Ji-Ah sighed, running a hand through her messy brown hair, then left her room and walked to her mini studio.
She sat at the piano, fingers hovering over the keys, and started to play—soft at first, hesitant.
Her voice broke the quiet:
"Empty streets, I walk alone,
No one waits, no place called home.
Fading voices, dreams I chase, Memories lost I can't replace."
She paused, letting the last note linger, and sighed, staring down at her hands.
"Your voice…" a gentle, melodic voice said from behind.
Ji-Ah spun around. "Oh! I… I didn't lock the doors. Sorry."
Nisa shook her head, smiling.
"Way too formal. Take me as a friend. And… your voice is beautiful. If you sing again, call me."
Ji-Ah nodded, a faint warmth spreading through her chest. "Okay. I will."
-----
The next day, Ji-Ah sat at her desk, legs tapping nonstop beneath it.
Her brown hair was tied loosely, strands slipping free as she stared at her screen without actually seeing it.
Soo-Min noticed—but didn't ask.
Whenever she did, the answer was always the same.
The boss.
Ji-Ah's phone rang.
Min-Jae.
She didn't pick up. She stood abruptly, chair scraping back, and walked straight downstairs.
Outside, she grabbed Min-Jae by the arm and dragged him in.
Pink shirt. Neatly pressed trousers. Hair styled too nicely.
Inside the elevator, Ji-Ah squinted at his hair. "It's sticking up."
"It's fine—"
She reached up and aggressively smoothed it down.
With her saliva.
Min-Jae froze. "Did you just—?"
"Emergency," she whispered.
"You're insane."
The elevator dinged.
They walked straight into Ha-Joon's office.
Ha-Joon looked up.
His hair fell slightly over his forehead, dark and perfectly undone, sleeves rolled up just enough to be intentional. His expression was calm. Dangerous.
"Sit," he said.
They sat.
He opened a file. "Where do you work?"
"Hanryeon Foods," Min-Jae replied smoothly.
"And your position?"
"Head of servers."
Ha-Joon nodded once. "When did you know Ji-Ah was living with me?"
"From the start."
"And who are you to her?"
"A friend," Min-Jae said. "Best friend. Since forever."
Ji-Ah stayed silent, fingers clenched in her lap.
Ha-Joon looked at Min-Jae for a long moment. "Will you tell anyone?"
Min-Jae smiled lightly. "My lips are sealed, tyrant."
A pause.
Then Ha-Joon closed the file. "Confident. You may leave."
Ji-Ah nodded immediately, standing up with a relieved smile. "Gladly, sir."
She didn't breathe again until they were outside.
---
It wasn't long after when Ha-Joon sent for coffee.
Ji-Ah entered his office quietly.
Ha-Joon stood by the couch, hands clasped behind his back, hair falling slightly over his forehead, his expression cold and focused.
Seo-Jun stood opposite him, concern clear on his face.
"Coffee, sir," Ji-Ah said hesitantly, placing the cup down.
She turned to leave.
"Ms. Park."
She stopped.
Seo-Jun glanced at her and gave a polite smile before turning back to Ha-Joon. "The man is Do-Hae. He disrupted the company across town—in Jeju. Completely dismantled it."
Ji-Ah frowned slightly. "Why?"
Seo-Jun answered calmly, "He's your boss's former employee. A rival. He left, became famous, and now he's trying to claim Ha-Joon's shares."
Ji-Ah scoffed. "So… bitter."
"He's coming to Seoul," Seo-Jun continued. "And he knows too much."
Ji-Ah's voice was low. "How did he know?"
Ha-Joon spoke up before thinking. "Because he saw us."
Silence.
Ha-Joon picked up a photo and turned it toward her.
It was her and Ha-Joon together—too close.
Her hands were mid-air, fingers curled like she was about to strangle him. Ha-Joon looked completely unimpressed.
Ji-Ah stared. "…Why do I look like I'm committing a crime?"
"You weren't careful," Ha-Joon said.
She crossed her arms. "Next time I'll actually strangle you. At least it'll be accurate."
Seo-Jun coughed, clearly holding back a laugh.
Ha-Joon ignored it. "From now on, you'll have increased security. No unnecessary movement."
Ji-Ah sighed. "Amazing. I get stalked by a failed ex-employee with an ego."
"Do-Hae is dangerous," Seo-Jun added.
She waved it off. "He sounds pathetic."
Ha-Joon looked at her steadily. "Pathetic men are the most reckless."
Ji-Ah rolled her eyes—but this time, she didn't argue.
She understood.
Things weren't simple anymore.
Ji-Ah was halfway out the door when Ha-Joon spoke again.
"Ms. Park."
She stopped, already tired. "Yes, sir?"
"From today on, you won't move alone."
She turned. "Excuse me?"
He looked at Seo-Jun. "Assign two men. One visible. One not."
Ji-Ah frowned. "I don't need bodyguards. I'm not a celebrity."
Ha-Joon's gaze didn't waver. "Do-Hae doesn't target celebrities. He targets leverage."
Seo-Jun nodded. "They'll stay at a distance. You won't notice them."
"That's not comforting," Ji-Ah muttered.
Ha-Joon stepped closer. "This isn't a suggestion."
She crossed her arms. "So what, I breathe—someone reports it?"
"Yes," he said calmly. "And you stay alive."
Silence.
She sighed. "Fine. But if they follow me into the bathroom, I'm quitting."
Seo-Jun smiled despite himself.
Ha-Joon didn't. "You'll adjust."
Ji-Ah rolled her eyes, walking out. "Tyrant."
Ha-Joon watched her leave.
And tightened security anyway.