Ji-Ah practically bounced back to her room after the game.
She shut the door behind her and spun once, grinning.
"We're going shopping," she whispered to herself, clutching her fists.
"It's been so long since I bought clothes."
Her excitement slowed as her thoughts ran ahead of her—Dad… I should buy something for Dad. And my sister. And my brother…
She stopped mid-step, the smile softening.
"…I really miss them."
The next morning
Work felt strangely bright.
Ji-Ah arrived with her hair in a neat side ponytail, eyes lively, steps light. She carried a cup of coffee straight to Ha-Joon's office like always.
Knock. "Come in."
She entered, placed the coffee on the desk—
—and paused.
Ha-Joon wasn't sitting.
He was standing, sleeves rolled just slightly, back straight, looking over documents near the window.
The morning light brushed his shoulder, the curtains shifting gently behind him.
"Stay," he said without turning around.
She froze. "Sir?"
"You'll work in here today." He finally faced her. "You've been distracted lately."
She gulped. "But— I can't work properly when you're all over the place."
He gestured to the chair in front of his desk. Calm. Final. "Sit."
She sat, sighing quietly, opening her laptop. Maybe… maybe he wasn't wrong.
The wind stirred the curtains again.
Ha-Joon tapped his foot once.
His hair was neatly brushed, a single strand threatening to fall onto his forehead.
Ji-Ah stared.
"What are you thinking?" his voice snapped, clean and sharp.
She jolted.
"You can't work if you keep staring at me," he added flatly.
She nodded quickly, mentally insulting him in at least five creative ways.
The door opened.
Seo-Jun stepped in, immediately spotting Ji-Ah. He smiled.She smiled back—sweet. Too sweet.
Seo-Jun shook his head and went straight to Ha-Joon, handing him a file.
"An important document went missing," Seo-Jun said. "We overheard some workers talking."
Ha-Joon didn't sit. He scanned the report while standing."Who?"
Seo-Jun hesitated, then glanced at Ji-Ah.
"A worker said he saw Ji-Ah with the document."
Her head snapped up. "Me? What— which one?"
Seo-Jun replied gently, almost kindly, "The brown file."
Her brows pulled together. Brown… brown—
Then it hit her.
"That one?" she said slowly. "The file you sent me to pick up from the fourth floor?"
Ha-Joon looked directly at her now.
"I collected it," she continued, voice steady, "and I handed it to—"
She stopped.
Her breath caught.
"…Do-Yoon."
Silence.
Seo-Jun straightened. "Someone from the fourth floor confirmed seeing you with it. Nothing after."
Ji-Ah stood abruptly.
"It's her," she said. "She was the last one who had it."
Ha-Joon watched her for a long moment, still standing, unreadable.
Then he spoke.
"Seo-Jun. Bring Kai-Wen in."
Seo-Jun nodded and left immediately.
Ji-Ah clenched her hands. "Ask him if he's found anything. Any updates."
Ha-Joon met her eyes.
"We will."
And this time—he didn't doubt her.
Moments later, the door opened again.
Seo-Jun returned with Kai-Wen, as always—neat hair, calm eyes, soft posture that made him look harmless even when he wasn't.
He gave Ji-Ah a small nod before facing Ha-Joon.
Ha-Joon was still standing.
"Did you find anything?" he asked coolly.
Kai-Wen inhaled. "Yes, sir. I spoke to Do-Yoon."
Ji-Ah leaned forward without realizing it.
"She said what she told me was true," Kai-Wen continued, "but not the whole truth."
Ha-Joon didn't react. "Go on."
Kai-Wen hesitated, then said, "She mentioned that when Ji-Ah talked to her that day… she was shocked. And annoyed. Because suddenly, Ji-Ah cared."
Ji-Ah blinked. "…That's stupid."
Kai-Wen nodded once, like he agreed. "She said she wants Ji-Ah gone from the company. And that she knows how to do it—by framing her."
The room went quiet.
Ji-Ah slowly exhaled, then laughed—short, sharp.
"So she hates me because I asked if she was okay?" She shook her head. "Wow. That's… impressive levels of insecurity."
Ha-Joon finally spoke. "Why didn't you tell us this earlier?"
Kai-Wen looked away, jaw tight.
"Do-Yoon is my friend. I didn't want to betray her." He paused, then lifted his head. "But I also won't betray what's right. I'll support you, sir."
Ha-Joon studied him for a second—then nodded once. "Go back to work."
Kai-Wen relaxed, bowed slightly, and as he passed Ji-Ah, he gave her a quick wink.
She rolled her eyes. "This is not a drama. Stop that."
The door closed.
Ji-Ah turned immediately to Seo-Jun. "Did you find the document?"
Seo-Jun shook his head. "No."
"There's nothing in my locker either," Ji-Ah added quickly. "Nothing now. Nothing before."
Seo-Jun nodded. "We'll deal with this tomorrow. I have a plan."
Ha-Joon spoke next, voice flat. "Since she wants Ji-Ah out… we'll give her what she wants."
Ji-Ah gasped. "Sir—are you firing me?!"
Seo-Jun burst out laughing. "Relax."
Ha-Joon continued calmly, "You won't be coming to the office. On paper."
Ji-Ah frowned. "On paper?"
"You'll still be paid," he said. "Your monthly salary stays the same—2,500,000 won."
Her eyes widened.
"And for staying in my house," he added, unimpressed, "assisting as needed—you'll receive 10,000 won extra. And you still complain."
She sighed dramatically. "Fine. I accept my tragic fate."
He glanced at his watch. "Meet me at the car at four. We'll go home, change, then go shopping."
Her face lit up instantly. "Shopping?! Oh yes, I remember."
Seo-Jun raised a hand. "Ooo—can I come?"
Ha-Joon nodded. "Sure."
Ji-Ah smiled, tension finally easing.
Whatever Do-Yoon was planning—they were already three steps ahead.
The shopping mall was loud.
Too loud.
Until it wasn't.
The moment Ha-Joon stepped forward and spoke quietly to the store manager, everything changed.
Doors slid shut.
The Open sign flipped. Curtains were drawn halfway.
Four hours. Just them.
Inside the boutique, the air softened—no crowds, no noise. Only polished floors, warm lights, and rows of carefully arranged clothes.
A few workers stood at a distance, respectful and silent.
Ji-Ah froze. "Wait… is the shop—"
"Closed," Seo-Jun said, impressed. "For us."
Nisa gasped like she'd just won the lottery. "THIS is how shopping should be done."
Do-Hyun laughed. "I created a monster."
Nisa didn't wait.
She grabbed Ji-Ah's wrist and dragged her toward the racks. "No excuses. You're trying things on."
Ji-Ah blinked. "Me? Why me first?"
"Because," Nisa said sweetly, already pulling out clothes, "you dress like you're afraid of mirrors."
Ji-Ah scoffed. "That's rude."
Nisa shoved a soft cream blouse and high-waisted trousers into her arms. "Go. Try."
Ji-Ah disappeared into the fitting room.
While she was gone, Ji-Ah returned the favor—stepping out, spotting Nisa, and immediately pointing at a fitted dress hanging nearby.
"Nope. Your turn," Ji-Ah said, holding it up. "You'd look amazing in this."
Nisa's eyes widened. "You think?"
"I know."
Do-Hyun nodded firmly. "She's right."
Nisa went in next, giggling.
Seo-Jun leaned against a rack, arms crossed.
"This feels illegal," he murmured.
Ha-Joon stood a little apart, watching—hands in his pockets, expression calm.
But his eyes followed Ji-Ah every time she stepped out.
She emerged again—this time in a soft blue dress, hair loose around her shoulders.
Nisa clapped. "OH. My. God."
Ji-Ah frowned, looking down. "Is it bad?"
"It's dangerous," Seo-Jun said. "For morale."
Ha-Joon didn't say anything.
He just looked.
And looked.
And looked.
Nisa shoved Ji-Ah back toward the racks. "Change again!"
"Why are you so aggressive?" Ji-Ah laughed.
"Because no one ever shops for you," Nisa replied, quieter now.
Ji-Ah paused. Then smiled.
A moment later, Nisa stepped out in the dress Ji-Ah picked—elegant, soft, perfectly fitted.
Ji-Ah beamed. "See? Beautiful."
Do-Hyun stared. "I approve. Fully."
Nisa blushed.
That's when Ji-Ah noticed Ha-Joon still hadn't picked anything.
She walked over. "You're not buying?"
He looked down at her. "I am."
"…Then?"
"Choose for me."
She blinked. Again.
Of course.
Ji-Ah turned toward the men's section, fingers brushing fabrics until she stopped at a suit—dark, sharp, clean.
She lifted it, stepping closer to him and holding it up against his frame.
"This one," she said softly. "You already look intimidating, but this will make it official."
His jaw tightened slightly.
Inside, his thoughts weren't nearly as calm as his face.
She doesn't even realize what she does.
"I'll take it," he said.
Ji-Ah nodded, satisfied, and walked back to Nisa like nothing had happened.
Ha-Joon watched her go.
The shop was quiet.Private.Too quiet for the way his chest felt.
And for the first time, four hours didn't feel like enough.