The days following Joo-won's conversation with Kim Joon-ho felt like walking on a knife's edge. The tension between them lingered, unspoken but unmistakable. Joo-won tried to focus on his work, pouring his energy into projects and assignments, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Kim. The CEO's cryptic words about ambition and boundaries haunted him, and the way Kim looked at him—like he was both a challenge and a temptation—left Joo-won restless.
Even Park Min-seo noticed the change in him. "You've been distracted lately," she said one afternoon as they worked on a marketing proposal together. "Are you okay?"
Joo-won forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just... a lot on my mind."
Min-seo raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Still, her words made Joo-won realize how much the situation with Kim was affecting him. He couldn't let it interfere with his work.
That evening, Joo-won was once again working late. The office was quiet, the only sound the faint hum of the air conditioning. He was so focused on his computer screen that he didn't hear the door open behind him.
"Still here?" Kim's deep voice cut through the silence, making Joo-won's heart leap.
He turned to see Kim standing in the doorway, his suit jacket draped over one arm. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of his collarbone. Joo-won quickly looked away, willing himself to stay composed.
"I'm finishing the proposal for the marketing team," Joo-won explained, his voice steady despite the rapid beating of his heart.
Kim stepped into the room, his movements deliberate. "You've been working hard lately. I've noticed."
"Thank you, sir," Joo-won said, unsure of how to respond to the compliment.
Kim's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he walked over to the desk. He placed his jacket on the back of a chair and leaned against the edge of the table, his posture relaxed yet commanding.
"You remind me of myself when I was younger," Kim said, his voice low and reflective. "Always pushing myself to the limit, never satisfied with anything less than perfection."
Joo-won looked up at him, surprised by the personal admission. It was rare for Kim to reveal anything about himself, and the vulnerability in his tone caught Joo-won off guard.
"Is that a bad thing?" Joo-won asked cautiously.
Kim's lips curved into a faint smile. "Not necessarily. But ambition has its price. The question is—are you prepared to pay it?"
Before Joo-won could respond, Kim reached out, his hand brushing against Joo-won's. The touch was brief, almost accidental, but it sent a jolt of electricity through Joo-won's body. He froze, his breath catching in his throat as Kim's gaze locked onto his.
"Be careful, Joo-won," Kim said softly, his voice tinged with something that sounded almost like warning. "You're walking a fine line."
With that, Kim straightened and picked up his jacket. "Don't stay too late," he added as he left the room, leaving Joo-won alone with his thoughts and the lingering warmth of his touch.