Her gaze fixed on the floor panel. Without hesitation, with a mix of determination and boiling anger, she pressed number 57. Her chest rose quickly, each breath a mixture of indignation and fear, anger, and fragile hope. Every second in the elevator seemed to prolong the ordeal, as if time stretched in response to her stormy emotions.
At the same moment, in his office, Kim Jae Hyun stood before the large window, surveying the city of Seoul with a cold, calculating gaze. The evening sun made the glass of the surrounding buildings sparkle, but it could not warm the icy aura radiating from him. Holding a glass of whiskey, he observed the horizon with intense concentration.
— When is the ParaPharma charity gala scheduled? he asked, his voice calm but cutting, like a scalpel.
— In about four weeks, replied Woo Jin, precise and alert.
— We still have time to raise funds, murmured Jae Hyun, tilting his head slightly, his gaze momentarily lost in the city's glitter.
— Yes. Also, the CEO invites you to a business dinner this Wednesday evening, added Woo Jin, his tone almost perfectly neutral.
— Tell him I'll attend, Jae Hyun replied with a simple nod, already turning toward the vast, silent expanse of his office.
Suddenly, she entered. Like a hurricane. Se Ra stormed through the door, the box clutched to her chest, not even glancing at Woo Jin, who let out a silent, exasperated sigh. Her eyes flashed lightning, her voice rang with the uncontrolled intensity that had defined her all morning.
— Where is that man who enjoys firing even interns he doesn't know?! What did I do to deserve…
But she stopped abruptly. Her eyes widened as she met Kim Jae Hyun's gaze. Surprise froze her, her breath caught, her heart racing.
— You…? she stammered, stepping back, unable to hide her astonishment.
She turned to Woo Jin, seeking invisible support, but her assistant merely sighed silently, powerless.
Jae Hyun delicately set his glass of whiskey on the side table near the bottle, the gesture controlled, almost aristocratic.
— You never cease to surprise me, Miss Cho, he said with a small, victorious smile, both cold and calculating.
Se Ra felt her breath block in her throat.
— How… is this possible? she murmured, her eyes wide with stunned, contained anger.
— I asked myself the same question a few minutes ago, Jae Hyun replied, walking toward his chair, calm in manner but eyes sharp, almost cruel.
He sat, back straight, jaw clenched. His gaze held her in place, a mixture of icy coldness and a subtle desire to control the situation. Se Ra, still in shock, turned again to Woo Jin, who feigned an eyebrow adjustment while concealing a faint, discreet amusement.
— I let it slide the first time, but the second time, I had to intervene. I do not tolerate hysterical individuals among my staff, he declared in a honeyed yet acidic voice, each word like a cold blade sliding into the soul.
Se Ra's shock slowly morphed into a burning despair. Her hands clenched the box, her teeth ground together, and she felt the crushing weight of shame and helplessness.
— You… are the boss? she choked out, incredulous, heart pounding wildly.
She glanced at Woo Jin, who feigned an innocent gesture, yet his expression betrayed a mixture of amusement and seriousness. And then she understood. The Kim Jae Hyun she had feared, hated, and despised… was right in front of her, imposing and dangerous—the CEO himself.
Despair and shame overtook her anger. Her ragged breathing betrayed the panic engulfing her.
— Listen, sir… she began, her voice trembling but trying to contain her emotion. I know I haven't always been very friendly with you, but believe me… it's not my fault…
— Whose fault is it, if you have trouble controlling your sharp tongue? Jae Hyun cut in, acidic, his eyes gleaming with biting coldness.
Se Ra shivered, momentarily offended, frowning before gathering her courage and swallowing hard.
— Please… I'm sure we can find an arrangement. I will pay for the repairs to your vehicle without fail, she almost pleaded, her voice trembling with anxiety mixed with hope.
Woo Jin, discreet, murmured beside them:
— The vehicle has already been repaired.
— I… I mean… in what I will reimburse you. There must be a way for me to get my job back, Se Ra insisted, her voice shaky but firm, her eyes shining with fragile determination.
Jae Hyun fixed her with his dark, piercing eyes.
— On one condition.
She lifted her eyes, hanging on his lips, her heart pounding with an intensity she had never felt before.
The room seemed to hold its breath. The air vibrated with electric tension, as if every word, every movement, could alter the course of their destinies. The coldness and desire for control in Jae Hyun's gaze were palpable, and Se Ra understood that what she had thought was a simple confrontation was about to become a game whose rules she did not yet know…
— For six months
Cho Se Ra remained seated, horrified, in Kim Jae Hyun's vast office. The walls in muted tones, adorned with modern artworks, and the soft light filtered through the blinds seemed to emphasize the coldness of the place, without bringing any human warmth. Across from her, Jae Hyun stood relaxed, almost amused, playing with the armrest of his chair, his dark gaze shining with restrained satisfaction. His attitude exuded arrogance and confidence, that same aura that commanded respect and fear in every room he entered.
Woo Jin remained aside, motionless, observing the scene with that feigned neutrality he knew was necessary. He let his boss speak, ready to intervene if needed, but never disturbing his master's stage.
— Have you lost your mind? Se Ra exclaimed, her voice trembling, filled with a mix of indignation and fear.
Jae Hyun looked at her, a nearly imperceptible smile at the corner of his lips, as if savoring every second of her turmoil.
— Otherwise, he murmured in a cold but controlled tone, I will make sure you don't find a job anywhere for the next two years in Korea. Even in the smallest restaurant in the city.
Se Ra felt her hands tighten on her shoulder strap. Her anger mixed with panic, but she suddenly felt more broken than furious. The weight of her responsibilities, of Na Bi's treatment, and of her lost internship crushed her breath.
— You're threatening me! she exclaimed, her voice trembling, yet her eyes still burned with defiance.
— No, Jae Hyun replied, indifferent, almost amused by her agitation. I'm making you an offer. That's different, he emphasized, his dark, direct gaze fixing her with icy intensity.
Se Ra sprang up, rising in anger, ready to turn on her heel:
— To hell with your offer!
She headed for the door. But Woo Jin, quick to react, stepped aside to block her path, his gaze sending her a silent warning. Se Ra frowned, understood the seriousness of the situation, and sighed, lowering her eyes as she swallowed her pride.
For his part, Jae Hyun rose from his seat with natural ease, his hands in his pockets. His features were hard, his jaw clenched, and yet a faint, mocking smile lingered on his lips. The arrogance of a man who knew he could control the situation filled the air. He felt neither guilt nor concern; he savored the control he held over the moment, that mix of audacity and power that defined him.
The next morning, the sun illuminated the massive façade of his luxurious building, each floor reflecting light across the polished glass and the perfect lines of its architecture. Cho Se Ra stood in the hallway, her heart heavy, phone in hand, unable to believe she found herself once again on the threshold of this confrontation.
She checked the numbers on the doors and moved toward the one at the end of the corridor. Her hand rose to ring, but the door opened before she even had time to press.
— Come in, Miss Cho. I was expecting you, said Woo Jin, his voice polite but firm, leaving a ceremonial space for her to step through.
Se Ra entered, slightly surprised, holding the straps of her shoulder bag in her hands like a fragile talisman against the world. Each step in the luxurious apartment echoed like a confirmation of the dizzying distance separating her from her simple life, yet one filled with responsibilities.
Woo Jin stepped aside for her with a slight nod:
— Please…
Se Ra nodded silently and crossed the threshold, the box pressed against her, feeling every fiber of her body vibrate between fear, curiosity, and determination.
Cho Se Ra entered the apartment, her eyes immediately scanning the space with a mix of curiosity and fascination. Everything was so luxurious. The polished parquet reflected the soft light of designer lamps, the furniture was perfectly aligned, and every object seemed chosen with meticulous care. Woo Jin closed the door behind her and followed without a word, his movements precise, his posture straight, almost military.
— President Kim tends to be meticulous when it comes to his private life, he stated. At 8 a.m., you must be here, and you must have prepared a cup of black coffee without sugar, as you can see.
Se Ra followed his gaze and saw the cup placed on the table with exact precision, like a symbol of discipline. She continued to observe the room, unable to hide her astonishment.
— Also, you must have already prepared an organized schedule of the day's activities, Woo Jin added, in a dry tone. That is the first thing he asks for when he arrives.
Se Ra remained lost, her gaze wandering across the vast room, while Woo Jin's irritation subtly began to show.
— Miss Cho?
She flinched and turned around, her heart racing.
— I'm sorry, you were saying? she murmured, slightly embarrassed.
Woo Jin sighed and rubbed his eyebrow, both patient and irritated by her distraction.
Meanwhile, Kim Jae Hyun, in his bedroom, adjusted the last buttons of his shirt, his gaze precise and merciless. Every gesture exuded control and confidence, the reflection of a man accustomed to mastering his world. He approached the wardrobe, opened a perfectly organized drawer, scanned the watches aligned in their cases, and picked one without hesitation. Closing the drawer, he felt a brief thrill of satisfaction: every detail of his life had to be in its place, nothing less.
Back in the living room, Se Ra and Woo Jin stood facing each other. He was explaining the final details of her job, while she tried to process the extent of her upcoming responsibilities.
— Are you the one who handles all these tasks on a daily basis? she asked, a bit surprised.
— Yes. In addition to that, I also work as a driver and legal advisor.
Se Ra remained speechless, her eyes wide open.
— What?? she murmured silently, unable to hide her astonishment.
— Mr. Kim hates being crowded. So he pays enough for me not to complain, Woo Jin explained seriously.
— And now that I'm here, what are you going to do? she asked, nervous and uncertain.
— Rest and carry out my primary role, he replied calmly. That is, legal advisor and possibly driver, if necessary. By the way, he's allergic to milk.
At that moment, Kim Jae Hyun entered the room. He moved with an almost intimidating grace, every step controlled, every movement radiating the aura of a man confident in himself, aware of the power he imposed. Time seemed to pause for a few seconds as he picked up the cup of coffee from the table, his eyes scanning the room, then settling on Se Ra with a cold, slightly amused gaze.
— Ahn Woo Jin, what do we have today? he asked, his voice sharp, almost provocative.
Se Ra frowned, offended by such rudeness.
— Appointment at 9 a.m. with… began Woo Jin.
— Wait! Se Ra interrupted, in a tone half-shocked, half-exasperated.
The coffee cup stopped just a few centimeters from his lips. Jae Hyun lifted his head and stared at her for a few seconds. His gaze was piercing, calculating. She felt as though every thought, every emotion was being examined.
— Didn't they teach you to say hello in elementary school? she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jae Hyun pretended not to hear, bringing the cup back to his lips with unsettling calm. In his mind, a faint amusement stirred: this small rebellion, mixed with fear and defiance, piqued his curiosity.
— Please continue, Ahn Woo Jin, he ordered, impassive yet commanding.
Woo Jin cleared his throat and continued:
— Appointment at 9 a.m. with Bae Sung Ho. He is ready to buy the stock…
— You'll handle that. I don't have time to give him for another meeting, Jae Hyun cut in, his icy voice revealing his natural authority.
— Understood. At 11 a.m., your weekly appointment with the masseur…
Se Ra's eyes widened, overwhelmed by the precision and rigidity of the schedule.
— At 2:30 p.m., your visit to the orphanage. At 6:30 p.m., a call scheduled with Miss Rahel. That's all, concluded Woo Jin.
— Even his calls are scheduled?! Se Ra murmured, incredulous.
— Good. Meanwhile, you will handle the ParaPharma file, Jae Hyun added, his gaze cold but focused. They want to inject a large amount into a new project and create a gold account with us.
— Of course, Mr., replied Woo Jin respectfully.
Jae Hyun took a sip of coffee and set it down, impassive on the surface, but his mind was already calculating the rest of the day. The control and coldness emanating from him imposed an inner silence on Se Ra, a mixture of fear and fascination.
— Let's go, he concluded, heading toward the door.
There was in his voice that bold assurance that commanded full attention.
Woo Jin approached Se Ra and handed her the tablet as well as the car key. Her hands trembled slightly, but she took them with determination.
— He must not reach the car before you, Woo Jin specified seriously.
— Huh? she stammered, slowly understanding the weight of this responsibility.
A simple nod confirmed the seriousness of the situation. Se Ra felt a rush of adrenaline and hurried toward the door, ready to face her new mission.