Since when did he care enough to eat breakfast like that? When eating at the Main Building, he often left for work early just to avoid the desolate atmosphere. He preferred it that way; skipping meals or simply downing a drink was perfectly fine for him.
“Will you not have any? It’s truly delicious.”
With that, Na-Eun brought over a beautifully plated omelet, letting the savory scent waft toward him. This woman was a temptress. In the end, a word of surrender escaped Choi Kang-woo’s lips.
“Give it to me.”
She smiled and slid the vegetables and omelet in front of him.
Is it really possible for an omelet to be this delicious?
The dish melted in his mouth, bursting with a savory richness. It didn’t seem to be heavily seasoned, but the subtle saltiness of the cheese made it light and perfect for a morning meal.
“Shall I brew you a cup of coffee as well?”
“That would be nice.”
This time, the coffee was rich with the scent of chocolate. Even the coffee this woman offered was vastly different from what he usually drank.
“This is Weasel coffee, mainly from Vietnam. It’s low in caffeine, so you can still have more coffee at the office later.”
Did he ask for that information? Choi Kang-woo stubbornly kept his gaze lowered, focusing on the taste of the brew.
The deep, nutty flavor was exquisite. Choi Kang-woo tilted the cup slightly, slowly savoring the aroma. He was enjoying an unexpected morning, tasting the meal Na-Eun had handed him.
Na-Eun took a sip of her own coffee across from him and spoke in a low voice.
“Thank you. For going to such lengths yesterday and coming to pick me up at the hospital. You really didn’t have to do that…”
She hesitated for a moment, then added cautiously.
“The benefits here really seem top-notch.”
Choi Kang-woo paused with his fork mid-air.
Benefits? She thought his hospital visit was just employee welfare?
Choi Kang-woo’s expression soured instantly. It was strangely discomforting and irritating to have his feelings dismissed as mere company policy. However, as if he couldn’t care less about such sentiments, he replied in a businesslike tone.
“Our company is famous for its exceptional employee benefits. Myeongseong Group, Myeongseong Media, all of them.”
A hint of ironic laughter tinged the end of his sentence. Na-Eun smiled and nodded.
“Oh! That’s right. My friend works at Myeongseong Media.”
As Na-Eun tried to steer the conversation naturally toward Hye-seon, Choi Kang-woo interrupted, his brows knitting slightly.
“Enough. You shouldn’t go around mentioning the names of friends like that. Are you trying to ask for a favor?”
When he drew a clear line so suddenly, Na-Eun shook her head in bewilderment.
“That’s not it. I just meant she got a job at Myeongseong Media. I was just going to say that since the benefits are so good, she must be happy, that’s all.”
A somewhat light smile played on Na-Eun’s face, as if she were trying to hide the wavering she felt yesterday. Watching her composed expression, Choi Kang-woo felt a sting in his chest. The distance hidden behind her words caught in his throat like a fish bone.
“Is that so? Since the benefits are good, the CEO is allowed to be treated to an omelet like this, right?”
He spoke as if to maintain that same distance, and Na-Eun didn’t back down, nodding in agreement.
“Of course. You’re welcome to eat here whenever you leave early again.”
Na-Eun’s voice was calm, yet it still held the emotional resonance of yesterday. That made her even more cunning. It was as if he’d been scratched by the claws a pretty white cat had kept hidden so well.
Choi Kang-woo slowly set down his coffee cup and stared at her. The image of her fragile face, tear-streaked from yesterday, surfaced, making his heart throb. He wanted her to open her heart to him again.
But Na-Eun was still masking herself with a calm smile. Though they both felt the subtle waves of emotion between them, it was a moment of awkward distance, with neither willing to be the first to reach out.
She tried to slip out secretly, only to be caught, and after feeding him an omelet, she drew a line again. She was no ordinary woman.
Choi Kang-woo thought to himself, yet he left for work whistling a light tune. Strangely, he felt good this morning.
Is it because I had a hearty breakfast?
Compared to the royal feast he had with his parents at the Main Building, this was nothing—so why did he feel so light?
As Choi Kang-woo climbed into the car, Dowan greeted him.
“Good morning. You seem to be in a good mood today?”
Dowan greeted him with a bleary-eyed face. Seeing Choi Kang-woo’s expression, which looked brighter than usual, he sent a curious glance his way.
Choi Kang-woo opened his tablet and smiled leisurely.
“Yeah. I had a good breakfast. Dowan, did you have breakfast?”
He had no interest in the answer; it was just a passing remark. He hadn’t expected a response. But Dowan shook his head, his face looking weary.
“No. I leave at this hour, how could I have breakfast?”
Dowan was a heavy sleeper and always left for work in a rush. A cup of coffee at his desk was the extent of his breakfast.
Choi Kang-woo crossed his arms, eyed Dowan with interest, and curled his lips.
“Are you complaining to your boss that your start time is too early?”
At Choi Kang-woo’s heavy, pointed remark, Dowan flustered and waved his hands frantically.
“No? How could that be?”
Dowan smiled stiffly, tensing up. As a secretary, complaining in front of Choi Kang-woo was no different than a cat hissing at a lion.
Choi Kang-woo nodded.
“Right, I know you work hard, Dowan. But if you hurried just a little bit more, you’d have time for a piece of bread, wouldn’t you?”
While the car was on its way to the company, Choi Kang-woo kept thinking about the taste of the omelet and coffee Na-Eun had given him.
Right. It’s becoming childish. In the most primal sense. That woman is a kindergarten teacher, so she’s turning people as childish as kids. Han Na-Eun, who clearly had the power to make him act this way, was undoubtedly a temptress.
* * *
After receiving their injections and sleeping through the night, the children’s fevers had all broken. But because the doctor advised they rest for at least a day, they stayed home. Na-Eun gave Ms. Kim, the nanny, a list of instructions.
“Please make sure to give the kids their medicine on time. Jiho eats anything well, but I’d appreciate it if you could follow the order I prepared in the fridge: vegetables, meat, and then kimbap.”
Ms. Kim opened the fridge and gasped in admiration.
“Oh my, you’ve prepared the vegetables so beautifully and meticulously. I could have done it for you.”
“No, thank you for taking care of it.”
Na-Eun left for work today without the children. With no Jiho to look after, her mind had space for stray thoughts. Choi Kang-woo’s image hovered in her mind the entire commute. Even while her eyes were open and she was walking down the street, his face was clearer than the city landscape! Na-Eun began walking faster, as if to erase the imagery from her head.
* * *
A party was being held at the rooftop lounge of the finest hotel in Seoul. Although the night was filled with the chill of winter, the interior was cozy and filled with soft, warm lighting. A crystal chandelier shimmered from the ceiling, illuminating the space in luxury, and the walls, finished in a deep navy tone with gold leaf accents, created a sophisticated atmosphere.
A stunning, intricate ice sculpture stood in the center, and small tables were arranged to allow VIPs and guests to sit and converse naturally.
Though the party was small, it was packed with successful figures from every field. High-end champagne and finger foods were neatly laid out on tables, and wealthy elites, network directors, and celebrities in glamorous attire were gathered in small groups, chatting.
The party was graced by stars, each with their own unique charm. Top actor Yoon Seo-Jin, who dominated the atmosphere by treating everyone with a soft smile, sat elegantly in a gray dress. Beside him sat the singer Jason. Dressed in a black suit, he carried an air of gravity; he was a popular male solo artist known for his recent hit album, handsome features, and charming voice, beloved by fans.
Also present were the rising rookie actor Shin Hye-Rim and popular former-idol-turned-MC Lee Do-Yoon. Shin Hye-Rim radiated bright energy as she naturally mingled with guests, while Lee Do-Yoon moved about, using his signature wit to liven up the atmosphere.
Influential figures from the broadcasting industry were also in attendance. The most notable was Director Yoon of Myeongseong Media, who had recently produced a major hit program. He was surrounded by people, calmly continuing conversations and drawing attention regarding new programs in the industry.
Ha-Young smiled as she applied a final layer of lipstick, keeping her eyes peeled for any opportunities she couldn’t afford to miss. Her heart was filled with the desire to make the right connections and eventually land a great program. As she held her champagne and scanned the area, the voice of a model chatting with a friend next to her drifted into her ears.
“That person over there. That’s the man every woman here is eyeing.”
As she turned her gaze to where the woman was pointing, a man stood tall, truly head and shoulders above the rest. He was strikingly handsome, like a statue, with a tall stature and an aura of nobility flowing from head to toe.