Scarlet Strings.

Projecting Pictures

"Good morning, Mr. Wi," Thomas began, falling into step beside him. "Here's your schedule for today."

Ha-joon took the tablet, glancing over the itinerary. "Thank you, Thomas. Anything urgent I need to be aware of?"

Thomas nodded. "Yes, sir. The design team is awaiting your approval on the final sketches for the upcoming fall collection. They have a presentation prepared for 10 a.m."

"Noted," Ha-joon replied, mentally preparing himself for the meeting. "What else?"

"You have a lunch appointment with Mr. Lee from the textile company at 1 p.m. to discuss the new fabric samples," Thomas continued. "And in the afternoon, there's a board meeting at 3 p.m. to review the quarterly financial reports and discuss the expansion plans."

Ha-joon nodded, appreciating Thomas's efficiency. "Thank you, Thomas. Please ensure all necessary documents are prepared for the board meeting."

"Already done, sir," Thomas replied with a slight smile.

As Ha-joon settled into his office, he couldn't help but think about Scarlet and the conversation with his aunt. He knew balancing their personal and professional lives was challenging, but he hoped they could find a way to make it work. With a determined sigh, he turned his attention to the tasks at hand, ready to tackle the day's challenges.

***

Scarlet awoke to the soft hum of the air conditioner and the gentle rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains. She instinctively reached out, expecting to find Ha-joon beside her, but the space was empty and cool to the touch. Pushing herself up, she glanced at the bedside clock and her eyes widened in shock, it was already past 11 a.m.

"How could I have overslept?" she muttered to herself, rubbing her temples. The realization hit her like a cold splash of water, she had a meeting with Ha-neul today to discuss the hotel structure and designs. Panic set in as she scrambled out of bed, her mind racing through the tasks she needed to accomplish.

Determined to make up for lost time, Scarlet hurried to the en-suite bathroom. She turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature until steam began to fill the room. As she stepped under the warm cascade, she let out a sigh, allowing the water to wash away the remnants of sleep and the anxiety gnawing at her.

The bathroom was a sanctuary of marble and glass, exuding a minimalist elegance. Scarlet reached for her favorite lavender-scented body wash, the familiar fragrance providing momentary comfort. She lathered it onto her skin, the silky texture a soothing balm to her frazzled nerves.

As she rinsed off, her thoughts drifted to the upcoming meeting. She hadn't interacted much with Ha-neul, but she had heard about his ambitious plans for the hotel. The prospect of collaborating on such a significant project both excited and intimidated her.

Scarlet tilted her head back, letting the water cascade through her hair, the droplets catching the light like tiny prisms. She mentally rehearsed her approach for the meeting, considering the design elements she wanted to propose and how they would align with Ha-neul's vision. The challenge of merging their ideas into a cohesive plan was daunting, but she was determined to make a positive impression.

Turning off the shower, Scarlet stepped onto the plush bath mat, reaching for a towel. She wrapped it around herself, the soft fabric absorbing the moisture from her skin. Wiping the fog from the mirror, she stared at her reflection, noting the determination in her own eyes.

"You've got this," she whispered to herself, a small smile tugging at her lips. With renewed resolve, she began her post-shower routine, applying a light moisturizer and running a comb through her damp hair. She opted for a simple yet professional outfit, a tailored blouse paired with a knee-length skirt, that exuded confidence without being overly formal.