Without thinking, Min Ju trailed behind him, her eyes locked on his broad shoulders and chiseled profile.
She ensured he didn't notice her, dodging behind pillars and blending into the crowd.
"Min Ju, what are you doing?" she silently scolded herself, biting her lip in frustration, but she didn't retreat.
His striking features had captivated her - He embodied the perfect blend of elegance and rugged charm, as if sculpted from a masterpiece of art.
Every step he took exuded confidence, drawing her in like a magnet.
As she followed, Min Ju's cheeks flushed, and her heart skipped a beat. What was wrong with her?
She frowned when she noticed that she couldn't see him again.
"Where did he go? He was here just moments ago" she muttered.
She was about to turn back, when she bumped into a hard chest.
She looked up and her eyes went wide opened.
His grey eyes were fixated on her, his face as hard as stone.
"Are you stalking me?" his cold voice sent shivers down her spine.
"I...Me?...No, of course not." she finally found her voice.
He glanced down, his face expressionless.
"I hate stalkers."
"I'm not stalking you. Really." she said, and he narrowed his gaze.
"Then, why are you following me?" he asked.
"I was just-" she faltered and his expression hardened.
"Aren't you supposed to be in college?" he asked, looking at her small frame.
"College?" Min Ju scoffed.
"Do I look like a little girl to you?" she asked, suddenly getting offended.
He arched his brows, slightly amused.
"Haven't you looked in the mirror? Little girls like you aren't meant to be stalking men." he said, and Min Ju frowned.
"Go back home. And also, I have warned you. I don't appreciate obsession" he said and walked away.
"Obsession?" she scoffed, blaming herself for following him in the first place.
"So annoying" she muttered as she walked back.
"He talked like he's much older than I am" she rolled her eyes.
She sighed, wishing she had a distraction like that every day. The splitting moment with that mysterious man had distracted her from the bitterness in her heart.
Now, it's creeping back, reminding her of her harsh reality.
With that bitterness and resentment in mind, she set off for her dad's company.
Seung-ho was shocked to hear that Min Ju was waiting to see him in his office.
Why's she here?
He got to his office and truly, he saw her waiting for him.
"Dad" she called, as he entered, giving him a hug.
"When I was told you are here, I almost didn't believe my ears." he said.
Min Ju had never liked anything related to business. In her past life, she had no other choice, than to take up the reins when her father died, and she got used to it.
"I decided to pay you a visit. I even thought you would be busy" she said.
"A visit? But, I just left home this morning" he said, surprised by her sudden visit.
"Or, is there something you wanted to tell me?" he asked.
"Actually, yes" she answered.
"Okay. I'm all ears" he said.
"I want to take up a position in the company" she said and Seung-ho tilted his head.
"You want to do what?" he asked. He must not have heard her well.
"I am serious, dad. I want to start working in the company" she affirmed. If she needs to take revenge, she needs to start gaining power; and the first thing she is going to use, is her position as an heiress.
They need to feel the heat from her.
"Min Ju, what are you talking about? You graduated recently. And you already want to start working here?"
"Yes, dad. I'm not too young to work. I have my certificate already, so I don't think it would be much of an hassle" she said and Seung-ho just looked at her.
Is it just him, or has Min Ju been acting different, since this morning. She is his daughter and he knows almost everything about her. The Min Ju he knows would never talk about something like this.
She had only been interested in her books, nothing more, nothing less.
"You know what, since you are that interested, I'll fix you up."
"Thanks dad" she appreciated.
*
As she stepped out of the company, she received a call. Her face brightened up, when she saw the caller.
"Hey bestie!"Hye Soo's voice shrilled from the phone and Min Ju smiled.
Hye Soo had been her best friend, since college. She was the first friend she had, and they've been inseparable ever since.
Though, with what happened to her, Min Ju had learnt not to trust anyone that much.
"Soo! How have you been?" Min Ju asked.
"I'm not fine. I miss you" She said and Min Ju laughed.
"Let's meet up. I'll text you where we would meet."
*
"Wow, babe. You look stunning. Why haven't you always been dressing like this?" Hye Soo commented, immediately she saw Min Ju.
"Decided to take on a new style" Min Ju said.
"I love this new look. Damn!" she said, twirling Min Ju.
"Let's go get something to eat, I'm starving"
---
Hye Soo smacked her lips in relish, as she drank her milkshake.
Min Ju chuckled at her best friend reaction as she stuffed her face with the burger.
"Who starved you?" she asked, with a knowing smile on her face.
"It's one of those stupid boys. He poked at me, thinking he can ride me because I am a girl.
So, I challenged him to a fight, and the idiot was laughing, thinking I was joking.
I had to show him what I got. So, I didn't have time to eat." she said and Min Ju shook her head.
"You'll never change" she laughed and Hye Soo smiled.
While she was gentle and easygoing; Hye Soo was the crazy one.
"I wanted to ask you something. Why have you been ignoring Tae Hoon's calls?
He called to know if you were with me. That he called you in the morning, and it seemed like you didn't want to talk to him.
Since then, you've been ignoring his calls.
"Ohh he told you that?" Min Ju said, sarcastically.
She badly wanted to break up with Tae Hoon, but she has to play her cards well.
They've fooled her in her past life, it's time to pay them back in full.
"I wasn't just in a good mood, I'll call him later" she answered.
"Ohh...okay" Hye Soo said, not fully believing her statement.
She had been friends with her for years, so she knows her very well, but she doesn't want to pry much.
"There's a party tonight at 101 club" Hye Soo suddenly said, receiving a notification from her phone.
"I've got to go" she said, looking at Min Ju.
101 Club is one of the best in the country. It's built mainly for the rich and powerful.
She knew Min Ju wouldn't be interested, anyways. She had never really attended any party with her.
"Can I tag along?" Min Ju suddenly asked.
"You want to come?" Hye Soo asked, shocked.
"Yes. Or, should I not?"
"Of course, you should. I have been waiting for this all my life. You have never willingly agreed going to any parties"
Min Ju smiled. "It's nice to try new things"
*
NIGHTIME
Min Ju and Hye Soo stepped into the 101 Club, surrounded by pulsating lights and thumping music. They merged with the crowd, dancing and laughing together.
The club's vibrant atmosphere was infectious, and Min Ju found herself letting loose. Colorful lights flashed around them, and the DJ's beats kept them moving.
Hye Soo grinned, eyes shining. "You're actually enjoying yourself!"
Min Ju smiled, feeling carefree.
In a corner, a man sat, twirling a glass cup, a chilly aura surrounding him.
Min Ju's gaze wandered, and her eyes landed on him. She gasped.
"What's that?" Hye Soo asked, concern etched on her face.
Min Ju didn't respond, transfixed.
Hye Soo followed her gaze and exclaimed, "Woah, he's here?"
"You know him?" Min Ju asked, turning to Hye Soo.
"Oh, yes! He's Kael, CEO of Sterling Empire," Hye Soo whispered, and Min Ju blinked. Sterling Empire was far global than her dad's company.
"He's notoriously private, so few people recognize him." Hye Soo continued
"My dad worked with him once, that's how I knew him"
Min Ju's curiosity piqued. "What's he like?"
Hye Soo leaned in. "From what my dad told me... he's intense."
"Intense?" Hye Soo nodded. "His aura is always so cold, that it makes people flinch" she said and Min Ju took her lips in, she had experienced that.
"I heard he can be ruthless too. He is not someone to be messed with"
Min Ju's gaze drifted back to Kael, intrigued.
---
(Later that night)
Min Ju stumbled, laughing, her words slurring.
"Hye Soo, I'm flying!" Min Ju giggled.
Hye Soo supported her friend. "Maybe we should head home, Min Ju. I didn't even realize you had drunk that much. I would have stopped you"
But Min Ju danced on, determined.
Then she started walking towards Kael. Hye Soo quickly tried dragging her back, but she resisted.
"Min Ju, get yourself together, please..."
Min Ju blinked her eyes, sleepily. "Hey" she said, when she finally got to where he was.
"The guy who called me little" she said, drunkenly, her words slurred.
Kael frowned when he recognized her. "Stalker?"
Min Ju kept talking on, while Hye Soo bit her lips.
"I heard you are ruthless..pfft..who cares? I-don't-care." she ranted and Kael grimaced.
"Sorry, sir" Hye Soo apologized, dragging Min Ju.
But, she threw her hands in the air, resisting. As she spun, her elbow knocked a drink off a nearby tray.
Time slowed as the glass tumbled through the air.
The drink splashed onto Kael's tailored suit.
His icy gaze snapped up, locking onto Min Ju.
And everything froze.
---