My eyes flew open at the man sitting across from me.
Him?!
Is he seriously the CEO?
"I'm Alva," I blurted out, still in shock.
"You already know me. I'm Cody, the CEO of Daegu Corp," he replied, his voice cold and detached.
Is this really happening? First of all, he's Kyle's best friend—Sophie's ex—and he didn't even sleep last night. Is this the guy I'm supposed to work for?
"How about we get to know each other a little more?" I suggested, trying to break the ice.
"No. You know me as Cody, and I know you as Alva. That's enough." He suddenly stood up and walked away without even looking back.
"Wait!" I called after him, but he didn't respond.
"You've been accepted," the guard said quietly.
"Wait—doesn't he speak?" I asked nervously, grabbing the guard's arm.
"Sorry, ma'am. I can't disclose anything about Mr. Cody." He bowed politely and left.
Was Cody seriously this rude? He just left me here like I didn't matter. I never expected him to be this cold…
I arrived home late that night, my mood sour. Brian and Dad were sprawled on the couch, watching soccer like it was the most important thing in the world. I didn't even want to talk.
"You're back," Dad said, flashing a smile.
"What's wrong with you?" Sophie asked as she passed by, noticing my sour expression.
"I don't know. Maybe she got yelled at or bombed the interview," Brian muttered, still glued to the screen.
"Hm," Dad agreed, eyes fixed on the game.
"GOAAAAL!" they both screamed like little kids.
I stormed off and threw myself onto the bed. My phone beeped—probably Sophie.
You're dead...but thanks in advance! Kyle and I got back together ~Sophie
Kyle and Sophie got back together, and here I am—alone. No one to come home to. Honestly, being single is lonely... but kind of fun. I promise myself right here and now: I'm going to marry a normal guy. Not someone like Cody.
Still fuming over what happened today, I felt my stomach rumble from hunger. I had skipped breakfast and lunch.
---
The next morning…
"I heard you're going to be working for Kyle's friend," Sophie said, striding around the room before plopping herself down at the table.
"I'm not—I mean, maybe I will. I haven't decided yet," I muttered.
"Isn't that literally the same thing?" she said, raising an eyebrow.
"Hmph. I disagree."
"Do you know anything about him? About Cody?"
"Who? Oh—Cody? Nope. Cody barely talks to anyone except Kyle or his men. He's always glued to his phone."
So I'm not the only one who noticed he's constantly on that freaking phone.
Beep.
My phone rang, cutting our conversation short.
"Isn't that your phone?" Sophie asked, handing it over.
"Hello?" I answered.
"..."
"Hello?"
"..."
"Hello, is this Alva Kim?" The voice on the other end was deep, a little distorted.
"Yes?"
"Some clothes have been sent for the job you applied for."
"Oh. Okay."
The line disconnected.
"Who was that?" Sophie asked, concerned. The voice had definitely sounded robotic.
"I don't know."
Knock, knock.
"Who is it?" I called.
"It's Brian. Some clothes were delivered for you."
"Okay… and why do you sound like you just committed a crime? Did you steal Mom's money again? Or eat my ramen?"
"Neither," he replied sheepishly.
Aha. If Brian's this quiet, something is up.
"Then what did you do?" I asked, yanking the door open.
"This," he mumbled, holding out the clothes.
A huge grease stain had ruined the white gown. My brand-new dress—completely ruined. The ramen oil had soaked in deep, leaving a disgusting blotch that probably couldn't be cleaned out.
"I'm sorry…"
"Aaaaaaah!" I screamed, my voice nearly giving out. What was I supposed to wear tomorrow?! My first day at work—and Brian had to ruin everything.
I grabbed a pillow and smacked him. He bolted, and soon we were running all over the house, chaos erupting around us.
"Alva, calm down. Let's just go out and grab a drink," Sophie said, gently patting my back.
My fury started to fade into something lighter. She was right—it was kind of funny, in a ridiculous way. I took a deep breath and headed out with her.
---
We ended up at a cozy diner tucked into the corner of Main Street, the kind with checkered floors and vintage jukeboxes playing soft rock in the background. Warm yellow lighting cast a glow over the vinyl booths, and the smell of fresh coffee and sizzling burgers filled the air. We sat at a corner booth, sharing laughs over milkshakes. A basket of loaded fries sat between us, untouched, while a plate of classic cheeseburgers slowly cooled as we got lost in old memories.
But across the room, a man watched us.
Or more specifically—me.
Next to him, Kyle finally broke the silence.
"Do you have anything to say to your new secretary?" he asked, glancing from Cody to me.
That question shut me and Sophie right up.
Cody looked at me, then back at Kyle. His face didn't change, but his eyes—his eyes said everything. Were we having a telepathic stare-down or something?
Finally, he cleared his throat. "I have nothing to say to her."
What. The. Hell.
Sophie glanced at me and saw the storm brewing. She quickly grabbed my hand before I could unleash it all.
"I'm leaving," I said, rolling my eyes as I stood up. Without another word, I walked out.
Cody stood up too and followed after me.
Twenty minutes passed.
"Is he going after her?" Sophie asked, worried.
"No. He's not," Kyle replied, confident. "Cody doesn't chase people."
"Can I order bourbon?" Sophie asked, batting her lashes like a little kid begging for candy.
"No. I don't want you getting drunk and breaking up with me again."
"I won't, Babe Pleeeease?"
Her eyes sparkled as she asked again.