Clara waved at Joo-hyuk as her employer waited for her in his car in front of her apartment complex. He sighed as he slid to the other side of the backseat, making room for Clara to get in. Kang-san beamed at the Legal Director as he opened the door to the backseat, greeting her. She smiled as she got into the black, BMW sedan, greeting Joo-hyuk. Joo-hyuk just grunted as he looked out the window, his cheeks flushing a pale pink as he remembered the kiss from last night.

“Ha…” he sighed as he fidgeted away from Clara. He felt so embarrassed. How could he have let her kiss him?!

“Hmph. I see someone isn’t too keen to see me…” Clara pouted. She secretly smiled at his blush; it was so cute!

“… Are you ready for the meeting?” Joo-hyuk asked, not looking at Clara.

“Of course, I am! I’ve spent the past few days preparing for this!” her eyes beaming with determination and excitement.

Joo-hyuk stared at her, surprised at her eagerness for this meeting. Was the meeting with Mrs. Tan something to be so excited for? He chuckled under his breath as he gazed at Clara’s happy, bright expression. He turned back to stare out the window, smiling as they made their way to Incheon, to the hotel, Paradise City, where Mrs. Tan was staying at. Joo-hyuk closed his eyes for a nap as the group drove for an hour and thirty minutes to the luxurious hotel.

Clara shook her employer awake, as they neared the hotel. Joo-hyuk stifled a yawn as he sat up straight, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. She smiled— he was too handsome for his own good. How does he look so flawless after a nap? I could never look that good… Definitely chose the right guy to marry, she thought nodding her head in approval. Joo-hyuk just rolled his eyes as the car came to a stop at the entrance. The couple got out of the car as they strode into the extravagant hotel with Kang-san trailing behind them. Clara couldn’t help but notice people staring at Joo-hyuk, awed by his good looks and radiating charisma. Joo-hyuk didn’t seem to mind or notice, as he sauntered over to the elevator, to get to the café that was located on the 15th floor. Clara slowed down as she noticed one of the women who had been staring at Joo-hyuk confidently stride up to him, trying to strike up a conversation. The lawyer clenched her fists and sighed, was this going to be a common theme with this man?!

Clara trudged towards the elevators staring at the ground. She felt herself getting irritated. Why did she feel so angry…? Oh no, I’m not getting jealous, am I? Ack! I don’t want to be one of those women…, Clara thought to herself, crying on the inside. Why did he have to be so good-looking?! She sighed and was nearing the elevator when she felt a warm hand snake up her waist. Clara jumped and looked up to see Joo-hyuk next to her, smiling down at her gently. She raised an eyebrow and stared up at him, confused. What in the world was this man doing? Clara glanced at the woman who had been talking to the businessman earlier. She seethed in anger as she glared at Clara bitterly, her eyes filled with annoyance and hate. Clara flinched— this was giving her déjà vu. The Legal Director shuddered, as she felt goosebumps forming on her arms.

“Are you cold, babe?” Joo-hyuk asked as he began to take off his suit jacket.

“!!! Ah, no! I-I’m okay!” Clara raised her hands up, refusing his help.

“…What are you doing?” she whispered to Joo-hyuk, who still had his arm around her waist.

“Protecting you from her. You seemed jealous so…”, he smirked, as he led her to the elevators.

“…”

The pair walked into the elevator as the woman also got on, staring daggers at Clara. Kang-san rolled his eyes as he stood between his boss’s woman and this delusional woman. Joo-hyuk smiled sweetly at Clara, tightening his grip on her as the elevators dinged open. The woman scoffed and walked out to the 10th floor, her heels clacking loudly against granite floor. The trio sighed in relief as Joo-hyuk let go of Clara.

“… Is this going to happen regularly now…?” Clara asked rhetorically, shaking her head.

“…” The two men didn’t answer back as they both looked away, waiting for the elevator to open.

The doors dinged open and the group came face-to-face with Cha Soo-ho. Clara groaned, she had completely forgotten that her older half-sibling had a meeting with Mrs. Tan before them. Clara felt the cold, tense atmosphere between the two heirs as stared at each other, both staying silent. She and Kang-san glanced at each other, unsure of what to do. The doors of the elevator were about to close again, when her brother grabbed the doors from shutting. He smirked as he and his group of lawyers and secretaries moved to the side for them to get off. Joo-hyuk clenched his teeth as he walked out, grabbing Clara along with him.

“… Ms. Astley, I didn’t expect to see you here…”Soo-ho glanced at Joo-hyuk’s hand on Clara’s.

“Well, I can’t say the same. Then, if you’ll excuse us, we have a meeting to attend.” Clara said curtly pushing past the young man.

“I’m assuming you are rejecting GK Group’s offer, then? Hmm. Then I wonder why you are here…?” GK Group’s heir asked as he blocked Clara’s path. What is this? Like brother, like sister… Ugh!, Clara thought as she bit her lip, annoyed.

“I don’t believe it’s any of your business. Goodbye.”

“Joo-hyuk, are you aware of Ms. Astley’s ridiculous request when I scouted her? She told me she wished to marry you… You’re not planning on—"

“I’m aware. We’re currently dating, as you can see.” Joo-hyuk held up his and Clara’s clasped hands.

“… What?! You bastard! Did you forget that you’re engaged to my sister?!” Soo-ho shouted, grabbing Joo-hyuk by the collar.

Clara gasped, what was going on??? Kang-san tried to interfere, when Joo-hyuk held up a hand at his friend, shaking his head to him. Kang-san backed away slightly, not taking his eyes off of his boss—he would protect him no matter what. People from the café all glanced at the group, murmuring with one another at the commotion. This is bad… We can’t let Mrs. Tan see this…!, Clara thought as she tightened her grasp of Joo-hyuk’s hand.

“Hahaha, I hadn’t realized I had a fiancé! As far as I know, I’m still single—I don’t recall asking anyone to marry me.” Joo-hyuk retorted with a sarcastic laugh as he tore off Soo-ho’s grasp with one hand, pushing his competitor backwards.

“Our families have arranged a marriage between you two! Are you mocking GK Group, right now?!!!”

“Ha, so uncultured and ignorant. Keep your voice down, will you? This isn’t your house where you can cause a fuss, it’s a place of business! Mind your manners, if you’re the heir to GK Group. Need I remind you that arranged marriage wasn’t for Jung-hyun, your sister, but for Cha Soo-hyun, your missing half-sibling and legitimate heir to GK Group? So, stop this nonsense and go home if you’re done with your business.” Joo-hyuk said coldly, staring Soo-ho down with narrowed eyes.

“What did you say, you asshole?! Do you think your company will get away with humiliating us?! HOW DARE YOU?!” Soo-ho roared, his face red with anger.

Clara flinched as she stared at her brother’s furious gaze at Joo-hyuk. He looked exactly like their father when he had smashed the porcelain vase on her mother’s head… Clara felt herself losing her calm demeanor as flashbacks of that night plagued her, as she stumbled backwards. No… No, I can’t freak out now… Get a grip!, she thought to herself as she squeezed her eyes, her body trembling from the thought of her mother’s last moments. She gasped for breath as she clenched her fists when she felt a warm, soft hand touch her shoulders.

“What in the world is going on here? Mr. Cha Soo-ho, what is the meaning of this?!” an elderly Asian woman asked, glaring up at the two men who were in a heated argument—well, one of them was, anyway.

“I—Mrs. Tan!”

**NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.**