Monday morning arrived like a drama script written by someone who hated peace.
I walked into the lobby at 8:45 a.m., still floating from the weekend—Ajumma Lee safe, Dae-Hyun's soft side peeking out, that midnight text still glowing on my phone.
Then I saw it.
The entire lobby turned into a flower shop explosion.
Red roses. Pink lilies. White tulips. Massive bouquets everywhere.
Balloons—heart-shaped, gold, silver—floating above the reception desk with giant letters:
HYEMI-YA, BE MY GIRLFRIEND?
Employees gathered. Phones out. Whispers. Gasps.
Delivery guys in uniforms handing out single roses to random staff like it was Valentine's Day.
And in the middle: Lee Min-Ho sunbae.
In a sharp suit, holding the biggest bouquet I'd ever seen, grinning like he'd already won.
I froze.
"Oh my God," I whispered.
He spotted me.
"Hyemi-ya!"
He jogged over—actually jogged—bouquet thrust forward.
The lobby went silent.
Everyone watching.
I wanted to die.
"Sunbae… what is this?"
"Your answer," he said, loud enough for the whole building. "I know you ran out on dinner, but I'm not giving up. One proper date. Please?"
He went down on one knee.
One. Knee.
With the bouquet.
Balloons bobbing above us.
Someone started clapping.
Then more.
It turned into applause.
I felt my face burn nuclear red.
"Sunbae, get up! This is my workplace!"
"That's why it's perfect," he said, still kneeling. "Everyone knows I'm serious."
I looked around—fifty phones recording.
Great. Tomorrow's office gossip: CEO's assistant gets public proposal.
Then I felt it.
That stare.
Cold. Burning.
I looked up.
33rd floor balcony overlook.
Kang Dae-Hyun.
Standing there.
Arms crossed.
Face blank.
But eyes—pure storm.
He didn't move.
Just watched.
Min-Ho followed my gaze.
"Ah… your boss is here early."
I grabbed Min-Ho's arm—pulled him up.
"Thank you. Really. It's… a lot. Can we talk outside?"
He stood, still smiling. "Say yes first."
"I… need time."
His face fell a little, but he nodded. "Okay. I'll wait."
He handed me the bouquet—huge, heavy.
Then kissed my cheek.
Loud enough smooch.
Lobby cheered.
I wanted the floor to swallow me.
As the crowd dispersed, I glanced up again.
Dae-Hyun was gone.
Bad sign.
Very bad.
9:05 a.m. – The Walk of Shame
Elevator ride up.
Holding the monster bouquet like a shield.
Employees staring.
Whispering.
"Wow, she's dating that hot guy?"
"CEO's assistant got asked out in public!"
"Bold move."
I smiled awkwardly.
Ding. 33rd floor.
My desk.
Now covered in more flowers.
Balloons tied to my chair.
Card: "Thinking of you every second. – Min-Ho"
I dropped my bag.
Stared.
Then the door opened.
Dae-Hyun.
Coffee in hand.
Expression arctic.
He stopped.
Looked at the flowers.
The balloons.
The card.
Then me.
"Busy weekend?" he asked, voice flat.
I swallowed. "Not what it looks like."
"Looks like someone wants to date you. Publicly."
He walked past—close enough his sleeve brushed the roses.
Stopped at my desk.
Picked up the card.
Read it.
Jaw tightened.
Put it down—harder than necessary.
"Clear this," he said. "My office. Now."
Boss mode.
Scary boss mode.
I followed.
Door closed.
He didn't sit.
Just turned.
"You're dating him."
"No."
"He asked you in my lobby."
"It was a surprise."
"You let him kiss you."
"Cheek! And I was shocked!"
He stepped closer.
Eyes dark.
"You're wearing the red lipstick he likes."
I blinked. "How do you—"
"Saw the dinner photos. Online already."
Of course. Phones.
I groaned. "This is embarrassing."
"For who?"
"Me! Everyone! You!"
He laughed—cold. "I don't care about gossip."
"Liar."
He stepped even closer.
Now inches away.
"You're my assistant."
"I know."
"People talk."
"Let them."
"I don't like it."
Silence.
Heavy.
Thunder outside—morning storm.
He didn't flinch.
Just stared.
"Why him?" he asked quietly.
I met his eyes.
"Because he's safe."
He flinched.
Barely.
But I saw.
"And I'm not?"
No answer.
He looked away first.
"Get rid of the flowers."
"No."
His head snapped back.
"They're pretty."
"They're distracting."
"So fire me."
He stared.
Long.
Then: "Don't tempt me."
He walked to his desk.
Sat.
"Schedule. Now."
Cold again.
But voice rough.
I left.
Heart pounding.
11:00 a.m. – Seoyeon's Cover Blows
Group chat on fire.
Nari: VIDEO OF THE PROPOSAL IS EVERYWHERE Nari: Company group chat calling you "lobby princess" Ara: Poor Hyemi Jiwon: You okay? Seoyeon: Forget that. MY LIFE IS OVER Seoyeon: Mr. Park just emailed me a REAL job offer. Full-time junior strategist. Salary. Benefits. Everything.
We screamed.
Me: ACCEPT Seoyeon: But the wig! The lies! Me: Say you're moonlighting. Or quit fashion. Or tell truth. Seoyeon: He thinks I'm 24. I'm 28. Nari: Age is just number Seoyeon: I'm spiraling
Then in-person lunch crisis meeting.
Cafeteria table.
Seoyeon still in "intern" outfit.
"Mr. Park cornered me again. Said 'We can't lose talent like you!' Gave me until Friday to decide."
Ara: "Take it. You're brilliant at both jobs."
Jiwon: "Or be honest."
Nari: "Or run."
Me: "You impressed them as you. Wig or no wig."
Seoyeon groaned. "Fine. I'll think about it."
Then her eyes widened.
"Incoming."
Mr. Park heading straight for us.
With Dae-Hyun.
Oh no.
They stopped at our table.
Mr. Park beamed. "Ladies! This is our star intern!"
Dae-Hyun's eyes on Seoyeon.
Then me.
Then flowers I'd brought down (couldn't trash them).
Mr. Park: "CEO Kang, you have to meet her. Ideas gold!"
Dae-Hyun: "We've met."
Cold.
Seoyeon smiled awkwardly. "Hi… sir."
Mr. Park confused. "You know each other?"
I jumped in. "She's my friend. Helped me with projects."
Dae-Hyun's eyes narrowed.
Danger.
Mr. Park clapped. "Even better! Keep talent in-house!"
He left.
Dae-Hyun stayed.
Looked at Seoyeon.
Then me.
"You bring friends to stakeouts?"
We froze.
He knew.
Everything.
He leaned down—quiet.
"Cleaning closet. 3 p.m. All of you."
Then walked away.
We died.
3:00 p.m. – Cleaning Closet Summit
Tiny room. Mops. Buckets.
All five girlies + Ajumma Lee + Dae-Hyun.
Awkward.
He closed door.
Looked at us.
"You solved it."
We nodded.
"Without me."
"Kind of."
He looked at Ajumma Lee.
"You're safe. Debt paid this week. Son protected."
She cried.
Thanked him.
He nodded.
Then to us.
"Next time—tell me first."
We nodded.
Seoyeon: "Sir… about the intern thing…"
He raised brow.
"I'm actually a fashion designer. The wig was disguise."
He stared.
Then—laughed.
Actually laughed.
Deep. Real.
We stunned.
"You fooled Park. Impressive."
Seoyeon beamed.
He turned to me.
"You. Mastermind."
I shrugged. "Nosy."
His eyes soft.
Again.
Dangerous.
Then: "Blackmail trail?"
Nari: "Traced texts. Leads to anonymous account. But IP address… inside company server."
Silence.
Dae-Hyun: "Someone here."
We nodded.
He: "We find them. Together."
Team up.
Official.
6:00 p.m. – The Flowers Remain
Back at desk.
Flowers still there.
Balloons bobbing.
I started arranging them nicely.
Door opened.
Dae-Hyun.
Holding black coffee.
And—iced Americano.
For me.
He placed it down.
Looked at flowers.
"Didn't throw them."
"No."
He nodded.
Sat on my desk edge.
Close.
"You said he's safe."
I looked up.
"Yeah."
"I'm not safe."
"No."
He leaned closer.
"Good."
Voice low.
Eyes intense.
Thunder cracked.
This time—he reached.
Thumb brushed my cheek.
Gentle.
"You deserve safe."
I swallowed.
"But?"
He smiled—small.
"But I'm selfish."
Silence.
Heavy.
Hot.
Then he stood.
"Late meeting canceled. Go home."
I nodded.
He paused.
"The balloons. Keep one."
I laughed. "Why?"
He looked back.
"Proof someone wants you."
Then left.
I stared.
Heart exploding.
9:00 p.m. – Girlie Debrief (Screaming Edition)
Video call.
I told everything.
Lobby proposal.
CEO glare.
Closet summit.
Coffee delivery.
Thumb on cheek.
They screamed.
"HE TOUCHED YOUR FACE!!" "SELFISH CHAEBOBOL ERA!!" "MIN-HO WHO??" "Hyemi-ya, you're doomed."
Seoyeon: "Also, I accepted the job. Told truth. Mr. Park laughed. Said 'Age is experience.' Starting next month."
Cheers.
Case update: Nari digging server logs.
Trail heating.
But tonight?
I fell asleep holding one gold balloon.
Smiling.