Seoul, April 10th, 2020

"There will be a new member. The boss recruited,"

"Ah, really?"

"The meeting will start in 15 minutes. Are you guys done?"

Gunjoo stood by the doorway.

Kiyong and I nodded, and we were now sitting in the meeting room.

"That's the new member."

I stared in horror at the person standing beside the CEO. It's him. No, it can't be him.

My breath ragged, and I saw Kiyong stared at me with his eyes pierced. That man also stared at me.

Seok-woo.

No, he said his name Rowoon?

I stumbled my step outside the meeting room and walked numbly to the nearest restroom. I stared straight at my reflection in the mirror and then shut my eyes tightly.

* * *

Hyeyoon's POV
06.30 AM

I snapped from my deep sleep upon hearing the alarm from my phone rang loudly. I blinked for a few moments before realising I was still in my room. My hand reached out to the bedside table and grabbed my phone, then turned off the alarm.

Still feeling a bit drowsy, I shut my eyes for a moment and was a bit perplexed as I recalled the dream. Usually, when we awoke, we were unable to remember anything from the dream. But it was strange. I still remember every detail of my dream, and it feels odd.

My heart was still not beating normally. I tried to brush the thought off and got up. I sat on the edge of my bed, took a deep breath and released it. I was trying to get all my senses back.

What was with that dream? 

I let out a wry smile, shook my head. Half of myself was thinking the possibility that it was a sign. But the other half of myself told me it was merely a dream. It means nothing.

I hoped so.

After taking a few minutes debating about the dream, and ended up ignoring it anyway. I could finally found my focus. I had to check my schedule today. I took my phone and sighed in relief as I checked on my journal. I had finished all my tasks, though one still had to be reviewed. I needed to talk with Kiyong about this then. Let him checked my work.

I got up from the bed, walked to the drawer, and took out a light blue blouse and knee-length skirt. I was about to go to the bathroom when my phone rang again.

Oppa is calling.

I smiled upon seeing the caller ID. I picked up the call.

"Morning," his voice hoarse. I laughed lightly.

"Hi, you got up early today?" I teased him, and the man on the other line chuckled. I put the phone on speaker and proceeded to the bathroom.

"Yes, and I've missed you already," he said again. I turned on the water faucet and washed my face. "What time you'll be ready to go? I'll pick you up," his voice sounded better.

"8 AM, as usual," I said while scrubbing my face. "What time you got home last night? You didn't drink a lot, did you?" I pretended to scold him. He said he had a sudden meeting with few stakeholders last night and went to drink afterwards.

"Around 11 PM? No, I didn't, don't worry. I went home straightly once the discussion ended," he explained, and I nodded in response. Then he continued, "What would you like for breakfast? Let's have breakfast together, and don't skip your breakfast, Hyeyoon. I know you did that often," there was concern and warning in his tone.

I chuckled while rubbing my face with a towel. "How did you know I sometimes did?"

"I know you more than yourself, Miss Hyeyoon," he said with a tender voice. I smiled, acknowledging he was right. "Alright, then. I'll let you get ready. I'll pick you up before eight," he then added before hanging up the call. "I miss you,"

"I miss you, too. We just met yesterday, though," I retorted.

A light chuckled was heard across the line. Jang Kiyong then argued, "I don't care, and I still miss you. See you later,"

He hung up the call.

I was still staring blankly at my phone screen. I let out a soft breath. My eyes landed on the wallpaper that showed on the phone screen. It was our picture a few days ago took by Kiyong with my phone at a restaurant when he invited me for dinner. He beautifully took the photo with the night view and Namsan Tower as the background.

It had been almost a year since we started dating. I met Kiyong when I was still in Melbourne through an International Student gathering. As both of us were from South Korea, we got along quite well with the other students from South Korea. But then he said he saw me a few times in Seoul some time ago and remembered me as the girl that he bumped onto and got my phone screen cracked.

He was still offering to buy me a new phone, but I declined it politely at that time. Now, when he, without doubt, declared me as his girlfriend at the office, he banned me from turning down everything he was offering. He always told me to accept it.

It felt burdensome sometimes to accept all his generosity, and I need to remind him, too. As much I was grateful for his kindness, I had to know my limit.

After a quick shower, I got prepared. Put on light make-up, and I was good to go. I grabbed my bag and went out. Kiyong texted me earlier that he was on his way to my apartment.

I walked down to the lobby and waited for him. Just as I reached the entrance, he texted me that he was at the front door already. I smiled at the security as I passed through the front door.

He saw me and rolled down the window, smiling brightly. There was still a strange tingling sensation inside my stomach upon seeing his smile. He was so handsome, that was my honest opinion.

I strolled to the passenger seat and hopped on. He watched me as I got in the car and was about to put my seatbelt on. I sensed his stare and halted.

"What?" I sounded. He was wearing a light blue shirt; he unbuttoned the top button. "Why didn't you wear your tie?" I curiously asked.

He smiled and started to drove slowly from my apartment drop off. "I'm waiting for you," he sounded cheeky.

"Me? Why?" I frowned. Still clueless.

"To put it on me," he was now smiling with his eyes. He reached out to open the dashboard and took out his tie. He gave it to me, and I shook my head while chuckled lightly. "I have no other choice, ma'am. You're better at it than me,"

We stopped at the traffic light, and Kiyong quickly leaned forward. "Do it. You have less than a minute to put it on me," 

I giggled at his behaviour. I reached out to his collar and put on his tie. Yes, he was terrible at tying his tie. And I told him most of the time to buy the instant one, but he refused. He reasoned that I could always do that for him, and he loved the process.

"Marry me, Hyeyoon,"

I gasped at his sudden statement. My eyes widened at him, and Kiyong flashed his smiling eyes again.

"What are you thinking, Mr Jang? Are you drunk?" I retorted nervously and finished tying his tie.

He leaned back and stared at the mirror on the lid, satisfied. "Always perfect," he complimented. "and no, I'm not drunk," he then slowly drove the car, the black Range Rover sped up through the Seoul traffic, "I'm ready to get married anytime you're ready, too, Hyeyoon,"

I turned to gaze outside the window. "I need to establish my career first," I reasoned as I glanced at Kiyong. "And marriage is not an easy thing, too, babe. It's a lifetime contract," I honestly told him. He knew it already. It was not that I was against it. I was still not ready for it yet.

"Well, you don't have to work, though. If we got married, you could stay at home, be a respectful wife, and a great mother for our children," I bit my lips upon hearing him saying those things. I knew he meant every word he said just now. He brought up the topic a few times in a while. And I don't know what happened to him this morning that he suddenly talked about this.

"Is there something wrong?" I carefully asked him. He turned to gaze at me for a moment, then turned back to the front, facing the road.

"Nothing, why?" he answered.

"No," I paused for a second and took a quick deep breath. "I think we agree to not talking about this matter for now," I looked down, and Kiyong immediately realised my reaction. He then reached out to grab my hand.

"Alright, I'm sorry," he caressed the back of my hand gently. I hope he did stop talking about marriage to me, at least for this time, as I wasn't ready to tie a knot at the moment. I couldn't help to feel sorry for him every time he brought up the topic because I was the one who kept declining his good intention.

As much as I love him, I was just not ready yet for the high-level commitment.

He then pulled his hand and turned on the audio. Letting the song Baby of Clean Bandit ft. Marina & Luis Fonsi played through the audio.

"The song is sad, though," he started another topic. Commenting on my music preference. "why do you like it?" he knew it was one of my favourite songs.

"I don't know; the melody makes me want to dance the waltz," I said, and he laughed.

"Really? Then let's do some waltz dance practice. For stress-relieving," he offered, and I nodded in agreement.

"Okay,"

He drove the car to a restaurant near the office, as he said before. We had our breakfast there before went to work.

* * *

Both of us arrived at the office half an hour later. It was 9.15. Few workers bowed to Kiyong and greeted him

Kiyong was already wearing his suit. I stood a few steps behind him. The elevator dinged, and we reached the 7th floor.

"Mr Manager," someone called from behind. It was Gunjoo, the surveyor team leader. He ran lightly and approaching both of us. He handed me a few bundles of documents and bowed to Kiyong. "CEO passed this message for you. There will be an urgent meeting at 11 AM,"

"What's the matter?" Kiyong asked.

"Ah, just a briefing for a new project. A new building design for an IT company in Seoul. I think the CEO is planning to designate our team for this project," Gunjoo explained. He earned nods from Kiyong and excuse himself afterwards after informing the news.

Kiyong and I walked to our division, and I put down the documents from Gunjoo on my desk.

"I'll take a quick learn before the meeting," I told him, and Kiyong nodded.

"Summarize it for me, too, please," he stated, and I nodded.

"Sure," I told him. He smiled before went into his office room.

Back to my desk, I started to read the company profile first. It was a microchip company based in Beijing - China. They expanded their business, and the Unit Branch in Seoul will have its basis in South Korea.

"Another project, Eonni?" Kim Dahyun, who just arrived, greeted me.

"Oh, hi..." I saw her sat on her desk beside me. She peeked to look at the documents and read it. "yes, I will have the first briefing with the CEO later at 11. Are you done with your revision, Dahyun?" I stared at her, and she grinned widely.

"Almost done," she turned on her PC. "It will be ready at noon, promise,"

I looked at her, "Make it quick, please. I need to submit it to Mr Jang for the final review,"

The younger girl then lowered her face a bit and nodded obediently. "Yes, Eonni. Will do,"

I muttered a low thank you to the girl and then diverted my focus back to my work; I decided to start summarising the documents.

Thirty minutes before 11 AM, I finished summarising the document. I printed it in two copies and handed one to Kiyong. Right after I submit the summary, Kiyong informed me that the CEO was ready for the meeting.

"Dahyun, I will have a meeting with the CEO. Can you put the revision on my desk when you finished? I think the meeting would take hours," I told Dahyun, and she nodded understandingly.

"Alright, Eonni, I'm almost done with it," she showed me her progress, and I admitted it.

"Good, thank you,"

The three of us, including Gunjoo, then walked upstairs to the CEO's office. His secretary already prepared the meeting room and let us in first and waited for the CEO.

Park Hae Joon, the CEO of LT Engineering and Construction, walked into the meeting room. The man in his forties still looked fine at his age. The three of us were about to stand up and bow, but CEO Park waved his hand, hinting it wasn't necessary.

"It's fine. Let's make this less formal. I just need light discussion," CEO Park then sat on his seat, and Kiyong followed him. "Make yourself comfortable," he said again, and I took a seat as Gunjoo did the same.

His assistant prepared a presentation, and soon after, we could see the subject projected on the screen.

The meeting was mostly talking about the concept for the design. As the project owner was a foreigner, they would like the building to resemble the headquarter in China.

"Then we need to see the original building design in Beijing to take the comparative," Kiyong concluded.

CEO Park had a deep thought for a brief moment, then leaned forward while looking at Kiyong and me.

"They did invite us to the Annual Gala Ceremony in Beijing next week," he hinted his assistant to give him the invitation. "They provided two pax of accommodation, and how about you and Miss Kim have a trip to Beijing next week. I'll contact Mr Xu to spare his time, so both of you can talk to him and let you have a closer look at their building design in Beijing,"

CEO Park then gave the invitation to Kiyong. He glanced at me for a few seconds as if tried to find reluctance, but no, it was a business trip. I didn't mind at all.

Kiyong then turned his gaze to CEO Park and nodded. "Alright, Sir. We'll go,"

CEO Park smiled in satisfaction. "Good," then he turned his attention to Gunjoo. "As for Mr Joo, I think I have to send you again to Busan this week for the next few days. Our surveyors there can't handle the locals as they keep making a fuss. If that continued to happen, I'm afraid it will affect our work schedule,"

Gunjoo nodded, and the CEO dismissed the meeting ten minutes later. The three of us headed back to our division when Gunjoo excused himself first to have his lunch.

Kiyong then glanced at me when we reached the 7th floor, and we walked to my desk. Dahyun already left for her break. She put her revision right on my laptop.

The office was empty. And it was only the both of us.

I could feel Kiyong lingered his hand around my shoulder and back hugged me. "Aren't you hungry," he breathed out right on my left ear.

"We're still at the office, Mr Jang," I reminded him, smiling.

"I know," he still mumbled but refused to let his hand go of me.

"We can't be seen like this, or else they will take this as a violation of work ethics," I still warned him, but he didn't budge.

The taller man chuckled lightly, "They won't do anything, believe me," Instead of letting go, he put his other hand around me and now completely trapped me inside his embrace. "I always loved the scent of your shampoo, Hyeyoon," he inhaled deeply right on my crown. 

I patted on his right hand, "Oppa," I called him gently, and he reluctantly got my sign.

He finally let go of the embrace. I turned around to see him. "Let's go. I'm starving," I smiled at him and grabbed my purse. I had to drag him out of the office before he did further. 

"What should I wear at the Gala?" I asked him randomly when we reached the elevator.

"Anything, you'll look good in any dress, anyway," he replied.

"Oh, c'mon, I think I need to go shopping,"

"Should I accompany you then?" he offered, and I gladly took his offer. It was always fun and satisfied at the same time to have Kiyong by your side when shopping. Not because he would buy you anything, but he was a perfect fashion adviser. He knew what dress or outfit that will look good on me, and his choice was never disappointing.

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A/N :

Phew... finally another update, LOL

So sorry for taking this one a bit longer. I seriously need to think carefully about the plot and the storyline, the background, the conflict, etc...

And finally, after wrapping up the draft and the concept, I started to write again a few days ago but only got to finish this chapter today. Hehe...

So yeah, like the title of this chapter, the setting for the present is at the office. So basically, this is like an office romance. I had the character introduction at the first part of the story so that Jang Kiyong will be the Manager for the Planning Division, and Hyeyoon is one of the Architects in the company.

I won't say much for now. Haha... I don't want to spoil anything...

And I know... we got to see Kiyong and Hyeyoon's moment before this chapter was published. HAHA... one of the reasons I delayed updating this chapter was because I waited for their moment. LOL

And after witnessed it myself, I would say that they did have chemistry together, and I was so shocked. LOL. 😂

I would take things slowly from this chapter on since I would take extra-carefully for the conflicts. Please expect more things to come. I will try hard to make things more intriguing as this considers as a mature office romance. Hehe...

Should I start rate this FF as mature content then? Kidding.

Thank you for all your comments... I read them all, and some even make me speechless. 😂

I love all your comments. Thank you...

Till we meet again in the next update, I will try to update it soon.

I LOVE YOU~~ ❤❤❤