As Seokmin framed the shot, his eyes narrowed, scrutinizing every detail. The model, a stunning woman with porcelain skin and raven hair, gazed up at him with an air of quiet confidence. Her eyes sparkled like diamonds against the warm, golden light of the set. "Chin up, just a bit," Seokmin instructed, his voice low and smooth. "And, Min-ji, can you adjust the lighting? I want a softer glow on her face."

The assistant, Min-ji, nodded and made the adjustments, the light dancing across the model's features like a gentle caress. Seokmin's eyes lit up with satisfaction as he snapped a few test shots.

"Perfect," he murmured, his fingers flying across the camera controls. "Now, let's try something different. Can you turn to the side, and... Ah, yes! That's it!"

The camera clicked away, capturing the model's elegant pose, the vintage jewellery glinting like treasure against her skin. Seokmin's passion for photography was palpable, his creative energy infectious, as he coaxed the perfect shot from his subject.

As he completed the shoot, Seokmin wrapped up his equipment with precision, his mind already shifting to the next task. He strode out of the studio, his long legs eating up the distance, as his secretary scrambled to keep pace.

"Tomorrow's schedule?" he asked, his voice crisp and authoritative.

"Meeting with the Cloaks team at 2 p.m., sir," she replied, her breathless tone a testament to Seokmin's rapid pace.

"After lunch, correct?" he asked, his eyes scanning the surrounding area as they walked.

"Yes, sir. And we have a calibration call with the Bronocks team regarding the upcoming fashion week. They need the latest templates," she added, her words tumbling out in a rush.

"I've instructed the team to send them over by tomorrow. You'll receive the email," Seokmin said, his tone confident and assured.

His secretary nodded, her eyes wide with admiration, as Seokmin slipped on his sunglasses.

Seokmin's secretary departed, leaving him alone, but only for a moment. His best friend, Kim Mingyu, emerged from the shadows, a look of urgency etched on his face. "Min, did you really turn down the Bravokis shoot?" Mingyu asked, his voice laced with incredulity, as he trailed Seokmin to his car.

Seokmin's expression remained calm, a stark contrast to Mingyu's growing agitation. "I did," he replied, his tone measured.

Mingyu's eyes widened in dismay. "Why? It's Bravokis! We'll lose our reputation if we decline. They're a huge client!" Mingyu's words tumbled out in a frantic rush.

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing. "When is the shoot scheduled?" he asked, his voice unruffled.

Mingyu's face scrunched in concentration. "Next month... twenty—"

Seokmin's knowing smile cut Mingyu off. "First," he completed, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Mingyu's face fell, his eyes growing wide with realization. "Oh no!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with panic.

His expression turned detached. "Send Jungmin. Tell them I recommended him."

Mingyu's face contorted in dismay. "Jungmin? You can't be serious! That's like sending a soldier to play chess with a grandmaster!" Mingyu protested, his voice rising.

His shrug was nonchalant. "I've made up my mind."

Mingyu's eyes pleaded with Seokmin. "I'll be ruined if you don't do this! I've already committed us!" Mingyu's face scrunched, his voice cracking.

Seokmin's smile was unyielding. "Then get ruined."

Mingyu's face turned red with frustration. "Seokmin!!" he bellowed, as Seokmin slid into his car and drove away, leaving Mingyu standing alone, seething with frustration.

Seokmin navigated through the familiar streets, his hands moving with practiced ease as he steered the car. As he turned the corner, the school's faded sign came into view, and his heart swelled with warmth. He pulled up to the curb, a smile spreading across his face like a sunrise.

With a fluid motion, he swung open the door and stepped out, his eyes scanning the throngs of children pouring out of the school gates. The air was alive with the chatter of excited students, each one eager to share their day's adventures with their waiting parents.

His gaze wandered through the sea of faces, his eyes searching for one special smile. And then, he saw her – his little star, Areum, her eyes cast downward, her shoulders slumped in defeat. A faint crease marred her forehead, and her usual bright smile was nowhere to be seen.

Seokmin's bright smile faltered for a fraction of a second as his daughter approached him with an uncharacteristic somberness. Her eyes, usually sparkling with excitement, seemed dull and lifeless. She handed him her bag and lifted her arms, her movements mechanical.

His smile softened, and he scooped her up into his arms, cradling her close. Her gaze remained downcast, her eyelashes casting a faint shadow on her cheeks. A faint crease marred her forehead, a tiny furrow that spoke volumes about her distress.

Seokmin's eyebrows rose, his silent inquiry a gentle probe. But she just shook her head, a tiny, almost imperceptible movement. His shoulders relaxed, and he shrugged, a gentle, reassuring gesture. He turned, his long strides carrying them toward the car, the silence between them a palpable, comforting blanket.

The dinner table, once a hub of laughter and conversation, was now shrouded in an uncomfortable silence. Seokmin's smile faltered for a moment as he served the last plate, his eyes scanning the faces of his loved ones.

Areum's grandfather, Byunghan muttered an audible thank you, with a small smile on his lips. Areum's response was barely audible, her voice a faint whisper as she stared down at her plate.

The only sound was the soft clinking of utensils against ceramic, and the distant hum of a fly buzzing around the room.

The air was heavy with unspoken words, the silence a palpable, suffocating blanket that wrapped around them.

Byunghan's concerned gaze met Seokmin's, his chin nudging almost imperceptibly towards Areum. His eyes followed the silent cue, his attention drawn to Areum's plate, where a pattern of aimless scribbles marred the ceramic.

Seokmin's brow furrowed, his voice low and gentle. "What's with the artwork on the plate??what happened to my darling, Areum??" He leaned in, his elbows on the table, his eyes locked onto Areum's downcast face.

He coaxed, his voice a soothing melody, as he reached out to gently brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"There's a guy in my class...Sunghan." Areum's voice was barely above a whisper, but the mention of a boy's name sent a jolt through Seokmin's system.

His eyes widened, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. Pluto, sensing Areum's distress, let out a sympathetic bark, and Areum's face lit up with a faint smile as she bent down to comfort the dog.

Seokmin's gaze darted to Byunghan, his eyes wide with alarm. He leaned in, his voice a hushed whisper.

"Is she already thinking about boys?!" he exclaimed, his face a picture of incredulity. Byunghan's calm demeanor was a stark contrast to Seokmin's agitation.

He raised a soothing hand, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he gestured for Seokmin to calm down.

As Areum sat up straight, her eyes still downcast, Seokmin and Byunghan exchanged a weighted glance.

Then, in perfect sync, they donned neutral expressions, pretending the whispered exchange had never occurred. Seokmin's face smoothed out, his eyes returning to their usual warm, gentle state.

Byunghan's lips twitched into a serene smile, his eyes twinkling with warmth. The air was thick with unspoken understanding, as they waited for Areum to continue, but she just continued to eat.

Seokmin's eyes remained fixed on his plate, his voice low and even, but with a hint of a growl. "Who's this guy?" he asked, his tone unmistakably protective. Areum's frustration boiled over, her words tumbling out in a rush.

"He's this new kid in our class...I don't even know where he transferred from, but he's been acing every exam! And to make matters worse, he beat me by just one percent!" Areum's index finger shot up, her eyes blazing with indignation.

Seokmin's tense shoulders sagged, a visible sigh of relief escaping his lips. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes rising to meet Areum's, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths. The tension in his body dissipated, replaced by a warm, gentle smile.

Seokmin's eyes met Byunghan's, a silent message passing between them. He mouthed a gentle "you misunderstood" before turning his attention to Areum. Byunghan scoffed silently before turning to Areum.

"Areum, it's just one percent, dear," he said, his voice a soothing balm, calm and gentle.

Areum's face scrunched up in indignation, her eyes flashing with a fierce competitiveness. "One percent, Grandpa?! How can you say that?! It's everything!" she exclaimed, her small fists clenched, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Its just one percent darling.." Seokmin cooed, caressing her hair. "One percent dad!! I lost my reputation just by one percent!" She exclaimed.

"Areum, Remember one thing. It isnt the goal, but the journey that should be amazing. Not the result, but the experience must be important. Winning and losing is God's will." Byunghan's calm words hung in the air, but Areum's reaction was far from reassured.

She stared at him, her small face scrunched up in confusion, as if trying to decipher the meaning behind his words.

Without a word, she pushed her chair back and trudged over to the sink, her plate clattering against the porcelain.

Seokmin's eyes met Byunghan's, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths. "Is this how you motivate a six-year-old?" he whispered, his voice laced with playful teasing.

Byunghan's eyes sparkled with mirth as he shot back, "Says the father who assumed his six-year-old daughter had a boyfriend." Seokmin's face flushed, and he looked away, avoiding Byunghan's knowing gaze.

The older man's chuckle was low and soothing, a gentle reminder that, sometimes, even the best intentions can go awry.

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