I have a blind date scheduled tomorrow with the daughter of Mira Group's chairman," he said, leaning back slightly.
"Yes. It's… important you don't miss it," Ga-young replied.
"That's the problem," Min-jae said, his gaze locking onto hers. "I have a critical meeting with Kang Magazines at the same time. I might not be able to attend."
She frowned. "So… what exactly do you want me to do about it?"
"It would be rude to cancel entirely," he said calmly. "So, I want you to go in my place — just to keep her company until I can join."
Ga-young blinked. "Pardon?"
"I believe you'd be the best person to explain the situation and make her understand. Don't you think it would be… professional if my secretary represented me?"
Her lips parted, but no words came out. After a moment, she exhaled slowly. "…Yes, sir."
"Perfect! I'll have Mr. Noh prepare everything you need." Min-jae reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black card. "Also—don't let her pay for anything. Take her shopping, spoil her, whatever she wants." He extended the card toward Ga-young.
Ga-young hesitated before taking it, her fingers brushing the edge like it might bite. "Yes, sir. I'll make sure everything goes perfectly." She curved her lips into a flawless fake smile—right before the office door burst open.
"Who missed me?" Ji-hye sang, stepping in with a grin that could blind a room—until her eyes landed on Ga-young. The smile flatlined. "Oh. The traitor's here." She shut the door behind her with deliberate finality.
"Ji-hye," Min-jae said, voice calm but edged, "you know you can't just barge into my office."
"Why not? Afraid I'll walk in on you and Ga-young doing something… inappropriate?" Ji-hye's eyes narrowed.
"Ji-hye!" Ga-young's shock cracked through her voice.
"What?" Ji-hye shrugged innocently. "Everyone says first love never dies. And if I recall correctly, you two were each other's first."
Ga-young exhaled "this girl would be the death of me" she muttered under her breath.
"Are you free this Saturday?" Ji-hye questioned.
"I've got plans," they both replied at the same time.
Ji-hye's brows knitted. "Hold on—did you two just chorus your excuse? Are you planning something without me?"
"No, it's not like that," Ga-young said, forcing a casual tone. "It just so happens we're both busy."
"Come on! Just ditch whatever it is. Hyun-woo already agreed to watch Ha-eun this weekend." Ji-hye leaned in, almost pleading.
"I'm sorry, but I'll have to pass," Ga-young replied firmly.
Ji-hye swiveled toward Min-jae, her voice softening into sugar. "Hyung?"
"I've got a deal to close," he said, almost too smoothly.
Ji-hye stood, blowing out an exasperated breath. "You both are impossible." She turned for the door.
"How about Sunday?" Ga-young blurted suddenly. "I'm free then."
Ji-hye's face brightened instantly. "Perfect! We could even hit the sauna. What do you say, hyung?"
"Fine!" Min-jae said with a sigh. "And stop calling me hyung. Makes me feel ancient."
"Aren't you—" Ji-hye said, almost too abruptly.
"Hey!" Min-jae cut in, his tone sharp enough to slice through her words. "Don't even start."
"Fine!" Ji-hye huffed dramatically, but her lips curled into a mischievous grin. "But only because you agreed to come to the sauna. And please—both of you—leave the awkward vibe at the door. I don't allow bad energy in my happy place." She gave them a quick, dazzling smile before stepping out and closing the door with a decisive click.
Silence immediately settled in again—thick, uncomfortable, and almost suffocating.
Ga-young shifted slightly, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "I'm… sorry about Ji-hye," she said hesitantly, as if afraid to break the stillness.
"Why should you be?" Min-jae's voice was calm, but his eyes—cold and unreadable—met hers without flinching. "She's my friend. Teasing me is practically in her job description."
"I just thought you might've felt… uncomfortable," she murmured, searching his expression for any crack in the armor.
He scoffed, a short, humorless sound. "Uncomfortable? If you think the past still bothers me, I'm sorry to disappoint you—it doesn't. You and I…" his gaze didn't waver, "…are back to strangers. So there's nothing to be uncomfortable about."
The words should have felt like relief—proof that he held no grudge.
But instead, they struck like a blade dipped in ice. Strangers? She could've lived with enemies. At least enemies acknowledged your existence.
She forced a faint smile, her breath catching just slightly. "I'm grateful you see it that way. If you'll excuse me…"
Without waiting for a response, Ga-young rose and walked out, her footsteps quiet but deliberate, leaving Min-jae alone in the cold echo of his own words.