When you are done checking me out

She observed the attractive man as his cold gaze met hers.

Joel kept his hands in his pockets as he stood by the doorway. "Speak," he demanded.

"Um... I... I can explain," she stammered, her voice trembling.

He watched her with a blank expression. "Explain," he repeated.

She nervously scratched her head, trying to find the right words. "It's... it's... I mean, I can..." Her thoughts trailed off, leaving her speechless.

She felt helpless, not knowing how to express herself.

"I'll pay you back," she finally managed to blurt out.

No response. Joel remained silent.

Fear gripped her, and she swallowed hard. "Please..." she pleaded, her voice barely a whisper.

She had no idea what the handsome man had in store for her.

"Tell me what you want... I-I'll do it," she stammered uncontrollably, her words stumbling over each other.

A flicker of something crossed Joel's eyes as he observed her. He took a step forward, his gaze fixed on the girl.

Emily's heart raced, and she instinctively took a step back in fear. They continued this dance of steps — he advanced, she retreated.

Her heart pounded in her chest, threatening to burst.

What would he do to her? The thought crossed her mind, and she feared he might resort to violence.

Their movements continued until her back hit the fridge, and she could no longer retreat any further.

He stood just an inch away from her, their breaths mingling lightly.

Joel scrutinized the girl standing before him, his gaze intense.

Emily swallowed again, her heart pounding in her chest. She peered into the cold, dangerous eyes of the man in front of her.

There seemed to be no way out.

Joel smirked, breaking the tension. He reached behind the girl and opened the fridge, grabbing a bottle of soju. With a flick of his hair, he turned and strode out of the kitchen.

Emily waited for a moment, her back pressed against the fridge. When she was certain he had left, she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and exhaled deeply, placing a hand over her chest.

She tiptoed out of the kitchen and made her way to her room.

The next morning, Emily brushed Little Pumpkin's teeth, bathed him, and got him dressed for school.

A cute smile graced her lips as she carried Little Pumpkin to the car. "Little Pumpkin, see you in the afternoon, okay?"

"Yes," Little Pumpkin happily nodded his head.

With his pretty noona back, he had every reason to be happy.

"Read your books and listen to your teacher, okay?" Emily closed the car door.

Again, Little Pumpkin nodded obediently. "Yes."

"Oh, and don't forget to drink the soju, okay?" Emily grinned mischievously.

Little Pumpkin nodded once more, glancing at the soju in his hand. "Huhn."

"I love you. Fighting!" Emily waved her hand and took a few steps back.

Little Pumpkin's heart pounded in his chest as he heard the beautiful noona say she loved him. He would eat the food she packed and drink the soju, gain strength, do his best in school, and make her proud.

Little Pumpkin waved non-stop at the beautiful noona until the car was out of sight.

Emily also waved until the car disappeared from view. She turned and headed back into the lounge.

Michael emerged from his room, his attention fixed on his wristwatch. Dressed in a black suit with styled hair, he appeared happy, but Emily knew there was a hidden sorrow beneath his facade. She had heard him cry

the previous night.

Michael noticed her presence. "Emily."

She snapped out of her thoughts and quickly bowed her head. "Ahhh, annyeonghaseyo."

"Annyeong," Michael greeted with a cute smile, approaching her.

"It's good to see you back. Thank you," he said, gently patting her arm.

"Ahhh, yes," Emily replied, bowing shortly but respectfully.

"See you later. I'm running late," he said, smiling, before leaving the lounge.

Something flickered in Emily's eyes. She rushed to the kitchen, grabbing another lunchbox and a bottle of soju. She chased after Michael.

"Oppa," Emily called after him.

Michael turned and watched as Emily ran towards him.

"I prepared this for you. Please enjoy it when you get to the office. You look a bit lean," she pouted her lips.

"Do I?" he asked, surprised, glancing at himself. "Okay, I will."

He accepted the bag from her and got into the car.

Emily smiled and waved until the car vanished from sight.

"Pshht," Michael chuckled, staring at the lunchbox on the seat beside him.

"That girl..." he murmured with a smile.

Emily nodded, satisfied with her actions, and happily skipped into the lounge. However, her smile quickly faded as she heard soft footsteps descending the stairs.

Without needing to be told, she knew who it was. She recognized those gentle, unhurried footsteps—the Handsome God.

She froze in place, her smile disappearing instantly.

Joel descended the stairs gracefully, exuding an air of confidence. When he reached the bottom, he flicked his hair, his black tuxedo impeccably tailored, and his hair styled to perfection.

A captivating fragrance filled the air.

Emily gulped, her eyes fixated on the mesmerizing god before her. He was undeniably handsome.

"When you're done staring, move out of the way," Joel's voice broke the silence, jolting Emily back to reality.

She opened her mouth but struggled to form a coherent response. "N-nde?"

"Move," he commanded, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Ahhh, yes," Emily gulped and quickly stepped aside.

Joel took confident strides towards the door but then turned to face her.

"Don't you have anything to give me?" he asked, his intense gaze fixed on her.

"Ehn? Ahhh, no," she shook her head vigorously, her hands fumbling in the air.

"Nothing?" he questioned, his expression cold.

Emily ransacked her brain, desperately trying to come up with something.

And then it hit her. She turned and dashed to the kitchen, where she had left something for him.

Joel smirked, amused by her actions. He had noticed her packing lunchboxes for his brother and Little Pumpkin, so he assumed she would do the same for him.

But his smile faltered when he watched her descend the three steps leading to the kitchen without a lunchbox in hand.

Emily returned, stretching out a face mask she had removed from Little Pumpkin's face the night before.

"Mbo?" Joel blinked rapidly, taken aback by her gesture.

"Your... mask," she bobbed her head, offering it to him.

His face darkened as he stared at her. He bit his lip, said nothing, and without another word, opened the door and strode over to his car.

Emily stood rooted to the spot, bewildered by the handsome god's anger. She had no idea what she had done to upset him.

She huffed and made her way back to the kitchen, finding a stool to sit on. She looked at the third lunchbox she had prepared,

thankful that she hadn't given it to him. He would have likely poured the food all over her body if she had.

Emily shuddered at the thought, picked up the lunchbox, and headed to her room. The food shouldn't go to waste, after all.

🚗🚗🚗

Joel gazed out through the tinted car window as his chauffeur drove him to work. Frustration welled up inside him as he recalled the earlier incident.

So that girl hadn't prepared a lunchbox for him...

He clenched his fists, his knuckles almost popping out of his hand.

"Sir, we have arrived," the chauffeur announced, bringing Joel back to reality.

Joel looked up and stepped out of the car.

Immediately, his assistant hurried towards him.

"Good morning, Boss," Noah greeted him.

Joel ignored him and cleared his throat as they walked into the building. "Speak."

"Boss, you have a meeting with the board members in five minutes. Everyone is already waiting in the conference room," Noah informed him, trailing behind.

"Cancel it," Joel blurted out.

"Mbo?" Noah grimaced, but swiftly canceled the meeting.

Joel entered the elevator, and Noah quickly joined him, hoping to avoid the stairs.

"There's also an appointment with Minister Lee," Noah continued, reading the next item on the schedule.

"Cancel it," Joel tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for the elevator to reach the top floor—his office.

"Ahhh, ye," Noah canceled the appointment.

"Boss, there's a ball..." Noah's lips twitched.

"Cancel it," Joel interrupted.

The elevator doors finally opened, and Joel stepped out.

"Noah groaned. "Yes, Sir."

"There's supposed to be a meeting with Empire World's entertainment team, but leave it," Joel said, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.

"Yes, Sir," Noah grinned.

"Boss, the Globals are at it again," Noah added, pouting as he followed his boss.