"What are you doing here?" Ga-young questioned first.
"I actually stay here," Min-jae replied, head tilted, trying to make sense of the entire situation.
Ga-young smirked mysteriously. "Ohh, I see what's going on here," she said, nudging his arm softly. "Are you following me? You can't even live far from me," she whispered.
Min-jae folded his arms, staring at her, not even offering a smile from his lips. "Secretary Choi," he began.
His words trailed off as she placed her index finger against his lips. "Don't you dare. It's Choi Ga-young to you. If that's too long, you can call me honey," she said with a smile.
The plumber who had been standing there like a doll suddenly let out a loud laugh. Ga-young's eyes traced him from top to bottom, daring him to laugh again.
"What's so funny, sir?" she questioned.
"It's just—I'm sorry, ma'am," he said and rushed back inside.
Ga-young rolled her eyes, cursing at him, before turning back to Min-jae.
"Do you want to come in?" he questioned regardless.
She smirked. "Why? Do you have a surprise for me?" she said teasingly.
He stared at her, more concerned than surprised. "You are really something."
"I look terrible, don't I," she said and exhaled. "I was about to behead the owner of that big box at my door. I can pardon you, though."
He nodded. "Thank you, Secretary Choi," he said with a teasing tone.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "I will let you off the hook because I'm drained and sleepy," she said and exhaled. "Welcome, big boy," she said and just like that she walked away.
Min-jae just stared at her, amused. Even back then she was bold, but not this unhinged. He didn't realize when a soft smile hit his face, not an ordinary one. He just admired everything about her.
THE FOLLOWING DAY
Ji-hye spat out her coffee on Ga-young's face. "What!!" she screamed.
"Hey!!! Jung Ji-hye!" Ga-young said, wiping the coffee off her face in disgust.
"I'm sorry, I just wasn't ready for such news," Ji-hye said, handing her a handkerchief. "Why did you do that though? Are you insane?" she questioned, concerned.
"You can say I'm crazy in love," Ga-young said with a smile.
Ji-hye looked at her, unimpressed. "You're just crazy, miss. How do you propose to live?"
"It's actually not that deep. I'm just taking a break right now. I plan on learning new things," Ga-young said and paused.
Ji-hye exhaled. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I will be. Besides, this is by far the most sensible and self-improving decision I have made all my life," Ga-young said, swinging her hair.
Ji-hye chuckled. "You're one crazy woman. If you ever run out of shampoo, remember my house is only a few miles away." She paused. "Oh, might be further since you would have to come by foot."
Ga-young's smile faded. "I hate you."
"I love you," Ji-hye said with a teasing smile.
---
Few hours later, Ga-young arrived at her apartment, drinks in hand. She looked at it, then back at herself.
"I have nothing else to lose," she said with a shoulder shrug and walked towards Min-jae's apartment. She fixed her hair, her voice, her smile, applied more lipstick, sprayed more perfume. Before finally ringing the doorbell.
Almost immediately the door creaked open, presenting Min-jae on the other side. She raised the bag of drinks. "Do you want to drink with me?" she questioned, smiling.
He tried so hard to hide his smile, but it showed through his eyes.
She tilted her head. "No?" she questioned quietly.
He smiled and nodded. "Come in," he found himself saying before he could stop himself.
A few minutes after, as the evening wore on, the two sat in silence, watching a movie while sipping their coffee. The quiet between them was thick, their focus wild on the movie. Ga-young suddenly broke the silence.
"Why didn't you want to drink the soju I brought? Did you think I will take advantage of you while you are drunk?"
Min-jae chuckled quietly, shaking his head. "I know you can't," he replied.
"Are you doubting my abilities?" she questioned, almost offended.
Min-jae muffled a laugh. "No," he replied.
Ga-young wiped an imaginary speck from her shoulder. "You have no idea. Don't underestimate my capabilities."
"Do you want a reward then?" Min-jae asked, his voice carrying a teasing undertone.
Before she could respond, a tiny then movement caught her eye. With a sudden gasp, she threw herself at Min-jae, clutching him tightly. "Kill it!" she cried, burying her face in his chest.
Min-jae blinked in confusion. "It's just a bug."
"Just?!" Ga-young's voice was muffled. "I'd rather face a pack of hyenas than those demonic creatures."
"You were so bold talking about capabilities just now," Min-jae teased.
"I will genuinely end you right now," she threatened, though still holding him tightly.
"Well, I can't move when you're holding me like this," Min-jae chuckled, amusement lighting up his face.
"Move? You want to leave me here?" Ga-young questioned.
"I can't even if I wish to," Min-jae muffled.
Minutes passed as Ga-young clung to him, refusing to move. "Is it gone?" she asked timidly.
Min-jae glanced at the wall where the cockroach had already disappeared. He looked down at her and smiled, finding her fear oddly endearing. "No, it's still there. Just hold on."
Ga-young furrowed her brow. "It should've moved by now…" she said suspiciously, finally peeking out from Min-jae's chest. When she saw the empty wall, she gasped. "It's gone!"
Min-jae's nonchalant expression gave him away.
"You knew!" she exclaimed, smacking his arm. "Hey! Are you messing with me?"
Min-jae grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"What is it? Why are you staring at me like that? Do I look pretty?" Ga-young questioned, leaning forward, her face almost inches away from his. Her eyes met with his. This time he didn't try to avoid her; he actually stared back at her.
At that moment she melted, went blank. She didn't speak, nothing. No flirty line came to her head.
Min-jae only smiled, reaching into his pocket and retrieving a delicate necklace, a blue diamond swan, its brilliance catching the light. "May I?" he questioned smoothly.
She just stared back at him.
Gently, he placed it around her neck, his fingers lingering on her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Do you like it?" he questioned curiously.
She stared at it, her hand lightly touching the pendant. "I've never seen anything like it before," she said, smiling. She looked back at him. "I love it," she affirmed, all cheery red already.
"I can't say I'm surprised. Anything that settles on your skin automatically becomes pretty," Min-jae said rather casually.
She giggled, turning her face away.
"I never knew the capable miss could get shy," he said teasingly.
She nudged his arm softly.
"I've missed you," he said softly, out of the blue.
Their eyes met, the air between them charged with a thousand emotions. Min-jae leaned in, his breath warm against her skin. He paused, their lips just a whisper apart.
"Do you still want a reward?"
Before Ga-young could respond, Min-jae closed the distance between them.
Their kiss was soft at first, testing, but soon deepened, filled with the passion they had long kept at bay. As their lips met again and again, the world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them, lost in the undeniable pull of love.