Seo-Jun stepped into Ha-Joon's office, carrying the breakfast bag like it weighed more than it should.
"Sir, am not lucky today," he said, setting it down carefully.
Ha-Joon barely looked up. " Why?"
Seo-Jun groaned, running a hand through his hair.
"Because of my girlfriend, Yura. She forced me to taste-test her food. My throat is still… ugh," he gestured dramatically, "blocked. And honestly… it didn't even taste that good!"
Ha-Joon glanced at the bag.
There was a sticker on it Don't choke, tyrant. His lips twitched, half-smile forming despite himself.
Typical.
He began emptying the containers, carefully, almost methodically, his calm in stark contrast to Seo-Jun's theatrical complaints.
Meanwhile, Ji-Ah sat at her desk, the office buzzing with whispers.
"What happened with Do-Hea?"
"Why is she involved?"
"Where's Do-Yoon? Hye-Rin?"
Ji-Ah answered each question with careful precision, giving nothing away.
Then her phone buzzed. Notification:
Come to my office. – Grumpy Sir
The room groaned in unison.
Everyone already knew what that meant.
Ji-Ah clicked her tongue and stood up, smoothing her expression, and made her way toward the office, bracing herself for whatever storm—or coffee interrogation—awaited.
Ji-Ah knocked twice and entered.
Ha-Joon didn't look up immediately.
Of course he didn't. Papers aligned perfectly.
Glasses resting low on his nose. Coffee untouched, probably waiting for dramatic effect.
"You called me, sir?" she asked.
He finally raised his eyes. Calm. Calculated. Slightly annoying.
"Yes." He leaned back. "Prepare a presentation."
She blinked. "For…?"
"For me." A pause. "And send it to my email."
"…That's it?"
"That's it."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "About what?"
"Our acquisition of Do-Hea's company. Financial structure, integration plan, projected growth, risk management. Keep it concise."
She stared at him.
"I'm an editor."
"And today," he replied smoothly, "you are an editor who knows how to use PowerPoint."
Her mouth opened.
Closed.
He continued, almost thoughtfully, "Make it sharp. No unnecessary animations. If I see a bouncing transition, I will personally reconsider my life choices."
She fought a smile.
"And," he added, eyes narrowing slightly, "if you do anything stupid…"
Here it comes.
"…you will pay 100,000 won."
Her jaw dropped. "From where am I supposed to get 100,000 won?!"
"That," he said calmly, "is not my concern."
She looked at him like she had just been handed a rocket engine and told to bake cookies with it.
How did she go from correcting grammar and adjusting subtitles… to corporate warfare slides?
She straightened anyway. "Fine. I'll do it."
He nodded once, satisfied.
As she turned to leave, he added casually, "Oh, and Ji-Ah."
She paused.
"Impress me."
Her eye twitched.
"Yes, sir."
She walked out, muttering under her breath, "From editor to executive assistant to financial analyst. Next he'll ask me to fly the company helicopter."
Inside the office, Ha-Joon's lips curved faintly.
He had absolutely no intention of charging her 100,000 won.
But watching her panic?
Mildly entertaining.
----
Seo-Yeon pushed the door open and froze mid step.
The house smelled… dangerous.
Not smoke.
Not disaster.
No, this was the rich, comforting orchestra of real Korean cooking.
Garlic sizzling in sesame oil.
Soy sauce caramelizing gently.
The deep, savory perfume of doenjang stew bubbling somewhere with tofu and zucchini soaking up flavor.
A hint of grilled bulgogi sweet and smoky. Freshly steamed rice breathing soft clouds into the air.
Seo-Yeon inhaled slowly.
"This is not Ji-Ah," she muttered.
Ji-Ah cooked.
Yes.
But this? This smelled like someone's grandmother had possessed the stove with intent.
She slipped off her shoes and walked further in.
There they were.
Nisa.
Do-Hyun.
Ji-Ah.
And Ha-Joon.
All seated neatly at the dining table like obedient children waiting for permission to touch the food.
Seo-Yeon blinked.
"Who is cooking?" she asked slowly.
Ji-Ah's face lit up. "Min-Hyuk said I can rest today! He's cooking!"
Nisa nodded enthusiastically. "He chased her out of the kitchen."
Do-Hyun smiled. "For quality control."
Seo-Yeon let out a long sigh and walked toward the kitchen like she was approaching a sacred site.
Ji-Ah glanced sideways at Ha-Joon and smiled, clearly pleased.
Ha-Joon noticed.
He looked at her, confused. "What?"
She rolled her eyes.
He frowned slightly. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because," she said lightly, "some people take pianos. Other people give rest days."
His jaw tightened just a fraction.
"…Eat your food when it comes," he replied.
She grinned.
From the kitchen came Min-Hyuk's voice. "If anyone touches the side dishes before I come out, I will start over!"
Everyone immediately straightened.
Even Ha-Joon.
Ji-Ah leaned closer and whispered, "See? Real authority."
Ha-Joon stared at her.
She smiled wider.
He looked away first.
Seo-Yeon stepped into the kitchen and forgot how to breathe for half a second.
Min-Hyuk stood at the stove, sleeves pushed up, apron tied carelessly around his waist. Steam curled around him like he belonged in it.
His hair brushed softly against his forehead as he stirred the stew, movements calm and unhurried.
He looked like Ha-Joon.
But softer.
Where Ha-Joon carried sharp lines and quiet storms, Min-Hyuk carried warmth. Same height.
Same broad shoulders. Just less thunder.
She moved closer, face composed, almost cold in its beauty.
He glanced over and blinked. "Oh. You're here?," he said, slightly startled.
She nodded once. "I like food."
A pause.
"I like people who cook good food."
His ears turned faintly red.
He smiled, shy but steady. "I'm not the best. I just try."
She studied him. "I see."
She stretched her hands out. "Can I help?"
He nodded. "Yes. You can help serve."
She turned toward the counter but he shifted at the same time, unintentionally blocking her path.
The height difference was… unfair.
He was clearly taller.
Seo-Yeon and Ji-Ah both hovered somewhere between 5'4 and 5'6, while Min-Hyuk stood comfortably above them.
She looked up.
He looked down.
For a second the kitchen felt smaller.
"…Excuse me," she said coolly.
He moved quickly. "Sorry."
She picked up the plates and walked out, posture elegant, carrying the dishes like a queen delivering tribute.
At the dining table, Ji-Ah nearly bounced in her seat.
"Is it bulgogi? Is it? I smell bulgogi. And stew! Is that kimchi stew? Min-Hyuk, I'm going to cry—"
"Ji-Ah," Ha-Joon warned.
She ignored him. "I was oppressed in that kitchen for months."
"You were supervised," Min-Hyuk corrected, laughing as he joined them.
Seo-Yeon sat down, smiling faintly.
They began eating.
The room filled with happy noises immediately.
Then Min-Hyuk, casually, asked, "So, Do-Hyun. Are you planning to marry Nisa or are you just keeping her hostage?"
Nisa choked on her rice.
Do-Hyun blinked rapidly. "W-What?"
"They've been together forever," Ji-Ah added dramatically.
Do-Hyun scratched the back of his neck. "I haven't even introduced her to Mom yet."
Ha-Joon looked up. "Why not?"
Do-Hyun sighed.
"I met Nisa through an online food community. She posted reviews. Honest ones. Brutal ones." He glanced at her. "I offered her a job at Hanryeon Foods."
Nisa nodded. "I needed it."
"She lived far," Do-Hyun continued. "So she moved in with my secretary temporarily."
He cleared his throat. "And eventually… we just…"
"Fell," Ji-Ah supplied loudly.
"Yes. Fell," Do-Hyun finished, slightly embarrassed. "And here we are."