The next day, I woke up in the hotel bed, my body stiff and my eyes heavy.
"Ugh… my back," I groaned to myself, stretching a little as I sat up.
I looked down and realized—I was still wearing the clothes from yesterday. Office outfit, heels tossed near the edge of the bed, and hair tied like a forgotten memory.
With a sigh, I grabbed the phone and dialed the hotel reception.
"Hello, can you bring me some clothes to choose from? Just something simple for work," I asked.
Within a few minutes, a soft knock came at the door. The staff rolled in a rack of clothes. I scanned through them and finally picked a light blue short dress with a white fitted top and a light jacket.
"Thank you," I said as they nodded and left.
I headed to the bathroom, took a warm shower, and let the hot water run down my back. It felt like the only comfort I had right now.
After drying off, I slipped into the outfit I picked. Simple, but clean. My bag had just enough room to squeeze in my old clothes, so I packed them neatly.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
New day. Same heartache.
But today, I had to face it all over again… in that office.
I paid for the clothes, then took a taxi straight to the office.
Notebook in hand, pen clipped to the side, I stepped out of the car and walked toward the entrance with my eyes focused on the pages—trying not to think, not to feel.
"The first person I bump into today… I'll make him the one I cheat on Joonseo with," I whispered to myself.
Petty? Maybe. But my heart was in pieces, and revenge was the only thing keeping me from crying again.
Still looking at the notebook, I kept walking—until I bumped into someone. My notebook fell to the floor with a soft thud.
I looked up.
My eyes widened.
"Mr. Seungwoo?" I said, shocked.
"Minji?" he said, just as surprised.
He bent down, picked up the notebook, and handed it to me gently.
"Thank you," I said, brushing my hair behind my ear awkwardly.
"Minji… on the night of the party, I forgot to ask for your WeChat," he said with a small smile. "Would you mind giving it to me now?"
"Sure, why not." I smiled—probably too quickly.
I opened my app and let him scan my code. But just as I turned my phone away, my heart sank.
Joonseo and Yuna… were walking into the company. Together. Smiling.
Smiling.
What were they smiling at?
"I'll go ahead. Message me if you need anything," I told Mr. Seungwoo quickly, then rushed toward the elevator.
I pressed the button.
Please don't let it be him. Please.
The elevator doors opened.
My heart skipped.
It wasn't Joonseo… it was Mr. Seungwoo again.
He stepped in and pressed his floor—same as mine.
He stood right beside me, a bit too close.
"Our floors are the same. I hope you don't mind if we ride together," he said, chuckling softly.
"Oh," I replied, forcing a smile.
Just when I thought the awkwardness was over, the elevator suddenly stopped again.
The doors opened.
It was him.
Joonseo.
His eyes locked on mine—then on Seungwoo, standing close beside me. His expression tightened. His jaw clenched.
Then, just like that, his face changed to cold anger.
He stepped inside.
Followed by Yuna.
"Hi Minji," she said sweetly. Too sweet.
"Good morning, Mr. Joonseo," I said with fake calm. "Good morning, Yuna."
"It was so good," she said with a bright smile, flipping her hair.
Did I ask her?
What is her problem?
The elevator felt like a trap.
No one spoke.
I could feel Joonseo's gaze burning through me.
Yuna was smiling at her reflection in the elevator mirror like she was starring in a drama.
Mr. Seungwoo cleared his throat beside me.
"So, Minji," he said, casually breaking the silence, "are you free this weekend?"
My heart skipped.
Joonseo stiffened.
"I think I am," I said, without even thinking.
Yuna turned her head toward us, raising her eyebrow.
"Oh?" she said. "You two seem... close."
"We're just getting to know each other," Mr. Seungwoo replied, glancing at Joonseo like it was no big deal. But it was. Everyone knew it.
Ding.
The elevator doors slid open.
I stepped out first, not waiting for anyone else.
Mr. Seungwoo walked beside me, still talking. "There's a new art exhibit at the Seoul Museum. Maybe we can check it out?"
"I'd love that," I said loudly enough for a certain someone to hear behind us.
I didn't have to look back to know Joonseo was watching. His silence said everything. I could feel it—it was cold, stormy.
We reached the hallway, and I paused in front of the conference room.
"Thank you, Mr. Seungwoo," I said sweetly, turning to him. "I'll message you later about this weekend."
He smiled. "Looking forward to it, Minji."
As soon as he walked away, I opened the door and entered the conference room. But not even two steps in, I heard Joonseo's voice behind me.
"Minji."
I stopped.
Closed my eyes for a second.
Then turned around.
He was standing at the door, coat over his arm, face unreadable.
"You and Seungwoo," he said flatly. "What is that?"
I shrugged. "Just... getting to know each other. Like she said." I pointed at Yuna who had just entered and was pretending not to listen, but obviously was.
"Is that what we're doing now?" he said. "Playing games?"
"What game, Joonseo?" I said, finally letting some of the hurt slip into my voice. "The same one where your watch magically ends up at her place?"
His expression darkened. He stepped closer.
"Nothing happened that night, Minji."
I laughed quietly. "Do you say that to every woman you leave your watch with?"
Yuna cleared her throat loudly from the back. "If we're done here, can we focus on the meeting? Some of us actually have jobs."
I turned away and walked toward my seat.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
But for now, I had to sit down, open my notebook, and pretend my heart wasn't breaking.