Ji-Ah stood there for a moment after her little verbal victory.
Then something unexpected happened.
Yoo-Na suddenly reached out and touched Ha-Joon's arm.
Not dramatically.
Just lightly.
But Ha-Joon flinched.
Not big.
Just enough.
Yoo-Na paused.
Her eyes dropped to her own hand still resting on his sleeve.
Something about it looked… wrong.
She slowly removed her hand.
Ji-Ah noticed.
And for some strange reason, it made her chest feel tight.
Why do I suddenly feel like slapping this woman…
She blinked at herself internally.
For God's sake.
She's not only beautiful but somehow also… ugly.
Her brain was clearly confused.
Before her thoughts could spiral further, Ha-Joon's calm voice cut through the room.
"Mrs. Park."
Ji-Ah looked up immediately.
He was already back to his usual composed expression.
"Go back to work."
Ji-Ah nodded.
"Yes, sir."
She turned and walked out.
Behind her, she could already hear Yoo-Na starting again.
Complaining.
Something about attitude.
Something about disrespect.
Ji-Ah kept walking.
Whatever.
If she started caring about every complaint in this building, she would need three extra lives.
She stepped back into the main office area.
Sat down.
Peace lasted approximately four seconds.
Then suddenly—
"Ji-Ah!"
Kai-Wen appeared beside her desk like an excited golden retriever.
He leaned forward eagerly.
"Tomorrow is my birthday."
Ji-Ah blinked.
"Oh."
"We're hosting a small party," he continued. "Just a few people. Friends."
He scratched the back of his neck.
"Would you mind coming?"
Ji-Ah's face lit up instantly.
"YES."
Then she coughed.
"I mean… yes, of course."
Parties with friends were infinitely better than surviving office drama.
Kai-Wen grinned.
Do-Yoon appeared behind him, smiling calmly as she ran a hand through her hair.
"Great," Do-Yoon said.
Soo-Min spun her chair around.
"We're all coming anyway."
From the corner desk, Hea-In lifted a hand without looking up from her computer.
"I already planned my outfit."
Kai-Wen sighed dramatically.
He looked around at the group.
"I really don't know why most of my friends are girls."
Ji-Ah stood up slowly.
Walked over.
And patted his shoulder.
Very seriously.
"Have you considered the possibility…"
Kai-Wen squinted.
"…that men don't trust you?"
"What?!"
Ji-Ah nodded thoughtfully.
"Think about it."
She gestured at him.
"You're handsome."
Kai-Wen blinked.
"…Okay?"
"You're friendly."
"…Yes?"
"You remember birthdays."
"…Yes???"
Ji-Ah folded her arms.
"That's extremely suspicious behavior for a man."
The entire desk area exploded with laughter.
Kai-Wen looked horrified.
"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?"
Ji-Ah leaned closer and whispered dramatically,
"Men probably think you're trying to steal their girlfriends."
Kai-Wen gasped.
"I WOULD NEVER!"
Soo-Min laughed so hard she nearly slid out of her chair.
Hea-In finally looked up from her screen.
"…Actually that makes sense."
Do-Yoon nodded slowly.
"Very logical."
Kai-Wen clutched his chest.
"I am being slandered by my own friends."
Ji-Ah patted his shoulder again.
"Don't worry."
He looked hopeful.
"You still have us."
Kai-Wen sighed.
"…That doesn't feel comforting."
Ji-Ah grinned.
--
Night had folded over the house.
The mansion was quiet in that rich-people way. Soft lights. Long hallways. Everything calm enough to hear your own thoughts complaining.
Inside the home office, Ha-Joon sat behind his desk, working.
Laptop open. Papers scattered neatly.
He still wore his work clothes, sleeves rolled slightly.
His hair, however, had clearly lost its earlier discipline. Messy in that unfair way that made it difficult for normal people to take him seriously.
The kind of messy that looked accidental but somehow… good.
Dangerously good.
Across the room, Ji-Ah stood in the doorway wearing her pajamas.
Arms folded.
Watching him.
Trying very hard not to smile.
Or laugh.
Or both.
She cleared her throat.
"Boss."
Ha-Joon didn't look up yet.
"Yes."
Ji-Ah stepped inside.
"So… something happened today."
He continued typing.
"Something always happens when you are involved."
Ji-Ah ignored that.
"Kai-Wen's birthday is tomorrow."
Ha-Joon paused his typing for half a second.
Then continued.
"And?"
Ji-Ah took a deep breath.
"He wants to host the party at my house."
Now he looked up.
Slowly.
His eyes rested on her.
"…Your house."
"Yes."
A quiet pause.
Then he leaned back in his chair.
"Didn't I tell you not to tell anyone you live here?"
Ji-Ah raised a finger immediately.
"I didn't!"
His eyebrow lifted.
"But it's still the same," he said calmly. "You forgot the punishment?"
She groaned instantly.
"The 100,000 won again?"
He nodded.
"You break the contract. You pay me back."
Ji-Ah sighed dramatically and walked further into the room.
"Can you stop scolding me for five seconds?"
Ha-Joon leaned back, watching her.
She continued complaining.
"I didn't even tell them I live here."
"They just assumed I have a house."
"So now they want a party there."
"So instead of lecturing me maybe you should help me find a solution."
She crossed her arms proudly.
Ha-Joon stared at her.
Then he sighed too.
"Why are you always so unthoughtful?"
Ji-Ah gasped softly.
"Excuse me?"
Her finger pointed at him immediately.
"I didn't say I wanted to come to this house in the first place!"
Ha-Joon tilted his head slightly.
"But you signed the contract."
Ji-Ah rolled her eyes so hard they nearly left orbit.
"Please."
She pressed her hands together dramatically.
"Just help me."
For a moment he didn't say anything.
He simply studied her.
Then finally he nodded once.
"I'll talk to Seo-Jun."
Ji-Ah blinked.
"Huh?"
"He'll find you a small apartment."
Silence.
Then Ji-Ah's face brightened instantly.
"Really?"
"Yes."
She clapped her hands once, smiling.
"Thank you!"
She turned and started walking toward the door.
Freedom achieved.
But then—
"Wait."
She stopped.
Turned back.
Ha-Joon rested his elbow on the desk.
"What about your father's house?"
Ji-Ah blinked.
"Oh."
She scratched her head.
"I could use it."
Then she shrugged.
"But it's too small."
"You can't host a party there?"
She shook her head.
"Definitely not."
He nodded slowly.
"Then the apartment will solve it."
Ji-Ah grinned again.
"Perfect."
She waved lightly.
"Goodnight, boss."
And walked out.
The door closed softly behind her.
Ha-Joon sat there quietly for a moment.
Then leaned back in his chair.
His messy hair fell slightly into his eyes.
He exhaled slowly.
"…Rowdy baby indeed," he murmured to himself.