I stepped out of the company building, the cool air brushing against my skin as I pulled out my phone and called Nakyung. My heart still felt heavy from earlier.
She picked up almost instantly.
"Hi Minji!" she said cheerfully.
"Hi… Can we hang out?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Of course! I'll send you my address now," she said without hesitation.
"Thanks," I replied quietly.
"No problem!" she said, and we hung up. A moment later, my phone buzzed with a message—her location.
I hailed a taxi, climbed in, and gave the address. As the city lights flashed past the windows, my mind replayed the words I'd heard earlier: "He's dating Yuna…" I clenched my jaw, blinking back the sting behind my eyes.
We arrived at the apartment complex, and I took a deep breath before going inside. I walked to Room 20 and knocked. The door opened, and there stood Nakyung with her usual bright smile.
"Come in," she said warmly.
I stepped inside, took off my shoes, and slipped on the slippers she offered. The apartment smelled like something warm—spices and noodles maybe. I followed her into the living room, but froze when I saw a guy lounging on the couch, fully immersed in a video game.
"He is…?" I asked, eyes widening.
"My older brother," she said with a giggle. "He's hanging out with us too."
"Seojun!" she called.
He didn't look up right away, focused on his controller and the war game playing loudly on the TV.
"There's a guest here," she repeated, nudging his arm.
He finally paused the game and turned toward us. My breath caught slightly. He was just as attractive as his sister—maybe even more. Sharp jawline, expressive eyes, slightly messy hair that somehow worked for him.
"I'm Seojun," he said coolly.
"Minji," I responded, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Oh, so you're the friend from the office?" he asked.
"Yup! She's the one I was talking about earlier," Nakyung said excitedly.
"The copy machine beauty," Seojun smirked.
I let out a small laugh and shook my head.
"She'll be hanging out with us more from now on," Nakyung added.
"I see." He nodded once before turning back to the game.
"Let me go make some noodles," she said, heading toward the kitchen. "You can sit, Minji!"
"Thanks," I said and sat beside Seojun. The game flashed Game Over – Mission Failed.
"Ugh, come on. Why are they always after me?" he muttered to himself, frustration clear on his face.
"Can I try?" I asked, watching the screen curiously.
He turned to me, slightly surprised. "You ever played before?"
I tilted my head. "Let me show you. Add me—we'll team up."
He chuckled, shrugged, then handed me the second controller and added me to his party.
The next match started, and within seconds, I took down an enemy.
"Let's go!" I shouted.
He laughed, clearly impressed. We played turn by turn, shouting and cheering with every win like two kids at an arcade.
"Food's ready!" Nakyung announced as she placed bowls on the table. "Wow, Minji, you're amazing. I didn't know you had this gamer side!"
Just then, the screen lit up: Victory!
"Yes!!" Seojun and I shouted at the same time, high-fiving hard. Our hands stung, but the rush of winning was worth it.
We moved to the table and began eating the hot noodles.
"Tastes good?" Nakyung asked.
"It's incredible," I said after a bite. "You've got serious skills."
She beamed. "Glad you like it."
Seojun leaned back a little. "I didn't think you'd be this good at my favorite game."
I smiled, stirring my noodles. "I just play when I'm bored… nothing special."
"You should add me on WeChat. We can play more often," he said, a genuine smile on his face this time.
"Sure," I nodded.
"Let me scan your code."
I took out my phone, opened my QR scanner, and held it out. He scanned it with his phone and added me.
"It's really nice to meet you, Minji," he said again, his voice softer this time.
"You too," I replied.
"Minji, do you want to stay over tonight?" Nakyung asked suddenly.
"Huh? Why?"
"It's already dark… and in two hours, it'll be midnight. It's not safe out there."
My stomach twisted. If I go home now, Joonseo will flip. But staying here... is that worse? Or better?
"I…"
Before I could decide, my phone buzzed. I stepped away from the table, heart already sinking.
I answered.
"Are you coming down on your own, or should I come up and drag you to the car myself?" Joonseo's voice was sharp, cold.
I shut my eyes for a second. Of course, he'd act like this.
"I'll come. Wait there," I said before hanging up.
"Who was it?" Nakyung asked.
"My father… he's just worried," I said, trying to smile.
"Tell him you're with us. You'll go home tomorrow," Seojun said, casually sipping his drink.
Just then, my phone buzzed again. I didn't even get to speak before Joonseo's voice came through, loud and angry.
"Did I just hear a guy?"
I forced a laugh. "Yeah, okay, okay, Dad. Thanks." I quickly hung up.
I turned to Nakyung and Seojun. "He already sent my uncle to pick me up."
"I see," Seojun said with a slight frown.
"Come. Now," came a final text from Joonseo. I sighed and stood.
"I should go. Thank you both… really. I had fun."
I slipped my shoes on, waved goodbye, and left the apartment. As I got downstairs, a sleek black car was already parked near the curb. I rushed over and got into the passenger seat.
Joonseo didn't say a word as he drove.
When we got home, I went straight to the living room and sat down, still holding my phone tightly.
He stood in front of me, arms crossed, anger practically radiating off him.
"I told you not to stay out too late. Why didn't you listen?" he snapped.
I looked up, calm but firm. "Because I didn't know it would get that late."
"And who was that guy?"
I met his eyes. "First of all, I'm your wife, not your daughter. Second, that guy is just Nakyung's older brother. Nothing else."
His jaw clenched, the fire in his eyes still burning.