Thinking about him (Mini Chapter)

Han Seoyeon's car rolled smoothly down a quiet, picturesque path beautifully flanked by verdant greenery, leading her to a majestic and impressive mansion. This magnificent estate was far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, comfortably ensconced in peaceful solitude that presented a welcome reprieve. The mansion itself was huge and vast, with elegant designs that caught attention: it had vast grounds that sprawled impressively, pristine white sculptures that dotted the landscape, and a serene water fountain graciously placed near the entrance. To boot, a charming tea garden was just a few steps away from the main door, adding even more to the already tranquil atmosphere that enveloped the estate.

As the vehicle came closer to the imposing gates, it began to slow down, allowing the guards stationed on all sides of the car to inspect it very closely, thereby giving maximum security. The automobile glided smoothly along the well-kept granite driveway flanked beautifully by exquisitely manicured lawns exhibiting the vibrant colors of the cultivated flora. Finally, it came to a stop right in front of the grand entrance to the magnificent mansion. Towering white pillars, majestic and imposing, framed the entranceway, with their intricate designs shimmering slightly in the gentle illumination provided by the soft glow of the evening lights adorning the scene.

Seoyeon walked out of the building with a purpose, her heels clicking rhythmically on the polished granite floor as she confidently walked inside. A caretaker was waiting for her, greeting her with a respectful bow that was both professional and courteous. She didn't break stride or change her pace as she handed over her coat and shoes to him, maintaining an expression that was both calm and composed, reflecting her inner serenity.

As she walked up the grand staircase elegantly leading to her room, her thoughts were filled with reflections on the long but eventful day she had just experienced, contemplating the myriad of moments that had defined it.

Later that night, after taking a refreshing and warm shower that relaxed her body, Han Seoyeon slowly covered herself in a luxurious soft towel, slowly drying her hair as she kept glancing at the clock on the wall. It was 9:00 PM, which was rather late for her; she would normally retire by around 8:00 PM. However, for some reason, the vivid memories of the day stayed in her head and kept her wide awake and unable to sleep.

She sat down across from the ornate vanity mirror. Her complexion was pale, showing barely discernible red coloring for the first time around. She paused, considering dinner with Jooyeon this evening. Why do I feel this way? She concentrated intently on her reflection in the mirror, searching for answers to her questions. I've never felt these emotions for anyone before.

This realization felt very disconcerting and unsettling. Her life had basically consisted of work. There was always a goal; there were always achievements to go after, along with maintaining hard-core discipline. A relationship was something she simply couldn't give herself to, as it was just a distraction. But with him. things felt completely different, wonderfully complicated somehow.

What is it about this experience that feels so different? Is it the fun that has entered into the equation all of a sudden?

Her thoughts drifted even further back in time, recalling the incident that had occurred just a few days prior in the office setting:

Seoyeon found herself washing her hands in the restroom, preparing to exit the room, when she accidentally overheard a group of employees engaged in a conversation.

"She's so pretty," one man remarked, clearly impressed by her appearance.

"Yeah, like a model. But man, she's a complete robot—always cold and grumpy," another replied, expressing a rather harsh opinion about her demeanor. 

"She's not human; she's a workaholic machine," chimed in a third, emphasizing how dedicated she was to her job, but in a way that stripped away her humanity.

Seoyeon found herself frozen in place, her hand remaining motionless beneath the steady flow of the faucet. The comments they made did not truly hurt her; she had encountered far harsher words in the past. Nonetheless, a subtle feeling of irritation washed over her, though she could not quite identify its source.

Just at the moment when she made up her mind to walk away without addressing them directly, a sharp and assertive voice sliced through the background noise of their conversation.

"How can you possibly say something like that about the president?" 

It was Jooyeon, stepping in with a fierce tone.

"She compensates you handsomely, grants you time off when you need it, and in return, all she asks is that you do your best . What exactly is your issue?"

The group of onlookers jeered loudly at him, mocking his unwavering loyalty. "Look at this guy over here, acting all high and mighty like a hero. What do you think, that she'll actually notice you?" 

In a sudden display of aggression, one man roughly grabbed Jooyeon by the collar, forcefully shoving him against the cold wall behind him. 

Seoyeon had witnessed more than enough of this disgraceful behavior.

With a swift motion, the restroom door swung open with a loud, echoing bang, effectively silencing everyone in the vicinity. Her icy, piercing glare quickly fell upon the man who was holding Jooyeon against the wall. 

"You have quite the nerve and courage," she said coldly, her voice dripping with disdain, "to lay a hand on my secretary."

"N-no, boss, it's not like that—"

"From tomorrow onward, none of you are to step foot in this building." Her voice was calm but final. The guards arrived within moments, escorting the panicked group out.

Jooyeon straightened his shirt, his face red with embarrassment. "President, I'm sorry for the trouble—"

"It's fine," she interrupted. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Without waiting for his response, she walked away, heels clicking against the marble floor. After a few steps, she paused and glanced back.

"Thank you."

Jooyeon stood frozen, his cheeks burning. As the guards dragged the others away, he could only replay her words in his mind.

Inside her room, Han Seoyeon smiled weakly, her dainty fingers running across her temple with a thoughtful gesture. The loyalty Jooyeon showed, his strict earnestness in every meeting, and his wonderful ability to make her feel perfectly at ease—each of those things was so new to her, too fresh to her altogether to be understood.

But still, she couldn't help but feel like it wasn't something she could dislike.