IGNORE OR EMBRACE

Lena woke up in a small, cold room, confused and momentarily unaware of where she was. It took her a few seconds to realize—Seoul. Korea. Him.

She sat up on the bed, stretched, and sighed."Alright, Lena, you survived the first night. Now you just have to survive the first day."

Her stomach growled before she could plan her next step. She hadn't eaten since yesterday. Getting up, she grabbed her jacket and stepped outside.

The street was bustling with life, people passing by as if they had a clear purpose in life. She, on the other hand, had only one—find him. But first, find something cheap to eat.

She spotted a small convenience store nearby and walked in. Inside—perfect order and peace. The shelves were neatly stacked, the lights were bright, and everything smelled clean.

"Okay, Lena, remember—the budget is zero. Get the cheapest thing possible."

Her eyes scanned the shelves—everything seemed too expensive. Then she saw it—a pack of instant noodles at a ridiculously low price. Perfect. She grabbed it along with a small bottle of water and headed to the cashier.

When it was her turn, the young cashier blinked at her. Clearly, he hadn't expected a foreigner, especially someone who looked like they'd just stepped off a runway but was buying the cheapest meal in the store.

"Annyeonghaseyo…" he mumbled, then clumsily added in English, "Four… dollars?"

Lena nodded, pulled out a few bills, and handed them over. He gave her the bag with a faint smile, still looking puzzled.

"Gamsahamnida," she said uncertainly, and he nodded.

As soon as she stepped outside, Lena exhaled."First success of the day—I didn't starve to death."

She returned to her room, ate the noodles in silence, and felt slightly better. It was time to get ready.

Opening her suitcase—at least her wardrobe wasn't a disaster. She had a few good pieces from before, even if everything else in her life was currently a mess.

She put on elegant trousers and a beige turtleneck, then looked at herself in the mirror.

Her face was slightly tired but still beautiful. One thing was in her favor—she was stunning. And when you're stunning, people take longer to notice you're insecure.

She fixed her hair, applied some light makeup, and took a deep breath.

"Okay. Now comes the hard part. Time to find him."

His company wasn't far—she took the subway, carefully following the directions on her phone. When she stepped out, a massive, modern glass-and-metal building towered before her.

She stared up at it, her heart pounding.

Somewhere behind those windows… he was there.

Lena stood at the reception desk, gathering every ounce of courage she had. Her heart was pounding wildly, but she couldn't show her nervousness.

The receptionist, a neatly dressed woman with glasses, looked up from her screen and smiled politely."Good afternoon. How can I help you?"

Lena licked her lips."I need to go to the twentieth floor."

The receptionist kept her polite smile but now looked slightly suspicious."Do you have an appointment?"

Lena hesitated."No… but you should let me up."

The woman chuckled, now clearly doubtful."I'm sorry, but I can't let anyone in without authorization. I need to notify his assistant."

"No," Lena said quickly. "Don't tell anyone. Just let me go up."

Now the receptionist was certain she was dealing with a crazy person."Miss… that's really not possible."

Lena opened her mouth to argue, but then—

"And who might you be?"

She turned and saw a tall, elegant man in a suit. His eyebrow was slightly raised, and he was eyeing her with interest.

"I…"

His eyes suddenly narrowed as if he was connecting the dots."Wait a minute…"

He stepped closer, studying her."You're… you're HER, aren't you?"

Lena swallowed hard."Which… 'her'?"

The man—Hyun—slowly smiled."Don't play dumb. I'm Hyun. I sent him to Switzerland. I know some girl completely threw him off there, and now, a foreigner shows up here, trying to see him. Pretty obvious, isn't it?"

Lena wasn't sure whether to be relieved he recognized her or to run before she got thrown out.

"Listen," Hyun said, lowering his voice slightly. "I don't know what exactly happened between you two, but he hasn't been the same since he got back. He won't talk about it, but I can tell he's different."

Lena trembled."So…"

Hyun shrugged."So, I'll let you see him. But what happens next… that's on you."

The receptionist stared at them in shock as Hyun nodded and motioned for Lena to follow him.

As they walked toward the elevator, Lena felt her legs shaking.

Just breathe. Just breathe.

They reached his office door. Hyun knocked and walked in like it was the most normal thing in the world.

He sat down, crossed his arms, and said,"I brought you a visitor."

Seo-joon didn't look up immediately. He was focused on reading some documents, his expression serious and cold.

"What visitor?" he asked, still absorbed in his papers.

Hyun smirked and stood up."She'll tell you herself."

That's when Seo-joon finally looked up… and froze.

Lena stood at the door.

Uncertain. Beautiful as a dream.

Silence filled the room.

Hyun nodded in satisfaction, grabbed a folder from the desk, and said,"Talk. I have work to do."

He walked out, closing the door behind him.

Seo-joon remained still.

He looked at her, but at the same time… he didn't want to look at her.

He turned his head to the side, staring out the window as if he could ignore her presence.

Minutes passed. No one spoke.

Lena felt her heart breaking from the silence.

And then, without emotion, Seo-joon finally spoke:"What are you doing here?"

Seo-joon sat at his desk, rigid, looking at her like she was his worst enemy.

Lena could barely breathe. She saw none of the warmth she once knew in his eyes.

But she couldn't give up.

"Seo-joon…" her voice was soft but sincere. "I… I need to apologize."

His expression didn't change."I don't care."

Lena blinked, stunned by his harsh response."Please, just give me a chance to explain—"

Seo-joon stood up, his eyes ice-cold."There's nothing to explain."

"But—"

"You have nothing to do here."

His words cut through her like a blade.

Lena swallowed hard but refused to back down."Please… I know you're angry, but just give me five minutes."

Seo-joon let out a bitter, sarcastic laugh."Five minutes? Five minutes to say what? To lie to me again? To sell me another story?"

"No!" Lena stepped closer, desperate to reach him. "I'm not here to lie! I—"

Seo-joon raised a hand, silencing her."I don't care. Leave."

Lena felt tears welling up."Seo-joon… please…"

"Get out."

"I won't leave until you hear me out!" she shouted, now angry herself.

Seo-joon clenched his jaw."Don't play games with me, Lena. If you don't walk out, I'll throw you out."

Her whole body trembled."Why are you like this?" she asked, her voice full of pain. "Do you really hate me so much that you can't listen for one minute?"

Seo-joon stepped closer, his eyes burning with fury."Who even are you?" he said quietly, each word sharp as a knife. "Is your name even real?"

Lena's eyes widened."How… how can you say that?"

His bitter smile returned."Easy. You're a great actress. Maybe you trained for that along with manipulating men for money."

That hit her like a punch."T-that's not true!"

Seo-joon looked at her with disgust."Get out, Lena."

She didn't move.

So Seo-joon did. He grabbed her wrist."I told you to leave!"

And he threw her out.

Lena stood frozen, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Then, a familiar figure appeared.

Hyun.

He didn't say anything. He just gently took her hand."Come on."

Lena nodded, too broken to resist.

In his office, Seo-joon stood by the door, fists clenched.

Breathing heavily.

He was furious.

But not at her.

At himself.

At himself for throwing her out.

And most of all—because he wanted to hold her.