Friday. The day my life turned into a full-blown dramas episode complete with jealous glares, accidental promotions, and a dinner I never should have agreed to.
It started innocently enough.
I walked into the office at 8:20 a.m., iced Americano for me, black coffee for the devil. My desk—still parked right outside his door like a loyal puppy—had a new addition: a sleek nameplate that read Han Hyemi, Executive Assistant to CEO Kang.
Fancy. Trapped.
Dae-Hyun was already inside, on a call, pacing by the window in a black suit that should be illegal before 9 a.m.
He ended the call when I entered.
"Coffee," I said, placing it down.
He nodded—barely. "Morning briefing in ten. Japan team wants updates."
"Got it."
I turned to leave.
"Miss Han."
I paused. "Yeah?"
He hesitated—actually hesitated. "Last night. The storm."
I waited.
He looked away. "Forget it happened."
Too late. I already replayed that soft "thank you" in my head all night.
"Already forgotten," I lied, smiling.
His eyes flicked back. Narrowed.
Then he dismissed me with a wave.
Progress? Maybe.
9:30 a.m. – The Intern Trap Strikes Again
Group chat exploded mid-morning.
Seoyeon: SOS. Mr. Park just cornered me in the elevator. Said "Great job yesterday, intern! We need you for the 10 a.m. sales pitch prep!" Seoyeon: I TRIED TO SAY NO. HE SAID "DON'T BE SHY!" Nari: LMAO DEAD Ara 🧚♀️: This is karma for your dramatic entrance Jiwon: Be careful. Don't blow your cover Me: Pics or it didn't happen Seoyeon: If I get hired for real I'm blaming all of you
An hour later, photos arrived.
Seoyeon in her bob wig, glasses, blazer two sizes too big—standing at a whiteboard in the sales conference room, marker in hand, drawing what looked like a fashion trend graph.
Caption: "They asked me to 'brainstorm luxury branding ideas.' I panicked and channeled my actual job."
Then another photo: the entire sales team—ten people, including Mr. Park—clapping like she'd just invented fire.
Seoyeon: They loved it. Mr. Park said "This girl's a genius! We need fresh blood like her!" Seoyeon: HE OFFERED ME A PART-TIME INTERN POSITION. ON THE SPOT.
We screamed in the chat.
Nari sent crying-laughing emojis for five minutes straight.
I was wheezing at my desk when the door opened.
Dae-Hyun loomed. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," I gasped, wiping tears. "Cat video."
He stared. Didn't believe me.
Then: "Lunch meeting canceled. You're eating with me. We're reviewing the security report."
Bossy. Again.
"Fun," I said.
He glared and went back inside.
1:00 p.m. – Lunch With the Ice King
His office. Door closed.
Takeout bibimbap—mine with extra veggies, his plain (shocker).
We ate in silence at the small conference table.
Then he slid a folder over. "Security narrowed the cleaning staff. Three people on rotation that shift."
I opened it. Photos. Names.
One face jumped out.
Ajumma Lee—mid-50s, worked here ten years, always smiling.
I'd seen her every day.
"Her?" I asked.
"Alibi weak. Says she was on the 30th floor. No one confirms."
I bit my lip.
Couldn't tell him about our photo yet.
He noticed. "You know something."
"No."
"You're a terrible liar."
I met his eyes. "Maybe I just don't trust security."
He leaned forward. "Trust me instead."
Dangerous words.
I looked away. "We'll see."
Silence.
Then: "That man. The one with flowers."
I groaned. "We're back to this?"
"Is he picking you up tonight?"
Wow. Direct.
"Why? Gonna glare from the window?"
His jaw tightened. "Answer."
"Yes," I said, defiant. "Dinner. Italian. Happy?"
He went very still.
Then: "Cancel."
"Excuse me?"
"You're working late. Inventory audit."
"On a Friday?"
"Problem?"
"Yeah. Big one."
He stood. Towered.
"I don't like him."
I stood too. "You don't get to like or dislike my dates."
"He's not good enough."
"You don't know him!"
"I know his type. Smiling. Charming. Temporary."
I laughed—sharp. "And you're permanent?"
His eyes flashed. "I'm your boss."
"Exactly. Boss. Not boyfriend."
We were close now. Breathing hard.
Thunder rumbled outside—early storm.
He flinched.
I softened without meaning to.
"Dae-Hyun—"
"Don't."
He turned away.
"Be here at 7," he said, voice rough. "Don't make me wait."
I left fuming.
But also… fluttering?
No.
Denial.
6:30 p.m. – The Dinner Date Setup
I texted Min-Ho.
Me: Hey sunbae! Still on for tonight? Min-Ho: Absolutely! Picking you up at 7:30. Wear something pretty
I stared.
Then texted the girlies.
Me: He's picking me up from work. Dae-Hyun will see. Nari: EXPLOSION IMMINENT Seoyeon: I just got promoted to "official part-time intern." They want me Monday-Wednesday. I said yes. Seoyeon: Also sending you live updates from sales floor Ara: Wear the red dress. Make the CEO suffer Jiwon: Or cancel and be kind to yourself Me: Red dress it is.
Rebellion activated.
7:15 p.m. – Change of Plans (And Outfits)
I slipped into the bathroom, changed into the red dress—fitted, off-shoulder, deadly.
Makeup touch-up. Hair down.
Walked back to my desk.
Dae-Hyun's door opened immediately.
He froze.
Eyes raked over me—slow.
Then darkened.
"You're going out like that?"
"Yup."
"With him."
"Yup."
He stepped out. Closed the door behind him.
The floor was mostly empty—Friday exodus.
Just us.
"You look…" He stopped.
I raised a brow. "Yes?"
"Distracting."
I smirked. "Good."
His hand twitched—like he wanted to grab me.
Instead: "Cancel."
"No."
"Hyemi."
First time he used my name.
Chills.
"I'm going," I said softly. "You don't own me."
He stepped closer.
"I know."
Voice low. Rough.
Then: "Be safe."
I blinked.
He turned back inside.
Door shut.
What the hell was that?
7:30 p.m. – The Pickup
Min-Ho arrived in a sleek Audi, flowers again—lilies this time.
He whistled when I walked out.
"Wow. You're stunning."
"Thanks, sunbae."
He opened the door. Gentleman.
As we pulled away, I glanced up.
33rd floor window.
Silhouette.
Watching.
I looked away.
Heart racing.
8:00 p.m. – Dinner (And Disaster)
The Italian place was perfect—candles, wine, pasta.
Min-Ho was charming. Funny. Easy.
Asked about my job, my friends, my dreams.
Touched my hand across the table.
Classic.
But my mind?
Kept drifting to a certain cold CEO working late alone.
Thunder boomed outside.
I flinched this time.
Min-Ho noticed. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Just… storms."
He smiled. "Cute."
Not cute.
Guilty.
Then my phone buzzed.
CEO Kang: Where are you?
I ignored.
Buzzed again.
CEO Kang: Answer.
Then: Security found something. Need you now.
I stared.
Min-Ho: "Everything okay?"
"Work emergency," I said, standing. "I'm so sorry. Rain check?"
He looked disappointed but nodded. "Of course. Let me drive you."
"No—it's fine. I'll call a cab."
I paid half (insisted), apologized again, and bolted.
Heart pounding.
Why did I feel like I was running back to him?
9:15 p.m. – Back at the Office (Storm Peak)
Rain poured.
I ran inside, soaked, red dress clinging.
Elevator to 33.
His door open.
Light on.
He looked up when I entered—wet, breathless, makeup smudged.
Stood slowly.
"You came back."
"Security thing?" I asked, dripping on his carpet.
He didn't answer.
Just grabbed a towel from his private bathroom, walked over, and draped it over my shoulders.
Gentle.
Too gentle.
Thunder cracked—loud.
I jumped.
He caught my arms.
Steady.
"Breathe," he said quietly.
I did.
Looking up at him.
Close.
Too close.
"You left your date," he said.
"Work emergency."
"There is no emergency."
I blinked.
"You lied."
"To get me back here?"
He didn't deny.
Just held my gaze.
"Why?" I whispered.
He let go.
Turned away.
"Couldn't stand it."
Silence.
Thunder.
I stepped closer.
"Dae-Hyun."
He tensed.
"You're jealous."
He laughed—bitter. "Obviously."
First admission.
My heart exploded.
Then he faced me.
"You win."
"What?"
"You want me to say it? Fine. I don't want you with him. Or anyone."
I stared.
He stepped closer.
"I hate it."
Voice rough.
Hands clenched.
Thunder boomed again.
This time he didn't flinch.
Just looked at me.
Waiting.
I swallowed.
"Then what do you want?"
He didn't answer with words.
Just looked.
And I knew.
We both knew.
But neither moved.
Not yet.
Midnight – Girlie Emergency Debrief
Soaked dress swapped for hoodie.
Video call.
I told them everything.
Silence.
Then explosion.
"HE ADMITTED JEALOUSY??" "YOU LEFT A HOT DATE FOR HIM??" "THIS IS EPISODE 8 CONFESSION VIBES!!"
Seoyeon: "Also, sales team wants me full-time. I said I'd think about it."
We screamed more.
Case update: photo enhanced.
Cleaner = Ajumma Lee.
But in the background?
Mrs. Park.
Watching.
Smiling.
Plot twist incoming.