All Chapters of My Boss is a Secretive K-Drama Freak?!!: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

~ Hailey Park ~Let me preface this by saying — if you ever find yourself waking up at 6:30 a.m. to attend a “scripted PR shoot” with your emotionally stunted, K-drama-obsessed CEO… run.I should’ve faked pneumonia. Or food poisoning. Or death.But no. I showed up. Like a responsible employee. Like a fool.The conference room looks like someone told an interior designer, “Make it romantic, but corporate.” There are candles. Flowers. A breakfast spread that screams sponsorship deal.And standing in the middle of it all — in a crisp white shirt and rolled-up sleeves — is Ethan Jang, Seoul’s most emotionally unavailable romantic lead.He’s adjusting a camera tripod again. Because apparently, reality itself is just his unpaid film set.“Good morning, Miss Park,” he says without looking up. “You’re late.”“It’s six fifty-eight,” I deadpan.He checks his watch. “Exactly.”“I hate you.”He glances up with that cool, bored expression that somehow makes me want to throw something and kiss him.

~ Hailey Park ~Let me just say this:If anyone ever tells you “it’s just a fake date,” run.RUN LIKE YOUR RENT DEPENDS ON IT — because if your boss is Ethan Jang, “fake” doesn’t exist. There’s only “strategic emotional warfare with cinematic lighting.”I’m standing by the marble reception desk, nervously adjusting the bow on my blouse while trying not to throw up from anxiety and overpriced perfume.Because today’s mission, according to my personal nightmare, is this:“Go on a fake date for PR,” said Ethan.“Make it look natural,” said Ethan.“And don’t embarrass me,” said Ethan.Sir. You literally embarrassed yourself by crying over a dying drama heroine named Eun-bi.Anyway, he arranged this “date” with Daniel Yoo, the handsome marketing director from our partner company.You know, the one who looks like he walked straight out of a K-drama’s second-lead casting call?Perfect smile. Tragic eyes. Wears pastel suits like emotional armor.Basically, the exact type Ethan hates.Which me

~ Hailey Park ~Let me tell you something deeply important: I woke up today praying for a boring, uneventful morning.Just a quiet commute. Some iced coffee. Maybe minimal emotional trauma.The universe heard me and said:“LOL no. Let’s make you the main character.”Because the moment I step into the office, I realize one horrifying truth:I am publicly shipped with my boss.Like, aggressively. Violently. Enthusiastically.The entire office is staring at me like I’m the new intern in a mafia family.“Oh my god, it’s her…”“Is that the umbrella girl?”“She looks smaller in person.”“She did the rain scene. Respect.”SOMEONE even bows. WHY.I walk to my desk with the grace of a damp raccoon.And of course—because life is cruel—Ethan Jang appears out of nowhere like a well-dressed jump scare.“Miss Park,” he says, voice all smooth and CEO-ish. “In my office. Now.”I fight the urge to scream into my tote bag.“Sir,” I begin the moment I step in, “I am begging you… please tell me we are NO

~ Hailey Park ~Let me just say:I woke up today intending to have a normal, quiet evening.Like… microwaving leftover tteokbokki, rewatching cat videos, and possibly pretending my boss didn’t have cheekbones sharp enough to slice my self-esteem.What I didn’t plan for:An almost-kiss in trafficA jealous CEO threatening the waiter with eye contactA heart-shaped PROPOSAL CAKEIndoor rainEthan holding me like we were acting out a season finaleThe entire restaurant filming us because apparently privacy is for peasantsAnd now—right now—I am sitting in Ethan Jang’s car, soaked, traumatized, and one brain cell away from crawling into the nearest storm drain.I say nothing.Not because I’m calm.But because I surpassed the screaming stage.I am currently in the “if I speak, I may commit a mild felony” stage.Ethan glances at me.“…You’re quiet.”OH NO. OH NO HE DID NOT JUST—I inhale slowly.Like a yoga instructor summoning ancient patience.“I. Am. Processing.”“Processing what?” he a

~ Hailey Park ~Let me begin this chapter by saying:I. AM. NOT. OKAY.Not mentally.Not emotionally.Not spiritually.Not after the last thirty minutes where my CEO—my boss—my employer—my paycheck overlord—casually told the BOARD OF DIRECTORS, the most powerful people in this entire company, that I am:His girlfriendHis rain-scene partnerHis almost-fiancéThe love interest of his fake K-drama that is apparently real???Meanwhile, I’m just trying to retain the last functioning neuron in my skull.We leave the boardroom.Correction:He drags me out of the boardroom like I’m his emotional support human.We are barely ten steps away when my mouth decides to go feral.“WHAT WAS THAT?!”Ethan doesn’t even flinch. Of course he doesn’t. He’s built like a man who feels nothing except smug satisfaction and romance tropes.“It was necessary,” he says calmly.“NECESSARY FOR WHO? YOU? THE BOARD? NETFLIX?? WHO???”He glances down at me like I’m being dramatic.(Sir.I AM DRAMATIC.THAT IS MY BRA