The office hummed softly, like a machine that never truly slept.
Seo-Yeon sat at her desk, flipping through documents with calm precision.
Her posture was perfect, her expression composed, her pen gliding across paper like she had everything under control.
Because she did.
She always did.
Numbers aligned.
Schedules checked.
Deadlines crushed.
A quiet kind of excellence.
But then—
Something shifted.
Subtle.
Sharp.
Her pen paused mid-line.
Her brows knitted just slightly.
She leaned back.
Exhaled.
"…Why do I feel annoyed?" she murmured under her breath.
No reason.
Nothing happened.
And yet—
There it was.
That irritation.
That tight feeling sitting in her chest like it paid rent.
She closed the file.
Enough.
She knew this feeling.
And more importantly—
She knew how to deal with it.
Across the room, a colleague rushed past, holding a stack of documents.
"I need to submit this to the CEO—"
"I'll take it," Seo-Yeon said smoothly, already standing.
The colleague blinked.
Relieved.
"Thank you!"
Seo-Yeon took the file and walked.
Steps steady.
Controlled.
Straight to the lion's den.
She didn't knock.
Just opened the door.
Inside—
Min-Hyuk sat behind his desk, dressed in soft-toned formal wear that somehow managed to look both CEO and boyfriend-coded.
Clean lines, warm colors, sleeves slightly rolled like he worked hard but also hugged harder.
Across the room—
Yura stood near the shelves, organizing files.
Min-Hyuk looked up—
And immediately stood.
His expression softened, then sharpened slightly.
He noticed.
"…What happened?" he asked gently.
Seo-Yeon said nothing.
Walked over.
Placed the file on his desk.
A quiet thud.
Then turned to leave.
"Seo-Yeon."
She stopped.
Didn't turn.
"…I'm working," she said.
"You're upset."
"I'm not."
A small pause.
"…Just a little."
He smiled faintly.
That was enough.
He walked over and gently pulled her into a hug.
Warm.
Steady.
Seo-Yeon froze.
Her arms stayed crossed like she refused to participate.
"…Let go," she muttered.
"No."
"Min-Hyuk."
"You look like you want to fight someone."
"I do."
"Who?"
She paused.
"…I don't know yet."
That made him chuckle softly.
He leaned down slightly and pressed a light kiss to her cheek.
Seo-Yeon's eyes widened just a little.
"…Hey."
Another quick kiss.
"Min-Hyuk."
A third, softer one.
"Stop," she said, but there was no real bite left.
He pulled back just enough to look at her.
Smiling.
Soft.
Playful.
"Unnie," he said sweetly.
Her glare snapped back instantly.
"What unnie?"
He blinked, pretending to panic.
"Ah—wrong title—"
He leaned closer, voice softer now.
"Jagiya."
Her expression faltered.
Just a little.
From the side—
Yura cleared her throat.
"…You guys are still in the office," she reminded them.
Min-Hyuk glanced at her briefly, then back at Seo-Yeon like nothing else mattered.
"Last one," he murmured.
And kissed her cheek again.
Gentle.
Lingering just a second longer.
"There," he whispered. "Mood fixed?"
Seo-Yeon exhaled slowly.
"…Maybe."
She turned quickly before he could see the small change in her face.
Walked to the door.
Opened it.
Stepped out—
And closed it behind her.
The second she was alone—
She paused.
Touched her cheek lightly.
Then nodded to herself.
"…Yes."
A tiny breath.
"Okay."
And just like that—
She walked off again.
Composed.
But secretly…
completely defeated by one (very persistent) boyfriend.
---
The sun had started dipping just enough to turn the company building glass into gold.
Ji-Ah stepped out, stretching slightly as she walked, keys in hand—
And right beside her—
"Pip!"
A soft put-put-put answered.
Her motorcycle gleamed like it was ready for drama.
She smiled, patting it lightly.
"Let's go home, partner—"
A low engine hum cut in.
Smooth.
Expensive.
Unapologetically rich.
She turned.
A sleek car rolled to a stop beside her.
The window slid down.
And there he was.
Ha-Joon, one hand resting on the wheel, the other lazily tapping against the door.
He looked at her.
Then at Pip.
Then back at her.
"…Be careful, okay."
Ji-Ah blinked.
"…Huh?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"With that thing," he added.
She gasped softly, offended, turning to Pip.
"Did you hear that? He called you that thing."
She looked back at him.
"It has a name."
"I know," he said calmly. "Danger."
She scoffed.
"Excuse me?"
He ignored that completely.
"I'm hungry."
Ji-Ah paused.
Then slowly… touched her stomach.
As if checking.
Right on cue—
Grrr.
She looked down.
Then back at him.
"…Okay, me too."
Ha-Joon nodded like this was expected.
"There's a restaurant."
"Of course there is," she muttered.
"Come with me."
She blinked.
Then pointed at Pip.
"…But Pip?"
Ha-Joon didn't even look at it this time.
"I'll tell Seo-Jun to handle it."
Ji-Ah hesitated.
Looked at her bike.
Then at the car.
Then back at her bike again.
"…You'll be okay without me, right?" she whispered dramatically to Pip.
Silence.
She nodded.
"Stay strong."
Ha-Joon watched all of this.
Unimpressed.
"…Are you done?"
"Yes."
She smiled suddenly—
Bright.
Quick.
Then walked over and opened the passenger door, sliding into the seat.
Comfort swallowed her instantly.
"…Oh."
She looked around.
"…Okay, I get it now."
Ha-Joon almost smirked.
Almost.
"I said I'll buy anything you want."
Ji-Ah turned to him slowly.
Dangerous.
"Anything?"
He started the car.
"Within reason."
"Ah," she nodded. "So… everything."
He glanced at her.
"…You're a problem."
She grinned.
"You invited me."
A beat.
Then—
He exhaled softly, shifting gears.
"Let's go."
And just like that—
They drove off.
Pip, left behind, glowed faintly in the sunset like a loyal side character waiting for its next scene.
The restaurant doors opened like a scene change.
Soft lighting.
Low music.
Everything polished to a quiet shine.
Ji-Ah stepped in beside Ha-Joon—
—and immediately straightened her posture.
Composed.
Elegant.
Graceful.
Or… attempting to be.
Her steps slowed just slightly as her eyes flicked around.
Crystal glasses.
Perfectly folded napkins.
People who looked like they belonged here.
She swallowed.
"Act normal," she whispered to herself.
Ha-Joon glanced at her.
"…What are you doing?"
"Nothing," she said quickly, lifting her chin like she owned the place. "This is my natural aura."
"…Right."
They were led to a table.
Ji-Ah sat carefully.
Too carefully.
Like the chair might judge her.
Ha-Joon leaned back slightly, watching her.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
Ji-Ah nodded immediately.
"Yes."
A beat.
"…Very much."
Her eyes were already scanning everything again.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
A menu was placed in front of them.
Ha-Joon didn't even open his.
"Order."
Ji-Ah blinked.
"…Me?"
"Yes."
She slowly picked up the menu.
Then—
Something shifted.
Her hesitation disappeared.
Her eyes lit up.
"Oh."
A quiet, dangerous oh.
She flipped a page.
Then another.
"Oh—this one is good… and this… and this—"
She paused, then looked up.
"…Are you sure?"
Ha-Joon rested his chin lightly on his hand.
"Go on."
That was all she needed.
She ordered.
Confident.
Detailed.
Like she had been waiting her whole life for this exact moment.
When she finished, she looked at him.
"…Too much?"
"No."
A small pause.
"…Not enough, maybe."
She blinked.
Then smiled.
Soft.
Satisfied.
For a split second—
He almost smiled too.
Almost.
The food arrived.
Plates set down one after another like a feast had been summoned.
Ji-Ah stared.
Eyes wide.
Then—
She picked up her fork.
And began eating.
Properly.
At first.
Slow.
Controlled.
Then—
Less controlled.
Then—
Fully invested.
Ha-Joon watched her quietly.
There was something oddly… honest about it.
No pretending.
No performance.
Just—
Enjoyment.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Do you really want Min-Hyuk and Seo-Yeon to get married?"
Ji-Ah didn't even pause.
"Yes."
Immediate.
Certain.
She swallowed, then added—
"They like each other. It's obvious."
A small nod.
Like she had already decided their fate.
Ha-Joon leaned back slightly.
Watching her.
Then—
"I'm ready to get married."
Ji-Ah froze.
Fork halfway to her mouth.
"…What?"
He didn't react.
Didn't smile.
Didn't explain.
Just—
"I'm ready."
She slowly lowered her fork.
Eyes narrowing.
"…You hit your head again?"
"No."
A pause.
Then—
"You need to find me a wife."
Silence.
Ji-Ah blinked.
Once.
Twice.
"…What."
He reached for his glass like he had just asked for water.
Casual.
Normal.
"I need someone suitable."
Ji-Ah stared at him like he had just announced he was moving to Mars.
"…WHAT?"
A few people glanced over.
She didn't care.
"You want me to—what—interview candidates? Hold auditions? Create a wife application form?!"
Ha-Joon took a sip.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"If that helps."
Ji-Ah leaned back in her chair, hands dropping to her sides.
"…This man is serious."
She pointed at him.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
A beat.
Then she laughed.
Once.
Short.
Disbelieving.
"…No."
She shook her head.
"No, no, no, no—"
Then leaned forward.
Eyes sharp.
"You're not getting married."
He raised a brow slightly.
"And why is that?"
Ji-Ah pointed her fork at him like a weapon.
"Because you don't want to."
A pause.
Then, softer—
"You just think you have to."
The air shifted.
Just a little.
But she didn't notice.
She leaned back again, picking up her fork.
"…Also, I'm not your matchmaking service."
He watched her for a moment.
Quiet.
Thinking.