CAPTURING REDEMPTION

CHAPTER 8: A DAY WITH KWON HARI

Yevgeny tried to sleep through the day following his weird yet embarrassing confrontation with his arch-nemesis. The humiliation was overwhelming, so much so that he ended up recalling the scene every two seconds, no matter what he was doing. The long slaps to himself after recalling his sudden confession, which for sure held no meaning, not only made him pluck at his scalp but also led him to take his anger out on his junior.

Kwon Hari—being the way she is—was transparent about her affection for him. She had come running to his apartment the moment he called in sick, although he wasn't really ill. He just couldn't bring himself to step out of bed after sleepless nights and the constant reminder of his embarrassing stint. It felt like Yevgeny had reverted to being the shy kid he once was, who would go numb in the face of embarrassment.

Yet, Kwon Hari was there to witness the stark contrast between Yevgeny's professional persona and the vulnerable man he was at home.

"Ms. Kwon, please leave," the Russian man rolled his eyes in frustration as the girl started unpacking raw vegetables. Although someone else was supposed to drop off the necessary files at Yevgeny's apartment, the naïve junior decided to use the files as her excuse to barge into his home—something he hated passionately. The last person he had ever let inside his home, into his world, had not only betrayed him but also ensured he would never trust another soul again.

The girl turned around, her eyes glistening with excitement. "Mr. Bogdanov, why don't you rest while I take care of lunch? Let's have lunch together, alright? I've brought all the nice veggies—everything to your liking! And I also bought chicken and shrimp since you don't like mutton."

"How do you know that?" Yevgeny asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I always bring you your lunch," Kwon Hari replied, her smile fading as she realized how unaware her boss was of her efforts. She meticulously planned his meals, knowing Yevgeny was a top-tier workaholic with an eye for perfection. Every word on his reports had to serve a purpose, every headline needed to be catchy and well-supported.

Kwon Hari had understood from her first day that she would be working under a man who paid little attention to his own well-being. Despite her best efforts to leave work on time, she often found the Russian man, with his naturally blond hair and piercing icy eyes, shuffling through stacks of reports late into the night. His coffee would be cold, and his dinner would sit untouched beside him.

Yevgeny sighed, running a hand through his dishevelled hair. "Please, Ms. Kwon. This isn't right. You're my junior. Stop this and focus on the case I've given you!" His voice was tinged with defeat.

"I already did. If you check the files, you'll find my sixty-page report. So, can I help you with lunch now?"

Yevgeny sighed, his frustration mounting. "Ms. Kwon, I appreciate your concern, but I need to be alone right now. Please, just leave."

Kwon Hari's face fell slightly, but she quickly masked her disappointment with a bright smile. "Mr. Bogdanov, I just want to help. You don't have to do everything alone. Let me take care of you for once."

Yevgeny closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to suppress the rising tide of emotions. The last thing he needed was another person breaking through his defences, especially someone as earnest and naïve as Kwon Hari. But her persistence, her unwavering belief in him, stirred something within him—something he wasn't ready to confront.

"Fine," he muttered, opening his eyes to meet hers. "But don't expect me to be good company."

Kwon Hari's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Mr. Bogdanov! I promise you won't regret it."