PROMPT: As the young CEO of her own company, Yoon Seri only really knows how to work. Her employees know her as a strict perfectionist, a terror boss, an incorrigible leader.

There is one role, however, that always single-handedly takes off the claws of the dragon woman.
-

It was only 9 o'clock in the morning, and Yoon Seri had already managed to reprimand not one, not two, but twelve employees at Seri's Choice for what the young executive deemed to be lackadaisical, inadequate, and simply unacceptable work.

Word quickly spread like wildfire across the vast headquarters of the fashion and lifestyle company, alerting everyone in the building that their beloved CEO was going on a rampage yet again.

"Honestly, I thought these days were over," the perpetually-exhausted Team Manager Hong Chang-sik comments that morning, beads of sweat trickling down the sides of his head, as he palms his neck. "I guess not even romance can tame a dragon."

Ever since Seri had started dating what her employees fondly call her One True Love, her quiet handsome beau by the name of Ri Jeong Hyeok, they had noticed significant changes in their usually stern and strict boss.

She didn't keep to herself anymore, and surprised everyone by showing up at the office pantry to eat with them every lunch hour.

She was much happier and less stressed, and it translated into her looks, for people swore their boss literally glowed and grew even younger than her actual years.

And when the smitten couple finally tied the knot three years ago, the nights the employees had to spend overtime at work virtually dropped down to zero, with Seri always leaving the office as soon as the clock struck 6.

Before, no one in the company would even dare to leave before she did.

It was the start of a new era at Seri's Choice. Gone were the days when the Health Section of the building was always overbooked by overstressed employees, some of whom threatened to resign at least once a day.

But Seri was nothing if not a true businesswoman, and her razor-sharp mind, though now in an endless state of bliss, was still able to catch the tiniest errors in every data report, every blueprint, every marketing strategy.

Which was exactly the case that very morning.

Someone didn't do their job properly, and that one single mistake created a domino effect that rippled through the company like a tsunami, toppling down all the affected departments one by one.

As more and more employees grow listless and paranoid, waiting for the moment they are called into the dragon lady's office at the top floor, Manager Hong can't help but wish for a miracle.

"There's really only one thing that can save us from all of this," he quips, fanning himself with a folder, addressing the Executive Team.

"Who? Her husband?" Kwon Dong-Ho, the purchasing manager, wonders before shaking his head and gulping down one full glass of water. "I doubt it. Not when there's an issue of this magnitude. Daepyonim doesn't let herself get distracted like that."

"No, not him."

But before Manager Hong can divulge any further information, he is called into the CEO headquarters, drawing his colleagues to look at him pitifully and beg him to let them know if they were next on the chopping board.

"Manager Hong," Seri says as soon as he enters.

Her voice had offered no hint of emotion, readily letting the distressed manager know that she is indeed in a foul mood. "Move up all my schedules for today. I want to start everything early."

As Manager Hong nods his head in affirmation and whips up his phone to execute her order, he suddenly gets a message that has him practically tearing up in joy.

It doesn't escape the keen eye of the CEO, who crosses her arms at once. "Would you like to share with the class what you find so interesting?"

In spite of the threat masked as sarcasm apparent in his boss's voice, Manager Hong smiles even wider. "I'm sorry, Daepyonim. But, the concierge has just informed me that your husband is on his way up."

Seri raises her eyebrows just a fraction of an inch. "I fail to see how that's so intere-"

"Mommy!"

Right on cue, the double doors to Seri's office open all at once, welcoming a tall well-built man holding by the hand a charming little girl, who screams the moment she sees Seri.

Tugging her hand off her father's grasp, she runs across the large room, her ponytail bouncing, the bangs on her forehead swaying, before flinging herself into her mother's arms.

"Joohyun-ah!"

Seri immediately drops to the floor to warmly receive the little girl's tight hug. She stands up to swing Joohyun in the air, much to the child's utter delight, laughter echoing across the large office.

Jeong Hyeok takes a moment to bask in the sight of his wife and daughter who were obviously crazy about each other, smiling fondly at his girls, before glancing at Manager Hong. "We'll take it from here."

If it weren't improper or just downright weird, Manager Hong would have hugged Joohyun's father right then and there, but he thankfully manages to keep his emotions in check.

Instead, he bows his head in gratitude. "Thank you, sir."

Walking over to Seri's couch where she's now cuddling Joohyun in her lap while the child plays with a doll, Jeong Hyeok bends down to give his wife a kiss on the forehead.

"Hi," he says, gently stroking Seri's hair before moving his hands down to rub her shoulders soothingly.

"Hi," she replies, throwing her head back so she can look at her husband more closely and receive another kiss from him, this time on her lips.

Not wishing to intrude into the little family's sweet and private moment, Manager Hong takes his leave, relief completely washing over him. He stops in his tracks when Seri suddenly calls his name.

"Manager Hong," she says, this time using a softer voice, the kind she uses whenever Joohyun was around. "Cancel all my appointments today."

And that was how news quickly spread like wildfire of how something as tiny as a two-year-old girl managed to save the lives of hundreds of adults, all in one day and with just one word.

-
Photos from BAU by Bride and You & Loro Piana