The following days at Hanlim Corporation were a blur for Seo Joo-won. The memory of Kim Joon-ho's kiss lingered, an ever-present reminder of the dangerous game they were playing. Joo-won couldn't shake the feeling that he had crossed a line—a line he didn't fully understand but knew he couldn't uncross.
Every interaction with Kim felt charged, even when they were surrounded by colleagues. Kim's gaze would linger a moment too long, his voice dipping into a tone that sent shivers down Joo-won's spine. Yet, outwardly, he maintained the impeccable facade of a CEO—calm, composed, and in control.
One afternoon, during a team meeting, Joo-won felt the weight of Kim's eyes on him. He glanced up, only to find Kim watching him with an expression that was both unreadable and intimate. Joo-won quickly looked away, his heart racing.
"Mr. Seo," Kim said suddenly, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. "What's your input on the proposed changes to the campaign?"
Joo-won scrambled to compose himself. "I—I think the adjustments will help target a younger demographic more effectively, sir. However, we should consider refining the messaging to ensure it aligns with the brand's image."
Kim nodded, his gaze still fixed on Joo-won. "Good. Implement the changes and present the final version by the end of the week."
Joo-won exhaled silently, relieved to have survived the moment. But the intensity in Kim's eyes as the meeting continued left him wondering how long he could keep this up.
Later that evening, as the office emptied out, Joo-won stayed behind to work on the campaign. The quiet was comforting, allowing him to focus without the distractions of the day.
Or so he thought.
"Burning the midnight oil again?" Kim's voice startled him, and Joo-won looked up to see the CEO standing in the doorway.
"Just trying to meet the deadline," Joo-won replied, his voice steady despite the fluttering in his chest.
Kim entered the room, his presence filling the space. "You work hard, Joo-won. It's admirable. But you need to learn to balance ambition with self-care."
Joo-won smiled faintly. "I'll keep that in mind, sir."
Kim's gaze softened, and for a moment, the mask of the CEO slipped. "You don't have to call me 'sir' when we're alone, you know."
Joo-won hesitated. "Then... what should I call you?"
Kim stepped closer, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. "Joon-ho. Just Joon-ho."
The intimacy of using his first name sent a shiver down Joo-won's spine. "All right... Joon-ho."
Kim smiled, a rare, genuine smile that made Joo-won's heart skip a beat. "Good."
He reached out, his fingers brushing against Joo-won's hand. The touch was brief, almost hesitant, but it set Joo-won's skin ablaze.
"Get some rest, Joo-won," Kim said softly, his voice laced with something unspoken. "You'll need it."
With that, Kim turned and left the room, leaving Joo-won alone with his thoughts and the lingering warmth of his touch.