The sharp sound of the alarm pierced through the quiet room. Dan stirred, groaning softly as she reached for her phone and switched it off. She blinked at the screen, realization settling in—it was time to get ready for work.
Dragging herself out of bed, she headed to the bathroom. The cold water against her skin slowly chased away the remnants of sleep as she brushed her teeth, then stepped into the shower. By the time she was done, her mind was clear and composed, the earlier drowsiness replaced with focus.
Back in her room, Dan slipped into an expensive designer dress tailored perfectly to her figure. It wasn't just fashion—it was confidence, stitched into every seam. She completed the look by picking up her designer bag, a one-of-a-kind piece specially made for her, before casting one last glance at her reflection.
After getting ready, Dan headed downstairs. As she reached the dining area, she saw both her parents already there. The moment her mother noticed her, her face lit up.
"Ayeiii, Dan! You're awake," her mother exclaimed warmly. "Come, come—eat this."
Her father looked up from his seat, his gaze calm yet observant.
"Mom, when did you come back from your ladies' holiday?" Dan asked, surprised.
"Yesterday at midnight," her mother replied casually.
Dan nodded.
"Dan, sit and have breakfast with us," her mother said, pulling out a chair for her.
"No, Mom," Dan replied apologetically, glancing at the time. "I'm already late. I really need to leave now." She turned, clearly in a rush.
"Wait," her father said suddenly, his voice firm.
Dan stopped mid-step and turned back.
"Come home early today," her father continued, his tone serious.
Dan frowned slightly. "Why, Dad?"
"Today, you'll be meeting the Hwang family," he said. "Jihoon will be there too. We'll have dinner together, and you'll get to know each other."
The words settled heavily in the air as Dan stood there, caught between the urgency of work and the reality of what awaited her that evening.
"Okay, Dad," Dan said quickly, trying to keep her composure. "But right now, I really need to rush."
Before either of them could say more, she turned and walked briskly toward the private elevator of the house.
"Go safely, Dan," her mother called out after her. "Don't rush."
"Okay, Mom," Dan replied, stepping inside the elevator.
The doors slid shut with a soft chime, leaving her alone with her thoughts—and the weight of the evening ahead.
"Hwang…" Dan murmured under her breath as the elevator began to descend.
She leaned lightly against the mirrored wall, her reflection staring back at her. "Hwang…" she repeated, the name rolling off her tongue
The surname echoed in her mind, stirring old memories she had no intention of revisiting. She exhaled slowly, straightening her posture as the elevator continued downward.
The day passed in a blur of meetings, documents, and endless discussions. Dan slipped seamlessly into her role at the company, her earlier thoughts pushed aside as she focused on work. From the moment she stepped into her office, she was all business—reviewing reports, giving instructions, and attending back-to-back meetings without missing a beat.
Normally, her days stretched well into the evening, but today was different. The clock seemed to move faster than usual, each ticking minute reminding her of what awaited her at home. By the time the clock struck 5 p.m., Dan closed the final file on her desk and stood up.
"Wrap up the remaining work," she instructed calmly, already reaching for her bag. "I'll take care of it tomorrow."
For once, she left the office on time. As she stepped out, a quiet sense of unease settled in her chest.
Dan settled into the back seat of the car as it pulled away from the company building and merged onto the road leading home. She let out a quiet sigh, leaning her head gently against the window. The city moved past her in a blur—busy streets, glowing signboards, familiar corners she had seen countless times before.
Her reflection stared back at her from the glass, distant and thoughtful.
"Hwang…" she murmured under her breath.
The name echoed again, heavier this time. Her fingers curled slightly in her lap as an old, unwelcome feeling crept in. The passing scenery faded from her focus, replaced by memories she hadn't visited in years.
Hwang...… Yiran.
Flashback —
"Yeahhh! Beomgyu, return my chips!" Dan complained, reaching out to snatch the packet from her older brother.
"You don't need to eat chips," Beomgyu scoffed, popping another one into his mouth. "You're already getting fat. Let me eat—I'm thin."
"You? Thin?" Dan burst out laughing. "Look at yourself in the mirror, you pig. Even real pigs are cuter than you." The fourteen-year-old stuck out her tongue at him.
"You little—" Beomgyu started, raising his hand dramatically.
Before he could finish, a servant interrupted politely. "Mr. Beomgyu, your friend is here."
Beomgyu paused, then nodded. "Alright."
The servant bowed and left.
Dan narrowed her eyes at her brother, raising an eyebrow. "Who's your friend—"
Before she could finish, Beomgyu's gaze shifted toward the entrance. His expression instantly changed as he noticed his best friend standing there.
"Hey, Yiran!" Beomgyu got up, grinning. "Thank God you're here. Let's play a game."
Dan turned slowly in the same direction—
Yiran stepped inside, dressed in a black, cozy hoodie that hung loosely on his frame. His presence was quiet, almost effortless, as if he didn't need to announce himself to be noticed.
"Hiee," Dan said softly, giving him a small, awkward wave.
Yiran simply nodded in return—no smile, no extra words. Just a calm acknowledgment.
And somehow… that was enough.
At fourteen, Dan didn't understand it fully, but something about him drew her in. He wasn't loud like her brother or playful like the others. He was cold, aloof, and reserved, carrying a calmness that made the room feel different. He spoke only when needed, observed more than he reacted, and never tried to impress anyone.
That quiet confidence—so unlike the chaos around her—caught her attention. The way he stayed composed, distant yet steady, made her curious. To young Dan, he felt mysterious, untouchable… and that unknowable calm was exactly what made her heart flutter without her even realizing it.
"Ayeii, Beomgyu, I'll go back to my bedroom," Dan said suddenly, her voice a little too quick.
Before her brother could reply, she rushed away, her footsteps disappearing down the hallway.
"Ayee, she's weird," Beomgyu muttered, watching her go.
"Well… she is your sister," Yiran said calmly, his tone even.
"Yahh, what do you mean by that?" Beomgyu shot back, frowning.
Yiran shrugged lightly. "Anyways, let's play a game," he said, smoothly changing the topic.
"You're totally changing the topic," Beomgyu said, shaking his head—but he still followed, the moment already slipping into the background.
Meanwhile, inside her bedroom, Dan shut the door softly behind her and leaned against it for a second, trying to steady herself. Then she walked toward her bed and sat down on the edge, her movements slow and uncertain.
She placed a hand over her chest, right above her heart. It was pounding—too fast, too loud—like it was trying to escape.
Why is it beating like this? she thought, eyes wide.
Her heart felt as if it had exploded into a thousand restless beats, unfamiliar and overwhelming. At fourteen, she didn't have a name for the feeling yet. All she knew was that a single nod, a quiet presence, and a boy in a black hoodie had somehow turned her calm world upside down..
It wasn't the first time Dan had seen Yiran. He had been around before—Beomgyu's quiet friend who came and went without much notice. But this time was different.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, hand still pressed against her racing heart, the realization slowly sank in. This wasn't just nervousness or surprise. It was something else entirely.
For the first time, Dan understood it clearly.
She had a crush on Yiran.
The thought made her heart flutter even harder, a mix of excitement and confusion washing over her. She closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath, unaware that this small, innocent realization would stay with her far longer than she ever expected.
Flashback ends.
Dan was still leaning against the car window, the city lights sliding past her eyes. She hadn't realized how deeply she'd drifted into the past until the memory faded and the present quietly returned.
A small, bittersweet smile crept onto her lips as she remembered it—the innocent flutter, the racing heart, the boy in the black hoodie. It felt distant now, softened by time, yet strangely vivid.
She exhaled slowly, her fingers brushing the cool glass. Some memories never truly disappeared. They simply waited, resurfacing when a familiar name was spoken—
Hwang.
She didn't even know if she could do what her parents were asking of her—an arranged marriage with Hwang Jihoon. She didn't know him at all. Not his thoughts, not his nature, not the kind of person he was behind the name and reputation.
The car continued moving, but Dan felt stuck, caught between the past and the future. Her mind was a tangled mess of expectations, memories, and unanswered questions.
How can I marry someone I don't even know? she thought.
Confusion settled heavily in her chest. The calm certainty she usually carried was nowhere to be found. All she knew was that tonight would change something—and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.