Kang Gyu-Min leaned back in his chair, the words still circling in his head like an echo he couldn't shut out.
A CRUSH... FOR 3 YRS?
Kim Ha-Rin, the junior strategic planner 's voice was honest. He hadn't meant to overhear, yet once he did, he couldn't forget it. Jeong Choon-hee. A woman who worked silently in the shadows of his company.
" Sir," Secretary Sung stepped in, laying a folder neatly on his desk. " Miss Jeong's background, as you requested "
Gyu-Min 's gaze flicked over the file, pausing longer than he should have on her photograph.
Name- Miss Jeong Choon-Hee
Age-23
Family: Father: Jeong Beom-seok- Homeroom tutor
Mother: Jeong Seo-ah- Professional tailor
Sibling: Jeong Min-jun- Middle school student
Education: High school- Gyeongnam School of Korea
Bachelor's degree- Ewha Woman's University- Major in Media and Communication studies( specializing in Copywriting and Brand strategy)
Master's degree- Ewha Woman's University- Master's in Advertising and Public Relations
Distinctions- Gold medalist- Awarded Best graduate of her batch ( recognized for academic excellence and leadership in strategy projects)
Employment record:
Current position- Junior copywriter, Management Department- Novalink Corporation
Tenure- 3 yrs, 4 months
Performance- Consistently excellent work, strong campaign strategy, brand storytelling skills.
Peer reviews- Reliable, creative, disciplined
Promotion record- None to date.
Additional notes:
Professional demeanor- Reserved, avoids unnecessary attention.
Known for punctuality, precision, long work hours.
Maintains a low profile in social, company circles.
Interesting.
He shut the folder with a quiet thud. " You can go, Mr Sung. "
" Yes, Mr Sung."
For a long moment after his secretary left, his eyes remained fixed on the folder. That secret admiration if hers.... it could be useful. His room was quiet when his phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen- Eomma(mom).
" Byeol, this weekend you're going on a blind date," her voice was firm, no room for refusal.
" I'm not going." His rep,y was just as flat.
" You're already 28. Stop being stubborn."
" No, I can't. I.... already have someone."
The words slipped out before he could stop them. A silence followed. His mother's sharp intuition cut through the line.
" Stop lying. I'd know if you were dating. "
" I'm not lying. She just wanted it private."
" Then bring her home Saturday night . Dinner. I want to see this mystery woman. "
He clenched his jaw."...Fine."
When the call ended, he leaned back in his chair, exhaling a humorless laugh.
WHY DID I LIE? WHERE AM I GOING TO FIND A FAKE GF BY SATURDAY?
To clear his head, he walked down to the lounge. The warm bitterness of coffee was his usual remedy.
At the same moment, Jeong Choon-hee sat with her friend, Kim Ha-Rin.
" Why didn't you just tell him you have a crush on the CEO?" she teased, sipping her juice.
" Shush! Stop repeating that nonsense. I've work to do." Choon-hee stood, irritation flickering across her otherwise calm face.
" You're so boring. Always working harder than anyone else... yet the team leader that lazy Ms Kim hogs the credit. 3 yrs, you should've been promoted already!" Ha-Rin huffed.
She didn't respond. She just picked up her cream coffee, her gaze low, walked out.
" Ya, wait for me!" Ha-rin scrambled after her.
From a distance, unseen, Gyu-Min froze mid-step. He had overheard every word again. Ha-rin words echoed in his mind— CRUSH ON HIM...3 YRS... ALWAYS OVERSHADOWED.
He replayed it twice. Slowly, a thought sharpened.
SHE MIGHT BE PERFECT.
Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone.
" Mr Sung, " he said, his tone commanding.
" Summon Miss Jeong to my office this evening. And draft an exclusive contract."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. For the first time in years, his life felt unpredictable.