The silence between them stretched, brittle as glass. Soyeon's breath hitched as she stared at Jungwoo, her mind scrambling to process the moment. He stood tall and composed in a tailored black tuxedo, his posture exuding calm professionalism—but his eyes? Those dark, maddening eyes glimmered with amusement, and something else she couldn't name.
"I believe we've already met," Jungwoo said smoothly, his voice just low enough for her to hear. Soyeon blinked, her lips parting slightly in disbelief.
Of course. Of course this would happen.
Here she was, trying to play the obedient daughter for one night, only to find herself face to face with the man who witnessed her most humiliating moment—and, if Minho was to be believed, his older brother.
Jungwoo gave a polite nod to her mother. "It's an honor to work with you, Ms. Kim."
Yoonmi smiled. "Likewise. We're fortunate to have someone of your experience and professionalism on this project."
Soyeon nearly choked. Professionalism? The man who smirked while she passed out in a club bathroom? Who left a passive-aggressive bouquet of white roses and a card she still hadn't burned?
She kept her smile stiff, bowing slightly. "Nice to meet you… officially."
Jungwoo bowed back. "The pleasure is mine."
Minho popped up beside them like an excited puppy. "Mom! Soyeon! There you are." He turned to Jungwoo. "Hyung, you didn't tell me you already knew each other!"
Jungwoo offered the faintest smile. "We were just getting reacquainted."
Yoonmi glanced between them, curious, but said nothing. She turned to Jungwoo. "There's someone I'd like you to meet—our lead architect on the Dubai Smart Living initiative. Soyeon, stay with Minho and help him greet the guests."
Soyeon forced another smile. "Of course."
She watched her mother lead Jungwoo away, and only when they disappeared around the corner did she let her expression drop.
Minho nudged her. "Okay, that was weird. You and Jungwoo looked like you were about to arm wrestle."
"He's insufferable," Soyeon muttered.
Minho laughed. "He's actually cool once you get past the brooding CEO act. I mean, he carried you to that suite like some K-drama scene."
Soyeon shot him a look. "You saw that?"
He shrugged. "Jisu showed me a picture. She swore it was for your own good."
"I am going to throw her phone into the Gulf," Soyeon grumbled.
Minho didn't seem fazed. "Don't worry. Nobody else knows." He paused. "Well… except maybe Hana. And maybe Minji. But that's it."
"Great. That's only half of Dubai," she muttered.
The gala wore on with polite conversations, clinking glasses, and an endless parade of greetings. Yoonmi glided from guest to guest, radiating elegance, while Soyeon smiled through gritted teeth, her feet already aching.
She managed to avoid Jungwoo for most of the evening. Or rather, he seemed to avoid her, too, which suited her just fine. Until the music changed.
A quartet began playing a slow waltz, and Yoonmi clapped her hands. "Everyone, join us for a brief dance to celebrate our new partnership!"
Before Soyeon could slip away, her mother grabbed her wrist.
"Go dance with Mr. Park," Yoonmi whispered. "It will look good in photos."
"What? No. I'm not a show pony," Soyeon protested.
"Do it," her mother hissed, her smile never fading. "He's our new partner. Act like it."
Soyeon sighed and turned to see Jungwoo already approaching. Of course he heard everything.
"Shall we?" he said, offering his hand.
Soyeon took it with the grace of someone about to be sentenced. "Let's get this over with."
On the dance floor, they moved stiffly at first. She avoided eye contact. He didn't speak. But eventually, something shifted.
"You clean up well," he said, voice low.
She narrowed her eyes. "I always do."
He gave a polite nod. "And you held your liquor better tonight. That's progress."
Her heel nearly landed on his foot. "Is this your idea of small talk?"
"Just trying to make conversation," he said smoothly. "Your mother seems very fond of me."
"She's also fond of kale smoothies and imported marble," Soyeon replied. "Don't let it go to your head."
He chuckled. "I'll try."
They spun once more, and for a brief second, she let herself be led, surprised at how well he danced. He was controlled, precise. Predictably so.
"So," she said, not bothering to mask her suspicion. "You're really getting into this partnership thing, huh?"
"I take work seriously. Unlike some people."
"If you're referring to what happened at Eclipse, that was a one-time thing."
"It left quite the impression," he said lightly.
Her jaw tightened. "Don't push me, Park."
He didn't respond, only met her gaze steadily.
A camera flashed nearby, and Yoonmi clapped once more. "Beautiful! Thank you both!"
Soyeon stepped back immediately, releasing his hand like it burned.
"Next time," she said through a tight smile, "warn me before you try to play prince charming."
He smirked. "Noted."
Later that night, Yoonmi summoned Soyeon to her office in the mansion.
"Sit," she said, pouring tea.
"Are we going to pretend this isn't a trap?" Soyeon asked.
"Don't be dramatic. I wanted to talk about the project."
Soyeon raised a brow. "The project you told me nothing about until tonight?"
"I wanted to wait until the partnership was official," her mother said smoothly. "You're going to be involved."
Soyeon blinked. "I'm sorry?"
"You'll be part of the Smart Living development team, representing our family. Park Jungwoo insisted on direct collaboration."
"He what?"
"You wanted responsibility. This is it. Don't embarrass us," Yoonmi said.
Soyeon stood, half-laughing. "You're teaming me up with him? You think that's a good idea?"
"I think it's necessary. You need to learn. He's competent."
"He's insufferable."
"Then suffer silently."
The next day, Soyeon arrived at NexGen Solutions' Al Quoz project site in oversized sunglasses and a silk blouse wildly inappropriate for construction zones.
Jungwoo was already there in a crisp shirt, reviewing blueprints.
"Miss Kim," he greeted without looking up. "Welcome to the real world."
"You dragged me here," she snapped.
"I requested someone competent. Your mother sent you. We both lost."
Soyeon rolled her eyes. "Let's just get this over with."
They toured the half-finished buildings, pausing at the community center plans.
"This section integrates AI-assisted utilities," he explained.
"I see wires and dust," she replied. "Where do the cute coffee kiosks go?"
Jungwoo gave her a look. "There are no cute kiosks."
"Then this is a flawed design."
He handed her a hard hat. "Try not to get glitter on it."
She glared. "You're enjoying this."
"A little."
As they finished the tour, Soyeon leaned against a railing, sipping water.
"Just so we're clear," she said, "you don't get to joke about Eclipse."
"Why not? It's our origin story."
She groaned. "You are impossible."
He opened his tablet. "Better get used to it. We have weekly meetings starting Monday."
"Kill me now."
He glanced sideways at her. "Not before you sign off on the community garden plan."
She blinked. "Wait. There is a garden?"
He smirked. "Of course. I'm not a monster."
Before she could respond, her phone buzzed. A message from her mother.
Your fiancé's family will be joining us for dinner. Wear something elegant.
Soyeon froze. Fiancé? Her stomach dropped.
Jungwoo noticed her expression. "Problem?"
She stared at the screen. "You could say that."
To be continued...