That same evening, Ga-young lay on her bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling as her thoughts wandered nowhere in particular. A sigh slipped past her lips for what felt like the hundredth time when her phone suddenly buzzed. She sluggishly reached for it—then froze the moment Ji-hoon's name lit up her screen.
Her lips curved into a small, surprised smile as she quickly answered.
"Hello," she said, trying to sound composed.
A chuckle rolled through the receiver. "What? You sound surprised I called," Ji-hoon teased, the warmth in his voice almost visible.
Ga-young let out a soft laugh. "Yes, well… it's not like you to suddenly call," she said, pacing a little around her room.
"Are you home right now?" he asked, almost like he'd been building up the courage to say it.
"Yes," she replied slowly. "Why? Is everything alright?"
"It's nothing serious…" Ji-hoon paused, his tone softening. "Do you want to take a stroll?"
Ga-young's smile grew. "Sure. Where do we meet?"
"I'm already in front of your house."
Her eyes widened. "Wait—what?!" She rushed to the window, and there he was, standing below with his hands stuffed in his pockets, the streetlight throwing a faint halo around him. "You should've told me earlier! I'll be right down."
She hurried into a hoodie and bolted downstairs, brushing past her mother's nagging voice.
"Where are you going at this hour?" Mrs. Choi asked sharply.
"Just a stroll with Ji-hoon!" Ga-young called over her shoulder before escaping into the cold night.
The chill nipped at her skin until Ji-hoon's ever-present smile warmed it away.
"Hi," he said simply.
"Hi," she answered, waving a little, her tone light but nowhere near as flustered as his.
"Shall we?" he gestured forward.
"Mm," she nodded, falling into step beside him.
As they walked, Ga-young tilted her head back to stare at the stars, her expression softening.
"You like the sky a lot, don't you?" Ji-hoon asked, watching her more than the heavens.
"It's pretty," she said with a small sigh. "That's my favorite part about night walks."
Ji-hoon's lips twitched with unspoken words. "…You're my favorite part." The words slipped out barely above a whisper.
Ga-young blinked and turned to him. "Did you say something?"
He quickly shook his head, a sheepish grin tugging at his mouth. "Nothing. Just… here." He slipped his coat off and draped it over her shoulders.
She frowned lightly. "I'm not even that cold. What about you?"
"I'm fine. Actually, I feel warmer now," he said with a crooked smile.
Ga-young chuckled and shook her head. "You're ridiculous." She didn't notice the way his eyes softened as they continued down the quiet street.
---
The next morning, Ga-young stepped out in her sleek office wear, only to find Ji-hoon leaning casually against his car, two steaming cups of coffee in hand.
She blinked in surprise. "Ji-hoon? What are you doing here so early?"
He shrugged, handing her a cup. "Just because."
Her smile brightened as she accepted it. "Thanks. But really, you don't have to keep doing these little things for me."
"Too late," he said with a playful smirk. "Besides, I'm headed to your company anyway. Remember? That meeting with your charmingly grumpy boss."
"Oh right, Min-jae." She chuckled.
"Come on, get in. I heard he doesn't tolerate latecomers."
She hesitated but finally gave in. "Fine, fine. Thank you."
Moments later, as they arrived, Ga-young stepped out—only to lock eyes with Min-jae across the pavement. His gaze lingered for the briefest second before turning away, his bodyguard following him inside.
Something unexplainable tightened in her chest. She quickly shook it off, waving at Ji-hoon. "I'll see you later!" she said cheerfully, rushing toward the elevator.
But the universe had other plans—because when the doors opened, Min-jae was already inside.
Her pulse quickened as she stepped in, keeping her eyes low.
"Ms. Choi," his deep voice broke the silence.
"Y-yes, Mr. Min-jae?" she stammered. "I didn't know how to—"
"I hope you rested well. There's a lot to do today," he cut in, his tone calm but weighted.
"Yes, sir."
"The chairman is visiting later to see my progress," he said, his voice carrying a shade of heaviness.
She dared to meet his eyes. "He can be harsh, but he's still your father. He just wants the best for you."
Min-jae's lips curled faintly. "I didn't tell you that so you could comfort me. I told you because I expect my secretary to stand by me."
Then, suddenly, he leaned closer—close enough that her breath caught.
"…It's gone," he murmured.
Before she could ask, the doors opened. He stepped out without glancing back.
Only then did she realize what he meant. Touching her cheek, she muttered, "The scar… from that slap. It still hurts. Does she have metal for palms?"
"Who are you talking to?" Ji-hye's voice startled her from behind.
Ga-young jumped. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
"You were thinking about something," Ji-hye pressed.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
"Hey, wait up!" Ji-hye called, chasing after her.
---
The conference room was stifling, weighed down by silence thick enough to choke on. The only sounds were the rhythmic flip of Min-jae's papers and Ji-hoon's pen tapping absentmindedly against the polished oak table. Then—
Click. The door swung open.
Chairman Hwan entered, flanked by Mr. Noh. The air shifted instantly, heavy with unspoken rules. Like clockwork, Ga-young, Min-jae, and Ji-hoon rose in unison, bowing so precisely it looked rehearsed.
Chairman Hwan's face was carved from stone, his lips never once hinting at a smile. He lowered himself into the head chair with authority and gestured for the others to sit.
"I'd prefer you keep it short and precise," he said, his voice as sharp as a blade.
Min-jae wasted no time. "Project makeover, The global cosmetics industry is evolving rapidly, with inclusivity now the key driver of customer loyalty. In Korea, the growing number of foreign residents has created a demand for products tailored to diverse skin tones. This proposal introduces a cosmetics line that not only addresses this gap but also strengthens our position as innovators in customer care."
Chairman Hwan's eyes narrowed, calculating. "Which team is handling this project?"
"Allegedly Team Five," Min-jae answered smoothly.
The chairman's frown deepened. "Then why aren't they here? Shouldn't the team responsible for the project represent it—especially their leader?"
Min-jae's jaw tightened. "You always insist we keep it short and precise."
A dangerous pause.
"Not even the leader?" Chairman Hwan pressed, his tone colder, the tension rising like static in the room.
Min-jae's eyes flickered with defiance. "We've already told you everything you need to know."
Chairman Hwan shifted his gaze. "Ji-hoon. You're the formulation expert, am I wrong?"
"No, Chairman," Ji-hoon replied evenly.
"Then you must have an estimated timeline. How long until a prototype?"
Ji-hoon met his stare without flinching. "If my calculations are correct, half a month is more than enough to prepare one for testing."
Chairman Hwan exhaled slowly, the weight of his skepticism pressing down on them. "It's a good project. But I was expecting your project, Min-jae—not Mr. Shin's."
Min-jae smirked, a glint of challenge in his eyes. "I knew you were, Chairman. That's why I prepared something far more…interesting. Secretary Choi?"
Ga-young rose gracefully, bowing before she began.
"Imagine a foundation that mirrors your skin tone in real time. A lipstick that shifts shades with the light. Skincare intelligent enough to read hydration levels and release nutrients only when your skin demands it." She paused deliberately, letting the silence stretch, eyes sweeping across the room. "This is Chromatic Skin—a revolutionary bio-adaptive line powered by smart micro-pigment technology and nano-sensors. By merging biotechnology with beauty, K&H Aurora Labs doesn't create products. It creates living formulas that evolve with the wearer."
Her words lingered in the air like perfume.
Chairman Hwan's expression didn't soften, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of interest. "And how do I know this isn't just a polished speech with no substance behind it?"
Min-jae leaned back in his chair, lips curling into that infuriating smirk. "You don't. Not until I prove it."
Chairman Hwan stood, the scrape of his chair echoing like a gavel. "I could set a deadline, but that would make it look like I want you to fail."
Min-jae let out a low chuckle—an air laugh, dangerous in its mockery—before his face hardened again. "No, Chairman. You're afraid I'll finish before the deadline. And that terrifies your pride more than failure ever could."
For the first time, the Chairman hesitated. His gaze cut back over his shoulder, lingering on Min-jae, but he left without another word.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Ji-hoon whistled low, breaking the tension. "Oookay… I'll leave you two geniuses to it. I've got somewhere to be." He stood, flashing Ga-young a fleeting smile before making his exit.
Ga-young's eyes flicked toward Min-jae. She wanted to speak—anything to pierce the storm brewing in him—but her words stayed locked in her throat. She exhaled instead, her silence heavy, as she watched the anger in Min-jae build with each second, his composure cracking like ice under pressure.