The next morning, the sky was clear and soft with spring light as Hyun Soo pulled up in front of Minah's office building.
He glanced back at her through the rearview mirror as she adjusted the strap on her day bag.
"You're all set," he said with his usual easygoing tone. "I'll be here to pick you up after work."
Minah nodded politely as always—but then, just before she stepped out of the car, she looked back at him.
And smiled.
A real one.
Small, but genuine. Gentle. Quiet.
Hyun Soo blinked like he'd just witnessed an eclipse. His brain short-circuited for a full two seconds.
"She... smiled?" he whispered to himself, eyes wide. "She smiles?!"
As Minah disappeared into the building, he fumbled for his phone with dramatic urgency and fired off a text to Jaewook.
Hyun Soo:
Boss. She smiled at me.
She's beautiful when she smiles.
The reply came within five seconds.
Jaewook:
Do you still want your job?
Hyun Soo stared at the screen, then let out a long sigh and muttered, "He's so dramatic when he's in love..."
He tossed the phone into the passenger seat and drove off with a smirk.
----
Later that morning, Jaewook sat in his private lounge with a steaming cup of black coffee, scrolling through reports on his tablet. But his focus wasn't on mergers or market fluctuations.
He was waiting for a call.
And right on time—his phone lit up with a familiar name.
Kyung-Ah.
He answered immediately. "Thanks for calling back."
"Was I ever not going to?" her voice came through the speaker, smooth and confident.
Kyung-Ah was more than just a contact—she was like an older sister to him, though not by blood. They'd grown up together in the same elite circles, and if Jaewook was ice, she was lightning—sharp, fast, and impossible to ignore.
A few days ago, he had asked her for a favor.
"Watch over Minah while she's at work," he'd said. "Discreetly. Protect her—but don't make her feel watched."
So when the opportunity came, Kyung-Ah arranged a transfer.
Now, she was Minah's new department supervisor.
"Minah arrived ten minutes ago," Kyung-Ah said. "Quiet as expected. She nodded at me but didn't say much. There's something in her eyes though... guarded. Like she's used to being betrayed."
Jaewook's jaw tensed slightly. "I figured."
"She's efficient," Kyung-Ah added. "Probably the only one here who actually reads the damn policies."
There was a pause before Jaewook spoke again.
"Kyung-Ah… if you hear anything. Anything at all about her past—people she talks to, anything strange—let me know. I'll keep searching from my side."
Kyung-Ah didn't hesitate.
"You've got it. She's under my wing now."
-----
Their drinks arrived quickly.
Kyung-Ah led them to a cozy seat near the window, where the afternoon sun spilled across the floor in soft golden lines. Outside, people bustled past the glass, but in this little corner of the café, everything felt still.
Minah wrapped her hands around her cup and took a cautious sip of her iced caramel macchiato.
It was sweet. Comforting.
At first, they didn't speak.
Just the sound of clinking spoons, passing footsteps, and low music filled the space.
Then, Kyung-Ah gently broke the silence.
"Minah… what did you study before coming here?"
Minah paused mid-sip, then slowly reached into her bag for her phone. She opened her notes app and typed carefully, then turned the screen toward Kyung-Ah.
Economics.
Kyung-Ah's eyes lit up. "Really? That's impressive. You must be sharp with numbers."
Minah offered a faint nod, sipping her drink again.
"I was terrible at econ," Kyung-Ah added with a playful grimace. "Dropped out of it in my first year and never looked back. Switched to communications because it had fewer charts."
Minah's lips twitched. Almost a smile.
Kyung-Ah leaned back in her chair, more relaxed now. "Do you mind me asking… what made you choose it?"
There was no pressure in her voice. Just genuine interest.
Minah hesitated.
Then her fingers hovered over her phone screen again.
---
Minah typed quietly on her phone, fingers hesitant but steady. Then she turned the screen toward Kyung-Ah again.
"My family is in business. They said economics earns more money… so I studied it."
Kyung-Ah read the message, her smile softening.
"Classic family logic," she said with a dry chuckle. "Sounds like they cared more about the income than the outcome."
Minah didn't respond, but her silence said enough. Kyung-Ah didn't push further.
---
At a nearby table, just out of view, someone stirred a cappuccino with unnecessary flair.
Kang Ho.
In full undercover casual mode: black hoodie, fake glasses, and a fashionably neutral ball cap that screamed, "Don't look at me, I'm not suspicious."
He casually leaned back, phone in hand, and texted with one thumb.
> Kang Ho:
Kyung-Ah and Minah are having a great time at the café.
Are you sure you're not coming? Just wear a cap and sunglasses.
It was cloudy when I got here.
The reply came almost instantly.
Jaewook:
Did you get any good info?
Kang Ho:
Not yet.
There was a brief pause.
Then:
Jaewook:
Let me know when you get something useful.
I'd rather not burn into a crisp.
Kang Ho snorted into his drink, earning a look from a nearby barista.
He shook his head, muttering to himself. "This man's literally prioritizing his skincare over his emotional support girl... iconic."
He turned his focus back toward Minah and Kyung-Ah.
The investigation continued.
Quietly. Casually. But with eyes everywhere.