Ha-Joon returned to the suite a few minutes later.
The door clicked shut behind him.
For a moment, the room was quiet.
Min-Ji was standing near the window. She had been pacing for several minutes, but the moment she heard the door, she stopped and turned around.
Her expression was controlled.
Almost too controlled. "Where did you go?"
Ha-Joon removed his watch and placed it on the table. "Downstairs."
"Why?"
"I had something to take care of."
Her eyes followed him as he walked farther into the room. "What?"
"Ji-Ah."
Min-Ji's expression tightened slightly. "What happened to her?"
"Her ankle was still hurting."
"You went to check on her?"
"Yes."
His answer came without hesitation.
Min-Ji stared at him. "Why?"
Ha-Joon looked at her. "Because she's injured."
"You could have called someone else."
"I could have."
"Then why didn't you?"
"Because I wanted to."
His voice wasn't harsh. It was simply calm.
That somehow irritated her more.
Min-Ji folded her arms. "Ha-Joon, do you even realize what you're doing?"
He didn't answer.
She took a breath. "Madam arranged this entire trip because she wanted us to spend time together. She practically planned everything for us. She said we were supposed to get closer here."
Ha-Joon walked toward the closet. "She arranged a vacation."
"Exactly!"
"And we're on vacation."
"No, we're not!"
He paused.
Min-Ji's frustration finally began spilling out. "You've spent almost the entire day taking care of Ji-Ah, talking to Ji-Ah, checking on Ji-Ah, helping Ji-Ah walk. Even when we're together, you're thinking about her!"
Ha-Joon quietly opened the closet. "You're exaggerating."
"I'm not!"
She followed him a few steps. "You barely even notice me anymore."
"I notice you."
"Then why does it feel like I'm invisible?"
He took out a clean black shirt. "Min-Ji."
"What?"
"You're the one who asked me where I went. I answered."
She stared at him. "That's all you have to say?"
"What else do you want me to say?"
She opened her mouth, then closed it.
Her frustration only grew. "This was supposed to be our time."
Ha-Joon glanced at her. "Our time?"
"Yes."
She gestured toward the room. "This trip. Canada. The hotel. Everything. Madam made it very clear that she wanted us to bond."
He changed his shirt, still listening. "And instead, every time I look around, she's there."
Ha-Joon's expression hardened slightly. "Don't blame Ji-Ah for that."
Min-Ji blinked. "What?"
"You said she's ruining everything."
"She is!"
"No."
His answer was quiet. "But she's constantly around you."
"Because she's my secretary."
"She acts like more than that."
Ha-Joon looked at her. "She hasn't done anything wrong."
Min-Ji's face tightened. "Of course you'd say that."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means she knows exactly what she's doing."
Ha-Joon sighed. "Min-Ji."
"She's acting innocent."
"She is innocent."
"You don't know that!"
"I know enough."
Min-Ji laughed once, but there was no humor in it. "She's trying to make everyone think I'm the problem."
Ha-Joon said nothing.
"She's always there with that innocent expression. She lets everyone feel sorry for her. She makes it look like I'm some horrible woman who wants to destroy her."
"You're doing that yourself."
The words were quiet.
Min-Ji froze.
Ha-Joon continued calmly. "I'm not going to accuse Ji-Ah just because you don't like her."
Min-Ji stared at him.
For a few seconds, anger flashed across her face.
Then she remembered the video.
The thought immediately made her stop.
The video.
She couldn't lose control now.
Not after everything she'd planned.
She inhaled slowly.
Her shoulders relaxed.
When she spoke again, her voice was much softer. "Fine."
Ha-Joon looked at her.
"I shouldn't have said all of that." She lowered her eyes. "I've just been scared."
He remained silent.
Min-Ji stepped closer. "I love you, Ha-Joon."
He didn't respond immediately.
"I really do."
Her voice trembled slightly. "I don't want to fight with you. I don't want to fight with Ji-Ah either."
She looked up at him. "I just want to spend my life with you."
Ha-Joon's expression remained unreadable.
"I don't want to control you." She gave a small, sad smile. "I just want to feel like I'm important to you."
He sighed. "Min-Ji..."
"I know." She shook her head. "I know I'm probably being too sensitive."
She stepped closer and hugged him.
Ha-Joon went completely still.
For a moment, his arms remained at his sides.
Min-Ji held on.
Then, after a pause, he slowly lifted his arms and gave her a brief, restrained hug, one hand resting lightly against her upper back.
He patted her shoulder once. "Don't overthink everything."
Min-Ji closed her eyes. "I'll try."
Ha-Joon pulled back slightly. "We're here to rest. Let's not spend the whole trip arguing."
She nodded. "Okay."
He turned toward the closet again.
Min-Ji watched him.
Her expression softened into something almost innocent.
But inside, her thoughts were already somewhere else.
Good.
Stay calm.
Let him think I'm just scared of losing him.
Her fingers curled slightly against her sleeve.
As long as I still have that video, Ji-Ah can't win.
And Ha-Joon, completely unaware of what was running through her mind, continued getting ready for the evening.
Min-Ji watched Ha-Joon quietly as he finished changing.
The room had become strangely calm after their argument.
She was the first to break the silence. "Ha-Joon."
He looked over. "What?"
"I want to do something special tonight."
His expression immediately became cautious. "Special?"
"For you."
He reached for his watch. "You don't have to."
"I know."
She smiled. "But I want to."
He shook his head. "Min-Ji, you don't need to arrange anything."
"I must."
She said it with such determination that he actually paused. "I've decided."
"That's usually when I start worrying."
She ignored that. "Tonight is ours."
Ha-Joon sighed.
"Madam said this trip was supposed to give everyone some time to relax."
"Exactly." She pointed toward him. "So go."
He blinked. "Go where?"
"Work. Anywhere. I don't care."
She waved her hand toward the door. "Go finish whatever you need to finish. Go talk to Min-Hyuk. Go do your CEO things."
"And when I come back?"
She smiled. "You'll find me here."
He studied her for a moment. "You're very determined."
"I am."
"And you're not going to change your mind?"
"No."
He sighed. "Fine."
Min-Ji smiled brightly. "Good."
Ha-Joon picked up his phone. "I'll see you later."
"Don't be too late."
He nodded. "I won't."
He walked toward the door, then paused. "Don't exhaust yourself trying to make everything perfect."
Min-Ji smiled. "I won't."
The door closed behind him.
Her smile remained for a few seconds.
Then her expression became thoughtful.
She had the entire evening to prepare.
Meanwhile, Ha-Joon walked down the hallway and stopped outside another suite.
He knocked.
A moment later, Min-Hyuk opened the door.
He was still fixing the sleeves of his shirt. "You're early."
"You're late."
Min-Hyuk looked behind him. "Seo-Yeon is still getting ready."
From inside came Seo-Yeon's voice. "I can hear you!"
Min-Hyuk grinned. "See?"
Ha-Joon glanced at his watch. "We have work."
"Unfortunately."
Seo-Yeon finally appeared, adjusting her coat. "Work while we're in Canada?"
Ha-Joon nodded. "Some things don't wait."
Min-Hyuk sighed dramatically. "My brother has arrived to destroy our vacation."
Seo-Yeon lightly nudged him. "Stop complaining."
"I'm not complaining."
"You've been complaining for five minutes."
"That's different."
Ha-Joon looked between them. "Are you two coming or not?"
Seo-Yeon grabbed her bag. "We're coming."
Min-Hyuk followed her toward the door, then stopped and gave her a quick hug.
Seo-Yeon blinked. "We're literally leaving the room."
"I know."
"You'll see me downstairs."
"I know."
"Then why are you hugging me?"
"Because I wanted to."
Seo-Yeon tried not to smile. "You're impossible."
Min-Hyuk grinned. "I've been told."
He gave her another quick affectionate peck on the cheek before stepping back.
Ha-Joon stared at them. "Are you finished?"
Min-Hyuk looked completely unbothered. "Yes."
Seo-Yeon covered her face, laughing quietly.
Ha-Joon shook his head. "Let's go before you two start another five-minute goodbye."
Min-Hyuk picked up his bag. "Where's Ji-Ah?"
"Resting."
His expression immediately softened. "Her ankle?"
"Still bothering her."
Seo-Yeon frowned. "Is she alright?"
"She should be. I told her to stay in her room."
Min-Hyuk nodded. "Good."
The three of them started down the hallway.
For once, Min-Hyuk didn't complain about work.
He was too busy making sure Seo-Yeon hadn't forgotten anything. "Phone?"
"Yes."
"Passport?"
"Yes."
"Charger?"
"Yes."
"Water?"
She looked at him. "Min-Hyuk."
"What?"
"I'm not five."
"I know."
He smiled. "I'm just checking."
Ha-Joon walked ahead of them, listening quietly.
Behind him, Seo-Yeon laughed. "You're going to check my bag next."
"I might."
"Don't you dare."
Their voices faded down the hallway as they headed toward the elevator, leaving the hotel suite behind and the evening's plans waiting ahead.