Nelly talks.

The city buzzed with early morning activity as Seol Yoon-ah drove through the streets, the soft hum of her Bentley filling the silence of the car. The dashboard screen lit up with an incoming call from Nelly, and she tapped the Bluetooth button on the steering wheel.

"Darling, you're alive! I was beginning to think you'd forgotten me in all that Korean workaholic culture."

Yoon-ah smirked, switching lanes effortlessly. "I called you two days ago."

"Yes, but that's practically eons in best friend time," Nelly said dramatically. "So, tell me, how was the outing last night? You're always so vague about your new friends. I need the tea!"

"I wanted call you last night, but... well things happened and I slept off." Yoon-ah chuckled. "Fine, I'll introduce you properly. First, there's Shin Min-ah—she's a prosecutor. Very sharp, and very attractive,very dramatic, and she's been my biggest fan since high school. She basically worships me. well a bit now, not as much as in high school."

"As she should. She sounds perfect, I think we'd get along perfectly."

"Haha, I think so too."Yoon-ah laughed, she could already see it happening. "Then there's Lee Tae-mo, a detective. He's quiet, logical, always looks like he's thinking ten steps ahead, he's a beautiful looking man,The complete opposite of Min-ah, but somehow, they get along."

"Ohhh, silent and broody? A pretty man? My type."

"He's not broody, just… reserved."

"Same thing, babe. But go on."

"I met them both last night and they're also my friends and classmates from highschool"

"Sounds like you had fun, no wonder you couldn't call me last night."

"Yeah" Yoon-ah shrugged. Hands on her wheel."There's also a guy named Daniel—he's my boss's secretary, Not a friend but my superior. He's hot, blond and Australian, he also doesn't talk much, but when he does, it's either interesting or sarcastic. His korean is also perfect"

"Oh my God, why does that sound weirdly attractive?"

"Because you have a thing for emotionally unavailable men."

Nelly gasped. "Rude, but accurate. And your boss? What's his deal?"

Yoon-ah hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding. "Kim Tan. CEO. Cold and Serious, professional, handsome, too handsome that it feels unreal and...confusing."

"Handsome? Yes! Confusing? How?"

"He's polite sometimes when I'm by myself with him–also very snarky– but distant in public. But when no one's around, he's…" She trailed off, searching for the right words.

"He's what, Yoon-ah? Spill!"

Yoon-ah sighed. "I don't know. It's like he knows me, but I can't figure out how."

There was a pause before Nelly suddenly gasped. "WAIT. Are we talking 'mysterious past connection' trope? Like, 'childhood crush' kinda deal?"

Yoon-ah snorted. "You read too many webnovels."

"Don't act like you don't love them too!"

Yoon-ah shook her head She pulled into a discreet lot tucked between older buildings, the kind of place no one from Galaxy Corporation would suspect she parked her car. As she stepped out, a familiar voice greeted her.

"My favorite idol! You're here again today as well."

Yoon-ah turned, lips curving into a small smile as she met the eyes of Mr. Kang, an elder and owner of the lot. He was a man who appreciated beauty—hers in particular. He'd always go on and on about how she looked prettier than the idols his son raved about.

"Good morning, Mr. Kang," she greeted.

He gave her a once-over, nodding approvingly. "Ah, breathtaking as always. If I were thirty years younger—"

"You'd still be too old for me," she cut in smoothly, and he let out a hearty laugh.

"True, true," he admitted, shaking his head. "But let this old man admire in peace."

Yoon-ah just smiled, waving him off as she walked toward the main road.

Nelly, who had been silent during the exchange, suddenly gasped. "WHO was that?!"

"Mr. Kang. He owns the parking lot."

"And he called you his favorite idol?!"

"He's just a harmless old man."

Nelly let out an exaggerated gasp. "So you have fans in Korea already? And you didn't tell me? How dare you keep this from me, Seol Yoon-ah?"

Yoon-ah sighed. "You're so dramatic."

"Damn right I am." Then, suddenly—"Wait, why aren't you parking at your company?" Nelly asked, catching on.

"I prefer it this way," Yoon-ah said simply.

A beat of silence. Then—

"…You don't want them to know you're rich, do you?"

Yoon-ah sighed. "I just don't want unnecessary attention."

Nelly groaned. "Babe. You wear designer from head to toe every single day. That's something you've always done, even back in college. At first, you were all 'confused rich Asian student' with your mismatched luxury outfits, but then—boom! You became the walking definition of 'effortlessly expensive.' The perfect example of 'rich Asian kids abroad who pretend they're not rich but totally are'!"

Yoon-ah didn't respond to that. Instead, she changed the subject. "Anyway, why are you suddenly so interested in my life? What's going on?"

"I'm coming to Korea!"

Yoon-ah slowed her pace. "You're what?"

"You heard me! I miss my bestie, and I need a vacation. Also, I figured I'd kill three birds with one stone—see you, watch your little brother's taekwondo tournament at least once, and punch Cha Woo-in in the face."

Yoon-ah let out a sharp laugh. "You're so violent. Also insane."

"I'm justified! You said he made your high school life miserable, didn't you?"

"That was a long time ago."

"Doesn't matter. He deserves at least one punch for acting like that and I volunteer."

Yoon-ah shook her head, smiling. "Just don't cause an international incident."

"No promises!"

"You know, you have the priorities of a maniac." Yoon-ah smiled as she adjusted her bag.

"Thank you!"

"It wasn't a compliment."

"You can't decide that for me. I'm choosing to take it as one, my dear friend."

As she reached the sleek glass-fronted doors of Galaxy Corporation, Yoon-ah sighed. "Alright, I have to go. I'm at work." She walked through the grand entrance into the cool, polished interior of the lobby. The subtle hum of activity filled the space, some moving with purpose. She moved with silent confidence. Her heels clicking against the marble floor."

"Ugh, fine. But we're discussing your CEO later. As for my visit to Korea? I don't know when for now."

"That's fine. Bye and Love you"

"Love you too." Yoon-ah ended the call, stepping into the sleek lobby.

As she walked, she felt the shift. The subtle glances. The quiet assessments. But she was used to ignoring it. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she made her way toward the receptionist desk.

The same receptionist that had been on desk at Yoon-ah's day of work. Yoon-ah had later found out that her name was Baek Jisoo. She had a sleekly styled hair style and an eager yet calculating gaze. she had been applying mascara on her lashes before she noticed Yoon-ah.

She straightened as Yoon-ah approached, hurriedly setting aside her mascara, her gaze sweeping over the designer outfit, the effortless elegance of her wavy hair, and the poised grace in her posture. To be fair, she looked as if she had stepped straight off a Fashion Week runway, effortlessly embodying the essence of a high-end corporate wear brand.

"Good morning," Yoon-ah greeted with a polite warmth.

The receptionist hesitated before replying, "Good morning, Miss Seol."

Yoon-ah gave a slight nod before walking past, heading toward the elevators.

The moment she disappeared, the receptionist muttered under her breath, "I don't like her."

--

Daniel stood by the desk, arms crossed, as Kim Tan flipped through a report. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting sharp shadows over the sleek office.

"The new contract with JW Holdings is finalized," Daniel said. "They agreed to our terms, but their legal team wants another meeting to go over the fine print."

Kim Tan nodded, still reading. "Set it up for Friday. Have Legal review it first."

"Already on it," Daniel replied. "Also, the directors' meeting is at two. Mrs. Oh wants to go over the restructuring plans."

Kim Tan leaned back, finally looking up. "Let her come early if she wants. I'm not changing the agenda."

Daniel smirked. "Of course not. Wouldn't want to give them too much hope."

Kim Tan shut the folder with a crisp snap but didn't respond.

Daniel tilted his head. "Sir, when will you get tired of tormenting her?"

Kim Tan raised a brow. "Who?"

Daniel scoffed. "Seol Yoon-ah."

Kim Tan exhaled, resting an elbow on the desk. "She's the one who keeps running into trouble. I'm just an observer."

Daniel shook his head, unconvinced. "Right. An 'observer' who makes sure she stays within view."

At that moment, Kim Tan's gaze flicked past Daniel to the glass walls of his office. Beyond them, through the transparent doors, he saw her—walking through the lobby in her usual effortless grace, drawing glances as she passed.

"I see her now," he murmured. Then, smoothly, "Go and get her."

Daniel sighed, heading for the door. "One of these days, she'll figure you out."

Kim Tan smirked, eyes still on her. "Let her try."