The CEO Who Was Never Supposed to Love Me

Chapter One — A Chance Encounter The first thing I noticed about Seoul was that the city never seemed to sleep. Even at seven in the morning, the streets were already alive. Cars moved through the busy roads, office workers hurried along the sidewalks, and the cold autumn wind carried the smell of coffee from the little café beside the bus stop. I pulled my coat tighter around myself and looked at the address on my phone for the third time. Hanbit Group. Just seeing the name made my stomach tighten. I had spent the last three months applying for jobs, attending interviews, and hearing the same polite words: “We will contact you.” Most of them never did. But today felt different. Today, I had an interview at one of Seoul’s most successful companies. I took a deep breath before walking toward the enormous glass building. “Please, Seo-yeon,” I whispered to myself. “Just get through the interview.” My name is Han Seo-yeon. I was twenty-four years old, newly arrived in Seoul, and desperately trying to build a life of my own. My family was not wealthy. My mother ran a small restaurant in Busan, and my younger brother was still in school. I had promised my mother that I would find a good job and stop worrying her about money. That promise was the reason I couldn't afford to fail today. I entered Hanbit Group and immediately felt small. The lobby looked nothing like the places I had known before. The marble floor shone beneath the lights, employees walked quickly in expensive suits, and the reception desk looked like something from a luxury hotel. I checked my phone again. “Interview, ninth floor. Human Resources.” Simple. I could do this. I stepped toward the elevator while trying to fix my hair using the reflection in my phone. Then my shoe caught slightly on the edge of the floor. “Oh!” I stumbled forward. At the same moment, someone stepped out of the elevator. I crashed directly into him. My paper cup slipped from my hand. Coffee splashed across the front of his perfectly pressed black suit. For two seconds, neither of us moved. I stared at the brown stain. Then I slowly looked up. The man standing before me was tall, probably in his early thirties. His black hair was neatly styled, and his face was calm in a way that somehow made him more intimidating. His eyes settled on the stain. Then they moved to me. I swallowed. “I’m so sorry.” He said nothing. “I really didn't mean to. I wasn't looking where I was going.” Still nothing. I reached into my bag for tissues. “Please, let me clean it.” His hand stopped mine before I could touch his jacket. “Don't.” His voice was quiet, but firm. I froze. “I can pay for the cleaning,” I said quickly. That finally made him look directly into my eyes. “You can?” “Yes.” “How much do you think this suit costs?” I opened my mouth. Then closed it. I had absolutely no idea. He looked at me for another moment before releasing my hand. “Forget it.” He walked past me. I stood there, embarrassed and confused. What kind of person asked someone the price of a suit after they had already apologized? I watched him disappear through another set of glass doors. “Unbelievable,” I whispered. “Miss?” I turned around. A receptionist was staring at me. “Yes?” “You should probably go upstairs. Your interview is about to begin.” “Oh. Right.” I hurried toward the elevator, praying that my terrible first impression would not somehow follow me upstairs. Unfortunately, I was about to discover that it already had. When I entered the interview room, three people were seated around a long table. I bowed politely. “Good morning. My name is Han Seo-yeon. I'm here for the interview.” One of the interviewers smiled. “Please sit.” I sat down and tried to calm my breathing. The first few questions were ordinary. My education. My previous work experience. Why I wanted to join Hanbit Group. I answered as confidently as I could. Then the door opened. Everyone in the room immediately stood. I turned around. My heart stopped. It was him. The man from the lobby. The man whose suit I had ruined. He walked into the room without saying a word and took the seat at the head of the table. I stared at him. He looked at me. There was no surprise on his face. Only recognition. One of the interviewers quickly introduced him. “Mr. Kang, this is the final candidate for the position.” Mr. Kang. My eyes widened. Then the interviewer continued. “Mr. Kang Ji-hoon, CEO of Hanbit Group.” I felt the blood drain from my face. The CEO? The man I had just called unbelievable was the CEO? Ji-hoon leaned back in his chair and studied me. For the first time that morning, I wished the floor would open beneath my feet. He picked up my résumé. “Han Seo-yeon.” “Yes, sir.” His eyes remained on the paper. “You arrived in Seoul recently?” “Yes.” “And you have no experience working for a company of this size?” “No, sir.” He finally looked at me. “Then tell me why you think you belong here.” The question caught me off guard. For a moment, I almost gave him the safe answer. Because I needed the job. Because I couldn't afford another rejection. But something about his expression made me stop pretending. “I don't know if I belong here yet,” I admitted. “But I know I won't waste the opportunity if you give me one.” One of the interviewers looked at me with surprise. Ji-hoon's gaze didn't change. I continued before fear could stop me. “I grew up watching my mother work from morning until night just to keep our family going. She always told me that being inexperienced isn't an excuse to remain incapable. If I don't know something, I'll learn it. If I make a mistake, I'll correct it. That's the kind of person I am.” The room became quiet. Ji-hoon tapped one finger against the table. “And what happens when the work becomes difficult?” “I'll probably complain in my head,” I said honestly, “but I'll still finish it.” For the first time, one of the interviewers laughed. Even Ji-hoon's expression softened for a second. Then he asked, “You're not afraid of difficult situations?” “I am.” “Yet you still want this job?” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because being afraid doesn't mean I should run away.” The room went silent again. Ji-hoon looked at me for several seconds. Then he leaned back. “You're hired.” I blinked. “What?” The other interviewers looked equally surprised. Ji-hoon stood. “Human Resources will explain the details.” He walked toward the door. Just before leaving, he stopped and looked back at me. “And Ms. Han?” “Yes?” “Try not to spill coffee on anyone else.” My face burned. “Yes, Mr. Kang.” He left. I remained frozen in my chair. One of the interviewers smiled at me. “Congratulations, Ms. Han. You seem to have made quite an impression.” I wasn't sure whether that was a good thing. As I left the room, I immediately called my mother. She answered on the second ring. “How did it go?” I smiled despite myself. “I got the job.” There was a brief silence. Then my mother's delighted voice filled my ear. “I knew you could do it!” I laughed softly. “Mom, you should have seen the CEO.” “What about him?” “He's terrifying.” She laughed. “Then stay out of trouble.” I looked back at the closed office door. Something told me that staying out of trouble would not be easy. Not with Kang Ji-hoon around.