Morning didn't arrive.
It crept in.
Soft light slipping through the curtains like it didn't want to interrupt whatever chaos had happened the night before.
On the couch—
Ji-Ah was still asleep.
Peaceful.
Unbothered.
Like she hadn't nearly been married off, kidnapped, rescued, and emotionally ambushed in one night.
Beside her—
Ha-Joon stirred.
Not because of the light.
Because of voices.
"…I told you—"
"Shh, you'll wake them—"
"No, no, look at them—"
His eyes opened slowly.
And there they were.
Standing.
Watching.
ArisooMin-HyukSeo-Yeon…and Seo-Jun
All lined up like an audience who got front-row tickets to a scandal.
Arisoo had her hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly.
Min-Hyuk was biting his lip to keep from laughing.
Seo-Yeon was covering her mouth, eyes sparkling.
Seo-Jun…
was trying very hard to look like he didn't see anything.
They were whispering.
Gossiping.
Enjoying this far too much.
Ha-Joon blinked once.
Then slowly sat up—
clearing his throat.
"Ahem."
All four of them straightened instantly—
but the amusement?
Still there.
Shining.
He stood up quickly, adjusting the very offensive kitten pajamas.
Min-Hyuk lost it.
"…Hyung," he said, voice breaking, "is that… fashion?"
Ha-Joon shot him a look sharp enough to cut glass.
Then—
without warning—
he nudged Ji-Ah's leg with his foot.
Once.
Twice.
"Wake up."
She groaned.
"…Five minutes…"
He nudged harder.
"Now."
She opened her eyes—
half-asleep—
then sat up—
and saw them.
All of them.
Watching.
She froze.
Then instantly wiped her mouth, checking if she drooled.
"…What are you all doing here?!" she snapped.
Arisoo smiled sweetly.
"We came to check on you."
Min-Hyuk added—
"It's morning, by the way."
Seo-Yeon nodded.
"You didn't come home, so…"
Ji-Ah looked between them—
then at Ha-Joon—
then back.
"…So you decided to form a committee?"
Min-Hyuk clapped once.
"Exactly."
Then—
his eyes dropped to Ha-Joon again.
"…Still can't believe this."
Ji-Ah followed his gaze—
and paused.
Then—
she burst out laughing.
"…What are you wearing?!"
Ha-Joon stiffened.
"…Clothes."
"Those are not clothes," she said, wiping a tear. "Those are emotions."
Min-Hyuk leaned against the wall.
"Hyung looks… softer."
"Approachable," Seo-Yeon added.
"Cuddly," Arisoo finished.
"…Stop talking," Ha-Joon said flatly.
Even Ji-Ah joined in.
"You look like you lost a bet."
He looked personally offended by existence.
Then Arisoo tilted her head.
"…What happened to Min-Soo?"
The room settled slightly.
Ha-Joon answered simply—
"I called the police."
A pause.
"They took him."
Seo-Yeon exhaled softly.
"…Good."
Min-Hyuk nodded.
"…How did you even find her?"
Ha-Joon glanced at Ji-Ah briefly.
"She called me."
Ji-Ah nodded.
"I told him about a blue sign… something starting with 'Grand'…"
Ha-Joon continued—
"It's my father's old hotel."
A beat.
"Grand Horizon Hotel."
"Closed years ago because of financial issues."
Seo-Jun adjusted his glasses slightly.
"And the police tracked her phone," he added.
"Since it wasn't switched off, they located her."
Arisoo nodded, impressed.
"That's… actually really smart."
Then she looked at Ha-Joon.
"…Thank you."
He blinked slightly.
"…For what?"
"You saved her."
Simple.
He didn't answer—
but his expression shifted just a little.
Seo-Jun stepped forward slightly.
"Sir," he said, professional again, "your schedule for today."
Ha-Joon sighed quietly.
"…Right. Work."
Seo-Jun handed him a neatly folded suit.
"I brought fresh clothes."
Ha-Joon took it.
"…You chose this?"
"Yes, sir."
A pause.
"…Everything looks good on you."
Min-Hyuk choked.
"Wow. The loyalty."
Ha-Joon ignored him.
"I hope the manager is handling Hanryeon Food."
Arisoo nodded.
"She is. It's doing great. I've been checking on it."
She stretched slightly.
"Speaking of work… I should go before Yoo-Na gets angry."
Seo-Jun blinked.
"…You're scared of her?"
Min-Hyuk paused.
"…Uhm."
A beat.
"…Yes."
He nodded firmly.
"She's older than me and an absolute beast. No offense."
Seo-Jun gasped dramatically.
"Offense taken! I've never had someone describe my girlfriend like that!"
Min-Hyuk just laughed, grabbing Seo-Yeon's hand.
"Come on, let's go."
Seo-Yeon smiled—
but before leaving—
she turned to Ji-Ah.
"…Try not to get kidnapped again."
Ji-Ah blinked.
"…I'll put it on my to-do list."
They left one by one—
voices fading—
energy leaving with them.
Finally—
just silence.
Seo-Jun lingered.
"Ma'am," he said to Arisoo earlier—
but now he turned back—
"…Sir, I'll be outside."
Ha-Joon nodded.
Seo-Jun left.
The door clicked shut.
Ji-Ah stretched again—
then pointed lazily.
"Bathroom's there. Go shower."
Ha-Joon glanced at her.
"…I know where the bathroom is."
He walked confidently—
in the wrong direction.
Ji-Ah didn't even look.
"…Wrong way."
He stopped.
Turned.
Walked the other way.
Face completely blank.
Ji-Ah watched him—
then laughed.
Bright.
Easy.
And just like that—
morning felt… normal again.
The morning stitched itself back together piece by piece.
No more chaos.
Just routine… —or at least, something pretending to be.
Getting Ready
The apartment shifted into quiet efficiency.
Closet doors sliding.
Water running.
Soft footsteps crossing paths like they had done this a hundred times before.
Ji-Ah stepped out first.
Hair tied neatly.
Outfit crisp.
Clean lines, soft colors—simple, but sharp.
She adjusted her sleeve, glancing at her reflection. Collected.
Like nothing had shaken her.
Behind her— the door opened.
Ha-Joon stepped out— back in his usual armor.
Suit. Perfectly fitted. Composed.
Untouchable.
As if the man in kitten pajamas never existed.
They looked at each other briefly.
"…Ready?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Yeah."
A small pause.
"I'll drop you off," he added.
"Then I'll head to the office."
She slipped on her shoes.
"I'll come later," she said. "Motorcycle."
He nodded once.
"…Don't be late."
She smirked.
"When am I ever late?"
He gave her a look. She shrugged.
"…Don't answer that."
The Ride The car moved smoothly through the city.
No tension.
No noise.
Just quiet.
Comfortable.
The kind of silence that doesn't demand anything.
Sunlight slipped through the windows, painting soft gold across their faces.
Ji-Ah leaned her head slightly against the seat— watching the world pass.
Ha-Joon drove— focused. Calm.
But once— just once— his eyes flickered toward her.
Then back to the road.
The mansion gates opened slowly.
Large.
Imposing.
Too grand for peace to survive inside it.
The car stopped. Ji-Ah unbuckled, stepping out. She turned— waved lightly.
"Bye."
Her voice was easy. Her hair caught the morning light— her outfit flawless— every inch of her looking like she belonged in control.
Ha-Joon looked at her for a second.
"…Take care."
She nodded.
Then he added—
"…Hurry. Don't be late.
" A small smirk tugged at her lips.
"Yes, sir." The door closed.
And just like that— the car pulled away. Leaving her standing in front of the mansion.
Alone.