The large, glamorous doors swung open with a soft, resonant creak, revealing the grand spectacle inside.
A flood of warm, golden light poured out, accompanied by the gentle hum of classical music played by a live orchestra in the corner. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling like clusters of frozen stars, scattering the light in thousands of shimmering fragments across the marble floor.
Round tables covered in ivory silk lined the hall, each adorned with vases of white lilies and crystal glasses filled with expensive champagne.
The guests—all dressed in tailored suits and glittering gowns—mingled in low, refined laughter, their voices carrying the faintest notes of wealth and superiority.
Every inch of the place screamed exclusive. From the imported paintings that decorated the walls to the faint scent of vintage wine and perfume that lingered in the air, it was the kind of setting only the most privileged could afford to call familiar.
Soo-hyun stood at the threshold for a moment, his expression unreadable. The grandeur didn't impress him—if anything, it made his features seem colder and detached. He'd been to countless events like this before; the novelty had long worn off.
A staff member approached swiftly, bowing slightly. "Director Je, this way please."
Without a word, Soo-hyun followed, his steps calm and steady as he was led through the hall. The crowd's attention subtly turned in his direction, some whispering behind their champagne glasses, others watching with thinly veiled curiosity.
It didn't take along before the staff stopped in front of a smaller set of doors, more discreetly placed at the far end of the venue. The staff gave a courteous nod and pushed them open.
Inside was a quieter, more intimate space—a secret chamber that few probably even knew existed within the venue. The lighting here was dimmer, the atmosphere heavy with the scent of wine and cedarwood.
And waiting inside, as if anticipating him all along was Wang Taehan.
"Mr. Je," Taehan greeted with a delighted grin, his tone smooth like silk. "I'm glad you're finally here."
He stepped forward, dressed impeccably in a dark navy suit that framed his tall figure perfectly. His eyes glimmered—though whether from genuine warmth or calculated charm, it was hard to tell.
Soo-hyun's gaze met his without a trace of excitement. He carried the same poised calm as always, his voice steady and polite.
"I'm sorry for making you wait."
"It's fine," Taehan replied, the corners of his lips still curved into that smile—the kind that was too perfect and practiced.
For a moment, the two men simply stood facing one another, a subtle tension in the air, something unspoken yet undeniable.
Then Taehan took a step closer, his polished shoes clicking softly against the floor. "Shall we?" He said, his voice lowering ever so slightly as he extended his arm like a gentleman offering to lead his partner into a dance. He added a playful wink, the movement almost teasing.
Soo-hyun's expression did falter. Instead, he allowed a faint, almost imperceptible curve of his lip... a polite smile that gave nothing away. "Take the lead, Mr. Wang."
"That I will," Taehan murmured, his grin widening just a fraction.
He offered his arm more firmly this time, and as Soo-hyun walked beside him, the two men disappeared deeper into the golden-lit chamber—a pictured of grace and composure before the watchful eyes of high society.
*****
Meanwhile, back at the company, Kiyonari sat quietly on his chair, the faint hum of the air conditioner the only sound filling the empty room.
Stacks of papers lay scattered across his desk. Some half-signed, some untouched. The office was dark, only the glow of his computer screen illuminated his face, casting a pale blue tint across his tired features.
On the screen, a blank document stared back at him. The blinking cursor seemed to mock his stillness, urging him to write—yet his fingers remained frozen above the keyboard.
He'd been sitting there for hours, trying to focus on the proposal he planned to submit next week. But no matter how hard to tried, not a single word came out. His thoughts were hazy, like a fog clouding his mind.
His chest felt tight, that strange uneasiness gnawing at him again—the same one he'd been trying to ignore since this afternoon.
He sighed heavily, slumping forward until his forehead hit the desk with a soft thud.
I don't think I can keep this up...!
The muffled groan escaped his lips.
"I haven't even finished one single task tonight," he muttered into a wooden surface.
I should be wrapping up my proposal by now, not losing my shit in an empty office.
He leaned back in his chair, running both hands through his hair frustration. The leather creaked softly under his weight. His eyes stared at the ceiling blankly, his thoughts wandering—to the charity event, to the fact that Soo-hyun was there, alone.
He clenched his jaw. Why am I even thinking about that?
The quiet of the office was suddenly interrupted by the faint sound of footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Ding!
The elevator door must've opened. Kiyonari didn't move, assuming it was just a janitor or someone from another department doing overtime.
But then, a gentle hand rested on his shoulder.
He flinched, turning sharply in his seat.
"Hi," a familiar voice greeted softly.
"Yiseo-sshi...!" Kiyonari blinked, startled. "You scared me."
The man smiled at him, the kind that was effortlessly calm and bright. "Sorry. Didn't mean to."
Kiyonari exhaled in relief, though his heart still thumped from surprise. "So, it's you. What are you still doing here? I thought you already left hours ago."
"I was on my way," Yiseo said, stepping closer. His tone carried that light, easy warmth that contrasted the cold office. "But I forgot some paperwork I told Manager Go I'd bring home tonight. Had to come back for it."
"Ah, I see." Kiyonari nodded, his voice dropping lower, his exhaustion evident.
Yiseo tilted his head, studying him curiously. "But I should be the one asking, actually. What are you still doing here? Kihyun-sshi."
Kiyonari froze for a second. "... I, uh—"
Yiseo crossed his arms with a slight grin. "Shouldn't you be with Director Je right now? You're his secretary after all."
"Yeah..." Kiyonari admitted, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "But the thing is, he told me not to come with him tonight."
"Huh?" Yiseo's brows rose slightly.
Kiyonari chuckled dryly, his laugh lacking energy. "I just thought I shouldn't always be a thirdwheel on their date. And besides, I don't think I'm suited to any of those high-class party."
Yiseo blinked, unsure if he was joking or serious. "Is that... really the reason?"
"..."
"You are his secretary. It's only natural you'd be there to accompany him... the Association assigned you to be their look out, I'm sure."
He leaned against the desk, arms crossed loosely. "But... well, he's a perfectionist. That's just how he is. I'm actually impressed you could keep up with the Director."
"I just hope, you'd stop thinking like you'll always get in the way of everything when it comes to the Director. You work directly for him, you have to at least be present when he needs you there."
Kiyonari's eyes slightly widened. It's the first time he had seen Yiseo looked serious and sounded genuinely concerned giving him advice.
What the hell am I doing?! For Yiseo-sshi to notice my actions are just... so unprofessional of me!
"Yes," Kiyonari replied quietly. "I'm sorry for worrying you."
"It's all fine, Kihyun-sshi." Yiseo smiled. "I'm just glad I could help a coworker of mine."
There was a small pause between them.
His smile was soft and genuine this time. "Well, at least you're working hard. Even if the job is tough."
Kiyonari glanced at him, meeting his eyes. Something in Yiseo's tone—the calmness, the small warmth, made his chest feel a bit lighter.
A faint smile tugging at Kiyonari's lips.
They talked for a while after that—small things at first, random topics that somehow made the room feel less empty. The dim light, the still air—it all softened around them. They walked out the company building together.
*****
The next morning came quietly, the sunlight spilling through the blinds.
The faint rustling of paper and the soft ticking of the clock were the only sounds that filled the room—until his phone buzzed.
Kiyonari clicked, and scrolled down the screen as he walked down the hallway.
Different online articles flashed before his eyes—all talking about last night's charity event. Photos and headlines filled the screen, bold letters praising the couple of the year:
[Wang Taehn and Executive Director Je Soo-hyun Seen Leaving Together After the Charity Gala!]
Kiyonari's eyes traced every word slowly. The pictures captured Soo-hyun perfectly calm, graceful, the epitome of composure. While standing beside him was Taehan, who smiled charmingly.
His thumb hovered above the screen, scrolling down to read more of the commentary.
The two were seen leaving the event together in a white car shortly after midnight. Witnesses described their chemistry a undeniably natural.
Kiyonari exhaled a quiet breath through his nose, his lips tightening slightly. The more they say natural, the less I believe it. Still I'm glad it went smoothly without any problem.
He thought, forcing a small sigh of relief. Or at least it's what he wanted to believe.
Before his thoughts could wander further, a hand tapped his shoulder from behind.
He turned abruptly. "Hm—?!"
It was Jiwoo, standing there with his usual bright grin.
"Kihyun-sshi! Nice seeing you this early," Jiwoo greeted cheerfully, holding a coffee cup in one hand.
"Oh. Hey, Jiwoo-sshi," Kiyonari replied, though his tone came out flatter than he intended.
Jiwoo blinked at him. "Whattt? That doesn't sound like my usual morning buddy." He squinted, playfully leaning closer. "You look a bit... down today."
"Me?!" Kiyonari faltered, eyes widening slightly. "No, I'm not. Just—uh... I think I'm just tired."
Jiwoo raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You sure about that? Because I heard Director Je's been running you dry lately."
Kiyonari perked up, instantly defensive. "No...! Nothing like that at all."
At least not anymore.
"Oh?" Jiwoo tilted his head, teasing. "So he hasn't been making you chase him across events, stay up all night with reports, or deal with random mood swings?"
Kiyonari let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean... yeah, the work's tough. But honestly, working with Director Je had been a really good opportunity for me."
Jiwoo raised a skeptical brow.
"I mean it," Kiyonari continued quickly trying to sound convincing. "It's challenging at times, yes... but I get to test my abilities, and see how far I can go. You know, develop skills and... uh... stuff..."
He forced a smile, too wide and too tight. "So really, nothing to worry about, Jiwoo-sshi."
Jiwoo stared at him for a long moment, lips pressing together as if trying to decide whether to call him out or not.
"... Okay,", he said finally, voice slow, skeptical. "Then what's going on with you?"
"Huh?"
Jiwoo stepped closer, draping an arm around Kiyonari's shoulders casually but with a hint of concern. "Kihyun-sshi, I'm not going to pretend I didn't notice that face you've been making."
"What face?"
Jiwoo paused, glancing at him carefully. His tone lowered, half teasing but half serious. "The face of someone who looks two seconds away from wrecking this whole floor."
[!!]
My face? Kiyonari thought, blinking rapidly. About to wreck...? What does he mean by that?
Jiwoo chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension. "Anyway, if something's bugging you, you can talk to me, you know. I won't go tattling to the Director."
Kiyonari hesitated. His shoulders tensed slightly, but there was something about Jiwoo's tone—calm, honest, a little worried that made him waver.
He let out a faint exhale. "It's nothing like that," he said softly. "I'm just feeling... anxious, I guess."
"Anxious?" Jiwoo repeated, blinking. "About what?"
Kiyonari didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted to the phone still glowing faintly on the desk—the photo of Soo-hyun and Taehan smiling together reflected in his eyes.
His lips parted slightly. But no words came out.
That... he thought, gripping on his phone lightly. I'm not really sure what exactly.
*****
[The next morning]
Not long after, Soo-hyun sat down, his posture perfectly straight and composed, as if carved from discipline itself.
Inside the warm-lit Korean traditional restaurant, the quiet melody of gayaguem strings hummed faintly in the background. The atmosphere pleasant yet heavy with the weight of unspoken things.
Across the low table, Taehan leaned back comfortably on his seat, his lips curling onto a playful grin that didn't quite reach eyes.
"What do you think of this place, Mr. Je?" He asked, his tone sugary and teasing, as if testing the waters.
Soo-hyun looked around—polished wood, delicate lanterns hanging from the ceiling, calligraphy scrolls lining the walls. The setting was refined, elegant, undoubtedly expensive. Yet, he merely blinked once and replied flatly.
"I think it's decent.",
The smile on Taehan's face faltered. He clicked his tongue loudly, the sound cutting through the calm like a knife.
"Tsk! Decent? That's it? No reaction at all?"
His playful façade cracked, and what peeked through was irritation, as though the mask had fell of his face.
"I put all my effort into this," Taehan complained, his voice rising in frustration. "I chose this place because it's quiet and has a nice ambience. And the foods good too."
"The least you could do is be more grateful for all the things I did for this relationship to work. Show some appreciation to me."
Soo-hyun's gaze didn't waver. "I don't know what you're making a fuss about. I said I liked the place—isn't that enough?"
"No, it's not!" Taehan shot up fron his seat, his hand slamming lightly against the table. The chopsticks rattled.
Then, as quickly as his outburst came, he sighed and slouched back, muttering under his breath, "If it were Siwon hyung, he'd already be smiling and jumping for joy like a kid coming here for the first time."
His lips twitched into a nostalgic grin—one that made Soo-hyun's eyes harden.
"Then you should've brought him instead of me," Soo-hyun said coolly, picking up his chopsticks without sparing another glance.
Taehan turned sharply toward him, glare sharp as glass. "I was going to," He groaned, "but those annoying old farts insisted I invite you instead. Ugh."