For a beat too long, silence stretched. His expression didn't change , but his eyes that were dark brown — sharp as blades — lingered on her face with unnerving weight.
Finally his voice, deep, uneven, broke the tension.
" Miss Jeong. What's the matter?"
Choon-Hee's breath hitched. Her throat closed. Words died on her tongue. All she could do was stare back, rooted in place like prey caught in a hunter's gaze.
" Miss Jeong... missy!"
The voice jolted her. She spun her head to see Mr. Sung Ji-Ho, Kang Gyu-Min's secretary, striding toward them with measured steps. Tall as his boss, his presence carried equal intimidation- but his expression was lighter, practiced.
" Yes , sir !" She blurted, voice higher than she intended.
Mr Sung's gaze flicked to her. " You're blocking the path. Mr Kang has an important meeting to attend."
Her pulse thundered in her ears. She looked once more at Kang Gyu-min — stoic, unreadable , eyes still fixed on her as if he'd seen through every wall she'd built around herself.
She bowed hastily, hands trembling. " Yes... of course. I- I'm sorry."
She stepped aside, head lowered, but the weight of his gaze lingered long after he walked past.
But as he reached the distance, his low voice carried back. "Who is she?"
" Junior copywriter in the Management Department," Mr. Sung answered smoothly.
A pause. Then Gyu-Min:" Check her background. Bring it to my desk. I'll tell you later."
" Yes, Mr . Kang."
Choon-Hee's stomach dropped.
By the time sank into her desk chair, her pulse was still sprinting. She yanked off her ID card , gulped from her water bottle, desperate to steady herself.
That's when a voice chirped behind her. " I heard you bumped into the CEO."
Choon-Hee coughed violently, choking on the water. " N-No, it was– it was just an accident!" she sputtered.
Kim Ha-Rin , the junior strategic planner, her seat mate, leaned closer with a sly grin.
" Really? But didn't you tell me you've had a crush on him for over 3 yrs? How much you like him?"
Her eyes went wide.
" Shut up!" She clamped her hand over Ha-Rin's mouth in a panic.
Her muffled laughter buzzed under Choon-Hee's palm, but her pulse thundered louder over the crush thing .
Her panicked gaze darted around the office, but saw only colleagues buried in their work. Relieved, she slowly let out a breath.
But what she didn't notice–— what she couldn't notice— was the tall figure lingering just beyond the row of cubicles. His expression was unreadable, eyes coolly fixed on her.
And though he said nothing..... he had already heard enough.