The sun had long slipped beneath the horizon, leaving the city bathed in silver. Stars pricked the dark sky like scattered diamonds, and the moonlight spilled through the office windows like liquid glass. Inside, silence reigned, broken only by the sound of Ga-young's final keystroke. She exhaled slowly, a satisfied smile curving her lips.
"Done?" Min-jae's deep voice broke the stillness.
She nodded, pushing her chair back.
He rose too, buttoning his jacket with an easy precision. "Let's stop by the mall before heading to the event."
"Yes, sir," Ga-young replied automatically, her tone plain formality.
Moments later, they entered the warm glow of the mall. Almost at once, a staff member in a tailored uniform hurried toward them, bowing deeply.
"Welcome, sir. Please forgive us—we didn't have time to prepare properly for your arrival."
"It's fine," Min-jae said smoothly. His gaze flicked to Ga-young. "Escort her to the women's section."
"Me?" Ga-young blinked, surprised.
"The event has a strict dress code," Min-jae explained, his hands sliding into his pockets. His eyes held hers, steady and unreadable. "Tonight, you're not my secretary—you're my ally. You need to look the part."
"I see…" she murmured.
"Go ahead," he said—not unkindly, but with a tone that left no room for refusal.
"This way, ma'am," the attendant added, leading Ga-young away.
Left alone, Min-jae lingered by a glass showcase. His reflection blurred in the glass as his eyes studied the gowns draped across mannequins. He didn't notice how long he stared until movement on the staircase drew his gaze.
And time seemed to falter.
Ga-young descended with unforced grace, the crimson gown clinging to her figure as though it had been created for her. The delicate curve of her waist, the understated glow of her makeup, her hair framing her face in soft waves—everything about her seemed sharpened by the moonlight streaming in through the glass dome above. Even the sound of her heels against marble was deliberate, regal.
For a moment, Min-jae forgot to breathe.
"I don't think this suits me," Ga-young murmured, self-conscious under his silence. "Red isn't really my color. Should I change?"
"No." The word left him too quickly, too firmly.
Her eyes widened slightly.
He cleared his throat, composure sliding back over him like a mask. "It would be a waste of time," he said evenly, glancing at his watch. "Shall we?"
"Yes," she whispered, following his lead.
---
The event hall unfolded before them, a grand spectacle drenched in scarlet and black. Crystal chandeliers rained fractured light over marble floors; the air thrummed with laughter, hushed schemes, and the faint chime of glasses. To Ga-young, it felt less like a celebration and more like a secret congregation of the powerful—a cult disguised in designer suits and polished smiles.
She swallowed nervously.
"Ms. Choi," Min-jae said quietly.
"Yes, sir?"
"Don't let yourself get intimidated by any of these people. Most of these people are drowning in debt while clinging to their family names. And the ones with money…" His lips curved faintly, almost mocking. "They're just pampered chaebols with nothing in their heads."
His words, so casual yet confident, steadied her pulse.
Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, "plus red actually looks good on you."
The compliment landed like a confession, raw and unguarded. Heat rushed to her cheeks, stealing her breath.
Before she could stop herself, she seized on distraction. "The CEO of Adore Enterprise must be here already—she's infamous for her punctuality." And with that, she slipped away, crimson silk vanishing into the sea of black suits and glittering gowns.
"CEO Min-jae?"
He turned, greeted by a boy who looked right for the age for high school, with an eager smile.
"Good evening," Min-jae said politely.
"I'm Kim Seo-jun," the boy introduced.
"The president's son?" Min-jae asked, brow lifting slightly.
Seo-jun nodded enthusiastically. "I can't believe I'm meeting you like this! I've studied your business strategies for years—you're my role model."
"I'm honored," Min-jae replied smoothly.
"The president would like to see you," Seo-jun added, already gesturing. "This way, please." He chattered non-stop as he led the way.
Meanwhile, Ga-young wandered the glittering hall when a hand suddenly pressed against her shoulder. She turned sharply.
"I haven't seen you before," a man said with a sheepish grin.
Ga-young's eyes swept him head to toe. "I don't suppose you know everyone on earth."
He laughed. "You're funny. I like that." He extended a card. "You know who I am, right?"
She glanced at it, then back at him. "I don't like you."
His grin widened. "This one's feisty. Why? Have we met?"
"Fendc Group?" she said, handing the card back. "I don't like your kind of people. Excuse me."
As she tried to step away, his grip clamped onto her wrist.
"Let me go," she warned, voice sharp as a blade.
"I didn't say you could leave."
"I didn't ask for permission." Her eyes burned with defiance.
He laughed and then lifted his hand, ready to strike—only to freeze midair. Someone had grabbed him from behind, twisting his arm.
"She said let go," a woman's voice rang out.
The man yelped in pain and scurried off, humiliated.
Ga-young stared, wide-eyed, at her rescuer.
"Are you alright?" the woman asked.
"Yes. Thank you," Ga-young said, bowing slightly.
"Next time, just jab them in the balls. Most men here are perverts." Her expression was stern, but her tone carried a colorful charm.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Are you here with someone?" the woman asked.
"Yes, with my boss." Ga-young scanned the crowd, then pointed. "There he is."
The woman's eyes followed. "CEO of K&H Fashion and Cosmetics?"
Min-jae approached, every step elegant, controlled.
"Good evening," he greeted smoothly.
"Good evening," she returned, lips curving. "I've heard plenty about you."
Min-jae's gaze flicked between her and Ga-young. "Is that so?"
She handed him her card. "Yoo-na Jae-hyuk. CEO of Adore Enterprise."
"Omo! It's such a pleasure to meet you," Ga-young burst out. "You're even more beautiful in person!"
"You're sweet," Yoo-na replied with a soft smile.
"It's an honor," Min-jae said simply.
"I've been looking forward to this," Yoo-na admitted.
"As have I," Min-jae replied.
"The last time your company reached out, I rejected the contract. Do you know why?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Not quite," Min-jae said.
Her expression hardened. "I despise men who belittle women—who can't stand the idea of them holding power. The former CEO of your group was a misogynist. I refused to work with him."
Her secretary whispered urgently in her ear. She sighed. "Something urgent came up, I must leave. But…" her gaze softened on Min-jae, then flicked to Ga-young. "You seem different. Decent. I'd like to work with you—if you're willing."
She touched Ga-young's arm lightly. "Take care of yourself."
Ga-young nodded quickly. "Thank you, ma'am."
With a respectful bow to Min-jae, Yoo-na swept out.
"Omo…" Ga-young whispered, eyes shining. "She's so cool."
"I believe we're done here," Min-jae said. "Unless you'd like to stay longer?"
Ga-young shook her head furiously. "No, let's go."
---
The drive back was quiet, save for Ga-young's small, dreamy smile as she stared out the window.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Min-jae's sudden question cut through the silence.
She turned to him. "Sir?"
"About the former CEO. Why didn't you tell anyone?" His tone carried the faint edge of annoyance.
Ga-young exhaled softly. "What was I supposed to say? That my boss hated women, treated me like dirt, and hoped someone would fire him for me? It wouldn't have mattered." She gave a weary smile. "It's all in the past now."
"You could have tried," Min-jae pressed.
"And lose my job?" She let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "I had debts. I couldn't afford reckless choices."
Without warning, Min-jae pulled the car to the side of the road.
"Ms. Choi." His voice was quiet now.
"I'm fine," she said quickly. "Really."
But her smile faltered. "Truthfully… he wasn't cruel to me. I was his favorite female. You should ask Ji-hye instead—he was brutal to her. They fought all the time." She chuckled weakly, but Min-jae saw through it.
"It only seemed that way," he said softly. "Because you let him do whatever he wanted. You obeyed even when he was wrong. That's why you never fought with him."
Ga-young's eyes flicked to the mirror. She blinked rapidly. "There must be dust in here. Why else would I…" Her voice cracked.
Min-jae reached into his jacket and handed her a handkerchief. His words were calm, deliberate. "You can't keep burying your pain. Pretending it's fine only cuts deeper. If it's too heavy, vent it. Even if it's on me."
And just like that—the last thread she'd been holding snapped.
Ga-young bent forward, burying her face in her lap as sobs wracked her shoulders. She covered herself with trembling hands, trying to muffle the sound.
Min-jae's hand twitched, as though he meant to touch her, to offer comfort. But it hovered midair before retreating.
Instead, he sat in silence, his sharp eyes softening as he watched her unravel—every tear a truth she had hidden too long.