The club's noise faded into the background, leaving only the rapid thud of Jiho's heart and the quiet, deliberate movements of Zoey Park standing too close to him.
Jiho stepped back instinctively, but there was no escape — the bar was behind him, trapping him between the cool marble counter and Zoey's warm, commanding presence.
Zoey's fingers lightly trailed along his sleeve, a casual touch that made Jiho shiver despite himself.
"Relax," she murmured, her voice a velvet command. "We're just two coworkers enjoying the same night out."
Jiho swallowed hard. "Ms. Park—"
She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
"You're not in the office. Call me Zoey."
Jiho's mouth opened, then closed, helplessly. It felt wrong — too intimate. Too dangerous. But Zoey was looking at him expectantly, her eyes glittering with mischief.
"...Zoey," he said finally, his voice barely audible.
Zoey smiled, victorious.
"There you go," she purred.
A new drink appeared on the bar, and before Jiho could protest, Zoey took it, swirling the glass lightly before offering it to him.
"Drink with me," she said.
Jiho hesitated. He barely drank — he hated losing control. But Zoey's gaze pinned him in place, daring him.
One sip. Just one.
He took the glass, sipping carefully. The alcohol was sweet at first but burned on the way down, leaving a dizzy warmth blooming in his chest.
Zoey laughed softly at his reaction.
"Not used to drinking much, are you?"
Jiho shook his head, embarrassed.
"I prefer to stay... clear-headed," he admitted.
"How boring," Zoey teased, leaning her elbow on the bar and resting her chin in her hand, studying him lazily.
"You're such a good little employee. Always so serious."
Jiho shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.
"I just... don't think work and private life should mix."
Zoey tilted her head, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.
"But we're not working right now, are we?" she said, voice low and dangerous.
"We're just two people... finding ways to pass the night."
Jiho's cheeks flamed. He opened his mouth to respond, but nothing coherent came out.
Zoey leaned closer, until her perfume clouded his senses, until her voice was a whisper meant for his ears only.
"You know," she said, "you're even cuter when you're trying not to run away."
Jiho's breath caught in his throat.
He didn't know what was happening anymore.
His instincts screamed at him to leave — but his body... stayed. Frozen. Curious. Awakened in a way he had never felt before.
Zoey straightened up with a lazy stretch, her hand brushing his shoulder as if by accident.
"I'll leave you alone... for now," she said, her voice rich with promise. "But don't forget, Jiho — when you step into my world, you don't get to leave so easily."
She winked at him, then disappeared back into the VIP section, heels clicking against the floor, leaving Jiho breathless and shaken.
For a long moment, Jiho just stood there, gripping the bar, trying to steady himself.
He didn't know whether he was terrified...
or thrilled.
{End of Chapter 3}