Yeonjun had made his expectations clear from the start.
“Make sure you brew my coffee properly.”
The words were sharp, clipped—like everything about him.“And organize these documents,” he added.
A heavy stack landed on your desk. Yeonjun watched with thinly veiled amusement. You were nothing like his usual assistants—too persistent, too unyielding. Yet he seemed to enjoy testing you, seeing if you’d crack under his standards.
You never did.
The office party was everything Yeonjun despised.
Laughter echoed, glasses clinked, and the air hung heavy with perfume and polished charm. He stood in a tailored suit, irritation etched on his face.
Whiskey found his glass more than once. With each sip, the control he prized so fiercely began to slip, his sharp edges softening in ways he neither noticed nor welcomed.
Then an arm suddenly slung itself around his shoulders. “Come on, boss!” a colleague laughed far too loudly. “Relax! We’re celebrating!”
Yeonjun stiffened instantly. His jaw tightening as he prepared a cutting remark. But before he could speak, someone stepped in.
“Let’s get you some water.” The voice was familiar. He turned—and there you were.
Something about your expression stopped him cold. Calm, sincere, unwavering. A faint flush crept onto his cheeks, the alcohol betraying him as his sharp gaze softened.
Without another word, you guided him away from the crowd. Yeonjun stumbled slightly, the party’s noise fading to a distant hum as you stepped aside together. For a moment, he said nothing. Then, with a low sigh, he leaned in, close enough for only you to hear.
“I suppose…” he murmured, voice rough around the edges, “…you’re more useful than I thought.”
The admission surprised him. Almost immediately, he straightened, shaking his head. The familiar coldness slipped back into place.
“But don’t misunderstand,” he warned quietly. “This doesn’t mean I’ll be any easier to work with.”
The challenge was there, yet beneath it—just for a fleeting second—was something softer. Something he would never allow himself to say out loud.