---

Chapter 2: The First Encounter at the Office

The following Monday, Seo Hyun-jin arrived at the sleek glass tower of the company, her heels clicking on the marble floors with a rhythm that mirrored her anxiety. She had spent the weekend trying to prepare herself, rehearsing polite greetings and professional expressions, but nothing could have readied her for what awaited.

The office was bustling as usual, employees hurrying to their desks, phones ringing, keyboards clattering. Hyun-jin tried to blend into the crowd, keeping her head down, her bag clutched tightly in her hand. Yet, no matter where she went, her thoughts kept drifting back to that unexpected encounter in the rain.

And then she saw him.

Cha Joo-wan. Sitting behind the massive mahogany desk in the corner office, sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking every bit the commanding CEO he was meant to be. His dark eyes lifted, locking onto hers, and a slow, almost imperceptible smirk curved on his lips.

Her stomach twisted. She took a deep breath and forced herself forward, past the receptionist, past the sea of curious glances, and straight into the lion’s den.

— “Good morning, sir,” she said, her voice steady, betraying none of the storm inside her.

— “Good morning, Secretary Hyun,” Joo-wan replied smoothly, his gaze lingering a second too long. “Please, have a seat.”

Hyun-jin’s hands trembled slightly as she sat across from him, the polished surface of the desk between them feeling like both a barrier and a magnet. Her mind raced. How was she supposed to work with him? To see him every day, make small talk, follow orders—all while her memories of him and the hurt he caused were fresh as ever?

Joo-wan leaned back, studying her with that same intensity from the hotel.

— “You seem… tense,” he said, his tone casual but laced with amusement. “Is it because of me?”

Hyun-jin’s heart skipped a beat. She looked away, forcing herself to focus on the folder in front of her.

— “No, sir. I’m perfectly fine.”

But her mind was far from fine. Every word, every glance, every subtle gesture from Joo-wan sent sparks she couldn’t control. A strange mix of resentment, curiosity, and something dangerously close to desire began to weave itself into the professional atmosphere.

— “Secretary Hyun,” he continued, leaning forward slightly, “you always impress me. Even when I don’t know you very well, I can tell… you have a sharp mind.”

Hyun-jin froze. Compliments from him were a trap she was not ready to step into, yet she couldn’t deny that a small thrill ran through her at his words.

The morning went on in a blur of meetings, reports, and subtle exchanges. Joo-wan’s presence was like a constant undercurrent, pulling at her focus, forcing her to navigate the thin line between professionalism and something far more complicated.

By the end of the day, Hyun-jin left the office exhausted, her mind spinning from the tension and unspoken words that hung between them. Outside, the city lights shimmered, and she took a moment to breathe, to tell herself she could handle this. She could survive working under him. She had to.

Yet deep down, she knew the truth: survival would not be easy. Every glance, every word, every encounter with Cha Joo-wan promised to challenge her in ways she had never imagined—and perhaps, awaken desires she thought she had buried for good.

The summer that was supposed to be a calm retreat had already turned into a storm. And the eye of that storm was sitting just a few floors above her.

---