Friday night. The company gala.
Grand ballroom at the Shilla Hotel—crystal chandeliers, live orchestra, champagne flowing like water.
Everyone who was anyone at Kang Group was here: executives, investors, board members, plus-ones in designer gowns and tuxedos.
And us—the girlies plus Dae-Hyun—on a mission.
Trap the blackmailer.
Plan: Nari planted fake "valuable" bag in the ladies' lounge coat check.
Seoyeon on camera duty (now official employee, no wig needed).
Ara and Jiwon mingling, ears open for gossip.
Me: bait. Visible. Distracting.
Dae-Hyun: shadow. Protector. And tonight… my date?
Not official.
But he'd said, "You're with me."
No argument.
7:00 p.m. – Arrival
I stepped out of the car he sent—black Mercedes, driver holding umbrella against drizzle.
Gown: deep emerald silk, off-shoulder, slit to mid-thigh.
Hair down, waves.
Makeup smoky.
Girlie-approved.
He waited at entrance.
Tuxedo. Black bow tie. Hair slicked back.
Looked like danger wrapped in luxury.
Eyes raked over me—slow.
Stopped at face.
"You're beautiful."
First compliment.
Direct.
I felt heat everywhere.
"You clean up nice too."
He offered arm.
I took it.
Walked in together.
Heads turned.
Whispers started.
"CEO Kang brought a date?"
"That's his assistant…"
"They look good together."
He heard.
Hand tightened on mine.
Possessive.
Good.
8:00 p.m. – Mingling & Trap Setup
Orchestra played soft jazz.
We circulated.
He introduced me as "Han Hyemi, my executive assistant."
Pride in voice.
Hand on my lower back.
Warm through silk.
Investors flirted—harmless.
He stayed close.
Glared when one lingered too long.
I smirked.
"Jealous?"
"Observant."
"Liar."
He leaned close—breath on ear.
"Behave."
Chills.
Good chills.
Seoyeon texted.
Seoyeon: Bag placed. Camera rolling. Lounge quiet.
Nari: Motion sensor active. Alert if anyone touches.
Ara: Mrs. Park just arrived. New bag. Diamond clutch.
Jiwon: Mr. Park drinking heavily.
Showtime soon.
9:00 p.m. – The Dance
Orchestra switched to slow waltz.
Couples moved to floor.
He looked at me.
"Dance?"
"I don't really—"
He took my hand.
Pulled gently.
No choice.
On floor.
His hand on waist.
Mine on shoulder.
Close.
Swaying.
He led—perfect.
Of course.
"You're good at this."
"Lessons. Childhood."
"Rich boy things."
He smiled—small.
"You fit here."
"In your arms?"
Pause.
"Yes."
Honest.
I looked up.
Eyes locked.
World blurred.
Just us.
Thunder outside—distant.
He pulled closer.
Cheek almost touching.
"I can't stop thinking about the other night."
Penthouse.
Almost kiss.
I swallowed.
"Me neither."
His hand tightened on waist.
"Hyemi."
Voice rough.
"Yeah?"
"This is torture."
"Good torture?"
He laughed—soft.
"The worst."
We swayed.
Song ended.
Didn't let go.
Another started.
Stayed.
Longer.
Whispers grew.
Phones out.
Tomorrow's gossip.
Didn't care.
10:00 p.m. – Trap Springs
Phone buzzed.
Nari: MOTION ALERT. Someone took bait.
We separated—reluctant.
He: "Go with girls. I'll handle security."
Me: "Be careful."
He touched my cheek—quick.
"You too."
I found girlies in corner.
Seoyeon showed tablet—hidden camera feed.
Figure in black hoodie.
Face hidden.
Grabbed fake bag.
Slipped out side door.
Nari: "Trace active. GPS in bag."
Ara: "Heading to parking garage."
Jiwon: "Let's go."
We moved—stealthy.
Heels clicking.
Dae-Hyun joined—security discreet behind.
Garage.
Dark.
Rain pouring.
Saw figure.
Running to black van.
Dae-Hyun signaled.
Security moved.
Blocked.
Figure turned.
Hood down.
Mrs. Park.
Gasps.
Not alone.
Driver—young man.
Her nephew?
She froze.
"Ji-Won ssi…"
Dae-Hyun voice cold.
"Explain."
She laughed—bitter.
"Insurance money. Bags worth millions. Company pays. I get new ones."
Ajumma Lee was pawn.
Others too.
Blackmail to force thefts.
Claim insurance.
Cycle.
Greed.
Simple.
Sad.
Security cuffed nephew.
Mrs. Park cried—dramatic.
Mr. Park arrived—drunk, shocked.
Divorce incoming.
Case closed.
Real closed.
We won.
11:30 p.m. – Aftermath
Gala continued.
But energy shifted.
We stood balcony.
Rain stopped.
City wet, shining.
He beside me.
Champagne in hand.
"You did good."
"We did."
He looked at me.
"Proud of you."
Warmth.
I smiled.
"You too."
Silence.
Comfortable.
Then: "Min-Ho."
I tensed.
"Meeting his parents tomorrow?"
Overheard.
"Yeah. Casual dinner."
He nodded.
Slow.
"You're going."
"Not date. Closure."
He looked away.
"Be careful."
Jealous.
Still.
I touched his arm.
"Dae-Hyun."
He looked back.
"I'm here."
Meaning more.
He understood.
Hand covered mine.
Held.
Long.
Didn't let go.
Midnight – Ride Home
His car.
Driver discreet.
Sat close.
Not touching.
But close.
At my door.
Walked me up.
Again.
Rain started—soft.
He stopped.
Looked down.
"I should go."
"Should."
Neither moved.
He reached.
Tucked hair behind ear.
Lingering.
"I can't do this halfway."
"I know."
Thunder—soft.
He stepped closer.
Forehead against mine.
Again.
"Tell me to leave."
I didn't.
His lips brushed corner of mine.
Not kiss.
Almost.
Torture.
Then—pulled back.
"Goodnight, Hyemi."
Left.
Fast.
I stood.
Touching lips.
Reeling.
Almost.
Again.
Next Day – Girlie Brunch Victory
Café.
Mimosas.
We celebrated.
Case solved.
Mrs. Park arrested.
Ajumma safe.
Company clean.
Seoyeon official hire.
Nari hero hacker.
Ara wise queen.
Jiwon heart.
Me… confused.
Told them everything.
Dance.
Balcony.
Almost kiss two times.
They screamed.
"HE'S IN LOVE!" "YOU'RE IN LOVE!" "JUST KISS ALREADY!"
I groaned.
But smiled.
Dinner with Min-Ho tonight.
Closure?
Or mistake?
Didn't know.
But Dae-Hyun's face when I said yes…
Haunted.