Haneul's world tilted.
She felt like someone had just pulled the ground from beneath her feet.
Ra Hyeon?Her boss?
Her fingers gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles turning white as she stared up at him in pure, unfiltered shock.
This couldn't be happening.
This was not happening.
But there he stood, tall, refined, and dangerously composed, dressed in an all-black suit that only amplified his intimidating presence. His sharp eyes held no hint of recognition—or if they did, he was doing a damn good job of hiding it.
"We should get going, Secretary Seo."
The words were polite, formal—impersonal.
Like they were nothing more than strangers.
Haneul swallowed. Her mind screamed at her to say something—anything—but her throat had turned into a desert.
This was the same Ra Hyeon who had been her entire world back in high school. The same boy she had adored from a distance, whose presence alone had been enough to make her heart race.
And now?
He was acting like she was just another employee.
Does he… not remember me?
The thought was like a slap to the face.
She didn't know what was worse—the fact that he was her boss now or the fact that he might not even recall who she was.
Her pride prickled at the possibility. Two years of crushing on him, and I left no impression at all?
She forced a breath, straightened her back, and schooled her expression into one of calm indifference.
If he wanted to act like they were strangers, then fine.
Two could play that game.
Walking to Work – The Tension Begins
Silence stretched between them as they exited the café and began walking towards the towering Hyeon Group headquarters.
It was surreal.
Haneul had imagined working under a strict boss, maybe even a frustrating one—but she had never prepared herself for this.
For him.
She sneaked a glance at Ra Hyeon. He walked with effortless authority, every step measured, his gaze fixed straight ahead as if the world bent around him.
He had always been like this—untouchable, unreachable.
The perfect student.The perfect heir.The perfect man.
And she? She had been the foolish girl who had once dreamed about him from afar.
The memory of it made her cringe internally.
But she wasn't that girl anymore.
She was Seo Haneul, one of the best legal minds in the company. She had earned her way here.
If he thought she was just some ordinary secretary who would stumble around him like some wide-eyed admirer… he was dead wrong.
She adjusted her bag and quickened her pace to walk beside him.
"I assume the chairman made the decision to transfer me," she said coolly, breaking the silence.
Ra Hyeon barely glanced at her. "Yes. He personally recommended you for this role."
Haneul hummed. "And you agreed?"
This time, he did look at her—his gaze unreadable. "I didn't have a reason to refuse."
Her jaw clenched. So that was it? She was just some convenient choice?
Not that she cared. Of course not.
Before she could respond, they reached the front doors of the Hyeon Group building, where employees were already gathered, sneaking glances their way.
Or rather—glances at Ra Hyeon.
She heard the whispers.
"Is that the new CEO?""He looks even more intimidating in person…""Who's the woman walking with him?""She's stunning! Is she his…?"
Haneul inwardly rolled her eyes. Here we go again.
Ra Hyeon, as expected, remained utterly unfazed.
They entered the private elevator, the doors sliding shut behind them.
And suddenly, it was just the two of them.
In a confined space.
Alone.
The air grew heavy, the tension crackling like electricity.
Haneul's fingers twitched at her side. She could feel his presence—calm, composed, and maddeningly in control.
I won't be the one to break first.
The elevator began to rise.
And then—
"Do I know you?"
Her breath caught.
She turned, slowly, her heart hammering.
Ra Hyeon's dark gaze was trained on her now, assessing her, as if something had finally clicked in his mind.
Haneul's lips parted—but before she could answer, the elevator doors dinged open, and the moment was gone.
"Let's get to work," he said smoothly, stepping out.
Leaving her standing there.
Pulse racing.
Mind spinning.
Did he really not remember her?
Or was he just pretending not to?
One thing was certain—this job was going to be more difficult than she had ever imagined.