The sleek black sports car pulled up to the grand entrance of the high-rise office building. Joon-Ho Lee stepped out, his tall, broad-shouldered frame exuding confidence. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, the fabric hugging his muscular build perfectly. His perfectly styled hair added to the image of the most handsome bachelor in Korea, but it was the scent of luxury cologne that lingered as he walked through the revolving door—subtle, yet unforgettable.
Inside, Joon-Ho's sharp, calculating eyes scanned the room. He was used to being the center of attention, a powerful businessman who dominated every space he entered. His handsome features, chiseled jawline, and piercing gaze were enough to make any room go silent. But today, his focus wasn't on the admiring gazes around him. It was on her.
Hae-Ri Choi stepped into the elevator, her breath caught in her throat as she faced the looming presence of Joon-Ho Lee, the man she had once dreamed of. The memory of their brief encounter years ago made her heart race even now, though she couldn't quite figure out why. His presence was magnetic, drawing attention effortlessly.
She wasn't a girl anymore, not the naive version of herself he had known. She was older now—stronger, more resilient—but the charm of his effortless power still had the same effect. Hae-Ri stood tall, her beauty undeniable, with delicate features framed by dark, sleek hair. Her eyes, dark and sharp, held a quiet determination, though they betrayed the vulnerability she often tried to hide. She was no longer the fragile girl she used to be, but standing before Joon-Ho, she couldn't help but feel exposed.
The elevator doors closed, and Joon-Ho looked at her, his eyes scanning her face for a moment longer than necessary. His expression remained unreadable, but there was a subtle shift—something he couldn't ignore. She hadn't been the one he was expecting, but there was something about her presence that stirred an unfamiliar feeling in him.
"I didn't expect you to return," Joon-Ho's voice was low, his tone guarded, as if he were speaking to a ghost from his past.
Hae-Ri's lips curved into a small, yet confident smile. "Some things are worth returning for," she replied, meeting his gaze directly. The air between them crackled with the tension of years gone by, and she wasn't sure whether it was fate or sheer will that had brought her back to him.
The elevator hummed as it ascended, the journey upwards marked by the silence of unspoken words. Both of them knew there was more at play here than either would admit, but neither was ready to back down.The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and the silence between them deepened. Hae-Ri stepped out first, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. She took a slow breath, her nerves steadying as she walked ahead. Joon-Ho followed closely, his imposing presence making it impossible for her to ignore the weight of his every step.
They entered his office—an open, modern space with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city. The minimalist design, with its sleek furniture and dark tones, reflected the personality of the man who owned it. Every corner, every surface, was perfectly in place—just like him. Joon-Ho moved behind his desk, his posture relaxed, though his eyes never left her. He watched as Hae-Ri hesitated before sitting down in front of him.
"So, what brings you back here?" Joon-Ho asked, his tone measured, his voice carrying an edge of curiosity. It was a question that demanded an answer, yet it held something more—something unspoken.
Hae-Ri met his gaze, her resolve hardening. "I'm here to work. I need a job, and you're the best in the business."
Joon-Ho's lips quirked slightly, though his expression remained cool. "I didn't think you'd come crawling back. After everything that happened…"
Hae-Ri's jaw clenched, the mention of their past stirring a quiet storm inside her. "I'm not crawling back, Joon-Ho. I'm here because I have no other choice. I've worked hard for this. I know what I'm capable of."
The words hung in the air, a silent challenge between them. Joon-Ho leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the surface of the desk. The tension in the room was palpable, but beneath it, there was something else—something almost familiar.
"You've changed," he said, his voice quieter now, as if musing aloud.
"And you haven't," she shot back, her eyes narrowing. "Still the same cold, indifferent man who only cares about his empire."
Joon-Ho's gaze darkened, but there was a flicker of something—something that betrayed his usual mask. "Don't pretend you know me, Hae-Ri. You don't."
Hae-Ri stood up, her back straight as she faced him. "I know you better than anyone. And I'll prove it to you."
By the way, I'm your best bet, the best amongst all here for the interview, call it pride but that's my confidence.
The words lingered between them as she turned to leave, her heels clicking louder with every step. Joon-Ho's eyes followed her, but he didn't stop her. Not yet.
The following week brought with it an unrelenting rhythm. She got the job as she expected, she was more than capable.
The days blurred together, each one heavier than the last. Hae-Ri's determination to prove herself never wavered, despite the constant weight of Joon-Ho's gaze. His presence was a constant reminder of everything she had once known and everything she had to fight for now.
She had settled into her new role quickly, but the real challenge wasn't just the work—it was Joon-Ho. His high expectations, coupled with the icy barrier he had built between them, made every interaction feel like a test. Every time he walked past her desk, his gaze would linger for just a moment longer than necessary, as if evaluating her, as if he were still the same man who had watched her grow up—only now, there was something different in his eyes.
He hadn't said much to her outside of work-related matters. She could feel the distance he was keeping, but she refused to let it break her resolve. She had come to prove herself, and she wasn't about to let his coldness stop her.
---
One afternoon, Hae-Ri sat at her desk, working through a mountain of data that seemed never-ending. Her fingers danced across the keyboard, but her thoughts kept drifting. She could feel Joon-Ho's presence, even from across the room. He hadn't said a word to her all day, but somehow, she could sense him watching her.
The sound of his voice broke the silence.
Her work telephone rang.
Hello Hae-Ri speaking.
Hello. His tone was neutral, but there was something underlying it—an edge she couldn't quite place. "Come to my office. Now."
Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn't hesitate. She grabbed her notebook and made her way across the office, her steps firm. The quiet hum of conversation in the office faded as she reached his door. She knocked, and a soft "Enter" came from inside.
Hae-Ri opened the door and stepped into the large, imposing office. The walls were lined with books, the furniture minimal yet elegant. Joon-Ho stood by the window, looking out over the city skyline. The sight of him, so confident and composed, made her pulse quicken.
"Close the door," he said without turning around.
She did, then stood there, waiting for him to speak. The air in the room felt thick, charged. His back remained to her for a moment longer before he finally turned to face her.
"Sit," he ordered, his voice still detached, but there was a glimmer of something else—something sharp, like a challenge.
She didn't flinch, instead walking forward and sitting in the chair across from him.
"Are you finding the work difficult?" Joon-Ho asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her.
"I can handle it," Hae-Ri replied confidently. "The numbers aren't an issue."
He studied her for a moment longer, before nodding. "I'm glad to hear that. But it's not just about the numbers, is it?" His voice softened, a slight edge of something unspoken hanging between them.
Hae-Ri straightened in her seat, meeting his gaze head-on. "What do you mean?"
Joon-Ho walked around the desk and stopped just beside her. The space between them felt charged, like an invisible barrier that had yet to be broken. "You're here for more than just a job, Hae-Ri," he said, his voice low. "I know that. And you don't have to pretend like I don't."
Her pulse quickened, but she kept her face neutral. "I'm here because I'm good at what I do, i need money and I've earned my place."
He smiled, but it was cold, calculating. "You've always been good at making things look easy, haven't you?"
The words stung more than she expected, but she didn't let it show. "Maybe that's because I've had to work harder than anyone else to get here."
Joon-Ho didn't reply immediately. Instead, he reached into the drawer of his desk and pulled out a file, setting it in front of her. "This is the next project. I want you to analyze it. Present your findings by the end of the week."
Hae-Ri glanced down at the file. It was thick—dense with data and information. The pressure of the task ahead was immediate, but she welcomed it. She would prove herself, no matter what.
"Understood," she said, standing to leave. But as she turned to walk away, she paused, glancing back over her shoulder. "By the way, I'm not pretending to be anything. I'm here to work, Joon-Ho. Nothing more."
His eyes locked onto hers for a moment, unreadable. Then, in a tone barely above a whisper, he said, "We'll see about that, Hae-Ri."
With that, she left the office, her thoughts swirling. She could feel the weight of his words lingering in the air, but she wouldn't let it stop her. She had a job to do, and she wouldn't let him—or anything else—stand in her way.