11:47 PM – Cheongdam, Seoul Langley Private Residence, 19th Floor
The elevator chimed softly as it arrived on the 19th floor. Jinwoo stepped out carefully. This was no longer the space for outsiders.
To his left was Unit 1901, occupied by Daniel Nam. To his right—Unit 1902—his new home starting tonight. And just one floor above, on the 20th, was her. Celeste Langley.
The hallway was quiet, the only sound the faint hush of his footsteps on the thick carpet. Same building. Same floor. Right below her…
He unlocked the door and stepped inside the apartment. A luxurious suite that rivaled any five-star hotel. Perfect lighting, warm scents, plush bedding. As soon as the contract was signed, Howard had personally collected Jinwoo's old apartment keys. A moving team had cleared his place within hours and brought everything here.
As the front door clicked shut behind him, Jinwoo finally let out a laugh.
"Wow… it's like my old place, but in a better body."
He collapsed onto the bed. Too soft to resist, he closed his eyes for a moment.
Then suddenly, he reached into his bag and pulled out the contract. The final page caught his eye.
There it was—his handwritten clause, scribbled in pencil:
[Addendum – Romantic Relationship Permitted / Signed: Celeste]
"She really signed it…"
Jinwoo traced her signature gently with his finger. It had started as a joke—but it was real to him.
He picked up his phone and sent a message:
Celeste, this place is amazing. And knowing you're just upstairs makes it even better.
No reply.
Still, Jinwoo smiled and placed the phone on his chest. Just knowing she was in the same building—was enough for now.
At that same moment – Unit 1901
Daniel sat with his back against the wall. The lights had been off for some time. He held a can of beer, opened. Even so, his hands trembled slightly.
He stared at the wall. Behind it—Jinwoo.
That was fast.
The contract. The move-in. The fact that she had let him into their world.
Everything had happened too quickly. Almost as if it were fate all along.
"…Celeste."
He muttered her name under his breath.
"How far are you going to let this go?"
His hand tightened around the can, crushing it slightly, as he kept staring at the wall.
20th Floor – Private Penthouse Lounge
In the darkened lounge, lit only by the ambient city lights, Celeste sat curled into the corner of the sofa, phone in hand.
The message blinked up at her:
[Jinwoo Joo]🕒 11:53PMCeleste, this place is amazing. And knowing you're just upstairs makes it even better.
She let out the faintest smile. Then, her fingers brushed across her lips.
What the hell is happening to me…
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard:[I'm glad you like it...]
But she didn't send it. Her hand trembled slightly before she flipped the phone face-down on the table.
"No. No, no… This is ridiculous."
Mumbling to herself, she sank deeper into the sofa, wrapped in a lemon-colored silk pajama set and a throw blanket.
Just then—
Downstairs, Jinwoo was exploring his new apartment when he noticed something strange behind a structural column—A small, discreet button built into the wall.
"Huh… what's this?"
He pressed it.
Ding.
A soft electronic chime, and an elevator door opened.
An indoor elevator?
Curiosity over caution, he stepped in.
It ascended.
"…No way this leads directly upstairs... right?"
Ding.
The door opened.
And there she was—Celeste—makeup-free, wearing a headband, lounging in her pajamas with a file in one hand and a gummy candy in the other.
Their eyes met.
"…Huh?"
"…Huh?!"
Celeste shot up from the couch in shock. Her throw blanket fell to the floor, and her thin nightgown fluttered slightly.
"Wait—hold on! I forgot to mention that elevator…It's not meant to be used like that! It's for emergencies, or staff transport, and usually it's—"
She fumbled her words, visibly flustered. Something that was very rare for her.
And then—Jinwoo took a single step forward, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her into a firm embrace.
"...!"
Caught in his arms, Celeste went speechless.
"What is this pajama set… it's too cute. You're driving me insane. Can I see you like this every day?"
She could hear his heartbeat. It was loud. Thunderous.
Back on the 19th Floor
Daniel sat in silence—until he heard it.
A faint ding.
His eyes snapped open.
Wait… the internal elevator?
His expression hardened.
"That creep...!"
He leapt to his feet, practically kicked open the door, and ran to the elevator.
He jabbed the call button.
Ding.
The door opened—and there they were. Celeste, held tightly in Jinwoo's arms.
Daniel, silent, reached over…and calmly pressed the "Close" button.