TAEHYUNG-

It had only been a week since Y/n started her internship at KTH Enterprise, and yet I already found myself unconsciously searching for her presence around the office. It was subtle, something I tried to ignore at first, but it had quickly become undeniable. Every time she walked by, focused and determined, a part of me wanted to observe her just a bit longer, catch that look of concentration on her face. She was different from anyone I'd met—bright, passionate, and full of life.

It wasn't as if we interacted much, at least not directly. She was an intern, and I was her boss. The few times we'd spoken were brief, professional, and efficient, as expected in a work environment. But somehow, just knowing she was around was... comforting, if not slightly unsettling. This was unusual for me. I'd spent years building walls around myself, convincing myself that my career was enough, that I didn't need anyone else, that love was something for other people—not for someone like me.

My parent's separation when I was young had cemented that belief. I'd seen firsthand how messy love could get, how fragile and fleeting it could be. I promised myself I'd never let my emotions get tangled like that, that I would keep my heart guarded. And yet... here I was, with Y/n somehow slipping through the cracks in my defenses without even realizing it.

This morning, I walked past her desk on my way to a meeting. She was focused, her brows furrowed slightly as she read through a document, completely absorbed in her work. There was something endearing about it, seeing her so dedicated. Without even realizing it, I slowed my steps just to watch her for a moment longer. Her presence was like a quiet spark in the office—a warmth that I hadn't noticed before but now found myself seeking.

One of my colleagues nudged me as we entered the meeting room, snapping me out of my thoughts. I shook my head, trying to refocus. This wasn't right. I was her boss, and she was just starting out in her career. Whatever feelings were stirring inside me needed to be pushed aside. I couldn't let them interfere, for her sake and for my own. I had always prided myself on my professionalism, on my ability to separate my emotions from my work. But with Y/n, it felt like a losing battle.

After the meeting, I found myself walking by her department again, as if drawn to her presence. This time, she looked up and caught me glancing her way. Our eyes met, and I quickly looked away, feeling an uncharacteristic awkwardness settle over me. When had I ever felt awkward over a simple glance? She smiled politely, a slight nod in acknowledgment, and I felt my heart beat just a little faster.

I had to stop this. It wasn't healthy. She was here to work, to learn, to build her future, and I was her mentor, not her... anything else. But the more I tried to push these feelings away, the stronger they seemed to grow.

Later in the day, I spotted her in the break room. She was laughing with a few of her fellow interns, her face lighting up as she shared a joke. That smile... it was captivating. Genuine, pure, and unguarded. I realized that I hadn't felt this kind of warmth in years. My life had been about success, about reaching the top, about fulfilling expectations. But standing there, watching her laugh freely, I wondered if perhaps I'd missed out on something more important along the way.

I stepped away before anyone could notice I was lingering, retreating to my office to gather my thoughts. I needed to get a grip on myself. Y/n deserved someone who could be open with her, someone who didn't carry around a baggage of complicated emotions and fears about love. She deserved someone who could meet her with the same light and warmth she brought into the room.

Sighing, I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. I felt conflicted. A part of me wanted to get closer to her, to know her beyond the occasional exchange in the office. I wanted to know her story, her dreams, what made her laugh, and what kept her up at night. But I knew that would be crossing a line. And for all I knew, I could be reading too much into this. Maybe she didn't feel anything for me—why would she? I was just her boss, another person in her professional world.

There was a knock on my door, and my assistant entered with a stack of files. I tried to shake off my thoughts as I took the documents from her. I needed to focus on my work and push these thoughts aside. The company was going through some major transitions, and I needed to be present, not distracted.

But as I skimmed through the files, I couldn't help but wonder... what if I allowed myself this one thing? What if, for once, I didn't shut my emotions down? What if I let myself feel, just a little?

The thought lingered, tempting and dangerous. But ultimately, I knew better. I wasn't ready to take that risk—not yet. And she deserved someone who could be fully present with her, someone who wouldn't hold back. So, I would keep my distance. For her sake... and for mine. At least, that's what I told myself as I buried my feelings once more, hoping they'd stay hidden where they belonged.

As the day ended, I saw her gathering her things, preparing to leave. She looked my way, a hint of curiosity in her gaze, and for a brief second, our eyes met once again. But as she walked away, I reminded myself of who I was, of what I had promised myself years ago. And with a heavy heart, I turned back to my desk, forcing myself to focus on the work in front of me.

Yet somehow, I knew this wasn't the last time I'd be struggling with these thoughts.

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