The sun was beginning to set over the bustling city of Seoul. Yoon-hee stood in the kitchen of her tiny apartment,chopping vegetables for dinner as her 5year old son, Soo-bin, played nearby, his laughter filling the small space.Though life wasn't easy as a single mother, her love for Soo-bin made every challenge worthwhile.
Tht night,Yoon-hee was supposed to attend a prestigious gala as a caterer. It was her first gig in months and she hope the event would help her gain new clients for her small catering business. She spent the entire day preparing her best dishes,with Soo-bin sitting nearby, watching her with wide eyes.
"Mommy, will you meet any princes there?" Soo-bin asked, his face lighting up with excitement as he imagined his mother at the grand event.
Yoon-hee chuckled, ruffling his hair. "No princes, Soo-bin, just some fancy people who probably won't even notice me."
He looked disappointed, but she managed to get a smile out of him by promising they'd have a "fancy" dinner together when she got back. Soon, her neighbor arrived to babysit, and Yoon-hee set off, her heart beating with a mix of excitement and nerves.
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Across Town
On the other side of Seoul, Ji-hoon was preparing to attend the same charity gala, but with a very different attitude. As the CEO of Han Enterprises, he was the guest of honor. These events were nothing more than a duty to him—another night of handshakes, forced smiles, and shallow conversations.
Tonight, however, he was especially restless. His family's pressure to settle down and find a "suitable" partner had intensified lately, and he knew he would be under scrutiny. But Ji-hoon had no intention of letting anyone close to him, not after the heartbreak he'd endured years ago.
Dressed in a sleek black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders, Ji-hoon stepped into the limo waiting to take him to the gala. He sighed, mentally preparing himself for another tedious evening.
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The First Meeting
At the gala, Yoon-hee was in her element in the kitchen, arranging dishes and making sure every plate looked perfect. She wore a simple, professional outfit—a black blouse and skirt, with her hair neatly tied back. She kept to herself, focusing on her work, and tried to ignore the glamorous guests walking by, dressed in glittering gowns and tailored suits.
Just as she was setting down a tray of appetizers in the hallway, she felt a rush of air and heard fast footsteps. Suddenly, she collided with someone, sending the entire tray of food spilling to the ground.
"Oh no!" Yoon-hee gasped, kneeling to pick up the mess.It was Ji-hoon.
"I-I'm so sorry," Yoon-hee stammered, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I didn't mean to—"
"Apologies don't fix the mess, do they?" he said sharply, glancing down at the ruined tray. His piercing gaze made her feel small, and she immediately regretted looking up.
For a brief moment, their eyes met. Ji-hoon's annoyance flickered, as if something about her face triggered a memory, but he quickly suppressed it. He looked away, his expression hardening again.
"I'll clean it up right away," Yoon-hee said, bowing her head and hurriedly gathering the broken pieces.Ji-hoon stepped back, watching her as she scrambled to pick up the shattered plate fragments. There was something about her sincerity and the way she kept her head down that softened his irritation—just slightly. But he pushed the thought aside, reminding himself not to get involved.
After a moment of tense silence, he sighed. "Forget it," he muttered, walking past her without another glance.
As he strode away, Yoon-hee's cheeks burned. Her first big event, and she'd already made a scene. The last thing she saw before he disappeared into the crowd was his retreating figure, exuding an aura of cold detachment.
But she couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the last time their paths would cross.
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