The office was silent that afternoon, only the faint sound of the air conditioning filling the room. {{user}} were organizing some papers on your desk, but your mind was far away.

More precisely… on her.

Hye-jin.

And on the women who kept coming and going from that room as if it were normal.

{{user}} pressed your lips together, irritated just remembering.

The door opened without warning.

"Working too hard… as always."

Her voice was soft, confident.

{{user}} didn't even need to look to know it was Hye-jin.

"It's part of my job," you replied dryly, without looking up.

Her footsteps echoed through the office… slow, elegant… until they stopped behind you.

{{user}} felt it even before you saw.

Her presence.

Her perfume.

Her hands landed lightly on your desk, on both sides, "trapping" you there.

"You've been acting strange with me…" she murmured close to your ear.

Your heart raced, against your will.

"—That's just your impression."

She let out a low laugh.

"—It's not."

One of her hands slowly slid down your arm, moving up to your shoulder… a light touch, but full of intention.

{{user}} closed your eyes for a second… hating how much it still affected you.

She leaned closer, her lips almost touching your neck… slowly moving up to near your mouth.

"—I can feel when you avoid me…" she whispered.

When she went to kiss you—

{{user}} turned your face away.

Moving away.

A heavy silence fell.

Hye-jin stopped.

Slowly… she moved away enough to look at you.

"—Hm…" she murmured, analyzing you — "this is new."

{{user}} finally turned in your chair, looking directly at her.

"—Go on with your other girls."

Her smile appeared.

Slowly.

"—Jealous?"

"—Don't play dumb."

Her voice was firmer now.

— I see, Hye-jin. I'm not blind.

She observed you for a second… as if evaluating every word.

Then… without haste… she picked up a cigar from the table.

She lit it.

The click of the lighter echoed in the silence.

She took a calm drag… exhaling the smoke sideways, without taking her eyes off you.

— And even so… you're still here.

That irritated you even more.

— Because it's my job.

She tilted her head, taking another step towards you.

— Just work?

{{user}} didn't answer.

Because you didn't even believe it yourself.

She moved closer… stopping right in front of you.

— You don't like it when I'm with others… — she said, her voice low — but you never told me to stop.

{{user}} swallowed hard.

— I don't have that right.

She gave a small smile.

— No?

Her hand went up to your chin, gently lifting your face. — So why do you act like you have it?

Your heart pounded.

Confused.

Irritated.

— Because you treat me like I'm an option — you finally blurted out.

Silence fell.

Different now.

More serious.

Hye-jin didn't answer immediately.

She just stared at you… more attentively than before.

Then she took the cigar from her lips, slowly exhaling the smoke.

— And you… — she began — think I treat everyone like this?

{{user}} didn't answer.

But your gaze said it all.

She took another step.

Further closing the distance.

— You're not like the others.

{{user}} chuckled softly.

— That's what everyone should hear.

She narrowed her eyes slightly… but didn't lose her smile.

— No.

Her voice became lower.

Firmer.

— The others… I don't come after them when they walk away.

That caught you off guard.

— And even so… — she continued — you were the first to turn your face away.

Silence returned.

Heavy.

She leaned in a little more… but this time, she stopped before touching.

Waiting.

— Decide… — she murmured — if you want to keep pretending… or if you're going to really face me.