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Episode 1
At one of Seoul’s largest department stores—known as the biggest in Asia—a famous beauty brand suddenly withdrew. What drew even more attention was that this brand occupied the first floor, where foot traffic was the heaviest.
A fierce bidding war began among major beauty brands to fill the vacant space, and AE Cosmetics, a cosmetics company, also staked its future on winning the spot.
The location was prime—right next to the escalator, known to bring in the highest sales—so countless beauty brands flocked to it like moths to a flame. AE Cosmetics was no different.
The head of sales worked behind the scenes, but they couldn’t even secure a meeting; world-famous brands had already taken the spotlight. Headquarters held several internal strategy meetings to come up with a solution.
As a result, Seo I-jun, the Executive Director of Marketing Strategy—who normally never got involved in fieldwork—decided to step in personally.
According to company tradition, a temporary employee must accompany the official successor during external activities. Following this tradition, temporary employee and lowest-ranking member of the marketing strategy team, Chae I-ryeong, was chosen to accompany him.
The meeting at the department store went more smoothly than expected.
Seo I-jun delivered a passionate presentation explaining why AE Cosmetics had to secure the location, and the department store’s representatives responded positively.
“We’re planning to launch an exclusive care line just for Noblesse Department Store. It’ll give customers a reason to come here and only here.”
His strategy—to differentiate everything from packaging to product design—impressed the store’s executives.
By the end of the meeting, the director in charge of brand selection was clapping his hands in approval.
“I always thought AE was just a road shop brand, but thanks to you, Executive Seo, I realize how dangerous that assumption was.”
He seemed ready to sign the contract immediately, even going as far as to order the cancellation of meetings with other brands.
“Then, Director Kim, we’ll count on you.”
Normally stiff and formal at HQ, Seo I-jun politely bowed and extended his hand to the department store director.
“You’ll receive the official document from my office next Monday.”
“Thank you, Director.”
Seo I-jun, famously cold and unapproachable, even smiled.
I-ryeong knew it was a professional smile, but she was still impressed. Even the company heir and executive was willing to bow his head for a client.
“No, we should be thanking you. Once word spreads that AE is moving in, we’ll get a huge influx of customers from all over Asia.”
“I appreciate you saying that.”
The sharp, intimidating gaze that usually defined Seo I-jun was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he looked like a harmless golden retriever.
Watching him, I-ryeong finally understood why AE had such traditions.
Seo I-jun hadn’t asked her to do any preparation. She was simply told to sit next to him and observe.
She assumed it was so she could learn from him—but at the same time, it made her feel useless.
The meeting ended on a positive note, and the two of them stood waiting for the elevator.
“Good work today, Ms. Chae,” Seo I-jun said casually while they waited.
“I learned a lot, Executive Seo.”
She bowed politely, just like he did to the director.
“I’m glad to hear that,” he replied.
When he said “I’m glad,” she straightened her posture and met his dark, unreadable eyes.
“Technically, there’s an hour left in the workday, but let’s call it a day.”
“Sorry? Call it a day?”
“I’m saying you can leave early.”
Thanks to his consideration, she got to leave work early on a Friday—a rare luxury since joining AE Cosmetics.
After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to call her boyfriend, Dong-ha. She suggested they spend some cozy time together at a nice restaurant nearby.
Excited, she waited for him at the restaurant, only to be met with an unexpected sight.
“Ari? What are you doing here?”
Her mood instantly soured when Dong-ha arrived with Ari, a college friend.
“We came together,” Ari said.
“Together? You could’ve told me beforehand. I was caught off guard.”
Watching them sit side by side, I-ryeong felt strangely uncomfortable—as if she were the third wheel on their date.
“You tell her,” Dong-ha said.
“Me? No, you should. Dalkkomi said she wants Daddy to tell her.”
“Dalkkomi? Then I guess I should.”
Their intimate, whispering conversation felt too close—like a couple at the beginning of a relationship.
Then came the words that made her frown.
“…Dalkkomi? Daddy?”
It didn’t sound like two friends at all.
“I’m going to be a dad.”
“A dad? Do you even hear yourself? Explain. Now.”
Her boyfriend of one month was suddenly announcing fatherhood. She was speechless.
“Ari and I messed up. We’re going to be parents next year.”
Dong-ha naturally wrapped his arm around Ari’s shoulder as if holding something precious.
“It’s partly your fault too, I-ryeong. If you hadn’t made him feel so lonely, this wouldn’t have happened,” Ari added, smugly.
Her head spun. They weren’t asking for forgiveness—they were announcing the result.
“Jo Dong-ha. Explain yourself. What the hell is this nonsense?”
She finally snapped, drawing the attention of other diners.
“It was a mistake. She’s six weeks along. Ari wanted to tell you in person. And since it’s early, please don’t make a scene.”
“Six weeks? Don’t make a scene?”
“You didn’t know, but it happened. And now that a new life’s begun, can’t you just be happy for us? We’re friends, aren’t we?”
He actually wanted her to celebrate.
“You, me, and Ari—we’re all friends,” he added.
“Do friends sleep with each other, Dong-ha? Do they have sex? Get each other pregnant?”
She pushed her chair back and stood up, ignoring the murmurs around them.
“Watch your mouth, I-ryeong! The baby can hear!”
He snapped for the first time in their relationship—and for Ari’s sake, no less.
“Do you even realize what kind of disgusting thing you’re saying to me right now?”
“You were always too busy for me! Do you even have the right to be mad?”
“So you cheat with my friend because I was busy?”
“It’s all your fault, I-ryeong! If you hadn’t left me lonely, this wouldn’t have happened!”
“Shut your damn mouth, Jo Dong-ha!”
She yelled even louder, pointing at him furiously, silently grateful they weren’t near her workplace.
“I-ryeong, you act so smart, but you’re actually pathetic. No wonder you’re still a temp at that company,” Ari chimed in sweetly.
I-ryeong didn’t take the bait.
“Huh. I was wondering what that barking sound was. Turns out I was talking to dogs, not people.”
“What? Dogs?!”
Dong-ha slammed his fist on the table.
It was the first time he’d ever gotten angry in front of her—and it was for someone else.
“I thought you were my friend, but I was the only fool here.”
She turned away, refusing to show how hurt she was.
“I-ryeong!”
She shut her eyes tightly at the sound of him calling her name. The chatter of other diners grew louder.
She hadn’t expected their breakup to happen like this. If she had, she would’ve dumped him first.
She was so furious that she wanted to slap him just to relieve the pressure building in her chest.
“Ms. Chae?”
A deep, familiar voice reached her ears.
She bit her lip unconsciously.
“What are you doing here?”
She turned toward the man speaking to her.
“…Executive Seo?”
He was the last person she wanted to run into.
“Are you all right? You don’t look well.”
Seo I-jun stood there, looking at her with concern.
What a humiliating situation.
Just as she resolved to act like nothing was wrong—
“I didn’t expect this from you, Ms. Chae.”
He suddenly leaned closer, his cologne faint but unmistakable.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You’re always so quiet at the office.”
His low, smooth voice drowned out the restaurant noise.
She didn’t even realize her face was flushing as she focused on him.
“I didn’t know you liked drawing attention.”
“Wh—what? Attention?”
Her entire body heated up in embarrassment.
He couldn’t have overheard everything, could he?
“If you don’t want more attention, let’s get out of here.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Executive Seo.”
She pretended ignorance, glancing away.
“That man is watching us with quite the interesting expression.”
Before she could react, Seo I-jun firmly pulled her into his arms.
She’d always known he was tall—almost 190 cm—and always dressed in custom suits. But having her face pressed against his solid chest and feeling the strength in his arms was something else entirely.
“Judging by his eyes, he’s convinced you cheated, just like he did,” Seo said lazily.
Her eyes widened.
The most humiliating, disgusting breakup scene of her life had been witnessed by the last person she wanted to see—her boss.
