The first rays of morning light bathed the city of Seoul in golden hues, weaving through towering buildings and bustling streets that never seemed to sleep. As the world awakened, traffic honked in a chaotic yet rhythmic symphony — the heartbeat of a city alive with ambition.
A sleek, black luxury car rolled up to the entrance of a high-rise. Cameras flashed instantly.
The moment the car door opened, all attention snapped to one woman.
Na Hye Yoon stepped out, draped in an elegant white dress that shimmered against her smooth, porcelain skin. Her jet-black hair flowed like silk in the soft morning breeze. Instantly, reporters swarmed her, barking out questions, their voices overlapping into a dissonant chorus.
"Ms. Na! Is the collaboration with Nova Entertainment confirmed?"
"Are the rumors about the foreign CEO true?"
"Will this affect your position in the Korean beauty market?"
But Hye Yoon didn't flinch. Without a single word or glance, she walked past the chaos, her heels clicking against the stone floor with confidence and grace.
Inside the polished marble lobby of Hye Cosmetics HQ, her assistant, a nervous young woman with a tablet in hand, hurried to her side.
"Welcome, Ms. Chairman," she said, trying to match Hye Yoon's pace. "Are you sure you don't want to comment on the Nova collaboration? The media—"
Hye Yoon stopped.
She turned her head slightly, her voice calm but cold. "Assistant Shin, what do you think would happen if I answered them?"
Assistant Shin froze, unsure of how to respond.
Hye Yoon gave a small scoff, then continued walking toward the elevator, leaving her assistant behind, speechless.
Once in her office — a spacious and tastefully decorated room with large windows overlooking the Seoul skyline — Hye Yoon paused in front of a painting on the wall. It was abstract, made of sharp, intersecting lines, with two colors: red and gold. She stared at it for a brief moment, her eyes reflecting something distant.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," she said.
Manager Jung entered with a slight bow, holding a brown envelope.
"These are the documents you asked for last week, Ms. Chairman."
"Thank you. You may go."
Manager Jung bowed again and left.
Just as he closed the door, Assistant Shin entered again, this time more composed.
"Ms. Chairman, here are the confirmation papers for the collaboration with Nova Entertainment."
Hye Yoon took them, flipping through until her eyes caught a name: Jang Min Gyu.
Her fingers paused.
No… it can't be.
She shook her head slightly.
Assistant Shin noticed her change in expression. "Ms. Chairman, are you alright?"
Hye Yoon straightened, her professional façade snapping back into place. "I'm fine. Thank you. You can leave."
"Yes, ma'am." Shin bowed and left the office.
Alone again, Hye Yoon whispered to herself, "What am I even thinking? There's no way… it's not him."
Across the city, at the luxurious Grand Imperial Hotel, a man in a tailored black suit with a glimmering Patek Philippe watch descended the grand staircase.
Hotel staff couldn't help but whisper.
"Is he a model?"
"No, he's too refined. Maybe a diplomat?"
"I heard he's a CEO from America. Look at that aura."
"God, he's gorgeous. I'd marry him in a heartbeat…"
Just then, another man entered the lobby — a younger assistant in a navy suit and glasses. He approached the man with confidence.
"This way, Mr. Chairman," he said in fluent English. "The car is ready."
Jang Min Gyu gave a slight nod. "Let's go."
As the two walked out, the murmurs behind them grew louder.
Back at Hye Cosmetics HQ, chaos was erupting again — this time inside.
Without knocking, Assistant Shin burst through Hye Yoon's office door.
"Assistant Shin!" Hye Yoon snapped, startled. "How many times have I told you to knock before entering—"
"I apologize, Ms. Chairman, but urgent news just came in!" Shin panted. "The CEO of Nova Entertainment… he just arrived from the U.S. He's coming here. Personally. Today."
"What?" Hye Yoon stood up, her eyes wide. "Why wasn't I informed earlier?"
"No one knew. They kept it under wraps until the last minute."
Hye Yoon ran a hand through her hair, frustrated. "Damn it. Hire a translator immediately. Inform all department heads to prepare. I want the executive floor spotless."
"Yes, Ms. Chairman!" Assistant Shin dashed off.
Hye Yoon moved to her window, staring out at the city. This CEO… is he insane? Flying all the way here unannounced?
She sighed and walked toward the private restroom in her office.
Outside, the Nova Entertainment car pulled up.
The door opened, and Min Gyu stepped out, the morning light catching his striking features. His presence commanded the attention of everyone nearby. The press tried to approach, but security stepped in before they could get close.
Inside, he was met by Vice Chairman Lee Kwon Ryeol.
"Welcome, CEO Jang," the Vice Chairman greeted in Korean, which was translated for Min Gyu.
Min Gyu bowed lightly. "Thank you very much. I assume you're CEO Na?"
Vice Chairman Lee smiled politely. "Ah, no. I'm the Vice Chairman. CEO Na Hye Yoon is waiting for you upstairs."
"Ah, I see. My apologies for the confusion."
"Not at all. Shall we proceed?"
"Before that," Min Gyu asked, "is there a restroom nearby?"
"Of course. Just around the corner."
As he walked down the hallway toward the restroom, the door to it suddenly opened.
And she stumbled out.
Hye Yoon, caught off guard, tripped slightly — only to land in a firm, steady grip.
She looked up.
Their eyes locked.
It was him.
That face.
Those eyes.
"…Are you okay, miss?" he asked, his voice calm and gentle.
"I-I'm okay. Thank you."
"As long as you're alright," he said, releasing her gently.
She stood frozen as he walked past and entered the restroom.
No way… That can't be him…
A few minutes later, in the boardroom, everyone stood as Hye Yoon entered.
She bowed slightly and spoke in English, "Welcome to Hye Cosmetics. I'm CEO Na Hye Yoon. It's a pleasure to work with you."
Daniel, Min Gyu's assistant, bowed in return. "Thank you for the warm welcome. Also, I must say, your English is quite impressive."
"Thank you, though it's not perfect. That's why we've arranged for a translator."
She looked toward him again. "You must be CEO Jang?"
Daniel shook his head. "Ah, no. I'm Daniel Choi, assistant to CEO Jang."
"Choi?" she raised an eyebrow. "Are you Korean?"
"Half," Daniel replied. "My mother was Korean, father's American."
"Can you speak Korean?"
He smiled awkwardly. "Just a little…"
Then, the doors opened.
And he walked in.
Jang Min Gyu.
All eyes turned.
Hye Yoon stood slowly as he entered, her heartbeat skipping.
They locked eyes again — but this time, with full realization.
He smiled slightly and introduced himself in English, "Hello. I'm CEO Jang. It's nice to meet you."
She responded with a steady hand and voice. "It is a pleasure to meet you, CEO Jang."
Their hands met.
But their eyes… they spoke of something deeper. Something lost.
Something forgotten.
Vice Chairman Lee cleared his throat. "Now that everyone is here, shall we begin?"
The translator opened his mouth, but Min Gyu held up a hand.
"In fact," he said in perfect Korean, "we won't need translation. Will we?"
Everyone looked stunned.
"You speak Korean?" the Vice Chairman asked, shocked.
Min Gyu gave a small smile. "Quite fluently. After all, my full name is Jang Min Gyu."
Hye Yoon's breath caught in her throat.
Her eyes widened, her lips trembled ever so slightly. "…Gyu-jjang?"
Min Gyu froze.
That voice. That nickname.
His gaze snapped to her, his own voice faltering as he replied, "…Yoon-i?"
Silence filled the room.
Time stopped.
The present collided with the past.
And for the first time in years, two souls who once knew each other intimately… now faced one another again, not as young lovers, but as powerful strangers in a world that had changed them both.
To Be Continued…