The Mysterious Stranger & Rising Tensions...
Monday mornings were never my favorite—and today,, my body reminded me why. A familiar ache curled in my lower stomach, announcing the arrival of my period... The accompanying mood swings were already creeping in like an unwanted guest. Groaning softly,, I dragged myself out of bed, kicking the covers aside...
A long,, warm shower was my attempt at peace. I stood under the cascading water, hoping it would melt away the discomfort and the irritability simmering just under my skin... It helped—a little.
Wrapped in a plush towel,, I stared at my reflection. Pale skin... Tired eyes. Red-tinted frustration blooming in my cheeks. "You've got this," I muttered to myself,,
slipping into a navy-blue pantsuit,, one of my comfort armors. No makeup today. Just lip balm...
I grabbed my phone and called my driver. "Hello, Alic?? Can you come right now?? And please,, don't be late... I'm really not in the mood to argue today."
He chuckled softly on the other end... "Of course,, Miss Rimi. I'm already on my way."
His calm voice was like a balm,, but I still felt antsy... I decided to visit someone who could ease the chaos inside me—my stepmother,, Losi.
Her room was empty,, but the butler told me she was in the garden...
I wandered outside,, the crisp morning air brushing against my skin. And then I saw her—kneeling beside the rose bushes I had planted with her years ago,, her fingers delicately caressing the petals like they were sacred...
I couldn't help it... I walked over and wrapped my arms around her from behind,, resting my chin on her shoulder. She smelled like lavender and earth...
Without turning,, she chuckled, her voice soft. "What happened,, my little troublemaker?? You're up early. Did you have a nightmare?? And... did you take your pills??"
"No nightmares," I murmured.. "Just mood swings. I'm heading to a café to get my favorite doughnuts and hot chocolate.."
She finally turned to face me,, her gaze gentle but firm. "I've been worried about you lately. And before you go,, contact Luna... There's talk about a new company trying to compete with Mirain., We can't afford to ignore it, sweetheart."
I sighed and gave her a nod.. "I'll take care of it. Don't worry."
When I reached the driveway,, Alic was already there, leaning against the black car, sipping coffee. "You're late,," I teased...
"I arrived early. You just took your time,," he replied with a wink,, opening the door for me.
The city was bathed in golden sunlight, unusually bright for a Monday... And despite the cramps, the mood swings,, and the looming corporate chaos,, a sliver of warmth settled in my chest...
A Familiar Face in the Shadows...
We pulled up to my favorite café—a cozy corner space with floor-to-ceiling windows and the best doughnuts in Seoul... I ordered my usual and claimed a corner booth..
As I bit into the fluffy,, cream-filled doughnut, I pulled out my phone and dialed Luna...
She answered immediately. "Hello,, Ma'am. What's up??"
"I heard a new company is trying to compete with us. Is that true??"
A pause.. Then a sigh . "Yes. They're called Queen's Company... They've come out of nowhere and they're expanding aggressively... We're still investigating, but there's chatter that the CEO's hands aren't exactly clean.."
I frowned,, feeling a cold twist in my stomach. "Keep me updated,, I want a full report..."
"Yes,, ma'am."
Finishing my hot chocolate,, I left the café and headed to my office at Mirain's Seoul HQ....But just as I stepped out of the car, something—or someone—caught my eye...
A tall figure stood across the street,, half-shielded by the shadow of a tree... His presence was magnetic... And when he turned slightly,, my breath caught in my throat...
He looked exactly like kai...
No... That was impossible. Kai...
I shook my head,, brushing the thought away,, blaming my period-induced emotions and sleep deprivation... But as I stepped into the building,, I couldn't shake the chill crawling down my spine...
Stranger in the Parking Lot...
Work kept me chained to my desk all day... Reports,, meetings,, emails...
The usual grind. By the time I finally shut my laptop,, it was well past six. My head pounded,, and my body felt drained...
Alic had taken a half-day leave,, so I had to drive myself home... I walked toward the basement parking,, heels echoing in the quiet space.
Then—impact...
I stumbled back as I bumped into someone... But before I could fall,, strong arms steadied me,, pulling me back gently...
I looked up—and froze...
It was him,, The man from earlier...
He stood still,, his hands warm on my arms. His face was impossibly close... And those eyes—deep,, unreadable—held me there like time had stopped.
He did look like Adrian... Not just the face. The posture. The presence,, The way he looked at me,, like he knew me...
A hundred memories surged to the surface—sunset kisses,, whispered promises, hands clasped tightly in the dark... But how?? Kai.... I'd buried him in my heart.
Still,, I couldn't speak... Neither could he... We just stared,, hearts pounding in the stillness... Then he smiled—a slow, intimate smile that sent a shiver down my spine—and walked away without a word...
I stood frozen,, lips parted,, heart racing like I'd run a marathon. Who was he?? And why did I feel like I'd seen him before??
Before I could dwell on it,, my phone rang...
"RIMI!! HOW COULD YOU DUMP ALL THIS WORK ON ME???
I had to laugh. "Luna,, my dear,, please... Just this once??"
"No way!! You always do this... This is emotional blackmail!!"
"Please,, please, please,," I whined sweetly.
She groaned dramatically.. "Ugh! Fine!! But you owe me huge!!"
"You're a goddess." I grinned...
"I know," she muttered,, hanging up.
Secrets Unveiled...
Later that evening,, just as I was settling into bed with a heating pad on my stomach,, Luna called again—this time more serious...
"Rimi. You need to hear this..."
"What now??"
"It's Queen's Company... They're competing with us full-force,, And here's the twist… they weren't even registered in Korea six months ago...
No history. No buzz, And now, they're already competing with South Korea's number one makeup brand—us..."
I sat up,, frowning. "That's not just odd... That's suspicious."
"Exactly!! And guess who's running it??"
"Don't tell me it's a ghost..."
"Worse. No one knows, The CEO remains completely anonymous,, No photos... No public events. Just a title—'Mr. K...'"
Mr. K... The letter hit something inside me like a whisper from the past...
Kai...
No... That name was a memory... A scar,, A ghost.
"I'll deal with this after the wedding,," I murmured,, trying to shake the unease curling in my gut... "I need a break."
Luna gasped. "ARE YOU SERIOUS??"
"Yes,, I'm going to my friend's wedding in new York... I'll be back in a week..."
"Fine," she grumbled. "But if Queen's Company takes over the world while you're sipping cocktails on a beach,, don't come crying to me!!"
"Deal." I smiled faintly and ended the call...
But sleep wouldn't come...
Instead,, my mind kept drifting back to the parking lot,, To those eyes,,. That smile,, That presence,,
Adrian??
No...
But then who??
And why did the name Mr. K ... feel like a thread unraveling the tapestry of my carefully built life??
To Be Continued...
In the next chapter,, Rimi uncovers more about the mysterious Mr. K..., stumbles upon hidden truths about that mysterious person past,, and faces emotional upheaval at the wedding that could change everything... Jealousy,, longing,, and a confrontation that will leave her heart torn—stay tuned for more twists,, hidden desires, and a romance,, love that makes you believe in Destiny...