NOVPUB
Chapter 1 - Last night
[Titanium Hotel – 8:00 AM]
Yeri woke with a pounding headache and the unmistakable feeling that something had gone terribly, terribly wrong. Her eyelids fluttered open as she groaned, gently touching her throbbing forehead.
"What the hell happened to me?"
She winced. Her elegant face twisted into confusion as she tried to piece together the previous night—something about a bar, drinks, dancing... soreness?
"Where am I?" she muttered, blinking at the unfamiliar ceiling.
She turned her head—and immediately regretted it.
An arm. A man's arm. Draped casually over her waist like it belonged there.
Brain: Processing... Failed.
Yeri's eyes widened. She bolted upright—well, tried to—but was stopped by the sharp ache in her body and the red marks dotting her arms and chest.
"Damn it," she hissed through gritted teeth, glaring at the sleeping man beside her.
"Mad dog!" her brain screamed.
How dare this man leave hickeys like she was some cheap banquet snack?!
But then again... that jawline. That skin. That chest sculpted by Michelangelo himself. Okay, maybe her succubus instincts from a past life still had excellent taste.
She leaned in, curiosity piqued. He looked oddly familiar—bronze skin, jet-black hair, a straight nose, cheekbones sharp enough to slice sushi, lashes longer than her patience.
"Ten out of ten," she muttered under her breath. "Past me, you had taste. Questionable morals, but excellent taste."
Without another word, she flopped back into the pillows, groaned softly, and decided this was Future Yeri's problem. Present Yeri deserved five more minutes of sleep.
---
An Hour Later...
The godlike man stirred. His eyes opened to find a woman nestled against him like a stray kitten. His expression twisted slightly.
"What kind of demon possessed me last night?" he thought.
He turned his head and nearly choked.
Her?
She looked like trouble in a tiny dress. Long hair splayed across the pillow. Lips pink. One bare leg tangled in the sheets.
And she was... beautiful.
Not just hot. Not just attractive. Unreal.
He wasn't disgusted—which was new. In fact, he felt... nothing negative. This wasn't just about her ridiculous beauty. She was different. Unworldly.
Shin Keir didn't do women. In fact, he usually couldn't stand them—loud, clingy, overly perfumed nuisances. Not gay either, just... unimpressed by the human race.
"Maybe primal instinct kicked in?" he rationalized, not very convincingly.
Still, he studied her. Was she a model? A pop star? That drunken mess from the bar didn't scream "celebrity."
Against all logic, he found himself brushing hair from her face, touching her cheek, tracing her lips—
"...What the hell am I doing?" he muttered aloud, yanking his hand away like he'd been burned.
---
Later...
A soft groan escaped Yeri as someone tapped her shoulder. She blinked open her eyes and found herself face-to-face with the very man who haunted her dreams—and now, apparently, her mornings.
"You again?" she mumbled.
"Get up," Shin said flatly, already dressed in sleek black slacks and a white shirt with the top buttons undone. "I've got work. I'll drop you off. Where do you live?"
Yeri blinked. "Still sleepy... you go first."
Shin scowled. Go first? Who says that to a one-night stand? Where was the panic? The shame? The awkward clinging?
"GET. UP."
"...So noisy," she grumbled. "My body's sore. If you're so insistent, carry me to the bathroom."
Shin's eye twitched. Was she high? Who dared to boss him around?
"Why are you sore?"
Yeri narrowed her eyes. Blind and clueless?
Shin pinched the bridge of his nose. This woman... was she for real?
He glanced at the faint red marks he'd definitely left. Guilt nudged him in the ribs.
"If you don't carry me, I'm going back to sleep," she huffed, rolling over.
He sighed like a man headed for execution—and scooped her up in his arms.
Yeri grinned, arms around his neck like it was a honeymoon. "Do I feel light as a feather?"
"Shut up."
"Don't forget my clothes," she added sweetly as they passed the bathroom door.
He muttered something in another language under his breath.
---
Ten Minutes Later
The bathroom door opened with a soft click.
Shin turned—and froze.
Yeri stepped out, wearing a black bodycon dress that hugged her like it had been painted on. His coat hung over her shoulders, but not even that could hide the curves.
His jaw tightened.
"Why are you shaped like that?" he blurted before his brain could catch up.
Yeri smirked. "Shaped like what? Awesome?"
"Don't wear that... weird dress again."
"Weird?" She looked down at herself. "It's designer."
"Obnoxious," he muttered, looking anywhere but directly at her. "Do you remember what happened last night?"
She tilted her head. "Hmm... bits and pieces. Enough."
"And... you're not upset?"
She blinked. "Why would I be? You're hot. Five stars. Would recommend. I'm more annoyed I don't have breakfast."
He stared at her. This girl had no shame. No panic. No drama. Just... chill.
Suspicious.
Shin sneered. Either she knew who he was or she had the emotional depth of a teaspoon.
In the elevator, Yeri leaned her head against his arm like it was a memory foam pillow. Shin, meanwhile, wondered if he'd been drugged. Or cursed.
"I'm still sleepy," she mumbled.
"My arm's not your pillow."
"Then you shouldn't have woken me up."
"It's almost noon."
Yeri ignored him and sulked in silence. Forget the pretty face—this man's personality is discounted trash.
Shin glanced sideways. Her pout triggered an unfamiliar pang in his cold, dead soul.
"...Have we met before?" he asked suddenly.
"Wrong question," she smirked. "And don't worry, I won't ask you to take responsibility."
Shin blinked. "You're... really not upset?"
"Congratulations, you met an unbothered woman."
She strutted out of the elevator. Shin grabbed her hand before she could escape.
"What now?"
"I find you suspicious. You're coming with me."
---
Basement Parking – Moments Later
Secretary Yun paced beside the Rolls-Royce like a caffeinated hamster. He hadn't gone home. He hadn't slept. He was traumatized.
In eight years under the ruthless Shin Keir, he'd never witnessed something so terrifying: his boss willingly leaving a bar—with a woman. A living one.
Yun had hoped it was a hallucination. But when the elevator doors opened... there they were.
Shin Keir. And a woman. Pulling each other like they were in a low-budget rom-com.
Yun's jaw dropped. The apocalypse is here.
She's alive?!
He'd assumed she was a mirage. Or a ghost. Or something that would vanish by sunrise.
But no.
She was real. And gorgeous. And laughing.
The untouchable, ice-cold CEO Shin Keir... holding a woman's hand?! That's a bigger myth than vampires and shapeshifters in broad daylight!
Secretary Yun stood frozen like he'd just seen a ghost. His brain short-circuited. RIP, mental stability.
---
"Could you not hold my hand? You're the suspicious one here!" Yeri tugged at her wrist, but Shin led her off like she weighed nothing—just a decorative paper tiger.
"We'll talk and figure it out."
"There's nothing to figure out. I'm not adopting you."
Shin blinked. Adopting? What?
Was she still drunk?
Yeri rolled her eyes. Who's the suspicious one here?! This god-tier dog is ownerless and shamelessly tailing her!
Sorry, she's only into obedient, cute puppies!
Shin ignored her mental meltdown and noticed Secretary Yun standing by the car, looking like someone just unplugged his soul.
"You didn't go home?" Shin asked.
Secretary Yun stared at the woman beside his boss like she was a UFO in a cocktail dress. "Boss... she's a woman?"
Shin raised an eyebrow. "You were expecting?"
"N-No! My apologies, miss!" Secretary Yun gave a flustered bow.
Yeri laughed. This guy was older than the godlike mutt, but still attractive in that tired-office-look. "Don't I look like a woman?"
"The lady is so beautiful, I thought she was a goddess," Secretary Yun replied smoothly. Veteran move—10 years as Shin Keir's secretary hadn't dulled his survival instincts.
"Thanks for the compliment. I'm Yeri Zhi."
Secretary Yun nearly dropped his clipboard. That smile? Too real. She's 100% woman.
"I'm CEO Shin Keir's secretary. Just call me Secretary Yun."
Yeri casually turned to Shin. "Wait—you're a CEO?"
"..."
Shin's face darkened. Were these two seriously bonding while ignoring him?
Secretary Yun broke into a cold sweat. Did he just upset the boss? And why didn't this woman know his identity? Weren't they... together last night?
What a scandal.
"Not answering makes you more suspicious!" Yeri teased.
Secretary Yun almost choked on his own breath. This woman had a death wish!
"Just get in the car," Shin growled, hauling her inside.
"When did I agree to a ride?! This is kidnapping!"
Shin sneered. We slept together and you're calling it kidnapping? Why was he putting up with her again?
"Where to?"
Yeri ignored him.
"You even have money to get home?"
"...Ah!" Her eyes widened. Her purse was missing.
"Don't bother checking the hotel. You had nothing on you when I carried you out."
"I didn't?"
Shin smirked. "Heh~ And here I thought you remembered everything. So, you lied?"
Yeri tried to remember. Nina probably had her stuff. Classic Nina.
"Just drop me at SC University."
As the car pulled away, Secretary Yun eavesdropped shamelessly. Today's version of the boss? Unfamiliar. Terrifying. Entertaining. 𝙣𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝙤𝙢
It was rush hour hell in Sin City's downtown, but for once, Secretary Yun wasn't panicking. The devil's attention was locked on the woman beside him.
"You said your name is Yeri Zhi. Which Zhi family?"
"Nothing major. Probably haven't heard of us."
"Why SC University?" Shin asked, gently tucking hair behind her ear.
Yeri didn't even flinch. "I'm a student. Dorm life."
"Undergrad or grad school?"
Yeri tilted her head. "Do I look old to you? I just turned 18. Still in high school."
Shin's soul left his body for a second.
Eighteen?!
He looked out the window, questioning every choice he'd made in life. Then—lowered his gaze. How could someone this young have that kind of figure? Eight-year age gap. Great.
SC University was crawling with rich, eligible bachelors. Was she seeing someone? If so, wasn't that cheating after last night?
Also, seriously—who's better than me?
"Your turn mister," Yeri said. "How old are you?"
Mister? Shin flinched like she'd slapped him.
"...Twenty-six."
"Old man."
"Do I look old to you?"
"You're a CEO. That's ancient."
"How many CEOs do you know?"
"My dad. He's older than dinosaurs."
Shin groaned. "I regret this conversation."
"Oh come on, Grandpa. What kind of company do you run?"
"KV Global Group."
Yeri blinked. "Wait—the KV Global? You're that rich?"
Shin sighed. "Please stop talking."
"I might marry you for money."
"...I'm pulling over."
Yeri just laughed.
And somewhere in the front seat, Secretary Yun silently prayed.
