Chapter 32
He came back shortly after, and Hana seemed more fired up than ever.
He brought out more elegant, alluring dresses, making sure every single piece suited her look and vibe perfectly from head to toe.
They spent the next little while quietly going through racks, picking and trying on pieces one after another, always aiming for the best possible fit and style.
By the end, Hana settled on five final designs, looking fully satisfied yet still buzzing with the same bright excitement she'd had from the start.
"Now that you've picked these five pieces, Ms. Choi, we need to match them with the right accessories, footwear, and other add-ons. I'll also tell the manager to adjust the fabric and make custom sets out of these final five designs."
Yeonho spoke while straightening and rearranging the racks around them, moving smoothly between pieces without pausing.
"Yes, do that. I really like how you work." Hana spoke up suddenly, curiosity lacing her tone.
"Have you been in this industry for a long time?"
Yeonho stopped what he was doing, turned to give her his full attention.
"Pretty much. And like you said earlier… it's still hard for me, all because of my name." He reminded gently, keeping his tone soft and a little helpless, exactly like someone carrying an unfair burden.
ThenHana pushed herself up from her seat and walked over to stand near him, eyes scanning him with genuine appreciation.
"That's such a shame. You're way more professional than most people I've worked with."
"I just love what I do, that's all." Yeonho kept his tone humble, like his skill was nothing special.
"Obviously—it shows in everything you do. How about you be my personal stylist for a while? I want someone like you to help me upgrade my whole style."
'Bingo.'
She'd walked straight right into his trap. Now he just had to seal the deal perfectly, make it stick so she'd never think twice.
Yeonho put on a full show of shock for a second, his expression shifting into pure disbelief mixed with flattered confusion.
"You're joking, right Ms. Choi? Please don't tease me like that…"
Hana watched his obvious reaction, a pleased little smile pulling at her mouth.
"No, I'm completely serious. I see how talented you are. And we Choi family members… We always make sure to surround ourselves with the best people."
Yeonho fell quiet for a beat, pressing one hand lightly over his chest like he was truly moved by her words.
"I'll do absolutely everything I can, Ms. Choi. Thank you so much, really."
He bowed low, looking every bit the grateful, hardworking young man. While Hana watched on, pride swelling soft and warm in her chest, feeling powerful, generous, and right in every way.
Hana was thrilled with both her new outfits and her new personal stylist, completely happy with how everything was turning out.
Yeonho was pleased too—but for entirely different reasons: now he'd be right by her side every single day, able to track every move she made.
"Would you like me to walk around the mall with you? We can check everything over and make sure nothing's missing or out of place before we start adjustments." Yeonho offered.
"That sounds perfect. Let's go then, we'll wrap this up quickly. I've got places to be after."
Hana smoothed down her clothes and fixed her hair a little, while her assistant stepped up to stand quietly beside her.
"You've got a date, haven't you Ms. Choi? I'd bet on it."
The second the words left Yeonho's mouth, Hana froze mid-movement, gaze snapping straight to him.
"How… how did you know?" Suspicion flickered sharp across her face but Yeonho just laughed it off easily, completely.
"Ms. Choi, you're practically famous for it. Everyone in Korea knows you've got at least five different men chasing after you, or dating you."
"Right… Anyway, let's get back to what we were doing."
It was simple common knowledge, nothing special, and Hana nodded slowly, admitting it was true.
"But Ms. Choi… wouldn't it be better if you headed straight to your date instead? I've been in relationships before, y'know. Couples work best when they spend the whole day together, even the night too."
Yeonho's eyes went wide right after the words left his mouth, like he'd just realized he'd said way too much.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to overstep or pry into your personal business. I just… I want to return the favor, since you gave me this amazing chance to work with you."
'That line was perfect. Soft, humble, well-meaning, exactly what would disarm her completely.'
And just like Yeonho knew she would, Hana nodded at him, every trace of suspicion melting away.
"You're actually right… You're really sharp, aren't you? You even know about relationships too."
Hana started walking toward the store exit, Yeonho falling into step right beside her while her assistant followed a respectful pace behind.
"I've had my fair share of relationships, Ms. Choi…"
Yeonho said casually, before shifting his tone a little, softer and more serious.
"Actually… is it okay if I ask you something a bit personal?"
Hana gave a quick nod, still walking side by side with him toward the mall's main corridor.
Yeonho had been dying to confirm this one thing, so he leaned slightly closer, dropping his voice to a low whisper only she could hear.
"Did you sleep with all five of the men you're seeing? And are you still sleeping with all of them now? Do they even know you're with all five at the same time? Are they really okay with that?"
His question hit Hana like a bucket of ice water. She stopped dead in her tracks, turning fully toward him with a completely serious, unreadable look on her face.
The easy, light vibe between them vanished instantly, replaced by something heavy, tense, and quiet.
"You… you're asking way too much."
"I'm so sorry if I offended you, Ms. Choi. I was just curious, that's all. Like I said a minute ago… I've had a lot of relationships, and I've messed around with a lot of people too. I know how messy things can get, I just wanted to understand."
Silence hung thick between them for a long moment. Yeonho stayed perfectly still, watching her closely and waiting for her answer, every muscle held ready.
She turned fully to face him again, stepping a little closer so no one else nearby could possibly overhear.
"I… I don't have to answer that. I'm still your boss, remember? We're not close enough for you to ask things like that."
"You're right, I'm sorry. It was out of line."
Yeonho bowed his head slightly, looking properly chastised and regretful, exactly how a good subordinate should.
"Come on, let's go. I'll make a call first, then we'll get back to work later."
Hana turned and kept walking, and the second they stepped out into the main walkway, she pulled her phone from her bag and started typing fast.
Yeonho didn't even need to guess—he knew exactly who she was messaging.
He kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, a small satisfied smile playing over his lips. His fingers shifted restlessly against his thigh, barely noticeable.
He'd get to see the Kang Min-Hyuk soon.
Just the thought alone made a sharp rush of excitement hum through his whole body.
As they walked further through the mall, he glanced around at all the people passing by—groups of students laughing over snacks, couples holding hands, whole families chatting happily, everyone wrapped up in their own little perfect worlds.
For a split second, he felt something unfamiliar, cold and distant feeling, his smile faded slowly.
But he shook it off instantly, pulling his mask right back into place.
Distractions like that had no place in his mind right now, not when he had a job to finish.
They walked a little further before Hana's phone suddenly started ringing, making them stop in their tracks.
She answered fast, pressing it tight to her ear.
"Where are you, Minhyuk? Hello? Where are you right now?"
Yeonho couldn't hear the voice coming through the speaker, but he picked up every single word Hana said, watching every small shift in her expression.
"I… I don't think I can make it, Hana. I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to you next time, I promise, okay?"
"Why not? Are you busy? Did I interrupt you while you're working or something?" Hana's voice soft with disappointment.
"Yeah, something happened..."
"…Fine. We'll just catch up another time then. Bye."
She pulled the phone away from her ear and let out a long, heavy sigh, shoulders slumping forward just enough to show how let down she was.
"Forget it. Come on, let's just go back and get started."
She looked toward him, clear disappointment written all over her face.
But she wasn't the only one upset—Yeonho was far more disappointed than she could ever know.
He'd been so close to meeting Kang Minhyuk face to face, the male lead himself, and now the chance was gone just like that.
Frustration started twisting in his gut.
Just as he was about to turn and follow her, a low, deep, husky voice rang out from right behind them—making both him and Hana jump in surprise.
"Hey there, beautiful. Did you miss me?"
Hana spun around fast on her heel, her gloomy expression vanishing instantly, replaced by a bright, glowing smile that lit up her whole face.
And the second Yeonho turned too, his breath catching for half a beat.
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