Fate Has Terrible Timing

“Either you pay for my loss, or you sign this contract.”

Okay… when I said I was ready for everything, I really didn’t think “everything” would look like this. How did I even end up here?

Two weeks before—

Laziness and disappointment were all I could feel. After spending two weeks job hunting, I realized it wasn’t easy to find work in a busy city like Seoul. And it was extremely impossible without experience.

Why don’t I have any? Well, because the company I was working for went bankrupt. And that happened right after I joined. Perfect timing, right?

I was still scrolling through LinkedIn and checking my mail for responses when Minji burst into my room.

“Hey, ever heard of knocking?” I teased, clutching my chest dramatically at her sudden entrance.

“Yes, but I don’t think it’s that important,” she said, plopping down beside me on the bed and tossing a file at me. A file I hadn’t noticed she was holding.

I opened it. “What is this?” I asked, flipping through the pages, trying to make sense of it.

“That’s the information for your new job,” she said ever so casually.

“My… new job?” My brows furrowed. My eyes went from the file to her face. Which was, surprisingly, completely normal.

“Yeah. I just had to make a call, and you got the job.” She mumbled while scrolling on her phone, as if this wasn’t a life-changing announcement.

“Just had to make a call?” I repeated, my tone demanding an explanation, even though I already knew what she meant.

“Okay, he told me I can ask for help anytime I need.” This time, she finally looked at me.

“And that’s for you, Min. You’re the one who’s supposed to ask him for help, not me.” I emphasized the you just so she got it.

“Come on, Seo,” she whined before adding, “He’s my father and your godfather.”

Yes. Minji’s father was my dad’s best friend. They had promised to be each other’s child’s godfather. After I lost my parents, he helped me a lot. And because of that, the idea of owing him even more made me feel suffocated.

I pushed the file back toward her, shaking my head. “I can’t take this. I already owe him for so many things.”

She groaned, giving me her classic I’m done with you look. “Stop saying that you owe him.” Then she moved closer, holding both of my hands. “He loves you like his own daughter. And if not for him, then please, do this for me. I can’t keep watching you like this.”

She paused, maybe to let her words sink in, before continuing, “Besides, your sulky face every time you get rejected is killing the happy, fun vibe of my apartment.” She crossed her arms with exaggerated fake anger.

Maybe she was right. And as I had promised myself — I was living for me now. I would take this opportunity.

“Okay. Let’s do this then.” I smiled at her, and she giggled back.

8:30 a.m.

Drinking the night before a very important interview is not a good idea. I knew that. But with Minji’s party-animal energy, saying no was impossible.

The result? I was late for my interview. It was scheduled for 9:00, and it was already 8:50 when I reached the reception desk of Park Enterprise.

The lobby was huge — a blend of lounge and waiting area, with tight security and an interior that screamed wealth. This place was pure heaven.

Without wasting more time, I hurried to the reception, where they directed me to report to HR for a formal interview. I glanced at my watch. 8:55 a.m.

One thing about me: I hate being late. It triggers a kind of anxiety that crawls under my skin and doesn’t let go.

As if my morning wasn’t cursed enough, the elevator doors closed just as I reached them.

Staring at the cold, metallic doors, I groaned. Fine. Stairs it was. Only two floors. I could handle that.

I rushed toward the staircase and climbed quickly. But the moment I stepped onto the second floor, I was greeted by the longest corridor I’d ever seen. Maybe it was only twenty feet, but to me, it looked like two hundred.

I broke into a run. The HR office was at the very end, and I didn’t have a second to waste.

I glanced down at my watch — and that’s when I crashed into something hard.

Wait. A wall? In the middle of the corridor?

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