The elevator opened just in time for Cho Se Ra to rush inside. Jae Hyun, already in, calmly pressed the button, his hands buried in his pockets, his gaze indifferent. The doors closed behind her, sealing a confined space where a palpable tension lingered.
Se Ra tried to fix her gaze straight ahead, breathing slowly to maintain a professional composure, but her heart was pounding, caught between fear and restrained anger. Silence settled in, heavy and almost oppressive, broken only by the faint hum of the elevator.
— I wanted to apologize for earlier… she finally murmured, her voice slightly trembling.
Jae Hyun did not respond immediately. His eyes were fixed on a vague point ahead, almost absent, yet he observed every movement of Se Ra, noting her stiff posture, her slightly clenched hands, the breath that betrayed her nervousness. After a few seconds, he extended his hand toward her.
Se Ra blinked, confused, and felt a shiver run through her.
— The car keys.
— Oh… of course, she replied, extending her hands to give him the keys she took out of her coat.
The elevator doors opened onto the vast underground parking of the building. The silence broke as Jae Hyun stepped out calmly, still impassive, as if nothing could affect him.
— Take a taxi. That suits you better, he simply said.
Se Ra felt the irritation rise, but she said nothing. Jae Hyun's sharp tone and detached attitude left a bitter taste in her throat. She stepped out of the elevator reluctantly, her heart racing.
Jae Hyun, meanwhile, was already settling into the driver's seat of his luxurious car. The engine roared to life, powerful and impressive, and he drove off almost immediately, leaving behind a scent of leather and unshakable authority.
A few minutes later, Se Ra stood on the street, raising her arm in an attempt to stop a taxi. Her impatience was written all over her tense face.
— I should've taken my own car, she muttered to herself, frustrated.
The taxis passed by without stopping, indifferent to her distress. Each ignored vehicle made her feel like time was slipping away. Irritation rose, but determination quickly took over.
And then, finally, a delivery motorcycle appeared. Its engine let out a familiar roar as it approached. Se Ra rushed forward to stand in front of it, and the driver braked just in time.
— Please, save a soul in distress. It's a matter of life or death! she cried desperately.
The rider shrugged and simply replied:
— Get on.
Se Ra climbed onto the motorcycle with agility, gripping the driver firmly. Once seated, she lightly tapped his shoulder to signal departure.
— Okay, we can go… she murmured, relieved but still trembling with adrenaline.
A few minutes later, the motorcycle stopped in front of the Axion Finances building. Se Ra got off quickly, feeling the solid ground beneath her feet like a reminder of the reality awaiting her.
— Thank you so much. May God bless you to your hundredth generation! she said with enthusiasm and gratitude.
She adjusted her bag and rushed toward the entrance, leaving the driver behind as he sped off and disappeared into traffic. Her heart still pounding, she entered the building, ready to face her first day under Jae Hyun's invisible gaze.
The office was silent, broken only by the steady clicking of Kim Jae Hyun's keyboard. He worked, focused, without lifting his eyes, when the door suddenly opened. Cho Se Ra entered, short of breath, her cheeks slightly flushed from the effort.
— I'm sorry, Mr… I couldn't find a taxi so I had to… she stammered, out of breath.
Jae Hyun only briefly lifted his head, his icy eyes meeting hers, before returning to his screen.
— I didn't ask you anything, he replied in a detached tone, sharp as a scalpel.
Se Ra pressed her lips together, internally biting back her frustration.
— Of course… she muttered, her teeth clenched.
She walked toward the small lounge area, placed her bag on the seat, and carefully set down her coat. She straightened up, trying to regain a semblance of professionalism, and quickly checked her phone.
— Sir? she asked, her voice slightly trembling but polite.
Jae Hyun looked up again. His eyes scanned her, from her shoulders down to her feet, then back up, methodical and calculating. Se Ra felt a shiver run down her spine.
— What is my first task? she added with a small nervous smile, trying to mask her discomfort.
Silence settled in. Jae Hyun stared at her for a long moment, weighing each of his words before responding.
— Take the stairs down and walk around the building three times.
— What? Se Ra choked, her eyes widening.
— Do you have a problem with that? he asked, calm but cutting.
She took a deep breath, straightened up, swallowed her pride, and replied professionally:
— Of course not.
She turned and headed toward the door, each step measured, aware of Jae Hyun's merciless gaze following her from the corner of his eye.
He, picking up the remote control from the table, turned on the large screen mounted on the wall behind him.
— Miss Cho? he called in a sharp tone.
She turned back, seeing his hand extend toward the screen. The various surveillance cameras appeared: the stairs, the elevator, the ground floor lobby. Her breath caught for a moment, and she felt her hands grow clammy. Without a word, she stepped out and left the office, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
Jae Hyun placed the remote back on the desk and sat down again. A faint, almost imperceptible smile stretched across his lips. He had planned every detail. He returned to his work, unbothered, as the room fell back into its usual silence.