The Lily's Rest, The Rose's Awakening
The dinner gathering for the cast of Yeoyo War wrapped up at ten o’clock that night.
After moving from the barbecue restaurant to a wine bar for a light second round, the actors parted ways, promising to meet again soon.
Eun-jung came down to the underground parking lot with her manager.
She glanced at her phone to check the time, then smiled softly and said, “Oppa, could you drop me off at the company before you head home?”
Manager Kim Jin-ho’s eyes took on a subtle, complicated hue once more.
Aigoo, she’s going to see the CEO again. The way our Eun-jung lights up like that…
He had already noticed some time ago that Eun-jung harbored personal feelings for CEO Namgoong Min.
Every time she spoke about the CEO, her cheeks would flush faintly and her eyes would shimmer with unmistakable excitement.
All of it was clear proof of a one-sided crush.
On top of that, her visits had become noticeably more frequent lately.
Still, he never imagined there could be anything deeper between them.
In truth, the two had already shared a physical union. They were not officially lovers, but they had reached a secret understanding that came close to it.
Jin-ho, unaware of that intimate truth, still believed Eun-jung simply had a crush on the CEO.
All he could do was quietly worry and cheer for her, hoping her heart wouldn’t end up broken.
I want to root for her, but… will she be okay? It’s not that the CEO is a bad person, but something about him feels…
The inexplicable unease he had felt last time lingered.
Because Namgoong Min seemed so perfect, Jin-ho couldn’t shake the vague suspicion that he might be hiding something.
That unexplainable anxiety kept making his heart feel uneasy.
At the same time, he felt guilty for judging the CEO based on nothing but a baseless sense of dread.
It might be overthinking. I’m just an ordinary guy, so maybe I can’t believe someone as perfect as the CEO could really exist. Even if there is a problem, it could be something minor.
While his thoughts swirled, Jin-ho suddenly noticed Eun-jung looking at him with a bright, cheerful smile.
He swallowed a sigh and smiled back.
When he saw the smile blooming across her face, he couldn’t bring himself to ruin her happiness.
Her mind was completely filled with the thought of seeing the CEO, and she hadn’t noticed the deeper look in his eyes.
Jin-ho hid his worry as best he could, nodded, and answered in a lively voice, “Of course, Eun-jung! I’ll drive you safely to the Four Square building. You worked hard at the script reading today.”
He forced a big smile, wanting to give strength to her pure heart.
As he climbed into the car, he thought quietly to himself, I hope our Eun-jung stays happy. If only the CEO… would recognize her feelings…
The van sliced through the night streets, heading for the Four Square building.
During the ride, Eun-jung gazed out the window with a quiet smile.
Jin-ho watched her through the rearview mirror.
His heart was split evenly between support and worry, but tonight he didn’t want to disturb her happiness.
When the building came into view, Eun-jung’s smile grew even brighter.
As he pulled the car to a stop, Jin-ho murmured in his heart, Good luck, Eun-jung.
It was ten thirty at night, in the underground parking lot of the Four Square building.
The moment Eun-jung stepped out of the car her manager had parked, she walked toward the elevator with light steps.
The couple of glasses of wine she’d had at the dinner had left her slightly tipsy, but the buzz didn’t amplify any anxiety or desire.
Instead, it gently loosened her heart and only heightened the pure excitement of wanting to see him.
Her cheeks were faintly flushed, and a bright smile played naturally on her lips.
The CEO… he should still be here, right?
Inside the elevator, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror.
She lightly tidied her hair with her hand and felt her chest swell with happiness.
When the elevator doors opened on the twentieth floor, she walked down the familiar hallway and stopped in front of Min’s office.
Knock, knock.
A moment later, his calm, low voice came from inside.
“Yes?”
Eun-jung opened the door and stepped in, beaming brightly.
“CEO, are you still working?”
Namgoong Min lifted his head from his desk.
The glow of the monitor lit his face, and the desk was still covered with stacks of documents.
“Eun-jung?”
He stood up to greet her.
His eyes flickered with surprise at the unexpected visit, followed by clear delight.
Eun-jung closed the door, walked over to him, and spoke with that same radiant smile.
“After the dinner… I just… really wanted to see you.”
Her voice was slightly languid and sweet, probably from the wine.
Before he could answer, she stepped right up to him, wrapped both arms around his waist, and buried her face deep against his chest.
The soft lily scent that gently spread from her tickled the tip of his nose.
“I missed you so much…”
Thanks to the wine, her tone was more languid and aegyo-filled than usual.
At her bold display of affection, Min smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist as well.
“Me too, Eun-jung.”
“Liar… you were just looking at documents a second ago.”
Leaning against his chest, Eun-jung lifted her head slightly, stuck her tongue out playfully, and laughed with a fresh, bright expression.
Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
At her whining, half-pouting tone, Min burst into laughter.
His hand gently stroked her back.
“Hahaha. Did you come here to scold me, Eun-jung?”
Still smiling, he continued in a teasing, sly voice.
“Well, now that you’ve seen my face… what did you plan to do?”
At his playful provocation, Eun-jung let out a bright giggle and lightly tapped his chest.
“I don’t know! That’s why I said I just came to see your face!!”
Even while pretending to be upset, her tone was overflowing with adorable aegyo.
She burrowed deeper into his embrace and smiled with pure happiness.
Aaah… I love this so much. Being held in the CEO’s arms like this. I wish I could stay this way forever.
She quietly caught her breath within his arms and savored the moment.
All the primal desires she had felt before their union had now transformed into emotional fulfillment.
Physical pleasure was important, of course, but the sense of security that came from being possessed by him was even greater.
With her eyes closed in his embrace, she murmured softly, “CEO… I love you.”
Though small, the words carried her entire heart.
Namgoong Min held her even tighter and answered gently, “Me too, Eun-jung.”
In the quiet night of the office, the two shared complete happiness while holding each other.
Her inner world was no longer filled with longing, but with satisfaction and stability.
The next morning, in the CEO’s office on the twentieth floor of the Four Square building.
After the tender meeting with Eun-jung the night before, Namgoong Min’s morning began with a call from Yoon, the executive in charge of Square One.
“CEO, we’re ready to begin the individual member interviews starting today. Who would you like to see first?”
“Send Ju-ri up first.”
Min’s choice was center Shin Ju-ri.
After reviewing each member’s files the day before, he had prepared a special proposal that suited the group’s center, Ju-ri.
It was true that he felt interest and curiosity toward Seo-eun, but business decisions came first.
He planned to wrap up matters with Ju-ri—the face of the group and its most popular member—before moving on to Seo-eun.
And Seo-eun would receive her own special proposal as well.
Of course, that would take some time.
Meanwhile, Ju-ri, who had been waiting in the practice room, received the message from her manager and headed to Min’s office.
The CEO… called for me first…
The phone in her hand trembled slightly.
To Ju-ri, Namgoong Min was far more than just the head of her agency.
Of course, it had started similarly to everyone else.
A soccer hero loved by the entire nation, a man with trillions of won in assets, and now the CEO of Four Square Entertainment, the company she belonged to.
His dazzling career was more than enough to inspire goodwill, just as it did with the public.
And even setting aside those flashy titles, his appearance alone was enough to draw every eye.
She hadn’t fully realized it yet, but her heart had already moved beyond simple admiration and liking.
For now, she was still organizing her feelings as a desire to be recognized by the CEO as an outstanding idol.
Perhaps today’s meeting would become a new turning point in their relationship?
With those thoughts and a fluttering heart, Ju-ri made her way to the CEO’s office.
What will he talk about…? Is he going to tell me about my solo project or unit plans himself?
A smile naturally spread across her lips.
The fact that the CEO had called for her first might be proof that he saw her as special.
But soon after, tension followed.
But… what if he called me because I have shortcomings he wants to point out? Did I make any mistakes?
She quickly recalled her recent activities.
Stage mistakes? Problems with fan communication?
None.
She couldn’t claim perfection, but she was confident there was nothing that would warrant being singled out for criticism.
Don’t get too nervous. You’re doing well, and you’ll keep doing well.
Encouraging herself, Ju-ri stopped in front of the bathroom mirror to straighten her clothes.
A neat blouse and skirt, along with a tidy ponytail.
It was an outfit that felt both proper and refreshingly charming.
In the mirror, she was smiling.
You can do this, right? Let’s do our best, Shin Ju-ri. Show the CEO a good side of you today.
With her resolve strengthened, her steps soon brought her to the front of Min’s office.
She took a deep breath and knocked carefully.
Knock, knock—
“Yes, come in.”
She opened the door with a heart that still trembled.
“Hello, CEO. I’m Shin Ju-ri from Blossoms.”
Once inside the office, she bowed ninety degrees and greeted him in a clear, loud voice.
It was the typical idol greeting commonly seen on broadcasts.
Namgoong Min, who had risen from his desk, welcomed her with a hearty laugh and a bright smile.
“Hahaha. Come on in, Ju-ri. I’m Namgoong Min from Four Square.”
He playfully repeated the exact greeting she had given him, teasing her lightly.
His voice was low and warm, yet it carried a playful ease.
At the CEO’s unexpected humorous response, Ju-ri’s eyes widened for a moment before she burst into bright laughter.
“Ah, CEO! How can you copy me like that~”
She covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.
Though she had been slightly stiff from nerves, she had already returned to her usual bright and lively tone.
Her laughter instantly filled the quiet office with light.
Her beautiful face, adorned with an innocent smile, sparkled under the bright lights.
Her long black hair, tied in a ponytail, swayed gently.
Her long legs, slender waist, and the soft curves of her chest and hips subtly visible beneath her clothes all radiated the fresh vitality of a girl who had just turned twenty.
The faint rose scent that flowed from her had already filled the entire office.
Namgoong Min offered Ju-ri a seat on the sofa and handed her a cup of warm tea he had prepared in advance.
A fragrant herbal aroma rose gently.
“Here, have some tea. You must be very busy preparing for the comeback these days. I heard the schedule is quite tight—have you been tired?”
“I’m fine, CEO! Just thinking about meeting the fans makes me not tired at all. We’ll work even harder!”
Her tone carried the bright, lovable quality typical of idols, but because she was speaking to the CEO, there was also a slight awkwardness.
That subtle gap between her politeness and her natural adorableness made Min smile.
At the same time, he was quietly impressed by the bright, healthy energy she radiated.
As expected… she really is something special.
Ju-ri’s appearance and smile possessed an even brighter and more intense vitality than what he had seen on screen or stage.
Her innate lovable gestures and speech had a magical power to draw people’s eyes no matter the situation.
It was a charm completely different from Eun-jung’s elegant and mature appeal—one overflowing with young, pure energy.
He smiled with satisfaction as he once again confirmed the overwhelming star quality she possessed.
Ju-ri, who felt more than simple goodwill toward the CEO, and Min, who was admiring her bright and lovable charm.
Neither had yet clearly recognized their own feelings, but the office was filled with tension, excitement, and a subtle pull toward each other.
