The moment Sohee placed the file on Denial's desk, she caught herself glancing at him again. Her eyes moved from his sharp collarbone to the way his sleeves were slightly rolled, revealing his wristwatch and a strong, veined arm.
She immediately looked away.
Stop staring! What if he notices?!
But Denial, ever calm, didn't look up. He flipped through the file pages with his usual precision.
"You've improved a lot in the last few weeks," he said casually, eyes still scanning the papers. "You learn quickly."
Sohee's heart did a little somersault. Was that a compliment?! From him?!
"Th-thank you, Sir!" she chirped, then instantly regretted sounding like a schoolgirl who just got praised by her favorite teacher.
Denial looked up. His gaze met hers—calm, unreadable, but oddly warm.
"Anything else?" he asked, voice neutral.
Sohee blinked. She hadn't planned this far.
Say something! Say something cute, funny, flirty—anything but boring!
So she smiled nervously and said, "Actually… I was wondering… if I bring lunch again tomorrow… would you try it?"
Denial arched one perfect brow. "You still haven't given up?"
"Nope," Sohee grinned, trying to appear confident. "I make really good dumplings, you know."
"I don't usually eat food cooked by others."
"But I'm not 'others', I'm your employee," she teased lightly, then immediately realized what she just said.
Denial paused for a beat. "Exactly."
Sohee's smile faltered slightly. That was... cold.
But before she could turn and walk out, he added in a low voice, "Still… you can bring the dumplings. I might give them a try."
Her face lit up.
"Really?! You promise?"
"I don't make promises I can't keep," he said with the ghost of a smile.
She left the room almost floating, clutching her heart, cheeks warm.
Outside the office, her female colleague—the same one who had a crush on Denial—gave her a curious look.
"What's with that red face, Sohee? Sir praised you again?"
Sohee giggled. "He didn't not praise me…"
Inside, Denial closed the file, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the door she had just walked out of.
She's persistent… and kind of reckless, he thought.
But he didn't dislike it.
Not at all.
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Continue.....