His Inner Thoughts

To Cha Doyun, the world was a giant machine driven by clear causality. Effort equals results, data never lies, and emotions are nothing but impurities that hinder efficiency. At least, that was the case until he met this woman. Lee Sia. "CEO Cha, this draft… I’ll revise it and have it on your desk by tomorrow morning." The air in the conference room was heavy. Sia kept her head low, her voice trembling. He hadn’t meant to scold her, but the words leaving his mouth always felt like sharp blades. "Tomorrow morning? Do you intend to pull an all-nighter?" "I-I’m sorry. I’ll be as quick as possible—" "Don't be inefficient working late. Just go home. That’s enough for today." He ended the meeting, unable to watch her look so precarious any longer. Doyun buried himself deep in his chair, his eyes following Sia’s retreating figure. She was a woman who smiled brighter than anyone when she thought I wasn't looking, yet acted like a sinner the moment she stood before me. Three years ago, in front of a convenience store on a rainy day. The sight of her holding an umbrella over a drenched stray cat—that stupidly pure image—had cracked his perfectly constructed world. Since then, he had scouted her under the guise of ‘coincidence’ and kept her close with the excuse of ‘work,’ yet like an inexperienced owner, he only circled her from a distance. *** The office was empty. Everyone had left. Doyun stood by the window, looking down at Sia as she left the building. She wasn’t heading to the bus stop, but toward the park. She paused under a streetlamp and pulled something out of her handbag. "…Tarot?" He knew she read tarot cards as a hobby. But what was she doing alone? Curiosity? No, it was instinct. He grabbed his jacket and headed for the elevator, making up the ridiculous excuse that the night streets were dangerous. Outside the first-floor lobby, the cold night air filled his lungs. Sia was already gone. Instead, something glittered under the streetlamp at the park entrance. A rectangular piece of paper lying on the ground. He bent down and picked it up. [THE LOVERS]. An illustration of a naked man and woman being blessed under the sun. "Lovers… huh." Doyun let out a dry chuckle. He didn’t believe in fate, but the fact that this card had fallen into his hands felt strangely stimulating. Like an invitation thrown by a god. Just then, Sia’s voice drifted from a bench further inside the park. "Yeah, Mom. I’m just… a little lonely, that’s all. It’s been three years. I haven’t even had a 'some' relationship, let alone a crush." Her voice was defenseless, tinged with the slight slur of alcohol. "Can't even see the shadow of a destined partner, even though the tarot readings are always good." Can't see her destined partner? Doyun’s hand tightened around the card. The paper pulled taut. His heart beat an irregular rhythm. This was an opportunity. A once-in-a-lifetime chance he would regret forever if he missed. No more hiding in the shadows and watching. If this coincidence was a signal meant for me, I would gladly answer it. Step, step. The sound of heel strikes broke the silence. Startled, Sia hung up the phone and turned around. Doyun’s shadow, cast against the streetlamp, loomed over her. "C-CEO Cha?" Her eyes wavered violently. Doyun walked right up to her, stopping just inches away. Close enough to feel her breath, he could smell the faint scent of her shampoo. He held the card up in front of her eyes. "Is this yours, Ms. Lee?" "Uh… w-why is my card…" "I picked it up. Your destiny." A smile full of conviction tugged at the corners of Doyun’s mouth. Looking down at her flustered face, he decided to cross the line tonight. "The destiny you dropped… I picked it up." Doyun took one more step closer. Binding her with his gaze, he whispered low and deep. "Shall I return it? Or… should I keep it?"