I stepped out of the car and stared at the building's facade.
I had sworn I'd never set foot in that place again.
Dark night. Cold wind.
Kang was watching me like he was waiting to see if I'd take another step.
I did.
It had been seven years.
He unlocked the door, key in hand.
The building was empty. Just the flickering of motion sensor lights and the low, endless hum of the security system.
— Are you sure we had to come at night? — he asked, throwing me a side glance. — I could've closed the place for you during the day.
— At night, the blind spots show up — I replied without looking at him. — Cameras that only activate in the dark. Sensors that only trigger when everything goes still. These little details only reveal the truth when the building's asleep.
Kang nodded, his eyes locked on me like I was the most interesting thing in the room.
— So, you're changing the whole system?
— Obviously. Look at this. — I stopped under a camera. — Almost invisible. But the infrared has a delay. If someone pays attention, they can slip in easy.
— And you can just see that with your eyes?
— It's my job.
I looked around. He stood still, arms crossed.
— Not even a guard? — I asked, uneasy. A building this size, empty?
Kang stepped closer behind me. A chill ran up my spine.
— I promised there'd be no one else.
— Not even a witness? — I said. Sounded like a joke, but I meant it.
Kemun had once cleared an entire floor just to get me alone... Back then, I thought it was romantic.
Now it's a bad memory.
I was way too naive.
My thoughts turned darker. For a second, I considered running to the door. My eyes scanned the room, searching for any object, any emergency exit.
But Kang simply said, calm as ever:
— We're here for work. I know you hate this place. I just wanted to make it easier for you.
I blinked, caught off guard. He was being careful. Kind, even? A Mingell?
Meanwhile, I didn't even trust a strand of his hair... But then I saw it. He looked down.
Sad.
I swear that's what it was.
How much does he know about me? What exactly?
— Thanks — I muttered, his stare making me uncomfortable. — It really is better this way.
I turned immediately.
All I needed to do was map the area, spot the flaws in the current security system.
I walked through the lobby, main point of entry. No one would get past this spot without clearance.
I had to find the blind spots, test for signal interference, figure out how to break into this place.
I frowned. One night might not be enough.
— What are you seeing? — Kang asked.
— That someone could easily get in through that air duct. How do you build a place this big and overlook something like that?
I regretted the jab as soon as I said it. His expression shifted.
"Because I didn't build this place. I'm not my father." That's what his face said.
He was just a guy, constantly trying to prove he wasn't his dad. Hard for me to believe that, though.
— I'll fix it — he said, noting something on his tablet. — If I had sent someone else in my place, they wouldn't have noticed.
I don't do half-assed work.
Kang raised an eyebrow.
— You always take things this seriously?
— Whenever I want to sleep soundly after delivering a system — I answered. — And because my company's name is going on that invoice.
— If you keep up like this, think you'll finish in three months?
He dared to underestimate me.
— Sooner.
We started heading upstairs.
In the elevator, Kang sighed.
— It's past 3 AM. Go home, Johan. We can continue tomorrow.
— I don't want to come back here — I blurted, more intimate than I meant. Why did I say that?
— Just tomorrow. Come on, get some rest.
I clenched my fists.
— If you don't rest, you'll miss key points and deliver less than expected. And that's not good, not for what I'm paying you.
I looked at him. His face was serious, but there was a hint of concern.
— Just one more floor — I said.
He nodded. We walked. He stopped near a desk, watching me.
— You don't trust anyone, do you? Admit it — Kang said, breaking the silence.
— I used to — I replied. — I was wrong.
He crossed his arms.
— And what if I told you I want you to trust me?
Our eyes met.
— Then earn it. Not with words. With patience.
Kang smiled — genuinely.
— I have that.
— We'll see — I said, turning my back on him, feeling his gaze burn through me.
— Do you remember me? This is where we met for the first time.
I froze. I turned slowly. Of course I didn't remember… But he clearly did.
He probably remembered how the air smelled that day.
— Sorry, I don't remember. But I know you worked in lower positions before becoming who you are — I tried to soften it.
He gave a real smile.
I swallowed hard.
— Good that you don't remember. That proves I was just another employee back then. Not just my father's son.
I blinked.
Yeah... I hadn't recognized him when I worked here. I'd seen him a few times at Kemun's house, exchanged a few words at most. Didn't care about the son of Kemun back then.
I only recognize him now because of interviews and the news.
— Is that why you wanted to work with me?
His eyes pierced right through me.
— Maybe... I just wanted to be around someone who saw me back when I was a nobody.
I laughed.
— Because now you're the CEO and everyone's a gold-digger?
— Because now everyone sees me as my father's shadow. Even you. But that day, you looked at me differently. And I… wanted that again.
That was… way too honest.
— That's cute, Kang — I said, before I could stop myself, feeling my cheeks heat up.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down.
But it wasn't just shyness.
It was too quiet.
For a second, he looked… startled.
Like even he wasn't ready for what he'd just confessed.
I stepped closer.
He looked away.
And that's when I saw it.
It wasn't just flirting.
It wasn't a charm move.
He clammed up the moment he realized he'd said too much.
What a cute guy, I thought, resisting the urge to touch those damn cheeks.
But I took a deep breath and turned around.
His dad had been a great actor, too.
He'd take me to empty places, say the right words, ask questions like he wanted to understand me. He'd wait for me to open up.
Then he'd act all sweet… and expect me to make the first move.
I'm not falling for that again.
— I'm done for tonight — I said.
I turned and headed toward the elevator.
But before I could press the button, Kang slipped past me, fast, like a controlled little dash, and stood right in front of the door.
His presence… overwhelming.
Took the air out of my lungs.
— You guard yourself so well, it's scary — he said without looking at me. His voice low.
— I'm looking forward to the final result. — He added, like the moment just now hadn't even happened.
The silence between us pulsed.
Endless seconds.
We went down.
Each to our own car.
— I'm not going to your office tomorrow — he said, opening his door.
— That's fine — I replied. — Just let me know when I can come back to finish up here.
— Whenever you want — he said with a yawn.
I don't think he's the type to stay up late.
Must have a strict routine.
I totally messed that up tonight.
I yawned too.
Looked at the building.
And felt strangely relieved… that we didn't go all the way up. To the top floor.
The one that used to be Kemun's office.