Happy Lunch at my Mom's 1

Han Seoyoon returned to her office after the encounter, her steps measured yet brisk, signaling her irritation. Once inside, she sank into her chair, her composed exterior still intact but her fingers lightly drumming against the polished surface of her desk. Jooyeon followed silently, pouring her coffee with practiced precision. He stood by, waiting for her to say something, though her silence felt heavier than usual.

Breaking the tension, Seoyoon reached for her office phone and dialed a number. After a brief pause, there was a knock at the door. An elderly man entered, his back slightly hunched but his demeanor respectful.

"Madam, you called?"

Jooyeon's eyes darted to the man. He was unfamiliar, yet the ease with which Seoyoon acknowledged him made it clear she trusted him.

"Give me all the details on Jang Seokmin," she ordered crisply. "And any possible family connections."

The older man nodded without hesitation. "Yes, Madam. Jang Seokmin is a renowned fashion designer, originally from a prestigious family. Though he built his career independently. There's been speculation about his connections to certain influential families, but nothing substantial ties him to us directly."

Seoyoon's eyes flickered with interest, though her expression remained unreadable. "Thank you. Anything else?"

The assistant hesitated briefly before adding, "Madam, Mrs. Daehyeon has requested your presence at home to discuss family matters."

Seoyoon's fingers froze mid-air. "Family matters? And why now? I go home every day, don't I?"

The assistant shifted uneasily. "She said it's important."

Seoyoon waved him off, and he bowed before exiting the room. Alone again with Jooyeon, she leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples with a weariness that hadn't shown earlier.

Jooyeon, who had been quietly observing her, felt a pang of concern. He wanted to help but wasn't sure how to breach the walls she kept so firmly in place. Suddenly, a thought struck him.

"Ahh…" He remembered she hadn't eaten all day. "Why don't we go somewhere and eat?" he thought to himself, hoping it might improve her mood. But just as quickly, he dismissed the idea, feeling ridiculous. There's no way someone like her would enjoy casual meals.

Seoyoon, catching the faint change in his demeanor, glanced at him sharply. "Jooyeon, is there something on your mind?"

He stiffened, then quickly stammered, "N-no, ma'am. It's just… I noticed we haven't had lunch, so I was thinking… maybe we could take a break?" The words tumbled out awkwardly, and he immediately regretted speaking, worried he'd overstepped. "I apologize, that was unprofessional of me—"

Before he could finish, Seoyoon stood up from her chair. Jooyeon's heart raced as she moved toward the door without a word. Panic set in—was she leaving because of what he said?

To his surprise, she stopped at the entrance and turned back to him. Her gaze, though sharp, held a faint glimmer of amusement.

"Why are you just standing there, Jooyeon? Aren't you going to treat me to lunch?"

Her playful tone caught him completely off guard. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he forgot to breathe.

"Y-yes, Boss!" he stammered, his face flushing red as he quickly followed her out.

As they walked down the hallway together, Seoyoon's icy exterior remained intact, her expression calm and composed. Jooyeon, on the other hand, couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips. He felt an unexpected joy at this rare moment of closeness, even if her demeanor still seemed untouchable.

For a fleeting second, he dared to hope that maybe, just maybe, he could understand her a little better.

As they made their way toward the company entrance, Jooyeon's mind was a storm of thoughts. This is surreal. I'm walking beside her—Han Seoyoon. The sound of her heels clicking on the polished floor seemed to echo in his chest. He stole a glance at her out of the corner of his eye. Her calm expression and poised demeanor were a world apart from his own nervous energy.

When they reached the sleek black BMW, Jooyeon hesitated for a moment before opening the passenger door. Sliding into the car beside her, he felt the luxurious leather seat beneath him—a stark contrast to the worn upholstery of his own modest vehicle.

Focus, Jooyeon, he told himself, taking a steadying breath. He glanced at her once more, careful not to linger too long. "Uh, Boss," he began cautiously, "I forgot to ask... where would you like to eat?"

She didn't even look at him, her gaze fixed on the passing view outside the windshield. "Aren't you the one treating me? You decide."

Her words caught him off guard. I decide? His brain scrambled to recall every restaurant he'd ever heard of. "Ah… there's a new French restaurant nearby," he said quickly, fumbling with his phone to pull up pictures. "Or maybe Italian? I also know this great place that's super authentic. It's one of the best in the city!"

His voice betrayed his eagerness, and as he swiped through the photos, he realized he must've sounded like a waiter trying to upsell a menu.

Seoyoon turned her head slightly, finally acknowledging him. Her lips twitched as if suppressing a laugh, but the glint in her eyes gave her away.

What's so funny? Jooyeon wondered, tilting his head like a curious puppy. That seemed to amuse her even more. She turned her head toward the window, covering her mouth with her hand, but the faint sound of her giggle slipped through.

"Do you really think I'd settle for something so light right now?" she finally said, her tone cool but teasing.

Jooyeon froze, the realization hitting him like a thunderbolt. Of course! She hasn't eaten all day! Coffee doesn't count as a meal, idiot! He forced a sheepish laugh, scratching the back of his neck. "You're right, Madam. That was... short-sighted of me."

The gears in his head spun furiously, trying to recover. What could he suggest? Something hearty, satisfying—but not too casual. And then it hit him. "Boss," he blurted out, adjusting his glasses nervously, "how about we go to my mom's restaurant?"

Her gaze sharpened, and he instantly regretted his suggestion. What are you doing? She's Han Seoyoon, not someone who'd go for local, homemade food. You might as well have offered instant noodles!

"Your mom's restaurant?" she repeated, her brow arched in mild curiosity.

Jooyeon flushed. "I-I mean, it's not fancy or anything," he stammered, trying to explain. "It's just a small place—very local, very casual. Definitely not what you're used to. I shouldn't have suggested it. Forget I said anything—"

"Let's do that," she interrupted firmly.

"Huh?"

"I said, let's do that. Do I need to repeat myself?" Though her expression turned icy, her tone was surprisingly warm.

"Y-yes, Madam!" he stuttered, still processing her words. She agreed?

Seoyoon leaned forward, instructing the driver to take the next left. The car moved effortlessly, the hum of the engine filling the comfortable silence.

Jooyeon sat stiffly, still in shock. Is this really happening? He glanced at her, careful not to stare. The sight of her lowering the window made him pause. The wind tousled her blonde hair, catching the sunlight and creating an almost ethereal glow. She stretched out her hand, fingers gliding through the air like she was savoring the moment.

She's so... human, Jooyeon thought, surprised by the thought. Her calm, composed demeanor always made her seem untouchable, but in this moment, there was something disarmingly simple about her.

As the breeze filled the car, carrying her subtle floral perfume, Jooyeon couldn't help but let his gaze linger. His heart thumped louder, and he quickly looked away, embarrassed. Get it together, Jooyeon. This isn't some romantic movie.

But no matter how hard he tried to focus on the passing scenery, his eyes kept drifting back to her. She seemed so at ease, so radiant, and he felt his throat tighten. How am I supposed to eat lunch now?