A YEAR LATER
The conference room at Mapleseoul was alive with buzzing excitement—laughter, whispered congratulations, the occasional cheer. The air practically pulsed with joy. Then, a single clearing of the throat from Jae-wook cut through the noise like a conductor's baton. The room hushed instantly. All eyes turned forward.
Ms. Kim stepped up, her presence calm but beaming with barely contained pride.
"Good day, everyone," she began, her voice smooth but strong. She let the moment hang for a beat before continuing, "Well, I think it's safe to say we all know why we're here today."
A few knowing chuckles rose from the crowd.
She exhaled deeply, eyes scanning the sea of familiar faces. "We did it. We actually did it. We're at the top!"
The room erupted into applause. People tried to stay composed, but it was impossible to hide the joy—the grins, the high-fives, the teary-eyed nods.
Jae-wook took over seamlessly, stepping forward with a small smile.
"Honestly," he said, his voice slightly rough with emotion, "I didn't think we'd get here. Not because I doubted you—but because I doubted myself." He paused, visibly moved. "But here we are. You all made this happen. Every ounce of effort, every late night, every small win that built into this giant leap, I really can't thank you enough. Thank you for supporting me till the end"
A reverent silence followed, a rush of emotions filled the room. Then Mr. Jason cleared his throat again, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.
"Now, on to some even better news," he said, his tone lifting. "Mapleseoul, in recognition of your hard work, talent, and relentless dedication, Mr. Alex decided to give everyone a special thank-you."
Murmurs of curiosity rippled through the room.
He paused dramatically, smiling as the suspense thickened, "WE ARE ALL GOING ON A BUSINESS VACATION . FIRST CLASS!!!."
The room exploded. Cheers. Gasps. Someone actually screamed.
Someone even screamed "HE HAS THAT MUCH MONEY!!"
A few clutched their heads in disbelief, others were already reaching for their phones.
And in that moment, Mapleseoul wasn't just a company—it was a family basking in the warmth of a shared triumph.
Later that same day, Carrie strutted into Mapleseoul with joy bubbling in her chest. The company was at the top—and although she didn't know the full story, she could feel the energy in the air like champagne fizzing in the sun.
She hummed softly as she walked down the hall, only to pause when she spotted a well-coordinated group of women staring intently at her like a panel of judges at a talent show. They were whispering—but not discreetly. As soon as they caught her gaze, they straightened up like they'd been summoned by the queen herself.
"Excuse me, please," Mrs. Agnes said, leading the charge with a diplomatic smile.
Carrie turned with polite confusion. "How may I help you, ma'am?"
"Well," Mrs. Bright began carefully, "I know this might sound strange, but we figured it's better to ask than gossip."
"Go on," Carrie said, crossing her arms.
Mrs. Bright opened her mouth to speak, but Mrs. Gilfred leapt in like a nosy cat. "Are you his sister? Or maybe his twin? Wait—are you Mr. Hamilton?"
Carrie blinked.
Mrs. Ray, not one to be left behind, added with genuine curiosity, "Did you get implants? And your voice! Was that part of the package?"
"Chloe, don't be ridiculous," Mrs. Agnes hissed, nudging her with an elbow. "You just look so much like him. It's uncanny! Is that why you and Mr. Jae-wook were so close?"
Before Carrie could answer, a smooth, deep voice slid through the hallway like velvet.
"That's enough," Jae-wook said, suddenly appearing behind her like a K-drama lead with perfect timing.
Carrie turned, startled.
He smiled, not just at her—but through her. Then he leaned in and said, loud enough for the peanut gallery to hear, "Did you miss me already?"
The squad of ladies gasped so hard it sounded like a collective asthma attack. Mrs. Gilfred clutched her chest like she'd just seen her first crush in high school come back from the dead.
Carrie stared at him, stunned that he'd just said that in front of people. What happened to shy and awkward Jae-wook?
She gave a tiny, dignified nod.
That was all it took for Jae-wook to smile even wider. He gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear like a prince claiming his princess, then took her hand and led her down the hall.
As they disappeared, Mrs. Agnes shook her head in disbelief. "Did they switch him or something?"
Mrs. Gilfred, still clinging to her chest, sighed. "Even if they did, I'd keep this new model. He's so romantic."
"You're fifty, remember?" Mrs. Ray said flatly.
"That can't stop me from daydreaming!" Mrs. Gilfred declared. "I remember my young love…"
"No! Please no!" everyone groaned.
"Lunch?" Mrs. Agnes suggested quickly.
"Lunch!" they chorused, marching off in synchronized hunger.
---
Meanwhile...
"Did you really miss me?" Jae-wook asked as they reached his office, eyes gleaming with mischief.
Carrie smirked. "Nope. I only played along so you wouldn't embarrass yourself in front of your employees."
"I doubt that's true," he said, leaning closer.
"Hey! What if someone walks in?" she whispered.
"I hope they do.," he whispered back dramatically.
Carrie chuckled. "When did this happen to you?"
"I've been reading," he said proudly. "I'm evolving."
He pulled her close again. "So… Mapleseoul hit the top. Where's my gift?"
Carrie grinned, biting her lip. "It's a surprise."
"Is it a kiss?"
"No."
"Something better?" he asked with lifted brows.
She narrowed her eyes and then hit him hard. "What are you thinking?"
He laughed. "The real question is, what are you thinking?"
Before Carrie could respond, Ms. Kim's voice rang from outside. "I'm barging in!"
In seconds, the door swung open.
"Hi!" she called cheerfully.
"Ms. Kim!" Carrie yelped, running to hug her.
"Hey, hey! I'm not a physical touch person," Ms. Kim said, awkwardly patting her back.
"I thought you weren't coming back! Why did your vacation take so long?" Carrie's eyes welled up.
"Don't get emotional. I hate emotions," Ms. Kim warned, though her voice cracked as she dropped an envelope on the desk.
"What's this?" Jae-wook asked.
"My resignation," she said, trying—and failing—not to tear up.
"What?" Carrie gasped.
"My mission here is complete. I need rest, and—" she raised her hand, flashing a diamond ring.
"OH. MY. GOD," Carrie screamed. "You're engaged?!"
"Congratulations?" Ms. Kim shrugged with a sheepish smile.
Carrie hugged her again, tighter. "I'm so happy for you!"
"You're going to make me emotional," Ms. Kim mumbled, wiping her eyes.
Jae-wook stood silently, jaw clenched.
"Aren't you going to say something?" Ms. Kim asked, teasing him gently.
Jae-wook looked away, trying hard to swallow the emotions that suddenly rushed in. "For once, I have no words. I'd be lying if I said I was happy… and selfish if I said I wasn't."
He clenched his jaw harder. "Is he good to you?"
Ms. Kim nodded, a tear escaping. "He's everything I never thought I'd have."
"Do you love him?"
"Very much."
Jae-wook swallowed. "If he hurts you—just once—will you report him to me?"
Ms. Kim gave a tearful laugh. "No. I'll bury him myself. But I'll let you bring snacks to the funeral."
That broke him. He rushed forward and hugged her, tight like a little brother clinging to his big sister for the last time.
"Promise me you'll be happy," he said into her shoulder.
"Only if you stop being such a baby" she whispered back.
They both laughed through their tears.
"Hey," he began, voice trembling like a thread in the wind. "I've become so attached… it feels like letting go would tear something vital out of me." He inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself, eyes flickering with a storm of unsaid words.
"Nuna," he whispered, stepping back just enough to see her face.
"Thank you… for everything. I couldn't have made it through any of this without you. You were the constant when everything else fell apart. You were my family… even before I knew I had one."
He paused, swallowed the lump in his throat, then said with fragile sincerity,
"사랑해요, 누나. 진짜… 사랑해."
Her eyes brimmed, the kind of tears that don't fall but stay suspended—too full of emotion to be released. She pulled him into her arms again, holding on as if to convince time to stop.
"나도 사랑해," she whispered against his shoulder. "Always."
And for a long moment, the world seemed quiet, as if even the universe chose to listen. Because sometimes, the deepest bonds aren't written in blood—but in moments like these, when love makes even goodbye feel like a promise.