The Car Ride

The episode opens on a quiet, moonlit night. The camera pans across the city, casting soft light on the busy streets as the sleek luxury car glides smoothly through the roads. Inside the car, Seo-yeon, dressed in a sharp business suit, gazes out the window, her expression calm yet weary. She’s in Korea on a business trip, handling her family’s affairs while her parents oversee the European branch of their company. As the car passes through a quiet neighborhood, she speaks up.

Seo-yeon: "Stop here."

The driver nods and pulls over in front of a small, unassuming supermarket. Seo-yeon glances at him for a moment before giving her order.

Seo-yeon: "Buy me something. I’ll wait here."

The driver acknowledges her request and walks into the supermarket, leaving Seo-yeon alone in the back of the car. The stillness of the night surrounds her, and for a brief moment, she seems distant, almost lost in thought. Despite her composed exterior, there’s an underlying exhaustion in her eyes, a woman carrying the weight of responsibilities far beyond her years.

Seok-ho’s Unexpected Attraction

Across the street from the supermarket, Seok-ho, now in his mid-20s, stands with his friends, Min-gi and Jae-hyun, at an outdoor bar. The air is filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses as they celebrate his recent boxing victory. Seok-ho exudes confidence, his strong build apparent in the way he carries himself. As he takes a sip from his drink, he casually surveys the crowd around him.

Then his gaze freezes as he notices Seo-yeon standing outside the car. For a brief moment, their eyes meet from across the street, and something shifts in Seok-ho’s chest. An unfamiliar pull tugs at him, a feeling he can’t quite explain. He watches her from a distance, feeling as though a strange connection has formed in the fleeting moment their gazes locked.

Min-gi and Jae-hyun continue talking, oblivious to Seok-ho’s distraction. He continues to watch Seo-yeon, captivated by her graceful figure, her poise, and the way the city lights reflect off her face. His mind races, but his body remains frozen in place.

The Threat

Seok-ho’s focus is broken by the sudden appearance of three men approaching Seo-yeon. One of them holds a knife, the others standing with a menacing air. Seok-ho’s heart races, an instinctive urge to protect rising within him. Without thinking, he rushes across the street toward the danger, pushing past people as his mind narrows in on the threat.

Seok-ho: (gritting his teeth) "Get away from her!"

The three men turn at the sound of his voice, surprised by the sudden intervention. Seo-yeon’s eyes widen as she notices Seok-ho charging toward them, his presence commanding and fierce. The attackers grow more aggressive, the one with the knife lunging toward her, but Seok-ho intercepts, grabbing the man’s wrist with a vice-like grip, stopping him from advancing.

Seo-yeon: (shocked) "What…?"

Seok-ho fights with the strength of someone who has faced the hardest of battles. The tension in the air is thick with panic, adrenaline fueling his every move. The men struggle against him, but Seok-ho’s raw power overwhelms them. Just as things begin to escalate, the sound of an approaching vehicle reaches their ears. The driver from Seo-yeon’s car appears, rushing over.

Driver: "Miss! Get in the car!"

Seok-ho, with one final shove, pushes the attackers back, creating enough distance for Seo-yeon to rush toward the car. She climbs in quickly, her breath ragged from the fear of the encounter. As the driver speeds off, Seo-yeon’s eyes lock with Seok-ho one last time. He stands there, watching the car disappear into the night, his chest still heaving from the fight.

Inside the car, Seo-yeon stares out the rear window, her mind racing. The mixture of fear, gratitude, and confusion swirls inside her. She doesn’t understand why he fought for her, a stranger, but she can’t shake the memory of him from her mind.

The Aftermath

Seok-ho watches the car drive off into the night, his body still pulsing with adrenaline. He can’t explain why he reacted the way he did. He feels a strange connection to Seo-yeon, an inexplicable pull that leaves him unsettled. He turns back to his friends, but his thoughts remain elsewhere.

Min-gi notices Seok-ho’s distracted expression and calls out to him.

Min-gi: "Hey, Seok-ho, you alright?"

Seok-ho blinks and refocuses on his friends, forcing a small smile.

Seok-ho: "Yeah. Just a bit tired."

Despite his words, Seok-ho can’t shake the image of Seo-yeon’s face, the fear and confusion in her eyes. He wonders if he’ll ever see her again.

Later, as they continue drinking, Jae-hyun casually brings up something that catches Seok-ho’s attention.

Jae-hyun: "Oh, Seo-yeon’s back in town. She's the one managing the company now that her parents are in Europe."

Seok-ho listens intently, his curiosity piqued. He didn’t know much about Seo-yeon, but something about her had lingered in his thoughts. He wonders if their paths will cross again, and if so, what will happen.

The Bodyguard Hiring

The next morning, Seo-yeon sits in her office, the weight of her father’s voice still heavy in her mind. After the night’s incident, her parents are insistent on hiring her a bodyguard for her safety, citing the rising threats. Seo-yeon is frustrated, feeling as though she can handle the situation on her own, but her father’s decision is final.

Seo-yeon: "I don’t need a bodyguard. I can manage just fine."

Her father’s calm but firm voice responds, unwavering in his decision.

Father: "You don’t have a choice, Seo-yeon. It’s for your protection. We’ve already arranged for someone to help you."

Reluctantly, Seo-yeon agrees, though she’s not happy about it. Later, she receives a call informing her that a selection of potential bodyguards has been chosen for her, and she must meet with them to make a choice.

The Bodyguard Selection

Seo-yeon arrives at the bodyguard selection facility, her expression composed and professional. She surveys the group of five men standing in front of her, each in sharp suits, their demeanor stoic and ready. She examines them carefully, one by one, scrutinizing their posture and appearance. But none of them stand out to her—until her eyes land on one man in the group. It’s Seok-ho.

At first, Seo-yeon doesn’t fully recognize him, but something about him feels familiar. The moment their eyes meet, Seok-ho’s expression falters for a brief second, and Seo-yeon feels a strange wave of recognition. Her heart skips a beat as she watches him, her pulse quickening.

Seok-ho quickly masks his surprise, but his heart races in response. He’s no longer the boy from the rooftop, but something in his chest stirs as Seo-yeon watches him. Despite everything that’s happened, they both sense the unspoken connection between them. The tension in the room is palpable, neither of them knowing where this strange path will lead.