Inside the private office of SCJ Corporation's senior planning manager.
It didn't look like an office at all — more like an elegant Japanese tearoom, wrapped in quiet luxury. Mina worked at a desk made of rare wood, with bonsai trees placed carefully along the shelves, and behind her stood a towering antique folding screen. Lavish was the only word that could describe this place.
Rumor had it the office wasn't designed according to Mina's own request, but rather a gift from shareholders and business partners who adored her. Every corner was filled with priceless items, a reflection of how deeply connected Mina was in the business world. She'd earned it all — partly thanks to her ability to wield the Kamakiri family name, and partly through her own undeniable competence.
But unlike what people thought, Mina wasn't proud of any of it. Behind her calm and perfect smile, those luxury gifts only felt like chains — invisible reminders of her role within the Kamakiri family, a position that looked like power but felt like prison.
With a quiet sigh, she pressed a button to close the blinds, shutting out the outside world. For the first time that day, she leaned back in her chair and allowed herself a moment of stillness. Maintaining that perfect professional image drained more energy than anyone could imagine.
Another sigh escaped her lips — this time, softer, heavier. Her cheeks flushed faintly as she opened a drawer and pulled out a familiar notebook: Duyen's diary. Mina ran her fingers across the pages, tracing the delicate handwriting she'd memorized.
Every time her eyes reached that one line.
"I think I really like Mina."
She could almost feel her heart tremble. She'd read it countless times, and yet, each time, it carved itself deeper into her mind, pulling a quiet laugh out of her with feelings she was only beginning to understand.
Mina leaned back again, closed her eyes, and she stuck her fingers inside her right bra — sinking into that bittersweet warmth of memory and regret. The past replayed in her mind — the missed chances, the moments that could have been, and the girl she let slip away.
Then, one line from the diary echoed again:
"I think Mina might need help. But I'm not sure. Maybe I'm just imagining it."
Mina opened her eyes slowly, whispering to herself,
"She noticed… even that."
Her thoughts tangled. Every time she thought of Duyen, something inside her stirred — something wild and uncontrollable. All day she had tried to suppress it, to focus, to appear composed. But deep down, she knew the truth: Duyen still had that power over her. And her naughty fingers were randomly fondling her body like that.
A quiet sadness crossed Mina's face.
Where is she now?
Just the thought of Duyen being close to Shana — laughing, talking, maybe doing things Mina couldn't see — was enough to make her blood boil.
But what could she do? Valko had ruined everything, every chance she had to be close to Duyen. And even if they met again, Mina didn't know how to speak to her anymore.
Then suddenly, an idea lit up in her mind.
She reached for her phone and dialed a number — Dao.
Dao was lounging by a luxurious private pool at Techko 99 Tower, wearing a thin, daring bikini, when her phone buzzed. Annoyed, she assumed it was another call from a director. But when she saw the name Mina, her mood instantly changed. She smiled and picked up.
"Hey, girl! I'm on the rooftop pool at Techko. Wanna ditch work and come hang out?"
"Tempting," Mina replied, her voice still slightly shaky after orgasm.
"Actually, I need a favor."
Dao sat up immediately, slipping off her designer sunglasses. Her tone grew worried.
"What's wrong? You sound shaky — are you sick?"
"No, I'm fine," Mina cleared her throat.
"I heard Duyen contacted you for modeling gigs, right? Do you know if she's sent her profile anywhere yet?"
Dao blinked, surprised that Mina would suddenly bring up Duyen.
"I'm not sure… Yeah, she did ask me for some advice. I just helped her avoid sketchy agencies. I think she's working part-time at a photo studio I know, but I'm not sure how far she's gotten with them. Why do you ask?"
"I just… wanted to know." Mina hesitated, then added quietly, "Could you send me the studio's address?"
Dao paused. She said Mina's name softly, a hint of knowing in her voice.
"Did you two fight?"
Mina's eyes widened, then she looked away, voice low.
"No, but… since the alumni event, we haven't talked or seen each other. I'm happy she's safe, but… I think she's avoiding me."
Dao could hear the sadness in Mina's voice — it tugged at her heart.
"With Duyen's personality, I don't think she hates you or something."
"Maybe not," Mina said bitterly, "but I can't shake this feeling. I caused her too much trouble."
Dao sighed.
"Then talk to her directly, Mina. Don't keep holding back or you'll lose her again. You know there's already someone standing between you two, right? But fine… given your situation, I get it. Want me to pass her a message?"
"Wait—!"
Mina almost shouted, then lowered her tone, embarrassed. "Just give me the address. I'll find a way to see her myself."
"Alright, but be careful, okay? Especially with that husband of yours," Dao muttered, sending the location anyway.
A small heart emoji popped up right after Mina received it.
"Thanks, Dao."
"Don't mention it. You call, I help — always. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap. Filmed all night yesterday."
Mina smiled faintly and hung up. Immediately, she searched the studio's name from the coordinates Dao had sent. Her heart raced — excitement mixed with dread.
I'll see her again… but what then? What do I even say? Or do?
---
At the photo studio, Duyen finally finished a four-hour shoot. The main photographer, a blond foreigner named Dylan, approached her with a warm smile.
"You did great today, Duyen."
"Oh, thank you!"
Duyen replied cheerfully, not noticing how his hand lingered a little too long on her shoulder.
He handed her some cash.
"Here's your pay for the day."
Duyen blinked in surprise.
"This much? Really?"
Dylan chuckled.
"For freelancers, that's modest. But if you come shoot with me every day, I'll pay you five hundred thousand — sometimes more. Deal?"
He winked, his grin perfectly rehearsed.
Duyen smiled politely, unsure how to respond, but accepted the money anyway. The pay wasn't bad at all — especially for part-time work.
"Sure, I'll come often. Thank you, Dylan."
Her gentle smile made his heart skip. Dylan had met countless models, all stunning and confident — yet something about Duyen was different. There was an innocence in her eyes that he couldn't explain.
"So… Duyen… I was wondering, are you free tonight? Maybe we could—"
Before he could finish, the makeup artist walked in holding a small gift box.
"Duyen, someone sent you something!"
"Me?" Duyen looked up, puzzled.
Inside was a small coffee-flavored cake decorated with little hearts. No brand name, no sender — only a neat handwritten note:
"From your secret admirer. I love you. Keep going strong."
"Who sent this?" Duyen asked.
"No idea," the makeup artist shrugged. "Just a delivery guy."
Outside the studio, behind large sunglasses, a woman was watching quietly — her eyes filled with longing. Mina.
Seeing Duyen's confused little frown, Mina couldn't help but smile.
But Dylan's expression darkened.
"You should be careful, Duyen. It could be from some creep. Maybe don't eat that."
Mina's smile instantly vanished. Behind those glasses, her gaze turned sharp — ice-cold.
Who the hell is this... Guy?
Her hand immediately grabbed the phone and pressed something.
Just then, the makeup artist's phone buzzed twice — a payment notification. She smiled sweetly.
"Oh, come on, Dylan. It's just a cake. Every model gets admirers. Take it as a sign your career's taking off, Duyen!"
Dylan frowned in confusion, but Duyen still looked unsure.
"A secret admirer…?"
"Exactly!" the artist encouraged. "Take it home and eat it before it melts!"
Then, whispering to Dylan, she added,
"Drop the flirting, will you? I'm trying to make a living here."
Dylan grimaced, but Mina — still outside — couldn't hide her satisfaction. It wasn't much, but she'd found a way to get close to Duyen again, even if just a little.
---
Mina left the office later that evening, a faint smile playing on her lips as she walked through SCJ's grand lobby. On the surface, she looked composed, professional — but inside, her heart was still racing.
And then fate decided to play its cruel joke.
Walking toward her from the opposite direction — Valko.
Her expression immediately hardened. Valko flinched under her icy glare, but forced himself to speak.
"Mina…"
"We have nothing to talk about," she replied coldly.
His chest tightened.
"Could you… at least not sound like that? People are watching."
Her eyes darted around, voice still sharp as frost.
"Right. Thanks for the reminder."
"Mina, I just— maybe we could talk tonight? At your mother's estate?"
The mention of her mother made Mina roll her eyes. The last thing she wanted to hear.
But then she noticed something — a thin woman in an overdone designer outfit, trying to blend in with the crowd, sunglasses and all. Mina didn't even need to guess. The way she arrived with Valko from the parking lot said everything.
Mina smirked. Haruna would kill her if she saw this.
Without warning, Mina stepped closer — and pulled Valko into a tight embrace right in front of the other woman. His heart nearly exploded; he froze, blushing furiously.
When she finally pulled back, Mina whispered softly:
"Was that convincing enough… for the wife you always wanted, darling?"
Then she turned, striding toward the garage — passing right by the stunned woman with a smug smile. Valko stood there, dazed and stupidly happy, while the other woman suddenly trembled with anger and jealousy.
Neither of them realized — They had just walked straight into Mina's trap.
And this… was only the beginning.