Seo Joo-won had never been this nervous in his entire life. Standing at the foot of the towering glass building of Hanlim Corporation, his heart raced with a mixture of anticipation and fear. This was the opportunity he had worked tirelessly for—the internship at a prestigious corporation where ambition and power ruled the halls. Today, his dream was beginning, and he was both excited and terrified by the unknown future ahead of him.
The sleek glass doors slid open, and Joo-won stepped inside. The scent of polished wood, fresh coffee, and high-end perfume filled the air. The office lobby was quiet, almost reverent, as employees in expensive suits hurried past, their faces serious and focused. Everything about the atmosphere screamed success, professionalism, and control.
"Seo Joo-won," a voice called out from behind the reception desk, snapping him from his thoughts. The receptionist gave him a polite, though somewhat distant, smile. "The CEO's office is on the 20th floor. I'll notify them of your arrival."
"Thank you," Joo-won stammered, forcing a smile as he tried to steady his nerves.
The elevator ride to the executive floor was a blur. The glass walls of the building seemed to stretch endlessly upward, offering an intimidating view of the city skyline. With each passing floor, the pressure inside his chest built. This was the moment—his introduction to the powerful man who was known for shaping the company's future with his ruthless business acumen and iron will: Kim Joon-ho, the CEO.
Joo-won had heard rumors about Kim—his cold, unapproachable demeanor, his sharp, calculating nature, and his complete command of everything around him. He was a man who didn't tolerate weakness, didn't indulge in mistakes. The kind of leader Joo-won could only dream of becoming but never imagined facing head-on.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Joo-won stepped into a minimalist, pristine hallway. The sound of his shoes clicking against the marble floor echoed in the silence as he walked towards the imposing wooden doors of the CEO's office. His breath hitched, his palms sweating as he reached for the doorknob. He barely touched it when the door swung open on its own.
There, standing in the doorway, was Kim Joon-ho.
The man was even more striking in person. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, broad shoulders and a narrow waist giving him an air of effortless power. His features were sharp, every line of his face defined, his jawline chiseled to perfection. His eyes, dark and intense, fixed on Joo-won with a gaze that seemed to pierce straight through him. Kim's presence filled the room in a way that made Joo-won feel small, insignificant, like a mere speck in his vast world.
Kim didn't say a word. He simply raised an eyebrow, a flicker of interest crossing his eyes as they locked with Joo-won's.
"Seo Joo-won," Kim said after a pause, his voice deep and smooth, though there was an undeniable edge to it. "The new intern, yes?"
Joo-won swallowed hard, forcing himself to respond. "Yes, sir. Seo Joo-won."
"Follow me." Kim's voice was calm, but there was something inherently commanding about it that made Joo-won almost jump into action.
Joo-won followed behind him, trying not to appear too flustered. They walked into the spacious office, the glass walls offering a breathtaking view of the city below. The office was minimalist, everything designed to exude power—sleek furniture, modern art, and glass bookshelves filled with business titles. Kim moved behind his desk and gestured toward the chair across from him.
"Sit," Kim ordered, and Joo-won obeyed instinctively.
The CEO's sharp gaze never left him. It felt like Kim was assessing him, seeing straight through him, as if he could understand everything about Joo-won with just a glance.
"I've read your resume," Kim continued. "But I expect more than just qualifications here. I expect results. Do you think you're capable of that?"
Joo-won's heart raced, but he tried to keep his voice steady. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes."
Kim studied him for a moment, the silence between them thick with tension. Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with authority. "Good. I'm watching you. Make sure you don't disappoint me."
The words stung, but not in the way Joo-won expected. There was something about Kim's tone, the subtle threat beneath the surface, that only heightened his curiosity and the strange attraction he was starting to feel. The room seemed to grow colder as Kim's gaze lingered on him, a silent command that made Joo-won's pulse spike.
"Your desk is outside," Kim said, breaking the tension. "You'll begin your work shortly."
As Joo-won stood to leave, Kim's eyes flickered toward him again—only this time, it felt more... pointed. Like there was something more beneath that cold exterior. Something dangerous. Something that made Joo-won's body react against his will.
He quickly turned away, trying to dismiss the strange, fluttering feeling in his chest. But as he exited the room, he couldn't shake the thought that this was only the beginning of something much more complicated than he ever anticipated.