Ms. Beasty And Mr. Arrogant Beauty

Beauty

Ahn Cho Hyun's manicured nails tapped rhythmically on the glass desk, a staccato beat echoing through the dimly lit office. The glow of her computer screen surrounding her. The city outside continued its restless hum like background music

The clock on the wall seemed to tick with a deliberate slowness, its hands inching towards 10 p.m. Without Ahn Cho Hyun knowing, time had woven itself into a tapestry of work, each thread a report, a memo, a task that demanded her attention. It wasn't until the soft rap of Min Ji's knuckles on her door that the illusion shattered.

"Ms. Ahn," Min Ji's voice, a delicate melody entered in the silent office, interrupted the rhythm of Ahn Cho Hyun's keystrokes. "It's late. I'm about to leave. I'm just informing you ma'am, in case you need to find me or need something."

Ahn Cho Hyun's gaze flicked to the clock, a brief pause before the realization settled in. Ten o'clock. The late hour had sneaked up on her, and an unwelcome guest disrupting the solitude of her work. She straightened in her chair.

"No, Min Ji. You may go," Ahn Cho Hyun replied, her voice as composed as the perfectly arranged files on her desk. Min Ji nodded, a subtle bow, and leaved the room, leaving Ahn Cho Hyun alone with the hum of the city and the weight of unfinished tasks.

As the door clicked shut, Ahn Cho Hyun surveyed the Leftover traces from her work. Papers neatly stacked, digital documents filed away, her office was orderly. Then, the realization came in, she, too, needed to go home to her condominium.

She sigh, doesn't want to go nor stop her work but of course she won't overdose being a workaholic, staying up very late, much more not sleeping nor going home just to finished her work. Those days are over.

Quickly and efficiently, Ahn Cho Hyun began the process of winding down. She closed applications, shut down her laptop, and tidied her desk with a precision that bordered on ritualistic. The room, once filled with the hushed symphony of typing keys, now echoed with the soft rustle of papers being placed in their designated spots.

She was tidying it for 15 minutes and before standing up from her chair, she also arrange every single material she used and placed it where they originally put.

The clock continued Its unstoppable march, and Ahn Cho Hyun emerged from her office cocoon. The hallway lights flickered above her, casting long shadows that seemed to dance with the uncertainty of the late hour. The elevator signaled, its metallic doors sliding open.

To her surprise, Min Ji stood inside, looking bored and dumb while waiting for the door to close.

'Why is she still here?' Ahn Cho Hyun thought, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

When Min Ji lifted her view, Ahn Cho Hyun could see how surprised she is too and an air between them awkward with unspoken words. Ahn Cho Hyun didn't give much thought about it and entered, the doors closing behind her.

Ahn Cho Hyun pressed the button for the ground floor, the soft hum of the descending elevator accompanying the unspoken tension. The silence last for 20 seconds until Min Ji, determined to dissolve the discomfort and awkwardness between her boss, ventured into conversation.

"You did a great job today, Ms. Ahn," Min Ji began, her words hanging in the air, the awkwardness palpable.

Ahn Cho Hyun glanced at her, surprised by the sudden words being spoken, she was making herself comfortable with the sound of silence. Her expression unchanging, then shifted her gaze back to the door. "Thank you."

Min Ji hesitated, searching for the right words. "The... the presentation went well, don't you think?"

Ahn Cho Hyun's response was curt, "It was alright."

Once again, awkward silence settled between them like a heavy fog. Min Ji fidgeted with her notepad, desperately trying to fill the uncomfortable void. "I thought your input on the budget analysis was insightful," she stammered, making so much effort.

Ahn Cho Hyun's cold gaze met hers briefly. "It's

my job."

Min Ji, undeterred, pressed on. "I was wondering if you had any suggestions for improvement. I value your expertise."

She sighed, a sound that carried the weight of indifference. It was much better for the both of them to remain silent and ignore the atmosphere, as she did, Specially for her assistant, there is no need to make an effort of striking a conversation. "I have nothing to add." Ahn Cho Hyun just said.

The tension of awkwardness in the room became almost unbearable for Min Ji, it was obvious and clear as water that Ahn Cho Hyun, her boss, doesn't want to engage with a conversation nor was making effort. Min Ji attempted a weak smile, her attempt at levity falling flat. "Well, um, if you ever need assistance with anything, I'm here."

Ahn Cho Hyun's response was swift. "of course, that's your job."

Min Ji nodded, the awkwardness escalating. "Of course. Well, have a good evening, Ms. Ahn."

"Thank you."

The elevator signals, the door opening. Before Ahn Cho Hyun could exit, Min ji spoke with kind words that make Ahn Cho Hyun stopped.

"uhh, Ms. Ahn, do you need a ride home? I could call a driver for you," Min Ji offered, a genuine concern etched on her face.

Ahn Cho Hyun's response was as cold as the polished marble floor beneath them. "I can manage on my own. You don't need to worry about it."

"Right... "

Ahn Cho Hyun offered a stiff nod before exiting without another word, leaving Min Ji standing in the wake of their stilted exchange, wondering how a simple conversation could feel so uncomfortably complexx.

Amidst the chaotic of buzzing lights, honking cars, and people's conversation, Ahn Cho Hyun strolled through the wintry evening. The city was alive and infused with the festive spirit of Christmas, yet the air around her carried a chill that mirrored the uncertainty in her own thoughts.

A days before Christmas, and the world seemed to shimmer with a magical aura. The snowy streets, illuminated by a myriad of colorful lights, painted a picturesque scene. Ahn Cho Hyun, usually composed, felt a peculiar unease. She decides to walk, an unusual choice for someone who typically choose a drive home.

The dream she had this morning haunt her. Fear gripped through her, preventing her from driving home. Even though it was just a dream, Ahn Cho Hyun got traumatized by how real it felt to her.

As she trod cautiously through the snowy landscape, the cherry tree leaves danced in the wind, gently cascading like confetti from the tree.

Her senses heightened, Ahn Cho Hyun couldn't escape the festive ambiance surrounding her. Christmas carols played softly in the distance, laughter echoed through the air, and the city's heartbeat pulsed with the rhythm of life. Ahn Cho Hyun tsked as she realized something.

'I can't believed I dreamt of dying during the Christmas Eve, talk about bad luck.' she thought and couldn't help but be in a bad mood because of it. 'Is this karma? a consequence to pay for being a hard and strict CEO? If it is, how pathetic.'

Amidst the enchanting and lively scene, her gaze wandered, and she saw someone—a figure that defied the ordinary, sitting on a bench under the cherry tree, a breathtakingly handsome young man. His beauty rivaled the stars, a spectacle that could shame even the renowned faces of Cha Eun Woo or Lee Dong Wook. The city's handsome heartthrobs seemed mere mortals in comparison to the ethereal grace of this young man. Ahn Cho Hyun, caught off guard by this unexpected sight, couldn't help questioned how such allure could exist in relative obscurity.

The young man, a visual symphony of nature and melancholy. His eyes, reflective of a troubled soul, gazed at the wintry sky as snowflakes descended like delicate promises. Ahn Cho Hyun, sensing the weight of his emotions, felt an inexplicable urge to reach out.

Ahn Cho Hyun, usually composed, found herself at a loss for words as she attempted to capture the essence of young man's allure. He looks so majestic, so unreal and so out of the reach.

His eyes held stories untold, depths that invite Ahn Cho Hyun into a world unknown. The symphony of his features—the sculpted sharp jawline, the delicate curve of his lips and his proud, tall nose—each element orchestrated a harmony that resonated with a rare kind of perfection. Seoul's finest, she thought, would surely step aside in deference to the young man's exquisite existence.

As she attempted to find enough words, Ahn Cho Hyun marveled at the effortless way the young man's carried his beauty. It wasn't just a surface allure, it was a magnetic force that drew the gaze and held it captive. Among Seoul's handsome faces, The young beauty emerged as a masterpiece, a portrait of allure that transcended the boundaries of conventional beauty. Leaving Ahn Cho Hyun in silent admiration, her words was not enough to capture the magic she beheld.

Ahn Cho Hyun couldn't help but be drawn to the enigmatic beauty of the young man amidst the chaos. She'll admit, this is the first time she ever felt this way and the first time to see such handsome lineage of Adan. Now, she knows who was out receiving god's blessing when the lord was showering all the good looks. His features, chiseled and captivating, bore the weight of untold stories. Yet, beneath that aesthetic allure, she notice a faint sadness, a frustration etched in the lines of his expression.

'I guess even handsome man have some problems too, not so lucky huh?'

His eyes, mirrors reflecting life's vibrancy, now held a depth of sorrow. Ahn Cho Hyun, a silent observer, perceived the unspoken troubles that cast shadows on his handsome face. The city's symphony faded, leaving room for the melancholy melody echoing in his gaze.

Amidst the glowing city, she noticed his frustration, a silent struggle against the currents of life. His troubled soul painted an intricate portrait of resilience in the face of adversity.

Ahn Cho Hyun, attuned to small feelings, felt a magnetic pull—an unspoken connection forged in the shared language of silent struggles.

Driven by an uncharacteristic and unknown impulse, Ahn Cho Hyun approached the young man, the chill of the evening air matching the uncertainty in her heart. Without a word, she began to share words.

"Life's twists can be cruel," she began, her voice carrying a quiet strength and eyes staring at the roads. "but within adversity lies untapped strength. Your challenges may be an obstacle, but they don't define your worth."

Beside her, The young man, a fellow stranger, stood in silent, He noticed her but too indifferent to give her attention.

"Beauty, Fear can be paralyzing," Ahn Cho Hyun continued, her gaze unwavering, "but within it lies an opportunity for courage. Confront it, for growth flourishes in discomfort."

The street's symphony of sounds played on, a backdrop to the enigmatic exchange between two strangers bound by a moment of shared wisdom.

"In the face of uncertainty," she spoke, her words weaving into the urban melody, "find solace in the beauty around you. The falling cherry blossoms remind us that even in endings, there's potential for new beginnings."

Ahn Cho Hyun felt a sudden urge to burst into laughter at the irony of the situation. Ridiculous, Here she was, unexpectedly offering advice to a complete stranger. It seemed almost surreal to her, the idea that amidst the bustling city, she found herself advising someone she had never met before. Yet, despite the incredulity of the moment, there was an undeniable sincerity in her guidance, maybe since the words are not solely directed to the young man but to herself. She too, needed some words to help her calm down.

"Beauty, Don't let setbacks define your narrative," Ahn Cho Hyun encouraged. "Every rejection is a chapter, not the conclusion. Your journey, with its twists and turns, contributes to a story that is uniquely yours. Keep telling it with resilience and passion."

The man didn't speak nor moved, as if a statue sitting on a bench, under the cherry tree while he's in dazed. She could tell that this handsome young man had already a lot in his plate and now was confused by everything, a look of a person who's tired from the world and doesn't know what to do.

'Poor fella, I guess my guessed is correct, not so lucky after all.'

"Frustration is wasted energy unless you channel it into purposeful action," Ahn Cho Hyun asserted, her gaze lingering on the distant horizon. "Let the disappointment fuel your determination. Use this setback as motivation to prove not only to others but to yourself that your potential transcends physical constraints. Success born from adversity is the sweetest victory."

Ahn Cho Hyun looked at him and smirk as she remembers something from her past. "Remember that beauty. Anyways, I may not know your struggles but hope one of my words here helped you. "

Ahn Cho Hyun was about to take a step forward when she felt something clung onto her winter coat. She was about to slap it away when a voice speak.

"Why?" That was the word the young man uttered. Ahn Cho Hyun brows furrowed, confused by what he meant by his question, does he meant why she's doing it? or her advice or maybe he's asking about why he's life is like that? either way, all of those, she also doesn't contain the answer to his question.

"I don't contain the answer to your questions." With that, she tugged away her coat.

The young beauty look at his side but before he could clear his mind and utter a word again, Ahn Cho Hyun already take a step forward and left without any heads up of leaving.

Despite walking alone, Ahn Cho Hyun enjoyed the streets, still adorned with festive lights, that seemed to glow with newfound warmth.

In the wake of their encounter, the cherry tree stood witness to the silent exchange beneath its branches. The snowy landscape bore witness to the unpredictable meeting of two lives, each carrying their own burdens and struggles.

As Ahn Cho Hyun retraced her steps, the city's noises resumed their familiar flow, but the memory of that chance encounter lingered in the wintry air.