Chapter 2

Aeri hadn’t slept an ounce. 

She had spent the entire night staring at her ceiling, replaying the conversation with Jimin over and over until the words lost all meaning. By the time her alarm went off at six, she had already been awake for hours, her eyes dry and her chest hollow. 

She had taken her time getting ready, choosing her outfit deliberately. She had chosen a black silk blouse that showed just enough of her neck to make the marks visible. She had pulled her hair back into a high ponytail, determined not to hide the evidence of what she and Jimin had shared, of what Jimin wanted to hide. 

The thought alone made her jaw clench. If Jimin wanted to pretend they never were a thing, well, Aeri would make sure she regretted it. 

At 8:30 AM, she had texted Yunjin. 

“Are you free this morning? I need a favor.” 

Yunjin had replied almost immediately. “For you? Always. What’s up?” 

“Can you come to my office? Around 9?” 

Yunjin: Do I want to know what this is about? 

“Probably not. But will you do it anyway?” 

Yunjin: I’m already on my way. 

She was now sitting at her desk, at 8:45, watching the office fill with people. She could feel their eyes on her, on her neck specifically. But she kept her expression neutral. If they wanted to stare, they could. 

Her phone buzzed. 

Jimin: Please. We need to talk before they get here. 

Aeri deleted the message without responding. 

Jimin: Aeri, please. 

Delete. 

Jimin: I’m sorry. 

Delete. 

Jimin: I’m so sorry. Can we just talk? 

Delete. 

Aeri turned her phone face-down on her desk and went back to reviewing reports, even though she couldn’t focus on a single word. 

At 8:55, she heard noise near the elevators and her stomach churned. They were here. 

She forced herself not to look, keeping her eyes on her computer screen even as she heard footsteps approaching. 

“–such a beautiful building,” a woman’s voice said. “You’ve done well, Jimin.”