The alarm blared, shattering the fragile remnants of Joo-won's restless sleep. His dreams, hazy and disjointed, had been haunted by flashes of last night—Kim Joon-ho's intense gaze, his commanding voice, and the magnetic presence that lingered long after they'd parted. Joo-won groaned, pressing the heels of his hands to his eyes as if he could push the memories away.
Dragging himself out of bed, he moved through his morning routine on autopilot. The cold splash of water on his face didn't help; his thoughts were still tangled in the inexplicable pull he felt toward Kim. It was irrational, dangerous even, to think about his boss this way. But the harder Joo-won tried to bury the feelings, the more persistent they became.
With a mug of coffee in one hand and his phone in the other, Joo-won scanned his emails. His stomach flipped when he saw Kim's name at the top of the list.
Subject: Presentation Updates
From: Kim Joon-ho
Message: "Impressive insights yesterday. Continue refining the data for tomorrow's strategy session."
The message was simple, professional, yet it sent a ripple through Joo-won. He read it twice, then a third time, trying to decipher whether there was an undertone hidden in the words. Frustrated with himself, he set the phone down and gulped his coffee.
"Focus, Joo-won," he muttered, steeling himself for the day ahead.
The towering glass facade of Hanlim Corporation gleamed under the morning sun, reflecting the bustling streets of Seoul. Joo-won entered the building, his nerves steadying slightly as the familiar hum of the office greeted him. He dropped his bag at his desk and dove straight into his work, hoping to lose himself in spreadsheets and charts.
But the reprieve didn't last long.
"Burning the midnight oil, huh?" Park Min-seo's teasing voice jolted him. She leaned casually against his desk, her usual playful smirk firmly in place.
Joo-won forced a smile. "Something like that. There's a lot to prepare for tomorrow's meeting."
Min-seo tilted her head, studying him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "You've been... off lately. Distracted. Are you hiding something?"
Before Joo-won could stammer out a reply, a senior manager strode by, calling for everyone to assemble in the boardroom. Grateful for the interruption, Joo-won grabbed his notes and followed the flow of employees.
The boardroom was an imposing space, all sleek lines and modern design, exuding an air of power. Joo-won settled into a seat, clutching his materials tightly as the room filled with chatter. When the doors opened and Kim Joon-ho entered, the energy shifted.
Kim didn't need to speak to command attention. His tailored suit and confident stride were enough to silence the murmurs. Joo-won's breath caught as Kim's sharp gaze swept across the room, pausing ever so briefly when it landed on him.
The meeting began with department updates, and Joo-won listened intently, taking detailed notes. He had almost convinced himself he was just another face in the crowd when Kim's voice rang out.
"Mr. Seo," Kim said, his tone calm but firm. "Your perspective on the projections?"
Every head in the room turned toward him. Joo-won's pulse quickened as he rose to his feet, clutching his notes like a lifeline. Summoning every ounce of composure, he presented his analysis, carefully explaining the data and its implications.
When he finished, there was a moment of silence. Then Kim nodded, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Well done," Kim said, his voice carrying a weight that made the praise feel significant.
Joo-won sat down, his heart racing. The meeting continued, but he couldn't shake the sense that Kim's approval held a deeper meaning.
By the time the office began to clear out for the evening, Joo-won was exhausted but relieved. He was packing up when his phone buzzed on his desk.
From: Kim Joon-ho
Message: "My office. Now."
His stomach flipped as he read the message. The bluntness of it left no room for interpretation. Taking a deep breath, Joo-won made his way to Kim's office, the quiet corridors amplifying the sound of his footsteps.
The door was slightly ajar, and Joo-won hesitated before stepping inside. Kim was seated behind his desk, his sleeves rolled up and his tie slightly loosened, a rare hint of casualness in his otherwise immaculate appearance.
"Close the door," Kim said, not looking up from his laptop.
Joo-won obeyed, the soft click of the door echoing in the spacious office. Kim finally looked up, his gaze piercing.
"Good work today," Kim said, leaning back in his chair. "You handled yourself well in the meeting."
"Thank you, sir," Joo-won replied, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in the room.
Kim raised an eyebrow. "What did I tell you about calling me 'sir' when we're alone?"
Joo-won hesitated, his throat dry. "Joon-ho," he said softly.
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Kim's face. He stood and walked around the desk, closing the distance between them. Reaching out, he brushed a stray strand of hair from Joo-won's forehead, the touch lingering just enough to make Joo-won's breath hitch.
"You're learning," Kim murmured, his voice low and intimate.
The air between them grew thick, charged with unspoken tension. Joo-won's heart pounded as Kim's gaze bore into him, dark and unreadable. For a moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of them, the lines between right and wrong blurring dangerously.
But before either of them could act, a knock at the door shattered the moment.
Kim stepped back, his expression instantly composed. "Come in," he called out.
A senior executive entered, oblivious to the charged atmosphere. As Joo-won slipped out of the office, his mind raced, his emotions a tangle of confusion and exhilaration.