Kevin's office was awash in the cool blue glow of his monitor, numbers and files blinking back at him like a language he no longer understood. His body sat in the executive chair, upright and composed, but his mind… his mind had slipped through his fingers hours ago and wandered to the only place it ever went these days.
Her.
The ghost in his bloodstream. The one who held him hostage without even lifting a finger.Yerin.
The woman who had vanished from his life much too easily, too quietly. A month. A full month of unanswered calls, unread messages, that mocking "delivered" sign under every desperate text he sent. No voice. No explanation. Not even a breadcrumb. The night he shared with her the last time is still fresh in his memory, her touch, her breath, her scent, the feeling of her warmth...
God... It was torture, the kind that folds a man in half. He was addicted to her.
He dragged a hand through his hair, frustration clawing through his chest. She was playing with him; he knew it. She had him wrapped around her pinky, and she knew exactly how tightly to pull. And he, Kevin Choi, usually poised, usually in control, could do absolutely nothing but fall deeper.
He wanted her. God, he wanted her. To see her. To feel her warmth. To breathe near her again.Anything. But she was nowhere. No trace. No shadow.
His chair scraped back sharply. In one swift breath, he grabbed his blazer, shoved his phone into his pocket, and stormed out of the office like a man possessed.
…
He stood before her luxury apartment door, breath uneven, knuckles trembling. This was the third time this week he'd come here.
He knocked.
Silence.
He knocked again, harder.
Still nothing.
His chest caved a little. The corridor lights hummed softly above him, cold and indifferent. He stared at the silent door, his heartbeat pulsing against his ribs like it was trying to escape.
Then footsteps approached. An older English lady, carrying grocery bags, stopped beside him.
"Yes… who are you looking for?" she asked.
Kevin turned to her, desperation leaking through his composed mask. "Where is the owner of this apartment? Seo Yerin. The young woman living here."
The lady narrowed her eyes. "Who are you?"
He forced a polite smile, though his heart was sprinting. "I'm Kevin. Kevin Choi. I'm here to meet her; she is my girlfriend, but… she isn't available to contact."
The woman stared at him with a face that clearly wasn't buying the word girlfriend.
"Are you sure you're her boyfriend?"
Kevin let out a shaky laugh. "Yes. Look." He pulled out his phone immediately, scrolling to the only photo he cherished like treasure, Yerin in a dimly lit club, tipsy and flushed, leaning into him as he snapped the picture.
The woman leaned in, squinting. Then sighed.
"Well, she's gone, man."
Kevin's smile dropped.
"Where were you all these days? She vacated from here. It's been a month. Didn't she tell you?"
His world stopped. "What? What do you mean she vacated?" His voice cracked in the middle, something raw slipping out.
The lady shrugged. "I don't know... Did you two fight? Looks like one. Anyway… she's not here."
She turned away, but Kevin ran after her.
"Ma'am. Please. One second. Do you know where she went? Anything?"
She paused, looking at him with mild pity now. "I don't know. How would I? I just saw her leaving with huge luggage. Maybe she went back to her country."
Kevin's breath froze. His vision blurred. Something inside him trembled, frustration, betrayal, heartbreak all tangled together.
Her country.
She left. Just like that.
He stood in the quiet hallway, eyes burning, lips trembling with words he couldn't swallow.
"How could you, Yerin…" his voice cracked, barely above a whisper. "How can you do this to me?"
His heart broke down the middle, silently, right there in front of the closed door that would never open for him again.
Mirae Office Building.
Suho had been buried in numbers so long the lines had begun to look like the skyline of a restless city. Graphs rose and fell, statistics blinked at him like quiet warnings. He rubbed his temples, exhaled, then leaned back toward the screen again.
The door swung open before he could refocus.
"Suho, my boy!"
Haraboji's voice arrived like sunlight, loud, warm, familiar. Suho instantly straightened, eyes brightening as if someone had flicked a switch inside him.
"Haraboji? You're here all of a sudden?" He stood up immediately.
"Sit, sit. Don't stress yourself," the old man fussed, waving his hands with tender authority.
Suho smiled softly. "I'm perfectly fine, Haraboji."
But Haraboji didn't bother with more words. He simply stepped forward and wrapped Suho in a tight, emotional hug, the kind only elders knew how to give, arms strong despite age, heart full despite time. He pressed a gentle kiss to Suho's hair.
For a moment, Suho closed his eyes, letting himself breathe in the warmth.
When they pulled back, Haraboji's voice trembled just a little. "I'm happy for you, my boy. Truly. May your life ahead be full of blessings."
Suho's lips curved. "I'm fine now, Haraboji. Everything's… finally settling. And I have Hauen by my side. She won't ever let anything bad happen to me."
Haraboji's smile widened, lines deepening with genuine affection. "She's an angel, Suho-ya. Keep her safe, keep her happy. Love her with your whole heart. That girl deserves every good blessing this world can offer."
"I will," Suho answered quietly.
"You're lucky, Suho. You got her." The old man chuckled. "She reminds me of your grandma."
Suho's cheeks warmed at that.
Haraboji looked at him with a gaze only grandparents had, one that saw beyond the polished suit, straight into the soft glow beneath. "You're happy," he said, as if confirming something he already knew.
Suho smiled again. "Please sit, Haraboji." He said, offering his chair.
"No, no." Haraboji shook his head. "That seat belongs to you. You earned it. You're the one who will handle this position now. So you sit there."
With a small bow of his head, Suho obeyed.
"What brings you here?" Suho asked gently.
"Haa… actually, I'm here with important news."
Suho straightened.
"You wanted to expand Mirae to the international market, right?"
Suho nodded.
Haraboji continued, "I received an invitation to a luxury party hosted by an American millionaire. Tomorrow. Many big investors and business tycoons will be there. You may find a few who'd be interested in Mirae."
Suho listened intently.
"I'm too old to attend such gatherings. And Minho is buried in his own business matters. So…" He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. "I'm asking you, my son. Can you attend on my behalf? It's a golden opportunity for Mirae."
Suho blinked, thinking for a moment.
Before he could answer, Haraboji added hurriedly, "I'm not forcing you, Suho-ya. If you want to prioritise your health, say no. I'll convince your father instead. Your well-being comes first."
Suho shook his head gently. "No, Haraboji. I'm fine. I'll attend. And I won't let this opportunity slip."
Relief washed through Haraboji's face. "That's my boy." His voice turned playful. "Make sure you charm a few investors."
Suho flushed lightly, rubbing his neck. "Haraboji… please."
Haraboji laughed, eyes crinkling with pure delight. "My boy is still shy…" he said, the soft teasing in his voice impossible to hide.
After a moment, Suho looked up. "Haraboji… can I take Hauen with me?"
The elder paused, surprised. Suho continued quietly, "She won't let me go alone. She gets worried. And… I want her there."
Haraboji's face softened. "Of course, my boy. She's your wife. Take her. Introduce her to everyone. She's smart, sharp, and understands business well. She'll be a real support."
Suho's smile deepened, almost boyish. "Okay, Haraboji." He muttered.
"Alright… my son, take care. I'll get going now." Haraboji said as he rose from his seat.
Suho stood as well, bowing slightly before Haraboji pulled him into one last hug. Suho wrapped his arms around him, holding on with quiet affection before watching the old man walk out of his cabin.
The door closed. Suho exhaled, a soft smile blooming on his lips.
He dropped back into his chair, reached for his phone without a second thought, and typed quickly:
"Hauena… come to my office building this evening. We have to go shopping."
He hit send, still smiling at the thought of her reaction.