Collisions Begin

Episode 2 – Collisions Begin

The clinking of champagne glasses filled the grand ballroom. Chandeliers glimmered overhead, dresses swirled like petals, and camera flashes sparked at every corner.

Han Ji Ah stood at the entrance, in a simple navy dress she’d grudgingly bought the day before. She adjusted her glasses, muttering under her breath.

“Ji Won owes me for dragging me here.”

Beside her, Han Ji Won dazzled in a crimson gown, every movement calculated for attention. Reporters swarmed around her like moths to fire.

“Ji Ah! Smile a little!” Ji Won hissed through her smile.

Ji Ah deadpanned. “I’m smiling on the inside.”

“Ugh, you’re hopeless.” Ji Won twirled away, eating the spotlight whole.

Ji Ah exhaled, heading for the refreshment table. She poured herself water, grateful for the temporary solitude until a familiar presence brushed the air.

Jung Hyun Woo.

He stood across the room, effortlessly commanding attention even without trying. His suit fit him like a second skin, his expression unreadable, cold as polished steel.

Their eyes locked.

Ji Ah’s grip tightened around her glass. The man from the boutique.

Hyun Woo tilted his head slightly, recognition flashing in his gaze. This time, he didn’t look away. He crossed the floor with purposeful strides.

“Miss…” His voice was low, steady.

“Han. Ji Ah,” she supplied, meeting his gaze evenly.

He gave the faintest nod. “Hyun Woo. Jung Hyun Woo.”

“I know.” Ji Ah sipped her water. “Your name’s everywhere.”

“And yet I don’t know yours.” His lips curved almost a smile. “Now I do.”

Ji Ah arched a brow. “Was there a reason you came over, or do you make small talk with strangers often?”

His smirk sharpened. “I don’t do small talk.”

For the first time in a long time, Ji Ah felt a flicker, annoyance or intrigue, she couldn’t tell.

Meanwhile, thirty thousand feet above ground

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking…”

Lee Tae Hyun’s voice carried warmth through the intercom as the plane cruised smoothly. His grin was hidden, but his excitement glowed in every word.

In the first-class cabin, Han Ji Won flipped through a fashion magazine, irritated. A steward had just spilled sparkling water on her sleeve. She snapped her fingers at him, glaring.

“Do you people not understand the concept of perfection?”

A low chuckle came from the intercom.

“Passengers, I must apologize on behalf of my crew. Some turbulence earlier… though personally, I think fashion queens can survive a splash of water.”

Ji Won’s eyes widened.

“Did.. did the pilot just shade me?” she hissed.

The steward flushed, whispering, “Captain Lee… he has a habit of joking.”

Ji Won leaned back, fuming. “We’ll see about that when I land.”

Minutes later, as the passengers disembarked, Ji Won marched to the cockpit door, heels clicking like gunshots. The door opened, revealing Lee Tae Hyun, young, sharp-eyed, his uniform impossibly neat.

He flashed her a boyish grin.

“Hope you enjoyed the flight, Miss Han.”

Ji Won folded her arms. “You humiliated me in front of the entire cabin.”

“Correction.” Tae Hyun leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “I teased you. There’s a difference.”

Ji Won’s jaw dropped. “You !”

His grin widened. “Relax. You looked… beautiful, even with the water.”

Her fury faltered for a split second. “…You’re lucky I don’t sue you.”

“Or thank me,” Tae Hyun said smoothly, before saluting playfully. “Until next flight.”

Ji Won stormed off, her heart beating faster than she cared to admit.

Back at their apartment, Ji Ah was sprawled on the couch with a case file, glasses perched on her nose. Ji Won barged in, tossing her clutch dramatically.

“You will NOT believe the nerve of my pilot today!”

Ji Ah didn’t look up. “Your pilot? What, did he crash the plane?”

“Worse! He teased me!” Ji Won flopped down beside her.

Ji Ah snorted. “Sounds like you found your match.”

Ji Won glared. “Not funny.”

Ji Ah’s phone buzzed. She frowned, unlocking it.

An email. Invitation: Legal Symposium, sponsored by Jung Corporation. Keynote Speaker: Jung Hyun Woo.

Ji Ah’s eyes lingered on the name. Fate was pulling strings.

At the same time, Ji Won’s phone rang. Her manager’s excited voice screamed through.

“Ji Won! Your next overseas shoot is confirmed. Guess who’s the captain on your flight? Lee Tae Hyun.”

The sisters exchanged glances.

Ji Ah exhaled slowly.