Chapter 4: A Glimpse of the Past

The next morning in Seoul dawned cool and crisp, with a gentle breeze carrying the scent of autumn through the streets. YN arrived at the office a bit earlier than usual, craving some quiet time to prepare for the day ahead. As she settled in, her mind lingered on Seokjin’s playful personality from the day before. Despite his lighthearted attitude, he had managed to make a solid impression.

The office was still quiet when Seokjin walked in, dressed impeccably as always. His suit highlighted his broad shoulders and slim waist, his skin pale and almost glowing under the morning light. Seokjin’s confidence was evident in every step, his big face breaking into a smile as soon as he spotted YN.

"Good morning, Ms. YN!" he greeted her brightly. He set a cup of coffee on her desk with a flourish and added a small container on the side. "I brought you something to start your day right."

YN looked at the container with a mix of curiosity and scepticism. "What’s this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Seokjin grinned, clearly enjoying the suspense. "Taste it and find out," he said, settling into the chair opposite her desk.

With a slight hesitation, YN opened the container to find a few pieces of neatly made kimbap. The sight alone was enough to make her stomach rumble. "Did you make this?" she asked, surprised.

"Of course! A little something to make your morning brighter," Seokjin replied, his eyes twinkling. "I figured the world’s most beautiful boss deserves only the best."

YN couldn’t help but chuckle at his flattery, though a part of her was genuinely touched. "You’re really something, Seokjin."

"I know, I know. World Wide Handsome and a great cook, what more could you ask for?" he quipped, leaning back with a self-satisfied smile.

Taking a bite of the kimbap, YN was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was. The flavours were perfectly balanced, and she couldn’t deny that it was the best start to her morning in a long time. "This is really good," she admitted.

Seokjin’s grin widened. "Glad you like it. My mom taught me how to make it. Said it would come in handy someday."

"Your mom must be proud," YN said, a rare softness in her voice.

"She is," Seokjin replied, his tone warming as he spoke about his mother. "She always told me to be confident in everything I do. I guess that’s why I’m always so… well, me."

YN couldn’t suppress a small smile at that. "That confidence is one of your strengths," she acknowledged. "It’s not something you see every day, especially in someone who works under pressure."

For a moment, Seokjin’s expression softened as he looked at her, his usual playfulness replaced with something more genuine. "You know, Ms. YN, I think you’re more confident than you realize. You’ve built this company from the ground up, and that takes a lot of guts. It’s something to be proud of."

YN felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time. "Thank you, Seokjin," she said, her voice soft.

"Just speaking the truth," Seokjin replied, his gaze still locked on hers. The moment lingered, the air between them thick with an unspoken connection.

Breaking the silence, YN shifted her focus back to the tasks at hand. "So, what’s on the agenda today?" she asked, needing the distraction.

Seokjin leaned forward, ready to dive into the day’s work. "We have a client meeting at ten, followed by a team lunch to discuss the upcoming project. After that, you’re scheduled to meet with a potential investor in the afternoon."

YN nodded, impressed by how quickly Seokjin had grasped the details. "Let’s make sure everything is ready."

"Already on it," Seokjin assured her, giving a thumbs up. "And I’ll make sure lunch is something special. A happy team is a productive team, after all."

As they went over the day’s schedule, YN found herself growing more comfortable with Seokjin. Despite his joking demeanour, he was incredibly competent and had a way of making the workday feel lighter.

"Seokjin," YN said suddenly, after a brief pause in their conversation. "You mentioned we went to the same high school. Do you remember much from those days?"

A nostalgic smile crossed Seokjin’s face. "I do. Those were simpler times. I remember you being the top student, always so focused, always with your head in a book."

YN smiled at the memory, a little surprised he remembered. "Not much has changed, I guess."

"Except now you’re the top in your field," Seokjin said, his voice full of admiration. "I always noticed you back then, even if we didn’t talk much. You were someone to look up to."

YN felt a blush creep up her cheeks and quickly looked away. "I remember you too. You were always the life of the class, making everyone laugh."

Seokjin chuckled, the sound warm and rich. "I had to. Life’s too short to be serious all the time."

"That’s true," YN replied softly, her thoughts drifting to her current life. Serious was all she had known for so long. But Seokjin’s presence was starting to challenge that, making her wonder if there was more to life than just work.

As they continued to prepare for the day, YN couldn’t shake the feeling that Seokjin was more than just a capable Secretary. He was someone who could see beyond her tough exterior, who made her laugh, and who, perhaps, was starting to mean more to her than she cared to admit.

But for now, there was work to be done. YN pushed those thoughts aside, determined to stay focused. Yet, as Seokjin left her office, flashing her one last smile before he closed the door, she knew that staying focused was going to be a lot harder with him around.

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