chapter 7:meet me at the studio
733 Words
The week moved fast.
Mirae poured herself into work, styling clients at the fashion studio with practiced hands and a mind full of worries. Every day, Jihan sent a message — short updates about Minjun’s favorite snacks, his new toy robot, or a funny thing he said. He didn’t push, didn’t show up unannounced. Just... stayed present.
It scared her how steady he was.
She was brushing out a model’s curls when her phone buzzed again.
Jihan: Can you come by the studio tomorrow morning? I want to show you something.
She frowned.
Mirae: Why?
Jihan: It’s important.
She sighed.
---
Jihan’s company headquarters were massive — glass, marble, and order. The last time she walked in here, she'd been pretending she didn’t know him. Now, everything felt different.
She stepped off the elevator to the private floor of his design team. Stylists, assistants, and editors buzzed around in quiet focus. Jihan was waiting by the door in a navy shirt and slacks, looking effortlessly sharp.
“You came,” he said with a small smile.
“You asked,” she replied.
He motioned for her to follow. “Come.”
He led her past rows of sketches and fabric samples into a quiet corner studio — brightly lit, filled with mirrors and clothes racks.
In the center of the room was a child-size mannequin dressed in a tiny black tuxedo.
She blinked. “What is this?”
“A kidswear launch,” he said. “We’re expanding the line. And I thought... maybe you could lead the styling.”
She turned to him slowly. “You want me to work here?”
“I want to give you a platform,” he said. “You’re talented. You deserve more than just chasing clients.”
Mirae stared at the little suit again. “Does this have anything to do with Minjun?”
He hesitated, then nodded. “Partly. I want him to see you shine. And maybe... I want to keep both of you close.”
She folded her arms. “You can’t buy your way into our lives, Jihan.”
“This isn’t a favor. It’s a job. A real one. With a contract and salary. I already showed the board your work. They approved it.”
Her eyes widened. “You— What?”
“I believe in you, Mirae.”
Silence stretched between them.
She finally exhaled. “You’re serious about this?”
“As serious as I’ve ever been.”
She looked at the tuxedo again. “It’s adorable.”
“I designed that one,” he said.
She raised a brow. “Really?”
“I do have taste.”
She laughed. “You have a stubborn streak. That’s what you have.”
They stood quietly for a moment.
Then he asked softly, “Will you consider it?”
She nodded slowly. “I’ll think about it.”
---
That evening, Mirae returned home, her mind spinning.
Hana greeted her at the door, drying her hands on a towel. “You look like you just walked out of a movie.”
“I might’ve been offered a fashion director job today.”
Hana’s jaw dropped. “What?”
Mirae sank onto the couch. “Jihan wants me to lead their kidswear styling team.”
“Girl, are you joking?! That’s like... huge!”
“I know.”
“So what’s the problem?!”
Mirae stared at the ceiling. “What if this changes everything? What if Minjun gets too close, and then something happens?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. What if Jihan gets tired of the idea? Or if he suddenly wants full custody?”
Hana sat beside her. “You can’t control the future. But you can protect Minjun by building something solid — with or without Jihan.”
Mirae nodded, overwhelmed.
“He’s already in Minjun’s heart,” Hana added. “Maybe it’s time you stop fighting every good thing that comes your way.”
---
Later that night, she tucked Minjun into bed. He yawned, hugging his lion tight.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, baby?”
“Will Mr. Jihan come again soon?”
She brushed his hair back. “Maybe.”
He smiled sleepily. “I like him.”
“I know.”
And in that moment, Mirae realized something terrifying and beautiful:
She wanted to like him again, too.
- Writer
