The late nights had become routine for Seo Joo-won, but tonight felt different. The silence of the office wasn't comforting—it was suffocating, charged with unspoken tension. Joo-won couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen.
He was reviewing the details of an upcoming campaign when his phone buzzed. It was a message from Kim Joon-ho:
"My office. Now."
Joo-won stared at the screen, his pulse quickening. He had been called to Kim's office countless times before, but this felt different. The brevity of the message, the time—well past regular hours—set his nerves on edge.
Taking a deep breath, he stood and made his way to the executive floor. The corridor leading to Kim's office was dimly lit, the soft glow of the overhead lights casting long shadows.
When he reached the door, he hesitated for a moment before knocking.
"Come in," came Kim's voice, low and authoritative.
Joo-won stepped inside, his heart pounding. Kim was seated at his desk, his suit jacket draped over the back of his chair, the top buttons of his shirt undone. He looked up, his sharp gaze locking onto Joo-won's.
"Close the door," Kim said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Joo-won obeyed, the soft click of the door echoing in the quiet room.
"Do you know why I called you here?" Kim asked, standing and walking around the desk to lean against the edge, his arms crossed.
Joo-won shook his head, his mouth suddenly dry. "No, sir."
Kim studied him for a moment before speaking. "You've been working hard, impressing everyone with your dedication. But I wonder—are you doing it for the company? Or are you trying to prove something to me?"
Joo-won's breath hitched. He had no answer to that, at least not one he was willing to say out loud.
Kim's gaze softened, but the intensity didn't waver. "You've been playing this game carefully, Joo-won. But games have consequences."
As Kim stepped closer, Joo-won felt the air between them grow thick with unspoken words, unacknowledged emotions. His instincts told him to step back, to maintain the distance that professionalism demanded, but his body refused to move.
Kim reached out, his hand brushing lightly against Joo-won's tie. "You've been so focused on following the rules, but sometimes breaking them is the only way to get ahead."
Joo-won's mind raced, his heart pounding in his chest. "Sir, I—"
"Don't," Kim interrupted, his voice barely above a whisper. "No excuses, no justifications. Just honesty."
Kim's hand slid upward, resting lightly on Joo-won's shoulder. The touch was electrifying, sending a shiver down Joo-won's spine. He looked up, meeting Kim's gaze, and in that moment, the carefully constructed walls between them crumbled.
Kim leaned in, his lips brushing against Joo-won's in a kiss that was both gentle and demanding. Joo-won froze, his mind screaming at him to pull away, but his body betrayed him, leaning into the kiss.
The world seemed to fade away as Kim deepened the kiss, his hands sliding to Joo-won's waist. It was a moment of surrender, of giving in to the tension that had been building between them for weeks.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily. Kim's expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with a fire that made Joo-won's knees weak.
"This changes everything," Kim said softly, his fingers brushing against Joo-won's cheek. "Are you ready for that?"
Joo-won didn't trust himself to speak, so he nodded, his gaze never leaving Kim's.
Kim smiled faintly, stepping back. "Good. Then let's see how far you're willing to go."
As Joo-won left the office, his heart was a whirlwind of emotions—fear, excitement, and a deep, undeniable yearning. He knew he had crossed a line tonight, and there was no going back.