The company Jaei worked for wasn’t just big—it was untouchable.

Built by Cha Gongi and Seorae, it had grown into one of the most powerful corporations in Korea. People didn’t just work there—they survived it.

Deadlines were strict. Expectations were higher. And mistakes?

Not tolerated.

Lately, there had been one rumor everyone couldn’t stop talking about.

The owners’ child was coming.

And when they did, everything would change.

Jaei stared at her screen, her eyes already tired even though it wasn’t even the end of the day.

Emails kept coming in. One after another.

She leaned back slightly, rubbing her temple.

“I just want to go home…”

“Wow. That bad already?”

Jaei didn’t even look up.

“Hongi, I’m serious,” she said, turning her chair slightly. “I want to go home and see my sister. Even if she’s annoying, at least she doesn’t give me ten tasks at once.”

Hongi let out a small laugh and leaned against her desk. “You’re really comparing your job to your little sister?”

“At this point? Yes.”

She sighed and sat up properly again.

“And now they’re saying the boss’s kid is coming,” she added. “You know what that means, right?”

Hongi shrugged. “More work.”

“Exactly. Night shifts, overtime… no life.” She shook her head. “Do they think I live here or something?”

Hongi smirked. “You kinda do.”

She shot him a look, but couldn’t help the small smile that followed.

After a moment, he straightened. “Come on. It’s lunch.”

Jaei hesitated, then grabbed her phone. “Fine. If I stay here any longer, I might actually lose my mind.”

Outside, the air felt lighter.

Jaei stretched her arms a little as they walked. “If this new boss is really as bad as everyone says… I might actually quit.”

“You won’t,” Hongi said.

She glanced at him. “You sound very confident.”

He shrugged. “You’re not the type to run.”

Jaei didn’t reply right away. She just looked ahead, thinking.

Before she could say anything else, a familiar figure caught her attention.

“Oh—”

Jaei lifted her hand slightly and gave a small wave.

“Hey!”

The guy standing a few steps away looked up. For a moment, his expression softened before he walked over.

“You’re still here?” he said.

Jaei let out a small laugh. “Unfortunately.”

She had seen him around a few times before. Nothing serious—just small, passing moments.

Meanwhile, Hongi had gone completely quiet.

His eyes stayed on the guy.

Unblinking.

“…Do I know you?” Jaei asked casually, tilting her head slightly.

The guy smiled faintly. “Not really.”

Something about that answer felt strange, but she brushed it off.

“We’re going to eat,” she said. “You can come if you want.”

There was a short pause.

“Alright,” he replied.

They started walking together.

Jaei was already talking about something random, her voice light again after leaving the office.

But Hongi wasn’t listening.

Not really.

His hands tightened slightly in his pockets.

He hadn’t seen him in years.

Not since everything fell apart.

And now…

Of all places…

Here?

Hongi looked away, his jaw tightening.

He said nothing.

Chaeon, on the other hand, acted like nothing was wrong.

Like they were just strangers passing by.

And Jaei—

She didn’t notice a thing.

To her, this was just another normal lunch.

She didn’t know who he really was.

She didn’t know what he was hiding.

And she definitely didn’t know…

that the two people walking beside her

had a past she knew nothing about.