The morning sunlight spilled across Lumina Studio, highlighting the polished floors and the framed photographs lining the walls. Dahye sat at her desk, her fingers drumming lightly against the tabletop, but her mind wasn't on the day's plans. It had been a week since her date with Yerin, and not a word had come from her. The silence was almost unbearable. She wanted to respect Yerin's space, she told herself, but the ache of waiting gnawed at her, relentless and insistent.
Her phone buzzed, and she startled, glancing at the screen. Cho Yu Na.
"Dahye, come to the meeting room," Yu Na said, her tone brisk but gentle. "The VogueLuxe team has arrived. We're starting now."
Dahye straightened, smoothing the front of her blazer. "I'm coming," she replied, forcing her voice to sound calm. Her chest tightened as she rose, a mixture of anticipation and nervous energy stirring inside her.
When she stepped into the meeting room, her heart skipped. There they were: So Hee and Yerin walking in together, leading the VogueLuxe team. Dahye froze for a heartbeat, taking in the sight of Yerin — confident, composed, smiling politely as she greeted everyone.
Her stomach twisted. She hadn't expected Yerin at all, certainly not accompanying So Hee. Every rational thought she tried to cling to was drowned by a sudden, sharp rush of jealousy. She felt the heat rise in her chest and tried to swallow it down, forcing herself to focus on her professional role. This is work. Be professional.
Yerin's presence, however, was magnetic. She moved naturally, confidently, engaging with So Hee and the designers, laughing lightly, her gestures fluid. Dahye's eyes followed every movement, and despite herself, she felt a tightening in her chest that had nothing to do with work.
The meeting began. Designers from VogueLuxe presented their plans, discussing concepts, themes, and schedules for the three-month collaboration. Dahye tried to keep her attention on the conversation, on the logistics and coordination, but Yerin's voice cut through everything, clear and confident.
"We'll need five models," a designer explained. "Each model will work with one designer and one photographer from Lumina Studio. Coordination is key."
Yerin spoke immediately. "I have someone in mind — Jiyeon. She's adaptable, confident, and versatile. She can work well with your designs while complementing our photography style."
Dahye's chest constricted. Hearing Yerin suggest Jiyeon as a model — a member of their own team — stirred something she didn't expect. A wave of jealousy surged through her, sharp and unrelenting. Her fingers flexed around the pen on the table, but she forced herself to remain silent, biting back the urge to speak impulsively. She reminded herself she was the CEO; she couldn't let personal feelings affect the project.
So Hee responded smoothly, almost oblivious to Dahye's internal struggle. "Perfect. Let's go with her. We can find four more to round out the team."
Dahye exhaled slowly, trying to focus. She contributed professionally, offering suggestions on lighting and sequences, but her mind kept drifting back to Yerin. Every smile, every subtle laugh exchanged with So Hee, every confident gesture made Dahye's stomach tighten further.
She forced herself to concentrate on the discussion about locations, timing, and angles, but her heart betrayed her, beating faster with each glance at Yerin. She couldn't ignore how natural Yerin was here, how she fit into this world effortlessly, and how that made Dahye feel small and restless at the same time.
When Yerin leaned in to discuss a detail with So Hee, their heads close together, Dahye's chest tightened again. The sight made her jealous in a way she hadn't expected — not just possessive, but frustrated with herself for being so affected. She pressed her fingers lightly to the table, forcing herself to take deep, even breaths, telling herself over and over: Stay professional. This is work. Nothing else matters.
Even Yu Na noticed Dahye's slight distraction. She gave her a subtle, knowing glance, but said nothing. Some things, she knew, Dahye had to work through on her own.
As the meeting progressed, Dahye tried to center herself, but the flutter of her chest and the heat of her jealousy refused to fade. Yerin moved naturally around the room, confident, polite, engaged — and Dahye found herself watching her every gesture, wishing she could look at her without this ache in her chest.
By the end of the meeting, schedules had been planned, models were chosen, and locations finalized. Dahye had contributed every professional thought she had, kept her composure, and ensured that Lumina Studio's standards were upheld. Yet her mind was still racing, consumed by the subtle, persistent tug of jealousy.
As the team gathered their materials and prepared to leave, Dahye lingered near the window, gazing out at the city below. Her thoughts wandered over every moment of the morning: Yerin walking in with So Hee, suggesting Jiyeon as a model, and interacting with the team so effortlessly. Her chest still fluttered, a mixture of frustration, longing, and admiration.
She pressed her forehead lightly against the glass. Stay focused. Be professional. But deep inside, she knew that her heart wouldn't allow her to do that entirely. Yerin had disrupted the calm she normally carried through her mornings, and Dahye had no idea how to reconcile the rush of jealousy, attraction, and admiration she felt.
She took a deep breath and straightened. The collaboration needed her focus, the team depended on her, and the first shoot was only days away. And yet, even as she prepared to dive back into work, Dahye couldn't ignore the fluttering in her chest, the way her thoughts kept circling around Yerin, and the quiet, insistent longing she had been trying so hard to ignore.