Seoul Station — 7:15 AM
The train screeched to a stop with a hiss of steam and steel, jolting Yoon Haeun awake from her light doze. She rubbed her eyes, blinking against the early morning light filtering into the station.
Another day. Another contract.
Or so she told herself.
As she stepped onto the platform, dragging her bag behind her, the smell of roasted chestnuts and exhaust filled the air. Seoul was colder than Busan, and she pulled her coat tighter as a breeze cut through the crowd. Everything moved fast here. People walked like they were already late for tomorrow.
But something else moved inside her. A tightness in her chest. That strange sensation again—like her skin didn't quite fit. Like something invisible had followed her off the train.
She touched her bracelet.
She always did when that feeling returned.
Underneath the silver band, the birthmark tingled. She hadn't looked at it in years, but it had looked the same since childhood—a flame curled into the shape of a lotus.
Some nights, she dreamed it glowed.
"Yoon Haeun-ssi?"
The voice startled her.
A petite woman in a neat black uniform bowed politely. "I'm Seo Yuri, from Daehan Group. I'll escort you to your meeting."
Haeun blinked, then returned the bow. "Of course. Thank you."
In the black sedan that whisked them through Seoul's grid of wide boulevards and skyscrapers, Haeun stared out the window, watching the city unfold like a story she hadn't read yet.
"I wasn't expecting a personal escort," she said lightly.
"Very few people get one," Yuri replied. "Fewer still are personally selected by Kang Jinhwan-ssi."
Haeun's brow lifted. "The CEO?"
"Yes."
Yuri didn't elaborate, and Haeun didn't push. But the hairs on her arm stood up.
Why her?
She hadn't even applied for this contract directly. It had come through a recommendation she never traced. The offer had been instant. Clean. Almost too easy.
And now the CEO himself had personally chosen her?
No. Something's off.
---
Daehan Tower — 9:05 AM
The building was beautiful in a way that almost offended her. Minimalist but intimidating. Rich without trying. A structure built to make everyone feel small.
As they rode the elevator, Yuri stayed quiet—perhaps sensing Haeun's nerves. When they reached the restricted floor, Yuri gestured to a biometric scanner.
"Go ahead."
"Me?" Haeun raised a brow.
"It's keyed to your file."
She placed her finger hesitantly.
The screen flashed green.
Access granted.
Yuri looked confused. "It shouldn't work that easily…"
The elevator opened into a wide, serene corridor lined with Korean art and sculptures. It felt more like a museum than an office.
And then she saw him.
Kang Jinhwan.
He was facing the window, sunlight outlining his frame. Tall. Impeccable. Still as a statue. The kind of man who didn't need to raise his voice to command a room.
When he turned to face her, it felt like someone had drawn a curtain from her eyes.
She didn't know him. But somehow, deep in her bones—she knew him.
Their eyes locked. Her breath caught.
He looked at her like he recognized her, too.
"Yoon Haeun-ssi," he said. "You're earlier than expected."
"You requested me," she replied, keeping her voice level.
"I did."
"May I ask why?"
He stepped closer. The air between them buzzed—too heavy, too quiet.
"You're not here by accident," he said softly. "None of this is."
Her fingers tightened around her bracelet.
And just then, the lights flickered.