Although Reckless

Chapter 1

Sotheby’s headquarters was located on East 71st Street and York Avenue in Manhattan, New York. As one of the two major auction houses, alongside Christie’s, it dealt with more than ninety percent of all fine artwork and antiques worldwide.

A sedan stopped in front of the large building, and Serin gracefully stepped out of the car and walked into the lobby.

“The auction starts in twenty minutes,” said Dongju Choi, her personal secretary.

Serin glanced at her watch. She’d arrived a bit later than expected, but she still had time. Still, they quickened their steps toward the elevator bank.

“How do you feel today?” Dongju asked.

“Not good, but not bad either,” she replied, gently closing her eyes and pressing her temples as they waited for the elevator.

Serin had been on a brutal schedule, continent-hopping from Paris to New York, in order to secure the sales license for a new perfume brand. Fatigue aside, she definitely needed more sleep. If she kept working at such a pace, no one would be surprised to find dead at her desk one day, as her friend Hui-yeon often warned.

She even had to attend an auction that day, from which she gained nothing, which left a frown on her face.

Do I have a choice? As long as I’m not in control, I should do as I’m told.

“That’s a relief, though. You don’t look bad, at least,” Dongju noted in a rather indifferent tone.

Serin raised her eyes to look at him. “You know, it’s funny. You always wear that expressionless face, but I still find your words very comforting.”

“That’s one of my abilities, Miss Han. A good secretary doesn’t let their emotions show,” he joked.

Serin gave him a slight smile. “You’re such a positive person, Mr. Choi. I’m sure you’ll succeed wherever you go.”

“Where would I go? I’ll succeed beside you, Miss Han.”

Serin’s rigid expression finally softened. “Thank you, Mr. Choi, for letting me know that you’ll always be by my side.”

“That’s a given,” he replied with a smile that reached his eyes.

A chime signaled the elevator’s arrival, and the doors opened. Serin was about to step inside when she noticed the man already there and halted.

“Oh,” she muttered, despite herself. The stunning Asian man in the elevator instantly caught her eye. ‘Handsome’ was an understatement, and his charisma ensured he would not be ignored.

For Serin, who was seldom distracted, it was a fairly shocking experience. She stared at the man, dazzled for a moment, until her eyes suddenly quivered.

I must be so exhausted that it’s making me sensitive.

Strangely enough, Serin got the passing feeling that the man wasn’t completely unfamiliar, even though they’d never met before.

<Are you in or out?> the man inside impatiently asked Serin in English as she continued to stare.

“Ma’am?” Dongju urged, as she stood frozen.

Finally, she jolted back to reality and stepped inside.

The doors closed, and the elevator began to move. She took a deep breath and let it out to relieve some of the inexplicable tension. The elevator was spacious enough, and there were only the three of them in it, yet she felt suffocated.

Maybe... it was the presence of the man behind her.

His height and physique—which were outstanding even at a glance—made the space feel cramped. She could feel his eyes fixed on her, and the back of her neck stiffened at his explicit gaze.

Have I met him before? Is that why he’s looking at me? she wondered.

She searched her memory, but she couldn’t find the answer to why the mysterious man was showing any interest in her. But asking him if they’d met before would have been rather inappropriate, so she could only watch the elevator doors.

When the elevator stopped, a rustling sound from behind her signaled movement. The man’s black coattails brushed Serin’s leg, clad in stockings, as if to caress it.

She subconsciously swallowed a soft moan. It had been meaningless contact, but the thick woolen coat felt just like a man’s gentle touch.

She quickly shook off such nonsense and observed him leaving the elevator. Her eyes twitched again.

What made me think he would get off on the same floor as me?

Her baffled gaze followed him through the gap in the closing doors. He was walking away with an imposing, confident air that she’d never seen in anyone before. She felt an odd mix of relief and disappointment at his exit.

Disappointment! That’s it. My sleep deficiency is finally affecting my mind. Why else would I have such a ridiculous idea?

She furrowed her brow, blaming everything on her lack of sleep, and glanced around the elevator. Only one person had left, but the space now felt too large—forlorn, even. Only his masculine fragrance lingered.

Serin opened her clenched hand and looked down at her palm, only to find it beginning to sweat.

How impressive. I wonder who he is.

The elevator arrived at their destined floor with a ding. Serin straightened her expression and exited, the sound of her stilettos echoing steadily as she crossed the marble floor.

With her shoulders thrown back, she headed toward an event hall where an annual special auction was held for the VVIPs. It was an invitation-only kind of event, and even those on the initial guest list could be culled as the Sotheby’s office made their final selection.

As though to prove its exclusivity, solemn-faced staff were checking invitations at the entrance. After checking Serin’s name on the list, one of the staff members, now with a kind smile, welcomed her. <I will show you to your seats.>

<Thank you,> Serin answered with a businesslike smile.

She and Dongju followed the staffer to their designated seats. As they sat down, another staffer waiting by their table served champagne as a welcome drink.

Serin lifted her glass, took a sip, and then carefully looked around the hall. She attended this event every year, so there were a good many familiar faces. When her eyes met theirs, she exchanged a knowing glance or a slight nod.

After displaying enough etiquette for the sake of formality, she began to skim through the brochure that Dongju handed her. She carefully read the pages detailing two paintings she had to secure. Then she flipped to a ceramic piece on the last page.

At the same time, she felt a persistent gaze on her cheek. Her head lifted, as though pulled by some powerful force, and her eyes whipped around to meet the man from the elevator.

Her own eyes went wide. “How...? He got off on a different floor...”

Unlike Serin, who looked confused, he maintained a calm, self-possessed manner and gave her a friendly nod. His gaze seemed to communicate that he’d expected to see her there.

Serin watched him rub his chin. He was clearly smiling, but his face gave off a cold, arrogant vibe. It was as though his deep, piercing dark eyes were peering straight through her.

She felt a tingling thrill run up her spine. The unfamiliar sense of nervousness made her body shiver and her lips dry out.

What’s wrong with me? Why am I getting so worked up?

She quickly looked away, uncomfortable with the effect he had on her. She kept her eyes trained on the brochure, but her cheeks were burning up. She had to force herself not to turn around while distinctly feeling his gaze remain on her.

Fortunately, the auction started, but Serin was barely able to get him off her mind.

***

<Twenty-five million dollars! We have twenty-five million dollars in the room!> the auctioneer shouted.

The bidding was heating up. Whenever the auctioneer announced the winning bid and banged the gavel, a mix of sighs and exclamations rippled through the crowd.

With outrageously high prices, the excitement in the audience continued to run high. At some point, the value of the items no longer mattered. All attention focused on just how much money was on display and who won the resulting bidding war.

Meanwhile, Serin’s purchases were going smoothly, as planned. She’d secured the two paintings—as her grandmother, Madam Song, had directed—without difficulty. She had just one more item to go.

<Now, we present to you today’s final piece,> the auctioneer announced.

All eyes in the room turned toward a ceramic piece from the Ming Dynasty simultaneously. Serin, who had been fairly laid-back the whole time, beheld the piece with sparkling eyes. It was the bid she had to win at all costs.

After explaining the background of the piece, the auctioneer commenced the bidding. <The starting price is thirteen million dollars.>

Paddles shot up here and there, but Serin waited until the price increased and the bidders decreased. When the number of the people engaged had reduced considerably, Serin began to raise her paddle.

She beat her competitors one by one, appearing quite relaxed, until there were only five people remaining. She was bothered by a brunette placing bids while receiving instructions over the phone, but she was still almost certain of her victory.

That is, until an unexpectedly tough opponent joined in.

<Thirty million.>

A heavy tone of voice echoed through the room, and the man—the same nameless one who had invaded her mind—raised his paddle.