Chapter 14: A Silent Embrace
written in hwang hyunjin's pov

"Good evening, Mr. Hwang. Do you have a moment to review our invitations? I need your confirmation before our team distributes them tomorrow morning." Yoonchae said, walking towards my desk with her hands full of invitations.

"Of course." I replied, gesturing for her to place them down.

As my secretary laid the invitations in front of me, I began flipping through them, making me feel a sense of satisfaction right away. Each envelope was crisp and elegantly designed, embodying the vision and passion that had fueled the creation of HYUN.E.

My fingers brushed over the names printed on the luxurious paper, a mix of pride and anxiety swirling in my chest.

This was my chance to showcase my work, to prove myself in an industry where I had always felt overshadowed.

But as I moved deeper into the stack, I came across the names of my parents and Seungmin, neatly written on the pristine paper.

A deep sigh escaped my lips as I felt my heart sink.

Should I even invite them?

That thought lingered, accompanied by a familiar wave of frustration that seemed to never leave my chest. I couldn't help but wonder what my family would think upon receiving this invitation.

Would Seungmin see this as a declaration of war?

Would Mom hesitate till the last second if she'd come or not?

Would Dad even bother opening an envelope I've sent?

I don't really care how Seungmin will react; if this would provoke him and fuel our rivalry even more. I'd happily compete with him for the rest of my life. It was my parents' recognition that I longed for, their validation that had always felt out of reach.

Especially Dad's...

I traced my fingers over the elegant lettering of my father's name, feeling tears threaten to fall as vivid memories flooded back.

"Are you all set, Mr. Hwang?" Yoonchae asked, snapping me back to reality.

I stared at an empty space, struggling to give a decent answer as my mind remained tangled with heavy thoughts.

"Do you need more time?" She asked in a respectful tone.

With a heavy sigh, I slowly shook my head, tucking the invitations meant for my family into the drawer beneath my desk.

"All good." I said, faking a smile as I neatly arranged the remaining invitations before giving them back to her.

"Thank you, Mr. Hwang! I'll ensure that every guest receives their respective invitations." Yoonchae replied, assuring me with a warm smile. "I'll head out for the night now, but please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything further."

"Thank you for your hard work, Yoonchae. Have a safe trip home." I said, trying to keep my tone light as I bid goodbye. "I'll see you in the morning."

With that, she made my way out of my office, closing the door softly.

I was alone once more, and the weight of exhaustion crashed over me. I closed my eyes, letting the silence embrace me.

Before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.

But it wasn't that long when I woke up from the sudden buzz from my phone, pulling me from a dream I couldn't quite grasp.

I squinted at the screen, wincing at the bright light, and saw a notification from a news outlet.

BREAKING: Kim Seungmin Appointed as the New CEO of HK's Apparel

I scoffed at the headline, a bitter taste rising in my throat.

So it's official now, huh?

As I dismissed the notification, I noticed the time, realizing it's past ten already.

Deciding to call it a night, I began clearing my desk, stacking papers and organizing my notes.

With everything in order, I stood up and stretched, my body protesting from hours of sitting.

I grabbed my coat and headed for the door, ready to escape into the night.

Silence filled the darkened hallways, my footsteps echoing softly as I walked.

But just as I was about to make a turn, a flicker of light caught my eye. With my eyebrows slightly curved into a frown, I made my way to the source of such glow.

As I looked through the glass, I saw Hyeseul. Her face was lit by a desk lamp, gaze fixed on a series of sketches spread before her. The soft scratches of pencil against paper and her occasional murmurs to herself were the only signs of life in the otherwise empty building.

I took a breath, debating whether to knock on the glass or let her be, but the thought of her working alone at this hour didn't sit right with me.

As I stepped into the room, I cleared my throat gently to avoid startling her.

Hyeseul looked up, her expression shifting from intense focus to surprise.

"Mr. Hwang!" She exclaimed, quickly setting her pencil down as she stood up to greet me.

"I didn't think anyone would still be around." She said, her eyes darting around the room.

"I could say the same for you. It's late-most of the team left hours ago." I replied, my tone light yet concerned. "You should take it easy; it's only your first day."

Hyeseul chuckled awkwardly, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I just... wanted to get a head start. There's a lot to take in, and with the launch coming up, I didn't want to feel unprepared."

"That's a great mindset to have." I replied, trying to mask my concern with a smile.

"But remember, pacing yourself is important too. You don't want to burn out before the launch even begins. Besides, you have teammates. Aren't you working together for this piece?"

"We are! I just don't want them to see me as a burden. Saejin and Felix are both incredibly skilled, and I want to keep up with their level."

"Trust me, Hyeseul. You're not a burden. Everyone has been in your shoes at some point, even Saejin and Felix. Don't be intimidated by their experience; you're just as talented and capable."

Hyeseul smiled at my words, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, as if she was on the verge of breaking down.

"Let's call it a night?" I suggested with a soft and gentle voice.

Hyeseul nodded, wiping a tear that had slipped down her cheek.

As she gathered her sketches and supplies, I couldn't help but notice how carefully she arranged each item, as if trying to restore some sense of order. There was something admirable about her resilience, even in the midst of her vulnerability.

When she finished, we finally stepped out of the room. And as we moved through the dimly lit corridors in silence, I couldn't help but steal glances at Hyeseul. The way she clutched her sketches tightly made me wonder what thoughts occupy her mind.

The atmosphere felt heavy, filled with unspoken words that lingered between us.

I could sense her determination, but also the weight of her worries. It reminded me of my own struggles when I first started in this industry-how easy it was to feel overwhelmed and lost.

A strong urge to protect her suddenly surged within me, wanting to shield her from the pressures of this job, to let her know she didn't have to face it all alone-something I wished someone had done for me in the past.

As we reached the exit of the lobby, the cool night air brushed against our skin, snapping us out of our thoughts.

"Do you drive?" I asked, breaking the silence that had settled around us.

Hyeseul hesitated to speak, her expression shifting as she cleared her throat.

"I do."

"Where did you park? Mine's just out front."

"Oh... Uhm... I didn't bring my car to work. It's... broken. Yeah, it's broken."

"How will you get home, then?"

"I'll take a taxi. Thank you so much for today, Mr. Hwang. You've been really kind and understanding. I truly appreciate it."

She bowed slightly, her gratitude evident in her demeanor as she prepared to leave.

Turning away without waiting for my reply, she stepped out into the night, her figure moving toward the street to hail a cab.

I remained still, watching her until she vanished from sight, a sense of uneasiness settling in my chest as I hoped she would be safe on her way home.

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KANG HYESEUL'S POV

As I settled into the backseat of the taxi, I tried to shake off the lingering tension from my conversation with Hyunjin. His question about driving had caught me off guard, and I felt my heart race as I remembered the reason I couldn't answer honestly.

My license had been suspended after that night-the one I couldn't help but replay in my mind. The sirens, the fear, the shame; it all felt like a weight dragging me down.

Why did I hesitate to answer?

I could have easily brushed off the question, said something lighthearted, but I had panicked instead.

What would he think if he knew?

That I was reckless?

That I couldn't even be responsible enough to drive?

I felt a pang of anxiety at the thought of him judging me based on my past mistakes. He had shown genuine concern for me, and now, I'm worried that my hidden truths would shatter that image.

I couldn't let my past define me, especially not in front of someone like him.

After a few minutes, the car turned onto a familiar street. As we approached my house, the taxi came to a stop.

I took a deep breath, the weight of the day lifting slightly as I stepped out and made my way to the front door.

Once inside, I was greeted by the lively chatter and laughter of my friends. They had already set up a small celebration in the living room with beers and chicken filling the table. Even my older brother, Hyejoon, was drinking with them.

"There she is!" Younmi exclaimed, rushing toward me with open arms and pulling me into a warm embrace.

"What's happening?" I asked, chuckling as I sat beside the empty space between Changbin and Hyejoon.

"We're celebrating your acceptance at HYUN.E! Now drink! I know your mouth craves the taste of beer." Younmi said with excitement in her voice, only for me to refuse the glass she was offering.

"Thanks, but I'm not drinking. I have to be up early for work tomorrow." I replied, reaching for a piece of chicken instead.

I took a bite, relishing the taste as it filled my empty stomach.

"How's your first day?" My brother asked, his eyes lighting up with curiosity as he set down his drink.

"It was... fine, I guess? A mix of excitement and exhaustion, to be honest." I said, taking another bite of my drumstick.

"How are your co-workers? Any cute guys among them?" Younmi asked, leaning in with a playful grin, clearly eager for some juicy details.

"Hmm... I guess there were some, but they're not really my type." I replied, shrugging as I grabbed another piece of chicken.

"I bet his eyes were just on Hyunjin," Changbin teased, grinning as he nudged me.

"Oh, right! I've seen him in the news lately, and wow! His visuals are no joke. He should be the one walking the runway at this point." Younmi said, her voice laced with excitement and awe.

"Did you have any interactions? How is he?" Hyejoon asked, patiently waiting for my answer.

"Oh, God! I love him! He's the best CEO anyone could ask for." I said, a smile creeping onto my face as I thought about how kind, genuine, and understanding he had been all day.

To me, it felt like a simple acknowledgment of his character. But the moment those words left my lips, I was met with a chorus of teasing from my friends.

"You love him???"

"Don't tell me you're already head over heels!"

I rolled my eyes at their jokes, quickly rebutting to defend myself. "It's not like that! I didn't even intend it to sound romantic."

"Sure, sure." Changbin said, smirking as he leaned back on the couch. "But you have to admit, he's a pretty great guy."

Younmi nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! You have no idea how red your cheeks are ever since we mentioned his name."

I sighed, knowing they wouldn't let this go easily. "He just... he treated me well today, okay? It was my first day, and I was nervous. He made things easier. That's all."

"Alright, enough about Hyunjin." My brother said, pausing for a few seconds before asking, "Don't you want to share more about the job itself?"

Relieved by the shift in conversation, I took a bite of chicken and began sharing the highlights of my day, focusing on the exciting projects I'd be working on and the creativity of everyone involved.

Yet, as I spoke, I could feel the playful glances from my friends and hear their laughter in the background, teasing me relentlessly.

I feigned annoyance by rolling my eyes, but the corners of my lips curved into a smile, revealing my true feelings.

Perhaps this day was not just about starting a new job; it was also about encountering someone who genuinely cared. Hyunjin's kindness engulfed me in a silent embrace, a powerful reminder that I wasn't alone in this daunting journey.

As I shared my excitement with my friends, my worries began to dissolve, replaced by a renewed sense of hope and the comforting warmth of new beginnings.