Ga-young stepped into the brightly lit restaurant, the air thick with the scent of sizzling pork belly and the faint sting of beer. Her eyes scanned the crowded tables until she spotted her target. A slow, deliberate smile curved on her lips as she strode forward.
The woman lowered her menu.
Seo-ra.
"You're early," Seo-ra said coolly, her tone dripping with mock grace. She gestured at the chair across from her. "A minute early, even. Surely you could do better."
Ga-young bowed politely before taking her seat, her face an unreadable mask.
Seo-ra slid a sleek business card across the table, her lips curling. "Seo-ra Hwan Namjoon," she said, as though the name alone should intimidate.
Ga-young glanced at the card, then set it aside without interest. "If you asked me here, I assume you have something worth my time."
Seo-ra's smile faltered into a feigned pout. "So impatient. Hard to imagine Min-jae puts up with it."
Ga-young raised a brow but remained silent.
Leaning back with practiced elegance, Seo-ra gestured at the restaurant. "I didn't want you to feel… inferior. That's why I chose this place instead of somewhere extravagant. A secretary should feel at ease, don't you think?"
Ga-young leaned forward, her smirk cutting sharp. "The only one uneasy here is you, Mrs. Namjoon. Otherwise, why explain yourself? Does belittling others make you feel powerful… or is it just a mask for your insecurities?"
Seo-ra's eyes flashed, but her lips stretched into a brittle smile. "I underestimated you."
Ga-young pushed back her chair. "If that's all, I'll be leaving."
Seo-ra's voice sharpened. "Are you really his ex? I overheard your little chat with Father the other day."
Ga-young's gaze cut through her like a blade. "If you overheard it, why ask? If you want more details, try eavesdropping again."
She turned to go, but Seo-ra's hand snapped out, gripping her wrist.
"What did you just say?"
"I don't repeat myself," Ga-young replied, shaking her off.
Seo-ra's laugh came out low and sinister before she grabbed the water jug and upended it over Ga-young's head.
Water cascaded down her clothes, but instead of fury, Ga-young let out a soft, mocking laugh. "That's it? That's the best you can do?" She straightened, dripping but unbothered. "I thought you'd be more… dangerous, to think I wasted my energy thinking about how you might react."
With a cool smile, she walked out, leaving Seo-ra seething.
"How dare she—" Seo-ra slammed her hand against the table, rattling every dish. "She'll regret underestimating me!"
---
Outside, Ga-young paused at the corner, fingers combing her soaked hair back with a bitter scoff.
"That damn witch. Lucky for her I'm in my professional era. If not for these stupid debts, I'd have yanked her extensions out strand by strand."
"Ms. Choi?"
Her heart lurched. She spun to find Min-jae watching her, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable.
"You've met Seo-ra, I see."
Ga-young groaned. "Please don't tell me you're here to ask the same thing—if I was your ex. First the chairman, now your witch of a sister-in-law. What is it with your family's obsession with your past?"
The words spilled in a furious rant, curses sharp as knives. Min-jae remained silent, his gaze steady, drinking in every shade of her anger. It wasn't until she caught herself, realization flooding her face, that her fury sputtered out.
"Mr. Min-jae…" Her hand flew to her mouth. "I—I'm so sorry. I didn't mean—" She bowed deeply, water dripping from her clothes.
"Let's get you new clothes," he said evenly, as if she hadn't just cursed out his entire family.
Guilt tightened in her chest. He wouldn't fire her for this—but how could she look him in the eye again?
---
Later, in a quiet café near the dry cleaners, Ga-young sat stiffly in a fresh outfit, her gaze locked on the window.
"You don't need to feel awkward," Min-jae said, sipping his coffee. "Your outburst was… justified."
Her head whipped toward him. "You're not mad?"
"Flustered, yes. Mad, not really." His lips twitched faintly. "I just hadn't seen you like that before."
"I'm sorry," she muttered, bowing her head.
"It's fine. But next time…" His voice deepened, sharpening into the CEO's edge. "Don't go to meetings from unknown numbers. Don't walk into traps blind."
She blinked at him. "You think this was a trap?"
"I know it was. Seo-ra baited you, and you went. You're my secretary, Ga-young—you stand at my side, which makes you a target. Today it was water. Tomorrow, it could be worse."
Ga-young swallowed, her fingers tightening around her cup.
"You need to be more security-conscious," he continued, eyes unwavering on hers. "Always double-check. Question everything. And when something feels off, walk away. No hesitation."
Her voice dropped. "Yes, sir."
His expression softened by a fraction. "Good. I'd rather you didn't learn that lesson the hard way."
Silence stretched between them, heavy yet intimate.
Then he exhaled slowly. "On behalf of my family, I apologize. They've put you through too much. As for Seo-ra…" His jaw clenched. "I'll make sure she regrets crossing you. You won't have to face her again."
"Thank you, sir," she murmured, though her heart fluttered with unease.
"Your clothes should be ready now," he said, glancing at his watch.
"I'll get them myself. You've already done so much." She stood, bowing slightly. "I wish I could repay you."
"You can."
Her brows lifted. "How?"
"There's a dinner party Thursday night. The president's hosting, and I need someone sharp by my side. Adore Enterprise's CEO will be there—it's the perfect time to build rapport before negotiations. Come with me."
"You want me to act as your ally before the contract proposal," Ga-young said carefully.
Min-jae smirked. "You catch on quickly. That's why I like you."
Her heart tripped over the words I like you. She forced her smile down, bowing slightly to mask it. "It would be my pleasure, sir."
Min-jae nodded once.
"I'll take my leave now." With a final bow, she slipped out.
Min-jae leaned back in his chair, finishing his coffee. His eyes darkened, a dangerous glint surfacing.
"Let's see how well you play, Seo-ra," he murmured, his voice low and threatening. "Because now… you've made it personal."