The following week passed in a blur. Queen threw herself into her work, focusing solely on the endless reports, contracts, and deadlines that consumed her every waking moment. It felt as though the weight of the world rested on her shoulders, and she couldn't shake the constant feeling of exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm her. Despite Jihoon's unexpected kindness in taking her to the bookstore, she was back to her usual routine, trying to juggle everything with little to no respite.
As for Jihoon, he kept his distance, appearing only when absolutely necessary. Their interactions were brief and mostly centered around work, but Queen couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching her, paying attention in ways she hadn't noticed before. Every time their eyes met, it was as If a silent conversation passed between them, filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions neither of them were willing to acknowledge.
Queen couldn't quite figure out why Jihoon had taken the time to guide her to the bookstore, to offer her a moment of peace. He was cold, distant, and professional, yet in that fleeting moment, there had been something vulnerable in his eyes. But she had no time to dwell on such things—her focus had to remain on her work.
The Meeting
It was late afternoon when Queen received a message from Jihoon.
Jihoon: I need you in my office in 30 minutes.
Her fingers hovered over her phone as she read the message, a sense of unease settling in her chest. She had become accustomed to his cold, demanding nature, but there was something about this message that felt different.
As much as she tried to ignore it, she couldn't shake the thought that something was brewing beneath the surface.
She quickly packed her things and left her apartment, taking the short drive to Jihoon's office. The building was as imposing as ever, a symbol of the power and authority that Jihoon wielded. She entered the sleek, modern lobby and took the elevator up to the top floor, where Jihoon's office was located.
As she walked down the hallway, she could already sense a shift in the atmosphere. The usual cold, professional energy of the office was now tinged with something else—an undercurrent of tension that she couldn't quite place.
When she entered Jihoon's office, he was standing by the large window, his back turned to her. The city stretched out beneath them, the skyline bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.
"Queen," Jihoon said, without turning around. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that made Queen pause. "Close the door."
She did as he asked, her footsteps echoing in the otherwise silent room. When she turned back around, Jihoon had finally faced her. His gaze was intense, unreadable.
"What's going on, Jihoon?" she asked, her voice steady despite the knot that had formed in her stomach.
Jihoon walked toward her, the tension in his stride palpable. "We need to talk about your progress on the report," he said, his tone firm. "The deadline is approaching, and frankly, I'm concerned."
Queen's stomach tightened further. The deadline was approaching, yes, but she had been working tirelessly to ensure everything would be completed on time. She hadn't expected him to approach her with this level of urgency, not when she had been doing everything in her power to meet the demands of the project.
"I'm on track, Jihoon," she replied, trying to maintain control of the situation. "I've been working on it nonstop."
Jihoon raised an eyebrow. "Nonstop? How about a little quality over quantity? Your last report was rushed. Do you really think it meets the standards we agreed on?"
Queen's temper flared, but she forced herself to remain calm. She had always prided herself on her professionalism, and she wasn't going to let Jihoon's words throw her off balance.
"Are you implying that I'm not capable of doing my job?" she asked, her voice growing sharper.
Jihoon's gaze flickered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "That's not what I'm saying. But you've been pushing yourself too hard, and it's affecting your work. I'm just trying to help."
"Help?" Queen echoed, her frustration growing. "You're not exactly making it easy, you know. I've been working day and night, and all you've done is point out every little flaw. Maybe I could use some real help, not just criticism."
The words hung In the air between them, the weight of her frustration finally breaking free. For a moment, Jihoon said nothing, his eyes locked on hers. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time, truly seeing her—no longer just the capable, driven professional he had always known her to be, but a person, struggling to keep it all together.
"Queen," Jihoon finally said, his voice softer now. "I'm not trying to tear you down. I know what it's like to have everything fall on your shoulders. I've been there."
Queen blinked, surprised by the shift in his tone. She wasn't used to seeing this side of him—vulnerable, open.
"Why don't you just let me do this on my own?" she asked, her voice quieter now. "Why do you keep stepping in? I don't need you to babysit me."
Jihoon took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. "I know you don't. But sometimes, we need someone to remind us that we don't have to do it alone. I didn't get to where I am by pretending I had it all figured out. There are times when we need to lean on others."
Queen looked at him, her heart pounding in her chest. His words hit her harder than she had expected. She wasn't used to relying on anyone, not since… well, not since everything had changed.
"Jihoon, I—" she began, but the words got caught in her throat.
Jihoon held up a hand, his expression serious. "I'm not asking you to lean on me, Queen. I'm just asking you to trust that you don't have to carry the weight alone. You're not the only one here trying to keep everything together."
For a long moment, they stood there in silence, the tension between them thick but somehow more bearable now.
"I don't know how to let go," Queen finally whispered, her voice barely audible.
Jihoon's gaze softened. "No one does. But sometimes, you have to give yourself permission to be human."
Queen swallowed hard, feeling the sting of unshed tears behind her eyes. She had spent so long building walls around herself, hiding the cracks that threatened to show. But in that moment, with Jihoon standing in front of her, offering her a piece of his own vulnerability, she felt the walls begin to crack.
"Maybe… maybe I can try," she said quietly, her voice trembling slightly.
Jihoon nodded. "That's all I'm asking for. Just try."
Later That Evening
As Queen left Jihoon's office later that evening, she felt a strange mix of emotions swirling inside her. The conversation had left her unsettled, but there was a sense of clarity that hadn't been there before. For the first time in what felt like ages, she felt like she could breathe.
She had always believed that she had to do everything herself, that relying on others was a sign of weakness. But Jihoon had shown her that maybe, just maybe, there was strength in allowing herself to lean on someone else, in trusting that she didn't have to carry the weight of the world alone.
As she walked through the streets of the city, the night air felt less oppressive, and for the first time in weeks, she allowed herself a moment of peace.
Perhaps it was time to let go of some of the weight she had been carrying. Perhaps it was time to trust again.