Episode 3 : An unexpected Visitor.
1420 Words
The morning at Park Group begins like any other.
Miss Lee organizes Mr. Park Jijae's schedule while he prepares for a meeting with overseas investors.
Everything is running perfectly...
...until the executive elevator opens.
Click.
Click.
Click.
A woman in designer heels confidently walks into the executive floor wearing expensive clothes and sunglasses.
Every employee immediately recognizes her.
Han Sohee. (You can change the name.)
The daughter of Han Corporation's chairman.
Park Group's long-time business partner.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
Arrogant.
She ignores everyone's greetings and walks straight toward the CEO's office.
"Where's Jijae?"
Without waiting for an answer, she reaches for the office door.
Yn steps in front of it politely.
"I'm sorry, Miss Han. Mr. Park is in a meeting."
"So?"
"So, no one is allowed to enter."
Miss Han smiles... but it's anything but friendly.
"I don't think that rule applies to me."
Yn maintains her professional smile.
"It applies to everyone."
Employees secretly watch the scene from their desks.
Miss Han scoffs.
"You've become bold."
"I'm simply doing my job."
Before the situation escalates...
The office doors open.
Mr. Park Jijae walks out with several executives.
The moment Miss Han sees him...
Her cold expression instantly melts into a bright smile.
"Jijae!"
She walks over and naturally hooks her arm around his.
The executives exchange awkward glances.
Jijae calmly removes her hand.
"Good morning, Miss Han."
Not...
"Sohee."
Not...
"You came."
Just...
"Miss Han."
A subtle c***k appears in her smile.
"I was waiting for you."
"I wasn't informed."
"I wanted to surprise you."
"You did."
His tone remains calm and unreadable.
She glances toward Yn.
"Your assistant seems... overly protective."
Jijae answers before Yn can.
"She's following my instructions."
Silence.
The entire office senses the tension.
Miss Han forces another smile.
"Then let's have lunch together."
"I have meetings."
"I'll wait."
"I'll be busy all day."
She pouts slightly.
"You've always been busy."
Jijae checks his watch.
"Miss Lee."
"Yes, sir?"
"Please arrange a meeting room for Miss Han until her driver arrives."
The employees almost laugh.
He has politely... asked her to wait instead of spending time with her.
Miss Han isn't happy.
As she walks away, she passes Yn.
She pauses just long enough to whisper...
"Know your place."
Yn doesn't react.
She simply smiles professionally.
"Have a pleasant day, Miss Han."
Watching from across the hallway...
Jijae notices everything.
His expression doesn't change...
But for the first time...
His eyes linger on Yn for a second longer than usual.
Miss Han's heels echoed through the executive floor as she followed the receptionist toward the VIP lounge.
The moment she disappeared around the corner...
The entire office collectively exhaled.
One employee leaned toward another.
"She's here again."
"Didn't she visit last week too?"
"I heard she comes whenever she's bored."
"Poor Miss Lee."
Yn pretended not to hear the whispers as she returned to her desk.
She opened her tablet and continued reviewing Mr. Park's afternoon schedule.
9:30 – Overseas Investors.
11:00 – Product Review.
1:00 – Executive Lunch.
2:30 – Marketing Discussion.
4:00 – Video Conference.
6:00 – Charity Foundation Meeting.
Not a single empty slot.
As expected.
Her fingers danced across the keyboard, rearranging minor details while answering calls one after another.
Just then...
The phone rang.
"Miss Lee."
"Yes?"
"Miss Han is requesting a cappuccino."
"I'll inform the pantry."
"...She specifically asked for you."
Yn closed her eyes for a second.
"...I'll bring it."
...
Inside the VIP lounge...
Han Sohee sat elegantly on the sofa, scrolling through her phone.
The moment Yn entered with the tray, Sohee barely glanced at her.
"You took longer than expected."
"I apologize."
Yn carefully placed the coffee on the table.
"So..."
Sohee finally looked up.
"You're still working for Jijae."
"Yes."
"For four years now?"
"Yes."
A faint smile appeared on Sohee's lips.
"You must feel special."
Yn simply smiled politely.
"I'm grateful for my job."
"You spend more time with him than anyone else."
"It's part of my responsibilities."
"Hm."
Sohee lifted the coffee cup.
"I've known Jijae since we were children."
There was pride in her voice.
"Our families have always been close."
Yn nodded.
"I know."
"Our fathers built their companies together."
"I know."
"So..."
She leaned back.
"I'll probably become Mrs. Park someday."
Silence.
Yn's expression remained unchanged.
"If that happens..."
"I'll congratulate you."
That answer wasn't what Sohee expected.
She had hoped for jealousy.
Or at least discomfort.
Instead...
Nothing.
Yn bowed slightly.
"If there's nothing else..."
"I'll return to work."
Without waiting for another response...
She quietly left the lounge.
The moment the door closed...
Sohee frowned.
"Interesting."
...
Back in the executive office...
Mr. Park Jijae signed another document before sliding it across the desk.
"Miss Lee."
"Yes, sir?"
"The revised contract."
"It's already on your left."
He glanced sideways.
It was.
"As expected."
She smiled slightly.
"You trained me well."
He looked back at the file.
"I don't remember complimenting myself."
A tiny eye roll escaped Yn before she could stop it.
"...Miss Lee."
"I blinked."
"You did it again."
"I have sensitive eyes."
"Hm."
A knock interrupted them.
The HR Director entered.
"Sir."
"The overseas investors have arrived."
"I'll be there."
Jijae stood, buttoning his suit jacket.
As he walked toward the door...
He paused.
Without turning around, he spoke.
"Miss Lee."
"Yes?"
"You're joining the meeting."
"Of course, sir."
The meeting room was already filled when they entered.
Executives stood to greet the CEO.
Introductions began smoothly.
For nearly an hour...
Everything proceeded perfectly.
Until...
The conference room doors opened unexpectedly.
Everyone turned.
Han Sohee.
She walked inside carrying a shopping bag with a bright smile.
"Jijae."
"I thought you skipped lunch."
"I brought your favorite."
The foreign investors exchanged confused glances.
Jijae's expression remained calm.
"This is a business meeting."
"I know."
"I'll only take a minute."
She walked toward him.
Before she could place the bag on the table...
Yn stepped forward.
"Miss Han."
"The meeting is confidential."
"I'm aware."
"Then I'll have to ask you to wait outside."
Sohee's smile disappeared.
"I'm speaking to Jijae."
"And I'm responsible for protecting the meeting."
Several executives shifted uncomfortably.
The atmosphere became tense.
Finally...
Jijae spoke.
"Miss Han."
She immediately turned toward him.
"Please wait outside."
For a brief second...
Disappointment flashed across her face.
"...Alright."
She forced another smile.
"I'll wait."
She left.
The doors closed once more.
Not a single investor commented.
Jijae simply continued the presentation from exactly where he had stopped.
As though nothing had happened.
...
The meeting ended successfully.
The overseas delegation praised Park Group's professionalism before leaving.
Once the room emptied...
Yn gathered the files.
"You handled that well."
She looked up in surprise.
He wasn't looking at her.
He was straightening his cufflinks.
"I was only doing my job."
"I know."
Another silence.
Then...
His phone buzzed.
He checked the screen.
Mother Calling.
He stared at it for two seconds...
Before declining the call.
Yn noticed.
She didn't say anything.
She simply made a mental note.
He had declined three calls from his mother today.
That wasn't normal.
Before she could think further...
Another knock came.
"Come in."
The receptionist entered nervously.
"Sir..."
"Chairman Han has arrived."
Jijae nodded once.
"Send him in."
Moments later...
A dignified man in his sixties entered with a warm smile.
"Jijae."
"Chairman Han."
The two men shook hands.
Chairman Han chuckled.
"I see my daughter has been bothering you again."
"No trouble."
"You've always been too polite."
His eyes shifted toward Yn.
"And this must be Miss Lee."
She bowed respectfully.
"Good afternoon, Chairman."
"I've heard quite a lot about you."
Yn blinked.
"You have?"
Chairman Han laughed.
"My daughter complains about you every week."
The room became awkward.
"Sohee is... spirited."
He smiled apologetically.
"I hope she hasn't caused problems."
"Not at all."
Yn answered professionally.
Chairman Han nodded appreciatively.
"You're every bit as composed as Jijae described."
For the first time...
Yn looked at her boss.
He had... talked about her?
Jijae remained completely expressionless.
"We should discuss the merger proposal."
Chairman Han smiled knowingly.
"Business first."
"As always."
The two men walked toward the meeting room.
Before entering...
Chairman Han glanced back at Yn.
"Take good care of him, Miss Lee."
"He works too much."
Yn smiled softly.
"I always do, Chairman."
She didn't notice...
But Jijae heard every word.
He paused briefly before entering the meeting room.
For just a moment...
The smallest hint of appreciation crossed his eyes.
Gone before anyone could notice.
To Be Continued...
- Writer
