She immediately recognized the voices in the hallway. How could she not?

“Wait, why is everyone here?!” Alexandra exclaimed, peeking past Jae-Yong to see several familiar faces heading toward her apartment.

Rolling his eyes, Jae-Yong said “I tried to lose them. Seems it didn’t work.”

Alexandra pinched the bridge of her nose. It was too early in the morning for this. 

The door swung open wider, revealing a very unimpressed Matteo standing at the entrance. His face was void of all emotion as Hana and Seo Jung-Jin walked in unannounced.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” Matteo muttered.

He clearly wasn’t in the mood to be dealing with people today either. He never was. 

“Wait,” Hana said, pausing at the entrance. “Why is he already here?”

She nodded toward Jae-Yong, who was making himself comfortable on Alexandra’s couch.

Seo’s jaw tightened slightly as he took in the scene. “You brought her flowers?” His voice was carefully neutral, but his eyes flickered with something else. 

“What can I say? I’m thoughtful,” he said with a wink.

Seo let out a low breath, clearly unamused.

Alexandra, completely ignoring the brewing tension, took the flowers and prepared a vase for them. 

“Well, this is… fun. Everyone in my apartment first thing in the morning,” Alexandra said sarcastically.  

She gestured toward Matteo, “We need to make sure security doesn’t let people into the building.”

Matteo, arms crossed, simply stared at her as if reading her mind. 

“Is that how you treat your friends,” Hana said before her eyes widened. “Wow, that bruise looks way worse than yesterday.”

It was clear as day, a large blue-ish, purple bruise forming on her cheek. 

At least it didn’t break the skin, Hana thought. 

Alexandra frowned, touching her cheek. “Does it? Well someone, or all of you just watched.”

Hana pulled a hydrating skin patch from her bag. It was the sample she had given her at the presentation. “Here, this should help.”

As Hana gently applied the patch, Seo stood near the window, looking vaguely annoyed. 

Alexandra eyed him suspiciously, “What’s your deal this morning?”

Seo’s expression remained unreadable, “No deal.” 

He’s a man of few words, I see. 

“You sure?” She glanced between him and Jae-Yong. “Because it kinda seems like you two hate each other.”

Hana snorted, “They go way back.”

Jae-Yong rolled his eyes, “It’s more like he’s just always been an uptight control freak.”

Seo crossed his arms, “And you’ve always been an immature show-off.”

Alexandra leaned back, amused. “Wow, this is so much better than my morning coffee.”

Seo turned back to her, “I assume you’re still upset about your purse situation.”

“Oh, you think?” Alexandra said with a dramatic eyebrow raise.

To her surprise, Hana pulled out a bag of snacks and set them in front of her.

“What… is this?” she asked.

“Thought maybe snacks would cheer you up.”

Alexandra blinked, “You think chips and cookies will make up for the fact that I’m stranded in Korea for three to six months?”

Jae-Yong snickered, reaching for one, “That logic is flawed, but I respect the effort.”

“I’m sorry Hana. I know it's not your fault,” she gave an apologetic smile. 

Seo leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “Well, at least you got some excitement last night.”

Alexandra raised her voice slightly, “You’re referring to me getting mugged?”

“No, I’m referring to how you turned into a full-blown action hero in the middle of an alley,” he added.

She sassed, “I didn’t start the fight.”

Laughing, Seo said,  “You Americans are always fighting. Starting a war wherever you go.”

Alexandra let out a dry laugh. From the corner of her eye, Matteo’s fingers tensed slightly.

Did Matteo just react to that? 

She grinned smugly, “For the record, I’ve never been mugged in America.”

Jae-Yong laughed, throwing an arm over her shoulder. “See? Maybe you were just destined for Korea.”

“And me,” Jae whispered, ensuring none of the others heard. 

Alexandra, clearly over this entire conversation, changed the subject. 

“Also, it seems like I’ll be meeting with your father while I’m here.”

Seo watched her carefully.

“Guess you were impressed by our products after all.”

Silence. Seo’s expression gave nothing away.

“Well, since it seems like I’ve got all of Korea in my apartment, would you guys like some tea?” she said, her voice breezy.

She turned toward the kitchen, throwing a glance over her shoulder. “Matteo, can you help me in the kitchen?”

As soon as the others were out of earshot, she took a deep breath, “Be honest… How angry is my father?”

Matteo crossed his arms, his expression unwavering, “On a scale of one to ten?” He paused. “He’s so furious that he is coming soon. Should be here in a few weeks, once he moves some things around.”

Her head snapped forward, “What?”

Matteo gave her a look that said you heard me correctly. 

Alexandra groaned, with a look of dread, “So I have only a few weeks max to prepare for a full-scale interrogation. Great!”

Matteo didn’t deny it. Instead, he smirked slightly. “He’s not too happy to hear you’re here for 3-6 months.”

She shot him a glare, “Not helping Matteo.”

“I never said I would.”

Silence.

Then—

“So you’re saying I’ve got a chance?”

Alexandra turned to see Jae-Yong leaning against the doorway, grinning like a sly fox. 

“A chance for what?” she asked. 

“A date! What’s it going to take to get that date? I’ll beg if I have to. I’ll have you know I’ve never had to beg for anything in my life.”

“I’ll think about–,” Alexandra started. She stopped, seeing Jae’s expression. He looked like a wounded puppy. 

“Okay, fine. You can take me out but it's not a date,” she finally gave in. 

Jae-Yong pumped his fist excitedly. “ Definitely a date,” he said under his breath. 

“But,” she added, raising a finger, “If you don’t blow me away, and truly impress me, it’s the last.” She continued, “Friday, 7 PM. Don’t be late.” 

“Oh, I won’t,” Jae-Yong said, kissing her hand.

From behind her, Matteo’s eyebrow twitched. 

As the guests left, Matteo lingered, “I thought you weren’t interested in dating,” he said, voice low.

Alexandra exhaled, “I wasn’t.”

Matteo studied her carefully, “Then why now?”

She turned away, pushing past him toward the living room, “Because my whole life has been about taking over the business and my career,” she said softly. “Maybe I’d like to enjoy life just a little bit. If that’s okay?”

She left Matteo standing there, his expression readable this time as he was visibly angry.