The drive took hours, but the scenery made up for it. The city lights faded into green valleys and long, winding roads lined with cherry trees. Hye-rin sat in the backseat beside Se-hee, who had somehow turned the trip into a live commentary of snacks, music, and relationship advice.
"You know," Se-hee said, biting into a rice cracker, "I still can't believe I'm tagging along on a business trip with your fiancé. This feels like the start of a drama."
Hye-rin groaned. "It's not that kind of drama, Se-hee."
"Of course not," Se-hee said, smirking. "Because in that kind of drama, you'd be falling for him already."
"Se-hee!"
From the front seat, Joon-hyuk's mouth twitched slightly. He sat beside the driver, his gaze fixed out the window, pretending to be uninterested. But the corner of his lips betrayed him.
By the time they arrived at the resort—a sleek modern villa surrounded by pine trees—the late afternoon sun dipped into gold. Staff in crisp uniforms hurried to greet them, bowing as the car doors opened.
"Welcome, Mr. Lee. Your guests have arrived as well."
Joon-hyuk gave a curt nod, his CEO aura snapping into place. A staff member approached with practiced politeness. "Miss Kang, Miss Park—this way, please. Your room is ready."
Hye-rin and Se-hee followed down a quiet hallway to a cozy two-bed suite with warm lighting, soft beige walls, and a balcony overlooking a serene lake.
"This is gorgeous," Se-hee whispered, running her hand over the sheets.
"It's a business trip, not a vacation," Hye-rin said automatically.
"Sure," Se-hee teased. "Keep telling yourself that."
Meanwhile, Joon-hyuk disappeared toward the conference hall where the U.S. investors were waiting. His stride was steady, confident, but when his phone buzzed and he glanced at it—no message from her.
He frowned slightly and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
By the time the meeting began, he'd already caught himself glancing toward the door twice—half expecting her to appear, laughing with Se-hee about something ridiculous.
He scowled. "Focus," he muttered under his breath.
But even as he spoke numbers and strategy, her name lingered quietly in his thoughts—an interruption he couldn't shake.