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Chapter 1
Finally, her very first day at work.
Clutching her bag awkwardly, Yoojin strode forward with as much confidence as she could muster. After surviving the suffocating hell of rush-hour subway trains and walking another ten minutes, the grand headquarters building finally came into view.
“Wow… seriously.”
Standing before P Group’s imposing headquarters in Gwanghwamun, she was overwhelmed with indescribable emotions. Memories of herself, preparing for job interviews with only Kang Hee-jae in mind, flickered through her thoughts.
“My chest feels… magnificent.”
Her heart thumped so fast with anticipation she thought it might burst. Checking her watch, she realized she was still thirty minutes early.
“Guess I should go in and get ready.”
She hung her employee badge around her neck, forced back a smile bubbling up from her chest, and entered the building.
The elevator carried her to the 25th floor, where the office spread before her like a scene from a drama—rows of desks, bustling workers, sleek glass partitions. As she searched for her assigned spot, someone tapped her lightly on the shoulder. Yoojin turned, her eyes widening.
There he was. Her first love, standing like a picture—Kang Hee-jae.
“Op—!”
The familiar word nearly slipped out before she snapped her mouth shut, startled. Her eyes darted over his appearance: a deep gray suit, a bold orange tie, and shoulders that stretched the fabric to its limits.
So broad. So perfectly fitted.
With his neatly styled hair and sculpted features, he was breathtaking. She almost drooled, gaping openly, when his rich baritone tickled her ear.
“Well, what do you know. I run into Yoojin here.”
His lips curved into a graceful smile, and in a single step he closed the distance between them.
“Why are you here so early?”
The words were whispered just for her, warm breath brushing her ear. Goosebumps prickled down her arms.
“There’s still thirty minutes left, you know.”
That smile—bright enough to light the entire floor—hit her straight in the chest. She thought, So this is why I worked so hard. Just to see this smile every day. All her struggles seemed suddenly worth it.
She fought to hide her giddiness, nodding quickly.
“It’s my first day, so… I came a little too early.”
Formal speech felt clumsy on her tongue after a lifetime of casual banter. She clenched her fists, fingers tingling.
“Miss Im Yoojin, your desk is here. Get settled. I’ll see you in a bit.”
With another dazzling smile, he walked away. Yoojin let out a shaky breath.
The same company. The same department. I’ll be seeing Kang Hee-jae every single day, every single hour.
Her heart swelled at the thought of the pink-tinted office life ahead.
The day passed in a blur—orientation, greetings with team members, touring the office. She stammered, asked endless questions, got dragged into meetings, and before she knew it, the clock struck six.
“Good work, everyone. Let’s head home.”
At their team leader’s words, sighs of relief echoed across the office.
“I’ll be heading out first.”
“Already? You’re quick, Ji-young.”
“I’ve got a blind date tonight. I was worried I’d be stuck working late. Lucky me! See you tomorrow, Chief!”
The bustle of people eager to clock out filled the air. One by one, coworkers waved their goodbyes.
Even Yoojin’s colleague Dohee grinned at her.
“First day must’ve been rough, right? You did great. See you tomorrow.”
By the time Yoojin had returned bows and waves to half the office, only a few people remained. Her friend and fellow new hire, Bokyung, slumped in exhaustion.
“God, I’m dead tired.”
“No kidding. That was insane.”
Their nerves finally unwound, leaving their bodies sore as if they’d been beaten. Thankfully, tomorrow was Friday. Yoojin laughed at herself—already waiting for the weekend after just one day.
The two trudged toward the elevators, chatting softly about desks, team structures, and how overwhelming it all was.
The doors slid open. Inside stood Kang Hee-jae.
“Heading home already?”
“Yes.”
“And you, Team Leader?”
“I’ll stay a bit longer.”
His gaze shifted to Yoojin, unwavering. Her heartbeat thundered. She bowed quickly.
“Then, see you tomorrow.”
Bokyung stepped inside, leaving Yoojin to follow—until Hee-jae’s voice stopped her.
“Im Yoojin.”
“…Yes?”
She looked up, startled.
“Come to my office for a moment.”
“R-right now?”
He tilted his head slightly, confirming.
“It won’t take long. I just want to talk.”
Without another word, he strode off. Bokyung waved goodbye.
“See you tomorrow, Yoojin!”
“Y-yeah, get home safe!”
Yoojin scurried after him, her eyes fixed on the broad expanse of his back.
A simple shirt shouldn’t look this indecent. Each step he took pulled the fabric taut over the muscles of his back, and her gaze lingered shamelessly.
She swallowed dryly as he opened the office door and held it for her, smiling faintly.
“Come in.”
It felt like stepping into forbidden territory. The door shut behind her with a soft thunk, making her shoulders flinch.
“So, how was your first day?”
He passed by her, his familiar clean scent wrapping around her senses.
“Tiring, wasn’t it?”
As he gathered some files from his desk, Yoojin’s eyes caught on his forearms, veins standing out under rolled-up sleeves. He looked like a masterpiece sculpted into a business suit.
Her thoughts drifted until—snap!
He flicked his fingers in front of her. Yoojin blinked back to reality.
“You zoned out, didn’t you? Our Yoojin.”
That smile. The strict, intimidating boss from earlier was gone, replaced by warmth that melted her heart.
“Huh? What did you say…”
“I asked how your first day went. Was it hard?”
His concerned voice and tender eyes… so unlike her usual supervisors. She thought: Sweet. Too sweet.
“Well… it was fine.”
“And lunch? Did you eat properly?”
“Yes.”
Unsure, she kept up the polite speech. It felt strange, awkward. She fidgeted with her hands, sneaking glances at him.
He chuckled, mischief glinting in his eyes as he perched on the edge of his desk.
“Polite speech suits you better than I thought.”
