The last report of the day was finally complete.
Angela leaned back in her chair, letting out a long sigh of relief. She stretched her arms above her head, a small groan escaping her lips.
"What a day..."
Around her, the office was slowly coming to life in a different way. Computers powered down one after another, chairs rolled back, and coworkers exchanged cheerful goodbyes as they prepared to head home.
For the first time that day...
Everything felt peaceful.
Smiling to herself, Angela slid down in her chair and rested her head on her folded arms atop her spotless desk.
The cool surface felt refreshing against her cheek.
Her gaze drifted absentmindedly toward the glass meeting room across the hallway.
Then she saw him.
Min-ho.
He sat among several senior data analysts, calmly explaining a report projected onto the screen.
Every now and then, he made a small, precise gesture with his hand.
His voice couldn't be heard through the glass.
Yet somehow...
His calm confidence spoke louder than words.
Angela found herself smiling.
He's so serious...
Without realizing it, she continued watching him.
Perhaps sensing someone's gaze, Min-ho lifted his eyes from the presentation.
Their eyes met.
Angela froze for half a second.
Then...
A mischievous smile slowly spread across her face.
Still resting comfortably on her desk, she raised two fingers and gave him a tiny wave.
Min-ho blinked.
His expression remained unreadable.
A moment later, he quietly returned his attention to the meeting, as though nothing had happened.
Angela couldn't help but chuckle.
Why am I teasing him?
She smiled to herself.
...It's strangely fun.
Picking up her handbag, she quietly hummed,
"There's no place like home..."
Then she walked toward the elevator.
The elevator doors opened with a soft ding.
Angela stepped inside.
As the doors slowly began to close...
Inside the meeting room...
Min-ho's eyes unconsciously followed her retreating figure.
Only for a moment.
Before anyone could notice, he calmly turned back to the presentation, his expression as composed as ever.
A few minutes later...
The elevator arrived at the lobby.
Angela walked toward the building entrance.
The moment the automatic doors slid open...
She stopped.
Rain poured relentlessly from the dark evening sky.
"Oh no..."
She searched inside her handbag.
No umbrella.
Her shoulders slumped.
"I didn't know it was going to rain..."
She looked toward the bus stop in the distance.
Too far.
Ordering a ride now would take forever.
She sighed.
"Oh well..."
"I'll just run for it."
She stepped forward—
"You can use my umbrella."
Her heart skipped.
She turned.
Min-ho stood beside her.
One hand rested casually inside his pocket.
The other held out a sleek black umbrella.
His expression remained calm, almost unreadable.
His gaze stayed on the rain outside.
Angela stared at him.
He noticed...?
"You should take it," he said quietly.
"I don't need it."
She blinked.
"But... what about you?"
"I live nearby."
Only then did Angela remember.
Han-Tech provided apartments for foreign employees within walking distance of the company.
"Oh..."
She slowly accepted the umbrella.
Their fingers brushed.
Just for an instant.
A tiny spark seemed to travel through her fingertips.
Heat quietly crept onto her cheeks.
His hands are... surprisingly soft.
The thought escaped before she could stop it.
Angela... what are you thinking?
Trying to hide her embarrassment, she smiled politely.
"Xie xie."
Min-ho looked at her for a brief moment.
Then gave a small nod.
"Good night."
"Good night."
Holding the umbrella tightly, Angela stepped into the rain.
Somehow...
The cold evening didn't feel quite as cold anymore.
Min-ho remained standing beneath the shelter.
His eyes followed the black umbrella as it disappeared into the rainy streets.
A faint smile almost reached his lips.
Almost.
Then it was gone.
Back in the meeting room...
The rain had started halfway through the presentation.
Its steady rhythm against the glass had briefly drawn Min-ho's attention away from the discussion.
His eyes wandered toward the office floor outside.
Then he remembered.
Angela.
He had watched her step into the elevator only moments earlier.
She hadn't been carrying an umbrella.
The thought came unexpectedly.
...I don't think she knew, rain had started falling ?
Before he realized it, the meeting had ended.
He quietly picked up his umbrella and headed downstairs.
When he reached the lobby...
She was exactly where he'd imagined.
Standing at the entrance.
Looking out helplessly at the rain.
Without thinking any further...
He walked toward her.
As Angela disappeared beneath the umbrella...
Min-ho slipped his free hand into his pocket.
The warmth of their brief touch lingered longer than it should have.
He lowered his eyes.
"..."
Without another word...
He stepped into the rain and began the short walk home.
End of Chapter 2
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