Seokjin was conscientiously checking online shops on his computer instead of working in the afternoon. Well, to him, this was way more important than his essential works.

It was Yoon Min's birthday tomorrow.

So he needed to pick a nice gift for her. Unexpectedly, he always remembered her birthday every year whereas he used to forget every important dates of his life. He believed maybe it was because, she was someone special to his heart. Also, she always gave him the best gifts like the game console a few days earlier so he needed to do the same.

Last year, he gave her nothing but a bouquet of her favorite flowers, which excited and made her so happy that she almost showed it to everyone in the company. A simple bouquet could make her smile that easily so what would something better do to her?

Smiling at the thought, he was about to click on an item but that's when, his secretary barged inside his office without knocking.

He immediately cancelled the page from his screen and looked at her after being a little startled by her unanticipated presence, that too without any permission.

Yoon Min was panting for breath as if she ran up very quickly to him, but there was something different about her. Because she wanted to smile despite her hard efforts to breathe stably.

“I told you not to run, didn’t I? Your heart cannot take it.” Seokjin gave a strict reminder.

She raised her hands in defence, and that's when he saw an envelope in her hand. Must be the reason why she came here. Yoon Min managed to talk after taking some breaths,

“Sir! You've been selected as the winner of “CEO of The Year 2021” award!”

Seokjin blinked at first, then he realized the meaning behind her words and of course, he became happy and smiled softly at the news. He guessed it actually.

Yoon Min gave him the invitation envelope and had the biggest smile on Earth on her face. “Congratulations!” It seemed like she was happier than the winner himself.

“I won last year as well. It's not a surprise to me.” he started to brag again.

The secretary hissed at his behaviour before telling him, “Aish, be grateful for your achievements instead of boasting off, Sir.”

“But I wouldn’t had won last year without you, right?”

Yoon Min's cheeks started to redden at his comment as she couldn’t hide the shy smile on her lips from appearing. It was true actually. Last year, she suggested Seokjin a mind-blowing idea which caused their hotel to stand out from others and that's how they earned the first place on the list of Best Hotels in South Korea. She told him to create a playroom for the children, occupied with various sports items. Because when kids come with their parents, they are the most bored so having a playroom might help them pass the time.

Seokjin liked her idea and every branch of their hotel across the world decided to build a room only for children. This unique idea attracted more tourists with children so their income raised as well. That's how he won the award last year for his thinking, although he honestly confessed it was his secretary's idea, not his. Which caused Yoon Min to be popular among businessmen because all they wanted was a smart secretary like her.

“I do think it was because of your excellent service, Sir.” of course, was she the type to praise herself?

Seokjin smiled to brush the topic off and asked, “When's the date?”

“In two months. Means, it's after our business tour next month.”

He nodded, “Alright. Thanks for the news.”

Yoon Min bowed at him gently before proceeding to leave the office. She even opened the door but she was stopped by his call suddenly,

“Yoon Min, what would you like for your birthday?”

She was caught off-guard by his question as she slowly turned around to look at him. Was he being serious? He never asked her before. Most importantly, he remembered it this time as well?

Seokjin was officially wrecking her heart unwillingly.

With a cheesy smile, she asked cheerfully, “A date with Lee Min Ho?”

“Get out--”

“Alright, alright, I was kidding.” laughing at his response, she walked closer to his desk along with thinking what she should ask for her birthday. She wasn’t the type to have a crush on jewelleries and dresses, but she did like perfume. Of course food, kdramas and books were irreplaceable.

While she was thinking, she heard him telling her,

“At first, I thought to give you books. But I don't know if I should because you would end up finishing it in a day. Then the idea of treating you dinner came on my mind, but lastly, I figured out I should give you something that would last forever. Something that would make you happy whenever you look at it and feel grateful for having it.”

If he had any idea that she could get overwhelmed simply by words instead of presents, he wouldn’t had continued his caring words for her. Yoon Min just watched how he talked about what he wanted to do for her, and the fact he was saying more like in a casual way, her heart just couldn’t take it.

What was these strange emotions she felt for this man? Was it normal for a secretary to feel this way towards her boss? Even if she considered him as a friend, it didn’t feel right. Because these emotions should only be felt for that person who would have the same feelings back for her.

However, in their case, it was only one-way around.

Maybe she was falling for him; for his stare, his smile, his affectionate words and concerned behaviour. Or maybe she had fallen for him a long time ago. Just now her feelings were starting to get obvious.

But Yoon Min would never try to claim something, or someone that will never be hers.

Smiling suddenly, a fake little smile it was, she answered,

“Just...spend tomorrow with m-me.”

Seokjin stopped talking, instead stared at her in an expressionless state. Why would she choose him instead of makeups and dresses?

“I wanted to go to Samcheong-dong street for a few days. And I'm thinking to go there tomorrow.” Yoon Min paused, licking her lips. “W-would you like to come with me?”

Directly asking him wasn’t what she had in her mind, but she figured out he would never ask her something like this so she had to be selfish for once and if this way, she could have him for at least one day, it was acceptable. It's not like she was testing his heart and misleading him. Was wanting to be with him for a whole day a greedy thing?

Was she asking a lot?

Maybe. Because Seokjin was already taken by someone way before they met, someone who was ten times better than her, both in looks and health. They were madly, passionately in love with each other.

And now it really did feel like she was asking a lot.

But why would Yoon Min keep hoping for him unless Seokjin never failed to make her heart beat in the most beautiful way every single moment...

“If that's what you want for your gift, I will happily like to go with you.”

---------------

One of the million things I hate about myself is,

I can easily recognize the hidden, selfish motive behind everyone's fake love.

(Just a rant, sorry about that)