I wake up with my forehead stuck to spreadsheets.

Once again, the desk has turned into a bed.

My head throbs, heavy.
I spent hours last night adjusting the board meeting report.
Not that anyone, other than the CEO, will actually appreciate the effort. Not even me, Isabelle Hart.

And speaking of him, my phone vibrates.
"Come in earlier today. We need to talk."

Of course...
It's only six in the morning.

I get up.
Quick shower. Tight bun. Subtle eyeliner. Navy blazer. Nude heels.
Ready.

At the Fine Concepts lobby, it takes only two seconds for my body to remember what my mind tries to forget.
His image hits me like the first ray of sunlight that burns the eyes.

Seo Jae Min.
The CEO's son.

Impeccable suit. Upright posture. Gaze as opaque as frosted glass.
Even before seven, he looks sculpted, and he knows it.

"Seo Jae Min-ssi," I greet him, formally.
"Hart," he replies in a neutral tone.

We enter the elevator.
The silence between us is thick. Old. All too familiar.
Almost comfortable, in its own way.

He's the first to speak.

"Did you sleep well?"

I glance sideways, surprised by the question that disrupts our quiet routine.

"Enough. And you?"

"I’ve been waking up to some interesting stories."

Of course. The rumors.

"They say my father has gotten... rather close to you."

I cross my arms calmly.

"We work together. He trusts me. Our closeness is professional, and necessary."

He gives that crooked half-smile, laced with cynicism.
The kind that always signals trouble.

"I’m just curious how someone so young rose so quickly at Fine Concepts."

"Intelligence. Persistence. Sleepless nights," I reply.
"Unlike some people, I actually work here."

He lets out a short laugh, like he's testing boundaries.

"Along with a certain talent for being... unforgettable."

"Still stuck on that night?"

"I don’t usually forget my mistakes."

"Neither do I. In fact, I should thank you. That mistake taught me a lot."

"What exactly?"

"That regret tastes like expensive whiskey and music that’s too loud."

He looks away. The half-smile vanishes for a second.
"Mistake" is one thing.
"Regret" is something else. It weighs more.

The elevator stops.
We step out. He walks ahead, but I continue the conversation.

"What have you heard about me? Which stories are you referring to?"

He turns, slowly.

"Enough to keep my distance. You know what I mean."

I take a step forward.

"You only know the part of the story that suits you, and you interpret it in the way that protects your ego the most.
You're right, I know what rumors you're referring to.
But it takes more than whispers and snap judgments to know someone.
It takes courage to see past what makes you comfortable. And that... you don't have."

He stares at me. Steady.
But says nothing. Not because he lacks an answer.
Maybe because doubt spoke louder than pride.

"You’ve changed, Hart."

"It’s a shame you still don’t understand why."

🗂️ UNCLASSIFIED_HISTORY // We’re not who we were

I enter the CEO’s office, nerves still frayed.

"Good morning, Mr. Seo. Here’s the full report from yesterday’s meeting, with the revised projections.
And... I’d like to remind you your medication is in the top left drawer."

Seo Joon Hyuk lifts his gaze.
His smile is discreet, but genuine.

How can father and son be so different? I wonder, watching him.

"Isabelle, you remember me better than anyone else in this company."

"I just do what needs to be done. And you deserve to be remembered."

He heads to the drawer, takes the pills in silence.
When he sits at the desk, his shoulders seem less burdened.

I lay the documents out on the desk with practiced ease.

"Shall we start with the commercial concept?"

"Yes. But before lunch, I need to talk to you about a new project."

I look up. Alert.

"A new project?"

"We’re partnering with Nova Sound Entertainment.
We’ll be producing the new Rising Flame MV."

I swallow the reaction.

"You mean your son’s group?"

That explains why Seo Jae Min is back in the company after so long.

He nods, a trace of sadness in his eyes.

"I want to reconnect with him. I may not have much time.
And you’re the only one I trust to handle this."

"I’ll get everything in motion."

"I thought we’d start with casting. I suggest Mizuki, his girlfriend."

I smile cautiously, hiding any sign of discomfort.

"Of course. I’ll reach out."

Inside, I’m cursing half of Tokyo, though I couldn’t tell you why.

Before I can leave, the door opens.
It’s Seo Jae Min.

"Good morning," he says, as if nothing happened between us minutes ago in the hallway.

"Good morning," I reply, keeping my tone measured.

We greet each other like diplomats in the middle of a silent standoff.
I assure the CEO I’ll return shortly to resume our conversation.

📡 SIGNAL_RESTORED // Silence isn't the end

The sun is already dipping by the time I reach the building’s parking lot.

One of the most luxurious in Seoul.

All I want is silence.
But today, fate insists on making noise.

A white Lamborghini slides in front of my car, blocking it.
The window lowers slowly.

"Need a ride?" Seo Jae Min asks.

"I drove," I respond, reluctantly.

"Then how about a coffee?"

I approach slowly.
Rest a hand on the hood.
I meet his gaze.

"Always like this, huh?"

"Like what?"

"Showing up when you shouldn't."

"I could say the same."

The man I’ll soon be married to is right here, in front of me.
And I had no idea.