Ji-eun barely slept.
The image of Joon-hyuk and that woman—Min-ah—lingered in her mind like an unwelcome ghost. She told herself it didn't matter. She had no right to care about her CEO's personal life, even if he had bought her lunch yesterday. Even if his voice had been oddly gentle when he told her to eat.
"We were good together."
Min-ah's words replayed in her head, and Ji-eun groaned, burying her face in her pillow. Why was she even thinking about this?
---
Office – Morning
Ji-eun arrived at work earlier than usual, determined to avoid another awkward encounter. But fate seemed to enjoy mocking her.
As she stepped into the elevator, a familiar tall figure strode in just before the doors closed.
Kang Joon-hyuk.
Her breath hitched. He was impeccably dressed as always, his sharp jawline set in its usual stoic expression. The air between them thickened, charged with unspoken words.
Ji-eun pressed herself against the wall, eyes fixed on the elevator numbers. Just act normal.
"You're early," Joon-hyuk remarked, his deep voice cutting through the silence.
She swallowed. "I—I had work to finish."
A beat passed. Then, without looking at her, he said, "The revised report was acceptable."
Ji-eun blinked. Was that… praise? Coming from him?
Before she could respond, the elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. Joon-hyuk stepped out without another word, leaving her standing there, heart pounding.
---
Lunchtime – Office Cafeteria
Ji-eun sat with her colleagues, picking at her food while they chatted animatedly.
"Did you hear?" one of them whispered. "CEO Kang's ex-fiancée was in the city yesterday."
Ji-eun's chopsticks froze mid-air.
"Ex-fiancée?" another gasped. "I didn't even know he was engaged!"
"Apparently, it was years ago. Some chaebol daughter—Park Min-ah. Rumor has it she broke his heart, and he's been closed off ever since."
Ji-eun's chest tightened. So that's who she was.
A sharp laugh cut through the gossip. "As if Kang Joon-hyuk has a heart to break. That man is made of ice."
Ji-eun frowned. She had thought the same—until last night, when he had quietly placed food on her desk. Until he had spared her from humiliation in the meeting.
Was there really more beneath that cold exterior?
---
Evening – Office Rooftop
Ji-eun needed air.
The day had been suffocating—whispers about Joon-hyuk's past, stolen glances in the hallway, the weight of something unspoken pressing against her ribs.
She stepped onto the rooftop, the cool breeze a relief against her flushed skin. But she wasn't alone.
Leaning against the railing, his back to her, was Joon-hyuk. A cigarette dangled between his fingers, smoke curling into the twilight.
Ji-eun hesitated. She should leave. But something held her in place.
"You're staring," he said suddenly, not turning around.
Her breath caught. How did he even know it was her?
"Sorry," she muttered, stepping back. "I'll go—"
"Stay."
The single word stopped her in her tracks. Slowly, Joon-hyuk turned, his dark eyes meeting hers. There was something raw in his gaze—something she had never seen before.
For a long moment, neither spoke. Then, quietly, he asked, "Did you hear the rumors?"
Ji-eun's pulse spiked. *He knows.*
She bit her lip. "It's none of my business."
Joon-hyuk exhaled, flicking the cigarette away. "No. It's not."
The dismissal stung, but she understood. Whatever history he had with Park Min-ah, it was his alone.
Yet, as she turned to leave, his voice stopped her again.
"Ji-eun."
She looked back.
His expression was unreadable, but his voice was softer than she'd ever heard it. "Don't believe everything you hear."
Before she could respond, he walked past her, leaving her standing there, heart racing.
What did that mean?
And why did she suddenly want to know everything about him?