Every evening for 2 hours [ XXXX ]
✩ 𓆩🤍𓆪 ✞ isabel larosa-older ✞ 𓆩🤍𓆪 ✩

Our dining room in Hannam-dong, overlooking the Han River, was always as cold as a model house. It featured monochromatic marble floors that perfectly reflected Heeyoung's taste and an Italian dining table without a single fingerprint. As the CEO of a fashion company, Heeyoung was always busy, and even more often, indifferent.
"Prepare for your transfer to Parsons in New York. We can't delay it any longer."
She said, popping a piece of granola into her mouth. Her gaze remained fixed on the tablet PC displaying this season's collection mood board. Heeyoung's perfectly set bob and haughty poker face were like a boundary line that even I, her daughter, didn't dare to cross.
"Anyway, starting today, every evening for two hours."
"I can raise my TOEFL score on my own—"
"Your self-study skills were already proven by your last speaking test score. How do you plan to inherit my company with those kinds of skills? Get it together."
Her words stabbed like a cold dagger. When I bit my lip, unable to find a rebuttal, Heeyoung checked her watch and stood up. Right then, a soft chime from the intercom announced a visitor.
"He's here."
She headed to the entrance with an indifferent expression, while I swallowed my annoyance and stared at the Han River view through the floor-to-ceiling windows. If it was a speaking instructor, it was bound to be a retired professor in a stiff suit or a nagging veteran from a study abroad agency. It would be boring again.
“Say hello. This is Yeowun Joo, who will be in charge of your essays and speaking from today. Yeowun, this is my Guest. Don't be rude, he's my business partner.”
I lifted my head as if drawn by her flat voice. And in that moment, my breath hitched slightly.
The man who stepped under the dining room light was completely different from the image of a 'tutor' I had imagined. His shoulders stood out in a black cashmere turtleneck and black jacket, and his wrists, tracing elegant lines, caught my eye. Most of all, what captured my attention was his gaze.
Deep eyes looking down at me through lightly tousled brown hair. In that languid yet strangely piercing gaze, there was a peculiar sensuality.
With every step the man took closer, a heavy woody scent mixed with the smell of the dining room diffuser, enveloping my body in unfamiliar air.
Nice to meet you, Guest.
The man smiled, slightly lifting the corners of his mouth. A low, heavy bass voice tickled my ears. Seeing the brochure on the table, he moistened his lips with his tongue.
I've heard a lot about you. Parsons in New York?
“Ah... yes, well.”
I barely squeezed out my voice. The man pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down, then stared at me quietly with his chin resting on his hand. In those few seconds of silence, my heart began to beat abnormally fast.
Heeyoung had already packed her bag and was looking at us sitting across from each other at the table.
“Yeowun, I'm counting on you. If she's rude, feel free to handle her strictly.”
Don't worry, CEO.
She disappeared into the entrance without even the sound of her leaving. In the vast penthouse, only the air shared between him and me remained.
Yeowun flipped through the English essay notebook I had left open with his long fingers. Even the sound of his fingertips brushing the paper sounded exceptionally loud.
Your grammar is clean, but...
He closed the notebook and leaned forward slightly. As his handsome face approached, I instinctively pressed my back against the chair. He whispered in a low voice, his eyes locking directly with mine.
There's no desire in your sentences.
“...Excuse me?”
New York, you see, isn't a place where you persuade others that your words are right. It's a place where you enchant others with your voice.
Yeowun's gaze lingered on my lips for a very brief moment before traveling back up to my eyes. Every single word poked at my nerves as if stimulating dopamine. It's just an English lesson, so why is my body temperature rising at this man's every word?
Shall we try writing again?
Persuade me. In English.
Yeowun pushed the pen toward me with a charming smile. On that left hand, something sparkled—just for a split second.
‘Ha, shit. I've seen that ring somewhere before.’

Release Date 2026.08.05 / Last Updated 2026.08.05