A Storm Beneath the City Lights
Riya returned to her vast, luxurious apartment. Located in one of Seoul's most elite districts, its glass walls revealed the city glowing like a sea of stars. Riya was not an ordinary woman she was the daughter of an immensely wealthy family. Yet, driven by her stubborn desire to prove herself, she had chosen to work in a company on her own merit.
Scene: Riya Alone in the Luxury of the Night
She collapsed onto the expensive sofa in the enormous living room. The silence of the apartment pressed down on her, amplifying her thoughts. Draping herself in a silk gown, she stepped onto the balcony, holding a glass of cold water—though the fire inside her still burned fiercely.
Why did this happen?
Why couldn't I control myself?
And why did he touch me like that?
The apartment was a masterpiece of modern design grand chandeliers, priceless paintings, plush carpets. Yet tonight, despite the palace-like luxury, Riya felt restless and suffocated.
She kept glancing at her reflection in the mirror, the memory replaying relentlessly—the moment she had felt the CEO's touch.
Angrily, she hurled a cushion across the room.
I won't go to the office tomorrow!
No—tomorrow I'll resign. I can't work under someone like him.
But the next moment, another thought struck her.
If I don't go, he'll think I'm scared.
And Riya was never afraid.
She decided she would go to show him that the incident hadn't shaken her at all.
An Unexpected Visitor
As she sat locked in an internal battle, ding-dong the doorbell rang.
Startled, Riya checked the time. Nearly eleven at night.
Who could possibly be here at this hour, in her private, high-security apartment?
Nervous yet curious, she approached the door and looked at the intercom screen.
Her heartbeat stopped.
Standing outside, soaked by the rain, was him the CEO. His hair wet, his expression grave. In his hand were her office files and her bag.
She opened the door, and cold air rushed in, mixed with the sharp scent of his perfume.
Riya (uneasy):
"You? At this hour? And how did you get my address?"
For a moment, the CEO stared—at her silk gown, at the vast royal living room behind her. He clearly hadn't expected his assistant to live like this.
CEO (low, composed):
"Your address was in your file. You ran out so suddenly you left your bag and phone behind. I thought they needed to be returned."
He handed her the bag, his eyes fixed on hers. Rainwater dripped from his soaked white shirt, clinging to his body.
CEO:
"And… I came to apologize for what happened. I didn't know you'd leave like that, in the rain. I really didn't mean to hurt you."
As Riya took the bag, their fingers brushed again. This time, she didn't pull away.
She noticed he was trembling.
Riya:
"You're completely soaked. Come inside you'll catch a cold."
After a brief hesitation, he stepped in.
Tonight, inside this palace-like apartment, a new chapter of their relationship was about to begin.
Coffee and Unspoken Words
Riya moved to the sleek kitchen to make coffee. The CEO sat on the massive sofa, quietly admiring the interior. He realized she was far from ordinary yet she had never flaunted her wealth at the office. That humility only deepened his fascination.
She returned with two mugs of coffee and handed him a towel.
Riya:
"Here dry your hair. I'm sorry you had to come all this way because of me."
He accepted the coffee. The warmth and steam softened the awkward silence between them.
CEO:
"I never imagined you were this wealthy. With all this, why work as an assistant?"
Riya (smiling softly):
"My father's money can buy palaces but not respect. I wanted to earn my own identity. Besides… arguing with you is oddly entertaining."
He laughed openly, genuinely. It was the first time Riya had seen him like this. And somehow, it made him dangerously attractive.
His laughter faded, replaced by a deep gaze.
CEO:
"I don't know why, but if I don't argue with you, my day feels incomplete. You've created a strange pull, Miss Riya. And… I'm truly ashamed of what happened at the office."
As he spoke, he moved closer.
Riya felt no anger now only embarrassment mixed with warmth.
Riya:
"Maybe I overreacted too. You're just… very hard to tolerate."
CEO (smiling):
"Then you'll need a lot of strength to tolerate me for the rest of your life."
Their eyes locked.
The soft lights, the rain outside, the bitterness between them dissolved into the sweetness of coffee.
Slowly, he took her hand in his.
This time—she didn't pull away.
The Storm Breaks
Suddenly—
BANG!
The massive double doors burst open.
Standing there was Mr. Ashraf Chowdhury, Riya's father—one of the most powerful and ruthless businessmen in the city. Two bodyguards stood behind him. His eyes burned with fury.
Mr. Chowdhury:
"Riya! What is going on here? Who is this man?!"
Riya jolted and pulled her hand back. The CEO rose calmly, instantly recognizing the authority before him.
Riya:
"Dad! You're here at this hour? And you didn't even tell me—"
Mr. Chowdhury (to the CEO):
"I knew my daughter was working in some ordinary company. But I didn't know the boss of that company would stoop so low as to visit an employee's home at midnight. Young man—do you know whose daughter you're playing with?"
The CEO met his gaze without fear.
CEO:
"Mr. Chowdhury, I'm not here to play with your daughter. I came to return her belongings and apologize. I may be ordinary—but my respect for your daughter is greater than your power."
Mr. Chowdhury laughed coldly.
Mr. Chowdhury:
"Respect doesn't fill stomachs. By tomorrow morning, I want you out of this city. Otherwise, I'll turn your little company to dust. And Riya—you're coming home with me. Now."
Riya straightened.
For the first time in her life, she stood up to her father.
Riya:
"I'm not going anywhere. And neither is he. I'll continue working at that company. Take away my luxury if you want—but you can't change my decision."
The room turned icy.
Mr. Chowdhury lit a cigar and stepped dangerously close to the CEO.
Mr. Chowdhury (cold, venomous):
"Many dream of greatness in this city. They forget that buying a grave is easier than running a big company. If you're still here after sunrise—your parents won't even find your body."
Riya:
"Dad! This is a crime!"
Mr. Chowdhury (smiling cruelly):
"Crime is for the powerless. If I make you disappear tonight, no one will dare ask a question. Isn't that right?"
The CEO's jaw tightened.
CEO:
"You may take lives, Mr. Chowdhury—but you can't create fear. If I don't see tomorrow's sun, remember this—your daughter will never forgive you. And Riya… I know how to fight for you. I know how to die for you."
Riya rushed between them.
Riya (tearful but firm):
"If a single hair on him is harmed, you'll lose your daughter forever. I'll leave this city, this country—everything. Is your pride worth losing me?"
Mr. Chowdhury froze.
He finally realized—Riya was no longer the child he could control.
After the Storm
When her father left, the apartment fell into suffocating silence.
Riya collapsed onto the sofa, shaking. The CEO stood silently nearby—his wet shirt still clinging to him, his eyes filled not with fear, but deep concern.
Riya (breaking down):
"I'm so sorry… because of me, you were threatened like this."
The CEO knelt before her and held her trembling hands.
CEO:
"Don't apologize. Your father wasn't wrong—I may not be worthy by his standards. But he made one mistake."
Riya:
"What mistake?"
CEO:
"He thought killing me would separate us. He doesn't know—after seeing you stand up for me—I can't even imagine leaving you."
Tears slid down Riya's face—but she felt calm.
Riya:
"He's dangerous. Aren't you afraid?"
CEO (smiling softly):
"I would've been—if you'd left with him. Now that you're with me, I can fight the whole world."
Outside, the rain had stopped—but thunder still echoed in Seoul's night sky.
They both knew—
Tomorrow would bring war.