Back at home, I lay on the bed, half-covered by my favorite blanket—the one with tiny bear patterns and a weird ketchup stain from my ramen crisis last winter. I couldn't stop thinking about that face I saw at the amusement park. That familiar silhouette. That sharp jawline. That soft, careful gaze that used to land on textbooks more than people.
It had to be a hallucination.Right?
"Seo Yeon, why are you staring at the ceiling like you owe it rent?" my mom shouted from the kitchen.
"I'm manifesting a future where I'm not jobless and confused, is that okay with you?" I yelled back.
I heard her mutter something about feeding me fewer noodles and more common sense. Classic.
But jokes aside, I really was spiraling. Seeing someone who looked like Chin after all these years was like opening an old journal you promised yourself you'd never read again—and then reading the saddest part twice just to feel it more. Why now? Why him? Why me?
I rolled over and checked my phone for the 80th time. No new calls. No job offers. Just a text from Sheom:"You sure that wasn't your precious Mr. Perfect?👀👀"
I replied:"NO WAY. He's abroad. Also, even if it was him, I'm not the same Seo Yeon anymore. I'm older. Wiser. I can parallel park now."
Lies. I still can't parallel park.
—
The next morning, I was woken up not by dreams, but by my neighbor's dog aggressively vomiting outside my window. Wonderful. A free alarm clock with sound effects. I groaned, pulled myself out of bed, and stumbled into the bathroom like a zombie in fuzzy slippers.
After brushing my teeth and reminding myself that I am, indeed, a functional adult, I made myself a cup of coffee. It tasted like regret and instant powder, but caffeine is caffeine.
I opened my email, expecting nothing… and then—bam.
Subject: "Your Application Has Been Shortlisted"
Wait, what?
My eyes widened. It was from Damshing Corporation.
The same company Gu Shen worked for.The same company that hosted the amusement park competition.The same company owned by Chin's family…
WAIT.
I read the email three times. Maybe four.
Dear Miss Seo Yeon,We are pleased to inform you that your profile has been shortlisted for the position of Creative Content Associate at Damshing Corporation.Your interview is scheduled for Monday, 10:00 a.m. at our Seoul headquarters.We look forward to meeting you.
Best regards,HR TeamDamshing Corp.
I let out a tiny scream. Not the horror movie kind. More like a panicked, wheezing tea kettle.
This can't be real. Out of all the companies in Seoul, I had to land an interview there?
I immediately dialed Sheom.
"Hello?" she mumbled, half-asleep.
"I GOT AN INTERVIEW."
"Huh?! Who died?!"
"No one, idiot! I got shortlisted! Damshing Corp!"
There was a pause. Then came the scream. "OH. MY. GOD."
"Right?!"
"Okay wait, does this mean Chin is back?! What if he's in the building when you go in? What if you run into him in the elevator and drop your resume and he picks it up and your hands touch—"
"STOP. I am barely holding it together."
"But you're excited, right?"
I fell back on my pillow. "Yes… and terrified."
She softened. "You'll do great. You're smart, you're creative, and you've survived worse—like high school gym class."
"I did almost break my nose during dodgeball..."
"And now you're going to dodge bullets in a corporate hallway instead. Growth."
I smiled. I hated how right she was.
—
The weekend passed faster than I wanted. On Sunday night, I ironed my only decent white blouse, which somehow already had coffee stains even though I hadn't worn it yet. I practiced introducing myself in the mirror like I was auditioning for a cheesy sitcom.
"Hi, I'm Seo Yeon. It's a pleasure to meet you."Nope, too stiff.
"Hey there! I'm Seo Yeon. Big fan of your... capitalism?"Okay, definitely not.
I eventually gave up and went to bed, only to wake up three times before sunrise in a cold sweat, convinced I'd missed the interview.
By 8:30 a.m., I was dressed, ready, and standing in front of Damshing Corp's massive glass building. It looked like one of those luxury perfume bottles—tall, intimidating, and probably filled with people who smelled expensive.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The lobby was enormous. Shiny floors, digital waterfalls, minimalist furniture. My reflection looked back at me from every surface, and I tried to look confident even though my legs were jelly.
"Excuse me, I'm here for an interview," I said to the receptionist.
She smiled politely, checked a list, then handed me a visitor pass. "15th floor, conference room B. You're early. You can wait upstairs."
I thanked her and headed to the elevators.
As I waited, my heart was thudding like a bass drum. A few more candidates arrived, all in stylish outfits, all looking like they'd walked out of a fashion catalog.
Stay calm, Seo Yeon. You've survived crocodile bosses. You can do this.
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. I stepped in.
And then... it happened.
A tall figure entered behind me.
He was dressed in a navy suit, with a white dress shirt slightly unbuttoned at the top, his sleeves rolled just a little past the elbows. He had that casual elegance you couldn't fake. My stomach dropped.
No. No way.
I turned my head just slightly—and saw him.
Chin Gi Hei.
His jawline, his quiet eyes, his aura—exactly as I remembered, but older, sharper, more refined.
Our eyes met for a brief second.
His brows lifted slightly. Recognition. Or maybe curiosity.I looked away instantly, staring at the elevator buttons like they were the most fascinating things on Earth.
"Seo... Yeon?"
My heart skipped.
He remembered my name.
I turned, slowly. "Hi, Chin."
His expression softened. "It's been… a while."
"Six years," I said, then mentally kicked myself for sounding like a calculator.
He chuckled, just slightly. "You haven't changed much."
"You—have."
Another awkward silence. I felt the other passengers around us shift uncomfortably.
"I didn't expect to see you here," he said.
"I didn't expect to see you anywhere," I replied before I could stop myself.
He smirked. "Still quick with the comebacks."
"I try."
The elevator stopped. He stepped out first.
Before he walked away, he turned slightly and said, "Good luck today."
And then he was gone.
My knees nearly gave out.
—
I entered the interview room feeling like I'd been struck by lightning. Chin Gi Hei was back. Not just back—working here. Probably a senior exec. Maybe even… the CEO?
I tried to focus as the interview began. The panel was professional and courteous, and I did my best to sound competent. But part of me—okay, most of me—was still processing the fact that my first love was now my potential boss.
Or... something worse.
What if he was the one who'd hit me with his car?