Ms. Beasty And Mr. Arrogant Beauty

Brother

Ahn Cho Hyun diligently typed away at her computer in the bustling office. The clatter of keyboards filled the air as colleagues greeted each other. Then, the door swung open. Her brother, Ahn Sungmin stood there, wearing a navy blue suit, hair neatly styled while looking fresh and charismatic with a smile on his face.

Yet, Ahn Cho Hyun remained immersed in her world of spreadsheets and deadlines, her indifference casting a shadow over Sungmin's eager smile.

He sighed, realizing his younger sister had no intention of interrupting her work to see him. Resigned, he found an empty chair and settled in, waiting.

Silence lingered in the air, a void filled only by the rhythmic tapping of keys. Sungmin, unable to bear the quiet any longer, summoned a confident smile. "Dear sister of mine," he called, his voice carrying an air of familiarity.

Ahn Cho Hyun's response was an apathetic glance, a swift acknowledgment of his presence before. Returning to her computer, Cho Hyun focused on her work. Not bothered, Sungmin attempted a gentler approach. "Chohyun..." he uttered, the softness of his voice echoing through the office.

Sungmin's smile faded and turned awkward as Cho Hyun didn't pay much attention. Before another uncomfortable silence could settle, Ahn Cho Hyun's voice cut through the air like a blade.

"I received resignation letters from three of my employees yesterday. Mind telling me what happened, Sungmin?" She put her glasses down, stopped her work, and looked at her older brother. Ahn Cho Hyun perfect eyebrow raised as she stared at her older brother. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

On the opposite side, despite being under Ahn Cho Hyun's stare, Ahn Sungmin exuded an air of nonchalance. Ahn Cho Hyun, determined to unravel the mystery of her employees' abrupt resignations, launched into a relentless barrage of questions.

"So, brother, enlighten me. How did you manage to orchestrate the grand exit of three of my employees without leaving a single clue?" Ahn Cho Hyun's voice dripped with sarcasm, her eyes fixed on Sungmin.

Ahn Sungmin, reclining comfortably, flashed a disarming smile. "little sister, you give me too much credit. I may be good, but making people quit isn't in my skill set."

Cho Hyun's skepticism only deepened. "Really? Because it seems like a remarkable coincidence that they all decided to leave right after your visit."

Sungmin chuckled, unfazed. "Coincidence, fate, who knows? People come and go. Plus, dear little sister, I didn't visit here yesterday."

Ahn Cho Hyun smirked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Coincidence, fate—how poetic of you. People come and go, really. Must be the universe conspiring against us. And oh, the impeccable timing of your absence yesterday, leaving you, my dearest brother, blissfully unaware of the workplace exodus. Remarkable, Ahn Sungmin, truly remarkable."

Cho Hyun leaned forward, her gaze piercing through Sungmin's composed facade. "Come on, brother. I know you've got your hands in this. Admit it, you've been pulling the strings behind my back."

Sungmin reclined further, stretching his legs casually. "You have quite the imagination, little sis. If I were to orchestrate something, it would be a much grander spectacle."

Ahn Cho Hyun scoffed. "Save the theatrics. I want the truth. Why did you fire them? Is it the same reason again?"

Sungmin's laughter reverberated through the room. "Ah, Cho Hyun, my ever-doubtful cute little sister. I already made a promise to you that I won't. But alas, reality is disappointingly mundane. No evil plots here," he raised his hands up as if he's surrendering. "Just your charming brother navigating the corporate wilderness. Maybe I should start a drama—'The Tale of Sibling Skepticism.'"

Undeterred, Ahn Cho Hyun continued her interrogation. "Perhaps you used your charm?"

Sungmin grinned, enjoying the banter. "Ah, my irresistible charm strikes again. But, little sis, I assure you, I had nothing to do with their sudden career decisions. Also, my eyes aren't poor enough for me to mix fresh and ripe apples with those of some people spreading the stench of incompetence."

Ahn Cho Hyun leaned back, crossing her arms. "You deny it so convincingly. Should I be impressed by your acting skills or worried about your hidden agenda?"

Sungmin's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Impressed, definitely impressed. As for hidden agendas, you're giving me too much credit. I'm just a loving brother who cares for his younger sister."

Ahn Cho Hyun's sigh. "This is no drama, Sungmin. My employees are suddenly asking for resignations without me knowing the proper reason. Do you know what's even more amusing? Even I, the CEO, have no right to fire up an employee since someone is firing them on their own occurs, and I won't stand idly by while you play the innocent bystander."

Sungmin's demeanor remained relaxed, his poker face intact. "My cute and little vixen sister, you're overthinking this. People leave for various reasons. It's part of life."

Ahn Cho Hyun leaned in, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Life lessons from my dear brother, Ahn Sungmin, the sage of the strategic exits. How enlightening."

Sungmin chuckled, unruffled. "Glad I could be of service. But seriously, little sis, your suspicions are misplaced."

Ahn Cho Hyun paused, studying Sungmin's composed expression. Despite his denial, a lingering doubt gnawed at her. "You're good at this, Sungmin. Deny, deflect, and charm your way out. But mark my words, I'll get to the bottom of this."

Sungmin's smile remained intact as Ahn Cho Hyun leaned back, conceding a temporary defeat. The room held an air of unresolved tension, leaving Ahn Cho Hyun with a lingering suspicion that Sungmin, the master manipulator, had more to hide than met the eye.

Ahn Sungmin, with a raised eyebrow, felt the weight of his sister's scrutiny. The air hung heavy with the remnants of the interrogation, the room's atmosphere tense.

Sungmin chuckled, unfazed. "Let's talk about something else. How about the party our parents are throwing this afternoon? Are you going?"

Ahn Cho Hyun paused for a moment before she answered. "No, I'm not interested in parties. You know that."

Sungmin leaned forward, his eyes searching Ahn Cho Hyun's for any sign of weakness. "Come on, little sis. It's important to them. Can't you just put on a smile for a few hours?"

Ahn Cho Hyun reclined in her chair, adopting an indifferent posture. "I have better things to do than pretend to enjoy socializing. Parties are not my scene."

Sungmin's persistence kicked in, his determination written all over his face. "You say that every time. But it's about family. We should show up, make them happy."

Ahn Cho Hyun waved her hand dismissively. "I'll pass. They won't even notice I'm not there."

Sungmin sighed, frustrated. "You're being difficult for no reason, little sis. It's their request to make you come. Just go, enjoy yourself for a change."

Ahn Cho Hyun smirked, her sarcasm evident. "Oh, joy. The prospect of small talk and fake smiles. How could I resist? hmm?"

Sungmin shot back, "It's not that bad. Besides, it's only for one night. You can handle it."

Ahn Cho Hyun shrugged, her eyes distant as she recalled about the dream she had. 'I don't want to die. If what I saw in my dream is going to happen, then I'll change it. I don't care if I have to stay inside the office for the rest of the night, as long as I'm going to be safe.'

"I have more important things on my mind. Realistic dreams, unlike these superficial gatherings."

Sungmin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Realistic dreams? What are you talking about?"

Ahn Cho Hyun leaned back, looked at the window, and spoke. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Sungmin."

Sungmin wasn't one to back down easily. "Come on, little sis, share with your dear brother. I might be able to help."

Ahn Cho Hyun chuckled, enjoying the banter. "I doubt that. My dreams are my own. I don't need interference."

Sungmin leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with determination. "You're being stubborn. We're family. We should be there for each other. Whatever it is, we can figure it out together."

Ahn Cho Hyun smirked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "How touching. Save the brotherly advice, Ahn Sungmin, for someone who cares."

Sungmin sighed, his frustration mounting. "Why are you so difficult? Just for once, be honest about what's going on in that head of yours."

Ahn Cho Hyun's eyes flashed, a hint of annoyance breaking through her composed facade. "I have a project I'm working on, okay? Something important to me. I'd rather focus on that than waste time at a party."

Ahn Sungmin's frustration stirred within him, a mix of jumbled emotions prompted by Ahn Cho Hyun's puzzling words. Each try to figure out her hidden messages felt like trying to catch mysterious shadows, leaving him caught in a confusing situation. The weight of their shared history lingered in the air—a history marked by the ongoing effort to understand the complexities of his younger sister.

As Sungmin took a calming breath, the rhythmic tap of his fingers on his legs turned into a subtle pattern, a way of regaining control. It was a familiar habit, a physical comfort keeping him grounded during emotional turmoil. The silence that followed carried unspoken tension, a pause filled with the complicated dynamics between them.

In that moment, Ahn Sungmin looked ahead, a calm appearance hiding the storm beneath. A smile, carefully made to reassure Ahn Cho Hyun, revealed the inner struggle. The words that followed, "Sorry for disturbing you, little sis," were said with a calm attitude, hiding the remaining confusion in his eyes.

The graceful rise from his seat and the quiet movement around the room reflected the subtlety of his emotional withdrawal. Sungmin's departure, though physically calm, echoed

with the remnants of an emotionally turbulent situation, leaving behind an atmosphere filled with unspoken feelings.