Ha Jun’s cautious question was answered by Yeon A.

“On the surface, they’re said to be friends, but most think they’re lovers. He’s Kim Yi Hyun, director and second son of the Jaein Group chairman.”

“Ah… I see…”

“You should remember him, as he comes occasionally, though not often. He’s also on the guest response list.”

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

On that day, at the Jaein Group’s founding anniversary party, Oh Se Ra must have been there too.

That man, even though he has a lover, that day with me… So that’s what happened…

The place she had hurried to, replacing Kim Kyung Ran who suddenly fell ill, to assist President Choi of Sungjin Distribution.

Ha Jun had changed her mind and stayed at the party venue when President Choi, leaving midway through the event claiming urgent business, irritably told her to go home on her own. It was because of the alcohol.

Always tight on money, she stayed to drink as much free alcohol as she could. After all, no one knew her there…

What was it about that alcohol? If she had just gone straight home, she wouldn’t have gotten entangled with that man in such an absurd way.

It’s funny how only taken men approach her. Is that why she got set up on that blind date too?

Ha Jun lowered her eyes, feeling a cold sense of self-loathing creeping in.

It’s work hours now. Put aside useless thoughts and focus.

Brushing away the jumbled thoughts, Ha Jun quietly turned her gaze to the computer monitor. She clicked on the client and guest response list among the work-related files and slowly scanned through the people in the file.

“Ah…”

Found him. No, he was right there, third on the list.

Though not as well-known as his older brother, CEO Kim Il Jun, she knew Kim Yi Hyun’s name and some rumors surrounding him.

For example, that he has a bad temper, or that he’s always surrounded by women, or that while capable, he enjoys playing around more and will never surpass his brother because of it.

“Director Kim Yi Hyun…”

Hearing her murmur absentmindedly, Yeon A in the next seat giggled.

“That photo is really amazing, right? When I made that file, I indulged a bit and used my favorite interview photo of him. Hehe~”

Hyun Ju chuckled at Yeon A’s playful comment.

“I can’t stand it, really. It’s time for the executive director to leave now.”

“Yes!”

Hyun Ju stood up, adjusted her clothes, and put her work tablet into her briefcase.

Because Oh Se Ra, who was punctual to the minute, would open that door at exactly 11 o’clock.

After briefly telling Ha Jun about Se Ra’s obsession with time, Yeon A stood up.

It was 10:59. Ha Jun also stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles that had formed on her skirt.

A moment later, as soon as the digital clock on the wall changed to 11:00, the door to the executive office opened.

With brisk footsteps as lively as Oh Se Ra herself, she appeared. But Se Ra was alone.

“Bring a cup of coffee inside. He’s being lazy again. Make sure to kick him out before lunch break ends, no matter what. I’ll be back at 3 PM.”

After Se Ra quickly gave her instructions, Chief Choi Hyun Ju left the executive office, and Yeon A hurriedly pressed the button on the coffee grinder.

“Director Kim Yi Hyun likes his Americano very strong. He doesn’t drink capsule coffee or anything with milk, and prefers hand-drip.”

“Yes. I’ll remember that.”

“The Jaein Group headquarters is just two blocks away, but sometimes he comes without prior appointment. Like today.”

What’s so great about him? Well, I guess he is handsome, being a chaebol heir and all…

Watching Yeon A chatter away while pouring hot water over the filter, Ha Jun lowered her head. Feeling an inexplicable ache for a man who was nothing to her, she unconsciously clenched her fist.

Yeon A poured the freshly brewed coffee into an elegant cup, placed it on a tray, and after a knock, entered the executive office.

She came out after a slightly longer time than it should take to just deliver a cup of coffee, her cheeks flushed.

“I’m going out for a bit. An errand for the director.”

“Okay…”

Whatever was so good or urgent, Yeon A quickly grabbed her phone and dashed out, and almost simultaneously, the closed door of the executive office opened.

Ha Jun’s head turned at the sound of the door opening.

Those cold, pitch-black eyes of that man, Director Kim Yi Hyun, were looking at her.

“Come in for a moment.”

That languid voice gripped Ha Jun’s throat tightly.

Yi Hyun, who entered the executive office, sat down in the main seat of the reception sofa as if this were his own office.

Se Ra glared at the sudden uninvited guest, but Yi Hyun’s attention was focused on Ha Jun, who would be just outside that door.

To think he’d learn the name and workplace of the woman who had been grating on his nerves for days, all at once.

To think she was the secretary of his friend Se Ra. It was truly unexpected.

What kind of woman surprises a person every time they meet? And in a different way each time.

I wonder how she’ll surprise me next time?

The corners of Yi Hyun’s mouth turned up pleasantly.

“I’ve asked you three times now what happened that day.”

Yi Hyun turned his head at Se Ra’s sharp voice.

“Ah, I met someone.”

“Who could be so important?”

“Someone quite intriguing.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, I’m not sure myself. I have a headache and came to rest. I’ll sleep for two hours.”

“Is this a hotel? Why sleep here instead of your own office?”

“That’s my business.”

“Ji Won. No, Han Chief. You’re running away from his nagging, right?”

“You know, so why ask? And I need to play hooky occasionally to maintain my bad image. It’s surprisingly hard work.”

Se Ra chuckled as she watched Yi Hyun lean back comfortably on the spacious sofa and close his eyes.

During their college days, Yi Hyun, Se Ra, and the current Chief Han Ji Won were a famous trio. And even now, they remained the closest of friends, sharing all their innermost thoughts.

“I have to leave at 11.”

“Have a safe trip.”

“You crazy bastard.”

Shaking her head, Se Ra started to focus on her work again. And a moment later, at exactly 11 o’clock, she stood up.

“Don’t stay too long in an empty room, and leave before lunch break ends.”

She opened the door without even looking at Yi Hyun.

Yi Hyun opened his eyes at the sound of the door and turned his head towards it. As he caught a glimpse of Ha Jun standing up through the gap of the open door, avoiding Se Ra’s retreating figure, Yi Hyun’s handsome lips quivered slightly.

With a thud, the door closed, and Yi Hyun lazily crossed his long legs, muttering amusedly.

“Well then, shall we have a private interview with Lee Ha Jun, who’s now in the trap?”

The door of the executive office closed after telling her to come in. Her white hand gripping her skirt trembled.

Hoo~ Ha Jun took a deep breath and slowly stood up, standing in front of the executive office door. She should knock, but her hand wouldn’t move.

Was it really the right choice to willingly walk into a space alone with that man?

In the end, Ha Jun couldn’t even knock, let alone open the door, and just stood there blankly before turning around.

But at that very moment.

The closed door opened, and a strong arm pulled her inside.

With a bang, the door closed, and Ha Jun, trapped between the door and the man, looked up at him.

“I finally learned your name. Lee Ha Jun.”

“Why… are you doing this?”

“Well, I’m not sure myself. Why am I doing this?”

As Yi Hyun took another step closer, his hot breath touched her forehead.

“Now you know who I am and my name, right?”

“Yes… Now that I know, I don’t want to get any closer.”

Ha Jun lowered her eyes. Yi Hyun’s Adam’s apple bobbed greatly as he looked down at her long eyelashes trembling in a neat fan shape.

Ah, this feeling is thirst. A burning thirst.

As Ha Jun tried to twist her body to escape from his arms, Yi Hyun moved even closer, pressing his body against hers, and whispered lowly in her ear.

“That day, why did you just leave?”

“This is burdensome. Please move aside.”

Yi Hyun smiled at Ha Jun’s expressionless face, speaking like a wax doll as if she had never trembled.

“Making that expression is dangerous. Isn’t it strange? I feel like I’m going crazy more when Ha Jun speaks robotically with that stiff expression rather than when she smiles prettily.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Yi Hyun’s face suddenly came close to Ha Jun. The hot breath felt at such close proximity tickled Ha Jun’s heart, and his voice, lowered even further, resonated in her ear.

“I’m going to kiss you now, so say no if you don’t want it.”

Ha Jun, who had lowered her eyes unable to bear the heat, barely opened her mouth.

“…Move aside.”

“Is that really what you want?”

“Yes.”

Still keeping his eyes fixed on Ha Jun, Yi Hyun released his arms that were holding her.

“I’m not holding you now. If you want to push me away, do it yourself.”

“…”

Ha Jun’s trembling fingertips slowly rose to push Yi Hyun away. As her palm touched his firm chest, heaving with excitement, a tingling sensation pulsed strongly from the point of contact.

Ha Jun unconsciously withdrew her hand that had touched him. Yi Hyun, who had been watching her movements from above, couldn’t miss that. His large hand instantly grabbed her wrist.

“I clearly gave you a chance to escape.”

His handsome face, tinged with a smile, came down at an angle. The hot and tingling sensation that started from their touching lips set Ha Jun’s entire body on fire. Heat filled her eyes, making her vision sway dizzily, and her breath caught.

In the room of her superior, on her first day at work, the man with whom Lee Ha Jun had her first transgression was holding her tightly.

Despite the absurdity of the situation, Ha Jun’s body gradually lost its strength.

Struggling in the midst of a whirlwind of emotions, Ha Jun finally succumbed to the storm named Kim Yi Hyun that had shaken her.

No, in fact, she couldn’t push this man away.

Perhaps the strange emotion she felt when she first encountered Yi Hyun was hiding something much deeper and more intense than Ha Jun had thought.

Yes, I must have… liked this man.

As she became aware of this feeling she had never experienced before, it was as if her mind suddenly cleared. Ha Jun hurriedly pushed away Yi Hyun who was holding her.

Slipping through the gap of his large body, Ha Jun quickly opened the door of the executive office and went out before Yi Hyun could say anything.