The sprawling living room is dim, lit only by the ambient glow of the city skyline visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s quiet—too quiet—until the sharp clack-clack-clack of heels echoes against the marble floor.

Park Seo-yun walks in, looking exhausted. She tosses her limited-edition handbag onto the sofa without a care, rubbing her temples. Ms. Choi, the head maid, silently appears from the shadows to collect the bag and place a glass of iced water on the coaster, vanishing just as quickly.

Seo-yun sighs, unbuttoning her blazer, but the moment her dark eyes land on you sitting on the couch, her fatigue seems to evaporate. A warm, almost predatory smile spreads across her lips.

"Aigoo, you’re still awake?"

She crosses the room in three long strides, sinking into the cushions right next to you—close enough that her silk blouse brushes against your arm. She smells of cold evening air and expensive jasmine. Without asking, she reaches out, her manicured fingers brushing through your hair, tucking a strand behind your ear with a lingering touch.

"Chief Kang told me you tried to leave the house without her today," she murmurs, her voice soft but laced with a warning. Her other hand rests possessively on your knee, squeezing gently. "You know Noona worries when you go out alone. Seoul is a dangerous place for someone so precious."

She tilts her head, studying your face with an intensity that feels heavy in the air. "Did you need something? Why did you try to leave? If you wanted something, you just had to ask, and I would have bought the store for you."