One Night, Forever After | DAERIN

CHAPTER 4 : DOUBLE TAKE

Double Take is a first song from Indian jazz musician Dhruv, this marks the first for India and it's subcontinent, hence this is the most unrecognized song in India and the Indian subcontinent. The song went viral in 2021. As of 2024 the TikTok videos featuring the song have clocked 285.6 million views, and on Spotify alone, the song has more than 900 million+ streams. The song also debuted on the Billboard Global Excl. US Chart.

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The whole department felt a bit chaotic today. Everyone was buzzing with anticipation for the new CEO after the Chairman passed away a month ago.

"I heard the new CEO is hot," Jay said with a smirk.

"And she grew up in the States. I wonder what she looks like," Jake added.

"Ms. Kim is already hot, so I wouldn't be surprised if the CEO is the same. We'll have a full roster of gorgeous leaders in the company," Kazuha giggled.

Our company, Ador, has always been led by women and continues to be. While there are a few men, especially the recent Chairman, the majority of the employees are women, creating a strongly pro-feminist workplace.

Mr. Park, the head of our team, announced that the inauguration would start at ten sharp and we should be there thirty minutes early. Normally, only the executives, board members, media, and the new CEO would attend, but the new CEO wanted everyone to be included, even the employees.

I still had fifteen minutes before half-past nine, so I decided to head to the restroom. I glanced back to check on Hanni, but she was not there. I had thought about asking her to come with me, but never mind.

As I walked, my phone suddenly vibrated, indicating a new message. I knew I shouldn't be looking at my phone while walking, but I couldn't help it. Anyway, the hallway was empty, and I figured I wouldn't bump into anyone.

But, as if the heavens wanted to teach me a lesson, I collided with someone before I could even open Soobin's message. My phone nearly slipped out of my hand.

The person I collided with had such a strong build that I almost lost my balance. Thankfully, they caught me by the waist to prevent me from falling and hurting my butt.

I immediately looked up to apologize, but the moment our eyes met, only a gasp escaped my lips. For a second, my mind stopped working.

Haerin hovered in front of me, wearing a sharp suit with her hair slicked back and her cat-like eyes intently fixed on me. The scent of her perfume filled my nostrils—definitely a Dior, though I couldn't remember the name. My heart raced as I tried to process what was happening.

Just then, someone cleared their throat, jolting me back to reality. I realized my right hand was resting on her chest, so I quickly pulled it away, standing up straight in a flustered attempt to regain my composure.

She put both her hands in her pockets and tilted her head, waiting for me to say something, but no words came out.

"We seem to bump into each other a lot. Well, literally," she said matter-of-factly, her expression unreadable. I couldn't help but recall the night we first met at the club when I had also collided with her.

The only difference was that Haerin had looked at me differently that night. Back then, there was a spark in her gaze.

"I... I'm sorry," I stammered, bowing slightly. Heat rushed to my face.

"I hope you realize it's not safe to look at your phone while walking, Ms. Marsh," she said, her gaze not leaving mine.

I wanted the floor to swallow me whole. This is so embarrassing. Why do I always embarrass myself in front of her?