Usually, Jeno loves eating. Especially being accompanied by someone, he likes the atmosphere.

Having someone to talk to while enjoying your meal is like two gifts in one box. If that made sense.

He doesn't feel lonely and can share his thoughts or be open to that person; Lia is one of the many examples.

However, this afternoon, he feels a little awkward and fidgety.

The only reason for that is; Na Jaemin is with him today, just him. No one else.

Don't get Jeno wrong, Jaemin doesn't make him uncomfortable in a bad way... He just... Makes him nervous.

Big difference.

Of course, he thinks it is just a phase they will go through, then later on, hopefully they will be more open and close to each other.

Friendly or romantically– but as you all know about Jeno, he doesn't want any false hopes. So he will just stick to the first option.

"Is the food okay?" He snaps his head up when he hears Jaemin's low voice, meeting the latter's gaze.

For no reason, it easily just sends shivers down Jeno's spine. Making him feel tingly and fidgety.

Clearing his throat, he sends the elder man a smile and nods briefly. "Of course it is, Sir. This place is wonderful."

And he isn't lying at all. The food is delicious, the place itself is very neat yet simple at the same time despite the high ratings they're receiving.

Because usually, the more popular a restaurant gets, the more fancier and designed the place soon gets.

Well, at least from the ones that Jeno has went to.

Earlier, he had thought about bringing Lia here one day for a meal together just to taste the delicious food again and see her reaction.

But then on second thought, he oddly felt guilty to bring her here. As this place is... Already creating a memory for him.

A memory that involves Na Jaemin.

Speaking of, the blue haired man raises a brow at him and says, "are you sure? You don't have to be nice about it, Jeno-ssi. If you don't like the place, we can head somewhere else."

"And had already ordered? We can't waste food and money like that, Sir. I can assure you that this place is amazing and so is the food." Jeno replies.

"Well, you just seemed to be more quiet than usual, and a little flustered...?" Jaemin trails off, not knowing how to explain to the younger man.

"Is everything alright? Are you stressing out about something? Is it from work?"

Jeno can't tell you out loud how he feels right now.

But there's surely one way to put it; butterflies in his stomach.

Something about his boss being worried for his well-being awakens those so-called butterflies in his stomach, making them go crazy.

He keeps trying to convince himself that it's literally nothing. And he shouldn't think about anything else but Jaemin being nice to him.

I'm his secretary, surely he is just being nice because of that... A friendly manner, right? In no way is there any possibilities of us being together.

Snapping out of his stupor, he shakes his head in response, "oh, no worries, Mr. Na. It's nothing like that..."

"Then what is it? If I may ask." Oh how polite can Jaemin be, Jeno surely has eyes for gentlemen.

"J-just..."

And Jeno blanks out.

How in the world am I supposed to tell him that he makes me nervous! That I have a small crush on him and now that we're alone together, it makes me feel a lot of things!

Get it together, Jeno. You're being awkward! You can't let him find out!

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but... Do I make you nervous?"

Oh great job, you moron. You just ruined it!

"S-sorry, was I too obvious?" Scratching the back of his neck, Jeno smiles sheepishly.

Jaemin tilts his head to the side and hums, "I won't take it to heart, hopefully it isn't a bad kind of nervousness. Is it?"

"Oh dear no! Mr. Na, I'm so sorry to make this awkward and make you feel... Like that, but I just– I– err."

Hurry up and spit it out before he starts feeling bad!

"I'm really shy, and it's just– this is the first time we're... Having lunch together... Like, just the two of us..."

Why do you have to make it so cringy, goddammit.

"Ahh, I see..." Jaemin says as his face lightens up. "Well then, I apologize for that. Hopefully you will feel more comfortable and open with me later on, Jeno-ssi."

How does Jeno reply to that without making it weird?

Don't say it.

"Likewise, Sir Na." Good, you saved yourself.

"I don't usually like to talk about work outside of the office, however, I would like to ask how you are doing so far in my company?" Jaemin says, changing the topic.

"Good and bad feedback are accepted, I want to know your true experience throughout these few months in as my secretary, that way, I know what I can improve on."

Jeno ponders in thought before replying, "I don't really have any complaints towards you, Sir. Of course being busy is a given, that's how it works so that is put aside."

"However, so far, it's been good. My coworkers are very nice to me, especially Lia who has been by my side since day one."

"So, I don't think there's any problem yet. If I'm being honest here, the real thing that needs improvement is me, Mr. Na." He admits out of the blue.

Jaemin raises a brow in confusion, "why is that, Jeno-ssi? You work well and have a wonderful personality." He emphasizes.

Jeno's cheeks slowly heat up from that but he tries to get his senses together and ignore it.

"Uhm, I'm usually late in the morning, Sir..."

"I'm sure you can and have been working on that." Jaemin says, "of course adjusting needs time, so I'll be waiting for that time management of yours, Jeno-ssi."

Pursing his lips, Jeno just nods his head and drinks his smoothie, almost finished with his meal.

A few minutes later, Jaemin spoke up again as he gently wipes his mouth clean with a table napkin. "Now, enough of the topic about work."

"Are you comfortable of getting to know each other more today or shall I wait for another time?" He asks for permission first.

You know, just in case Jeno is actually creeped out by him.

Unbeknownst to him, it's so far from that. There's a different reason as to why the brunet man is inwardly freaking out right now.

This must be a dream. For sure it is.

I must be passed out somewhere, either in Mr. Na's car or in the office.

Or I'm thinking too much about this again, I should stop being ridiculous.

Quick, say somethi–

"Uh... Aren't we going to be late for another schedule this afternoon, Mr. Na?"

You actual idiot!

Jeno misses the way Jaemin bites his lower lip, gaze changing due to looking away for a second.

He thinks his boss isn't actually sad about it... Right?

Oh boy was he wrong, because then he hears Jaemin sigh. A disappointed one.

I have no words for you, except... You fucked it up!

But of course, stubborn Jeno doesn't believe his assumptions as to why Jaemin seemed disappointed about it.

Maybe he's just sad because he wanted to befriend Jeno, that's all.

The blue haired man covers it up with a smile and stands up, "ahh, thank you for reminding me. We should go now, yeah?"

All Jeno could do was nod blankly as he was too busy cursing at himself.

𖢻

Lol I relate to Jeno. I just fucked up my chances smh.

Anyways, share your thoughts??