The next morning, Disha woke up feeling like she was caught in a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, nerves, and a dash of sass that just wouldn't quit. She groggily rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom, where she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her with the same wide eyes, and she couldn't help but give herself a pep talk.

"Alright, Disha," she muttered, pointing an accusatory finger at her reflection. "Today's the day. You're about to meet Hobi—no, scratch that—Dr. Jeon Hoseok, in person. Keep it cool, keep it classy, and for the love of all that's holy, do not trip over your own feet."

With her game face on, she carefully selected her outfit for the day: something that said, "I'm a professional," but also hinted, "I'm a total catch." It was a delicate balance, but she nailed it. Once dressed, she grabbed her essentials and headed out, her heart doing somersaults the entire way. But as she approached the conference venue, she reminded herself that she was there to slay, not to be slayed.

As she walked into the room where her one-on-one with Hoseok was scheduled, she felt the anticipation buzzing in the air. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside. And there he was—Jeon Hoseok, looking every bit the suave, confident professional she'd seen over video calls. But in person? Oh, he was even more breathtaking, with that same warm smile that had always made her weak in the knees. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world stood still.

Hoseok's eyes widened in surprise, and then a slow, appreciative grin spread across his face. "Disha," he said, his voice like smooth velvet. "You look...incredible."

Disha felt a blush creeping up her neck, but she quickly regained her composure. She wasn't about to let him off that easy. "You clean up pretty well yourself, Dr. Jeon," she quipped, crossing her arms and tilting her head playfully. "But you've got some explaining to do. How long were you planning to keep this little detail from me?"

Hoseok chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "What can I say? I wanted to surprise you. Didn't think I'd get caught this early."

Disha raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smirk. "Surprise me? Oh, you've certainly done that. But don't think you're getting off easy. You're the guest speaker, and you've been keeping tabs on me? That's a little stalkerish, don't you think?"

Hoseok put a hand over his heart, feigning hurt. "Stalkerish? I prefer the term 'admirer from afar.' But hey, when someone's as talented and driven as you, it's hard not to notice."

Disha couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. "Nice save, Hobi. But let's be real—if you wanted my attention, all you had to do was ask. I might've said yes."

Hoseok stepped closer, his expression softening as he looked down at her. "Then I'm asking now," he said, his voice dropping to a low, sincere tone. "Disha, I don't want to play games. I like you—a lot. More than I've liked anyone in a long time. And I know the distance is tough, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make this work...if you are."

Disha's heart skipped a beat, her pulse quickening as she looked into his eyes. This was the moment she'd been both dreading and hoping for, but instead of backing away, she felt a surge of confidence. "You're right," she said, stepping closer until there was barely any space between them. "I like you too, Hobi. And I'm not afraid to admit it. But let's get one thing straight—I'm not some damsel waiting to be swept off her feet. I'm a strong, independent woman, and if we're doing this, it's going to be on equal terms."

Hoseok's grin widened, clearly loving every bit of her fiery response. "Wouldn't have it any other way," he said, reaching out to gently take her hand. "So, Ms. Prodigy, what do you say? Want to give this a shot?"

Disha looked down at their joined hands, then back up at him, her smile full of sass and warmth. "I say you'd better keep up, Dr. Jeon, because I'm not slowing down for anyone."

Hoseok chuckled, his gaze never leaving hers. "Challenge accepted."

Just like that, with the tension and uncertainty melting away, the spark that had been simmering between them finally ignited into a full-blown flame. This wasn't going to be an easy journey—long-distance never was—but with Hoseok by her side, Disha knew they were going to conquer whatever came their way.

But just as the moment seemed perfect, the door behind them creaked open, and a voice interrupted their bubble. "Dr. Jeon, the next session is about to begin. We need you on stage in five minutes."

Hoseok sighed, glancing at Disha with an apologetic smile. "Duty calls," he said softly.

Disha nodded, trying to hide her disappointment. "Go get 'em, Dr. Jeon. I'll be here."

Hoseok squeezed her hand before letting go. "This isn't over," he whispered, his eyes promising more to come. "I'll find you later."

As he walked away, Disha watched him go, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts. But one thing was clear—this was only the beginning of something much bigger. And she wasn't about to let anything stand in her way.

Because when it came to Jeon Hoseok, Disha was all in.

Just as Disha was about to leave the conference room, her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number: "You think you know Hoseok? Think again. Meet me tonight if you want the truth."

Author's Note:

Oh, honey, did you feel that spark? I know I did! 😏 

But before you get too cozy, let me remind you—this is just the beginning of Disha and Hoseok's saga. Long-distance, secrets, surprises, and a whole lot of sass? Sounds like the perfect recipe for drama, and you know I'm serving it up hot! 

So, keep those comments coming, darlings, because things are about to get real interesting. And remember—if you're not ready for some savage twists, you might want to grab a cushion to hide behind. 😜🔥