Ye-seul walked around the mall, her usual sass and confidence blooming around her. She stood out effortlessly among everyone present.
She stopped at the eyewear aisle, trying on different glasses. As she adjusted one pair, her eyes caught a familiar reflection in the mirror.
Her heart skipped.
Without thinking, she immediately crouched down, bending behind the table.
She clutched the glasses to her chest, breathing slowly.
Why did I do that?
Why am I hiding?
Before she could answer herself, a calm voice sounded beside her.
"Who are we hiding from?"
Startled, Ye-seul lost her balance. She nearly fell, but strong arms caught her just in time.
"Are you alright?" he asked quickly. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
She laughed nervously.
"No, no. I'm fine. I wasn't hiding. I was just…" She paused, then lifted the glasses. "I was just picking this up."
Yun-ho chuckled softly.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked, slightly annoyed.
"It's just…" He smiled. "You're really funny."
"Me?" Her eyes widened.
He nodded. "How have you been?"
"I've been well… Look at me." She cupped her face playfully.
He leaned closer. "Hmm. You look pretty."
She froze.
Her cheeks turned red instantly. She stepped back, avoiding his gaze.
Quick, change the subject.
"Mr. Jun said you were looking for me after the event," she said.
He nodded. "Yes. He said you left early."
"My social battery betrayed me," she muttered, then looked up. "Did you want to tell me something?"
He hesitated.
"I wanted to ask when you'd be free…"
"Why?" she asked, suddenly interested.
"There's a new movie," he replied quickly. "I really want to see it with you."
"Me?"
He nodded, then panicked.
"Or if you don't want to, it's fine. We can do something else. I'm sorry for imposing—"
She laughed softly.
"No. I love the idea. I'm a movie freak. I'm free whenever you are."
"You're busier than me," he said. "You should decide."
She didn't argue. Her crush had just asked her out, there was no risking it.
"I'm not playing hard to get," she thought.
"How about tomorrow?" she asked.
His eyes lit up. "That would be amazing."
She smiled at his reaction.
"So… what are you doing here anyway?"
He sighed. "My mother gave me an insanely long shopping list."
She laughed. "Can I help?"
His smile returned. "Yes, please."
"Then let's go."
---
Meanwhile…
Min-jae sat in his office, reading proposals and making notes.
When his alarm rang, he immediately grabbed his phone, smiling.
He opened his contacts and stared at one name for a long moment.
Then he called.
It connected on the first ring.
"Hello!" he said excitedly.
Ga-young laughed. "Why do you sound so happy?"
"Because I miss you."
"You always say that," she replied. "We were just together a few hours ago."
"But it's true," he said seriously. "or don't you miss me?"
"Of course I do," she answered softly. "More than you can imagine."
He smiled.
"So… what do we do now?" he asked mischievously.
"Nothing," she teased. "You can't keep skipping work. The chairman will soon call a board meeting on you."
"But I really want to see you again," he sighed.
"How about dinner?" she suggested.
"Dinner?"
"Yes. I've been learning a lot in my catering classes. I want to try something."
His voice brightened. "Does that mean I'll be the first to taste your cooking?"
"Don't get too excited," she laughed. "I might make an abomination."
"You'll do great," he replied gently. "You always do."
She exhaled. "Thank you. You should get back to work."
"I wasn't even doing anything," he lied.
She laughed. "Go back to work, CEO."
"Fine. I'll see you at dinner."
"Bye."
"Love you."
She blushed. "Love you more."
The call ended.
Min-jae was still smiling when Ji-hye suddenly walked in.
She stopped.
"Why are you smiling like that?"
"That's none of your business, Mrs. Hyun-woo," he replied, putting on his glasses.
"Hm." She folded her arms. "You talked to Ga-young, didn't you?"
She sat on the couch.
"You two are unbelievable."
"Why are you here?" he asked.
"I came to submit my proposal," she said, placing a file on his desk.
"You're serious about this," he said.
She sighed. "I've thought about it for a long time. I was scared."
"You? Scared?" he asked.
"Strange, right?" She smiled. "Hyun-woo encouraged me."
Then she added, "By the way, you and Ga-young are coming to our hang-out barbecue. It's an order."
"Thanksgiving barbecue?"
"Yes. He wants to meet everyone properly. Plus I've always wanted to have one with all of you" she paused "he's trying to fulfill all my wishes because I'm mad at him for returning late last night"
Min-jae just stared at her.
"Why are you staring at me like that? I'm actually being fair"
"Ji-hye… I'm scared."
"scared? Of what?" she said sitting upright.
"What if I'm not good enough for Ga-young?" he confessed. "What if I hurt her someday?"
She listened quietly.
"Whenever I look at you, I think about how lucky you are to have someone like Hyun-woo," Min-jae said quietly.
"No matter what, he's always there for you. He never makes you upset, never annoys you, and he understands you even without you saying anything. What if… what if I fail?"
Ji-hye exhaled softly.
"Hey, Hwan Min-jae," she said gently. "Do you really think Hyun-woo and I live in a world full of roses and flowers?"
She scoffed lightly.
"It's impossible. And honestly, if everything were perfect all the time, something would be wrong."
She paused, then continued,
"A real relationship has ups and downs, not just ups. What makes it strong is choosing to stay together even in the difficult moments. Choosing each other again and again no matter what. It's learning how to tolerate each other, support each other, stand side by side, and never give up."
She smiled softly.
"Hyun-woo and I have had many disagreements. We've argued. We've been hurt. And that's okay. It only becomes unhealthy when you let those disagreements destroy what's bigger, your love."
Her eyes softened as she looked at him.
"You and Ga-young are the best couple I know. Even after everything you've been through, you still found your way back to each other. Not everyone can make the kind of sacrifices you both have."
"You and Ga-young are strong. You've been through a lot. You'll be fine."
He nodded slowly.
"I've got this," he whispered.
"Good. Now sign my proposal," she said brightly.
"No."
Her jaw dropped.
"Hey! Don't you dare!"