After hanging up the phone, Eun-soo felt a surge of adrenaline that had nothing to do with her earlier treadmill session.
She moved through her kitchen with a newfound grace, the rhythmic chopping of vegetables keeping time with the humming in her chest.
She decided on a balanced meal—something light enough for a child but substantial enough for a man heading to a high-pressure office in Yeouido.
She prepared toasted sandwiches with fluffy scrambled eggs, thin slices of smoked ham, and a touch of honey mustard, alongside a vibrant fruit salad and a thermos of freshly brewed coffee for Jin-woo.
Every few minutes, she glanced at the clock, her heart doing a little skip at the thought of the "Oppa" she had so boldly claimed earlier that morning.
When the timer on her oven finally chimed, Eun-soo packed the warm parcels into an insulated bag.
She checked her reflection one last time—opting for a soft, cream-colored knit sweater and high-waisted trousers.
It was professional enough for the kindergarten, but the color brought out a healthy glow in her cheeks.
She sent a quick text: Ready! See you at the elevator.
When the doors slid open, Jin-woo was already standing there, holding Hajun's hand.
Hajun was dressed in his adorable yellow kindergarten uniform, looking like a little sprout.
"Aunty!" Hajun chirped, forgetting the "Teacher" rule for a moment before catching himself.
"Good morning, you two," Eun-soo said, handing the bag to Jin-woo.
As they stepped into the lift, the small space felt charged.
Jin-woo's sleeve brushed against hers, and the scent of his sandalwood cologne mingled with the aroma of the toasted sandwiches.
"You really didn't have to do all this," Jin-woo said, though his eyes were fixed on the bag with genuine appreciation.
"It's just a thank you for the ride," she replied softly.
Once they reached the underground parking lot and settled into Jin-woo's sleek black SUV, Hajun was the first to dive in.
Jin-woo handed him a small container of sliced strawberries and a half-sandwich.
"Wow! This is way better than the cereal Uncle gives me," Hajun mumbled through a mouthful of egg.
Jin-woo took a bite of his own sandwich as he pulled out of the parking complex.
He paused, the flavors hitting him all at once. "Eun-soo... this is incredible. I didn't know your culinary skills were on par with your teaching."
"Is it really okay?" she asked, her hands clasped nervously in her lap.
"It's more than okay," Jin-woo replied, his voice dropping an octave, becoming more intimate. "It feels... like a real home-cooked meal. Thank you, Eun-soo."
The use of her name, informal and warm, made her turn her head toward the window to hide her deepening blush.
The city of Seoul was beginning to wake up, the morning light reflecting off the Han River as they navigated the early traffic.
The drive to the Little Mozart International Kindergarten was filled with Hajun's excited chatter.
He talked about the drawing he wanted to finish and the songs they were learning.
As the brightly colored gates of the school came into view, Jin-woo pulled into the drop-off lane.
"We're here," Jin-woo said, unbuckling Hajun.
Eun-soo stepped out first to help Hajun out of his car seat.
As the boy adjusted his backpack, he looked up at both of them.
"Are you coming to pick me up?" Hajun asked hopefully.
Eun-soo looked at Jin-woo, unsure of his schedule.
Jin-woo leaned across the passenger seat, looking out at them.
"I'll be here," Jin-woo promised. "And if your teacher finishes her work at the same time, we'll all go home together."
Hajun gave a tiny cheer and hugged Eun-soo's knees before running toward the entrance where the other teachers were waiting.
Eun-soo stayed by the car for a moment, the morning breeze fluttering her hair.
Jin-woo didn't drive away immediately. He climbed out of the car and stood on the sidewalk with her.
The professional facade of the CEO was softened by the stray crumbs on his chin, which Eun-soo pointed out shyly.
"Oh, did I miss a spot?" He wiped his face awkwardly.
"Jin-woo Oppa," she started, the name feeling more natural now. "Thank you for the ride. It made the morning much less lonely."
Jin-woo looked at her, his expression turning thoughtful.
He checked his watch—he had a meeting in thirty minutes—but he didn't want to leave yet.
"Eun-soo," he said, stepping a bit closer. "Hajun has been through a lot, and seeing him this happy... it's mostly because of you. And honestly, I've been feeling a lot lighter lately too."
He cleared his throat, looking slightly and uncharacteristically nervous.
"Next Sunday... the weather is supposed to be perfect. No rain, just clear skies. I was thinking of taking Hajun to the outskirts for a picnic. Maybe a forest park where he can run around."
He paused, looking directly into her eyes. "Would you like to join us? Not as Hajun's teacher, but... as yourself?"
Eun-soo felt her heart do a somersault.
A Sunday outing meant spending a whole day together outside the confines of their apartment building or the gym.
"I'd love to," she whispered, a brilliant smile breaking across her face. "I can prepare the lunch basket."
"It's a deal then," Jin-woo smiled, a look of pure triumph in his eyes. "I'll see you this afternoon."
As Eun-soo disappeared into the kindergarten, Jin-woo got back into his car.
The silence of the vehicle was now filled with the lingering scent of the breakfast she had made.
He felt an unusual spring in his step—or rather, a lightness in his foot on the accelerator.
He drove toward Yeouido, the financial hub of Seoul.
The skyline was dominated by the striking red pillars of Parc1, one of the most iconic architectural landmarks in the city.
The complex was a bustling hive of activity.
High-end shoppers were already trickling into The Hyundai Seoul, but Jin-woo headed straight for the office tower.
He pulled into his reserved spot in the basement and made his way to the private elevators.
As the lift ascended rapidly toward the 50th floor, the city began to shrink below him.
By the time the doors opened, he was looking out over the sprawling expanse of the Han River and the dense urban forest of Seoul.
His secretary, Han, was already waiting with a tablet in hand.
"Good morning, Mr. Jin-woo. You're looking... exceptionally well today. Did you get extra sleep?"
Jin-woo caught his reflection in the glass partitions of the sleek, modern lobby. He was smiling.
He quickly schooled his face into his usual professional mask, but the warmth remained in his eyes.
"The commute was just pleasant today, Secretary Han," he said, walking toward his corner office.