Ji Hoon had been working at the company for nearly two years, and his days had settled into a predictable routine. He woke up at 7 AM, took the subway to the office, grabbed a quick coffee, and worked diligently for hours until it was time to head home. He liked his job, but there was something missing. He always had the sense that there was more to life, more to feel than the routine that filled his days.
But that all changed the moment he noticed the new intern.
It was just another ordinary Wednesday when Ji Hoon first saw Tae Joon. He had been engrossed in his spreadsheets, eyes glued to the screen, when a new figure walked into the office. Ji Hoon didn't immediately notice, but then his boss, Mr. Lee, introduced him to the team.
"This is Tae Joon," Mr. Lee said. "He's our new intern for the next few months. I expect everyone to show him the ropes."
Ji Hoon had looked up just in time to see Tae Joon's striking figure. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his sharp features were complemented by a confident but quiet demeanor. His eyes met Ji Hoon's briefly, and Ji Hoon felt a strange flutter in his chest—a feeling that was both unexpected and unsettling.
He quickly turned his gaze back to his computer screen, shaking his head to clear the strange thoughts that had just crossed his mind.
Tae Joon was placed at a desk near Ji Hoon's, and although they didn't speak much at first, Ji Hoon couldn't help but notice the way Tae Joon moved—fluidly and effortlessly. Every time he passed Ji Hoon's desk, there was an almost magnetic pull, and Ji Hoon found himself looking up more often than he should have. Tae Joon's presence was a constant distraction, and Ji Hoon couldn't help but feel a strange attraction building.
Days passed, and their interactions remained mostly professional. Tae Joon was quiet, but there was something undeniably captivating about him. Ji Hoon caught himself wondering about him when he should have been focusing on his work. Was it just a passing infatuation? Or something more?
It wasn't long before Ji Hoon realized that Tae Joon was smart—sharp and quick to learn, often completing tasks before anyone else could. His work ethic was impeccable, but it was his charm that began to make Ji Hoon uneasy. He'd catch the intern's glances in his direction, and although Tae Joon would quickly look away, Ji Hoon couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.
One afternoon, Ji Hoon was buried in a mountain of paperwork, trying to finish a report before the end of the day. His concentration was interrupted when he felt a presence beside him. He looked up and saw Tae Joon standing there, a file in hand.
"Ji Hoon, do you have a moment?" Tae Joon asked, his voice soft yet firm.
Ji Hoon blinked, startled by the sudden attention. "Sure," he said, trying to steady his racing heart. "What's up?"
"I was working on the presentation for tomorrow's meeting," Tae Joon began, "but I'm not sure if I'm on the right track. Could you take a look?"
Ji Hoon felt a wave of warmth spread across his face. It wasn't often that someone asked for his opinion, especially not the new intern. He glanced at the file Tae Joon handed him, a brief touch of their fingers sending a jolt through his body.
"Of course," Ji Hoon said, clearing his throat. "I'll take a look right away."
As Ji Hoon looked over the presentation, he found himself drawn to the way Tae Joon's eyes flickered with nervous anticipation. There was something about him that made Ji Hoon feel like he was the only person in the room. The way Tae Joon listened attentively to every comment and suggestion made Ji Hoon feel strangely powerful. It was like he was holding the younger man's attention in the palm of his hand, and the thought made his pulse race.
"Looks good so far," Ji Hoon said after a moment. "Just a few adjustments, and you'll be set."
"Thanks," Tae Joon replied, flashing a brief smile that sent a surge of warmth through Ji Hoon's chest. "I appreciate it."
As Tae Joon walked back to his desk, Ji Hoon couldn't help but stare at him. The attraction was undeniable, and Ji Hoon felt his heart skip a beat. But was it just a fleeting infatuation? Was he really ready to entertain the idea of something more with a colleague, someone he barely knew?
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Ji Hoon tried to push the thoughts of Tae Joon out of his mind, focusing instead on the tasks that lay before him. But no matter how hard he tried, his thoughts kept returning to the intern—the way his smile lingered in Ji Hoon's mind, the way his gaze seemed to have a deeper meaning every time their eyes met.
By the time Ji Hoon left the office that evening, his mind was racing. He wasn't sure what was happening, but he couldn't ignore the feeling that there was something more between him and Tae Joon—a connection he couldn't explain.
And though he tried to tell himself that it was nothing, that it was just a passing attraction, deep down, Ji Hoon knew it was only the beginning.