Before Do-Hea arrived, Ji-Ah slipped into the small pantry, the hum of the coffee machine oddly comforting. She poured carefully, adding just enough sugar. This one was for the boss.
Of course.
"Ji-Ah?"
She flinched.
Soo-Min stood behind her, eyes bright with curiosity, hair slightly messy from rushing between desks.
"What did the boss say?" Soo-Min whispered urgently. "Did he yell? Did he—"
Ji-Ah forced a small smile and lowered her voice. "I signed the resignation papers."
Soo-Min froze. "What?"
"Yeah," Ji-Ah said lightly, stirring the coffee. "Officially unemployed. Again."
Soo-Min gasped. "I knew it. He's so cold. I mean, he's handsome, but still—who fires someone and then calls them back just to—"
"I know," Ji-Ah sighed. "Honestly, I don't even understand him. One minute silent, next minute mysterious, always acting like—"
A voice cut through the air.
"I was wondering," Ha-Joon said calmly, "why my coffee was delayed."
Both of them stiffened.
Slowly, they turned.
He stood right behind them, arms crossed, expression unreadable, suit immaculate. The coffee machine beeped loudly, traitorous.
"You two seem very… busy," he continued. "If I catch you gossiping again during work hours, you'll both be working overtime."
Soo-Min bowed so fast her hair flew forward. "S-sorry, sir!"
Ji-Ah nearly dropped the cup. "It won't happen again."
Ha-Joon reached out, took the coffee from Ji-Ah's hands, and glanced at it.
"…Too much sugar," he said flatly.
Then he turned and walked away, leaving silence, steam, and two stunned women behind.
Soo-Min whispered, "He was behind us the whole time."
Ji-Ah stared at the doorway. "I'm quitting again in my next life."
The coffee machine beeped again, like it was laughing.
Ha-Joon returned to his office, the door closing with a soft click behind him. He loosened his cufflinks once, then stopped when he noticed Seo-Jun standing near the desk, tablet in hand, expression cautious.
"Sir," Seo-Jun said, "Do-Hea won't be coming today."
Ha-Joon looked up. "Reason."
"He contacted his lawyer this morning," Seo-Jun replied. "Apparently, someone warned him that the company has evidence. He's pretending it's a scheduling issue, but in reality… he's checking how much ground is safe to step on."
Ha-Joon let out a quiet breath. Not annoyance. Satisfaction.
"So he's scared," he said.
"Yes, sir."
Ha-Joon leaned back slightly, fingers tapping once against the desk. "Good. Don't rush him."
Seo-Jun nodded. "You want to delay?"
"We need him comfortable," Ha-Joon said evenly. "Desperate people make mistakes when they feel watched. Arrogant people make bigger ones when they think they aren't."
A pause.
"Set the trap slowly," he continued. "Let him believe time is on his side."
Seo-Jun smiled faintly. "Understood."
As Seo-Jun turned to leave, Ha-Joon glanced toward the door, his expression unreadable.
--
They returned home just as the afternoon light thinned into something softer.
Ji-Ah went straight to the kitchen, sleeves already pushed up, intent on cooking as if the day hadn't scraped her nerves raw. Pots clinked. Water ran.
Do-Hyun was already there, leaning against the counter, phone in hand.
"Where's Nisa?" Ji-Ah asked, glancing around.
"In the living room," he replied easily.
She frowned. "I didn't see her."
Do-Hyun smiled faintly. "You were too busy worrying about lunch. You walked past her twice."
Ji-Ah scoffed and reached for the cutting board. "Of course."
He watched her for a second, then asked, "So? How did it go with Do-Hea?"
She clicked her tongue. "He didn't even show up. Can you believe that?"
Right on cue, the doorbell rang.
They both paused.
"That'll be him," Ji-Ah muttered.
They walked back toward the living room together.
Ha-Joon was already standing near the couch. Nisa sat upright, a blanket around her shoulders, eyes alert despite the tiredness clinging to her face.
The door opened.
Seo-Jun stepped in first, adjusting his tie, running a hand through his hair as if preparing for a presentation that hadn't been on the agenda. Kai-Wen followed quietly beside him.
Seo-Jun cleared his throat. "Sir… we have a visitor."
Everyone's attention snapped to Kai-Wen.
But he didn't meet their eyes.
Instead, he stepped aside.
Seo-Jun did the same.
And there she was.
Do-Yoon.
Her head hung low, hair falling forward like a curtain she was hiding behind. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, knuckles pale. A soft green cardigan swallowed her frame, a white shirt and skirt beneath it. She looked smaller than Ji-Ah remembered. Smaller. Quieter.
Guilty.
Ha-Joon blinked once. Just once.
"Do-Yoon?" he said. "What are you doing here?"
Kai-Wen spoke before she could. "She asked to come, sir. She said she needs to talk to you."
"To me?" Ha-Joon repeated, gaze sharp.
Do-Yoon lifted her head then. Her eyes were red, lashes clumped slightly as if she'd wiped them too many times.
"I came to apologize," she said, voice thin.
Her gaze shifted, landing on Ji-Ah.
"I came to apologize to her," she corrected. "Please… let me explain."
The room went still.
Ji-Ah felt every eye slide toward her.
Her first instinct was to step back. Her second was to laugh. Neither happened.
She looked at Ha-Joon.
He studied her face for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"Go on," he said.
And for the first time since she walked