The next morning, Yoon-hee couldn't stop thinking about her encounter with the mysterious stranger at the gala. She tried to shake it off, telling herself that he was just another rude guest, one she'd likely never see again. She pushed it out of her mind, focusing instead on her next job and caring for Soo-bin, whose energetic presence was always her source of comfort and joy.
But fate, it seemed, had other plans.
Just as she was putting away her supplies from the night before, her phone buzzed with an unknown number. Hesitantly, she picked up.
"Hello, is this Chef Yoon-hee?"
"Yes, speaking," she replied, a little surprised to be getting calls from potential clients this early.
"This is Ms. Kang from Han Enterprises. We're interested in hiring you to cater a private lunch event tomorrow. Mr. Han was particularly impressed with your menu last night and requested your services personally."
Yoon-hee's breath caught. Mr. Han? She instantly remembered the man's cold gaze and sharp tone. Of all the people, it had to be him. But she couldn't afford to turn down the offer. Han Enterprises was a massive company, and catering an event for them would bring her more business than she could imagine.
Clearing her throat, she replied, "I'd be honored to accept."
The next day, Yoon-hee arrived at Han Enterprises' sleek, glass-walled headquarters, feeling both nervous and determined. This time, she wore her best chef's uniform, with her long, silky hair tied back neatly. She set up her ingredients in the company's private dining room, trying to keep her mind focused on the task and not on the intimidating man she might encounter.
Sure enough, halfway through her preparations, the door opened, and Ji-hoon entered the room. She froze for a split second but quickly resumed her work, pretending not to notice him.
Ji-hoon walked past her, stopping at the table to inspect the setup. He seemed oblivious to her presence at first, but after a moment, he spoke without looking at her. "Last night… was unprofessional of me. I apologize."
Yoon-hee was taken aback. She hadn't expected an apology from him. She looked up, studying his face, which was expressionless yet somehow softer than the previous night.
"I… appreciate that," she said, offering a small nod. "Thank you."
He gave a curt nod in return, but just as he was about to leave, he stopped, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. "Your work is impressive," he muttered, almost as if speaking to himself.
With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Yoon-hee standing there, bewildered. She watched him go, her heart racing with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. The man was an enigma—one moment icy, the next unexpectedly polite. She wondered if there was more to him than met the eye.
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Chapter 3: A Day with Soo-bin
A few days later, Yoon-hee took the rare opportunity of a free day to spend some quality time with Soo-bin. They visited a nearby park, where they strolled along a tree-lined path, laughing and talking about everything and nothing.
As they walked, Yoon-hee noticed Soo-bin stopping to admire every little thing—from a colorful butterfly to a curious squirrel. His wide-eyed wonder never failed to make her smile. They reached a small playground, and Soo-bin ran toward the swings with a burst of excitement.
"Mommy, push me!" he called out.
Yoon-hee laughed and obliged, pushing him gently as he giggled and swung back and forth. His joy was infectious, and she found herself forgetting all about work, clients, and even Mr. Han.
As they played, Yoon-hee was too preoccupied to notice the man standing by the park's entrance, observing them with an unreadable expression. It was Ji-hoon. He had been on his way to a nearby business meeting when he caught sight of Yoon-hee and her son. Though he had intended to keep walking, something about the scene made him stop.
Ji-hoon's gaze shifted to the boy on the swing. There was something strikingly familiar about him—the shape of his face, his bright eyes, his laugh. It unsettled him in a way he couldn't explain.
For reasons he didn't fully understand, Ji-hoon found himself walking over to them. Yoon-hee, pushing Soo-bin on the swing, noticed him only when he was a few steps away. Her smile faded as she straightened, her surprise evident.
"Mr. Han?" she said, trying to keep her voice steady. She wondered what he was doing here, in the middle of a park, and more specifically, watching them.
Ji-hoon nodded politely, glancing at Soo-bin, who was now watching him with wide eyes. The boy tilted his head curiously, studying Ji-hoon with an innocent curiosity.
"Ajusshi?" Soo-bin asked, using the Korean term for "uncle." His voice was soft and hesitant.
Ji-hoon blinked, surprised by the boy's recognition. He couldn't help but give a faint smile, the first genuine expression Yoon-hee had ever seen from him.
"Yes, I suppose I am," he replied, his voice unusually gentle.
For a few moments, the three of them stood together, a strange sense of familiarity settling over them. Yoon-hee watched Ji-hoon interact with Soo-bin, noting how the boy seemed almost instinctively drawn to him. In that moment, she saw a softer side to Ji-hoon—one that was hidden behind his cool exterior.
Ji-hoon, for his part, felt an inexplicable connection as well, a feeling he couldn't quite place but one that lingered even as he said his polite goodbyes and walked away.
As he left, Yoon-hee looked down at Soo-bin, who was waving after Ji-hoon. She couldn't deny the strange resemblance between them, a detail she had never noticed until now. The thought made her heart skip a beat.
This encounter would be the first of many, and though she didn't yet realize it, her life was about to change in ways she could never have imagined.
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