EP 1- Do you think i don't know you?

"Sorry, I am late."

The icy cold voice suddenly froze the pink meeting room.

Naomi recognized the voice. Slowly, she looked nervously towards the meeting room door. The image that popped into her head when she heard that voice was someone she was never allowed to see again. Inwardly, she hoped his guess was wrong and that it was just someone who happened to have a similar voice.

"Good afternoon."

Again, the person greeted her in a voice she didn't want to hear anymore.

"I'm Dan Theo, Head of the Wood Rail Field Team."

The terrifying name slipped from his mouth.

"I'm dead...."

Spontaneously, these words came out of Naomi's mouth. Naomi's honest words made the man look at her with a fierce gaze. However, Naomi couldn't run away and could only bite her tongue, hoping she would pass out on the spot.

***

Ten minutes before Naomi fell into the valley of hell...

Han Naomi, General Manager of Hanbom Door Lock

Naomi wiped the identification card she was wearing around her neck with her sleeve. Actually the card is not dirty at all. She did it a few times just to ease her anxiety.

The cooperation agreement proposal lying on the table already looks shabby because it has been read too often. Naomi has rehearsed her presentation perfectly. Even while sleeping she could dream of herself presenting the proposal.

Naomi is the type of person who gets nervous easily. Therefore, today she took two tranquilizers.

No matter what, she wouldn't cry just because she couldn't hold back her nervousness. Like when taking the National Examination.

Entered University ten years ago.

"Phew......"

Naomi took off her identification card. She sighed and lifted hed head, her gaze fixed ahead.

Right now, she was in the meeting room. Precisely at the headquarters of Wood Rail, the number one furniture company in South Korea. She came to get a project, in order to save the Hanbom Door Lock which was slumped due to severe financial problems.

Wood Rail is a huge company that can't be compared to Hanbom Door Lock. Today, Naomi is determined to win an order for a door lock for a major Wood Rail project.

It all started with the incident when Director Han was brought to the ER due to irritation of the colon due to overthinking and being very nervous ahead of this morning's meeting.

"Naomi, now you're the one representing Father. Let's cheer up! The honor of the family rests on your shoulders!" - Naomi's Father

Naomi did remember her father's last message just before being put into the ambulance. Even though now Naomi is forced to meet the top brass of the big company alone, she will eagerly fulfill her father's request.

"Dad, don't worry. Go to the hospital. When you can go home later, I'll be sure to get the contract." - Naomi

Director Han's gaze radiated relief. Now, Naomi's responsibility has increased because she promised to get the project for her father who had risked everything.

"Lily" is a new type of product released by Wood Rail after three years of brewing. This project is carried out by the head office, as well as the team in the field. Therefore in today's first meeting, Naomi had to meet with the Headquarters Director and the Head of the Field Team. Two high-ranking company officials.

Due to business policy, Wood Rail did not provide information about the two people until the meeting time. Not surprisingly, Naomi has no idea what the director of this company is like. But information from other company employees who have dealt with him, the Director is described as a stubborn person.

He said the Wood Rail Director who looked calm as a butterfly could turn vicious and stab him in the back like a bee.

Suddenly...

"The Director of Seoul Headquarters has arrived."

The employee outside the door announces the arrival of the first "leader".

Naomi hastily replaced the shabby proposal with a new one, then replied,

"Okay! I'm ready!"

"Sir, please, this way."

"Thank you, Miss Mi-so."

The Director's voice, which the gossip said was a stubborn one, sounded friendly and gentle. The warmth in her voice reminded Naomi of someone.

"Naomi."

The voice that always made her heart flutter, long ago...

Oops, now is not the time to remember my first love.

Naomi regained her focus and immediately stood up to grab the Director of Wood Rail Headquarters.

Tap-Tap-Tap

The clatter of his loafers sounded regular and rhythmic.

Naomi smoothed the ribbon on her shirt and stared at the door. Then, her gaze rests on the toes of the shoes, long legs, and broad chest that look so harmonious wearing formal clothes.

And...

"Han Naomi?" - Chris

Snow-white skin, rosy lips, silky light brown hair, and an attractive mole under his right eye.

She was the first love and the only love I thought I would never see again. Memories of him I keep like gems in my heart.

"Chris...?" - Naomi

"Are you really Naomi...?" - Chris

Naomi blinked a few times, studying the face in front of her. That man really was Sunwoo Chris.

"Does strawberry-scented lip balm really taste like strawberries?" - Chris

"...May I give it a try?" - Chris

During high school, when Naomi was seventeen years old, the man came and presented her with a romantic love story.

"I have to leave Korea, Naomi." - Old Chris

"Forgive me...." - Old Chris

He was the one who taught Naomi the bitterness of parting, at the age of nineteen. People who shine brighter than the sun and more special than diamonds. Eternal love that comes first and leaves unforgettable memories.

"It's been ten years we haven't seen each other, huh? I didn't expect to see you again under these circumstances...." - Chris

"...." - Naomi

"How are you?" - Chris

Chris, who was so mature and clearly different from what he was ten years ago, asked. His once sweet voice now sounded mature and authoritative.

"Ah, oh, hm, I..." - Naomi

Naomi could only answer stammering in front of the man. It felt like she was about to faint.

Even though Naomi hasn't always thought about Chris, this sudden meeting made her seem like she was dreaming.

The feelings she had stored for ten years weren't the same as before, but her heart was still beating fast, as if it was about to explode. This was because Chris was a man who left behind fond memories, to the point that Naomi had many dreams of meeting this man again.

However, Naomi did not expect that today and in this place her wish would come true. Moreover, she came here as the General Manager of the door lock factory who was in trouble.

"It turns out you work at Hanbom Door Lock, huh. To think we work in the same field." - Chris

"Yeah, this is my father's company.... Erm, thanks for taking the time to see me!" - Naomi

Suddenly Chris realized that this young woman in front of him had come to get a contract with his company, while he himself was present as Director of the Head Office of a large company.

Naomi turned her gaze, which was stupefied by the man, towards the conference room table. She realized that if she showed her feelings, she could be in danger of failing to sell her father's door locks.

Remember! I came here to get a contract! I can't waste a golden opportunity just because of my feelings!

Naomi resolutely raised her head. She greeted them stiffly, as if they were meeting for the first time.

"Good afternoon Mr. Headquarters Director, Sunwoo Chris! I'm Han Naomi, General Manager of Hanbom Door Lock!"

Naomi who bowed deeply looked so awkward. Chris laughed at that.

"Hahaha, your way of speaking is so stiff." - Chris

"Is it true?" - Naomi

"It's just the two of us here. Just relax." - Chris

"No, sir! This is an office, not a school! I can't relax because we both meet as representatives of two companies!" - Naomi

Naomi put emphasis on the word "representative of the two companies". Indirectly, she expected Chris to be professional, not influenced by their previous relationship.

"Hmm, is that so, huh?" - Chris

Chris looked at Naomi while pretending to think. His hands were positioned on his stomach, suppressing the tingling sensation. Then he bowed, greeted politely.

"Good afternoon, General Manager Han Naomi! I'm Sunwoo Chris, Director of the Planning Section of Wood Rail." - Chris

"...." - Naomi

"Nice to meet you." - Chris

The sentence is so polite, accompanied by the movement of a mole that seems to smile with the owner's eyes.

Critical. He spoke formally to me, but why did my heart beat faster than when he spoke more casually?

"As I recall, your house is behind the school, huh...." - Chris

"Oh? You seem to remember." - Naomi

"Where do you live now? Far from here?" - Chris

While asking, Chris sat down on one of the conference room tables. Naomi slowly sat down following him, then answered in a trembling voice.

"Y-yes, I still live there." - Naomi

"Oh, I see, yes. It's a quiet area and suitable for raising children, isn't it." - Chris

"C-children...?" - Naomi

"By the way, where's the Director? I wanted to see him after a long time." - Chris

Even though Chris' statement about where he lived earlier seemed odd, Naomi felt that it was more important now to tell her the reason why her father couldn't attend.

"My father was brought to the ER this morning due to colon irritation. That's why he couldn't attend this meeting. I'm sorry, okay?" - Naomi

Naomi asked the man for understanding with a blush on her face.

The man's neat eyebrows furrowed down sweetly.

"Really? Then shouldn't you accompany your father at this time?" - Chris

"He's sick from being too nervous. Besides, he's not that bad. He'll be fine." - Naomi

"Thank goodness it wasn't too bad...." - Chris

Did this guy squirt perfume in his mouth? Why does every time he talk, he smells like flowers, huh?

"Oh yes Miss Han Naomi, have you had lunch?" - Chris

"Yeah, I've eaten before coming here." - Naomi

Naomi immediately answered, although now her soul was drifting somewhere. Talking to Chris like this made her feel like she was back in high school.

Meetings that were supposed to make her nervous, instead made her heart flutter, just like on a date ten years ago.

"Too bad. If you haven't, I'd like to take you to lunch after the meeting." - Chris

"L-lunch?" - Naomi

"I have a lot to ask. How are you and what's been going on." - Chris

"...." - Naomi

"And are you happy with that person now?" - Chris

That person? Now?

So far, there is only one man in Naomi's life, namely Sunwoo Chris. He was confused when he heard about the other person who was not even clear who.

Curious about this oddity, Naomi asked again.

"What do you mean by that person'?" - Naomi

The unexpected answer from Chris, who suddenly smiled bitterly, made Naomi even more confused.

"You're already married." - Chris

Married?! All this time there was only you in my heart, but you even said I was married?!

"Not yet! What do you mean?!" - Naomi

Naomi who was shocked unconsciously raised her voice, making Chris widen.

But before Naomi could finish explaining...

"Sorry, I am late."

A deep and arrogant voice filled the meeting room. Chris' eyes, which had been staring at Naomi, now turned to the person. Naomi was frozen, unable to look back. Not because he felt annoyed suddenly accused of being married, but because the voice just now sounded very familiar.

Chris' voice made him nervous, but the one just now had a completely different effect.

"Han Naomi, have you always lived like this?" - Dan

"Never appear in front of me again!" - Dan

The voice reminded her of an enemy she never wanted to see again.

The appearance of the figure that she had buried deep in her heart, made Naomi's heart feel as if it had crashed to the floor. Naomi's breath suddenly hitched, but she tried to keep her thoughts straight.

In these 29 years, there have only been two men that Naomi has ever dated. Meeting again with the first love he vaguely remembers is a miracle. She never expected that at the same time she would also meet again with the person who gave him bad memories!

Unless her luck was really unlucky, it was impossible for two people who had 180 degrees of different meaning to be present in the same place with him.

Impossible. The man who had just walked in was definitely not that bastard. Yes! Don't worry too much and say hello to him right away!

Naomi took a deep breath before turning her head towards the meeting room door. Then just as she was about to smile and greet the man...

"Good afternoon. I'm Dan Theo, Head of the Wood Rail Field Team." - Dan

The person introduced himself first. His face looked more familiar than his voice.

Sunburned tan skin, crimson lips, and eyes that look sharp and soft.

"Han Naomi, do you have a boyfriend?" - Dan

"N-no. Don't have...." - Naomi

"Then be my girlfriend." - Dan

"What?" - Naomi

"In return, this is for you." - Dan

While still in college, Naomi decided to be Theo's girlfriend. The reason was simply because the man shyly offered him the strawberry milk. Very cute. It doesn't match his appearance that looks fierce like a beast.

"Han Naomi, why can't you speak properly? Do you want to keep playing with other people?" - Dan

"He wouldn't want to hear my explanation anyway..." - Naomi

"If he won't listen to you,you should be firm.” - Dan

“…As you are doing now?” - Naomi

"What?" - Dan

The fiery Theo and the shy Naomi are very mismatched. They separated after only two weeks of dating. That was the end of their story and the man was Naomi's worst ex.

In the past, Theo was even known as "The Mad Dog of Hankuk University".

"I'm dead...." - Naomi

Naomi, who recognized the person, subconsciously voiced her heart. Automatically, Dan Theo's sharp eyes were fixed on him.

"Ah." - Naomi

Naomi immediately covered her mouth tightly and swallowed hard.

People say, time can erode even the biggest stone. However, Naomi did not know why the thorns that appeared because of this person had not also become dull, even though five years had In the past, Theo was even known as "The Mad Dog of Hankuk University".

"I'm dead...."

Naomi, who recognized the person, subconsciously voiced her heart. Automatically, Dan Theo's sharp eyes were fixed on him.

"Ah."

Naomi immediately covered her mouth tightly and swallowed hard.

People say, time can erode even the biggest stone. However, Naomi did not know why the thorns that appeared because of this person had not also become dull, even though five years had passed.

***

For a moment, the silence in the meeting room was eerie.

"You're Han Naomi, General Manager of Hanbom Door Lock, right?" - Dan

Theo asked the first question. His demeanor showed that they had never met before.

"What?" - Naomi

"Nice to meet you. The introduction reaches here first." - Dan

"Ah.... Fine." - Naomi

Theo ended the awkward greeting and walked towards the conference table. Naomi continued to stare at him, afraid she was right. However, what he stared at showed no sign that he knew Naomi.

He couldn't be this calm when he saw me... Did he forget my face?

Even though they were lovers, it's not impossible that Theo didn't recognize Naomi. From the start, they were never close and their relationship only lasted for two weeks. They only went on a date once, their hands never even touched.

Naomi was grateful that the person who had a bad relationship with her didn't recognize her. Being able to repeat their relationship like people who met for the first time, would definitely help him in this business matter.

Naomi tried to say hello in as calm a voice as possible, afraid that he might suddenly recognize her.

"Nice to meet you, for the first time." - Naomi

Naomi tried to act as natural as possible by emphasizing the word "first time".

Hearing those words, Theo smiled as if mockingly.

"I guess 'nice to meet' is a bit exaggerated." - Dan

"A bit too much" he said? Does he recognize me?

"I thought the person in charge of all the affairs at Hanbom Door Lock was old enough . . . but you're still young." - Dan

Uh? Does he really not recognize me?

Theo's sinister face made it impossible for one to guess whether he harbored hatred or not. In the midst of the confusing atmosphere, Naomi, whose mind was confused, decided to pull up the stool opposite the two higher-ups.

"Fine, since Team Leader Theo has arrived, let's start the meeting."- Chris

"Please." - Dan

"Ah,ah...okay"

First love in high school and bad memories in college simultaneously stare at Naomi. The two men made Naomi breathless in different ways. I just felt like fainting.

Naomi tries to refocus and starts sharing her father's company product sample proposals.

"This is the product design and cooperation proposal offered by Hanbom Door Lock." - Naomi

"Thank you." - Chris

Chris, who answered while bowing his head as a sign of respect when accepting the proposal, made the girl's heart skip a beat. Naomi smiled in return of her gratitude.

Theo immediately turned the pages of the proposal as quickly as possible to find a page that explained Naomi's biography.

"Han Naomi, alumnus of the Department of Furniture Design, Hankuk University..." - Dan

Of the many points, only that part was read aloud. The shocked Naomi shifted her gaze from Chris to the man.

"...yes?" - Naomi

"Apparently you graduated from a good university." - Dan

"Ah...thank you." - Naomi

Actually, you recognize me or not, right?!

Naomi tried to contain her urge to scream because she was so upset. He glanced at Theo who quickly turned the proposal to the next page with a professional look.

The woman was relieved again. His heart really felt like he was on a roller coaster right now.

Drrrt. Drrrt. The cell phone in Chris' coat pocket vibrated. He saw who was calling and got up from his seat with a guilty face.

"Sorry, it's an important call. Can Manager Han Naomi just wait a minute?" - Chris

Not. Let alone one minute, I don't want to be alone with Theo even for one second.

However, Naomi ignored the answer she wanted to say and was forced to nod her head.

"Ah, yes..." - Naomi

"I'm really sorry. I'll be right back." - Chris

Chris came out of the meeting room, followed by the strong scent of his perfume.

Along with the sound of the door opening and closing, the meeting room began to fill with an extremely awkward silence. Naomi pretended to read the proposal and occasionally glanced at Theo. Meanwhile, Theo continued to read the product proposal with a flat gaze.

If he recognized me, he would immediately put on a sinister expression. Seeing him silent like this, I don't think he really recognizes me.

Seeing Theo who didn't show any reaction when they were alone, Naomi was increasingly convinced that the man didn't recognize her. But suddenly...

"Saying 'I'm dead' in front of people, again..." - Dan

Theo's voice breaking the silence gave Naomi the chills.

"...You still have a rough mouth, don't you." - Dan

The gaze that followed these words was very creepy,it made naomi frightened

"What?.." - Naomi

Naomi's eyes widened at Theo. His heart, which had calmed down, was now beating fast again. His mind was confused again.

Theo looked at the girl and opened his mouth.

"You think I don't recognize you?"

W-what do you mean...?

"Why do you look down on me like that?"

Naomi's second boyfriend, as well as the enemy who made a stormy fuss during the two weeks of dating, spoke in a sarcastic tone.

Naomi could only swallow the answer that barely came out of her mouth.

Yes, yes. Why did I underestimate him like that? I should've said that when leaving the house this morning, I should have thought about what to do in a situation like this. When I met my two ex-boyfriend's again.

Especially if you meet them in the same place!!!!

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