Kang Woo signed the bottom of the file with a faint smile.

“December 20th, to be collected personally.”

Se Ah was sitting in the writing room, wrestling with a difficult task. She was working on an episode about the quest, specifically the rewards users gain from completing missions in the game.

The biggest challenge was considering the set production budget and the mobile environment, necessitating constant checks with the technical team.

Her phone lit up. In the communal writing room, her phone, like everyone else’s, was always on silent mode. Everyone, including herself, became more sensitive when working, so they all took care to avoid disturbing each other.

Right, the company dinner was the day after tomorrow. She checked her email to confirm attendance. Everyone had responded they could attend, except for Cha Kang Woo, the CEO.

Being new to corporate life, she found many things challenging, even sending simple emails like the one for the company dinner. She had agonized for two days over whether it was appropriate to send it directly to Kang Woo.
For the other staff, Se Ah had sent a group email, but for Kang Woo, she sent a separate one. It was a matter of etiquette since he was the CEO.

But should she have gone to him directly to ask? No, that would have been absurd – a mere writer asking the CEO directly about attending a company dinner. Perhaps she should have called Choi, his secretary.

Of course, she could have asked him directly at home. Yet, she didn’t want to interact with him personally on work matters. It was her first job, and she wanted to learn the proper way.

‘Spam? Being so presumptuous to send an email.’

She regretted not consulting her senior writers more. Trying to handle everything herself might have been the issue.

“I miss him.”

Se Ah muttered to herself and quickly covered her mouth, looking around to make sure no one noticed.

Just two hours earlier, she had seen Kang Woo on the rooftop.

Ignoring his messages to meet privately, she finally went to the rooftop, exasperated by his persistence.

There wasn’t much conversation once she was there. When they were standing apart, suddenly,

‘I think someone is coming.’

Kang Woo, who was just looking ahead, said so casually. Se Ah froze.

‘With that face, our relationship will be obvious.’

To his languid remark, Se Ah quickly relaxed her expression, and then,

‘Quick on the uptake.’

His sultry voice echoed in her ears.

Her palms grew sweaty, especially since Do Yeong had indeed appeared, startling her with Kang Woo’s sharpness.

“Sigh.”

How long could she keep Kang Woo in the dark? It was bound to come out eventually…

Lately, he had been so affectionate. A part of her wanted to just enjoy this, even if it was only for a day. Was it too pitiful to wish for just one more day with him?

Looking at the calendar, Christmas Eve wasn’t far off.

She received a text from the deputy director of Hanbit Orphanage, asking her to come this Christmas Eve. She hadn’t visited in two years, so it made sense.

Kang Woo returned home at his usual time. Se Ah appeared at the entrance, seemingly having been in the living room. A faint smile appeared on Kang Woo’s lips.

“……You’re back?”

Se Ah acknowledging his presence first was a rare occurrence. Although her greeting seemed reluctant, it wasn’t unpleasant for him – a significant improvement.

“Have you eaten?”

“Of course, I have. Look at the time…….”

Her gaze dropped down to her slippers.

“About the 24th.”

He broached the subject with some difficulty. The launch party was approaching, and he couldn’t delay it any longer, even if she might refuse.

“Yes. What about the 24th?”

“What are you doing?”

“Um… I have plans.”

A fine line appeared on Kang Woo’s forehead.

“Where to?”
Se Ah seemed to hesitate, possibly debating whether to tell Kang Woo. He slightly relaxed his gaze to encourage her to speak freely. He was prepared to understand if she had other plans.

Of course, he intended to bring her to the launch party by any means necessary. But he had resolved to be patient and gently coax her.

“I’ve decided to go to the Christmas Eve party at the orphanage. The children are waiting for me.”

“The Hanbit Orphanage?”

“Yes.”

Se Ah’s eyes widened at Kang Woo’s sudden cold laughter.

“With Kim Do Yeong?”

“What?”

She looked up at Kang Woo with an innocent gaze, seemingly clueless.

“Is Do Yeong going there too that day? Did you plan to go together?”

“Do Yeong is going that day? No, we haven’t planned anything like that.”

Possessiveness engulfed Kang Woo like a wildfire, losing all composure. He became a slave to his emotions, completely out of control.

“Then you don’t need to go. Don’t go.”

His voice turned ominously calm, leaving Se Ah’s mouth agape.

“You need to attend the launch party with me that day.”

“Ah… but I’ve already promised the deputy director…”

Se Ah couldn’t finish her sentence under Kang Woo’s chilling gaze.

“Seems like I’ve been too soft lately, causing a misunderstanding.”

Jealousy blazed in Kang Woo’s eyes. He coldly looked down at Se Ah’s puzzled and displeased expression, lifting her small chin which she tried to turn away.

“This isn’t a request. There’s no room for negotiation.”