Ga-young stepped into the restaurant, the warm glow of chandeliers glinting across the marble floor. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, trying not to look overwhelmed by the grandeur as she walked in.
From the side hall, the quick click of heels broke her focus. A soft gasp followed, then a wobble.
"Careful—!" Ga-young darted forward, catching the woman by the arm just before she toppled.
The stranger steadied herself, pressing a hand against her chest, relief flooding her delicate features. Then her eyes lifted.
Ye-seul.
Her lips curved into the kindest smile, almost glowing. "Oh my goodness… thank you," she breathed, still a little shaken. She tilted her head, studying Ga-young closely before pausing. "Wait… have we met before?"
Ga-young's eyes narrowed. Of course—this was the same lady who barged into the office as Min-jae's first love. Before she could respond, a familiar deep voice broke through the air.
"Ye-seul, I told you not to—" Min-jae's words faltered as his gaze shifted, landing on Ga-young. His posture stiffened. "Ms. Choi?"
Ye-seul's eyes lit up in recognition. "Oh my God! So you're Ms. Choi, the secretary! I knew I'd seen you somewhere before. I wanted to introduce myself the other day, but you walked out so suddenly."
"My apologies," Ga-young replied smoothly, trying to mask her irritation.
Ye-seul waved it off and clung lightly to Min-jae's arm, smiling brightly. "You don't need to apologize. In fact, I should be thanking you! Oppa—this is my new K-drama moment. She saved me from falling! It was exactly like in the movies."
Ga-young scoffed under her breath as Ye-seul leaned closer to Min-jae, who, infuriatingly, didn't pull away. His face remained like stone.
"I'm sorry on her behalf," he said coldly to Ga-young. "I know she's been bothering you."
Ga-young's jaw tightened. He didn't only let her cling onto him, he also offered apologies on her behalf?
Ye-seul quickly shook her head. "You don't have to apologize on my behalf instead it should be the other way around" ye-seul said releasing min-jae's arm as bowed politely "I apologize on my grumpy brothers behalf for being a menace boss, I know how hard it is for you to deal with him, please forgive him" she said.
Ga-young blinked. Brother?
"Brother?" she repeated aloud.
Ye-seul tilted her head in surprise. "Yes. What else would he be? Don't tell me…" She scrunched her nose, her face twisting with playful disgust. "Did you think he was my boyfriend?"
"That's enough," Min-jae snapped, pulling Ye-seul back by the wrist. His jaw was taut, his voice edged. "I apologize for wasting your time. Thanks for helping her. I'm sure you have somewhere to be."
But Ga-young barely heard him—her thoughts were spiraling. Brother… not first love? How could she have been so wrong?
Before she could process it, another voice cut through.
"Ga-young."
She turned. Ji-hoon had just arrived, his eyes locking on Min-jae for the briefest moment before softening when they found hers.
"You're here," she said, not so proudly.
"Did you wait long?" he asked gently.
"No," she replied.
He smiled, then greeted the others politely. "Good evening."
"Hi!" Ye-seul chimed, her energy boundless.
Min-jae only gave a curt nod.
"We'll be leaving first," Ga-young said with a polite bow. "It was nice meeting you, Ms. Hwan."
"Please, just Ye-seul," she said warmly. "I hope we see each other again soon. Oh! And you look absolutely stunning in peach—it compliments your skin perfectly." She paused, then pulled a small card from her clutch, pressing it into Ga-young's hand. "Call me whenever you're free. I'd love to take you out on a date."
Ga-young smiled despite herself. "You're so sweet. Thank you."
Min-jae's eyes darkened as his gaze clashed with Ji-hoon's once more. Then, without another word, he turned, guiding Ye-seul out.
"Bye! Don't forget to call me!" Ye-seul waved brightly, trailing after her brother.
Ga-young waved back faintly.
"Shall we?" Ji-hoon asked, his voice softer now.
She nodded, and they moved toward their reserved table.
For a while, they sat in silence, their dishes untouched. Ga-young couldn't shake the image of Min-jae with Ye-seul. The confusion, the irritation—it all churned in her chest.
Ji-hoon finally set down his chopsticks. His gaze, unwavering and heavy with something unspoken, locked onto hers.
"Ga-young." His tone was steady, patient. "I told you before that I liked you. And I told you not to reject me until I asked you properly."
Her heart skipped. She remembered that day clearly—the half-playful, half-serious look in his eyes that had left her speechless.
Ji-hoon drew in a quiet breath, his expression soft but his voice firm. "I'm asking now."
Her lips parted, her breath hitching.
"I like you—not as a friend, not as someone I want to protect. I like you in a way that makes it impossible to look at anyone else. Tonight, watching you walk in, even seeing you catch Ye-seul like that—I realized I can't keep waiting." He leaned forward, gaze unwavering. "So, Choi Ga-young… will you go out with me?"
The question hung in the air, fragile, almost trembling.
Ga-young's chest tightened. The weight of his sincerity pressed against her, but her answer rose before she could soften it.
"Ji-hoon…" She exhaled slowly. "As much as I don't want to hurt your feelings, I can't go out with you. You're sweet and amazing—everything any girl would dream of. But I don't feel the spark. I believe… we're better as friends. Close friends." Her voice was gentle, but final.
For a heartbeat, silence stretched. Then Ji-hoon lifted his wine glass, took a sip, and set it down calmly. "Okay… well, that's over. Please eat." He picked up his chopsticks with infuriating ease.
"Wait!" Ga-young blinked at him. "That's all?"
He raised a brow. "What, did you want me to break down here? Cry, maybe? Roll on the floor dramatically?"
She gawked. "I'm just… surprised."
"To be honest," he said, exhaling, "I knew you'd reject me. So I came ready." He tilted his head at her, lips curving faintly. "And you—witch—you proved me right."
Her jaw dropped. "What did you just call me?" She scoffed. "Wow. I really thought you'd turned a new leaf."
"Unfortunately, I'm not a tree," he said without missing a beat. "People I like are on a premium subscription to my sweetness. Yours just got cancelled. But…" He paused, eyes flickering with something raw before he smirked. "I'll still give you a little, since I'm generous."
She shook her head, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "You don't have to act cool. It only makes you look more pathetic."
"Hmm," Ji-hoon hummed, playing with his chopsticks. After a moment, he said casually, "I'll be leaving tonight."
Her eyes widened. "Really? Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"I didn't want to bother you. I've got a meeting in Texas tomorrow morning," he explained, his voice calm.
"Wow. Not even a short break?" she asked softly.
"Working with you people was more restful than my vacations," he said with a small grin. "Believe it or not, it's more peaceful than being alone."
Her chest ached faintly at the honesty tucked inside his words. "Then… I wish you good luck on your project. I'm rooting for you." She smiled, though her heart tugged.
Ji-hoon's eyes softened. "Remember when you told me not to smile at you?"
Ga-young laughed under her breath, shaking her head. "Don't start."
And just like that, their chattering spilled into bickering—their chopsticks becoming swords, accusations flying about who stole whose side dish, each denying it with mock outrage. Laughter bubbled up between them, lightening the heaviness of the earlier moment.