Seol-A woke the next morning with a mix of exhilaration and confusion from the previous night's events. The intimacy she had shared with Hyeon-Woo on the rooftop was still fresh in her mind, and she couldn't shake the feeling that their relationship had shifted dramatically. The lines between their fake engagement and genuine emotions were becoming increasingly blurred.
As she prepared for another day at Hyun Group, her phone buzzed with a new message from Min-Ji: "How's everything? Did you get a chance to explain?"
Seol-A hesitated before typing back: "I'll tell you everything soon. It's complicated."
At the office, Seol-A noticed a subtle change in Hyeon-Woo's demeanor. He was more attentive and less distant, though he still maintained a professional distance. The chemistry from the previous night lingered between them, unspoken but palpable.
Their schedule was packed with meetings and events, but Hyeon-Woo's presence seemed to offer Seol-A a comforting steadiness. As they walked together through the office, Hyeon-Woo glanced at her with a thoughtful expression.
"Seol-A, can we talk in private for a moment?" he asked.
She followed him to a secluded conference room, her heart racing with anticipation. The air was thick with unspoken words as Hyeon-Woo closed the door behind them.
"I wanted to apologize for last night," he began, his tone sincere. "Things went beyond what I intended, and I'm aware it might have been confusing."
Seol-A's breath caught in her throat. "It's okay, Hyeon-Woo. I... I didn't expect it either, but it felt real. And it made me question what we're doing."
Hyeon-Woo's gaze softened. "I understand. This situation was supposed to be temporary, but I didn't expect to develop feelings for you. I didn't want to complicate things, but I also didn't want to ignore what's happening between us."
Seol-A nodded, her emotions a tangled mess. "I feel the same way. It's hard to ignore the connection we're building, especially when everything feels so intense."
Before they could delve deeper into their emotions, Hyeon-Woo's phone buzzed with an urgent message. He glanced at it and his expression hardened.
"We have a situation," he said, his voice shifting to a professional tone. "There's been an issue with the upcoming shareholder's meeting. We need to address it immediately."
Seol-A followed Hyeon-Woo to his office, where he pulled up a series of documents and reports. The mood shifted back to business as they worked through the crisis, but the undercurrent of their personal conversation lingered.
Later that day, as they were wrapping up, Seol-A received a call from her best friend, Min-Ji. "I need to see you," Min-Ji said urgently. "Something strange happened, and I think it's related to what you mentioned."
Seol-A agreed to meet her that evening, her anxiety about the shadowy figure returning. When she arrived at Min-Ji's apartment, her friend looked more worried than ever.
"I received an anonymous message today," Min-Ji said, handing Seol-A a printed note. "It said, 'Beware of the deception. Secrets are never safe.'"
Seol-A's heart raced as she read the note. "This feels connected to everything that's been happening. The shadowy figure, the tension with Hyeon-Woo—something's not right."
Min-Ji nodded. "You need to be careful, Seol-A. This goes beyond just the fake engagement. There's someone watching, and they might have more information than we realize."
As Seol-A left Min-Ji's apartment, she felt a renewed sense of unease. The blend of her growing feelings for Hyeon-Woo and the mysterious threat created a volatile mix. The path ahead was uncertain, with both personal and professional challenges converging.
The next day, as Seol-A and Hyeon-Woo prepared for the shareholder's meeting, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change. The stakes were higher than ever, and the secrets they were trying to keep might unravel in unexpected ways.
As they entered the boardroom, Seol-A noticed a familiar face among the attendees—someone she hadn't expected to see. The sense of being watched returned, more intense than ever. The meeting was about to begin, and with it, a new chapter in their intertwined lives.