TAEHYUNG-

This time of year always brought a buzz of excitement—and pressure—as we prepared to bring in new talent for internships. My assistant, Minji, entered my office with her usual calm demeanor, carrying a stack of files under her arm. She took a seat across from my desk, adjusting her glasses as she spoke.

"Sir, we received an overwhelming number of applications this year for the internship program. But we've managed to narrow it down to the top ten candidates, as per your instructions," she reported. "These students are among the best—ambitious, skilled, and with promising portfolios."

I nodded, my mind already shifting into assessment mode. "Excellent. I'll review each profile personally. Set up interviews; I want to meet them one-on-one."

Minji's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise, but she quickly recovered and nodded. "Understood, sir. I'll get the schedule organized and bring the final list by evening."

She left to compile the profiles, and I returned to my work, briefly letting my mind wander. I'd always believed in personally selecting interns, wanting to see firsthand the potential of each candidate. To me, KTH Enterprise was more than a business—it was a place where raw talent could evolve, and I wanted to ensure I picked the right people to carry on that legacy.

Later that evening, Minji returned with a slim folder of neatly compiled profiles. She handed it to me and waited while I leafed through it, seemingly eager to answer any questions I might have.

The names flashed by—young, eager candidates, many of whom came from prestigious backgrounds. Then, as I flipped to the last page, I froze, feeling my heart skip a beat.

"Park Y/n."

Her name was typed in clean, bold letters, the familiar yet unexpected sight instantly stirring memories I'd tried to bury. She had applied to KTH Enterprise. Despite all my attempts to move on, to let go of that fleeting encounter at the party months ago, here she was again, her name suddenly pulling me back.

For the past few months, I had been trying to forget her. After all, what did I even know about her? Just a handful of details—a soft voice, an earnest smile, a warmth that seemed out of place in our world of sharp suits and careful facades. And yet, the memory of her had lingered, surfacing at unexpected moments, unsettling me in ways I couldn't explain. I'd often wondered why she had left such an impression, but I'd pushed it aside, telling myself that it was nothing more than a passing thought.

But now, with her name in front of me, it felt as if fate was mocking me. I scanned her profile again, reading over her qualifications, her academic achievements, her portfolio. Everything about her spoke of determination, of a quiet ambition. She hadn't relied on her family's name; she had done the work, she had put in the effort. And now, she was here, in my world.

"Sir?" Minji's voice interrupted my thoughts, bringing me back to the present. "Is everything alright?"

I looked up, clearing my throat. "Yes, Minji. Everything's fine. Schedule her interview for next week with the others."

She nodded and took her leave, leaving me alone with my thoughts and Y/n's profile still open before me. I leaned back in my chair, trying to process the strange rush of emotions that had surfaced.

Part of me wanted to dismiss her application, to avoid the potential distraction that I knew her presence could bring. I had built walls around myself for years, priding myself on my work, on the strength of my self-control. Yet, with her reappearance, I felt those walls weaken. I was a businessman, not someone easily swayed by emotions or chance encounters. But as I studied her profile, her face came back to me with startling clarity.

I sighed, feeling both curious and frustrated. This was foolish. I barely knew her, and here I was letting her occupy my mind. Perhaps interviewing her would finally allow me to set things right, to see her objectively, as just another candidate.

Or maybe, just maybe, meeting her again would only complicate things further.

One thing was certain, though. Y/n's application had brought her back into my life, and whether I liked it or not, I was going to face her again. I closed the folder, determined to approach the situation professionally. After all, there was no room for personal feelings in business. She was just another candidate.

Or so I tried to convince myself.

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