Chapter 48

The ride upward was steeped in silence. Harin stood at Yuna’s side, her posture straight, her attention fixed on the tablet in her hand. I stood a step behind, my hands clasped in front of me, trying to look composed even as my nerves twisted.

Yuna didn’t spare me a word. She hadn’t since the lobby. Her gaze was forward, calm—as if I weren’t even there. But in the mirrored wall to my left, I caught it.

Her eyes.

Just for a heartbeat, they flicked toward me. My chest tightened, and instinctively, I met her gaze in the reflection. The moment our eyes touched, Yuna’s lashes lowered, and she turned her face away, smooth and deliberate, as if nothing had happened.

I swallowed, the silence pressing harder against my ears. The elevator continued its steady climb until the soft chime announced our arrival.

The doors slid open to a sight that was almost theatrical: a line of employees already standing in wait, heads bowed low.

“Chairwoman.”

Their voices rose in unison, firm and respectful. The entire floor seemed to freeze for her.

Yuna stepped out first, her stride unhurried yet commanding, acknowledging no one beyond the authority she carried. Harin moved in perfect rhythm beside her, efficient and composed, while I kept a step behind, maintaining my calm.

We continued down the corridor until Harin reached forward to push open the tall double doors. With a practiced ease, she held them wide, bowing lightly as Yuna swept past into her office.

“Chairwoman,” the staff outside murmured again, bowing deeply as she passed.

The doors closed with a hush, sealing Yuna inside her domain. The tension in the air loosened slightly. Harin turned to me with a small, gentle smile.

“This way, Mr. Kim.”

She led me a few steps down the corridor, stopping before a sleek desk situated close—almost too close—to Yuna’s office doors. The surface gleamed, neatly arranged with fresh stationery, a high-end computer, and a chair that looked brand new.

“This will be your desk,” Harin explained gently. “The Chairwoman wanted it here.”

I exhaled slowly, unable to hide the sigh that slipped from me. “I see… that explains a lot.”

Harin offered a small smile, but she didn’t comment. Instead, she continued, showing me around the floor.

It was nothing short of extravagant. A lounge area with leather seating and floor-to-ceiling windows spilling sunlight across the city skyline. A kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, always stocked, maintained by a silent, efficient staff. Meeting rooms lined with polished oak, their doors frosted with the Nara crest. Every inch of the floor radiated wealth and power.

“This floor is exclusively for the Chairwoman and her immediate circle,” Harin explained. “You’ll find it quieter here than the rest of the building.”

I nodded slowly, though the grandeur only made my chest tighten more.

We kept walking, staff after staff bowing politely as we passed. Harin acknowledged them with her usual composure, while I simply followed in step. When we reached the end of the room, we came to a stop. Harin turned to me, her gaze softening, her eyes warm as they met mine.

“As for your role,” she said, her voice steady, “like I mentioned this morning, you’ll be my junior assistant. But in truth, your presence here is for the Chairwoman herself. She wanted it that way.”

I lowered my eyes, willing my expression to remain calm.

“There’s no need to worry about the other staff on this floor,” Harin added, her voice carrying a quiet steel now. “If anyone makes you uncomfortable, you only need to let me know. You won’t be seeing them by tomorrow morning.”

A small, awkward laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “You’re… joking, right?”

But the way Harin’s face remained composed made me doubt it. She wasn’t joking at all.

Her tone softened again. “I’ll make sure everything runs smoothly for you here. No one will dare cause you trouble, not while you’re under my care.”

I offered her a faint, uneasy smile. “I appreciate that, Harin. But really, you don’t have to worry. I can handle pressure.”

Her lips curved into a warm smile, one that almost eased the knot in my chest. “I don’t doubt that. But you see, if the Chairwoman ever found out the staff here gave you trouble… it would be far harsher than anything I could do. At most, I’ll make sure they resign quietly. But if the Chairwoman handles it herself—” Harin paused, her smile never wavering, though her eyes sharpened just slightly. “Well, let’s just say no one here wants to find out what that looks like.”

Her gaze softened again. “That’s why, Mr. Kim, if anyone here gives you trouble, I hope you’ll come to me first before deciding to tell the Chairwoman. Not that I can stop you, of course, if you choose otherwise.”

Before I could respond, her phone chimed softly. She glanced at the notification, her brow smoothing as she read. Then she looked up at me.

“The Chairwoman would like to see you now.”

________

Yuna’s office was quiet when I stepped inside, the faint scent of jasmine tea hanging in the air, calm, yet sharp enough to settle against my nerves.

“Chairwoman?”

She wasn’t at her desk. Instead, she sat gracefully on the sofa near the wide windows, posture elegant, legs crossed, every line of her figure perfectly composed. On the low glass table before her, two cups of tea steamed softly.

Her gaze lifted to me, unreadable at first, then softened into a warm smile. She tapped the empty space beside her with a manicured finger, the gesture subtle but commanding.

My throat felt dry. Still, I walked forward, my steps careful, and lowered myself into the seat beside her. The sofa dipped slightly under our combined weight, and before I could adjust, her hand slid into mine. The coolness of her fingers at first startled me, but her grip was steady, deliberate, and soon the warmth of her skin bled into mine.

“I called you,” she said, her voice low and even, “because I wanted to have morning tea with you.”

I blinked at her, caught off guard. “…Just tea?”

Her lips curved, amused. “Yes. Tea. With you.” She tilted her head slightly, her eyes locking onto mine. “And Haemin… when it’s just us, don’t call me Chairwoman.”

The words snagged against my composure. “I… Is that really okay?”

“Why not?” she countered smoothly, her thumb brushing once across the back of my hand. “You’re my husband. You’re the only one in this company who can call me by my name.”

Heat rose to my cheeks before I could stop it, and I quickly glanced away. The realization that she was watching me so closely only made the warmth worse.

Her expression softened, a gentle smile—warm, almost tender—spread across her lips, lingering as though she found my reaction more satisfying than anything I could say.

Then, without warning, she shifted closer and rested her head against my shoulder.

I stiffened, startled, my body tensing beneath her weight. The scent of her perfume wrapped around me. After a moment, I forced myself to relax, my muscles easing as I let her remain there.

“I’ve always wanted this,” she murmured, her voice quiet enough that only I could hear. “To sit with you every morning, share tea, no rush, no interruptions. And now… I can. Every single day.”

Her words pressed against me, heavy with longing. I found myself smiling faintly despite the awkward flutter in my chest. “Me too,” I said softly, though part of me wondered if I really meant it. Looks like she’s in a good mood today…

Her lips curved again, pleased. She closed her eyes briefly, as if savoring the moment, before speaking once more. “I should apologize. In front of everyone, I must remain professional with you. Formal. That won’t change.”

I shook my head. “I understand. You don’t have to apologize.”

Her grip on my hand tightened, not enough to hurt but enough to remind me who held the reins. She opened her eyes, her gaze locking on me again, and her tone shifted—still warm.

“How was your first day?” she asked. “Did Harin show you around? Explain everything properly?”

“Yes,” I answered quickly. “She did.”

“Good.” Yuna nodded once, satisfied. “From now on, you’ll be with Harin often. Following her, learning. She’s capable, and you’ll learn quickly under her.”

Her fingers pressed harder into mine, enough to make my pulse skip. The warmth in her voice remained, but it was laced with something colder, darker.

“But Haemin…” Her eyes narrowed slightly, though her lips still held that delicate smile. “Don’t be overly friendly with her.”

My stomach tightened. “…I—”

“You know what I mean, don’t you?”

The weight of her stare left no room for misunderstanding.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. “…Yes.”

Her smile deepened, deceptively soft. “Good. Because it would be… unfortunate if I had to make Harin resign.”

The words lingered between us, gentle in tone but cutting all the same, like a blade hidden beneath silk.

I forced a smile, though my chest felt tight. Yuna leaned a fraction closer, her voice dropping into something almost tender again, her cheek brushing against my shoulder.

“See? As long as you understand me, everything will be fine.”

Her grip eased, the warmth of her touch returning, but the echo of her threat stayed sharp in my chest, a reminder of just how dangerous her affection could be.