{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
"Kang Group?" Lee Seo Jun repeated, seated across from Kang Seung in his sleek office.
"Yes, sir," Kang Seung nodded, sweat beading on his brow.
"I see your company deals in finance," Lee Seo Jun continued, eyes sharp as he flipped through papers.
"Yes, sir."
"Mr. Kang, I'll have my lawyer review these documents and get back to you. Hopefully, you're not trying to con me," Lee Seo Jun smiled thinly.
"Rest assured, sir, this is legitimate," Kang Seung replied with a nervous smile.
"Mr. No, please show him the way," Lee Seo Jun instructed.
"Yes, sir," Mr. No said, standing and escorting Kang Seung out, who fidgeted with a forced smile.
Lee Seo Jun watched the door close behind him and sighed.
"Do you want to help him, sir?" Mr. No asked quietly.
His eyes darkened slightly. "His company was scammed. Greed has led him into many shady deals. But he has a good business idea," Lee Seo Jun admitted, pulling a golden lighter from his pocket and flipping it thoughtfully.
His mind drifted to Joon So Min. They had fought and not spoken since. He stared at his phone, fingers hovering over her name. Was he nervous because of her?
⸻
"Finally, we're done!" Mrs. Park smiled broadly. The team sighed, exhaustion mixed with relief.
"We should celebrate!" a girl suggested.
"Yes! Let's all go out. Bills on me," Mrs. Park declared.
Joon So Min's heart lifted; finishing the designs on time was a huge relief.
"Let's go now," Mrs. Park urged.
The team cheered, praising her efforts.
"Thank you, Mrs. Park," they chorused.
"We all deserve this treat," Mrs. Park smiled warmly.
They stepped out into the evening air, tired but triumphant.
⸻
"Sincerely, I want to fall in love," one girl slurred, intoxicated.
Joon So Min sipped quietly as Mrs. Park ordered more soju.
"You will fall in love, Bora," another girl teased.
"Are you having fun, So Min?" Bora asked.
"Yes, a lot," Joon So Min smiled, though her thoughts wandered to Lee Seo Jun. She was glad about the successful designs but couldn't shake the feeling of missing him.
⸻
"Thanks, Mrs. Park. I really had fun," Bora said, clutching a friend for support.
"Who's that fine man?" Bora's eyes sparkled as Lee Seo Jun appeared.
Joon So Min froze. What was he doing here?
"Hello," Lee Seo Jun greeted.
"It's... it's the man from the other day,
the bodyguard angel," a girl whispered.
Lee Seo Jun laughed softly, then looked at Joon So Min.
⸻
"What are you doing here?" Joon So Min asked once inside his car; her coworkers had already left.
"You weren't answering my calls. I had to get someone to track you," he said.
Joon So Min's eyes widened. He tracked her? Did he have to?
She opened her phone, several missed calls blinking back at her.
"What have you been up to lately?" he asked.
"Nothing much. Busy because a customer ordered sixty dresses. We went out to celebrate," she smiled, debating whether to bring up their fight.
"I'm sorry about the other day," Lee Seo Jun said quietly.
Her eyes locked on his,he was apologizing?
"I dated An Nari because Kim Eun Ji was her best friend. An Nari was upset about her death and started taking drugs. I didn't know what else to do but help her. She liked me, but I liked Eun Ji more. I dated An Nari to make her happy, but I can't force myself anymore. I don't have feelings for her, and I'm cheating her by pretending," he confessed.
Joon So Min studied him. Vulnerable, worn down by burdens she hadn't imagined.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly.
"Yes. I know Eun Ji wouldn't want to see me like this. I want to forget the past."
"It's good you're moving on," she smiled.
⸻
"So Min, will you go out with me?" Lee Seo Jun asked suddenly.
Her eyes widened. What did he mean?
"Let's go on a date. I want to take you out for real."
Joon So Min stared at him, silence stretching between them.
"I'm sorry, but I have to decline," she said firmly, turning away.
She didn't want a relationship born from heartbreak and healing,she deserved more than being a rebound.
"Why?" Lee Seo Jun's eyes searched hers.
She turned back, smiling playfully. "I'm good looking and wealthy,the perfect boyfriend. Why don't you want to go out with me?"
He frowned, unsettled, a touch of narcissism in his tone.
"You don't have the qualities of a boyfriend," she shot back with a glare.
⸻
"Hey! Stop the car!" A police cruiser flashed behind Lee Seo Jun's vehicle, forcing him to pull over.
⸻
"Why were you driving recklessly?" the officer asked, eyes piercing.
"I'm sorry, officer," Lee Seo Jun bowed his head.
"You look like you were dumped."
Lee Seo Jun touched his face, silent.
"Did your girlfriend dump you?" the officer asked bluntly.
Lee Seo Jun said nothing.
⸻
"I know how it feels,I was dumped by my wife," the officer said, sitting beside him on the roadside.
Lee Seo Jun confessed about Joon So Min declining his offer, about their complicated fake relationship.
"You should never get into a fake relationship,you end up falling in love. Don't you watch dramas?" the officer joked.
"No, sir," Lee Seo Jun replied flatly.
The officer sighed. "You have a lot to learn."