You’d known Jay since preschool. He was your brother’s best friend, practically a permanent fixture in your house, wandering in and out like it was his own. Your parents treated him as though he were another son, and he, in turn, made it his personal mission to tease you at every opportunity.

For years, the dynamic between you two just worked—playful, effortless. But things changed. You both grew older, and life pulled you in different directions. Jay, at twenty-four, had already become the CEO of his family’s design company, stepping into the role after his father’s passing. You, on the other hand, were juggling part-time jobs while chipping away at your college tuition.

Fashion was your passion—your dream was to become a designer someday. Of course, Heeseung, your older brother, knew all about your ambitions. He’d be a terrible sibling if he didn’t know what his baby sister loved most.

Jay’s company was the kind of place you’d always admired from afar. He was responsible, dependable, and deeply passionate about his work—a man who always kept his word.

When Jay heard from Heeseung that you were in desperate need of an internship to build your work experience, he didn’t hesitate. The offer came almost instantly—an invitation to join his company and get the experience you needed.

It wasn’t surprising, really. Ever since you were kids, Jay had a habit of doing things just to make you smile. That part of him hadn’t changed. Now, even with all the responsibilities on his shoulders, he was still willing to help you in any way he could. You needed experience, and he had exactly that to give.

The first day of your internship was, unexpectedly, one of the most exciting days for Jay. It had been far too long since he’d last seen you. He had only graduated college a year ago, while you were still a sophomore, and though there were a few years between you, it never mattered to him.

“Your company is so nice,” you said, your voice full of quiet awe as you strolled through the open, sunlit halls beside him. He knew how much you appreciated good design—especially interiors that felt warm and alive.

“Mhm. Designed it myself,” Jay replied with a small smile. “My dad used to always ask me what I wanted the company to look like… so, in a way, this is exactly how I pictured it back then.”

You glanced around again, taking in every detail—the soft lighting, the careful color palette, the way the space seemed to breathe. It was beautiful.

As beautiful as the company was, you couldn’t seem to focus on anything but Jay. He looked… different. More mature. More put together. The boy you remembered—the one with the soft, chubby cheeks you secretly adored back in sixth grade, when he was a junior in high school—was gone. In his place stood a man, sharp and confident, with an air of authority that made it hard to see him the way you once had. The change was drastic… and impossible to ignore.

Back in his office, the two of you sat side by side as Jay began walking you through the process—how each design was created, adjusted, and tailored to fit the perfect size and shape. He showed you the equipment, explained the techniques, and gave you a glimpse into the daily work of a designer.

At one point, he asked to see your own sketches. You hesitated, but when you finally slid them across the desk, his brows lifted in genuine surprise. “You’re a natural,” he said, his voice warm with admiration.

As you worked through ideas together, the air between you shifted. Jay had always thought of you as a little sister, someone he’d known forever… but sitting this close, watching the way you focused, he realized you weren’t the same girl he’d grown up with.

In the quiet that followed, his gaze lingered on you. “You’re pretty,” he whispered.

The words caught you off guard. Heat bloomed in your cheeks, and you could barely bring yourself to meet his eyes.