The hour ticked by faster than I expected.
Before I knew it, my hands were trembling slightly as I grabbed my notepad and pen, heading toward the boardroom.
The glass walls of the room reflected everyone as they started to gather—the usual executives, a few assistants, and of course… him.
Joonseo walked in like he owned the whole universe. His suit? Perfect. His expression? unreadable.
My heart? Betraying me.
I chose a seat far enough from him to look professional, but close enough to stare at his neck when he wasn't looking. What? I'm married, I'm allowed.
"Minji," he said with a calm nod, as if he didn't pin me against his office desk less than an hour ago.
"Mr. Joonseo," I replied with a sweet and innocent smile.
Then—bam.
Yuna entered the boardroom like a music video extra.
Long legs. Lipstick red. Attitude? Loud.
She didn't look at me directly, but I could feel her little smirk, like she knew something.
Oh honey, if only you knew.
She took the seat right beside Joonseo.
Of course she did.
The meeting started with Mr. Seungwoo discussing the upcoming Shanghai Juice Advertisement Project, a major international campaign.
And guess what? Yuna was the official model.
Of course she was.
I tried to focus, but I couldn't ignore how she leaned into Joonseo, pretending to ask about the ad script, but looking like she was auditioning for a perfume commercial.
At one point, she laughed—too loud for something I'm pretty sure wasn't even a joke.
I tapped my pen on the table. Once. Twice. Then made eye contact with Joonseo.
He looked at me, only for a second.
And in that second, his eyes softened.
He smiled.
Not at the proposal slides.
Not at anyone else.
At me.
Yuna saw it.
Her smile disappeared.
Victory, ladies and gentlemen.
"Minji, would you mind explaining the campaign data for Shanghai?" Mr. Seungwoo asked suddenly.
Crap.
I stood up confidently, flipping through my folder. "Of course. Based on our market research, the new juice line will see a 16% increase in brand engagement across the Shanghai market if we use a minimalist color palette and a curated online presence tied to influencer culture…"
I was on fire. Smooth. Sharp. Professional.
Even Yuna had to blink twice.
As I sat back down, Joonseo leaned slightly toward his mic and whispered, "Proud of you."
Yuna's lips pressed into a thin line.
The rest of the meeting dragged on, but the tension between us—me, Joonseo, and Yuna—was thicker than the CEO handbook.
When the meeting ended, everyone stood up, grabbing files and cups.
I turned to leave, ready to vanish before anyone could corner me.
But then…
"Minji," Joonseo called behind me.
I froze.
Yuna froze.
Everyone else just kept walking.
I turned back slowly. "Yes, Mr. Joonseo?"
"I need you in my office."
My face stayed neutral. "Right away."
As I walked past Yuna, I could feel her rage.
Like her heels were about to explode.
Poor girl.
Guess she forgot… I'm the wife.
I walked slowly, heels clicking against the marble floor like a countdown.
I could feel her stare on my back. Yuna was still at the boardroom door, pretending she wasn't furious.
I didn't turn around.
I didn't need to.
I already won.
When I reached the CEO office, I gave two gentle knocks.
"Come in," his deep voice answered immediately.
I opened the door and walked inside. It was quiet. Warm. Familiar.
He was leaning against his desk, his tie a little loose like he'd been thinking too hard.
The second the door clicked shut behind me, he spoke.
"You didn't have to destroy everyone like that in the meeting, you know."
I smirked, walking toward his desk. "What do you mean?"
He crossed his arms, smiling. "That presentation? Even I was impressed. And I own the company."
I stood right in front of him now. "You called me here for compliments?"
He leaned closer. "Partly."
There was a pause. The tension in the room curled around us like a warm storm.
"And Yuna?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "She's just a model for the campaign. That's it."
"She acts like she's auditioning for more than juice," I muttered.
He stepped closer. Too close. "Are you jealous again?"
"I'm not jealous," I said.
He looked at me like he didn't believe a single word.
"Okay," I admitted, "Maybe a little. She touches you like she owns you."
"She doesn't."
"Are you sure?"
He didn't reply with words.
Instead, he reached out, tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, and said softly,
"The only person who owns my heart is standing right here in front of me."
Oh, this man.
I looked away, trying to suppress the smile burning my face.
"You're smiling again," he teased.
"No, I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm just thinking of juice," I lied.
"Right," he said, still staring at me. "The juice model you hate."
"I don't hate her," I said, raising my voice slightly. "I just think she should model for traffic signs instead."
He laughed.
I turned to leave. "I should get back to work. Before someone thinks I'm modeling for office romance."
He grabbed my hand, spun me around gently, and pulled me into his chest.
"Too late."
Then, just like that, he kissed me again — soft, slow, but full of all the things we weren't allowed to say in public.
When we finally pulled apart, he whispered near my ear,
"Come home early tonight."
I nodded, breathless. "Only if you promise there's no juice involved."
"Only wine," he smirked.
I left his office with pink cheeks and a heart doing backflips. As I sat back down at my desk, I saw Yuna pass by again.
This time, I smiled first.
The rest of the day moved slowly. Every time I looked at the time, it felt like the clock was teasing me.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Meetings. Emails. Glances toward Joonseo's door.
Yuna left hours ago, but her annoying perfume still lingered in the air. Ugh.
Finally, when the clock struck 6, I stood up from my seat with a deep exhale.
"Long day?" Jiho asked, passing by with a coffee in hand.
"The longest," I muttered, grabbing my bag.
"Good luck, first assistant," he chuckled, and disappeared down the hallway.
First assistant. First wife. First everything.
I smiled to myself and headed to the private elevator. The moment I stepped in, I texted him.
𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓳𝓲: 𝓖𝓸𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓷𝓸𝔀. 𝓓𝓸𝓷'𝓽 𝓫𝓮 𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓮.
𝓙𝓸𝓸𝓷𝓼𝓮𝓸: 𝓘 𝔀𝓸𝓷'𝓽. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓫𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓶 𝓾𝓹 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷. 😏