Love bombing.
That was the only explanation Zoey could come up with.
Lonely Tiger—the man who once made her heart race through a glowing screen had gone silent. Not a text. Not a call. Nothing. It had been days. She had checked the app more times than she cared to admit, rereading their old messages and laughing at jokes only she seemed to remember now. But it all made sense, didn't it?
"Maybe he has a girlfriend here," she muttered to herself, clutching her phone tighter as she walked down the lively boulevard near Insadong. "Maybe I was just… entertainment before his real life resumed."
She shook the thought off, blinking back the sting in her eyes. The city buzzed around her with a charm she couldn't resist. Food stalls sizzled with life, street performers played soft jazz on the corners, and somewhere in the crowd, a breeze carried the scent of roasted chestnuts.
If she was going to be alone, she might as well enjoy the beauty of Seoul.
Zoey tucked her phone away and kept walking, turning into a quiet street lined with small galleries and bookstores. That was when she bumped into him.
"Whoa—careful there," a warm voice said, steadying her by the shoulders.
She looked up and found herself staring into a pair of dark, knowing eyes. The man was tall, with soft brown hair falling slightly over his forehead, and a lopsided grin that looked like it had broken hearts before.
"Oh—I'm so sorry," Zoey said, stepping back.
"No harm done," he said, chuckling. "I should've been watching where I was going. I was too busy trying to guess if this bookstore had a coffee machine or just smells like one."
She laughed actually laughed, for the first time in days.
"I vote coffee machine," she replied.
"That makes two of us," he said, offering a hand. "I'm Alex. Alex Jin."
"Zoey," she said, shaking his hand.
"Zoey," he repeated, as if testing the weight of her name on his tongue. "Nice name. You don't look like a tourist."
"I am, actually," she replied. "Here for an award ceremony. And maybe a broken heart."
The words slipped before she could stop them. Her cheeks flushed.
"Ah," Alex said with a sympathetic smile. "Well, Seoul's a good city for healing. It offers good coffee, beautiful streets, and occasional strangers who know how to tell terrible jokes."
"Are you offering all three?" she teased.
"Only if you're lucky," he said with a wink.
They ended up walking together, drifting from gallery to gallery. Alex had a relaxed, confident presence. He made silly observations about paintings, cracked puns about pigeons looking like undercover spies, and somehow managed to make Zoey forget about Lonely Tiger.
Just for a while.
At a café tucked between two old hanoks, they sat across from each other sipping iced tea. The city hummed around them, but inside the glass walls, there was peace.
"You seem different," Alex said thoughtfully. "Like someone carrying a story in her heart."
Zoey blinked, caught off-guard by the sudden depth. "That's… oddly accurate."
He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Writers recognize each other. Even when they're not writing."
"Are you a writer too?"
He hesitated. "A Photographer ".But it's the same thing. I tell stories with light ."
She tilted her head, impressed. "I like that."
And in that moment, with the golden light slanting through the windows, Zoey felt something stir. Not like the electric excitement of Lonely Tiger. Not like Min Jun's steady brotherliness. This was different. Gentle. Quiet. Curious.
She didn't know Alex Jin.
But maybe… maybe she wanted to.
Alex Jin was the kind of man who drew attention without trying. With his sleek hair, sharp jawline, and playful grin, he had the charisma of a movie star and the unpredictability of a ticking clock. To the unknowing eye, he was charming,wealthy, funny, and deeply magnetic. But behind those deep-set eyes was a trail of whispers, scandal, and unresolved mystery.
Though Alex is known for his wealthy background and messy romantic history, photography is his escape,his secret world where he feels most in control. When he's not flirting or loitering around Hyundai Civic Typer R, he's behind the lens, capturing the city's quiet moments. He prefers black-and-white shots, believing they reveal the soul beneath the surface.
His photos are sometimes moody, sometimes vibrant, but always intense just like him.
He had been married three times.
The first, a quiet beauty named Hye-Jin, died under strange circumstances only eight months into their marriage. Some called it an accident, others weren't so sure. There were no public investigations, just hushed goodbyes and a closed coffin.
The second wife, Soo-Min, was bold and outspoken. She left Alex after repeated accusations of domestic abuse. It was said he drank too much, disappeared for days, and returned angry. Soo-Min filed no charges, and not long after leaving him, she vanished. Some believed she moved abroad; others whispered something darker.
The third marriage was to a model who adored Alex but couldn't stand the constant affairs. She once told a friend, "He flirts with anything in heels. He doesn't love women. He consumes them." She left, quietly and permanently.
Alex never spoke about any of them.
On paper, Alex belonged to the prestigious Jin family, the owners of Hyundai Civic Typer A. But in reality, he held no position in the company. His older brothers, structured and composed, ran the operations with tight control. Alex? He was the baby of the family—the reckless one. He gambled with the company's finances once, causing a substantial loss that nearly exposed the family's vulnerabilities.
He wasn't allowed near decision-making again.
Instead, he roamed the halls of the company like a ghost with a visitor's badge. He flirted with interns, took long lunches, and occasionally helped with public relations when his face could be of use. But the truth? He was a liability no one dared confront openly.
And despite the illusion of a playboy lifestyle, there was a wound he couldn't hide: he couldn't father children. A doctor's report labeled it low sperm count, a result of years of drinking, stress, and untreated health issues. It was a fact that shattered his ego and pushed him deeper into reckless behavior.
Yet for all his faults, Alex knew how to charm.
And Zoey? She was the latest intrigue.
He liked her laugh, her accent, the way she seemed unaware of her own beauty. He admired the fact she wasn't trying to impress anyone. She was real refreshing in a city full of curated masks.
_______
Zoey didn't expect to find herself so drawn to Alex Jin.
He was warm in all the ways she didn't realize she needed steadily present, playfully confident, and attentive without being overwhelming. They talked for hours on the phone, sometimes until dawn, laughing about everything from Seoul's wild traffic to their mutual obsession with mint chocolate chip ice cream.
He was different. Safe. Maybe even… promising.
So when he invited her to visit his office and "see where the magic happens," she didn't hesitate.
The morning sun spilled golden light across the towering glass walls of Hyundai Civic Typer R's headquarters, glinting off chrome finishes and giving the building a futuristic glow. It was a structure built to impress an empire of modern design, sleek lines, and bold architecture. Zoey walked through the revolving doors with Alex by her side, her heart fluttering not from nerves, but from curiosity.
Alex, with his casual confidence and disarming grin, placed his palm gently on the small of her back. "You're about to step into my world now," he said with a wink.
Zoey chuckled. "I still can't believe your family owns part of this company. You're so… normal."
He grinned wider. "Don't worry, I'm just as confused by board meetings as the next guy. Come on, you'll love this tour."
The reception hall was enormous white marble floors, minimalist décor, a water feature cascading behind the concierge desk. Staff moved about briskly, dressed in smart business attire. Zoey caught the subtle scent of designer cologne mixed with brewed coffee and expensive furniture polish.
She glanced around. It felt like something out of a K-drama the place, the man, the experience.
As they passed through security, Alex exchanged friendly nods with most of the staff, introducing her to a few along the way. "This is the VIP lounge," he explained, ushering her through a hallway lined with digital displays. "And here's where we host project briefings."
"Wow," Zoey whispered. "This place is insane."
"You haven't seen anything yet," Alex replied, tapping his access card on a scanner. A set of doors opened to reveal a modern conference room with glass walls overlooking the city skyline. "This is where the real magic happens."
She stepped inside, marveling at the sheer height of the view.
"I wanted you to meet someone here," Alex said, suddenly more serious. "He's brilliant. Actually one of the reasons our tech and design division is ahead of the competition."
Before she could ask who, the door opened behind them.
And just like that, the air shifted.
A man stepped in tall, composed, dressed in black slacks and a tailored steel-grey shirt that outlined his strong build. His hair was brushed back effortlessly, his sharp jawline barely moving as his eyes locked on Zoey.
Jae Hyun.
He froze. So did she.
In those first few seconds, something crackled between them a slow recognition neither of them could place, yet both felt. Zoey's brows furrowed, like she was trying to trace the outline of a half-remembered dream.
Jae Hyun stood tall, silent. His breath caught in his throat. She was even more stunning in person. Her eyes curious and wide had haunted his dreams since she first texted him. Her smile, the way she tilted her head… it was all the same, and yet more overwhelming now that she was right in front of him.
"Zoey, meet Jae Hyun," Alex said casually, oblivious to the tension. "He's our top project consultant—basically the brains behind most of our tech innovations."
Zoey extended her hand, polite but puzzled. "Nice to meet you."
Jae Hyun's fingers closed around hers, and his touch was electric—warm, grounding. "You too," he said, voice low.
Their handshake lingered a moment too long.
But Zoey blinked and let go. To her, he was a stranger. Familiar, maybe. But still a stranger.
"Jae, this is Zoey Oge, the writer I told you about the one who won the Horizon Prize," Alex added proudly.
Jae Hyun's jaw clenched slightly. Of course Alex would say that. He stole a quick glance at Zoey, noting how her eyes sparkled when she smiled.
"I've heard of your work," Jae said smoothly.
"You have?" Zoey tilted her head.
"A few people in the company follow the Horizon events," he lied, but his voice remained calm. "You must be really talented."
"Thanks," she said, flattered, though unsure why his voice sent a shiver down her spine.
Alex leaned on the desk. "She's been exploring Seoul with me. We've had a blast. Parks, bookstores, cafés..you name it."
Jae Hyun's hand curled subtly at his side. The thought of Zoey laughing over lattes with Alex sent heat crawling up his neck. This wasn't how he imagined their first meeting. Not like this.
She was supposed to know him. Not just meet him.
"Sounds like you're enjoying Seoul," Jae said, his eyes on her.
"I am," she nodded. "It's more than I imagined. The food, the culture… the people."
Alex chuckled. "She's had to put up with my crazy schedule."
Zoey laughed too. "He's a bit of a show-off, but I'm managing."
Jae Hyun gave a thin smile.
"Jae, I'll leave you two to it. I've got to grab some files from my office," Alex said. "Zoey, stay here with him. I'll be back in a few."
She nodded, and the door closed behind Alex.
Silence.
Then—Zoey turned to him, arms crossed. "You look… familiar. Have we met before?"
Jae's heart beat faster. "Maybe in another life."
She laughed at that. "What a K-drama answer."
He shrugged. "You watch a lot of dramas?"
She nodded. "Too many. That's probably why this whole city feels like one."
There was a pause. A soft hum of city noise filtered through the glass.
He studied her, memorizing the curve of her cheek, the way her eyes moved. He wanted to speak—wanted to say, "I'm Lonely Tiger," but fear held him back. Would she hate him for hiding it? Would she think he ghosted her?
"How long are you in Seoul for?" he asked instead.
"Still figuring it out," she replied. "I guess until it stops feeling like magic."
His lips curved faintly. "Then I hope the magic never ends."
Another silence.
Zoey didn't know why his words stuck with her, or why his presence felt like a secret waiting to be told. But she couldn't deny it—there was something about him.
Then Alex returned, smiling, breaking the moment.
"Did I miss anything?" he joked.
Zoey smiled back. "Just a philosophical chat."
Jae Hyun offered a polite nod, but his gaze lingered on Zoey soft, almost yearning.
She had no idea she'd just stepped into the middle of a triangle fate had carefully crafted.
Zoey tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and glanced at her reflection in the glass door. "I have a hair appointment soon," she said gently, her voice tinged with the regret of having to cut their time short. "I should probably go."
Alex grinned, unfazed. "You can visit the company anytime you like. Consider this place part of your Seoul home now. I want you to feel welcome here."
"Thank you, Alex. That means a lot."
He walked her down to the lobby, ever the gentleman, their conversation flowing as easily as it always did. But Zoey's thoughts were a tangled knot of emotions. As soon as she stepped outside, the cold air greeted her like a splash of reality. Her mind replayed every second she had spent in that office. It wasn't just Alex who stayed in her memory.
It was him.
The man Alex had introduced as the project consultant.
JaeHyun.
His eyes. The way they met hers.
There had been something magnetic unspoken between them. A quiet recognition she couldn't explain. Like a story forgotten yet waiting to be remembered.
As her heels clicked against the pavement, she found herself whispering, "Why did that feel so familiar?"
Across town,Jae Hyun was still in his office, pacing. He had called Min-Jun the second Zoey left.
"She was right in front of me, Min-Jun," he said, his voice a blend of disbelief and restrained emotion. "Alex introduced her to me like it was nothing."
Min-Jun chuckled on the other end. "And she didn't recognize you?"
"Not even a flicker of recognition," Jae replied. "She looked at me like I was a stranger."
"Damn. I mean, technically, you are," Min-Jun teased. "You're Lonely Tiger to her. Not Jae Hyun."
"But she looked…beautiful. Just like I imagined. No..better. And then Alex cracked one of his stupid jokes, and she laughed." He sighed. "That laugh was mine to hear first."
Min-Jun paused before replying, sensing the storm behind Jae's words. "You've got a problem."
"I know," Jae said flatly. "I didn't want our first meeting to be like this. I thought I'd reveal everything to her myself, when I was ready. Now, she's here, through Alex. Of all people."
Over the next few days, Zoey found herself returning to Hyundai Civic Typer R..not because of Alex's warm invitation, but because something inside her kept tugging her back.
She told herself she was only being polite. That Alex was a great guy and spending time with him made her feel less alone in a foreign city. He often invites Zoey to his private studio to show her his work or take pictures of her under the guise of "testing lighting." To Alex, the camera is where he feels seen, and making Zoey part of that world is his way of drawing her closer.
But deep down, she knew the truth.She wanted to see him again.
Each visit was the same. Alex would meet her at the lobby, take her around, introduce her to different teams. But somewhere along the way, Jae Hyun would appear. Their eyes would meet, and for a few breathless seconds, the world would fall silent. Neither would speak beyond pleasantries, but the electricity in the air was undeniable.
One afternoon, back in her hotel room, Zoey sat on her bed with her legs curled underneath her. She called Yeon-Ah, needing to talk.
"I met someone," Zoey confessed with a shy laugh. "Not through a dating app this time. Through Alex."
"Ooooh, interesting," Yeon-Ah replied on video call, raising a perfectly sculpted brow. "Who is he?"
"He's the project consultant where Alex works. His name is…what was it again?" She scrunched her nose, trying to recall. "Jae-something…Jae Hyun. Yeah, Jae Hyun."
Yeon-Ah froze, her smile faltering for a split second. "Jae Hyun?" she echoed, trying to sound casual.
Zoey didn't notice. She was too busy describing him. "He's tall, kind of quiet, but you can tell he's smart. His eyes are… I don't know how to explain it. There's this sadness in them, but also strength. I think I might be crushing on him."
Yeon-Ah's heart skipped. She forced her smile back and tilted her head. "So you like him?"
Zoey chuckled. "Is it obvious? I mean, I don't even know him. But there's something about him that makes me feel like I do."
"Has he ever reminded you of someone?" Yeon-Ah asked carefully, eyes narrowing in interest.
Zoey paused. "Yeah… that's the weird thing. I don't know from where, but it's like I've met him before. Or maybe he just reminds me of someone. Maybe Lonely Tiger."
That name made Yeon-Ah's stomach twist. So Zoey still didn't know. She had no clue that the man she was describing ,the man who made her heart flutter was the same man she'd poured her secrets to online.
After the call ended, Yeon-Ah didn't waste time. She stepped outside and sent a message to her the Chairman.
Report: She does not recognize Jae Hyun as Lonely Tiger. Still emotionally vulnerable. Their connection seems deeper than expected.
Minutes later, her phone buzzed again.
Chairman: Watch her more closely. And make sure she doesn't get too close to the truth.
Back at the office,Jae Hyun stared out his window, hands clenched in his pockets. Seeing Zoey again had opened a floodgate of emotions he wasn't prepared for. He had waited so long for the right moment, but that moment had passed and now she was getting closer to someone else.
To Alex.
And that made everything harder.
Yet he couldn't deny the connection. He had seen it in her eyes ,felt it in his chest.
"She still doesn't know I'm Lonely Tiger," he murmured to himself.
And if she found out too soon… she might never forgive him.