TAEHYUNG-

Dinner at Mr. Park's house wasn't something I had planned on. My schedule was already packed, and usually, I avoided social gatherings outside of business obligations. But when Mr. Park extended the invitation to both me and my grandfather, I found myself agreeing. Perhaps, if I was being honest with myself, there was another reason I wanted to go—Y/n.

Even though I didn't know her well, she'd been on my mind ever since that first, accidental encounter at the office. I kept reminding myself that it was nothing more than a fleeting interest, a passing distraction, but I couldn't shake it. The thought of seeing her again, even briefly, was enough to make me agree.

When we arrived, Mr. Park greeted us warmly, and we were led into the living room. I settled into a comfortable armchair, making polite conversation while my eyes subconsciously searched the room. Then, I heard footsteps from the stairs, and I looked up to see her.

Y/n was coming down, dressed casually, a simple outfit that somehow made her look even more endearing. Her hair was loose, framing her face gently, and she looked more relaxed, more herself than she did at the office. She greeted us with a warm smile, her eyes lighting up when she saw her father, and then she glanced over at me, giving a polite nod.

"Good evening, Mr. Kim," she said softly, her voice calm yet slightly hesitant.

"Good evening, Miss Park," I replied, unable to stop a small smile from tugging at my lips.

As we moved to the dining area, the atmosphere was comfortable and inviting. Mr. Park and my grandfather fell into easy conversation, discussing business, family, and even old stories that had everyone laughing. I found myself glancing at Y/n occasionally, catching glimpses of her as she interacted with her parents, listening intently to the stories being shared.

It was strange to see her outside of work. At the office, she was focused, professional, and a bit shy, but here, there was a warmth and liveliness to her that I hadn't seen before. She laughed easily, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and I found myself oddly drawn to the sound. It was as though she was showing a side of herself that was usually hidden.

Partway through dinner, Mr. Park turned to me with a knowing smile. "So, Taehyung, how's my daughter doing at KTH Enterprise? I hope she's not giving you any trouble."

Y/n looked down, visibly embarrassed, and I had to hold back a chuckle. She seemed so different here, more vulnerable, less guarded. I knew that feeling—the pressure to live up to expectations, to make your family proud. Seeing her like this made me feel a pang of empathy.

I cleared my throat, offering a reassuring smile. "She's doing very well. She's diligent and attentive. I'm sure she'll go far."

Y/n glanced up at me, surprise flickering in her eyes, and then she quickly looked down again, hiding a small smile. It was subtle, but I couldn't help but notice it, and for some reason, it made my chest feel tight.

The rest of the evening passed in pleasant conversation, with stories and laughter filling the room. I felt a strange sense of comfort here, something I wasn't used to in these types of gatherings. As the night drew to an end, we finally said our goodbyes, thanking Mr. Park and his family for their hospitality.

When Y/n stepped forward to say goodbye, she gave me a polite smile. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Kim. I hope you enjoyed the evening."

"I did," I replied, holding her gaze for a moment longer than necessary. "Thank you for having us."

As I walked out, I felt a lingering warmth, an odd sense of contentment that I couldn't quite explain. It wasn't until we were halfway home that my grandfather broke the silence.

"Y/n is a lovely young woman," he said, a twinkle in his eye. "Mr. Park is lucky to have such a daughter. She's well-mannered, thoughtful, and hardworking—a true gem."

I nodded absently, his words echoing my own thoughts. "Yes, she is. She's... different."

He raised an eyebrow, giving me a knowing look. "You seem quite taken with her, Taehyung."

I shifted uncomfortably, trying to brush it off. "It's not like that, Grandfather. She's just... she stands out, that's all."

"Sometimes, people come into our lives and have an impact without us realizing it," he said, his voice softening. "Perhaps she's one of those people."

I didn't respond, but his words stayed with me long after we got home. Maybe he was right. Maybe Y/n had started to make an impact on me, an unexplainable pull that made me curious, made me feel things I'd long convinced myself I was incapable of feeling.

But I couldn't ignore the reality. She was the daughter of a business associate, and I was her boss. Any feelings beyond respect and admiration were inappropriate. Yet, as I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, her laughter echoed in my mind, her smile replayed behind my eyelids, and the warmth from the evening lingered in my chest.

For the first time in years, I felt something unexpected—a faint, undeniable tug at my heart. And as much as I tried to ignore it, I knew deep down that Y/n had started to leave an imprint on me, one that I might not be able to erase.

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Y/N-

I was buzzing with anxiety and nerves as I got ready for dinner with my parents, Taehyung, and his grandfather. It was rare for Dad to host business guests at home, so it felt odd. And knowing that Mr. Kim Taehyung, my boss, would be here made me feel even more on edge.

As I picked out an outfit, I went for something casual but presentable. I wanted to look nice, but not like I was trying too hard. After all, I didn't want to embarrass Dad in front of his business partner. And, honestly, part of me didn't want to embarrass myself in front of Mr. Kim.

When I finally went downstairs and saw Taehyung and his grandfather sitting with my parents, I felt a bit shy but greeted them warmly. Taehyung looked different somehow—not the same powerful CEO in his office suit, but more relaxed, even approachable. But I quickly brushed off that thought. It was still Mr. Kim, after all.

As we settled down to dinner, the conversation flowed easily. Dad and Taehyung's grandfather were deep in conversation about business, occasionally reminiscing about old times and even making everyone laugh.

At one point, Dad turned to Taehyung and, with a smile, asked, "So, Taehyung, how's my daughter doing at KTH Enterprise? I hope she's not causing you too much trouble."

My face flushed immediately. Oh no... please don't say anything embarrassing, I thought. I glanced at Taehyung, nervously waiting for his answer.

"She's doing very well," Taehyung said with a small smile, and I couldn't quite read the expression in his eyes. "She's diligent and attentive. I'm sure she'll go far."

My heart lifted at his words, a mix of pride and relief spreading through me. It meant a lot to hear him say that, especially since I'd been working hard to make a good impression. I managed to give a small smile back, but I could feel my cheeks burning. Was he just being polite, or did he really mean it? Either way, I was grateful, and a little surprised that he seemed to notice my efforts.

Throughout dinner, I found myself watching him occasionally, catching little glimpses of a side of him that seemed softer than what I'd seen at work. He was still poised and reserved, but there were moments when he seemed almost... at ease, even laughing at my father's jokes or listening to my mother's stories.

As the evening went on, I realized how much I'd enjoyed it. It wasn't just because of Taehyung being there, though that did make it memorable. It felt nice to see him in a different light, outside of the formality of the office.

When it was time for him to leave, I stood near the door to say goodbye.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Kim. I hope you enjoyed the evening," I said, keeping my tone polite, though I couldn't quite hide my smile.

"I did," he replied, holding my gaze just a little longer than necessary. "Thank you for having us."

There was something in his expression that felt different, almost warm. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but it left me with a strange feeling that lingered long after he left.

After they'd gone, I helped my mom clear the table, still replaying the evening in my mind. Everything felt so surreal, almost like a dream. I thought about Taehyung's words, about how he'd praised my work. And that look in his eyes as he said goodbye—it felt... different. For a moment, I wondered if he saw me as more than just his intern, but I quickly shook off the thought. He was the CEO, someone who'd been in the business world for years. And I was just a new intern, the daughter of his business associate.

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