Episode 9
Youngin reported to the Hyesung Entertainment office for work.
She would start reporting to SL Entertainment beginning next Monday.
Glancing into the CEO’s office, she saw CEO Kang lying on the couch with his arm draped over his eyes.
Youngin placed her bag on her desk and knocked lightly on the glass door before stepping inside.
“You’re in early.”
CEO Kang lowered his arm and opened his eyes—he looked like death warmed over.
“My wife never makes me hangover soup, you know? I felt awful, so I came out to get some, then headed straight here.”
“Well, who’d want to cook for a husband who comes home drunk every night?”
“Why do you always sound exactly like my wife…?”
With a deliberately exaggerated groan, Youngin perched lightly on the sofa across from him.
CEO Kang’s drowsy eyes suddenly widened.
“Oh, right—Youngin.”
“Yes?”
“Did you know that CEO Cha Seonghyeok is Chairman Cha Hyeonung’s son?”
“I do.”
“Oh… you did, huh.”
He looked awkward for a moment, then his eyes lit up with curiosity.
“If he’s here at SL Entertainment, doesn’t that mean he got on his father’s bad side?”
“No.”
“No?”
“He came here on his own.”
“Why?”
“Who knows.”
She knew exactly why—but couldn’t say it out loud.
*“So I can see you every day.”*
Recalling what Seonghyeok had said yesterday, Youngin was once again swept up in a strange feeling.
“How do you know he came voluntarily, not because he fell out of favor?”
“He told me himself.”
“When you two were talking alone at the office yesterday?”
“…”
Youngin nodded with an awkward smile.
“You two weren’t even together for five minutes, and in that time he told you about the part-time job you had back in college and that he came here voluntarily?”
“That’s all we talked about.”
“Ah, really?”
Still looking skeptical, CEO Kang tilted his head, then shifted the topic.
“You didn’t drink much last night, did you?”
“Just a few glasses.”
“Good. I was too drunk to look after you, so it’s a relief you didn’t get drunk too.”
Youngin let out an incredulous chuckle.
“You talk like you ever *do* look after anyone. You’re always the first one to pass out.”
She never drank enough to get drunk unless she was with people she fully trusted.
But last night, even though she felt like drinking more than usual because of a certain someone chattering away so brightly, she held back—not because she didn’t trust the people around her…
But because she didn’t trust herself.
She was afraid she might show Seonghyeok how she really felt. Afraid their relationship—one she’d tried so hard to end—might reconnect.
She didn’t want to admit it, but part of her still believed:
That she’d be safe with Seonghyeok.
That no matter what, he would protect her.
“Get some more rest. You look terrible.”
Trying to shake off the image of Seonghyeok’s face from the backseat of the taxi last night, Youngin stood up.
***
The day of her first official day at SL Entertainment.
Youngin ran into Haeyoon in the parking lot—someone she’d worked with for nearly two years at Hyesung. A bit chatty, but quick-witted and sharp at her job, Haeyoon was a junior she genuinely liked.
“Team Leader, I’m kind of nervous.”
“Me too.”
“Oh, come on. You? Nervous over something like this?”
“I mean it.”
She wasn’t lying. Unlike Haeyoon, she was nervous for another reason—because she had no idea how the once-quiet Seonghyeok would act now.
As they chatted about their weekends, the two women headed for the elevator. A tall man was already standing there, waiting.
The moment she saw him, Youngin froze in place.
“What’s wrong?”
Haeyoon turned toward Youngin with concern, just as the man sensed their presence and looked over.
It was Seonghyeok, waiting for the elevator.
“It’s nothing.”
Youngin answered softly and stepped toward him. With a composed expression, she greeted him first.
“Good morning, CEO.”
“Is today your first day?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s get in.”
He entered the elevator first, pressing the buttons for the 8th floor—where the CEO’s office was—and the 5th floor, where the management team was.
As she stepped in behind him, Youngin introduced Haeyoon. The moment their brief greetings ended, the elevator stopped on the 5th floor.
The two women gave a polite nod to Seonghyeok and stepped out. Haeyoon clung to Youngin’s arm, buzzing with excitement.
“Wow, I figured he’d be good-looking from what CEO Kang said, but he’s honestly the best-looking non-celebrity I’ve ever seen. No wait—he’s better looking than most actual celebrities!”
“Let’s not get carried away…”
Youngin forced herself not to agree and quickened her pace.
***
After a chaotic morning, Youngin went down to the cafeteria with Haeyoon.
The rest of the team had already eaten and returned to the office. They were eating late because Youngin’s team leader meeting had run long.
“Next time, don’t wait for me—just eat first.”
“Oh, please. I wasn’t even hungry. Now hurry up and get in line.”
Joking around, Haeyoon tugged Youngin toward the food counter.
They picked up glossy grilled-eel rice bowls and sat by the window. Just as they picked up their spoons, a deep voice interrupted.
“May I join you?”
Youngin and Haeyoon turned their heads at the same time. Standing there with a tray was Seonghyeok.
“Of course. Please sit, sir.”
While Youngin hesitated, Haeyoon quickly moved over and gave up her seat. That left Youngin and Seonghyeok sitting across from each other.
“You’re having a late lunch.”
Regaining her composure, Youngin answered calmly.
“You’re late too, sir.”
Polite, formal conversation passed between them as they started to eat.
“If you’re free this evening, let’s have dinner with the entire Team 5.”
“I have plans.”
Youngin cut him off with a cold, firm tone. Startled, Haeyoon quickly jumped in to explain.
“We were all invited to Actor Ji Seungchan’s birthday party. Honestly, they just want Team Leader Chae there, and we’re tagging along.”
Youngin frowned slightly.
“Haeyoon, the CEO doesn’t need all that detail.”
But Seonghyeok responded firmly.
“No, I do. I’m very curious. Please, go on.”
Caught between them, Haeyoon glanced back and forth, unsure whom to listen to.
“Ah, um, so, yeah… basically…”
A moment requiring careful judgment had arrived.
***
That evening, Seonghyeok left the office and headed to a lounge bar in Sinsa-dong.
It hadn’t been around long, but had quickly become a hotspot thanks to regular visits from celebrities.
After waiting about five minutes at a table near the entrance, a man with short hair and thick-rimmed glasses arrived.
“No private rooms? What is this chaos?”
Taking a look around, the man sat across from Seonghyeok. His name was Yoon Jisang—Seonghyeok’s closest friend.
They’d both been in the U.S. for the past three years, with Jisang returning about two weeks before Seonghyeok.
“Felt stuffy.”
Jisang stared closely at Seonghyeok, his expression growing serious.
“You developing anxiety or something?”
“Anxiety?”
“Did you sit near the door so you could bolt if there’s a fire?”
“Uh, no.”
“Then maybe you’re hoping random people will glance over and admire you?”
Seonghyeok frowned deeply.
“What are you talking about?”
“Then why the hell are you sitting in this garbage spot?”
This was the first time they’d ever met in such a wide-open, public space.
“Just because.”
Brushing off Jisang’s complaint, Seonghyeok poured whiskey into a pre-set glass.
Jisang drained it in one shot, then leaned forward with a gleam in his eye.
“So when are you going to introduce me to Youngin?”
“Don’t act like you’re close with her.”
“Can’t I pretend a little?”
“She’s close with me, not you—so why do you care?”
“You sure you’re still close? Wasn’t that just a brief thing in the past?”
“We’re about to be close again.”
Jisang found it endlessly entertaining to tease Seonghyeok whenever the name *Chae Youngin* came up.
“I’m dying to know what kind of woman dragged Cha Seonghyeok all the way out to the boonies.”
Compared to SL Group’s Corporate Strategy Division, SL Entertainment was definitely the boondocks.
“Then why the hell did you vanish for three years?”
Seonghyeok didn’t argue—he simply nodded.
“I regret it. That’s why I’m not letting her go this time.”
He’d never been sure until now—whether he truly hadn’t moved on from Youngin, or if he’d just been chasing a fantasy he created.
Now he knew for certain: all he’d done was waste time.
“That’s your problem. What if Youngin doesn’t like you anymore?”
“No way. What woman wouldn’t?”
He scoffed, but deep down, he knew: Youngin had never once told him she liked him.
She always kept her distance—called him “sunbae,” spoke politely. Maybe that’s what made him thirst for more.
But if nothing else, he knew she didn’t *hate* him.
Not back then. Not now.
Still, when she said she didn’t want to see him anymore, he’d turned cold out of pride.
It felt like he was the only one clinging to a woman who threw out the word “breakup” so easily.
But things were different now.
He wasn’t foolish enough to let go of someone he hadn’t been able to forget for three years.
He’d already wasted enough time.
“If I were a woman, I’d laugh in your face and tell you you’re nothing special.”
Jisang grumbled, though deep down, even he had to admit—there were times Seonghyeok was annoyingly attractive.
Suddenly, Seonghyeok’s expression went stiff.
“Let’s go.”
Confused, Jisang blinked.
“Go? I just got here.”
But Seonghyeok stood up as if he hadn’t heard him at all.
His eyes were fixed past Jisang’s shoulder—on Youngin, who was being helped along by Haeyoon.
(Continued…)
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