The days that followed that late-night encounter with Kim Joon-ho were a whirlwind of conflicting emotions for Seo Joo-won. On the surface, everything seemed to return to normal. He spent his days working alongside his fellow interns, attending meetings, and doing his best to meet the high expectations set by his superiors. But underneath it all, the words Kim had spoken to him lingered in his mind like an insistent whisper.
"You'll need to prove you're willing to sacrifice."
The statement had been so simple, yet it echoed in Joo-won's mind at all hours. What did Kim mean? What was he asking for? Joo-won couldn't help but wonder if there was more to the challenge than just working harder. Was Kim testing him? Pushing him to cross a line he wasn't even aware existed?
His thoughts were interrupted one afternoon when he was called into Kim Joon-ho's office. Joo-won's stomach twisted with anxiety. The memory of their last interaction—the way Kim had looked at him, the charged silence that had passed between them—still haunted him. It was almost impossible to forget.
"Seo Joo-won, come in."
Kim's voice came through the intercom, smooth and commanding, and Joo-won's heart skipped a beat. He stood up quickly, smoothing out the wrinkles in his shirt, before walking toward the CEO's office. Each step felt heavy as the tension from the previous encounter built once again.
When he reached the door, Joo-won hesitated for a brief moment before knocking.
"Enter," came Kim's voice again, sharp and direct.
Joo-won stepped inside, his breath caught in his throat as he saw Kim standing by the large windows, overlooking the city. The CEO's presence was commanding as ever, and his gaze softened slightly when he turned to face Joo-won. But there was something else behind those dark eyes now—something that made Joo-won's pulse quicken.
"Have a seat," Kim instructed, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.
Joo-won sat down, trying to maintain his composure, though his mind was racing. Kim didn't speak right away, and for a long moment, they simply stared at each other. Joo-won could feel the weight of the silence between them, thick with unspoken words.
"Tell me, Joo-won," Kim finally said, breaking the silence. "How are you finding the work so far?"
"I'm doing my best, sir," Joo-won replied, his voice steady despite the nervousness in his chest. "I've been working on the reports and assisting with the project as requested."
Kim nodded, his eyes never leaving Joo-won's face. "Good. But you need to understand something—working hard isn't enough in this company. You're here because I expect more than just effort. I expect results. I expect loyalty. And I expect you to prove that you're willing to sacrifice."
Joo-won swallowed hard, the words feeling like a weight pressing down on him. He wanted to ask what Kim meant, to seek clarity, but something held him back. There was an undeniable pull in Kim's presence, an unspoken force that kept him in place.
"You're a bright young man, Joo-won," Kim continued, his tone softer now, almost casual. "But I'm not here to coddle you. If you want to rise in this company, you need to show me you're capable of more than just being a competent intern. You need to show me your worth."
Joo-won nodded, feeling a mix of fear and determination. He couldn't help but feel that Kim's words were more than just professional advice. There was something personal behind them—a challenge, perhaps, or an invitation to something deeper.
"Understood, sir," Joo-won managed to say, his voice firm.
Kim's gaze softened slightly, but there was still an air of detachment about him. "Good. Now go. I expect you to put that same energy into your work. I'm watching you, Joo-won. Don't disappoint me."
As Joo-won stood up to leave, his mind was swirling with a thousand questions. The encounter had left him shaken, and yet, it had also ignited something inside him—a desire to prove himself, not just to Kim, but to the world. He wasn't sure what Kim wanted from him, or what this unspoken tension between them meant, but he knew one thing for certain: the boundaries between them were starting to blur.