Chapter 1

The client call was going smoothly or as a Monday morning call could go. Angela was mid-sentence, explaining the quarterly projections, when her screen flickered violently, then went black. Her heart leaped into her throat. "Oh no" she muttered, fumbling with the power button. Nothing. The client Voice, tinny and distance continue from her headset.

Panic flared. This was a major report dew in an hour. She could feel the heat Rising in her cheek. Just as she was about to stammer an apology to the client, a quiet voice spoke beside her.

"Problem ?"

Angela looked up to see Min ho, his usual calm demeanor intact, a half-eating kimchi sandwich in his hand. He must have been passing by on his way back from lunch."my laptop" , she whispered, gesturing helplessly at the dark screen. "It's just died". "The clients report..."

He nodded, setting his sandwich down carefully on the corner of her spotless desk. Without a word, he learned over, his gaze focused. His fingers, long and precise, moved over the keyboard, then the side ports. He didn't ask what she'd done, didn't make her feel foolish. He just observed, a slight frown of concentration on his brow.

After what felt like an eternity, but was probably less than a minute, he straightens up. "Try now", he said, his voice soft.

Tentatively, Angela pressed the power button. The Han tech logo bloomed on the screen, followed by her desktop. Everything was there, exactly as she'd left it. She stared wide-eyed.

" How... how did you do that?"

He gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug. "Loose battery. Common issue". He picked up his sandwich, gave her a small polite bow, and continued on his way, leaving Angela staring after him. Her client call, momentarily forgotten. The panic had subsided, replaced by a different kind of flutter.

Angela watch him go. The kimchi sandwich now clutch firmly in his hand. The panic had completely evaporated, replaced by a warmth that spread through her chest, a warmth entirely unrelated to the Lagos heat. He hadn't said much, hadn't made a fuss, just fixed it. And that small, almost imperceptible shrug, the polite bow. It was exactly the kind of quiet

She liked.

She Glanced down at her laptop, now humming contentedly. The client was still on the line, blissfully unaware of the minor crisis that had just unfolded. Angela finished the call, her voice a Little steadier than before, but her mind was already replaying the scene. His focused expression, the way his fingers moved with such certainty, the faint, clean scent of him that lingered for a moment.

" Loose battery. Common issue". His words echoed in her head. He hadn't patronized her, hadn't made her feel incompetent. Just stated a fact. It was so... *Min ho*.

Later that day, she found herself lingering by the water cooler, hoping for another "accidental" encounter. She saw him in the distance, deep in conversation with another data analyst, his hands gesturing subtly as he explained something. He was so different from the "Loud" men she usually encountered, the ones who filled every silence with their own voices. Min ho filled silence with presence, with a quiet intensity that drew her in.

She thought about the K dramas she devoured, the Stoic kind male leads, who often had a hidden depth. Min ho wasn't an actor, this wasn't a screen, but there was a similar quiet strength about him that resonated deeply with her. Was this what it felt like, this flutter in her stomach, this sudden awareness of someone else's orbit?. She, Angela, who had always been so careful, so guarded, was finding herself undeniably drawn to the quiet Korean guy who brought kimchi to launch. And the thought, terrifying and exhilarating all at once, was that she wanted to know more. Much, much more.

The last report was finally done. Angela stretched, a small groan escaping her lips as she learned back in her chair. The office was emptying out, the usual Monday evening exodus. She glanced at her spotless desk, then on an impulse, slid down, her head on her folded arms, facing right. The cool laminate felt good against her cheek.

through the large glass partition of the meeting room across the hall ,she saw him. Min ho. He was in a meeting with some of the seniors data analysts. He was speaking, his hands occasionally making small, precise gestures. Even in a meeting, he exuded that quiet focus.

Angela found herself staring, a soft smile playing on her lips. The way the dark hair fell just so, The serious line of his jaw when he was concentrating. She was so lost in observation that she didn't realize, he was looking back, until his eyes, dark and steady, met hers through the glass.

A jolt went through her. caught!. Her cheeks flushed, but instead of looking away, a mischievous glint entered her eyes. still lying on her desk , she gave him a slow, teasing smile, a small wave of her fingers.

Min ho's expression remained unreadable for a fraction of a second, then he turned his head back to the meeting, his attention seemingly unbroken. It was as if she hadn't mattered or he hadn't even seen her.

Angela chuckled a low private sound. She pushed herself up, sitting and stretching. 'Oh, how I love teasing him'. She murmured to herself, a playful glint in her eyes, while singing, 'There's no place like home'. Gathered her bag, Stand and walked towards the exit, feeling Lighter , than she had all day.

As the automatic doors hissed open, Angela glanced back one last time. The meeting room was still visible. Minho. She noticed was no longer looking at the presentation. He was looking directly at where she had been. Just as her view was obscured by the closing doors, she saw him turn back to the meeting, a faint almost imperceptible smile on his face.

"Angela entered the automatic door, stepping into the cool evening air. But as she reached the building entrance, she was abruptly trapped by a sudden, heavy downpour. 'I didn't noticed, rain will fall', she thought, with a wave of devastation washing over her. 'I didn't bring an umbrella to get to the bus stop, and it's too late to get an uber. She stood there pondering her next move . 'Should i wait a little, or just brave the rain immediately?'. Resigning herself, she muttered, 'Oh Well, I'll just enter the rain.

Just as she was about to step out, a familiar voice, rich and warm, cut through the drumming rain. ' You can use my umbrella'. Her heart fluttered, a sweet, exciting feeling blossoming in her chest. she turned her eyes widening in surprise. Min ho stood beside her, his left hand casually tucked in his pocket, his right hand extending a sleek, black umbrella towards her. His expression was neutral, almost as if he had no choice but to offer, his gaze fixed directly into the rain, avoiding hers.

Angela was momentarily stunned that he had even noticed her, let alone come to her aid. 'He looks like the type of person who would easily help anyone, she mused, a surprised blush creeping into her cheeks. She tried to hide the smile that threatened to burst forth, overwhelmed by the sweet, exciting feeling radiating from him.

'Take it', he said, his voice calm, this time looking directly at her, though still without smile. 'It's not like I need it'. Angela knew he was right, 'The company provided special apartments near the office for foreign employees who wished to stay close.

As she reached out to take the umbrella, their hands brushed, a fleeting, accidental touch that sent a jolt of electricity through her. The sweet feeling in her chest intensified. 'I love the soft feeling of his skin', she thought blushing even deeper, though she managed to keep her face composed. 'OMG, WOW'. The excitement rushed through her body from the slight contact.

Collecting the umbrella, she maintained a straight face and said, 'Thank you', in Chinese , 'xie xie', adding a small, almost imperceptible smile. She turned to leave, wishing him goodnight, the thrilling feeling still coursing through her veins. A part of her wished she could linger, hoping they might get to know each other a little more.

Min ho watched her go, a silent 'xie xie' escaping his lip, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his face he stood there, unmoving, until her figure faded into the rainy night.

Earlier, during the meeting, min ho had noticed the sudden downpour. He remembered their brief eye contact and realized Angela didn't have an umbrella. The meeting ended shortly after she left. He immediately rose, grabbed his umbrella, and dashed out, searching for her ,hoping to catch up. As he neared the building entrance, he saw her standing there. He paused, a thought flashing through his mind: 'Why do I care if she doesn't have an umbrella?'. Yet his heart rate quickened as he continued to watch her. He then noticed her contemplating stepping into the rain without protection. He rushed toward her, panting as if he were about to miss something incredibly important.

Almost reaching her, he composed himself, feigning nonchalance, as if he were merely passing by or had just happened to spot her from a corner, umbrella in hand, and decided to help. When their hands accidentally touched, a new thought sparked! 'Why do I feel like wanting to touch her hand more?'. His heart began to beat faster again, a soft, exciting sensation. As she bid him goodnight, he silently echoed, 'Goodnight', a small smile gracing his lip, as he watched her leave.

Insight for next episode

What new challenges or opportunity will arise from this budding connection ☺️🤔🤭.