Th sound of water droplet's splashing over his face like a cold slap. He Jumped up groaned, feeling the droplets roll down his face.
" what the—"
"It's already Past nine, and you're still in bed ?." his mother shouted , holding the now-empty cup. "On Your first day at work , nevertheless ! Do you want to get fired on the very first day ?".
Joonseo blinked, his head pounding. Memories of the last night flashed over - Celebrating wth his friends on landing a Job at Eonhwa, downing one too many drinks, and stumbling home like a fool.
Rubbing his eye he searched for his phone. He spotted it acroos the floor , finally after snatching it , freezing when he saw the time: 9:15 AM.
"WHAT?!"
He jumbed out of bed, Kncoking over a pile of books and clothes in the process, " I am going to be Late." Within minutes he brushed his teeth, took a cold shower and started wearing his underwear all in the bath.
"Where's my suit?" he muttered, frantically opening drawers and throwing clothes everywhere.
"Here, you dummy," his mom said from behind him, smacking the back of his head lightly. She held up a perfectly ironed suit. "I already prepared it for you. What would you do without me?"
"Omma, you're the best!" he said, grabbing the suit and hugging her quickly before she could swat him again. "Love you!"
"Yeah, yeah. Stop buttering me up and get moving before you embarrass us all!"
In record time, Joonseo slipped into the suit, straightened his tie, Finallly looking at the mirror infront of him , and hurried out of his room.
At the dining table, his twin sisters, Hyerin and Hyemi, were finishing breakfast.
"You're late again, oppa," Hyemi, the sassier of the two, said without looking up from her phone. Her feet were propped up on another chair, thumbs flying as she played a mobile game.
Hyerin, who was more of the quieter and more graceful twin, slid a plate toward him. "Here, oppa. Have some bread. You'll need the energy."
"Thanks, Hyerin!" He quickly spread some strawberry jam on the bread, stuffed it in his mouth, and grabbed his bag.
"Good luck!" his sisters called out in unison, barely glancing his way as he ran out the door.
"Thank You"
Just as Joonseo stepped into the hallway, he heard his mother yelling from behind. "Hyemi! How many times do I have to tell you to get your legs off the chair? And stop playing games at the table!"
"Omma, I'm almost at the boss level!" Hyemi whined, only to get her ear grabbed in response. Hyerin, as usual, remained calm, finishing her breakfast without a word.
Joonseo chuckled to himself as he hopped on his old bike. His family might be chaotic, but they were his rock. Now, all he had to do was survive his first day at work.
Joonseo pedaled down the main road, weaving through the bustling morning crowd. The air was thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the faint hum of car engines. People in sharp suits rushed past him, briefcases in hand, as they hurried to their own offices. The sheer energy of the city—the fast-paced rhythm, the clattering footsteps, the crisp aura of ambition—made his heart race with excitement.
This is it, he thought, his grip on the handlebars tightening. This is the life I've been waiting for.
For a brief moment, the rush of adrenaline was so overwhelming that he wanted to scream. Holding back the urge, he pushed himself to pedal faster, his old bike creaking under the strain.
But just as he rounded a corner, an expensive black BMW shot out of nowhere, cutting him off. Joonseo yanked his handlebars to the side, skidding to a stop as his bike tipped over.
"Yah! Watch where you're going!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the street.
Inside the car, Han Seoyoon, the icy CEO of Daehan Textiles, didn't so much as flinch. She gave a quick glance in her rearview mirror, her lips curling slightly in irritation. Does this guy have a death wish? she thought before dismissing him entirely.
Without a second thought, she stepped on the gas, the sleek car gliding forward.
Joonseo dusted himself off, muttering under his breath. "Rich people and their fancy cars," he grumbled, checking his bike for damage. Thankfully, it was still functional. He hopped back on, shaking his head in frustration as he pedaled toward his new workplace.
Little did he know, the stranger in the car wasn't just any CEO. And their fleeting, hostile encounter was only the beginning of a fate that would soon intertwine their lives.