Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"I guess he's forgotten again" 

The words left her in a murmur... though no one was listening.

The glass in her palm had already grown warm by now... It was Burgundy... meant to be served chilled... but Jimin still chose to bring it to her lips regardless...

She had never been a fan of wine... the taste had always been too bitter for her... but she tolerated it, knowing it was a drink her fiancé favored.

Though tonight, she has to say, this bitter taste felt more welcoming than whatever this quiet weight was on her chest.

Why even be disappointed Jimin... You should've known this would happen. Is this even a surprise?

She tilted her head back, drained the glass, and let the burn wash over her. Still, it wasn’t enough to drown the familiar sting of being forgotten.

The lounge was very quiet tonight...

Well- that's to be expected in the VIP section after all...

Set apart from the rest of the bar with velvet curtains and dim lighting that gave the illusion of exclusivity.

A place for privacy.

A luxury that was meant to be enjoyed in solitude...

Yet Jimin... had no one to share this moment with.

No one to clink her glass to.

No one to appreciate the fine silk of a dress that hugged perfectly around her figure.

No one to even see the makeup she took ages to put on.

What was the point of all that effort? When no one was here to appreciate it.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. Not too late yet. Maybe if she waited a little longer… maybe Taeho would surprise her, walk in with that guilty smile of his, say he meant to keep her waiting just to build anticipation.

The thought made her chuckle under her breath. A small, hollow sound. She took another drink.

One glass turned into two.

Two into three.

And before she knew it, she was waving down for another.

Only this time, the server stopped at her table, bottle in hand but hesitation in her eyes.

“Get me another glass,” Jimin said, not bothering to look up.

“...”

Her patience thinned. “What?”

“It’s just… that was the whole bottle.”

She blinked, finally lifting her gaze. For the first time tonight, she actually paid attention to what her server had looked like.

She's slim. Quite pretty… though there was something else to her.

A trace of sharpness that leaned almost handsome.

It was like an androgynous charm... but in a way that worked... and worked well might she add.

Her hair was tied back loosely, but Jimin could tell it would fall to her shoulders if let down. Her skin was pale, almost luminous under the low lighting of the lounge.

Her eyes flicked lower, catching on the small tag pinned neatly to the left side of her chest.

Kim...

“And?" Shaking off her thoughts, Jimin spoke again, "Just get another.”

“Is someone else coming?”

"..." 

Oh, she didn't like that question...

She didn't like it at all.

Because deep down she knew the answer... and that alone had been a heavy feeling weighing down on her.. but now to have someone else recognise it?

There were no other words to describe it... she just felt humiliated..

Her eyes narrowed as she straightened in her seat. It didn't matter how she felt... she had to stay composed.

“Who knows. Either way, it’s none of your business.”

“It isn’t but… it’s just…” She stopped for a moment, weighing her words. “I think whoever they are, they must be an absolute idiot. That’s all.”

That caught Jimin’s attention. Her brows lifted, curiosity tugging at her expression now. “Idiot..?”

“Yes.” The server’s voice carried no hesitation. “Because only an absolute idiot would leave a girl as beautiful as you sitting here waiting.”

“Ha.”

A small chuckle slipped past Jimin’s lips. She won't lie, she was mildly amused, but she didn't at all feel swayed.

Compliments were nothing new to her after all...

It was common in the position she was in after all...

So, like anything else, it just slid off like water.

“Those flirty lines won’t get you anywhere.”

But instead of smirking back or doubling down, the server tilted her head with a steady expression.

“Oh, I’m not trying to flirt,” she said simply. “I’m just speaking my mind.”

It was interesting to her... because those words actually sounded truthful... looking at the server fully now, it all became that much clearer... There really was no further intent behind her eyes... just plain honesty.

And that in itself shouldn't have tipped Jimin off...

But for some reason... it really did catch her off guard.

It was an unsettling feeling.

It was small, but no doubt lingering. 

As if she were disappointed. But, disappointed in what exactly?

That not only had her fiancé abandoned her tonight, but this girl whom Jimin had thought was trying to make a move on her wasn't actually even trying in the end?

Why did that make her feel so...

Unwanted?

That's an ugly thought to have Jimin. Stop.

She cleared her throat, setting her glass down a little too firmly. “…Is the other glass coming or not?”

The server didn’t move right away. Instead, she met Jimin’s eyes and held them.

And for some reason… Jimin felt vulnerable under that gaze. She looked away first.

“One more glass. But after that, you’re done.”

She couldn't help but scoff, “And who are you to dictate that?”

“Nobody, I guess,” the woman replied softly. “But you’ve had enough. Forcing yourself to drink isn’t good for you.”

Jimin let out a short laugh. She leaned back onto the sofa, crossing one leg over the other, though slightly irritated, her elegance remained intact.

“Are you not afraid I’ll put in a complaint with your boss? You should know to deny a customer like this in this type of lounge... most would call it unwise" 

Her words were meant to serve as a warning, but for some reason, the server didn't seem to get that hint.

If anything, she smiled slightly.

“Actually,” she said, “today is my last day here. Tomorrow, I start work in my new job.”

Or perhaps she did get the hint, she just didn't care.

It once again caught Jimin off guard.

“But regardless,” the woman continued, her voice calm, “even if you did complain, I’d be at ease knowing you didn’t put more harm on your liver than you already have tonight.” The words landed softly... too softly. Gentle in a way Jimin wasn’t used to.

And that gentleness… almost annoyed her more than the refusal itself.

But before she could get another word in, the server had already left to get another drink.

...

...

"Tsk"

˖᯽ ݁˖

“So you’re really not going to get me another glass?” Jimin leans her head against the sofa, eyes now closed. The glass that her server had brought her was already emptied the moment it was brought to her table.

"Honestly' her server replied again. “You’ve only been here for about an hour, and in that hour you’ve downed a whole bottle and a glass. I have concerns that at the speed you’re going, if you drink any more, it’ll hit you too hard.”

"Are you this annoying to all your paying customers?”

“I find talking out your problems tends to be a healthier option, rather than drinking them away.”

"Ah-" JImin let out a sharp breath through her nose at the way that woman just ignored her question. “You’re actually super annoying, really.”

She leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm.... but her posture was already beginning to lose its usual straightness.

The room had already begun to tilt... it wasn't enough to throw her off balance... but she found herself needing to blink a few extra times to steady her gaze.

"See? It's already catching up to you.. That's why you shouldn't drink so much so quickly..."

"Do you think I look pathetic right now?"

The server’s brow arched at the sudden question... but she didn’t have time to respond. Her customer's body listed to the side, and she had no choice but to move quickly, stepping in and catching her just in time to steady her. "Hey hey now- Take it easy okay" She murmured as she held her up...

It was the first time she had the chance to study Jimin up close.

Close enough to catch the faint trace of her lingering perfume, close enough to notice how Jimin’s eyes, half-lidded, gradually lifted to meet hers.

Her lips parted ever so slightly as she exhaled, and perhaps she lingered a moment too long in that gaze before finally pulling back.

"So?

"Pardon?"

"What do you think?

"Of what?"

"Pathetic. Do you think I look pathetic? Waiting for absolutely nothing and just making a fool out of myself."

“I don’t think you look pathetic. Like I said earlier, I really think you look beautiful.”

Jimin let out a soft, humourless laugh to that before pulling herself off the stranger's grip  "You think I look beautiful, yet you're not even remotely interested, right?"

"What I think is, you definitely had enough tonight"

Jimin’s lips pressed together, her gaze narrowing slightly as she steadied herself. “…What’s your name?”

“Me? Minjeong. Kim Minjeong.”

“Minjeong,” Jimin repeated, letting the name linger for a moment. She leaned back, and uncrossed her leg... her posture nowhere near as polished as before “So tell me… if you’re not letting me drink, what’s your version of a remedy?”

Minjeong remained where she was.. hands now lowered as Jimin had backed away. "I believe I said, talking it out tends to be the healthier option."

"And you think I'd just hand my problems over to a stranger"

"I think sometimes it's easier with a stranger" That little small smile of hers came back "No judgment. No history. Just someone to listen. And you know, from my experience, it actually allows a more honest dialogue to take place… though, I’m not saying you have to share with me. I mean... maybe it’s best for you to talk to anyone you want to.”

"And if I had no one else to tell?" Jimin leaned forward now as she spoke... her movement was slow and deliberate... but Minjeong didn't move back as expected...

Instead, her eyes just stayed on hers.

"Then.. I think a stranger's honesty is best.."

“Then give me yours.” The taller woman tilted her head slightly, studying her in that way that made it hard to breathe.

"Are you saying you want to talk to me about it"

"I'm saying don't hold back on your thoughts"

The space between them seemed to shrink, though neither moved. Minjeong’s hand was still close to Jimin’s arm from steadying her earlier, but she didn’t pull it away.

Her eyes glimmered then under the dim light... her eyes vaguely glossed up from the one too many drinks she's put away... but that didn't stop her from looking at Minjeong as if she was daring her...

Almost testing her... as if she wanted to see if she could make her flinch...

Or maybe even retreat...

But Minjeong didn't.

"Alright. Then my honest opinion?" The server finally spoke again. "You should stop waiting for whoever it is you're waiting for. Because unless they're blind, they have to be crazy to willingly let someone like you sit alone like this."

The words seemed to slice through the haze of alcohol more than the liquor itself ever could.

"You're bolder than you look you know" Jimin murmured... her eyes darkening now.

"No I'm just being honest.." And perhaps.. Minjeong's eyes met that same darkness.

"heh...

I like honesty..."

˖᯽ ݁˖

"Ah-"

The sound cut off midway through her throat as she hovered a hand over her eyes from the sunlight through the window. It was so bright it practically pierced through her eyelids.

"Shit.. my head..." Jimin hissed under her breath. "What the hell.."

She tried to blink the blur away, but the more she focused, the stranger it became.

The smell in the air was unfamiliar... and as her eyes adjusted, she couldn't help but feel even her ceiling looked off...

Wait...

That's because that definitely was NOT her ceiling.

HOLD UP-

She jerked up immediately, wanting to assess her surroundings further as her stomach began to twist in uncertainty. 

But the moment she did, she came to regret that action pretty much immediately.

"Shi-" Jimin had to hold a finger to her temple...

It was like a pain behind her eyes that kept stabbing against her skull.

But she didn't even have time to dwell on that because...

Those sheets...

This bed...

This mattress... it was too firm...

Wherever the hell she was...

It was definitely not in her damn room.

It was way too small to be.

Damnit, even these clothes on me feel unfamiliar...

...

Wait...

Her eyes drifted down...

"WHO'S CLOTHES ARE THESE!?!?"

!!!

"Oh my god- Oversized as hell- what is this- IS THAT POLYESTER!? Who would even do this!?"

Her hands fumbled at the fabric as if she wanted to rip it off.

But more importantly...

Where the hell am I?

How did I even get here?

Despite the thudding pain in her skull, she forced herself to focus...

That's right...

I was waiting for Taeho...

But as soon as that name came to mind... another one appeared just as quickly... she can remember in fragments now... that pale skin of someone completely different... and that dark hair which was tied loosely at the nape of her neck...

And then... the feelings of those hands... those hands that felt warm that fit just perfectly against her arm..  it steadied her... she remembered that much...

Then there was that face...

Puzzle pieces that were slowly falling into place and turning into an image that was unforgettable..

She was so close...

So close Jimin could've sworn she felt her breath on her skin....

What was her name again..?

Min..

"Minjeong..."

That right.. Kim Minjeong...

She was the one who stayed there... right by her side... 

Listened to her...

Like she wanted to listen... not because she had to...

Stayed there... like she wasn't burdened...

Why did something so simple like that feel so new to her... it made Jimin's stomach twist in a way she couldn't explain...

She remembered the way her body slowly felt unlike her own.. as the staggering amount of intoxication finally caught up to her and had a grip around her control...

That was when Minjeong helped her walk...

She walked with her...

And then there was a taxi.. right a taxi was called and Minjeong had slid in beside her... they were so close there was barely any space that existed between them...

...

A lump suddenly formed at the bits of Jimin's belly... as heat began creeping up her neck...

The pieces of last night started to collide... and before she knew... the imagery of the way Minjeong's skin felt on her's felt all but too real....

Her mind froze in that moment... the second the memories of Minjeong carrying her up into this very room began to play...

It's funny, really, she remembered thinking Minjeong's arms were on the skinnier side.. But for some reason, they were strong enough to carry her all the way to...

to...

....

"No freaking way..."

Jimin's face began to burn immediately as she put both hands on her cheeks... her chest began to jump like crazy...

But.. there was no denying it...

Not only had Minjeong carried her to this very bed…

She remembered…

That woman had been right on top of her, too.

On this bed.

While Jimin lay beneath her.

Her face had been so close…

So impossibly close.

She could see the concern in those eyes, the way they traced her, studied her…

And the flush of red creeping across her cheeks made Jimin feel…

hot.

"No- no no no no"

But now that those images were in motion...

The reality suddenly hit her...

Jimin bolted upright, sheets tangling around her legs as she made a dash for the bathroom.

The oversized T-shirt slipped off one shoulder as she ran, and that’s when her eyes caught it in the mirror

A dark mark... deep, round, just below her collarbone.

Her stomach plummeted.

no no no

NO!

It couldn't be!

But the moment her brain tried to argue, her heart screamed in panic: it looked exactly like… a hickey.

And just like that, her suspicions confirmed themselves.

Her fingers shook as she touched the mark, mind spinning faster than her pulse.

“Oh… oh no… oh no no no… Jimin… you did not. You did not. No way”

Rushing back out of the bathroom, her thoughts scrambled faster than her feet could carry her.

Damnit this hotel room is wayyyy too small!

She barely managed to dodge the edge of the bed when her elbow knocked against the nightstand.

and then something shifted… a sheet of paper slid to the floor.

Jimin froze, staring at it as if it might bite.

Curiosity warred with panic, but it won. She bent down and picked it up

Hey, I headed out to get a few things. There’s some water I left on the table for you, so take it easy. Of course, I understand if you have somewhere to be; I know it’s Monday, but it’s still early. If I can, I’d love to grab you something to eat.

- Minjeong

Jimin's heart skipped reading that... though she wasn't even sure what emotion had caused it to skip.

"Jimin.. you dunce... you've really done it this time..."

Could you believe in that moment... despite every fragment of her was screaming for her to run... a part of her.. still wanted to wait.. for reasons unbeknownst to her...

"Damnit.. if Taeho was to find out- If father was to know this happened I-"

A soft buzz cut her off.

Jimin's eyes darted towards the table.. to see her purse had been left there...

Minjeong must have left it there...

Without thinking she went through her purse and fished out her phone.

From Aeri:
Hey, we’re outside waiting. You don’t want to miss the board meeting today; your dad will be there. Also, your new secretary is starting today! Be there or be square, Ms. CEO.

Jimin’s chest tightened. Her hangover, her panic, her disbelief... just everything.. collided all at once...

She slammed the note back onto the table, grabbed her phone, and fumbled through her contacts.

To Aeri:
Pick me up at this location. And get… new clothes. Please. ASAP.

She took a deep breath, letting it shake through her chest, and forced her gaze away from the bed...

Whatever mistake she’d made last night, she had to bury it and she had to do it fast. If she moved quickly enough… maybe everything would be fine.

Right…?

Staring at the note one last time.. she told herself she hoped to never see that server again...

But as she whispered those thoughts...

For some reason...  a part of her, infuriatingly, almost begrudgingly, felt disappointed at the thought.

˖᯽ ݁˖

Yu Jimin

Age: 26.

At just her young age she was already the CEO of Yunity Industries... a national giant pending global status for its influence in manufacturing and infrastructure projects...

Her father, the chairman, still wielded ultimate authority... but the daily responsibilities and public face of the company rested entirely on her shoulders.

It hadn’t always been like this.

Her older sister had once been the sole heir to the throne, groomed since to carry the family legacy. But she had since chosen a different path later in life...

It wasn't easy, but despite her parents' protest she managed to leave abroad... leaving Jimin to inherit not only the title but the expectations her older sister left with it.

Every decision, every meeting, every public appearance, it just had to be flawless.

Including this meeting with the board and her father today...

And let's just say it hadn't even been three hours into her workday, and she was already drained by the constant act of needing to be the prodigal heir.

“Seriously, why the hell were you in a hotel this morning?” Her current secretary’s voice glided her way as they both finally left the meeting room together. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you set foot into somewhere like that ever since knowing you.”

The question made Jimin almost spit out the coffee she had ordered hours ago, that only now, had she finally found a moment to drink.

“Personal matters. Nothing important.”

“That’s not very convincing of you.”

“Drop it, Aeri.”

Aeri whined, not loving the secrets Jimin was keeping. “Man, you’re only snapping because today’s my last day as your secretary.”

“You’re acting like moving to the new department wasn’t something you’ve been looking forward to for months now,” 

“True,” Aeri admitted with a cheeky shrug. “But just because I’m ready to move on doesn’t mean you get to act like you won’t miss me. I’ve been babysitting you for years, Jimin.”

“I don’t need babysitting.”

“Could’ve fooled me, considering I had to pick you up from a hotel this morning.”

Jimin’s hand tightened ever so slightly around her coffee cup, though her expression stayed perfectly polished. “One more word about that and I’ll make sure your office chair mysteriously goes missing on your first day in the new department.”

Aeri laughed, unbothered. “See? Already missing me. Anyway,” she skipped ahead a step, turning to face Jimin as they walked, “You’ve got a new secretary starting today.  Although no one can ever replace the amazing individual that is Uchinaga Aeri,  I think she'll be a good second for you. I hear she's quite calm, but works energetically and quickly”

"You know, after working with you all this time, I think I prefer efficiency over energy"

“Of course you do,” Aeri muttered under her breath, rather amused.

They walked side by side down the corridor... all the while Aeri kept going on about something work related... but honestly Jimin's head wasn't completely there...

Let's just say... inside her thoughts... one thing just kept chasing another in circles.

Okay… everything is going smoothly. The meeting went well. Father didn’t seem too agitated this morning. That means I’m handling my role as CEO well. It’s like last night didn’t even happen

Everything is okay Jimin.. Everything...

Aeri handed her a neat folder as they approached the wing where new staff orientations were usually held. "Here are her background and credentials and all that jazz. She came highly recommended by the hiring team. They think she’s perfect for the role. Calm, fast learner, pro-active. You know the stitch"

"Fast learner? Does she not have experience in this field already?"

"Apparently, she has a good variety of skills and is very dependable, so don't worry"

Jimin hummed softly, eyes dropping to the file in her hands.

Dependable.

Perfect for the role.

Great.

That’s exactly what she needed.

Nothing can go wrong.

I’m going to meet my new secretary and proceed with things as normal. 

I don't even know why I was in such a frantic mood this morning; I've practically forgotten about it already.

It was nothing more than a mere hiccup on my end. From now on I'll focus on what I've always focused on...

I’ll continue what I’m doing. Grow this company. Live up to the expectations. And-

And...

...

She turned the page to the first sheet of her new assistant's file....

And halted mid-step as her eyes caught the photo clipped neatly to the corner.

Her breath stuck.

That's...

Her eyes trailed lower.... as her hand around the folder tightened...

The name...

The name printed in bold across the top page...

It's-

“Tadah!” Aeri’s voice cut through her thoughts as she pushed open the office door with a grin. “Jimin, let me introduce you to your new secretary.”

And there she was. Sitting there, waiting the whole time, posture perfect and composed, eyes already fixed on her the second the door opened.

Those same eyes… that were like glass to the honest familiarity behind it… and those same ones that had held a darker glint in them along with Jimin’s last night.

“Kim Minjeong!”

Jimin’s heart plummeted straight to her stomach.

THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

So, I’m sick again. Which means, in my fevered haze, I’m writing another story… and somehow, even in this delirium, I can’t escape the urge to put Minjeong in the assistant role YET AGAIN.

It's a bit of an idea dump for now, we'll see how this goes :D

Chapter Text

“Tadah!” Aeri’s grin was ear to ear as she waved her hand toward the desk. “Jimin, let me introduce you to your new secretary. Kim Minjeong!”

THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW

Oh no..

Oh HELL no..

Those eyes... oh those eyes...

Why do they have to be the same damn eyes from last night...

Jimin. CEO. Woman of high status and poise, in that moment, was reduced to one thing and one thing only: FLABBERGASTED

We’re talking mouth hanging open, brain gears grinding to a complete stop, whole body frozen like someone had hit the pause button on her life kind of flabbergasted.

She couldn’t move. Her feet might as well have been cemented into the floor. She wanted to look away- God, she needed to look away... but some cruel, invisible force kept her locked there, staring.

And Minjeong… yeah, she wasn’t doing much better. The tension between them was less 'professional introduction' and more 'two warriors clashing swords in the middle of an office lobby.'

But then just as quickly, her expression softened...

Although if you had asked Jimin...

She would tell you she swore, despite the facial reset.. there was a flicker of something behind those dark eyes. Something that shimmered like recognition… like memory.

Like she remembered every single detail from last night...

And the worst part...

It felt like Minjeong was actually glad to see her...

Glad.

God... Jimin had no idea how to feel about that.

Like literally, what does one even do in a situation like this!?

...

...

This silence felt like it was dragging itself out forever...

Jimin should probably say something right now...

Anything really.

She's the boss after all... she had to be the one to break it.

Like addressing Minjeong and welcoming her onboard would be a good start…

But for some reason, her body really wanted to betray her today.

Allowing her to be lost in Minjeong’s eyes once again...

Just like before...

The wordless staring by now had likely extended way longer than what should even be deemed somewhat normal at this point.

Because not a second later… Aeri, whose wide grin had now shrunk into a very confused eye raise, couldn’t help but dart her gaze between both Jimin and her new secretary… though neither of them seemed to notice.

Even Aeri was practically going back and forth between them like she was courtside at a painfully slow tennis match.

“Um… guys? …guys???” Aeri finally broke, waving a hand between them.

And that was when Jimin finally snapped out of it, allowing her eyes to tear away from Minjeong's.

Her gaze shot to Aeri instead, blinking...too fast, way too fast...

"Ah- uh yes- welcome" She stuttered... before her brain screamed at her:

Shut the heck up, you idiot. You’re losing your composure. Remember the brand. Remain. Perfectly. Calm.

So, clearing her throat, she straightens her back and levels out her voice... ensuring that she was right back to her pristine self...

Except for the part where she immediately excuses herself.

"Pardon me, I just- excuse me for a moment. I need to use the restroom"

And with zero further explanation, she bolted.

Not walked, not even power-walked.

Bolted.

Her stiletto heels clattered against the floor like gunfire, and the very instant the meeting room door shut behind her...

SHE DASHED LIKE HER LIFE DEPENDED ON IT.

Leaving both Aeri and Minjeong in the room... both staring... rather dumbfoundedly at the closed door.

Aeri looked like she had a giant question mark floating above her head, but she quickly shook it off and clapped her hands together.

“Right! Well… sorry about that. I guess she really had to go.” She tried to joke it off, though deep down her brain was already running four different war-room strategies for how she was going to drag the truth out of Jimin later. “She’s had a bit of a… weird morning. Definitely not how I planned for you to meet your new boss, but hey, icebreakers come in all shapes, right?” Aeri let out a breezy laugh. “Anyway, she’ll be back, I promise. In the meantime, let me show you around the office and get you settled, yeah?”

˖᯽ ݁˖

The bathroom door slammed shut behind her louder than it needed to be. 

Jimin practically stumbled to the sink, clutching the marble counter with both hands like she was trying to keep herself from collapsing.

“Holy crap holy crap holy crap…” she muttered, pressing her palms against her burning face.

She wasn't a fan of her reflection then.

Her eyes were wide... 

Her cheeks were flushed despite the thin layer of foundashion she had put on in a rush to the company building this morning.

She tried pacing around to distract herself... but all that did was make her reflection follow her like a judgmental ghost.

"What the hell was that!?" She hissed at herself, "What was that stare? Why did I just stand there like some deer in headlights?

She whirled back to the mirror and jabbed a finger at her reflection “No. Nope. You are Yu Jimin. High life. Prestige. The woman who handles billion-dollar deals with the upper hand. You do not lose all motor function just because your new secretary looked at you for three seconds too long!”

Running the tap, she was about to splash water on her face when she caught a glimpse of herself once again. 

"Aish , absolutely not" She pressed a hand on the flat surface of the mirror right over where her face reflected. "You are far too beautiful to have your perfect makeup destroyed because some nobody stared at you"

She let out a shaky laugh that immediately sounded more like a panicked wheeze. Then straightened her posture because even her reflection was looking at her like she was pathetic.

“Get it together,” she muttered under her breath. “She’s just a secretary. My secretary. That’s all.”

…Right.

So why was her heart still pounding like it was running a marathon she hadn’t trained for?

The harder she tried to steady herself, the faster her thoughts spun... until Minjeong’s perfectly composed face from moments ago began blurring into the way she’d looked at her last night in the lounge

Jimin groaned, dragging a hand down her face before smacking her palm against her forehead at the realisation that the server from last night was her new secretary...

“I’m doomed.”

“Who’s doomed?”

“AH-”

She nearly jumped out of her heels, snapping her head up only to see Minjeong casually leaning against the bathroom doorframe, looking way too amused for someone who had just scared the soul out of her.

“Min- What-" She looks back and forth before facing the shorter. "What are you doing here- HOW are you in here? This is literally my personal bathroom!"

"Oh um" Pushing herself off the door and standing up straight, Minjeong just rubbed the back of her nape sheepishly "I told Aeri I really needed to go, and she kind of just led me here... Though I gotta say, a bathroom with three stalls all to yourself? That’s a little excessive, don’t you think?”

"It's not excessive! It's completely necessary- it's- Urgh- Never mind that" She turned sharply to the side so she no longer had to face Minjeong "That's not the point- the point is-"

What was the point again?

Jimin paused.

The sudden reality that Minjeong was right here staring at her hit her like a truck... 

She immediately turns back around, ears completely red. "How much did you hear?"

"What?"

"Don't act dumb. My self-pep talk. How much did you hear?"

...

...

"Erm"  Minjeong tilted her head slightly.. then a small, guilty smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Let's just say, I'm glad you're aware of just how perfect you look"

There it was.

That ridiculous little charm of hers.

If Jimin allowed herself to think about it, she could almost hear that voice from last night, insisting it was all just “honest.”

But this time? Jimin wasn’t buying it. Not even a little.

She was completely sober.

And completely, utterly panicking.

Internally, of course.

Her cheeks burned so hot she swore the marble sink might start steaming from proximity.

"Did you really even need to go?" Jimin questioned, despite herself. "Or did you come looking for me?"

Mijnjeong's smile softens into something Jimin couldn't quite discern... “Ah… you caught me, I guess. After I saw you leave without a word this morning, I didn’t think I’d see you again. But… now that you’re here, I’m honestly just glad you’re alright. So… I figured, as your new secretary, I should at least check up on you.”

"you thought the best way was to catch me in the bathroom?"

"Oh- well- you did kind of left out of nowhere just then.. so I thought this was the only way I could catch you? I don't know if that makes any sense"

No! No, it doesn't make any sense!"

"..."

"You never took my breakfast offer, which was kind of sad… but now that I know you’re actually the CEO then it's completely understandable- oh” Her mouth turned into an O shape as she waved both her hands quickly "Not that it wouldn't have been understandable even if you weren't the CEO and just somebody else, I'm just saying, I totally get it"

"..."

"And" Hands now behind her back, Minjeong tilts her head, this time her eyes were warm and her smile was more genuine than anything Jimin had seen in a long time "Sorry about the hotel, I know it was probably too cramped especially for someone with your caliber, but it really was the only place I could find it short notice..."

Short.. notice?

Jimin's mind just short-circuited on the spot.

What...

What was this??

Just why was Minjeong speaking so casually... so normally and in a way that was just so...

Nice?

She was talking as if she and Jimin hadn't- 

...

Like they weren't involved with each other last night...

And that just confused Jimin more than anything. 

"Well" Minjeong must’ve felt the air shift, because she glanced at Jimin again. But instead of prying, she just offered one of those polite little smiles, but that only drove Jimin insane even further. "I know this might’ve been a bit impulsive on my end. I just… wanted to check up on you and make sure you were okay after last night. And maybe take the chance to introduce myself as well… properly, this time, but we can leave that for later. Aeri’s waiting for me. She said she’ll do the handover and show me around. So I’ll get going. See you soon, Ms. Yu. Sorry again for disturbing, it won't happen again”

She even bowed.

BOWED.

Who even does that anymore!?

Jimin's hand twitched right on her side.

"Hey"

That made Minjeong stop on her tracks

"Yeah?"

"Are you... actually being serious right now?"

"..."

"..."

"I'm sorry"

"I don't understand you" Jimin’s chest tightened with an irritation she couldn’t even name."Like what even are you? How are you acting like everything is so normal?"

"Are you talking about the hotel room? Sorry, I know it was cramped, but it was the only place I could find for you immediately"

“Immediately!?” Jimin repeated, voice pitching up a full octave.

Minjeong froze. “…Yes?”

Was she being for real right now? Jimin could feel her temples throbbing.

Were they that into it last night that Minjeong had been willing to throw her into whatever shoebox of a room she could find?

"That's not what I meant! And you know it?"

"Then um- what is it?"

“What is it!?” Jimin’s hands flailed, her voice cracking. “You’re unbelievable! You really don’t know?”

Infuriatingly, Minjeong only furrowed her eyebrow at her even more... with this stupid bizarred expression like she was trying to solve advanced calculus or something. "I'm- I'm sorry?"

“Oh my god.” Jimin pinched the bridge of her nose "Seriously, don't make me spell it out for you"

"Ms Yu, I'm genuinely not sure what you're trying to say to me"

“WE SLEPT TOGETHER, DAMN IT!”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Minjeong’s jaw dropped, colour rushing to her cheeks so fast it was almost comical. “W-What!?”

“Yes!” Jimin barked back, her own face flaming, but at this point she had already leapt off the cliff and wasn’t about to climb back up. “A night of passion! Ring any bells!?”

“What are you-”

“I can’t even call it that, can I?” Jimin cut in, throwing her hands in the air. “That makes it sound too magical. Let’s call it what it was: you shoved me into a room that was more like a broom closet than a hotel, to do whatever you wanted, while I was clearly not sober. Do you have no shame?”

“Huh!?”

“Even if I did seem somewhat in control-” Jimin gestured vaguely, like she was trying to summon the right words from thin air. “And even if I alluded to some kind of interest back at the lounge, that doesn’t mean you could just… just… do all that! Whatever it was you did, because I don’t even remember it!”

Minjeong looked like someone had hit pause on her entire body. “What are you talking about!? Nothing happened!”

"What do you mean what am I talking about!? You're trying to act like everything is fine with me, like you can just casually continue being my secretary, when you've literally just taken me to bed last night"

"NO I DIDN'T- Ms Yu" Minjeong was completely shocked at this point "I would remember if I- if we" she choked, her voice breaking into an awkward stammer. Her eyes went to stare at Jimin's person, but that made her cheeks even redder before she snapped her gaze away. “I didn’t- we didn’t-"

“Oh, don’t you dare pull the innocent act with me.” Jimin’s voice dropped sharply, her finger pointing like she was delivering a courtroom closing argument. “You carried me into that hotel, threw me onto the bed, and hovered over me like- like some kind of-”

“Like what!?”

“Like you had plans! Nefarious ones!”

“Plans!? Ms Yu, I was just trying to keep you from face-planting onto the carpet!”

“Don’t twist this!” Jimin snapped, her ears burning hotter the more she spoke. “There was no space between us in that taxi. NONE. I could practically feel your heartbeat in my spine! And then you just so happen to follow it up with whisking me away to some dingy little hotel room?”

Minjeong threw her hands up. “Because I didn’t know where you lived and you were so drunk you couldn’t even sit upright!”

“Oh, right, so your solution was to put me on a bed and hover over me!?”

"You pulled me down" She pointed at Jimin and then to herself  "and then mumbled something about liking hugs!" Minjeong’s face was tomato-red now, her voice pitching higher. “I tried to move the second you let go, but you wouldn’t, until you passed out cold!”

“I did not!”

“Did too!”

“Then what about my clothes, huh? What kind of secretary rips off their boss’s clothes before their first day of work!?”

“Okay, for the record, I did not think I was going to be a secretary to you specifically and more importantly, I DIDN'T RIP ANYTHING OFF!” Minjeong yelped. “You slipped- literally slipped- on a puddle at the bar before we even got to the hotel, and soaked your entire outfit. I changed you so you wouldn’t be uncomfortable, and I kept my eyes closed most of the time, I swear!”

Jimin froze to that "I slipped?"

"Yes! You even hit the corner of the counter on your way down, but you were so far gone, I don't even know if you felt anything."

That explains the bruise under the collarbone"

“Urgh- ” Jimin dragged her hands down her face, groaning into her palms. “So wait- you’re telling me- nothing happened?”

“NO!” Minjeong nearly shouted, hair practically standing on end. “I just wanted to make sure you got home safe!”

“What the hell, Minjeong?”

“What do you mean, what the hell, I was doing a good deed!”

“Oh my god…” Jimin sank down onto the sink counter, burying her head in her hands as her mortification reached cosmic levels. "Then what was up with the note you left? It had 'we totally had a one-night stand' written all over it.

"That breakfast note was just because you hadn’t eaten anything at the bar except alcohol, not because I was trying to-”

“The hotel was tiny!” Jimin cut her off again 

“I was on a server salary!” Minjeong shot back, “And I already told you that was the only room left! Closest place I could afford on the spot!”

Their voices overlapped in an echo chamber of exasperation.

“WHY ARE YOU YELLING? THIS IS COMPLETELY UNPROFESSIONAL!” Jimin barked.

“YOU WERE YELLING FIRST!” Minjeong shouted back.

"Oh, I am so sorry for actually feeling a little bit FRANTIC about this whole situation. Do you have any idea how this looks? Me, the CEO, and my brand-new secretary-” she dropped her voice to a mocking tone- “ ‘oh don’t worry, boss, nothing happened in that dingy little shoebox hotel that I carried you to and we shared together, I even changed your clothes and everything but that's completely normal because NOTHING HAPPENED- do you not hear how ridiculous that sounds!?”

"I carried you because you could barely walk and changed you so you wouldn't get sick, and then slept on a chair with a crick in my neck the whole night. IF ANYTHING, you should be THANKING me!"

“Thanking you!?” Jimin threw her head back, laughing in pure disbelief. “Oh, this is rich. You traumatise me into thinking I’ve committed some unholy scandal and you want thanks”

Minjeong’s jaw dropped. “Traumatise you!? I was literally doing my civic duty! Who knows what would have happened if I just left someone as pretty as you alone and drunk all by herself”

"I-" Wait, did she just call me pretty- NOT THE POINT "You're my secretary! And with how things proceeded, how else was I meant to react!?"

“Well, excuse me for not just leaving you there by yourself, choking on your third bottle of wine, because that's totally something super healthy for someone to do"

Jimin gasped like Minjeong had just sworn at her in the middle of a board meeting. “Are you actually insane!? Do you hear yourself!?”

“You’re the one accusing me of seducing you when you were half-conscious!”

“I didn’t say seduce- I could never I-" Jimin floundered, suddenly remembering the way Minjeong's eyes looked at her all night... "I said- I implied- oh my god-"

"Exactly! You don't even know what you're accusing me of"

Jimin stomped her heel against the floor. “You really are the most annoying person I’ve ever met, you know that!?”

“And you’re the most dramatic person I’ve ever met!” Minjeong fired back without missing a beat.

They were nose-to-nose now, eyes blazing, both flushed so red they could’ve been mistaken for cartoon tomatoes.

And that was, of course, the exact moment the bathroom door creaked wider.

“Uh- guys?”

Both their heads whipped toward the doorway at once. Aeri stood there, blinking like she had just stumbled into an HR violation in progress. She looked from Jimin to Minjeong, back to Jimin, and then gave a single awkward laugh.

"Sooo.. is this a bad time... or should I leave you two alone for five more minutes?"

Chapter Text

"NO WAY HAHAHAHAH"

"SHUT IT"

Aeri was laughing so hard she nearly doubled over, one arm clutched around her stomach while the other slapped against the desk. “Oh my god- you actually thought- PUAHAHAHA!” She wheezed, barely catching her breath. “You thought she- oh my god, you really thought-”

“I said shut up!” Jimin snapped, her ears burning crimson, which, of course, only made Aeri laugh harder.

Aeri wiped a tear from her eye, still choking back chuckles. “She’s out here just trying to make sure you get home safe, and you- pfft-” Another cackle slipped free before she forced herself upright.

“How was I meant to know!?” Jimin hissed, lowering her voice to a sharp whisper. Minjeong was in the next room, diligently working through the handover paperwork, and the CEO had the sneaking suspicion she might overhear. “I mean... the signs were all pointing towards it!”

“No, Jimin,” Aeri countered smoothly. “All the signs were pointing to you assuming the worst in people. Or…” Her lips curved into a wicked grin. “Maybe, deep down, you wanted it to happen.”

“WHAT?!” Jimin practically choked, spinning toward her like lightning. “Excuse me!?”

“You heard me.”

“Uchinaga, I am warning you right now-”

“Aww, look at her,” Aeri cut in, ignoring Jimin’s rising death threats and pointing toward the small window that connected the rooms.

Despite the pit of rage curling in her stomach, Jimin followed her finger,.. only to see Minjeong Minjeong was bent over the desk, brows furrowed in focus, flipping through the paperwork page for page, paying more attention than an A-plus student studying for their midterms.

“She’s been here under an hour,” Aeri said, her tone suddenly calm and professional now. “And she’s already burned through a whole stack of the handover, practically memorising everything on the spot. She pays attention, takes in the tiniest details. That's rare as hell in this job market don't you think?” She arched a brow. “And look at you, you were about to fire her over a misunderstanding.”

"Yes, because that was before I even knew it was a misunderstanding, Aeri."

"A misunderstanding that wouldn't have happened if you weren't still trying to please daddy dearest and trying so hard to make it work with Taeho"

"..."

"Oh-"

Her own voice came out before her mind had a chance to stop her. 

It was an inside thought that wasn’t supposed to be said out loud.

"...Really?" Jimin's voice came out dangerously soft.. and it made Aeri realise she probably stepped over a line she likely shouldn't have crossed.

She cleared her throat, lifting her chin like she could bluff through it. "I mean- look, all I’m saying is you’re tired. Stretched thin. And maybe that’s bleeding into how you’re reading people, alright?"

"Just drop it Aeri."

"Got it. Dropped"

A silence washed over them... and both women began to look for solutions to come back from an obviously heavy topic.

"She's quite different, don't you think?"

Jimin looked up from Aeri’s attempt at changing the subject, only to catch her staring back toward the window again. Following her line of sight, she found Minjeong still buried in paperwork, lips pressed together in focus as she jotted something down.

“Most people wouldn’t go that far for a stranger,” Aeri said, her voice steady now. “Wouldn’t even call a cab, let alone care enough to stick around. But she not only paid for a hotel room, she stayed the whole night to make sure you were alright.” Aeri’s eyes flicked back to Jimin. “Did you even tell her who you were?”

“…No.”

Aeri’s brows rose, and that small, knowing smile tugged at her lips. “Yeah. How different.”

Jimin didn’t answer. She just kept watching Minjeong through the glass, silent, like she was staring at some impossible equation she couldn’t solve.

Her mind replayed last night, the way Minjeong had spoken so freely. At the time, it had sounded like bold flirting. But now, with her head clearer and seeing her in this light… she wasn’t so sure anymore.

For some reason, she couldn’t stop picturing Minjeong’s eyes. Over and over again.

Those eyes... so open, so unguarded. Like a window straight to her honest soul.

And Jimin wondered, not for the first time, if Minjeong really was just saying things as she saw them.

No layers. No schemes.... Just maddeningly straightforward.

The thought made something stir in Jimin’s chest...

Because everything about this girl seemed… so different from herself.

“Yeah…” Jimin murmured at last, almost to herself. “She’s definitely different.”

˖᯽ ݁˖

Kim Minjeong.

Age: twenty-five.

Status: college dropout.

Why? Well… that’s a mystery for another time. One she doesn’t exactly advertise on her résumé, or to anyone for that matter.

But what she does have, however, is an arsenal of odd jobs under her belt.

So many, in fact, that if you threw a dart at the job board, chances are she's already done it.

We're talking:

1. Barista - She was eventually fired for over-steaming milk. Minjeong didn't think that was possible and neither did her coworkers. The Manager was really just being a prick at the time.

2. Dog walker - This job only lasted two weeks. As a dog lover, she would have wished it lasted longer, but the money that she brought in didn't really pay the bills. 

3. Part-time mechanic’s assistant - She liked this one! Turns out the girl really has a knack for breaking things and putting them back together.

4. Substitute kindergarten teacher - Where she discovered she was great at storytelling, but awfully horrible at controlling a classroom of 30 kids running around. 

5. Delivery driver 

6. Mystery shopper

7. Human statue for an art installation (don’t ask, she got paid in cash and free sandwiches).

And plenty more that if Minjeong were to actually start counting, she’d run out of fingers before she hit the end of the list.

Realistically speaking, she was already three fingers away from running out, and that wasn't even touching the “weirdly specific” jobs, like the time she was hired to taste-test popcorn flavors for a carnival stand. 

The point is, she’s done a lot. Some normal, some absurd, and all of it stacked up into this bizarre collection of experiences that somehow make her weirdly… capable.

Picking up one skill or another from each and every one of them, be it patience, adaptability or a talent for reading people, one thing is definitely for certain:

If it's a job, then Kim Minjeong would always be able to somehow figure it out.

Which is what brings us here now.

Standing in the middle of Yunity Industries, this secretary job being her first real serious serious job in a corporate world like this. 

A week has passed by now since her awkward meeting with Jimin on her first day, and surprisingly, since then, things have actually settled in quite smoothly.

The people were nice enough, the work wasn’t too hard, and she even learned which vending machine gave out cold cans and which one was secretly broken and dispensed lukewarm ones.

Things were going great.

Everything seemed to fall right into place...

Her time as a secretary was easier than she had ever imagined.

That is...

Except for one crucial detail...

It's just..

As a secretary...

Minjeong has practically never seen Jimin.

Or at least had been able to work directly with her.

At first, she just thought this was how Jimin tends to run things... she takes care of everything vital, whilst indirectly communicating with Minjeong for some other task she doesn't have time to attend to...

But as time goes on... the woman can't help but think things just weren't adding up.

The task she was given... just didn't exactly scream vital corporate responsibility to her... in fact, they were completely different from what Aeri had prepared her for during the handover session. 

“Go check with Finance to see if their filing system is up to standard.”

“Sit in on HR’s weekly team meeting, just to make sure everything is running smoothly.”

"Check with finance again about how our budget is looking"

Ok well, the standard for the filing system is to have it in Alphabetical order, it wasn't exactly groundbreaking.

HR's meeting was literally just thirty-minute discussion on their snack budget and the budget hasn't changed since the beginning of the financial year.

At some point, Minjeong couldn’t help but wonder if her real job was simply… staying out of Jimin’s way.

And the more she thought about it, the more suspicious it felt.

She was pretty sure that Jimin was doing anything she can to avoid her. 

Not that she had any proof. But every time Minjeong so much as get even a tiny bit close to Jimin, Jimin had this uncanny ability to vanish like magic.

For example:

Just the other day, Minjeong had spotted her in the breakroom, taking a sip of coffee from this expensive-looking cafe with a name she couldn't even pronounce. She was drinking it with perfect posture as if she were filming to promote the cafe. 

Typically, Minjeong would think the CEO secretary should be the one grabbing the coffee for the boss... so with that only adding to her bucket list of suspicions, she took her chances and tried to say something to Jimin, for the first time in days. 

"Ms Yu, I was wondering if-"

“Oh, Minjeong! Perfect timing,” Jimin cuts in, already sliding past her with coffee in hand. “Could you check the filing cabinets on the third floor? I hear they might be out of order. Thank you!”

And then she was gone...

Or maybe like literally the next day, where Minjeong had caught her just outside a meeting room after finishing one of her trivial tasks, having not been made aware that Jimin had a crucial meeting today, despite the fact that Minjeong was the secretary.

“Ms. Yu, I think we should go over my role more clearly-”

“Ah, yes, yes, absolutely,” Jimin said, nodding briskly as if she’d already agreed to something very important. “Schedule it with Aeri, she probably has her calender super free now that she's playing big boss in her new department"

Door shut. Conversation over.

The third attempt was almost impressive, really.

Minjeong had actually thought she had managed to corner Jimin, right by the elevator.

It was an enclosed space, no room to escape... were the naive thoughts that had come to mind.

But just as Minjeong had managed to slip into the elevator alongside her, Jimin’s lips curved into the kind of smile that spelled trouble.

In one swift, elegant motion, she leaned forward and pressed every single button from the lobby to the top floor.

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.

Then she stepped out just before the doors closed, leaving Minjeong standing inside, dumbfounded.

“Sorry,” Jimin sang sweetly, brushing invisible lint off her blazer, “just remembered I’ve forgotten something.” The doors slid shut, and with a small, victorious smile, she whispered under her breath, “Good luck, Kim Minjeong.”

As the elevator began its painfully slow ascent, stopping on every. single. floor. Minjeong remained frozen in the middle, mouth hanging open like she’d just been hit with office warfare she wasn’t prepared for.

By Friday, she was back at her desk, glaring at her growing pile of busywork: checking if the lobby plants were alive, confirming staplers had staples, “shadowing” departments that clearly didn’t need shadowing. She dropped her pen and muttered under her breath, “She’s definitely avoiding me. I just can’t prove it yet.”

˖᯽ ݁˖

"Booooo"

The sound came out of Minjeong in defeat as she slumped against the vending machine, watching a bottle of lemon tea clunk its way down.

She twisted the cap open and took a long sip, sighing loud enough for the machine to almost echo it back at her.

Damnit Jimin, I know we started off on the wrong foot, but just what is this game you're trying to play with me right now

She sighed again, even louder than last time before taking another sip.

Ooo this ice tea is nice and sweet. This must be the corporation's strategy to make people work harder, by giving everyone a sugar high. That's corporately sweet! :D

“Have you heard? The CEO’s been stressing out again. Some new deal landed on her desk, and apparently, it’s been brutal.”

“Mm, I heard that too. She’s been working herself sick... no surprise really, considering how much is on her plate.”

Hmmm

Now now, Minjeong isn't usually one to care for workplace gossip, let alone eavesdropping on one, but let's just say, latel,y since everything that has unfolded between her and her boss... this conversation might have just piqued her interest a little bit.

So without further ado, she had her ears perched against the wall.. trying to hear more about whatever Jimin was going through, the room over, whilst taking another sip.

"This is an important deal, isn't it?"

"Yeah, super important, apparently if we lose this one, it will set us back for months"

"Oh man... I hope that doesn't lead to redundancies..."

"Oh well, what can you do, the CEO is already stacked to the brim"

“Yeah, no surprise. She’s been running herself ragged for months. Honestly, I thought the new secretary would be stepping in by now.”

“Wait- what new secretary? Nothing’s even been announced. I thought Aeri was still handling everything.”

“No, no, she handed off her duties, didn’t she? …Though now that you mention it, I haven’t actually seen the replacement do anything. Weird.”

The sip suddenly comes to a halt.

Minjeong didn't move a single step as she continued to listen in...

For some reason.. the 'corporately sweet' lemon tea now taste a bit too bitter for her liking...

˖᯽ ݁˖

Click click click

Jimin's heels were clicking quicker than usual as she paced back and forth along the length of her office.

Papers were rustling in her hand as her eyes were darting from one page to another, all the while muttering something under her breath. 

"Ironclad Couriers... if we don’t land this, we will lose our shipping rights along the southern coast. That means months of groundwork will be set back like it was all for nothing... and father... " Her jaw tightened at the very thought “Father would never let me hear the end of it... He'll definitely be disappointed”

She stopped pacing, stared down at the spreadsheets, then started pacing again. Her free hand tugged at the cuff of her blouse like even her clothes were suffocating her.

“This is the deal,” she hissed to herself. “If it slips through, the board will shred me alive. Father will- no. No, it has to work. It has to.” She looks at her wristwatch, "Damnit, there's only 20 minutes left... I need some fresh air to clear my head"

She made her way to the giant door, and just managed to open it when-

pop

The sharp snap of a can opening broke her train of thought in its entirety.

"Boo"

Jimin's eyes widened as her jaw dropped open. 

It was Minjeong...

Just leaning at the further end of the doorframe with a drink in hand... and a very irritated and unimpressed look on her face. 

“Y-you-” Jimin stumbled, clutching her papers closer. “How did you- when did you- wait are you drinking canned soup-”

“I needed some downtown salt to break me free from the corporate sweet"

...

The fuck-

"The what"  Nevermind  "when did you even get here??"

Just now.” Minjeong began to walk forward despite the CEO still standing in the doorway… which in turn made Jimin instinctively step back until her secretary was fully in the office, shutting the door behind her.. Deliberately. “Funny thing,” Minjeong drawled, eyes never leaving her, “I was in the break area when I overheard some people talking. Something about the CEO drowning in stress, another deal dropping on her desk, and how no one’s seen her secretary do much of anything…”

Jimin felt her throat bob... but she refused to let it show.

“That is funny, because I could have sworn you’ve been very busy lately.”

“Busy?” Minjeong let out a dry laugh, closing the gap with another step forward… which made Jimin reflexively retreat one step back. “Busy making me count how many staplers are in this building?”

“That was… a legitimate task.”

“Oh?" And checking if the plants in the lobby were alive?”

“Corporate image is important,” Jimin countered, voice climbing an octave.

"Alright, then what about sending me on a two-hour ‘observation’ of the accounting department that ended with me watching a man refill his pen ink six times?”

"That um..." Minjeong advanced again, and Jimin shuffled back until her hip brushed against the corner of her desk. "It was to see how often we needed to replace proprietary ink cartridges" Another step, and her palms found the wood behind her like she needed something to hold her ground.

"Just admit it already" Minjeong stopped just close enough for the air to hum with tension. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

"I have not!"

"You literally have! No one in this entire company even knows you have a new secretary. They think I’m some ghost wandering around the departments. What’s the point of hiring me if you’re just going to shove me into meaningless errands?”

“I-” Jimin’s jaw worked, but her words stumbled out thin. “I really don’t have time for this, Minjeong. There’s a crucial meeting coming up, and-”

"I know" Minjeong cuts in "You have a very important deal coming up and have been stressing about it, it would've been nice to hear it from you instead of workplace gossip. Who are these people anyway?

Jimin wanted to say something in dispute... but long story short.. she really couldn't because the moment she wanted to open her mouth, that was when Minjeong decided she was going to lean in even further, and have her eyes flicker down.

Her palm landed flat on the desk, right by Jimin's hips, and in all honesty, she was probably trying to have a geez towards the files in Jimin's hand.

But to Jimin it just- it...

 IT FELT LIKE A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY.

Why the hell was she this close!? One step nearer, and Jimin would literally be sandwiched between her secretary and the very expensive mahogany.

And- great... now she could hear her own heartbeat drumming in the back of her ears.

Fantastic.

Very professional.

“Minjeong- you-” Oh, Jimin despised the way her words tripped over themselves, but how could they not when Minjeong leaned in like that? “Stop-”

Except it wasn’t just the closeness. That was the problem. It was her.

Her right now and her in Jimin's memories a week ago.

Because Minjeong wasn’t just close... she also had this different type of prettiness about her. Pretty in this sharp, handsome sort of way that blurred the line between masculinity and femininity. The kind of face that could sell magazines and also fix tractors.

And Jimin? Well, Jimin couldn't help but notice.. she's noticed ever since that night...

And she's noticing right now...

WAY TOO CLOSELY-

"Oh wait-" Minjeong squinted at the bold print on one of Jimin's files. "Ironclad Couriers? I've worked with them before"

What-

"You- you what?"

“Yeah.” Minjeong’s tone was maddeningly casual, like she hadn’t just cornered her CEO against her own desk. “Unloading packages onto aircrafts. It wasn't glamorous, also the protocols were a bit questionable, but I definitely learnt a lot during my time there. Did you know the senior reps love throwing around phrases like ‘expansion logistics,’ but the real choke point is their trash scheduling software.”

Jimin couldn't help but stare at her. On one hand, she was surprised by this newfound information, and a part of her wondered if Minjeong's experience could assist her with the meeting that was probably about to happen in around10 minutes. But on the other hand: MINJEONG STILL HADN'T MOVED HER GODDAMN HAND FROM THE DESK BESIDE HER, and she was genuinely short-circuiting over the proximity. 

"Minjeong- do you even realise-"

A brisk knock intercepts her and rattles the office door.

It was a soft knock... but the sound in itself was more than enough to send her blood running ice cold.

“Oh my god,” she whispered, snapping her head toward the door like it had personally betrayed her. “They’re early.”

Of course, they were early. Because why wouldn’t they be? Why wouldn’t the universe decide to test her limits today of all days, when she was already one step away from a complete nervous breakdown and now NOW Ironclad Couriers were standing right outside while her brand-new secretary was practically caging her against her desk like this was some low-budget office drama that HR would definitely have something to say about.

Meanwhile, Minjeong glanced at the door with all the serenity of someone who wasn’t about to have their career obliterated. “Guess it’s showtime,” she said calmly.

Showtime!? SHOWTIME?!

Jimin’s heart rammed against her ribcage so hard she was pretty sure everyone in the building could hear it. She was about to walk into one of the most important meetings of her career with a secretary who, five minutes ago, was accusing her of avoidance (to be fair, she was totally avoiding Minjeong, but Jimin will never admit that), then casually revealed she used to unload Ironclad shipments, and was still standing way too close for her sanity.

And the absolute worst part?

She had no idea if she was more terrified about blowing this deal… or about Minjeong walking in there right beside her.

Chapter Text

"We’ve reviewed the terms of this partnership renewal"

The thick stack of reports landed dead centre of the polished mahogany table with a dull thud.

On one side, Ironclad Couriers’ senior reps leaned back in their chairs; they had a rather smug look on their faces with their smug-looking matching ties and their smug little Rolex watches all placed on display for intimidation.

But instead of intimidation, Minjeong, who was sitting on the otherside of the table alongside Jimin, whose posture was way too straight to be comfortable, couldn't help but think the look was quite pretentious. 

"However, after having a thorough look at this quarterly review. We do have some concerns in mind, Miss Yu" the older rep began, tapping the cover of the file with his index finger “The southern logistics lines are, frankly, underperforming. There’s simply not enough revenue to justify our continued partnership in those sectors.”

Jimin crossed one leg over the other and let out a sharp smile. She sat there, perfectly composed as she had practised countless times before.

Though on the inside...

Well-

How should this be said...

She was absolutely dying. Slowly. Painfully... Like a wilted flower.

But it doesn't matter how she feels now.

No matter what, Yu Jimin isn't letting these men walk out of the office without a deal negotiated.

She had practised over and over in front of the mirror, from her posture to her voice to even her hand movements, for moments exactly like this. 

It's time to prove herself.

It's literally now or never. 

“Ironclad pitched those very lines to us two years ago as the cornerstone of your expansion. Yunity Industries stepped up. We absorbed the infrastructure costs, handled the staffing, and in return, we’ve delivered exactly what was promised, streamlined distribution, turnover rates cut by nearly twenty per cent, and customer satisfaction in those regions climbing higher than projected."

The younger rep of the two smirked at that statement, licked his thumb and began turning a page in his file with this arrogance that anyone would want to punch the hell out of. 

“All nice points, Miss Yu. But numbers don’t lie. Profitability is still lower than expected, and frankly, our board doesn’t see a reason to keep bleeding into an underperforming branch. It’s a sunk cost.”

Jimin's smile twitched on the side of her lip. 

It twitched so slightly it could've been mistaken for a trick of the light...

Outwardly, she never lost her composure, elegance or control...

Inwardly, however, she was fantasising about wrapping that hideous paisley tie around his throat and tightening it until his smugness turned purple.

"With all due respect-"

"If I may, Miss Yu" The older rep jumps in, clears his throat and adjusts his glasses. “When this partnership was struck five years ago, it was with Chairman Yu himself. Now...” his eyes flicked briefly to Jimin, lingering just long enough to be disrespectful, “with the company under new management, we can’t ignore the decline in revenue along your southern lines. Our board is… reluctant to continue under these circumstances.”

Oh...

How she hated that...

Having her father's name dropped in the middle of the table like that...

The implications... the reminders... the subtle insinuation that she hadn't earned her place yet...

She hated it..

hated it all so much

But she couldn't show it.

No. Jimin refuses to let them win like this. 

“If Yunity was able to shoulder the operational weight, absorb the upfront risk, deliver distribution efficiency, reduce turnover, all while keeping regional customer satisfaction above projections. Then You’re not bleeding into a branch. You’re investing in growth.”

“Growth that still isn’t paying out since you've taken over, Miss Yu”

She felt herself gritting the back of her teeth....

There was a heat under Jimin's collar now...

Her chest had tightened.. just enough that whatever she was planning on saying next might've come out way less composed than she had intended...

"Gentlemen"

But fortunately... or maybe unfortunately... a very calm voice slips in the way.

“If we’re going to talk about numbers that don’t lie, then perhaps we should begin with why your losses seem to only happen in those locations in the first place” Minjeong's calm and breezy voice, paired with a smile so disarmingly laid back, made Jimin drop her pen. "Let's dive into some key fundamental issues here, shall we?"

Jimin's head snapped towards her secretary... her eyes were wide with a silent horror that kept getting worse with every millisecond. 

The Ironclad men blinked at her. “And… you are?”

"Kim Minjeong. Secretary of Yu Jimin" She almost beamed out that introduction like she had been holding it back for ages... but all that did was make Jimin's stomach do multiple backflips.

“Minjeong-” she started, a warning stitched into her voice.

But her secretary... her brand new secretary who had only been in the business for barely a week and had no real reason to open her mouth in this meeting... only tilted her head and met Jimin's eyes

WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING? Jimin raised her eyebrow at her. She was smiling at Minjeong now, but that smile seemed more threatening than... genuine. 

Trust me boss! Was all that Minjeong's carefree eyes said back to her.

“You see,” She continued, folding her hands on the table as if she’d been doing this for years, “when your warehouses are chronically understaffed and your distribution drivers are clocking fourteen-hour shifts, the result isn’t low revenue...it’s burnout. Which, funnily enough, isn’t a great cost-saving strategy.”

Jimin’s foot shot out and nudged hers under the table.... or at least it intended to be a nudge, though it landed like a kick. The shorter of the two even lightly winced from it. 

Kim Minjeong, I swear to god. STOP TALKING. NOW.

But the whince didn't make her flinch.. if anything, she recovered quickly and smiled even brighter... 

“And, unless my memory fails me, your southern branch has been replacing staff almost quarterly. Which means training costs, lowered efficiency, more overhead…” She waved her hand airily. “It’s a bit of a mess, honestly. Of course, the turnover issue isn’t what it used to be. That was before Yunity came in and stabilised the staffing pipelines. Things are much smoother now.”

The room grew quiet now, the younger rep's smirk was completely wiped off his face, and the senior changed his sitting position whilst adjusting his tie uncomfortably. 

And for just a second... maybe even half a second... Jimin's lungs may have remembered how to breathe again.

"But!"

Jimin's heart promptly stopped again. 

“Turnover was never the core problem, was it? The real issue was that Ironclad kept running southern operations on outdated software that crashed at least twice a week. Delivery schedules would vanish mid-shift wouldn't it? Ah, and lets see, that very software caused drivers to wait around for hours, trucks leaving half-empty, and of course, customer complaints just piling right up. That’s not a partnership failure.” Her smile was sharp now and deceptively calm. “That’s internal negligence.”

This time Jimin's horror shifted a bit.. 

She was now looking at Minjeong as if she had just discovered something completely foreign to her...

Because, to put it quite frankly... this information had never been reported to her. 

"Thats-" The senior rep tried to cut in, But Minjeong wouldn't let him.

"Not to mention the charming way senior management liked to reroute funds earmarked for maintenance into ‘special projects.’” She made air quotes with her fingers. Air Quotes... In the middle of a multimillion-dollar negotiation.

"How- how do you know all this..?"

"Well.. let's just say" Minjeong leaned back with an infuriating confidence that outmatched the smugness the two had in the beginning and crossed one ankle over the other. "Yunity Industries take their partnerships very seriously and are always overseeing our performance. Isn't that right Miss Yu?"

Minjeong turned to Jimin with a bright, flowerly expression.

"Oh- um-" Jimin cleared her throat, straightened her back and reset her facial expression back to its pristine condition. "Yes, of course"

She’s insane. She’s absolutely insane. Who even is this woman?

The older rep's brow was furrowed... his jaw was clenched and his lips were thinned... whilst the whole time.. the younger rep just kept staring at Minjeong and then back to his senior in frantic concern...

and then...

The man just leaned right back onto his chair with a defeated sigh

˖᯽ ݁˖

The rep slid the signed document across the table with a rather dissatisfied slide. Jimin reached forward and gathered the paper into her hands, the corner of her lips lifting into that signature CEO smile.

They both rose then and walked out to the front door, whilst Minjeong stayed behind to tidy up.

“Miss Yu,” the older rep said as they stopped at the exit and extended his hand. “You’ve got yourself one hell of a secretary there, you know that?”

Jimin’s smile didn’t falter. She gave a small, graceful nod, waited until the two men were out of sight… and only then did she let her shoulders drop for a half-second before marching back inside... just to see Minjeong exactly as she expected...

Somehow...

She was casually spinning a pen between her fingers, leaning back in her chair as if she hadn't just flipped the entire negotiation on its head.

The very picture of infuriating calm.. if you had asked Jimin. 

“Oh! Miss Yu!” she beamed with a rather bright and unbothered grin. “We did it.”

No… you did it.

For a moment, she actually felt relieved...

Relieved that the deal was signed and her father wouldn't be on her case for another week...

Relieved that. Yunity's southern expansion wasn't about to collapse under her leadership...

But then with that relief came a sour taste in her mouth.

With the company under new management... Our board is… reluctant to continue under these circumstances.

She clenched her fist then...

Feeling rather pathetic...

The thought hit Jimin harder than she liked... she had to admit it to herself more than anything...

If it wasn't for Minjeong, she might not have landed this deal with the terms all in favour on their end.

"..."

"Jimin?"

"First of all" Jimin began as she strided over to her desk. "Please don't ever air quote during a meeting like that again"

"Awww" Minjeong leaned forward and placed down the pen, but it worked, didn't it?"

"And another thing" Jimin pressed on like she hadn't heard her "How did you know they were funnelling money into shady side projects?

"Because they were? I told you already, I've worked with them"

"Yes! On the ground. And don't even get me started on their software-" She cut herself off before rubbing her own temple "Seriously, how did you even know all that? You got all of that just from… unloading planes?”

"Sometimes the best way to understand a business is by being the little guy" Minjeong said with a small smile, before rising from her chair "You get the privilege of seeing everything the big guy pretends doesn't exist"

Jimin stared at her, mouth opening with an answer that never arrived.

Minjeong only flashed her another grin as she stood. “We make a good team, Miss Yu. Maybe next time, let me know what’s going on so I can properly schedule and make sure people like that don’t show up early again.”

Before Jimin could say anything to her secretary, Minjeong was already at the door.

“I’ll be off to tell accounting they won’t be seeing me anytime soon.” She threw a casual wave over her shoulder. "Next week, why don't you throw me right into the deep end, and let me prove to you just what a secretary I can be?"

She closed the door behind her with a click... leaving Jimin alone in her office, staring down at the signed contract.

Just who in the goddamn world is that woman...

She lifts her head up and lets out a small sigh 

"God, I'm tired..."

Staring at the rotating fan on her ceiling.. Minjeong's last words kept rotating in her mind.

"Alright.. if it's the deep end you want, the deep end is what you are going to get. Let's see how you can fare up to everything"

˖᯽ ݁˖

Minjeong pretty much fared up to everything. 

It was almost unnerving really...

Because when Jimin had taken on Minjeong's demand for the deep end..

She really did not expect just how deep Minjeong could go.

Like sincerely, she is shocked. 

For instance, on the following Monday, Jimin had walked into her office at her usual time..

And by usual time, she means just late enough that her coffee was going to need to be her first meal of the day.

But the moment she walked through the doors, Minjeong was already stationed at the desk outside her office.

Her desk is meant to function as a polite blockade before anyone could bother CEO in her office...

But for some reason, the initial reception looking area now looks more like mission control, as Minjeong had her fingers flying across the keys on her keyboard with a laptop Jimin swears she has no idea where she's even gotten from.

The girl didn’t even flinch at Jimin’s arrival; she just glanced up, bright as the morning sun, and chirped, “Miss Yu!” 

"Minjeong- when did you-"

"Coffee?"

"Huh?"

She watched as the woman gestured towards Jimin's side of the office... just to see a steaming mug of coffee already brought to her desk.

"A shot of milk with 2 teaspoons of sugar"

"How did you-"

"Aeri told me. Also" before Jimin could say more, Minjeong had already stood up and walked towards her direction. "Here" She hands Jimin a file.

"What's this?" she takes it with a raised brow.

"For your 9:15 am board meeting. I've written some additional notes on the recent deal from last Friday in case they ask any questions."

Jimin blinked... "I don't have a board meeting-"

“You do now,” Minjeong interrupted for the thousandth time with a grin. “They moved it. I shifted everything else so you’ll still look like you had this all planned. They did it last minute too, good thing I've been up since 6”

"I-"

"I'll get the meeting room ready"

And with tha,t Minjeong skipped away, leaving Jimin alone... just staring at the shorter woman's person getting smaller and smaller...

Her mind was still trying to process how her secretary apparently knew her schedule before she did.

And also.

Damnit, how does she keep interrupting me every 3 seconds!

___

Or maybe Tuesday, when Jimin landed a very furious client email from basically hell (Jimin's words). It was the type of email chain that had Jimin's phone buzzing nonstop for hours. 

Now, normally, this is when Jimin would lock herself in her office and draft a carefully neutral reply.

Except when she clicked open her inbox, there was already a reply drafted and polished forwarded to her.

She whipped her head up, wondering if she should go outside and ask Minjeong about it, when she found herself eye to eye with the said woman, who already had her head peaking through the door. 

“I'm guessing you saw the email? Don’t worry,” Minjeong said knowingly “I added in the part where you politely reject their ridiculous discount demand but still make them feel like winners. Just sign it and hit send. You’re welcome.”

Jimin opened her mouth to protest… then she read the draft.

And sure enough, it was perfect.

Annoyingly perfect.

___

Or perhaps on Wednesday, when the office printer decided to finally snap and wage an all-out war against humanity.

It jammed and beeped and actually began to shred the paper instead of doing its actual job. PRINTING.

Normally, Jimin would’ve yelled for IT, but before she could, Minjeong had already rolled up her sleeves, crouched down, and pulled half the machine apart like she’d been born in a Xerox factory.

"FIXED IT!" She yelled in victory.

Her smile had a prideful smugness to it.

But for Jimin.. who stood at the doorway.. she really couldn't notice anything else.. but the arms that Minjeong had now revealed from her rolled up sleeve...

She had a nonchalant expression then...

But maybe deep down, she was trying really hard not to look impressed.

___

On Thursday, Minjeong actually got personal.

Jimin was someone who was used to skipping lunches.

It was something that just came naturally to her, prioritising her work over the rumbling in her stomach.

A choice she made and decided to live by.

But not for Minjeong.. Apparently,

Because at exactly 12:30 pm, her secretary basically barges right into her office with a takeout container and plopped them right onto her desk. 

“You can fire me if you want,” Minjeong said firmly, “but you’re not working through lunch on an empty stomach. That’s basically fraud against your own body.”

Jimin opened her mouth to say something, but was quickly intercepted by a loud rumbling from her stomach...

Staring at Minjeong's rather intense glare now.

She closed her mouth and picked up a pair of chopsticks without saying a word. 

___

Which brings us to Friday afternoon.

Against all odds, things had slowed down.

No more printer problems, no more last-minute calls from suppliers, no clients threatening to leak confidential information to the broad public (that was Tuesday).

Minjeong had settled into the job completely by now. At a record speed Jimin had ever seen from anyone. 

The reception desk outside her office had transformed into some command centre at this point. 

Emails were answered almost immediately. Schedules were always triple-checked, and so far, there had been no issues raised with her.

Jimin usually wouldn't expect anything less from her secretary.. but it's just for someone who only started 2 weeks ago.. Minjeong really was going above and beyond.

She leaned back in her chair, tapping her pen against a folder... things around her were calm.. too calm... it was almost eerie.

She glanced through the glass wall at Minjeong, who was perched in her chair with her legs crossed, headset on, humming softly as she typed. The woman actually looked… content. The kind of content that made Jimin’s chest itch.

For a while, she just stared...

And without realising it, the corners of her mouth began to curve into a soft smile that emitted warmth and-

Clatter

Her pen slipped right out of her hand and hit the desk.

The sound startled her, and before she knew i,t she snapped her back straight upright and shook her smile away with a scowl like she had just caught herself red-handed.

Jimin, what's been going on with you lately?

Picking up her pen a little too quickly, she immediately forced her head back down to focus on some paperwork.

By five, the office had thinned out.

One by one, departments had clocked off, and the building began to grow more and more quiet.

But it wasn't until 6:37 pm that she finally slipped on her coat and made her way to the first floor of the building.

He's late today...

Jimin checked her watch once... then twice... and then three times before she frowned.

It wasn't like her driver to be late.

Like ever.

Unacceptable...

She tapped her phone screen, thumb hovering over the call button, with irritation already brewing up, when the sound of a car horn made her look up.

“Miss Yu! Over here!”

It was none other than Minjeong, in a little hatchback, driving slowly to a stop right in front of her. She had her tinted window rolled down, and she was grinning (as always)  “The driver’s sick. Sorry, I didn’t have a chance to page you about it, it was all really last-minute and I couldn't find a new driver in time. So I thought, I'd give you a lift instead.”

˖᯽ ݁˖

"So... this is what you drive?"

"I've had this car since I graduated High School"

"Hmm." That was all Jimin offered as Minjeong drove them to the block across from her company building. "You drive well."

"I have to," Minjeong said. "I used to be a delivery driver for a bakery. You can't make a sharp turn, or all those layered cakes tip to the side."

Seriously, just how many jobs have you had, Minjeong

"Mmm." Jimin’s lips pressed into a neat line as she smoothed her skirt over her lap. She adjusted her hem again for good measure and, every so often, shifted her heels against the floor mat.

She said nothing more for the rest of the ride, keeping her posture perfectly straight... never letting her discomfort threaten the image she presented.

“I’m sorry this car isn’t to your liking,” Minjeong said suddenly, her eyes still on the road. “The driver only notified me at 6:15 today. This was the best I could do on short notice, to make sure you didn’t have to wait.”

Jimin's head whipped up. "I didn't say anything"

"I wanted to apologise anyway" 

It was strange really...

How Jimin had only met Minjeong for just about two weeks... yet somehow the shorter woman is able to catch on to her thoughts in midare as if she were plucking them right out of her head. 

She guessed… she just wasn’t used to it. That’s all.

To have someone notice the tiny things she tried so hard to smooth over.

To pay such close attention to her.

Usually, people would just take her at face value and never bother looking any closer.

It made her wonder… if that’s really what it feels like to be… taken care of.

Jimin quickly shook her head, as if physically shooing the thought away.

“By the way… I’ve been wondering something,” Minjeong spoke again.

“Hm?”

“I know when we first met, we probably started off on the wrong foot.”

Jimin’s brows lifted, just slightly... but deep down she started panicking...  Her and Minjeong's first meeting was something she was really hoping wouldn't be addressed again...

Minjeong glanced at her, then back at the road. “But even beyond that night at the lounge… when I showed up at your office, you looked genuinely shocked to see me.”

Jimin stayed quiet.

“I mean, I submitted my CV with my full name. Photo included. Standard procedure. So why did it seem like you didn’t know I was coming at all?”

"Look.." Jimin finally sighs before uncrossing her leg and sitting upright "You're my secretary now, and there's no point in keeping this from you. The truth is, I wasn't a part of the hiring process at all.... My father,” Jimin said crisply, like the words tasted unpleasant. “He still has strings in the company. There’s a sub-directory that handles his… recommendations.” She made a vague gesture with her hand. “You came in through them.”

Silence hung for a moment, filled only by the hum of the hatchback’s little engine...

Jimin didn't say it out loud then.. but in that instance, looking back at everything Minjeong has done thus far, a thought prickled at the back of her mind... 

Maybe her father had thought she was incapable… which was exactly why someone as capable as Minjeong had been chosen for her.

It left a bitter taste on her tongue...

"That doesn't make any sense. Wouldn't the best person to know who would be the best fit for you, be you"

I totally agree.

"It's just company policy, it's how we run things"

"How you run things? Or how he runs things"

"You talk too much, Kim"

"Is that why you were avoiding me all of last week? Because you weren't sure of me as your secretary?"

Her fingers tightened slightly around the hem of her skirt. “I honestly didn’t know how much I gave away that night at the lounge… and it made me wary. So potentially, I was just trying to avoid a potential problem”

This shouldn’t come as a surprise… but truthfully, ever since finding out Minjeong would be her secretary, a small voice at the back of Jimin’s head kept pestering her with the possibility that she might’ve given too much away.

On her father... on her fiance... on her.. just... everything...

And that possibility had made her feel restrained… perhaps even scared. Almost like Minjeong held a piece of leverage she could use to taint Jimin’s image if she wanted.

But recently, since this week… those thoughts had mostly vanished. Maybe even forgotten. Though this conversation was dragging her right back there.

"Why not just terminate or halt my contract then, if that's how you felt?"

"Because-" Because then father would ask. "It just wouldn't be a good look."

Her answer was obviously vague and rather reserved, but Minjeong chose not to press on. She wagered there was more to Jimin’s words than what she allowed out… but she wasn’t the type to pry. God knew she had her fair share of inner skeletons and personal affairs she’d never want anyone digging into.

So instead, Minjeong just leaned back as the car rolled to a stop at the red light. “Then I guess I’m just thankful-”

“Minjeong, tell me.” The sudden firmness in Jimin’s voice cut her off. She turned, eyebrows raised slightly at the sharper tone. “How much did I even say that night?”

"Ahh" Minjeong let out a small chuckle before turning back to the traffic light. "You said enough?"

"Enough...?"

"Yep, enough that to this day, I still think whoever left you there was an idiot"

“Oh my god-” Jimin groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Can you take anything seriously without flirting for two seconds?”

Minjeong’s head tilted. “How was that remotely flirtatious? I was being hones-”

“HONEST, I know,” Jimin snapped before she could finish and turned her head dramatically to glare out the window. 

I don't even know why I tried; she is so not workplace appropriate.

“For the record, though, Miss Yu" Minjeong smiled faintly to herself "you started slurring almost immediately. You were too drunk to string together much of anything.”

Jimin’s head whipped back toward her. “…What?”

“So don’t worry about it” Minjeong added, her tone softer now, eyes still on the road. “You really didn’t reveal anything. And even if you had…I wouldn’t have told a soul.”

Jimin blinked, her lips parting before she quickly pressed them shut again. Relief washed through her chest, and without realising it, she let out a slow exhale that felt like something had been lifted off her.

But at the same time.. there was also something warm that came after that wash of relief...

She wasn't sure where it was even from.

Perhaps it was an accumulation of every ounce of panic leaving her body... or maybe it was the way Minjeong had sounded so warm and genuine when she told her not to worry... warm in a way that made her feel she could easily trust her..

Not that Jimin could easily trust anyone, though...

"Good..." She muttered, smoothing her skirt like it somehow steadied her. “Because if I’d actually-” She stopped herself “Never mind. I'm just glad you don't think my personal life is messy or something”

“Oh, don’t worry, Miss Yu. Messy isn’t the word I’d use.”

Jimin narrowed her eyes. “And what word would you use?”

The light turned green, and Minjeong eased the car forward, her smile growing just enough to make Jimin suspicious.

“Cute.”

Jimin’s jaw nearly dropped. “Kim Minjeong!”

“What? You asked. I'm just being hone-"

"STOP SAYING HONEST SO MUCH" Jimin threw her hands up.. though a flush was slowly creeping up to her neck.

"..."

"..."

"Truthful?" 

"Oh good lord... and I thought this tiny car was going to be my only problem this ride."

"HA! I knew it! You do have a problem with my car!"

"You have literal clothes thrown all over the back and stuff on the floor behind me, so I can't even push my chair back! EXCUSE ME FOR NOT LOVING IT"

"OK TO BE FAIR. I did not know I was going to be dropping you off home! Have some car etiquette"

"Car etiquette!? You have some car etiquette! Just look at all this- this," She gestured at the chaos around her. "This- I don't even know what to make of this"

“This? This is called character, Miss Yu. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Character!? Character doesn’t have used boxes lying on the floor, or- wait- is that an open packet of chips in the back!?”

“Oh-” Minjeong ran out of witty comebacks this time. “It might be… probably from last week… or two weeks… I don’t know. I have a system…”

“What even is this system?” Jimin’s face twisted in mock disgust at the revelation. “I can’t believe someone as chaotic as you is my secretary.”

“Wait- are you saying I’m not a good secretary then?”

Minjeong’s car came to a smooth halt as her phone map indicated they had arrived.

The mansion in front of her shouldn’t have been a surprise, Jimin was a CEO, after all... but still… Minjeong’s couldn't help but feel her eyes widen.

IT WAS HUGE!.

Almighty!

Every inch of it was glorious!

She was so caught up in awe, she didn’t even notice Jimin opening the door and stepping out… until a voice stopped her just before the door clicked shut.

“No, Minjeong.”

“Huh?” Minjeong whipped her head back

"I think your car and whatever system you have for yourself is chaotic. Heck, I think as a person, maybe you're a bit chaotic.. I don't know yet, the car is definitely not helping, but-" She turns around and her gaze meets MInjeong's “As my secretary, though, I think you’re amazing” Her voice carried a sincerity that made Minjeong pause. “It’s only been two weeks, but… I have to say, you’re one of the best I’ve ever had. Don’t tell Aeri I said that though.”

The corners of Jimin’s lips lifted into a small... different kind of smile than the ones Minjeong was use to, before she shut the door and peeked through the window. “Please don’t drive me in this car again, alright?” Her smile shifted just slightly. “And I’ll see you on Monday.”

With that, Jimin walked away as the setting sun glazed over her person...

But Minjeong… she didn’t move.

Not a muscle.

She stayed in the car, frozen, staring after her long after Jimin’s figure had slipped from sight. The moment that just unfolded just kept replayed in her mind over and over.

Not because Jimin had complimented her.

Or because the setting sun's light illuminated Jimin's head like a halo...

Or even because Jimin had just insulted her beloved car again, and she still hasn't recovered from it....

But because... Jimin smiled...

Genuinely this time...

Not her usual practised type that didn't ever reach the eye...

Or the one she puts on for show whenever the situation demands it.

It was a real smile...

the kind that seemed to be straight from the heart...

Minjeong’s breath caught a small shiver tracing her spine then

"God.. She's gorgeous when she smiles"

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Apologies for the pacing and quality of this chapter, I am in desperate need for some much needed sleep. TT_TT

Chapter Text

“Woah, this is one hell of a résumé. No wonder she was onboarded so quickly…” Jimin muttered to herself, flipping through Minjeong's CV one page at a time and taking in every single detail carefully.

Admittedly… and maybe even shamefully so… this was the first time she’d actually ever really taken the time to look at it properly.

A CEO who doesn't even get to see her secretary's CV until after a month after she's hired. Go figure.

She frowned at the thought, taking another sip of her chamomile tea.

By now, she should have been in bed, just minutes away from calling it a night. But before she could even pull the covers over herself, a certain someone kept creeping into her thoughts…

And before she knew it, curiosity had already gotten the better of her.

"One quick skim" was her very first mistake, because before she could even stop herself, her laptop was already on her lap and she was sitting up straight, hunched over, ready for some serious… “post-hiring research.”

Strange though, there's no end date for her degree... no start date either, for that matter.

Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the page again.

But the experience… wow. The experience more than made up for it. Jesus, this was a lot.

Internships.

Corporate contracts.

All the big names.

You name it… Minjeong had them all under her belt.

And yet… she couldn't help but feel a little bothered by something...

There was no mention of Ironclad anywhere, not even the bakery she worked for as a delivery driver was mentioned here either...

In fact, none of the small things that Minjeong had mentioned to her earlier, were listed here anywhere.

How absurd.

Okay, fine, maybe those were just small roles and the woman just didn’t even bother including. But still… the CV was otherwise absurdly detailed. Why leave those out?

Not wasting a second of her already-sacrificed bedtime, Jimin began typing away at her laptop and before she knew it she pulled up the databases she had special access to.

And found...

Absolutely nothing.

Not a single trace of Kim Minjeong.

Her name wasn’t even on the college’s official graduate list, which Jimin had exclusive clearance to view. Not in the past six years.

Nothing.

And Minjeong is definitely 25... so her name should've been there.

Did they just forget to list her... but even so... when would she have had the time for all those random small jobs she mentioned? Her CV is practically filled to the brim...

Something wasn't adding up..

But Jimin… if she was being completely honest… was far too tired to care at this hour.

Work had drained her completely, and her brain felt like cotton.

With a sigh, she clicked her laptop shut and shooed away whatever suspicions had crept into her mind.

“Whatever. I’ll just sleep and clear my head. Fresh start tomorrow.”

Of course… by saying that, she’d already jinxed the fresh start before it even began.

˖᯽ ݁˖

Minjeong- What- what the hell are you doing-"

Jimin didn't even see it coming... One second she was pacing her office, the next her back was flat against the wall, Minjeong’s hand braced firm beside her head.

Her breath stuttered as Minjeong leaned in, close enough that Jimin could feel the warmth of her body pressing into her own.

The younger woman's eyes were dark... her intent, in that moment, was written all over her gaze that focused on Jimin and Jimin only...

“Do you know how hard it is…” Her voice was low... very low and dangerous with something Jimin wasn't sure she was ready to name "…to watch you every day and pretend I don’t want this?" Her other hand found the CEO's and she pinned it against the wall....

It wasn't at all harsh.. but it did make Jimin's pulse spike like crazy.

"Minjeong- this is insane-" She hated the way her voice trembled so much then.. but she just couldn't help it. "we can’t-”

But Minjeong didn’t back away... instead she leaned even closer... so close in fact her breath was skimming Jimin's cheek...

“You want me to stop?”

Jimin tried to say yes. She really did. But the word just wouldn't come... her throat was dry... and her bodily functions had completely disconnected from her brain...

And... like her body had a mind of its own... her eyes fluttered shut before she even gave it permission.

She didn't say anything then.. but... Minjeong knew...

She always knew...

Her hands moved to Jimin's waist... and tugged her forward to erase whatever little space remained between the...

And as for Jimin... well... instead of pushing Minjeong away, her fingers curled into the fabric of her shirt... as if wanting her to come closer...

As if pulling her closer... and closer...

Until their noses brushed... the world tilted.. and Jimin's voice hitched.... til... those soft lips brushed against hers...

And-

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Jimin jolted awake with a scream.

Her body shot upright in her bed whilst strands of her hair stuck all over her forehead in a cold sweat...

Her chest was heaving... and her cheeks were basically burning hotter than the summer sun.

"What the hell-" Both her hands instantly flew up to cup her cheeks as if she could smother the heat away.

Her eyes darted around the room as her fingers pressed harder against her face. “Oh my god…” she whispered, her voice muffled into her palms.

That dream- Minjeong... lips-

"AHHHHHHH" Her stomach flipped as another wave of heat crawled all the way up to the top of her head until steam came out "no, no, no, no, no- what is wrong with me?!” She collapsed back onto the mattress, kicking the sheets off in frustration, only to yank them back over her head the next second.

But it was useless...

The dream clung to her... it was as vivid as ever...

And she had a suspicion that the dream may have just turned into a core memory...

Jimin let out a strangled groan into her pillow, rolling side to side like that might shake it out of her brain.

Finally, she slapped a hand over her face, feeling far too flustered for her own good-

"AHHH DUDE- How am I meant to face her now!?!? STUPID MINJEONG, STUPID MINJEONG AND HER STUPID HANDSOME FACE INFILTRATING MY ONLY HOURS OF PEACE"

______

"Achooo!" Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Minjeong sneezed suddenly and rubbed at her nose with a frown.

“…Weird.” She blinked to herself, “Huh. I wonder if someone’s talking about me,” before shrugging it off.

And just like that, she went back to munching on the packet of chips she’d left open on her counter.

˖᯽ ݁˖

Not many udon shops bothered to open early in the morning.

The trendier they were, the later they had the courage to unlock their doors

11 am is usually the sweet spot. A couple of hours for the lunch rush, another couple for dinner, and that was all the love customers got.

Not Minjeong’s favourite spot, though.

Her place was open from dawn till night, no questions asked. It was smaller than the flashy ones, sure...but that only added to its charm. Some might call it cramped. Minjeong liked to call it homey. A place she’d once grown sincerely attached to… and probably still was.

She sat there now, hunched over a laminated menu, grinning at the new additions she hadn’t seen in ages.

“Not every day you see a corporate girlie eating udon in the morning before work.”

Her head snapped up to the familiar voice.

“Ningning!”

Behind the counter, Ning Yizhou grinned widely, wiping her hands on an apron before walking over.

“Look at you,” she teased, leaning against the counter like she owned the place... because technically, she did... the whole shot “I leave you alone for a year, and suddenly you’re in a suit and heels”

Minjeong laughed, setting the menu down. “You're acting like you didn't help me get to this step? Please let's talk about your menu instead. It took you long enough to add some new items on, did someone bully you into it?”

“It's business strategy to keep things fresh. Besides, not everyone can live off kitsune udon forever.”

“Speak for yourself,” she muttered, eyeing the menu fondly. “I could.”

And she meant that sincerely.

Ningning slid into the seat across from her, resting her chin in one hand. “Alright, enough about my noodles. Spill. New job, huh? How’s life as a corporate minion?”

"Secretary. Thank you very much.”

"So you really got the role huh?" She couldn't help but smile with a bit of pride... as if she also won something too, hearing that. "I'm glad everything worked out"

"No thanks to you"

"I only got you some references"

"And you helped me pay for a few things. I still owe it to you"

"Nup. Nope." Ningning held a hand up. "We're not doing this today. But what you are going to do is tell me more about your boss. Old guy? Balding? Smells like cigars?”

"Not even close. 

“Fine. Heartless career woman with no soul, makes you do random odd jobs that no one ever does?”

“Warmer… but I wouldn’t say heartless or soulless.” Minjeong poked at the menu with her chopstick. “Just… a bit dramatic.”

Ningning’s eyebrows shot up. “Oho. Dramatic, huh? Let me guess, expensive taste, cares too much about her appearance and walks like the world owes her something, probably wears heels sharp enough to stab a man?”

Minjeong coughed into her tea. “…That’s oddly specific.”

“Don’t dodge the question. Is she hot?”

Minjeong nearly dropped her cup. “Ning!”

“That’s a yes.” Ningning slapped the table, cackling. “Oh my god, Minjeong. You’re down bad already, aren’t you?”

"Today is literally the start of my second month, how did you even come to that conclusion?"

"I came to that conclusion from your red face"

"IT IS NOT" Realising she was stirred up, Minjeong quickly lowered her voice "And for your information, I am currently doing my best to guarantee her the best secretary and boss relationship that's ever graced her. I don't need another misunderstanding since last time"

"Since last time!?!? :D "

Minjeong slapped her forehead.

Me and my big mouth for real.

"Whatever you're thinking it's not true"

"So you basically just told me you have a hot boss, and you're not remotely even a little affected by it-"

"YES, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM SAYING"

"Boring."

"HEY-"

They both cracked up, Minjeong shaking her head while Ningning smirked smugly at her victory. "I was playing with you"

"I know"

The laughter slowly faded, leaving behind the kind of easy silence that only old friends could sit in. Ningning’s smile softened as she propped her chin on her hand.  “No, but for real though… I’m happy for you. You really deserve this.”

“Ah, come on.” Minjeong shifted in her seat, a little caught off guard by the sudden sentiment. “No need to be all sentimental with me.”

“I’m being serious.” Ningning leaned forward "You’ve worked yourself to the bone for years. Delivery jobs, warehouse shifts, café stints, bakery runs… even that weird summer you hauled ice bags every day. Honestly, I lost track of how many uniforms you went through.”

Minjeong let out a small laugh, though it came out thinner than she intended. “…Yeah. Guess I did do all that.”

“I just hope this new job means you’ll finally have some consiste

ncy. Regular income, stability.” Ningning paused, watching her carefully. “And I hope you’re not still… pushing yourself too hard. You don’t always have to, Min.”

 If I don't... who will?" She said quietly, as if it wasn't meant for Ningning's ears... there was a small pause after... "Something flickered in Minjeong’s eyes, but she smoothed it over quickly, lifting her chin with that stubborn ease of hers. "I don't feel pushed, or tired for that matter, I really never have" She said with a grin. "So really... don't worry about me alright?"

"You always say that"

"It's because it's true!"

Ningning studied her, lips pressing together like she wanted to say more, but in the end, she just exhaled and gave a faint smile.

"You really haven't changed one bit, Minjeong"

˖᯽ ݁˖

It was 7:30 am when Yu Jimin walked into her Yunity Industries' building like any other day. 

She would walk in, with her chin held high, heels clicking against the marble floor, and walk with this stride of confidence in a way that was only unique to her.

Only today... There was a bit of a problem...

You see... ever since Sunday night's little dream coffuffle... Jimin never really quite recovered... to the point that she was actually in the office 30 minutes earlier today than what she's used to... having barely slept at all after… everything.

For some reason, holding her chin high made her neck ache. The clicking of her heels sounded too loud and every step felt heavily dragged.

Because no matter how confident she looked on the outside…

On the inside, it was like her thoughts had been completely hijacked.

Her cheeks still felt warm... her palms were sweating at the idea of seeing Minjeong today.. and god- can her heart stop beating for just a second!?

Not literally, of course… but why did it have to race so fast at the mere thought of her secretary…?

“Get a grip, Yu Jimin,” she muttered under her breath, clutching her handbag tighter as she walked across the lobby. “It was just a dream. Just neurons firing nonsense.”

She pressed the elevator button, stepped inside, and finally had a moment alone with her reflection in the glossy mirror walls. Her own flustered expression stared right back at her in a way she didn't appreciate.

"Listen here!" She took one step closer to the mirror and began talking to herself, "You look great today. Your makeup is flawless, you will be in the zone, and you will not allow yourself to be undone by one-" She hissed at the word "dream" She smoothed her hair and squared her shoulders. “Everyone has them. Everyone. It doesn’t mean anything. Not one thing.”

Her lips twitched, and then she groaned, dragging her hand down her face. “God, pull it together before you end up telling HR you’re emotionally compromised by your own subconscious.”

Ding 

She spun around just before the elevator doors slid open. In one seamless motion, Jimin smoothed her skirt, fixed her hair, and plastered on a serene smile that screamed professional CEO who has everything together...

As if nothing at all was wrong with the world.

Only for everything to go wrong all at once.

Because the moment that door opened…

Kim Minjeong was standing right there.

Their eyes locked instantly.

FUC-

“Oh! Miss Yu!” Minjeong’s eyes widened, genuine surprise lighting up her face before softening into a warm smile. “Good morning, you’re in early- WAH-”

She didn’t get the chance to finish.

The wave of employees behind her surged forward like a tidal wave, and Minjeong, being first in line, was shoved straight inside. 

There were so many people trying to get to their work desk, the elevator practically filled up in seconds... people recognised the CEO immediately and began bowing their heads with greetings of “Good morning, Miss Yu” and hushed apologies for the tight squeeze.

Of course, Jimin kept up her calm smile, nodded with grace and returned the greetings like nothing was amiss.

She was the CEO after all, and the CEO had to play her role well... 

The only thing is... on the inside right now... SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY SCREAMING.

Because thanks to the sheer number of bodies cramming in and Minjeong having been the first in front of the pack... her secretary was literally pushed and shoved.. until she was pressed up right against her...

Face to face...

Body to body...

Too close to step back. Too close to even breathe properly.

Jimin’s pulse roared in her ears as flashes of that dream invaded her mind. Her back against a wall. Minjeong’s hand at her waist. The way their lips had-

She clenched her jaw, forcing the images down.

Not now. Absolutely not now.

But her useless act of mental force was a running joke at this point... 

Because no matter what she told herself... her cheeks still refused to cool down...

And what made everything that much worse for her… was that she was close enough to catch every little detail about Minjeong…

Every movement..

Every strand of hair..

And that faintest trace of a scent that smelled like white peaches....

God, that smell...

THAT FREAKING SMELL.

Jimin's eyes widened... because of all things.. OF ALL POSSIBLE THINGS IN THE WORLD, why did Minjeong have to smell this good!?

Her throat went dry. She tried to block it out but her nose kept betraying her, it was like her senses were staging a mutiny against her brain.

Her heart was hammering wildly at this point...

Too wildly.. she could basically hear it loud and clear in the back of her ears...

But she couldn't help it.. no matter what she tried.. she just couldn't get late-night dream Minjeong out of her freaking head!

But then suddenly.. a new horror struck at her...

What if Minjeong could hear it...

Or worse... what if Minjeong could feel it-

Oh god.

They were close enough after all...

Her cheeks burned hotter than ever before... her pulse was battering so hard, let's forget Minjeong, it might as well just announce itself to the whole damn elevator at this point...

It was all just so silly... but the truth was the more she stood there... the more unbearable everything became...

So as a means to search for a distraction... like a fool.. without thinking, she looked down...

And like a fool... she instantly regretted it.

Because that was when she caught Minjeong’s gaze… staring right back at her.

And in that instant, reality hit her like a freight train.

She knew they were close.. But this was the first time she realised just how close their faces really were...

So close in fact, she could count the eyelashes above Minjeong's dark irises... so close... that she could even feel the light warm air that landed like feathers on her skin, everytime Minjeong breathed...

So close that their lips were centimetres apart-

Jimin’s throat tightened. Never in her life had an elevator ride felt this long before. For the first time ever, she cursed her company’s success… cursed the funding that had gone into building such a ridiculously tall skyscraper.

She held her breath, trapped in that impossible closeness.

It was Minjeong who was the first to look away.

But not before Jimin caught something first...

The faintest tint of pink dusts Minjeong’s cheeks. It was so faint, at first, Jimin thought she imagined it...

And.. for a split second... she swore she could feel another heartbeat beating just as fast against her own.. almost in sync..

DING 

The sound snapped through the air like a whip and pulled Jimin back down to her senses again.

The elevator had stopped on its final level, the highest level.

But wait-

The highest level? That's for the CEO's office...

So then... where the hell did everyone else go...?

When did this elevator empty out...?

Did they all already leave for their own respective floors...?

They had to right...

But then...

that would mean it had just been her and Minjeong in this elevator for god knows how long.

Pressed up against each other...

And staring at one another like the world around them had disappeared...

And neither of them had even noticed…

until just now...

Oh boy, it was only the start of the day... yet Jimin already wanted to vanish under her covers...

Chapter Text

How long had Jimin been staring blankly at the stack of report in front of her?

1 minute?

5 minutes?

Maybe even 10?

Who even knows.

It's not as if she'd read a single word of it anyway.

Giving up on her useless attempts of "reading" her head dropped into her palm with a soft sigh.

It has been about an hour since the whole elevator fiasco, and Jimin's pulse, for some reason, still has yet to fully recover... and now, in addition to that stupid dream she had last night... she now has a new memory replaying in her head, in perfect, high-definition detail.

Practically in 4k.

Over and over again...

The two women had snapped apart immediately then, the moment the doors opened...

Both of them had moved so fast, she was impressed neither of them had caught whiplash or something.

“Right- I’ll, uh, get going!” Minjeong was the first to blurt out, and also the first to come to her sense too, almost tripping over herself in her rush to escape to her desk outside.

Jimin hadn’t said anything then...  she just marched stiffly into her office as if nothing was wrong at all. Nup! Not at all! It's not like her heart had been pounding out a drum solo in her chest the whole time or anything like that!

And now here they were. One hour into the morning and not a single other word was exchanged since.

Jimin groaned, dragging her hands down her face.

Why is this so embarrassing? Why do I feel like I’m the guilty one here?

Her gaze flicked toward the glass that led to Minjeong's workstation just outside.

She was definitely working... typing and acting perfectly normal while Jimin felt like she was having a full-blown crisis here.

Her lips pressed into a line.

This is ridiculous. I’m the CEO. She’s my secretary. I do not get flustered by elevator rides.

She jabbed her pen at the document in front of her with way too much force.

And yet, all her brain wanted to circle back to was-

…She really did smell like white peaches.

The pen slipped from her fingers instantly as she caught her own brain red-handed.

Immediately, her face was buried right into her hands again. 

“Stopppp” she muttered into her palms.

This was bad, if she keeps dwelling on Minjeong so much, she's never going to get anything done today.

I need a coffee, something strong. Maybe even two shots this time. I-

Her little private meltdown didn’t get far though, as the sharp ring of her desk phone nearly made her leap out of her chair.

She blinked at the device a couple of times, with a hand on her chest as she slowly recovered from the shock. 

Her office phone usually never rings... not unless her secretary had forwarded it through... which would mean whatever the call was about, it was definitely important. 

Jimin shook her head quickly and straightened her back before letting out a deep exhale to compose her mind.

Get it together, Jimin. Professional hat on. Elevator disaster, off.

She picked up the receiver smoothly. “Yu Jimin speaking.”

“Miss Yu, I hope you have been well. This is Director Han from D&H Corporation. I just wanted to formally confirm our upcoming strategy session.”

Ah, yes. Another potential partnership Jimin had carefully lined up at the Gala last month. It was simple, really; she’d mapped out every director she wanted to target that evening, then waited patiently for the right moment. A well-timed smile here, a subtle remark there and by the time the champagne flutes had been cleared away, Director Han was walking away with the impression that Yunity Industries had been waiting years to strike a deal with him.

“Of course,” Jimin replied, her tone was as smooth and as polished as ever. “We’re very much looking forward to it. I’ll have my secretary reach out to finalise a time on the calendar.”

“Perfect. I’ll have mine watch for her message.”

Their exchange carried on for a little while, all in the name of something clipped and professional to make sure a goodwill bond was fostered...

However, just as they came to the end of their conversation, something flickered at the back of Jimin's mind before she was just about to conclude the chat.

“Speaking of which, my secretary, Kim Minjeong, used to intern with you during her university years." She added without thinking, "I'm not sure if the name rings a bell at all, but I imagine she’ll be glad to reconnect.”

There was a pause on the line.

And then, Director Han lets out a small chuckle. 

“I’m afraid you must be mistaken. We haven’t hired interns for the past four years. And I certainly don’t recall a Kim Minjeong ever working here.”

Jimin’s fingers stilled on the receiver. “…Oh.”

“Yes, likely a simple mix-up,” he said breezily. “In any case, I’ll wait for her message. Have a good day, Miss Yu.”

The call ended with a sharp click...

Slowly, Jimin lowered the receiver back into its cradle… For the very first time in her career, her brain was working overtime on something other than her work.

She leans back in her chair, with her brows furrowed.

Something isn't adding up here...

Her gaze drifted toward the front door... but just as she was about to glance over at Minjeong's desk again, the door creaked open and a familiar head poked in.

“Miss Yu?” Minjeong’s voice was tentative, but her words weren’t. “I, uh… I think your father’s here. Like… literally downstairs. Apparently, he’s been trying to reach you.”

Jimin froze. “what?”

Her eyes darted to her smartphone on her desk.

And there it was...

Two missed calls. Both from her father.

Her stomach dropped.

"Shit" Jimin shot upright, palms flattening against the desk.

Why didn’t he tell me he was coming? I’m not even remotely prepared for this-

Her pulse raced as her brain scrambled in fifteen directions at once.

Outfit, office, posture, schedule...nothing felt ready.

Of all people, of all times.

Her father.

Crap crap crap

She began pacing behind her desk, muttering half-formed to-do lists under her breath, straightening things that were already perfectly straight, tugging at her blazer only to smooth it down again thirty seconds later.

Through all that commotion, she never once noticed the figure at the doorway...Minjeong, still lingering there quietly, just… watching.

Her eyes followed the way Jimin’s shoulders stiffened with every second, how her movements felt too sharp and restless and how that usual polished, untouchable CEO mask seemed to crack just enough to let panic leak through.

Minjeong wanted to step in then... To say something. To tell her it would be fine. But… it just wasn’t her place. 

So she stepped back into the hall a moment later, giving Jimin the space she clearly needed.

But the image didn’t leave her.

Because if she had suspected it since her first week at Yunity Industries… then right now, it was undeniable.

Yu Jimin didn’t look like a boss in that moment.

She looked like someone who was desperately trying to hold everything together.

˖᯽ ݁˖

The air in her office felt heavier than usual.

Jimin sat there on one side of her polished table. Her spine was painfully straight... more so than usual... and her hands folded so tightly on her lap... her knuckles ached.

Across from her sat the man in all his immaculate glory, with his interesting choice of a charcoal suit... Yu Seungjae; Chairman of Yunity Industries

Her father

"Father-"

“You didn’t pick up my call,” He cuts in with a sharp edge in his tone that could make anyone's spine shiver.

Jimin swallowed. “Sorry. It had been a busy morning.”

“I hope that means things are not slipping through your grasp.”

Her lips moved together before forming a small, rehearsed smile. “…Never.”

The door clicked open, sparing her from having to hold his gaze and Minjeong stepped inside, balancing a tray in her hands as she walked towards the table and set down two cups of steaming tea. 

Chairman Yu’s sharp eyes flicked up at the new presence. “I presume this is your secretary.”

“Yes.” Jimin’s reply came far too quickly. “That’s right.”

Minjeong bowed politely, murmuring a soft greeting before straightening.

“Can you please give us the room?” Jimin asked, but before her secretary could even take a step back, her father’s voice cuts through.

"No, don't be silly" Seungjae lifted up a hand to halt that command. His gaze hardened on his daughter, silently communicating that there was no room for argument “A secretary should be by their boss’s side at all times.”

He gestured lazily toward his own aide, and as if on cue, his secretary stepped forward and placed a cigar into his hand before lighting it for him.

Seungjae leaned back and took a slow puff, allowing the smoke to infiltrate the otherwise well-ventilated room.

Oh. So this was the type of CEO Ningning meant earlier.

Minjeong couldn't help but internally chuckle at her thoughts, though she cleared her thoughts right after, hoping it didn't show on her face. 

Jimin's jaw tightens at her father's demand, but under the scrutiny of his stare, she had no choice but to incline her head. “…Of course.”

The silence that followed felt uncomfortable...

The tension was so thick, you could practically cut it with a knife.

Even Minjeong, being someone who can usually thrive in any situation, found herself fidgeting her fingers behind her back.

"Father.." Finally, Jimin was the first to break the quiet. "What brings you here without notice?"

Seungjae gave his secretary a sharp click of the finger, and the man immediately appeared with an ashtray for him to tap his cigar into.“Notice?” Seungjae scoffed, exhaling a plume of smoke. “A chairman doesn’t need notice to walk into his own company.” He took another puff before flicking his fingers again. This time, the secretary stepped forward with an envelope, presenting it to Jimin with both hands. “The Global Investors Forum will be held in about 2 months time. In Singapore. The invitation arrived this morning. It’s the kind of event that will either allow this company to thrive against its competitors," He raises a hand "Or" And then slams it onto the armrest "Make Yunity look like an absolute joke." His gaze sharpened on her. “Your presence will decide which.”

Jimin’s pulse stumbled. “…I see.”

“You’d better see.” His eyes locked on hers, sharp enough to pin her in place. “Are you prepared? Or will this turn out like the shareholders’ dinner last quarter?”

“That was a scheduling mishap-”

“Mishap?” His voice was cold as ice as it cut through hers like sharp steel. “This company doesn’t run on your mishaps. You stand where you are because I put you there; don’t confuse allowance for ability. You’re still untested.”

The words lodged heavier than the smoke cloud curling between them, and Jimin was silenced immediately after with her head held low. 

Beside her, Minjeong didn't move, but what she did do was observe...

And she saw it all...

The way Jimin's shoulder would subtly shake... and how her fingernails were dug right into her lap until her knuckles were white to the bone.

It made something unpleasant bubble in Minjeong’s stomach, watching it all unfold.

"And Taeho?" Seungjae spoke again without even a flicker of warmth in his eyes.

The mention of that name made Jimin's stomach twist in knots. "He's well..."

"Your mother and I had dinner with his parents last week" His lips curled.. not in a smile... but rather a verdict "They sound... concerned for you and him.

Jimin stiffened, but her father didn’t stop.

“They said he feels overlooked. That you’re failing to hold up your side.” Another slow puff of smoke. “If you can’t even manage that… what does that say about your ability to manage this company?”

The words hit her like a slap.

Jimin’s throat tightened, but she forced herself to sit taller, even as her nails dug half-moons into her leg under the table. “…I’ll do better.”

Seungjae gave a single nod, like it was nothing more than an item checked off his list. “See that you do.”

˖᯽ ݁˖

The moment the door clicked shut behind her father, the room felt suffocatingly still.

But even though the man had already left, Jimin's spine still remained perfectly straight.

Her knuckles were still white... having not entirely loosened it yet... and behind her eyes... something burned there that left a hollow ache no practice smile could cover...

Yu Jimin became the heir to Yunity since her sister had walked away from the company years ago... and still- still she felt like she was forever scrambling for her father's approval...

It was like no matter how hard she tried...

No matter how many hours she works herself to the bone...

No matter how desperately she clawed to prove that she was a daughter even a fraction worthy of his impossible standards.

It was never enough.

As if she were never enough

“It’s… almost lunchtime. Should I get you something to eat?”

Her head snapped up at the voice, and for the briefest second, Jimin met Minjeong’s eyes, before quickly looking away, shaking her head. She was far too exhausted to even acknowledge her properly. “No… I’m alright.”

Minjeong didn’t push. But her gaze softened, quietly taking in every inch of the tension Jimin was trying so hard to bury. "Miss Yu... are you alright?"'

"Fine" 

She obviously wasn’t fine. But still she forced it down and exhaled as though sheer posture alone could hide the cracks threatening to split her open.

Only...

Everything had already seeped through... 

And in that moment, Minjeong's seen it all...

Seen just how hurt Jimin truly was in that moment. “You don’t have to carry it all inside, you know, sometimes talking things out helps, I'm here if you need anythin-"

"I said, I'm FINE! Minjeong." The words came out harsher than she had intended.

Her eyes widened the moment she realised it and Minjeong's eyes also mirrored her own; they were both shocked by the sudden outburst...

But what could she do at this point?

It was already too late.

She had already snapped, and as much as she wanted to, she couldn’t take it back. And honestly… she was just too damn exhausted to even want to.

Every expectation.

Every demand.

Every judgment.

The reminder of Taeho.

The constant, gnawing need to prove herself, over and over and over again, until she barely even recognised who she was anymore.

It all clawed at her chest at once, until there was nothing left to hold back.

She turned away then. staring blankly at some corner of her office wall, as though if she focused hard enough, she could will herself into calmness. 

Her hands trembled against her lap. She balled them into fists until the ache numbed it. She just needed a second. A single, fragile second to catch her breath.

"Sorry..." Jimin  couldn’t bring herself to look at Minjeong again. “…I didn’t mean to raise my voice.”

But the shorter woman didn’t seem offended at all. Instead, she offered a small, reassuring smile... one so soft it felt almost impossible for anyone else to pull off in this moment. “…You don’t need to apologise. Just… take the time you need, Miss Yu. I’ll be right outside if you need anything.”

She dipped her head lightly before slipping out the door.

The silence that followed felt deafening.

Jimin stayed frozen for half a beat longer, eyes still locked on the same meaningless spot across the room.

And then, finally, her hands rose to cover her face as her body folded forward. 

She was alone now... which meant she could finally allow herself to shatter...

Just a tiny bit anyway...

Her father’s words sank through her armour one by one, tearing straight through the seams of her composure, until the mask she wore so perfectly every day shattered into pathetic, jagged little pieces.

She just needed a minute....

One small measly minute...

Because she knew the moment she looked up again, she'd have to be untouchable once more.

˖᯽ ݁˖

The rest of the day went on like any other.

Meetings. Calls. Documents to review. A never-ending cycle that usually rolled off Jimin’s back without issue.

Today, though, it all pressed heavier than it usually would, like a static buzzing in her head.

Still... she pressed through it. She always did.

Normally, by 12:30 sharp, her inbox would be flooded by daily reports from regional managers. Dozens of emails would come in with vague subject lines like Update or Figures Attached.

What this meant for Jimin is that she would have to spend a good amount of time opening each email, skim through the contents, download attachments that weren’t even labelled properly, then cross-reference everything by herself just to figure out which region needed attention first.

It was a tedious and time-consuming task in itself, but today, however, when the flood did hit, it was surprisingly not the chaos she was expecting. 

Her inbox pinged steadily, yes, but instead of the usual mess, everything came in as if someone had already run it through a filter. Folders were labelled by region. Files were renamed properly, and there were even priority markers lined up in colour-coded flags.

For once, she didn’t have to play detective. But she didn't question it at all, only assuming that perhaps the region managers were being nicer to her this time around. 

______

At one o’clock, her calendar blocked out the usual gauntlet of back-to-back strategy sessions with the design team. Normally, that meant the same juggling act she did every week; an armful of heavy reports pressed against her side while her other hand tried not to spill the lone cup of coffee she barely had time to grab.

But when she ducked back into her office to collect everything, something unusual popped up at the scene. 

The thick binder she needed wasn’t scattered across her desk, but was already set neatly at the edge of it, waiting for her. Even the papers were clipped with little colour tags popping out on the side.

There was also a cup of coffee that was still hot sitting right beside the binder.

Jimin couldn't help but blink at it, being temporarily thrown off by this discovery.

Had she… prepared this earlier? Maybe in her rush this morning before her father had visited her, she’d somehow managed to organise herself better than usual and then promptly forgotten about it.... and perhaps the coffee was just the kitchen staff being extra attentive today...

Shaking her head, she scooped up the binder, wrapped her fingers around the warm cup, and took a slow sip as she moved for the door, before leaving out the door without another thought. 

______

Halfway through the meeting session, her stomach gave a low growl loud enough for her to almost wince. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday’s dinner, but powering through on an empty stomach wasn’t exactly new for her. Usually, she’d just ignore it, keep her focus sharpened on the discussions at hand, and pretend she didn’t notice the dull ache setting in.

Except… when she returned to her office after the meeting, a small tray was already waiting at the corner of her desk. There was a eatly cut sandwich, a side of fruit, and even a small packet of crackers. It was nothing extravagant, something you can normally get anywhere, but Jimin couldn't help but pause and narrow her eyes at the food like it might explode in any second.

Did the kitchen staff do this again? Maybe they’d decided to be generous today, slipping in a little extra for the CEO.

Or perhaps it was some new initiative to keep morale up.

Either way, Jimin reasoned, she wasn’t going to complain.

She sat, pulled the plate closer, and took a bite without another thought.

She ate mechanically between emails, the busy rush of work taking over all her senses, she didn't even notice what the food even tasted like.

But she will, towards the end of the day, her stomach no longer churned in an uncomfortable way it usually did on caffeine. 

______

By 5:30, most employees would have already fled out of the building by now, eager to escape into their evenings to anywhere but their 9-5 jobs. But not Jimin. She still had a small mountain of contract reviews left to conquer.

Normally, by this hour, her energy would’ve thinned out, and combing through each document to separate what mattered from the filler clauses became painstakingly tough.

This time, however, the stacks on her desk weren’t their usual unorganised mess.

They were clipped together nicely, aligned in clean stacks, and.. most curious of them all... there were even margin notes peaking out from the sides, guiding her straight to the key sections.

Her brows lifted slightly.

This was quite unusual to her...

Like sure, clients and partners did sometimes scribble in notes to make sure she paid attention to specific clause,s and sometimes they even attached cheat sheets to highlight the important sections, usually in the interest of saving time during negotiations.

But this many?

It was rare...

But she supposes it was definitely not impossible...

And hey, if it made her life easier, Jimin wasn't about to complain.

_____

By six, Jimin finally leaned back in her chair, blinking at the clock in surprise.

It was strange really, she had initially thought, having been beaten up by her father verbally this morning, her day was going to move on like a slow drag...

But shockingly, it went by quite smoothly.

Though in her mind, it was still nothing more than another day survived.

Just another Monday she managed to crawl through by sheer force of will.

She didn’t notice the difference.

Didn’t pause to question why certain tasks had flowed smoothly, why the pile on her desk hadn’t felt like a warzone for once.

She didn’t see the subtle tweaks and the invisible nudges that were all laid out quietly in the background to make her life just a little bit easier than it normally was. 

But Minjeong did.

From her desk outside, she glanced up just in time to catch Jimin stretching her arms above her head and rolling her shoulders back with a faint sigh.

A smile tugged at Minjeong’s lips before she ducked her head back down to her monitor. Her inbox pinged with another wave of regional updates, and without missing a beat, she began funnelling them into colour-coded folders and tagging priorities directly into Jimin's account that she had permission to use.

Her hand brushed over the neatly folded bento box receipt still sitting by her keyboard. She hadn’t touched her own lunch today, but she didn’t mind.

Beside it sat another small stack of clipped documents that she had yet to write margin notes for.

Those were the little things.

The invisible things.

The things that went by unnoticed by Jimin.

But to Minjeong... if by the end of the day, even one of those invisible things had managed to make Jimin feel even a tiny bit lighter...

Then to her... that was enough...

˖᯽ ݁˖

Jimin let out a long sigh as she rose from her chair and slipped her arms into her coat with the heaviness of someone who’d just survived eleven relentless hours at her desk.

Finally, at 7:12 pm, she was finally able to breathe.

Packing up her belongings, her eyes drifted, almost out of habit, towards the glass wall at the entrance where Minjeong would be sitting on the other side.

Empty....

Of course, that was sensible to Jimin. 

After all, not everyone had to suffer through overtime just because their boss did.

Adjusting her scarf, Jimin picked up her bag, walked towards the door and pulled it when-

"Miss Yu"

She nearly jumped out of her skin.

Standing right there in the doorway, with a wide and shameless grin on her face, stood none other than Kim Minjeong who looked like she'd been planted there for ages.

"Minjeong- what in the hell are you doing standing at my door like some creep-"

“I cancelled your driver today.”

Jimin’s eyes narrowed instantly. “You- what? Why on earth would you do that!?”

“Because…” Minjeong dangled a car key between two fingers, her grin stretching wider by the second. “…I’ll be driving you.”

Jimin blinked at her. Once. Twice. Even three times “…What.”

“Mmhm.” Minjeong nodded as if it were already law. “You’ve had a long day, Miss Yu. So tonight, you get chauffeur Minjeong.”

“In your tiny hatchback?”

“In my tiny hatchback, ma’am.”

“The one with bits and pieces of stuff lying all over it?”

“I’ve cleaned everything out!”

“No.” Jimin shot back immediately, arms folding tight across her chest. “Absolutely not.”

“How about… absolutely yes?”

“Kim Minjeong, I am not getting in your old and slow-”

“Safe, reliable-” Minjeong cut in eagerly. “Fuel-efficient, light-”

“-chaotic, cluttered death trap of a car.” Jimin snapped, landing the last words to the gravel

Minjeong staggered back dramatically, clutching her chest with a tight squeeze. “Wow. That hurt. Right here. Can’t you give post–high school Minjeong some credit for even being able to afford a car?”

“No.” Jimin’s tone was flat as she crossed her arms tighter. “Call my driver back.”

“No can do,” Minjeong said cheerfully, twirling the keys once before catching them. “He’s already gone.”

"Minjeong, I am your boss- and as your boss, you cannot just-"

"You're right, Miss Yu, you are my boss"

Jimin couldn't help but make a face at the way Minjeong had so righteously announced that statement.

“And as my boss’s secretary,” Minjeong continued, straightening her shoulders and putting a hand to her chest, “it is my solemn duty to make sure my boss goes home in one piece… and maybe even cheerfully enough to face the next day.”

Jimin just stared, dumbfounded "I don't know what drama you've been watching lately" She eyed Minjeong's rather animated gesture up and down before stopping at her gaze 'But I'm pretty sure the contract you signed did not have any of that written on here"

"No, but in your job application, it did state you were looking for someone who takes initiative. Soooo," Minjeong leans in. “Miss Yu, my amazing, awesome, and super creative boss-"

"Don't butter me up"

"-will you allow me,” Minjeong carried on, despite the statement  “to show you something that can hopefully take your mind off work. Just for tonight?”

...

...

...

"No"

"Oh come onnnn" Minjeong whined, "It'll be worth it, I swear"

“Still no.”

“Pleaaase?”

“No.”

“Pretty please?”

“No.”

“With sugar on top?”

“…No.”

"What about cherries?"

"I hate cherries"

“Miss Yu, you’re breaking my heart here!”

“Good. No.”

"..."

"I said NO!"

˖᯽ ݁˖

“Yaaaaaay :D” Minjeong cheered from the driver’s seat with little imaginary flowers practically floating around her, as she steered her tiny hatchback onto the main road. She even hummed a small, cheerful tune and bobbed her head to it like she was hearing some invisible victory soundtrack.

Which, somehow, only made the dark, wavy and suffocating gloom aura around Jimin stronger as if she had a thundercloud floating firmy around her shoulders.

She stared straight ahead with her arms crossed, not sure how in the world she's now back in Minjeong's tiny car, just weeks after telling herself never again.

It was those damn eyes

She thought to herself bitterly

They're like puppy dog eyes... I swear.

She sighed under her breath, careful to keep it silent so Minjeong wouldn’t hear.

Still… she had to admit, the car was more presentable than last time. It was obvious her secretary had actually cleaned it, just as Jimin had complained about before.

And, well… to that as well, Jimin is actually the type who tends to like people who listens to her, takes her words seriously and adjusts themselves without her having to ask...

…BUT THAT WAS NOT THE POINT.

She crossed her legs, shifting in the passenger seat like she needed to remind herself she was not impressed. There were no longer half-crushed chip packets lurking in the back, nor rogue boxes stacked on the floor behind her, so it was quite nice that she didn't need to move ever so often in the passenger seat just to find leg room. 

Without much thought prompting it, Jimin's gaze slid over towards Minjeong beside her.

The woman was still quietly humming whatever tune she’d conjured up in her head… carefree, content and completely unbothered by the dark cloud sulking right beside her... or perhaps she didn't notice... because that ridiculously happy, yet painfully genuine look on her face never wavered since they'd left the office together.

Jimin supposes it's always been like this with Minjeong 

Even though she's only been around for a month, it was always the same with her.

No matter the day, whether Minjeong had been running around departments for hours on end or on her feet nonstop... She’d always return back to her desk with that same easy glow, like she carried a pocket of sunlight around with her wherever she went.

It was ridiculous, really. It's as if she's the kind of woman who could pull an all-nighter and still show up the next morning with a smile and a coffee in hand, like nothing had even happened.

And the strangest part? It never looked forced.

That was just Minjeong.

Genuine to the core.

Comfortable in her own skin.

Impulsive.

Annoying.

A little charming.

Annoying.

Suspiciously honest.

Annoying.

With a stupid superpower to persuade anyone into anything (Jimin could vouch for that).

And did she mention annoying!?!?

Minjeong… she’s just…

She's different.

Completely different from Jimin, that is...

Different from the CEO who needed her day-to-day to be nothing less than polished.

Different from the way Jimin had always believed that if something wasn't practiced, then it wasn't perfect.

Opposite to Jimin, who had to measure every inch of herself, from the way she smiles, all the way down to the way she walked. Because if she couldn't at least do that much, then she cannot truly call herself the CEO of Yunity.

It was a cruel reality...

But it was a reality she had accepted long ago...

Jimin cannot lie, she had never been raised as someone who would appreciate others that were so different from herself... especially those who would just willingly drag her into little night drives as if she didn't have somewhere more important to be (her bed.)

But though the whole thing was abrupt and honestly a little forced upon her...

and though the humming was quite annoying.

And Minjeong's aura was like a bitter reminder that she had failed to resist something as trivial as some puppy dog eyes....

For some reason though...

She didn't hate that she was here...

...

...

Heh...

Perhaps that little sunshine glow of Minjeong's was actually clearing up Jimin's gloomy skies after all. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Apologies again for the quality of this chapter. I had to rewrite it after the first version failed to save TT_TT

Chapter Text

“Where exactly are you driving me to?”

It hadn't exactly been that long since Minjeong had taken off into the road.

However, somewhere between passing the last cluster of office towers and now, where every building had been steadily replaced by trees little by little... Jimin decided that enough was enough.

Let’s just say, on top of not knowing what was going on in the first place, you really couldn’t blame a girl for asking.

“It’s a surprise :D” Jimin side–eyed her secretary so sharply she could’ve cut glass. “Oh, come on,” Minjeong groaned. “Don’t look at me like that. You’ve got the vibe of someone half–expecting a kidnapping.”

“You can tell what I’m thinking just from my peripheral?”

“More like… your general aura. I can practically feel the energy you're giving off from here"

Jimin scoffed. “Well, in case you haven’t noticed, there are no longer traffic lights around here and we’re officially out of the city.” She crossed her arms tighter and leaned back against the seat. “Do you even know where we are?”

“Of course I know. Relax. I’m not lost.”

“That’s exactly what someone lost would say.”

“If I were lost, would I look this confident right now?”

“Yes.”

Minjeong barked a laugh, and Jimin pinched the bridge of her nose.

This is getting a bit ridiculous.

“Okay, well just letting you know, Minjeong,” the taller of the two continued, “if this is some kind of horror-movie setup, I’d like to remind you I have security guards who can track me down at any time. All I’d have to do is call.” She held her phone out and waved it near Minjeong’s profile. “Not even a call — just the press of a button, really.”

“Good thing I’m not a kidnapper, then.”

“You say that, but this is exactly how those crime documentaries start.”

“Miss Yu,” Minjeong deadpanned, “if I wanted to murder you, I wouldn’t have cleaned my car first.”

...

...

“…That’s your defence?”

“Strong one, isn’t it? Now here” Minjeong suddenly leaned to the side, tugged a plastic bag from beside her seat, and shoved it toward Jimin without so much as glancing off the road.

Jimin blinked at the bag, then at Minjeong, then back at the bag again. “What’s this?”

“It’s dinner time,” the secretary replied simply. “And you haven’t had a bite yet. We’ve still got twenty minutes to go, so take your time.”

Jimin eyed the bag with deep suspicion.

She wasn’t exactly the type to accept food from a random plastic bag that had been marinating on a car seat with the driver.

…But her stomach had been protesting loudly for the past ten minutes.

So with a reserved sigh, she grabbed the bag and peeked inside...

"This is..." her lips parted in surprise

“Donkatsu over rice,” Minjeong cut in. “From your favorite spot.”

“They do takeaway?”

“No…” Minjeong’s smile twisted slightly, the memory of practically begging the restaurant’s owner flashing through her mind. As it turned out, when you beg nicely enough... and more importantly, long enough... you almost always get what you want. “But they made an exception this time.”

Jimin couldn’t help but stare at her favorite dish now tucked inside a flimsy plastic container. Her expression was puzzled, full of questions.... before her eyes narrowed.“…Wait. How did you even know about this?"

“I read an article once, before I started working for you. Call it some pre-work research, I guess.” The pride in Minjeong’s voice was evident.“It was just an off-hand comment, but you rated that place and that dish a ten out of ten. So I figured, if there’s one thing you’d actually like tonight, it’d be your favorite meal. And of course, as your secretary, it’s my job to make sure my boss gets the best, without needing to ask.” Now it was bordering on smug.

For a brief second, Jimin’s expression softened. She was… genuinely impressed by the amount of attention to detail her secretary had shown.

It was something she hadn’t really seen much of from others.

But just as quickly, another thought cut across the warmth, and her brows furrowed again.

“Wait. If you’ve read articles, then… are you saying you’d already seen my face before?” Her voice faltered, a hesitation breaking through before she caught herself. “That night at the lounge... did you know who I was?”

Minjeong shook her head. “I’ve seen pictures, sure. But I never paid much attention. Most of the time, they’re those long shots for company PR. like shaking hands and cutting ribbons. So, to be honest, I really didn’t recognise who you were.”Her gaze flicked to Jimin then, maybe a little warmer than it should’ve been. “But now… I’m thinking it’s because you look a lot different in person.”

"..."

Wait-

Different.

Of all the words someone could use about her looks, that was the one Jimin hated most.

Her head snapped sharply. “Different how?”

Minjeong blinked, caught off guard. “Pardon?”

“You said I look different in person. Different how?” Jimin’s voice came out sharper than intended. “Is it my skin? My hair? Did I look better in the photos?”

Minjeong turned her head just long enough to give her the most incredulous look before returning to the road. “…That’s what you took from what I said?”

“Well, forgive me for not enjoying vague reviews about my face!” Jimin shot back, arms crossing so tightly it looked like she was hugging herself.

“You really think I’d sit here and insult my boss’s looks while driving her through the woods?”

“HA! So it was an insult!”

Minjeong let out a low groan, pressing a hand briefly to her face while the other stayed steady on the wheel. “Miss Yu-” she bit down on her lip, her voice dropping to a murmur, “Do you really not remember how many times I called you beautiful that night?”

But her words were too soft, swallowed by the hum of the engine.... that Jimin missed every single one.

"What did you say? How am I different huh? Tell me"

Minjeong exhaled slowly, shaking her head faintly. For a moment, it seemed like she wouldn’t answer.

Maybe the alcohol really did get to her before any of my words did.

Until finally, she spoke again. “You told me to shut up with the honesty, so I’m going to do just that.”

“YOU ARE SO ANNOYING—Aish! I can’t believe this!” Jimin snapped, throwing herself back until her spine hit the chair with a dramatic thunk. She muttered furiously about how her own secretary dared to comment on her looks. Like seriously, she's never left the house without perfect makeup, a flawless outfit, carefully curated angles for the cameras, basically a walking PR campaign. Blah blah blah blah blah

But all the while, Minjeong couldn't help but chuckle through Jimin's theatrics "And you are still as dramatic as the first time I met you."

˖᯽ ݁˖

The car slowed before finally rolling to a stop.

By now, the streetlights had thinned to almost nothing.

Shadows stretched like claws between the trees, and the only sound Jimin could catch was the occasional car humming in the far distance.

“…Okay, look…” She glanced out the window, then turned quickly to Minjeong. “I wasn’t joking about the security thing. I can have a dozen men here in under ten minutes. If this is some creepy setup, I will sue.”

Minjeong’s lips twitched. “Sue me from the afterlife? That’s bold, Miss Yu.”

“This isn’t funny,”

“I’m not joking,” Minjeong replied evenly, nodding toward the passenger door. “Come on. Just… trust me for five minutes.”

“I feel like this trust thing has already stretched way past its welcome.”

"Okay, well, stretch it a little further then."

Jimin squinted, weighing her options.

On one hand, she could press a button on her phone and have security sweep the place before Minjeong even finished explaining whatever ridiculous surprise this was.

But on the other hand... she's really never seen Minjeong look this serious... not in an angry way or anything, but in a more sincere way... if that makes any sense.

She stared for a couple of seconds. But when the shorter woman did nothing more than tilt her head with that maddeningly sunny smile, Jimin finally let out one last dramatic sigh for good measure and pushed open the passenger door.

The night air was cooler than she expected, brushing sharply against her skin as Minjeong guided her a few steps forward.

She hadn’t exactly planned on an evening outing, which meant she was painfully underdressed for the weather. Clutching her coat tighter, she began drafting a mental lecture on workplace boundaries, even going as far as already muttering the opening lines under her breath.... when Minjeong suddenly stopped. Jimin would've collided into her,  if she hadn't caught herself at the last second.

“Minjeong, the wind is ridiculous here, what could possibly be so interes-”

Her words died on her tongue.

There she stood by the steel rails on a bridge that stretched far and wide before them, with the river glimmering beneath like dark glass. 

The surface rippled gently, scattering trails of light across the water as though the city had tossed its jewels into the current.

And beyond it... there it was.... The skyline, towering in the distance, with every window glowing sharply against the night. Streetlights traced gold veins through the city blocks, while the taller buildings shone like stars that had chosen to live on earth instead of in the sky.

And seeing all that... Jimin's voice caught in her throat.

She had lived in this city her whole life, yet she had never seen it like this.

Well… it’s not like she’d ever had time to really look...

Her eyes lingered on the lights, brighter than she expected. “…This is…” she murmured, almost to herself.

“One hell of a spot, isn’t it?”

Her head turned, eyes narrowing at Minjeong, though the amazement was still obvious in her expression. “…Why did you bring me here?”

“I told you,” Minjeong said lightly, “I wanted to cheer you up.”

Jimin could do nothing but raise an eyebrow at her. She considered pressing on with a million questions that had just conjured to mind... however before she could even open her mouth, Minjeong had already leaned over the rails.

And then-

"WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" (No, she did not fall lol)

She screamed.

Not for any particular reason... she just tipped forward, unleashed a scream into the night, and let it carry over the river until it crashed into the glowing skyline.

Even birds burst into flight from trees in the distance...

All shocked by the sudden noise...

Especially Jimin, who stood there frozen in disbelief, with her eyes wide... , because her secretary.... her meticulous, clipboard-wielding, not-afraid-to-get-her-hands-dirty, never-miss-a-detail secretary.... was currently howling into the night like an unbothered lunatic.

What in the world is going on.. where even am I...

Were the first thoughts that came to mind when Minjeong's back finally straightened

What the actual deuce are you even doing

Were the second thoughts… as Minjeong stayed still for a moment, then looked up, inhaled deeply, and blew the breath out into the cold air.

But it wasn’t like Jimin could verbalise any of it, because before she knew it, Minjeong had started chuckling happily... softly at first, then shaking with laughter, like she’d only just realised what she’d done and found it absolutely hilarious.

And Jimin just… stared.

Dumbfounded.

Seriously, what was happening...?

And more importantly… how was this woman standing here, screaming into the void like a maniac, yet somehow radiating the kind of carefree, free-spirited energy Jimin had never known in her entire life?

“Sorry, sorry,” Minjeong said in between chuckles, though they were slowly calming down now. “I scared you, didn’t I?”

She turned towards Jimin, the smile from her laugh refusing to fade as the wind blew a few loose strands of dark hair across her cheek.

"..."

Minjeong leaned against the railing and pressed it against her back, whilst propping her arms onto it as if unleashing a few high octaves into the night was the most normal activity in the world. “I'm sure you have a lot of questions... so this is actually a frequent spot of mine. I come here ever so often, whenever I need to de-stress. There’s hardly ever anyone around, the view’s amazing… and when it gets too heavy?” She tilted her head towards the river. “I scream it all out and it hjelps clear the weight off my shoulders.”

Jimin looked at her like she’d just admitted to eating office documents for fun. “You… scream to de-stress?”

“Mm.” Minjeong’s lips curved. “Better than bottling it up.”

Her brows knit together tightly. "So did you bring me here to show me just how much work is stressing you out.

Minjeong shook her head lightly, almost bursting out in laughter again at the accusation. “Oh no.” Her gaze flicked back toward Jimin, steady and soft. “I remember specifically saying… I wanted to cheer you up. So I brought you here to show you how much work is stressing you out.”

Jimin scoffed, her arms folding immediately. “Me? Stressed? Please. I don’t need a bridge and a scream-a-thon to ‘cheer up.’”

“Uh-huh,” Minjeong said, clearly unconvinced.

“I mean it.”

“You’re telling me you weren’t stressed after the board meeting this morning?”

“That was business,” Jimin replied flatly.

“And when your father dropped by your office?” Minjeong added, quiet but certain.

The air shifted immediately.

Jimin’s posture stiffened as if her walls had snapped back up in an instant.

" and that’s... none of your business.”

The tension suddenly hung heavy in the air after Jimin’s clipped response.

But Minjeong chose not to push.

In fact, she didn't say a word... only choosing to lean back into the railing once again....

Her gaze stayed steady on Jimin.. not in a sharp or prying way... it was just soft... as if she was allowing the silence to breathe between them a little...

And when the wind picked up, tossing Jimin’s long hair straight across her face… Minjeong didn’t even think. She simply reached into her pocket, pulled out a small hair tie, and held it out with a sheepish smile.

“I’m not prying,” Minjeong said at last, her voice low and even. She watched as Jimin stared at the hair tie but didn’t take it, so she slowly let her hand fall back to her side. “But truthfully… I know what it’s like to have weight pressed onto your shoulders because of family.” Her eyes softened, and something in that look made Jimin feel small. Not judged, not at all, but seen... Too seen. As though those eyes could cut straight through her composure. And it made her want to shrink into herself, to hide.

“But that’s not the only reason why I suggested bringing you here,” Minjeong continued, tilting her head slightly as if to catch Jimin’s gaze without forcing it. “Miss Yu… you work harder than anyone I’ve ever met. I mean, yes, you’re the CEO, so that makes sense and all, but still…” Her lips curved faintly. “You don’t eat. You don’t rest. You carry everything until it wears you down. And I’ve noticed... even now, when you throw me into the deep end, you still don’t go out of your way to make me do more than I need to. Even if we both know you most definitely should.”

She let the words hang, they weren't accusatory at all... in fact, it was actually gentle...  Almost like she was handing Jimin permission to admit she wasn’t perfect... something no one else ever dared to do.

“I know I’m just your secretary, and maybe it isn’t my place to say this... but watching you… it makes me want to do something. Even if it's small... even if it's just this”

And without further prompting, she looks away, back over the railings, as if wanting to give Jimin some distance.

“I don’t even really know why I felt so impulsive today,” she admitted, her fingers tightening slightly around the railing. “It’s not like it’s my place to tell you what to do, or how to live… but I just… felt like I had to bring you here. Not because anyone told me to, or because it was convenient… but because I wanted you to know something.” Her gaze found Jimin’s again, but only briefly "I just want you to know, no matter what… I’ve got your back. I know things are probably complicated for you in ways others and myself don't realise.. But even then, I just want you to know you don’t have to face it alone....

... Even if I am just your secretary, just know I have your back"

...

...

"..."

For a long moment, Jimin didn’t move.

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Because what was she supposed to say to that?

Minjeong’s words weren’t grand or polished... they weren’t rehearsed like the ones Jimin usually heard from people trying to win her favour. They were clumsy in places, maybe even a little too earnest. But they were real. And that was the problem.

She wasn’t used to real...

Her chest tightened like someone had reached inside and pressed against it, forcing her to feel things she had no business feeling at a time like this...

So she just… stared.

At the side of Minjeong’s face, at the way tugged loose strands of hair stuck to her forehead and at how unbothered she looked by the silence.

Jimin hated that she almost envied her for it.

“Welp. I said my piece.” Minjeong turns the other way and stretches out her arms over her head “You saw the view, so I’m happy." Her tone no longer held the same serious note as it did just then... her carefree self returned in an instant "Feel free to come up here whenever you need a breather, too. The drive took longer than usual tonight because of traffic, but seriously it's not that far from the company building I'll even send you the address.”

She had just started to walk away when-

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

The sound ripped through the air, sharp and piercing enough to make Minjeong’s shoulders jolt mid-step.

It vibrated in her bones, higher and screechier than her own earlier attempt had ever been... so much so the secretary suspected it had flowed through her veins.

Minjeong spun around instantly... half shocked by what she had heard... but also wanting to confirm if her suspicions were true....

Just to see Jimin hunched over the railing, panting in between her breaths with her shoulders shifting and falling up and down...before clutching on the rail harder for balance and suddenly straightening her entire body up as she inhaled.

“I did it, Minjeong!” Jimin laughed breathlessly, a kind of glee in her voice that made it sound like she’d just conquered the world itself.

Her cheeks were red now, flushed from the wind... and her eyes were glittering... as if they were sparkling under the twinkling stars “I did it! You were right, this was fun” Her giggles weaved into the night air like a light melody... 

And then she turned her head, her laughter spilling into a smile so radiant it felt like it belonged to someone else entirely

Someone... who no longer seemed shackled back to the boardrooms of expectations any longer...

Someone who looked... just a tad less suffocated than she was before...

Someone so happy to feel a bit of lightness on her shoulders... that she couldn't even begin to hold back that smile...

And seeing that smile...

Minjeong could only watch in awe... 

Completely rooted to the ground...

Her eyes widened before she could stop them, the sight before her stealing something from her chest she wasn’t prepared to lose.

Jimin had turned back towards the view now still chuckling, but it was obvious she was trying to calm herself down...

But to Minjeong, she couldn't help but notice there was a glow that surrounded Jimin then... And though it could've been the moon illuminating all its glamorous shimmers over the woman...

She couldn't help but believe it felt richer...

Like the beautiful glimmers of twenty-four carat gold...

Something so intrinsic... it'll never dare lose its value...

Something so beautiful it made Minjeong afraid to reach out… terrified she might tarnish it's perfection with a single touch.

Wait. No.

Not perfection.

Perfection was cold... untouchable and a thing meant to be set on a pedestal.

This was different.

Something better.

Something flawed in the kind of way that made the flaws themselves glow

like cracks in porcelain catching light and turning into a firework of light.

Flawed in a beautiful way, where every imperfection only made it that much more perfect.

And perhaps, secretly… Minjeong wished her blinking eyes could capture a photograph right then. So she could store this moment somewhere permanent.

Maybe even frame it, place it behind glass and jewels and guard it like treasure.

Just so she could keep staring at it… a little longer.

Because this wasn’t the glossy, airbrushed Jimin that lived in the articles.

This…

This was alive.

Her pulse thundered so loud she almost didn’t hear her own voice slip out... barely louder than the wind, a breath she hadn’t meant to release:

“Beautiful…”

Jimin, who had just calmed back down from her high, turned. “...What?”

Minjeong swallowed, the word hanging between them like a secret she couldn’t take back. Her gaze stayed steady, though, the kind of steady that made it clear she wasn’t about to hide.

“You asked me before,” she said slowly, “how you were different from all those articles. Well... the simple answer is...” She let out a breath as if it were almost a laugh at herself before she went on. “In every photo I’ve ever seen of you, you looked untouchable and completely unreachable... someone who was far away, where little people like us could never dream of ever seeing in real life. You looked beautiful.. yes... but in a way that didn't feel real."Her throat worked as she swallowed. “But right now…” Her eyes lingered on Jimin’s flushed cheeks... “Right now, you look alive. The kind of beautiful that can’t be printed or staged, in fact it was rude that those articles even published it... because it doesn't look like you at all... Jimin..."

Minjeong’s chest tightened again, but she didn’t look away.

“No article, no photograph has ever come remotely close to what I'm seeing right now. You're beautiful Yu Jimin, more beautiful than any camera in the world can ever do you justice.”

...

...

...

"..."

Jimin felt herself unable to breathe then... she was completely at a loss for air...

She wanted to move, but her body didn't allow her to.. as if the ground had locked her right into place...

This was the first time Minjeong had said her full name...

Not Miss Yu

Not Maam

Or even boss...

Just... Yu Jimin

And somehow.. being stripped of all those titles... made the distance between them feel shorter...

Heavier....

Too heavy.. like Minjeong had just peeled something away and left her standing bare beneath the moonlight.

Her chest rose and fell unevenly, though she tried to disguise it.

The city skyline view had disappeared... and the woosh of the flowing river has slowly muted away...

Everything around her had faded away then...

Until there was only one thing she could see...

Kim Minjeong

She felt her heart skip a beat...

Maybe even several in a second...

Because right now... Jimin swore... Minjeong had angel wings behind her....

˖᯽ ݁˖

The door shut behind her with a dull click.

She didn’t stop to take off her heels. Didn’t even bother setting her bag down. Every motion was robotic as if she was on autopilot... until she reached the bathroom mirror...

And then.. without fail, she leaned over the sink and, for the first time in a long time, Jimin splashed the first handful of freezing cold water across her face, despite knowing what it would do to the makeup she had spent hours putting on this morning. 

As expected, it smeared instantly... 

Normally, Jimin hated the version of herself that stared back at her.

It was someone she never let anyone see.

And yet… despite that disdain, she couldn’t bring herself to look away either.

Her breathing was erratic, her fingers gripped the porcelain sink like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

Because even through the mess... even through the imperfect lines and ruined paint... all she could hear was her.

No article, no photograph has ever come remotely close to what I'm seeing right now. You're beautiful Yu Jimin, more beautiful than any camera in the world can ever do you justice.

Those words looped mercilessly around her head... spiralling until she could almost hear Minjeong’s voice pressed right against her ear.

The walk back to the car, to the drive home, had been nothing more than a silent one. 

Neither of them had spoken the whole way through... not even a single word....

For Jimin, it was because silence was her version of survival at that point. Her face had been burning crimson the whole way, and the only way to keep from combusting entirely was to glue her gaze to the window, as if the glass could shield her from Minjeong’s presence.

She could feel Minjeong glance at her sometimes, like she might say something to break the quiet. But even if she had, Jimin doubted she’d have heard it over the thunderous pounding in her ears. Each glance sent her pulse spiking all over again… until Minjeong, without a word, always turned back to the road.

She barely managed a word when they finally arrived, either. Standing in her driveway with her hand on the door, she muttered a quick, “Thanks for tonight. See you tomorrow,” before practically power-walking, almost running, back toward her mansion.

And now here she was…

Standing there with her hand clutching tight against her chest… wondering why no matter how hard she pressed, the beating inside just wouldn’t calm down.

She squeezed her eyes shut, willing it to listen to her.

To settle.

To obey.

But nothing worked.

It refused.

…

You know…

Thinking about it now… those little things that happened to her today... the ones she brushed off as coincidences, as God deciding to be a little kinder for once... suddenly felt orchestrated.

Like they weren’t accidents at all.

Like they had all been the efforts of one person.

The only person in the world, really, who could’ve made everything seem so seamless.

The kind of beautiful that can’t be printed or staged.

Oh… that relentless lurch in her chest, slamming hard against her ribcage... it hadn’t stopped since Minjeong had said that.

Not in the car.

Not while she’d sat there, doing everything in her power to avoid the woman’s gaze.

And especially not now.

If anything, it was beating harder by the second.

Like it never planned on stopping again.

Her eyes opened slowly, once more meeting that imperfect reflection staring back at her.

Cheeks flushed, red as beets. She hadn't moved for minutes by now, but somehow she still felt out of breath.

And Jimin couldn’t help but wonder then… if Minjeong had seen this version of her in the mirror... would she still say the same thing?

˖᯽ ݁˖

Unbeknownst to Jimin, on the other side of the city…

Minjeong didn’t drive home immediately after dropping her boss off.

She couldn’t.

She had tried, gripping the wheel and telling herself over and over to focus, but her chest was tied into a knot that refused to loosen. Every flicker of memory from the night replayed until the thought of simply going back to her apartment felt impossible.

So instead, she pulled over on some forgotten curb in a street no one cared about.

She stepped out, shut the door behind her, and leaned against the cool metal of the car.

For a long while she just… stood there. Eyes tracing the stars overhead, as if the vastness could swallow the pounding in her chest.

But nothing quieted Jimin.

Her laugh. Her flushed cheeks. The way her hair had danced in the wind.

And that smile- God... that smile... it clung to her like gravity.. refusing to let go.

She tilted her head back further, as though the night sky might give her the answer she hadn’t been able to name all evening.

And when her gaze landed on the full moon... that looked bigger than usual with its round and golden body, glowing like it wanted to lay claim to the entire sky... something inside her finally clicked.

The moon could shine as brightly as it pleased.

But to Minjeong...

She couldn't help but think that not even the galaxy beyond it could compare to Jimin....

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am actively trying to not make this into a slow burn, but everytime I try to write anything it just keeps going. DDD:

Oh well, I shall be taking several pages from my old fanfiction for this story~~

Chapter Text

Subject: Requested Address

Dear Miss Yu,

As discussed at approximately 8:42 pm last night, please find the address below:

Hanwol Overpass
Riverside Route 17
Seoan-gu, Seoul 04518

Should you require further details, such as directions or approximate travel time, do not hesitate to let me know.

Kind regards,
Kim Minjeong

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Seriously...?" Jimin sat back in her chair, staring at the email with multiple floating question marks above her head.

Her lips twitched, torn between letting out a sigh or maybe even a laugh… she couldn’t decide which felt more fitting for this particular scenario, or whether she should just close the tab altogether or keep staring at the ridiculous formality blinking back at her.

It did kind of check out, though...

After all, Jimin had been working with Minjeong long enough to know this was simply her nature

She is impulsive to a fault, no filter between her brain and her mouth and absurdly carefree.... Which, somehow, contrasted strangely with her almost superhuman efficiency, where every so often, she’d swing the other way, choosing to be professional to a fault.

The fact that Minjeong had actually signed off the email by sending her the bridge address in proper corporate format made Jimin pinch the bridge of her nose.

“She’s so weird,” she muttered... though the faintest curl of amusement tugged at her lips.

But with that smile came the intense memories of last night, ones that made it just a little harder than usual for Jimin to meet Minjeong’s eyes this morning.

Not that it mattered.

The company wasn’t about to slow down simply because its CEO had gotten flustered over her secretary’s choice of words on a bridge. And Jimin certainly wasn’t about to let something so trivial interfere with her schedule.

At least, that was what she told herself with no small amount of conviction that morning.

And for a while, she actually managed to follow through.

Days bled into weeks, and work swept them both right into a relentless tide.

We're talking meetings, deadlines, reports, and checkups.

Minjeong was there at every step, shadowing her with a rhythm so seamless it felt as if they’d been working together for years rather than just months.

Jimin gave instructions, and Minjeong carried them out.

If a report landed on her desk, Jimin signed it without a second thought.

The two of them became like gears locked into the same clockwork.

Some might even go as far as to call it Yin and Yang.

And yet, through all that time together, can you believe neither of them ever once brought up the night on the bridge?

Not even the absurd email Minjeong had sent with the address.

It just… never came up.

As if they’d signed a silent contract, both agreeing that whatever happened that night would stay suspended in time.

But of course, it didn’t really end there.

Life is never that simple.

Because ever since that night, there were moments when Minjeong’s words would still echo in the back of Jimin’s mind... slipping through the cracks whenever she wasn’t careful enough to shut them out.

When that happened, Jimin would sometimes catch herself staring a second too long as Minjeong bent over her desk, scribbling notes.

And every so often, she could have sworn Minjeong’s eyes flicked toward her too...but she could never be sure, not when she always looked away at the very last second as if nothing had happened.

She wondered, even now, if Minjeong ever did the same.

They had built a steady rhythm at work, yes.

But underneath it all, so much still felt uncertain.

But really... what can they do?

“S-O-C-K-S”  (It is what it is) Jimin spelled out in a mutter... half to herself but also because the other half can't help but be amused at her own ridiculousness.

Stop thinking about it so much Jimin. Mind off. Work go.

Those were the last-ditch thoughts she used to block everything out.

And so the days passed on.

The weeks, too.

And here we are today.

For once, Jimin had made it into the office early. Miraculously, she’d even managed a full eight hours of sleep. Not much of a miracle these days, though. Probably thanks to Minjeong. The girl had been stepping up more and more, quietly taking entire chunks of responsibility off Jimin’s plate without complaint. Which meant Jimin no longer had to grind away until midnight every night.

It truly was a rare blessing… a full night’s rest, an early start to the morning and no tension headaches from last night's work.

Jimin almost felt human again.

But to her surprise, when she arrived today, the desk outside her office was empty.

Strange.

Her secretary, who usually showed up before everyone else, sometimes as early as six a.m., was nowhere to be seen. 

7:31 a.m.

Jimin’s gaze flicked up to the wall clock again, her brow furrowing ever so slightly.

She’ll usually be here by now...

The space that was normally filled to the brim with Minjeong's presence felt unnervingly still.. and for a second Jimin just stared at the vacant area like the woman might pop out from underneath because she had dropped a pen or something.

“Oh well,” Jimin whispered under her breath, walking into her office and pushing that thought down her brain. “It’s not like the workday starts until nine...”

She locked herself right onto her screen the moment she sat down in her chair, clicking through reports and skimming proposals as if the emptiness outside her office didn’t matter.

A minute passed.

Then five.

Then ten.

She barely noticed at first, too buried in numbers and notes that had been scrambling her head for days. But when she finally leaned back in her chair and blinked at the clock, it was already edging toward 8:30.

And still… no sign of Minjeong.

Now that was… unusual.

Minjeong had plenty of quirks, sure. 

But lateness? No. Never.

That wasn’t her.

If anything, she was obnoxiously early, the kind of person who could already have three tasks completed before anyone else had even finished their first cup of coffee.

Jimin tapped her nails against the desk, eyes fixed on the empty space where Minjeong’s desk lamp should’ve been glowing by now.

8:45 came and went.

Her chest tightened slightly, though she refused to admit why.

And then-

9:01.

The clock ticked past the official start of the workday.

And for the first time since Minjeong had been hired… she was late.

Jimin’s brows pinched together at that very fact... her mind was already chasing through possibilities.

Traffic? No... it can't be... Even traffic wouldn't mean someone who's usually in at 6 comes in 3 hours later.

Then what about overslept?

Oh please. This was Kim Minjeong they were talking about. She might be spastic at times, but irresponsible she is not. 

So... then what?

Her fingers paused over the keyboard, the rest of her work momentarily forgotten.

“...What are you doing, Minjeong?” Jimin couldn't help but question while staring at the empty desk as if it owed her an explanation.

Her mouse clicked over to her inbox.

Nothing.

No unread emails. No updates. Not even one of those overly polite "running a few minutes late" messages Minjeong would’ve absolutely sent if that were the case.

Jimin's eyes squinted. 

This was her secretary, after all. Minjeong was the one who handled everyone else’s lateness, who scheduled things down to the minute, who chased after board members like a bloodhound when they tried to dodge meetings. She wasn’t the type to vanish without so much as a line.

Jimin’s gaze drifted slowly, unwillingly, to the one thing she had been avoiding all morning.

Her phone.

It sat there on the desk like it was mocking her.

And the ridiculous part?

Months.

Minjeong had been working as her secretary for months. Yet somehow… they had never once exchanged numbers.

But why would they need to?

Minjeong had always been perfectly within arm’s reach. She was so punctual to the tee, arriving before Jimin did and leaving only after Jimin had passed her driver’s front door. The idea of needing her number had never even crossed Jimin’s mind… until now.

Her thumb hovered just above the device, with the fingernails on her other hand tapping a little bit harder this time. 

She could just pull up Minjeong’s employee file if she wanted to, to be honest....

The number would be there.

She was the CEO... there was nothing stopping her. She could call right now and have an answer in less than a minute.

So why did her pulse suddenly stumble like it had been tripped on the stairs?

Why did her stomach twist at the thought of hearing Minjeong’s voice pick up on the other end?

“No, no, absolutely not,” she muttered to herself, shaking her head. “This is work. It’s not… that. I’m the CEO. I’m checking on my secretary. That’s all. Completely professional. Totally normal.”

Her fingers curled around the phone. 

And with one final exhale, she was just about to open up the files on her monitor when-

RINGGG

Her office phone suddenly rang, sharp and loud enough to make her nearly jump out of her chair.

Jimin snatched up the receiver, half-expecting some client emergency.

“Yu Jimin speaking”

There was a small cough on the other end.

“…Miss Yu?”

Her brows shot up immediately. “Minjeong?”

“Yeah…” her voice was lower than usual, scratchy in a way Jimin had never heard before. “I just wanted to call in sick for today.”

Jimin blinked.

For a second, her grip on the receiver even tightened.

Minjeong. Sick.

They were like two words the CEO had never really thought would ever go together...

The same woman who seemed to bulldoze through sixteen-hour days without breaking a sweat… who somehow managed to carry her workload and half of Jimin’s… who always showed up, no matter how early, no matter how late...

So even she can get sick...

“…I see.” Jimin’s reply came out quieter than she meant it to, her chest pulling tighter in a way she refused to acknowledge.

She's just calling in sick.. what's even going on with me

She cleared her throat, covering it quickly. “Why didn’t you call earlier?”

The line went quiet for a moment, then very faintly, Jimin heard a soft exhale from the otherside.

“…Because I realised this morning we don’t actually have each other’s numbers.”

Well duhhhh

Jimin almost facepalmed herself, having also made that same revelation mere minutes ago too. "I meant if you had this line the whole time, Minjeong then why not give my office phone a ring earlier."

"Oh I mean… Aeri gave me your direct office number on my first day. But it was scribbled on this tiny pink sticky note I shoved somewhere in my drawer, and it took me forever to dig it out this morning. By the time I actually found it, well… here I am.”

Jimin couldn't help but breathe out a small laugh through her nose. Despite how organised Minjeong typically is, this also didn't sound that out of character for her either.

"Fine, Just focus on getting better.”

For a moment, there was a pause... as if Minjeong was thinking of her next couple of words carefully

"Sorry" Was all she said in the end. “For the last-minute call. For… this happening at all.”

"You can't help when you get sick, it's not like you planned it."

Silence again. Then, with the faintest hum of acknowledgment from Minjeong, the line clicked dead.

Jimin set the receiver back down “…Okay,” she muttered to herself, straightening in her chair. “It’s not like you always had a secretary, Jimin. Let’s get on with it.”

Everything was going to be business as usual and efficient as always....

Why wouldn't it be?

Being short on staff does not mean the company doesn't strive forward.

That was the first key lesson of business Jimin was ever taught by her father....

And it was the one rule that she continued to silently to repeat in her head...

Even if this unfamiliar silence in the office was slowly starting to press on her more and more....

Normally, even in separate rooms, Jimin doesn't usually keep her door shut all the way, so most of the time, she could still sense Minjeong’s presence outside and hear the faint rhythm of her typing or even the occasional scratch of papers around her.

Sometimes Minjeong would even talk quietly to herself… and occasionally, the things she said sounded downright alien. Though Jimin never brought it up.

But now... There was none of that....

Just stillness.

Jimin leaned back in her chair, eyes flicking instinctively toward the door as if expecting it to swing open, like Minjeong had only stepped out for a minute.

But it stayed the same.

She exhaled sharply, clicking her pen a bit more aggressively than she normally would 

Why are you dozing off Jimin? There's work to do.

Her gaze drifted back to the piles on her desk. She reached for the first folder and forced herself into motion.

Work had always been her rhythm and her constant. 

She didn’t need Minjeong hovering outside her door for things to function....

Everything was going to go perfectly fine and smoothly like any other day.

Even if it meant she had to physically force herself to ignore that little quiet space beyond her walls. 

˖᯽ ݁˖

For a while, things were pretty much as business as usual as it can get!

At least, that's what Jimin wanted it to be anyway.

At first, things were running quite smoothly.

Numbers, reports, signatures, these were the good stuff. One pile down, one step closer to victory.

However, as the day continued to transpire... let's just say... with the lack of her secretary in play, things soon took a bit of a downward spiral that the CEO didn't really see coming. 

By 9:47, Jimin reached for her intercom button, ready to call Minjeong in to pull a reference document from the archives. But halfway through, she froze. Remembering that Minjeong wasn't here today.  A muted groan escaped her as she realised she’d have to dig through the records herself. 

By 10:32, she was shuffling through a stack of contracts, brows furrowed so tightly it felt like her forehead might crack. She had to remind herself to straighten each one, careful to avoid wrinkles from forming. The contracts weren’t in the order she liked. Normally, Minjeong would have them laid out by priority with red tabs for urgent and blue for secondary. Today, though, there was no colour coding. Just paper chaos. And, to be frank, Jimin found that unbearably annoying.

At 11:05, Jimin remembered she hadn’t eaten breakfast. Instinctively, she glanced at her desk, half-expecting to find something there. A sandwich, a tea, or maybe even those ridiculous vitamin gummies Minjeong once shoved at her with little to no explanation. But again... there was nothing. Of course.

By 12:14, her patience was thinning. She’d written up notes for the quarterly presentation, but somewhere between page six and seven, her pen sputtered and died. She opened her drawer to grab another, but all she found were pens that barely worked. Normally, Minjeong would swap them out before Jimin ever noticed. Now, she was stuck shaking the damn thing like an idiot until it finally scratched out half a word. (A/N: This was a true event that happened to me in real life several times, I of course also did not have my own secretary to fix that for me TT_TT)

And with every small hiccup, every wasted second, Jimin’s thoughts wandered back to the same place.

Kim Minjeong.

The woman who, without Jimin even realising, smoothed out all the edges of her day.

The secretary never asked to fuss over her, but somehow managed to make everything… seamless.

Now, with her gone, those tiny absences weighed on Jimin’s shoulders heavier than she’d care to admit.

She leaned back in her chair, staring up at the ceiling with a sigh.

“…You’re annoying, Kim Minjeong.”

But her chest tightened all the same.

˖᯽ ݁˖

By 2:00 p.m., Jimin was no longer productive; she couldn't even pretend to be. 

Her pen lay abandoned beside the half-finished report, and instead, her fingers tapped impatiently against the edge of her desk.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

But it wasn’t the work that distracted her. It was her own mind.

I don’t care.

Her nails clicked once against the lacquered wood.

Secretaries get sick. That’s normal. 

Another pause. Her lips pressed flat.

…She’s sick though.

Her brow twitched.

I wonder if she’s eating properly-

Jimin sat bolt upright, shaking her head as if she had just caught herself red-handed.

I don't care. Stop. No more. 

Her hand dropped flat on the desk again.

…Still, she does forget to eat when she’s buried in work. And if she’s sick, then…

“Nope.” Jimin practically growled, glaring at her ceiling like it had personally offended her. “Stop.”

Her silence lasted all of thirty seconds before her gaze slid across her desk and then to her computer... until it finally landed onto the now empty half side of her desk that's usually reserved for a cup of tea, Minjeong would usually bring in by now. 

Her jaw tightened.

…

…

“Ugh.” She shoved her chair back, standing so fast it nearly toppled.

˖᯽ ݁˖

“Do you know what’s actually the worst thing about Kim Minjeong?”

Jimin’s voice carried across the room as she lay dramatically sprawled on Aeri’s sofa, one arm thrown over her forehead like some tragic heroine on her deathbed.

“She hovers. Like a mosquito. Always buzzing," Jimin pulled her voice into a mocking tone. "‘Ms. Yu, don’t forget your jacket, Ms. Yu, the board file you left on the copier is already on your desk, Ms. Yu, you didn’t eat breakfast so here’s a croissant because apparently you run on fumes like a broken vacuum cleaner.’ Who even does that? Who remembers their boss didn’t eat breakfast? That’s not secretary work, that’s stalking with extra steps. And who even makes vacuum cleaner references like that!?

Her free hand flopped limply to her side.

“Like seriously that woman actually… she remembers everything. My schedule, the board’s, my father’s damn shoe size, probably. The comapny didn’t hire a secretary, we accidentally hired a walking, talking Alexa with better hair.”

She rolled over onto her stomach, jabbing a finger into the armrest.

“And don’t get me started on the tea.  The freaking tea! Every morning, this steaming cup of herbal nonsense I never asked for is brought to me. I hate tea. Tea is like for grandmothers. But no, suddenly if I don’t drink it, my whole day feels wrong, and coffee tastes like sewage water. Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to be chemically dependent on some chamomile blend because your secretary decided you've been having way too much caffeine and that's bad for your health? It’s degrading.”

She slumped back down, groaning into a cushion before flipping back onto her back

“God, she’s annoying. Always showing up on time, always typing too fast, always looking at me with that… face. That calm, infuriating face. I swear, the whole company could be on fire and she’d probably just pat the flames out and then ask if I’d had lunch. And now- now she’s sick. SICK. Like- what? How does someone like her even get sick? She’s supposed to be some kind of annoying, overachieving superhuman who eats stress for breakfast and types at the speed of light. She’s not supposed to have human weaknesses. That’s not part of the deal. I don’t care, obviously, people get sick all the time, whatever... but seriously? She gets me addicted to stupid tea and then has the audacity to fall ill? What am I supposed to do, steep my own leaves now?!”

She sat up with a huff, cheeks flushed, hair slightly out of place from all the rolling around.

“Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

From behind her desk, Aeri didn’t even bother looking up from her computer. Her expression was blank, fingers typing steadily as if Jimin hadn’t just given a TED talk about how much she relied on her secretary.

“So,” Aeri said at last, voice dry as bone, “translation: you miss her.”

“I DO NOT- !” Jimin snapped, clutching the cushion like it could shield her from the accusation. “Don’t you dare twist my words, Uchinaga.”

“Yep yep.” Aeri’s tone was bored, like she’d heard this a hundred times already. “Not twisted at all. Totally clear.”

“I DO NOT MISS HER!” she barked, wrapping around the cushion even tighter now “I was simply pointing out the flaws in her so-called ‘perfect secretary’ routine. There’s a difference.”

“Mhm. Totally,” Aeri replied, still typing. “Very different. You’re clearly thriving without her. That’s why you’ve spent the last ten minutes screaming into a pillow about herbal tea and treating my office like it's your personal therapy room”

“I was not screaming!” Jimin’s voice cracked halfway through a few fonts too high, so she calmly brought it back down “I was merely… projecting my displeasure.”

“Right,” Aeri said flatly, clicking her mouse. “Project louder, I think Accounting didn’t hear you.”

Jimin’s mouth fell open. “You- !” She jabbed the air in Aeri’s direction. "What's with this attitude!? You become the head of this department for 3 months, and now you've suddenly forgotten how to address yourself to your boss"

"My BOSS" Aeri finally tilts up her head to face Jimin "Is currently sulking on MY"  She points at herself  "office sofa" Then at Jimin  "Because her secretary caught the sniffles. So yes, a bit hard to address you as one"

"I am not sulking!"

"Fine, then what about mentioning Minjeong's name like 27 times by now?"

"I-" Her throat went dry "I did not! Minjeong she-"

"28"

"You can’t just make up numbers!”

“Why not? You make up excuses.”

"EXCUSES!?" This time, Jimin shot up onto her feet. "What excuses?"

"That you miss her"

"Oh hell no. I don’t need to excuse anything! Kim Minjeong is merely an employee."

"Then why are you here then, over a mere employee?"

"I-" Jimin's words faded into oblivion; her brain had clearly not prepared her for this moment "I just wanted to know if you had any chamomile tea?"

“THERE’S LITERALLY TEA IN EVERY SINGLE PANTRY IN THIS COMPANY,” Aeri barked, hands thrown up from behind her desk, officially over her childhood's friend's behavior. “She didn’t magically conjure up some potion, Jimin. What are you even on about!?”

Jimin’s chin tilted higher, ready to double down on  her points “It’s not the same tea.”

Aeri stared. “Oh my god.”

“It’s not!” Jimin insisted, pacing now as if she was preparing a closing argument in a trial only she believed in. “She… she brews it differently. With the right amount of honey, not too much, not too little, and the water temperature is always perfect. You think anyone in this building knows how to steep to ninety-two degrees Celsius on instinct? No. They all make it like bathwater.”

"Holy cow man, why are we talking about tea?"

"You started it"

"I did no such thing!"

"THEN WHY AM I HERE?"

“I REALLY DON’T FREAKING KNOW, JIMIN- URGH-” Aeri shoved back from her desk, pressing the heels of her hands into her eyes like she could block Jimin out of existence.With a long, tortured sigh, she finally dropped her hands and levelled her with a look. “Okay, listen. If you’re so annoyed at her, then why don’t you just say it to her face? You’ve got her employee file, don’t you? Go rock up at her place, tell her how infuriating she is, and while you’re at it, make her brew you a cup of that magical tea so you’ll stop haunting my office. Just leave me be! I’m actually busy today.”

The words came out in a splurge; it was clearly a sarcastic joke made to portray just how ridiculous Jimin was acting.

And of course, the said woman knew that much. 

“What the hell are you even on about?” Jimin tossed her long black hair, over her shoulder. “Learn how to speak to your boss properly next time, Uchinaga. Honestly. You're getting a bit too bold with me these days.

"Haven't I always?

"I heard that! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have paperwork to get to, so I'll be taking my leave” With that, she spun on her heel and stalked out with her heels clicking on the ground with perfect authority.

The door clicked shut behind her.

And that was when Aeri stared at the wood for a beat longer, before slumping back onto her chair.

"Just sleep together already"

She mutters under her breath before she went back to her work like nothing had been said at all.

˖᯽ ݁˖

“Honestly. The things that woman says sometimes. So ridiculous.” Jimin whispered rambled to herself as she walked down the hallway.

I mean, what kind of boss would even check on their secretary like that? What a weird thing to say...

It’s not like I’m going to pull up her file… peek at her home address… rock up with medicine and broth in hand… wishing her well. Absolutely absurd.

Her heels slowed.

Thats right, absurd

She crossed her arms, glancing toward the far end of the hallway like the very idea was lurking there, waiting to trip her up....

“I would never do that,” she said firmly, chin high, voice carrying authority even if her heart was hammering. “Ridiculous. Completely out of character for me.”

Her steps slowed again.

“…Besides, she’s probably fine. She always is. Definitely not the type to skip meals while sick. Definitely not lying in bed right now… forgetting soup even exists.”

A pause.

…

…

Damnit. I need some tea. Or something.

˖᯽ ݁˖

“Miss Yu!?”

Minjeong’s eyes went wide, practically popping out of her head as she stared at the figure on her front step... during work hours no less.... “What… what are you doing here? How do you even know I’m here… what…”

And there she was. 

Standing right there...

In all her CEO glory...

Yu Jimin, with a pharmacy labelled bag in one hand... and a lunch bag in the other...

Perfectly dressed, perfectly poised, heels clicking against the apartment's balcony corridor like she owned the entire street. 

“Do you have any tea at home?”

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

I swear I was in a fever dream writing this chapter.. 


Thanks for reading guys! <3

Chapter Text

Do you know what it feels like to suffocate and drown at the same time?

To be reduced to nothing more than a pathetic pile of tissues and regret?

To have your body betray you so completely that even something as simple as breathing properly feels like a privilege reserved only for royalty? 

Because that right there, in Apartment 3B... was exactly how Kim Minjeong felt.

Specifically, in her nose. Her right nostril to be exact.

Because, lord, every breath through it was like fighting a war against her own biology.

Let me breatheeeeeeeee

Were truly the only thoughts that entered her mind anymore as Minjeong just laid there... completely sprawled across her tiny little couch like a fallen soldier.

She was cocooned in two mismatched blankets that had completely swallowed her whole, with her hair stuck out in ten different directions. She had been too lazy to even bother with it.

Her nose was rubbed raw from tissues

There was also a cup of ramen on the coffee table that had nothing left but remaining overseasoned soup that she couldn't even taste anyway. 

The woman groaned at her own misfortune...

Coughed for some added dramatic effect...

Then groaned again, just in case the universe didn't hear the first one properly.

Truly, she was suffering.

Suffering and suffering...

Because-

GODDAMNIT NOSE CAN YOU JUST POKE AN AIR HOLE OR SOMETHING GEEZ

Ding Dong

"Urghhhhh"

Had the fallen soldier not suffered enough already?

Was crawling through the trenches of seasonal flu not punishment enough?

Hadn’t she given the universe everything it wanted.... her dignity, her ability to breathe through her nose, her taste buds that had abandoned her at dawn. Honestly, she never thought she’d miss the bland taste of plain white milk this much.

And now… now she was expected to rise from her abode, and answer the door?

Some inconsiderate visitor had dared ring her bell at a time like this?

She pressed the back of her hand to her forehead, sighing like a widow in mourning.

This is so unfair...

If this were death, then please, let it be quick.

ding dong.

Minjeong whimpered.

Couldn’t they just… like… go away? Leave her to rot in peace with her soggy tissue army and her half-eaten ramen? Was that too much to ask?

DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG!

"Oh em geeeeee..."

Her brain spun painfully slow, like a dial-up modem from 1998.

Who even was this?

Not her landlord. He only ever showed up when rent was late.... and for once, by some miracle of miracles, she was actually up to date.

It couldn’t be her brother either. She hadn’t seen him in ages, and there was no way he’d suddenly come knocking out of the blue.

Oh man, surely not those guys...  please... anytime but today already...

Her delirium then came up with another theory. 

Oh, maybe it's Jimin.

Minjeong actually managed to snort at the thought, which was impressive given that her nose was basically out of service.

Yeah, right. As if.

Jimin was probably in her pristine office, sipping something hot while terrorising upper management without even breaking a sweat.

So… then who?

Who could possibly be right at her doorbell in the middle of-

She grabbed her phone and squinted.

3 pm!

On a workday.

No one would just randomly rock up at a time like this.

Ningning?

Minjeong's eyebrows furrowed as she pondered that possibility. 

She had been spamming her friend earlier with hourly updates of her absolute SUFFERAGE.

Maybe the girl had finally caved and showed up with something hot and fresher than instant ramen.

“Oh, thank god…” Minjeong croaked, peeling herself off the couch. She dragged her blanket cocoon behind her like a cape, shuffling toward the door with all the majesty of a dying slug.

It had to be Ningning. Sweet, thoughtful Ningning, who had promised, if she had time to take a small break, to bring her a steaming bowl of healing, life-restoring udon. Just the thought had Minjeong practically tasting noodles, broth, maybe even an egg. (though she doubts she could really taste anything right now anyway, )

She wrapped her hand around the knob, hope blooming in her chest, and yanked the door open.

And-

“Miss Yu!?”

Minjeong’s eyes nearly bulged out of her skull, not really believing it was actually Jimin standing right in front of her.

"It's-" She fumbled, grabbing her phone and checking it again just to be sure, “it’s like… three-oh-one. What are you doing here- wait" She squinted at the taller woman "Do you even know where you are?"

Jimin tilted her chin, just enough that the sunglasses perched lower on her nose.

"So I see. You are not dead."

...

...

"What- wait-" Minjeong sputtered, suddenly aware she was still wrapped up like a human burrito. In a fit of panic, she yanked the blanket off and shoved it behind her, only succeeding in looking even more pitiful. "What-  are you doing here... how do even know I'm here- what...?"

"Checking on my employee"

"You-"  Minjeong started, but stopped when Jimin extended both arms forward, right in front of her.

In one hand, she held a pharmacy-labelled bag and in the other something that looked like a lunch bag. 

"Cold Medicine." Jimin's voice was a bit too cool and nonchalant for someone who just popped up at her secretary's doorstep with no notice. "It's FluAway tablets, take one every six hours. And this" She lifted up her left hand a little bit more than the other. "is soup. Ginseng Chicken Soup. I had my personal chef make this."

"You have a personal chef..?" MInjeong asked the real question. 

"He works externally and delivers me what I ask"

"I- hold up" Minjeong had to take a moment to process everything. "You came here.. to deliver me soup and medicine?"

"Don’t make this weird," Jimin snapped, a little too quickly, pushing the bags against Minjeong’s chest until she had no choice but to take them.

"I'm not making this weird- you showed up at my apartment with lunch and pharmaceuticals!

"Because you’re a liability when you’re half-dead," Jimin shot back, brushing past her into the apartment without permission. "That’s all."

Minjeong turned, still clutching the bags, flustered beyond words. “Miss Yu…”

Jimin ignored her, setting her sunglasses neatly on the coffee table as though she owned the place, but though her outer person showed confidence... her voice came out clipped... as if she was betraying the faintest edge of nerves.

“…Do you have any tea at home?”

Minjeong blinked. Once. Twice. She lowered the bags in her arms, staring at her boss like she’d just grown a second head.

"Tea...?"

“Chamomile, preferably.”

The woman didn't move for a second...

She glanced down at the bags pressed into her hands… then back up at Jimin. Her eyes darted down again, to the bags, then back up one more time... like her brain needed extra confirmation that this was actually happening.

"..."

"..."

“What?” Jimin finally snapped as the silence gnawed at her nerves. “Why are you just staring at me like that?”

"You look like a strawberry"

"Excuse me?"

"You're cheeks... they look red like a strawberry"

Jimin slapped her palms against her face on instinct, "No they're not-" Her words simmered out as she felt just how warm they were "They're- you- you are the sick one, obviously, so you’re the one who’s red! Not me!"

"I know, Miss Yu," Minjeong's words came out simply... along with a small smile... I just thought you looked extra pretty today, like that. I feel like a monkey standing next to you"

Jimin froze.

Huh...

Is it because Minjeong is sick...?

Did the fever fry her brain? Was that why she was saying things like that so boldly?

Despite her thoughts... her heart still couldn't help but give a small thump at the comment....

But before Jimin could sputter out a response, Minjeong’s expression twisted suddenly. Her smile faltered, her eyes narrowing just a fraction as if something inside her shifted into concern. Her eyes even shifted between where Jimin was standing.. to where she had left her sunglasses.

"Miss Yu... you really shouldn't be inside here, you-" Minjeong started... but midway, the words broke apart when her chest suddenly heaved.. and before she knew it, she was pulled right into a coughing fit. 

or a moment, the apartment was filled with nothing but the sound of Minjeong’s ragged coughs.

And with it went whatever sharp retort Jimin had been preparing... dissolving completely in her throat.

There her secretary was… coughing up a storm, nose raw and red, her whole frame trembling beneath the weight of a flu that had her firmly in its grip.

God.. she really is sick

And...

And what...? what was Jimin doing? Standing here like an intruder who had barged into her employee’s home unannounced, acting like this was just another boardroom meeting.

HR would never approve of this...

Hell, now that the initial adrenaline had drained from her system, Jimin wasn’t even sure she approved of this.

I was too impulsive...

She had picked that up from Minjeong, she supposed... but standing here now, watching her like this, she could only regret how she’d managed the whole ordeal.

“Hey…” Forgetting the fluster from earlier, Jimin’s voice softened, her feet carrying her forward before her brain could catch up. “Hey, take it easy. Sit down before you collapse-”

But Minjeong leaned back, pulling herself away just as Jimin’s hand was about to reach her.

The movement stopped Jimin cold. Her hand hovered uselessly in the air, fingers curling in on themselves before falling back to her side.

Of course...

That look... and the hesitation...

She must have freaked her out. Storming in here, dragging the chaos of her world into Minjeong’s space.

She understood.

“This was intrusive,” Jimin said at last, her voice thinner than she meant it to be. “I shouldn’t have come barging in. But I just-” She kept talking, even as Minjeong was still caught in the tail end of her coughing fit, unsure if any of it was even being heard. “I wanted to make sure you were taking care of yourself. That you had what you needed to… get better.” Her gaze flicked to the half-empty ramen cup on the table. “It’s not the same without you in the office, everything’s been… off. I’ve been off.” She cleared her throat, forcing her posture straighter. “That’s all.” Silence stretched for a beat as the cough completely subsided “I’m sorry. Did I… scare you or something?”

"Huh, what-" Minjeong quickly blew out a breath, trying to reset her lungs.

"Did-" Jimin raised an eyebrow "Did you even hear what I just said-"

"what-"

“You avoided me because I scared you, maybe?” Jimin pressed, arms folding again, like the gesture could protect her from the answer.

“Huh? No.” Minjeong shook her head quickly, then cleared her throat again. “Miss Yu, I just… I don’t want you to get sick. You have the Global Investor Forum soon, don’t you? It’s practically a gala. You can’t show up sick because of me.”

...

What

"The forum...?" Truth be told... after everything that had happened since her father last visited... Jimin had completely forgotten that; that was the very reason her old man had shown up in the first place. "Is that not still two weeks away?"

"You never know with the flu and incubation period these days."

"That.. doesn't even make any sense, wait-" Realisation finally crashed onto Jimin "Did you lean back just then so I wouldn't get sick?"

“Of course I did.” Minjeong’s reply was immediate, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Her lips curled into something resembling a smile, though it was tired and crooked after the coughing. “If you caught this, the entire upper floor would implode. You’re… you know. You.” Her gaze flicked up, just for a second. “Besides, you’re terrible at resting. If I’m like this, you’d be three times worse. I’m saving the company by keeping you away.”

Jimin scoffed, but it was empty. Her fingers and nails twitched against her own palm as she stared at anything but Minjeong. “That’s ridiculous.” The words weren’t even aimed at Minjeong anymore. They were at her. “I’m vaccinated, you know.”

“I still can’t run the risk of you trying to lead meetings with a fever. You’d sign contracts between sneezes. You’d terrify the board more than usual.”

And there it was again. Even now, when Minjeong could barely breathe, the woman was still looking out for her.

She had always been like this, hasn't she?

Months... just months... she’d been working by her side. And yet it was a rhythm Jimin already recognised.

Every single time...

No matter what...

Minjeong was there...  

Yes, as her secretary.

But it always felt more personal.

Like it wasn’t just about the job...It was as if Minjeong wanted to take care of Jimin as a person... and the latter just wasn't used to that...

It was a complete foreign concept to her... but even then... subconsciously... Jimin had wanted to return the favour at least once...

Yet here she was.

Standing in Minjeong’s apartment, feeling rather ridiculous for how she’d handled everything. Out of a million ways she could have done this, she had picked the worst one: invading the space of someone who clearly needed to rest.

"I really do appreciate this, though, Miss Yu" Minjeong's voice managed to snap Jimin out of her trance.  “Thank you for the soup and the medicine… It’s really kind. Not many people would go out of their way like this, let alone for just an employee. I really… appreciate it. And truthfully, I’d love to invite you to stay, but-” Her eyes dimmed for just a flicker, but it was gone before Jimin even caught it. “But you should head back. The office needs you more than I do right now.”

It almost felt weird to be quite frank...

That, even with her cheeks burning from a high fever, and even though Jimin basically just barged in out of nowhere... Minjeong still wanted to prioritise her before herself.

Oh, it made her feel pathetic.

Why did being near Minjeong always make her feel pathetic?

"Sorry" Minjeong spoke again "I would offer tea, I actually bought a big bag of chamomile not too long ago, but I don't want any virus to sneak its way in there.. and also" She smiles faintly again, I think even the kettle would stage a protest if I tried to use it right now” She laughed weakly, but it was smothered by another cough.

And Jimin had no idea what to do with herself. 

Truth be told, she wasn’t sure why she was here at all.

She didn’t know what invisible force compelled her to call her private chef and have him prepare soup and medicine.

Or what sorcery had made her order the car to this quiet neighbourhood in the middle of the workday?

She didn’t even understand herself anymore.

Let alone this feeling that was making her chest tighten as she stood here... watching her secretary attempting to ignore her own sickness to cater to her boss' selfish presence. 

“…Please.” Jimin’s voice slipped out softer than she meant, stripped of its usual bite. “Just get better, Minjeong. Drink the soup. Take the medicine. Get better. That’s an order.”

"I will... sorry I couldn't come in again"

“Shut up.” The taller of the two strode toward the door, then spun back around, finger aimed squarely at Minjeong’s forehead. “I hate silly people. And what you said just now was beyond silly.”

Minjeong’s lips curved to that once again. “…Yes, Miss Yu.”

"Good"

With that, Jimin turned once more and walked out the door.

The door didn't shut properly on her way out, so Minjeong dragged herself over to finish the job... before letting her forehead rest against the cool wood.

A small, tight feeling pulled against her chest then... 

Because truth be told…

Despite all the responsible words that had come out of her mouth…

Selfishly, she had wanted Jimin to stay.

Just her boss being here.. believe it or not, gave her an inclination of strength she hadn't felt all day. 

But even then… she had to send her away. Not for Jimin. But for her own sake. 

“Sorry, Miss Yu… but I really didn’t want you to see me like this.” A tired sigh slipped out as she leaned back and allowed her gaze to sweep over her tiny apartment as a whole.. until her eyes landed on the stacks of letters looming on her coffee table.. 

Besides it, Jimin had forgotten her sunglasses there. 

The sight made Minjeong frown.

She wondered then in the two seconds Jimin had stepped in.. if she had seen too much already...

It was definitely unlikely... the envelopes aren't even open... but still...

I should put these in a drawer somewhere

Even with her fever leaving her dizzy, she forced herself to gather the entire stack in her arms and stumbled straight into her room, shutting the door behind her with more force than necessary.

The letters would never see the light of day again. Not if she could help it.

"If you know who I really am Miss Yu.. I'm afraid it might disgust you..."

She let out another sigh as she closed her drawer.

"You really did look beautiful today.. You look beautiful every day"

˖᯽ ݁˖

Finally arriving in front of her driver's car, Jimin quickly gets in and shuts the door behind her.

And the moment she sat down... 

"Oh my god"

Her hands flew up to cover her face. “What the hell was I thinking? That was so-” she dropped them back into her lap with a groan, “-I don’t even know what that was.”

"Back to the office? Miss Yu?" Her driver's voice radiated from the front. His eyes made contact with Jimin's through the rear view mirror.

It made the woman sit straight immediately and compose herself.

"Yes, back to the office."

The engine rumbled immediately at her command..

But just as the car was about to pull off the curb... another vehicle slid just into view.

It was a small black car.. with very dark tinted windows that parked up just behind them.

Two men climbed out then.... dressed quite plainly and walked directly to the apartment complex that Minjeong resides in.

Are they neighbours.... gosh, their vibes are off...

Jimin's chest couldn't help but prickle with an odd feeling, her driver finally pulled away from the scene....

Her place is so small though... Staring out the window now.. of course, her mind went straight back to where she left. It's cramped...

Her fingers tapped once against her knee...

Are we… not paying her enough?

˖᯽ ݁˖

3 days.

It took only 3 days for her to recover from the worst flu of the season this year.

Jimin takes everything she had thought and said back.

Minjeong really is superhuman.

Because right after returning to her office that day...following her rather… impulsive visit to her secretary’s, Jimin had sat at her desk and pulled up the medical reports on this particular virus that had been spiralling around this spring.

And god, the thing sounded like it wanted to personally crawl into people’s lungs and set up permanent residency.

Normally, recovery time was a week. At minimum.

But Minjeong? Of course, it only took her several days.

She would like to think the soup and medicine had done some magic here... but even then... the comeback was too impressive.

Jimin shall never doubt Minjeong's abilities again. Her tenacity… to just... well… work...is actually insane.

On the bright side, though, with her secretary back early, it did mean that her own week-long tension headache had vanished right alongside Minjeong’s fever.

It was gone! POOF.

Just like that.

What a coincidence.

Suddenly, everything felt streamlined again. 

The sky was bluer, the air smelled fresher, and Jimin no longer wanted to strangle half the board of directors.

Amazing what one secretary could do.

Yes. Things were back to normal.

Nothing could possibly go wrong now.

…Well. Except the upcoming gala.

The Global Investor Forum

In other words… her Mount Everest.

The one night she couldn’t afford a single misstep. Every powerhouse, every investor worth their salt, every shark in an evening gown would be there. And she, Yu Jimin, had to not only survive it but dominate it.

So yes. There was a bit of a rush to get everything ready.

And maybe now that Minjeong was back, and Jimin wasn’t silently panicking about her secretary dying on her watch, she was now free to silently panic about something else.

But that was totally fine.

"Tea, Miss Yu?”

Jimin didn't even bother to react with her usual pretence. She accepted the cup faster than she probably should’ve, fingers brushing Minjeong’s lightly before she forced herself to pull back and settle into her chair with a nod.

“Thank you.”

She didn’t sip until after Minjeong returned to her post, of course. She had to at least look like she wasn’t depending on her secretary for her emotional stability.

Not that she was! Obviously...But she didn't want that misconception made either... Yeah.. that's right.

She took a second sip.

God.

Morning chamomile. Who even was she anymore?

She couldn’t believe she’d been converted to this ridiculous habit. Somehow it tasted better in the middle of the workday, like a secret indulgence she’d never admit to anyone.

Steeped just right... wow...

Her phone buzzed against the desk.

And thus ended her second of momentary bliss.

Jimin lets out a sigh before glancing down... only for her to feel her head explode the moment she saw the caller.

Her father’s name glared up at her from the screen.

Of course, he would be calling in this exact moment. 

Her spine snapped straight immediately, and her hands tightened around the cup as though the chamomile could stop the cold rush of sudden dread that was pumping up into her veins.

He must be calling about the forum next week...

Shit...

She swiped to answer.

"Father.."

"Jimin." His voice came through rather chirpier than usual. At least that was enough to let Jimin's shoulder loosen just a tad. “I trust you’re preparing properly for the Forum?”

"Yes, of course" But obviously, Jimin can't afford to be too relaxed here. Her answer must still be clipped and practised. She even straightened further in her chair despite him not being able to see her. “Everything is under control.”

“Hmm.” A noise of pure doubt hummed through the speaker. “Under control. Yes, I’ve heard that before.”

“It is under control. The presentations, the investors, the projections-”

“Spare me the rehearsed list,” he cut in “, I’m not calling to be reassured. Confidence was never your problem. However, discipline... well, ever since the shareholder dinner last quarter, it is clear to me that that is another story of its own."

Jimin's nails dug lightly into her thigh beneath the desk. She hated how easily he could still slice her down with a single word. Especially when the whole mishap last quarter was due to a complete miscommunication from another party. It hadn’t even been her fault.

“And to ensure there are no… incidents,” her father continued, voice smooth in that way that made her want to hurl the phone out the window. “I’ve decided that your secretary as your only line of support is insufficient.”

Jimin’s brows furrowed. “Insufficient? Minjeong is-"

“I’m sending someone else to manage things properly. To make sure everything is in order for you”

"That really is not necessary-"

“I think,” it was as if he hadn’t even heard her protest, or perhaps he simply didn’t care, “there isn’t anyone better than having family mitigate you.”

Family...

For some reason, that simple word hit colder than ice, running down her spine like a warning bell...

Wait...

"Family?" Her voice stumbled as she forced it out, "Father- Don't tell me-"

“It’s already been arranged. She should be arriving any minute now.”

Any minute!?

Something sharp twisted in her chest...

And Jimin.. to be frank.. did not appreciate that feeling at all.

___________

Meanwhile, at the exact same time as Jimin's phone call, on the ground floor of Yunity:

Ding

The elevator doors glided open.

And in she came.

A woman in heels that clicked perfectly against the marble, with a perfect straight posture and a stride so smooth.. it was like she was gliding through air.

Along with it.. she brought a type of confidence that was clearly not bought... but inherited.

Her hair framed her face like it had been cut by the gods, her smile curved just enough to be approachable while somehow dripping in self-assurance. 

Even as she turned in the elevator to face the doors again, the entire space felt smaller around her.

___________

“Father, I really don’t think this is needed,” Jimin pressed through her teeth, already moving across her office. She couldn’t sit still.

“Jimin, you will do as I say.”

She gritted her teeth harder, already deciding she was going to send this woman away the second she arrived. "..."

"And don't even think about sending her away. This arrangement is not reversible or negotiable"

DAMNIT

___________

DING.

As the elevator made its slow climb, people filtered in and out at nearly every floor.

And yet... every single one of them stole a glance at the woman inside.

She didn’t have to speak; her presence alone drew their attention like gravity.

A couple of young men flushed the instant she shifted her weight, one so distracted he nearly missed his floor. A girl from legal, caught staring too long, fumbled with her bag strap and nearly tripped over it on her way out.

Sometimes the staring went on too long... long enough for her gaze to flick over and catch them in the act.

When it did, she’d offer a smile.

Not just any smile, but the kind that landed like a shot straight to the heart.

By the time the doors slid open again, half the elevator was left dazed and pink-cheeked, staring at the closing doors as though they’d just witnessed something divine.

The woman, meanwhile, hadn’t broken her composure once.

She was steady.

Perfectly patient.

Waiting for the top floor as if the whole building were hers already.

___________

“Father,” Jimin stopped on her tracks and tried again. She knew better than to keep pushing back, but she was gripping on her last strand of composure here “We are not anticipating bringing in someone new at this stage. We’ll have to rebook everything. It’s too last-minute. Unrealistic.”

“I’ve already had my men reroute everything, so this will work.”

“Reroute?"

“We’ve overridden your secretary’s schedule and bookings and made additional adjustments to accommodate this extra help. I believe this will ensure there will be no need for anymore extra steps on your end"

"What!?" She yanked her phone back from her ear to stare at it, as if that would change the words, before shoving it back."Father-"

"That is all."

The line went dead before she could say another word.

"URGH"

___________

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.

And finally... the woman had made it to her floor.

"Oh Jimin" She murmured under her breath as her heels finally clicked out from the elevator, “Look at you go, having your office on the very top floor. It took me ages to get up here.” She smirked faintly before shaking her head. “What an unnecessary waste of time.”

She strolled forward.. with every step carrying a kind of aura that turned the air heavier around her... whether you liked it or not.

Her eyes flicked toward the CEO’s door in the distance, but her trajectory shifted when she noticed the new secretary's desk just outside.

Of course, she decided to make a quick stop first, pausing just in front of the desk and tilting her head at the figure buried in work.

Minjeong didn’t notice her at first. Head down, headphones on, she was completely absorbed in whatever she was typing, oblivious to the world around her.

After all, no one ever came up to the top floor without a reason… and certainly not unannounced.

“Hello~” The single word, honeyed and lilting, was enough to slice through the quiet. But when that wasn't enough to draw Minjeong's attention, the woman lifted her hand in a graceful little wave.

"Oh-!" Minjeong startled so badly she yanked at her headphones so fast they slipped right through her fingers and hit the floor with a clatter. She bent too quickly to catch them, only to smack her knee against the underside of the desk. “Ow- ah- I’m so sorry-”

The woman laughed.

Sweetly, of course, hand lifted so that the joint of her index finger just brushed the tip of her bottom lip as she did.

It was the kind of laugh that would be music to anyone's ears.

She shifted her head slightly, allowing her glossy hair to fall smoothly down one side as her smile widened. “You don’t need to apologise. I thought that was rather… endearing.”

Finally managing to snag her headphones, Minjeong looked up.

And just like that, her breath caught in her chest.

Because whatever she was expecting

She was not expecting THAT

Pretty didn’t even begin to cover it. This woman was striking, every line of her face was unfairly symmetrical and her aura was so strong it practically spilled across the desk and knocked the words right out of Minjeong’s mouth.

It definitely took her by surprise... that's for sure.

“I- um- hello,” Minjeong stammered, a warmth creeping up the back of her neck until her cheeks bloomed faintly pink. She was feeling a bit embarrassed from the earlier events just then.

The woman leaned in just a little, her eyes narrowing with a playful curve, as if she now had a secret between them that only she knew. "You must be Jimin’s secretary.”

“Oh, I- yes, I am, it’s nice to-” Minjeong fumbled, awkwardly pushing her chair back and standing too quickly. In a desperate attempt at formality, she thrust out her hand. “I’m- Kim Minjeong.”

A soft velvety laugh slipped past the woman’s lips.

She accepted the handshake without hesitation.

Allowing her elegant fingers to wrap around Minjeong's clumsy grip.

But her eyes never left Minjeong’s face, watching her fluster as if it was the most entertaining thing in the world.

"How cute.."

"Hm?" Minjeong wasn't sure she heard correctly.

"Nice to meet you Minjeong. I'm Jang-"

The CEO’s door swung open with a loud swing.

“Min-” Jimin’s voice halted, her gaze freezing on the sight in front of her.

The hands

Two hands... locked together... 

Her eyes flicked up, catching Minjeong’s flushed face, then... to the other woman’s smile like she was enjoying the show.

"Wonyoung?"

Suddenly, the sharp twisted feeling in her chest only dug deeper.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I like triangles, what can I say :D

Apologies for the quality and the delay. I've been quite tired lately and this week definitely took the cake. I think I need to follow Jimin's lead and drink some chamomile myself. 

I hope everyone is having a great day! Thank you once again for reading this story. 

Chapter Text

A/N: New cover for the fic! :: Cover on asianfanfics - Because AO3 doesn't allow covers :((

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Wonyoung?”

“Oh, Jiminie!”

The name had left Jimin’s lips like some kind of curse… but the response that came back sounded sweet enough to make the tension cut even deeper.

Yep.

Even if the CEO was blind, she’d know that tone from anywhere.

Wonyoung’s hand finally slipped free from Minjeong’s, and Jimin’s gaze dropped again, just to double-check that yes, she really had just seen that.

And before she could even process it, Wonyoung was already gliding toward her, before stopping right in front of her and looping her arms around Jimin’s neck in a hug that felt far too rehearsed to be genuine.

Jimin stood stiff, eyes wide, arms hovering awkwardly at her sides. She didn’t return the hug… her mind was stuck on one thing and one thing only.

Of all people.

It just had to be her.

Jang Wonyoung.

Age: 24

Technically, she was Jimin’s cousin.

She didn't carry the Yu Surname, but that didn’t stop the family legacy from sitting heavy on her shoulders all the same. They were distant cousins after all... distant enough to keep her in her own lane, but close enough that the comparisons had always been there.

There had always been whispers...

That if Jimin hadn’t stepped up after her sister’s abrupt departure… then maybe, just maybe, it would’ve been Wonyoung standing in her place instead.

Neither of them ever entertained those rumours out loud... but in a family tree as tangled as the Yu’s, there was never a shortage of speculation.

And that didn’t mean the weight wasn’t real.

After Jimin took over as CEO, Wonyoung, despite being years younger, carried an equal amount of ambition and eventually veered off in her own direction. Straight into the cutthroat world of consulting, of all things.

By twenty-three she had already built a name that made executives twice her age sit straighter. She didn’t need Yunity stamped on her résumé to prove she belonged in the room.

But every now and then, the family still called her back.

Legacy had a way of reaching across whatever distance she tried to keep.

And this time… of course, it was Jimin’s father who had called her in...

To Wonyoung’s delight.

And... let’s be real... to Jimin’s complete horror.

Because, really, they had never liked each other. Not as kids. Not as adults.

“It’s been such a long time,” Wonyoung murmured against her ear before pulling back with that radiant, all-teeth smile of hers. “I look forward to working with you for the next couple of weeks.”

“Couple…?” Jimin repeated slowly, as if the word itself needed time to process through her brain cells.

“Oh, didn’t your father tell you?” Wonyoung’s tone was honey-smooth, but there was a glint in her eyes sharp enough to slice. “Even after the Forum, where I’m sure you’ll get plenty of interest from investors, I’ve been instructed to stay on. Just to ensure you actually keep their interest.” Her smile widened, but Jimin could hear the sting behind it “You know, follow-through has never exactly been your strength.”

Oh ho ho?

“I’m not too sure where you’ve heard that one before.” Jimin leaned back slightly, matching her smile for smile. “But I’ll have you know, I have many strengths, including that one. Not sure where your claim is coming from here.”

Wonyoung’s brows lifted, feigning surprise, though the sparkle in her eyes said otherwise. “Oh, come on, Jiminie. Don’t look at me like that. You know how stories spread in this family.”

Jimin mirrored her perfectly, though the faint twitch in her jaw gave her away. “Oh, trust me. I know exactly how stories spread. Especially when you’re the one whispering them.”

Minjeong, standing awkwardly by her desk, looked like she’d just stumbled into a minefield wearing clown shoes.

“I’d never,” Wonyoung gasped, pressing a delicate hand to her mouth in mock offence. “You wound me.” Then, tilting her head, she added with sweetness, “Besides, I’m not here to compete. I’m here to help. Family helping family, isn’t that what your father said?”

That made Jimin’s smile falter, just slightly.

God, she just wished that man would just leave her alone.