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•

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Jia's PoV

Jia sat at her desk, the quiet hum of the office wrapping around her like a thick fog. The afternoon sun streamed through the large windows, casting long shadows across her workspace. But despite the warm light, a chill had settled in her chest. It had been more than a few since she first started working with Jung Jaehyun, and yet his presence haunted her thoughts like a ghost.

Her fingers drummed against the desk, and she forced herself to focus. He's just a guy, she reminded herself, but the way he carried himself—confident, with an air of casual dominance—made it hard to dismiss him as merely ordinary. He had this way of looking at her that felt almost predatory, as if he could sense her uncertainty and was enjoying the game.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine. She bit her lip, her thoughts racing as she turned her attention back to the office around her. Her coworkers were buzzing with energy, a mix of laughter and serious discussions about upcoming marketing campaigns. But all she could think about was Jaehyun's dark, penetrating eyes, the way they seemed to linger on her a fraction too long, making her pulse race in a way she couldn't quite explain.

Then, she noticed movement at the corner of her eye. Kim Taehyung, the CEO of Geum Entertainment, walked toward Jaehyun's office, his tailored suit immaculate and his posture commanding. He had an undeniable charisma, the kind that drew people in and commanded respect. Jia's heart raced for another reason—Taehyung was rumoured to be Jeon Jungkook's right-hand man, and the very man she was here to get close to.

Jia's pulse quickened. She needed to know what they were discussing. The relationship between Taehyung and Jungkook was extremely significant, and perhaps Jaehyun was somehow also connected. She steeled herself, determined to find a way to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"These files!" She stood up, lunging for a stack of neatly organised papers, that felt like a lifeline in her arms. "I'll take them. I'm free..." Jia mumbled, a little more quietly, realising that all eyes were on her after her sudden shout.

Luckily for her, no one commented, returning to their very animated conversations just as quick.

As Jia walked towards Jaehyun's office, she tried to remain calm, her mind racing with possibilities. If Taehyung was in there, they might be discussing something crucial—something that could connect the dots in her investigation. He was the CEO, Jaehyun as the marketing manager was the one who needed to visit Kim Taehyung in his office, not vice versa. She needed something, anything to confirm her suspicions, whether it was for the mission or her own peace of mind.

Approaching the door, she took a deep breath to steady herself, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest.

You got this, Jia. You've done this time and time again. Just deliver the files.

She knocked softly, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway. After a brief moment, Jaehyun's familiar voice called out, smooth and inviting, "Come in."

Jia pushed the door open, stepping into the room bathed in warm afternoon light. The walls were adorned with striking pieces of art, a blend of modern and classical, reflecting the creative atmosphere of the company. She was far too focused to notice the beauty of his office during her last visit,more interested in the face behind the monitor.

Her eyes were immediately drawn to Jaehyun, who sat at his desk, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exuding a relaxed confidence. The glasses perched on his nose framed his sharp features perfectly, giving him an air of sophistication that was undeniably attractive.

Taehyung stood across from him, his expression focused and serious. There was an intensity in the air, a palpable tension that made Jia's stomach twist. She tried to maintain her composure, reminding herself that she was here on business, not for any personal intrigue.

"Thanks for bringing the files, Miss Ko," Jaehyun said, his gaze shifting to her as she entered. His tone was casual, but there was an underlying edge that made her heart race. His smile widened slightly, and Jia felt a familiar flutter of unease.

She placed the files on his desk, her fingers brushing against the smooth surface as she fought to keep her expression neutral. But her thoughts were winding. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had just walked into something more significant than she realised.

As Taehyung turned his attention back to Jaehyun, Jia caught a snippet of their conversation. "We need to move quickly...if they find out..." Taehyung's voice trailed off, leaving an ominous weight in the air.

Jia's heart raced. What were they talking about? She felt like an intruder, her instincts screaming at her to pay attention. She leaned against the door frame, feigning casual interest, but her ears strained to catch every word.

Jaehyun's relaxed demeanor contrasted sharply with Taehyung's urgency. "I'll handle it, Mr Kim" Jaehyun replied, his voice calm and collected. "There's no need to worry."

Just then, Taehyung glanced at her, his sharp gaze piercing through her facade. "We'll continue this later," he said smoothly, turning on his heel and striding toward the door. Jia's heart raced as he walked past her, the scent of his cologne lingering in the air—a reminder of the danger she was dancing around.

As Taehyung strode past her, the air crackled with tension, leaving Jia alone with Jaehyun. He leaned back in his chair, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. The door clicked shut behind Taehyung, and the atmosphere suddenly felt charged.

"What can I do for you, Areum?" Jaehyun asked, his voice smooth and inviting, drawing her deeper into the moment.

Jia placed the files she had brought on his desk, her fingers brushing against the polished surface. "I just wanted to drop off these files," she said, attempting to keep her tone steady, but her heart raced with each word.

Jaehyun's gaze never wavered, and she felt as if he was studying her intently. "You know, I've noticed how well you're settling in," he said, his tone light but with an undercurrent of something more. "It's almost like you belong here."

"Is that so?" she challenged, crossing her arms. "You've only just met me."

"True," he replied, a teasing smile creeping onto his lips. "But there's something about you that stands out. It's not just your professionalism. There's... depth."

"Depth?" she echoed, raising an eyebrow. "And what makes you think you know anything about me?"

He leaned forward slightly, his expression playful. "Call it a talent of mine. I have a knack for reading people. And you, Areum, are not as simple as you appear."

Her heart raced at his words. "You're good at making assumptions."

"Only about the interesting ones," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "You know, the ones with layers. It's fascinating to peel them back, but I'd wager there's more than meets the eye— like art."

She felt a mixture of annoyance and intrigue. "What are you getting at?"

"Just that sometimes the most intriguing individuals keep things hidden. Like secrets." His gaze lingered on her, a playful challenge in his eyes. "But maybe you already know that."

Jia felt a rush of heat but managed to hold her ground. "I'm here to do my job, not play games."

"Ah, but the best work often involves a bit of play," he replied smoothly. "Besides, who says we can't mix business with a little fun?"

His confidence was disarming, making her pulse quicken. "And what kind of fun do you have in mind?"

"Just the usual—creative brainstorming, late-night strategy sessions," he said, his smile widening. "You know, the exciting stuff that keeps us on our toes."

She couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head. "Exciting? In an office like this?"

"Absolutely. You'd be surprised what happens behind closed doors. Ideas spark, connections deepen." He leaned back again, his aura magnetic. "But I'm sure you've experienced that already."

"Maybe," she replied, trying to keep her tone casual. "But I'm more focused on getting the work done."

"Of course," he said, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "But don't forget to enjoy the process. You never know what—or who—you might discover along the way."

Jia felt her breath hitch at his implication, the air thick with unspoken possibilities. "And what if I'm not interested in discovering anything outside of work?"

He raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Then you're missing out. Life's too short to play it safe all the time, Areum. Besides, the right encounters can lead to the best stories."

As she turned to leave, his gaze lingered on her, an unmistakable warmth that made her pulse quicken. However, Jia hesitated, her hand resting on the doorknob, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't bring herself to leave just yet. Instead, she turned back to face him, her curiosity piqued by his teasing words.

Jaehyun leaned back in his chair, a relaxed confidence radiating from him. The way he held himself, with an easy charm and those glasses perched on his nose, only intensified her fascination. There was something so tantalising about him.

"What?" he asked, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he caught her staring. "You look like you have something to say."

She swallowed hard, trying to formulate a response, but all that came out was a light chuckle. "You're infuriating, you know that?"

"Infuriating is my speciality," he said, his tone light but his eyes piercing. "But it's also effective, apparently."

"Effective?" she echoed, crossing her arms defensively. "You think your little mind games are effective?"

"Mind games?" he feigned innocence. "I'm merely having a conversation. You're the one who seems to be contemplating something deeper."

Jia narrowed her eyes, not wanting to reveal how much his words affected her. "And what exactly do you think I'm contemplating?"

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, the teasing light in his eyes growing sharper. "Maybe you're wondering why I seem to get under your skin. Or why you can't quite shake the thoughts of me from your mind. Or perhaps, that Jeon Jungkook person you were mumbling so much about the first time we met?"

She held his gaze, her pulse quickening. "I think you have an inflated sense of self-importance and clearly, a pending trip to the ENT's."

"Or maybe I just know myself well enough to recognise how I impact those around me," he replied smoothly, a hint of challenge in his voice. "It's a gift, really." He didn't comment further on Jeon Jungkook, which Jia thanked internally for.

"More like a curse," she shot back, her irritation rising. "Especially if you're just a normal citizen."

His smile widened, revealing a hint of mischief. "Normalcy is subjective. Besides, every ordinary citizen has their secrets— in a city as big as corrupt as this, who knows."

The way he said it made her heart race. "What do you know about secrets?" she challenged, stepping closer. "You don't even know me."

"Ah, but I know enough to sense that you're hiding something," he said, his tone shifting slightly. "There's a fire in you, Areum. A drive that's hard to ignore. That's what makes you interesting— and perhaps a second identity that for the sake of chivalry I won't mention."

Jia felt her breath hitch, caught off guard by his keen observation. "And what if I don't want to be interesting?" she replied, struggling to maintain her composure.

"Too late," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're already in this world, and you can't help but be drawn to it."

"Is that why you're so nonchalant?" she asked, narrowing her gaze. "Because you know more than you let on?"

"Let's just say I enjoy the dance," he replied, shrugging as if it were all a game to him. "The back-and-forth. It keeps things exciting."

"Exciting?" she echoed, crossing her arms tighter. "Or dangerous?"

"Both," he said, his expression suddenly serious. "But isn't that the thrill of it all? You can't have one without the other."

Jia felt a tension simmering between them, the air thick with unspoken words. "What are you really after, Jaehyun?"

"Just trying to understand you, that's all," he replied, his tone dropping to a more intimate register. "And maybe have a little fun along the way."

For a moment, they locked eyes, and the world outside seemed to fade. Jia's heart raced as she battled her instincts to turn away. She didn't want to admit how drawn she was to him, how his presence unnerved and intrigued her all at once.

"Fun, huh?" she finally said, breaking the silence. "That's an interesting way to look at things."

"Life's too short to be anything but interesting," he replied, a smirk playing on his lips. "Wouldn't you agree?"

Jia opened her mouth to retort but found herself at a loss for words. Instead, she just stood there, staring at him, caught in the magnetic pull of their conversation and the undeniable chemistry between them.

"Sometimes," she said softly, "it's hard to tell what's interesting and what's just a distraction."

"Maybe you should let yourself get distracted once in a while," he suggested, his tone teasing but with a glimmer of sincerity. "You might find something worth holding onto."

As the weight of his words settled in the air, Jia realised she didn't want to leave—not yet. Something about this moment felt imbued, full of potential. She was in uncharted territory, and she couldn't quite shake the feeling that it was exactly where she needed to be.

"Something worth holding onto?" Jia repeated, her voice barely above a whisper, as if the weight of his words pressed down on her.

Jaehyun regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and amusement, his expression shifting as he leaned back in his chair. "Absolutely. You're in a world filled with chaos, yet here you are, looking for meaning amidst it all. Why not embrace it— or even— control it?" The way he said it sent chills scuttling across her skin, his eyes dark and almost psychotic, like the idea of chaos was a drug to him.

"Embrace chaos?" she challenged, raising an eyebrow. "That sounds like a recipe for disaster."

"Or a spark for something extraordinary," he countered smoothly. "You can't control everything, Areum. Sometimes, you just have to let the tide pull you in."

Jia couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement at his words. There was something intoxicating about the way he spoke, about the confidence that radiated from him. Yet the tension between them was palpable, layered with unspoken truths.

"What about you?" she asked, wanting to shift the focus. "What do you embrace?"

He tilted his head, considering her question. "I embrace the unknown. The thrill of discovery. After all, life is full of surprises, isn't it?"

"Surprises can be dangerous," she replied, her mind racing back to the mission at hand. "Especially when you don't know what you're dealing with."

"True, but that's what makes it exciting," he said, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "Like the mystery of who's behind that facade of yours."

She felt a shiver run down her spine. "What facade?"

"The one that hides your true self," he said, his voice low and teasing. "I can see it, you know."

"Maybe you're just imagining things," Jia shot back, feigning indifference.

"Am I?" he asked, leaning forward, his gaze piercing. "Or am I simply more perceptive than you give me credit for?"

His dissection sent her heart racing. She could sense the heat radiating off him, an undeniable energy that pulled her closer despite her instincts urging her to maintain distance. The way he studied her made her acutely aware of how much she wanted to break through the walls she'd built around herself.

"Your confidence is impressive," she said, trying to regain some control. "But it's also infuriating."

"Infuriating, again?" he echoed, amusement dancing in his eyes. "I prefer to think of it as refreshing."

"Refreshing?" she scoffed. "Is that what you call it when you unsettle people?"

"Only the interesting ones," he shot back, his smile unwavering. "And you, Areum, are far from ordinary."

Her breath caught in her throat. There was something in his gaze that felt almost intimate, as if he could see parts of her she kept hidden. "I'm just trying to do my job."

"And yet here we are, having this delightful conversation instead," he teased, the light in his eyes unfaltering.

Jia couldn't deny that his presence captivated her, but she forced herself to stay focused. "I should probably get back to work," she said, taking a step back.

"Already?" He feigned disappointment, though the playful glint in his eyes suggested he was enjoying this banter far too much.

"Yes, already," she insisted, trying to sound firm. "I have things to do."

"Things that can't wait?" he challenged, his voice smooth and persuasive. "Or things you're using to distract yourself from what's really important?"

"Is that your way of saying I should abandon my responsibilities?" she retorted, crossing her arms defiantly.

"Not at all," he replied, his expression softening slightly. "I'm just saying that sometimes, it's worth taking a moment to reflect on what you truly want. Life gets boring when you live too much by the book."

Jia felt a rush of emotions swirl within her, torn between the thrill of his words and the reality of her situation. "I know what I want," she said, perhaps more to convince herself than him.

"Do you?" he asked, his tone laced with genuine curiosity. "Or are you still figuring it out?"

Before she could answer, the moment stretched, and the air crackled with tension. It felt like a crossroads, where paths could diverge or intertwine, and she was torn between the desire to step closer and the instinct to pull away.

"Maybe I'll see you around, Jaehyun," she finally said, attempting to break the spell that hung between them.

"Maybe you will," he replied, a hint of challenge in his smile. "And when you do, I hope you're ready to embrace whatever surprises await."

As she turned to leave, she could feel his gaze lingering on her, an invisible tether that made it hard to walk away. But she knew she had to—there was too much at stake. Yet as she stepped out of his office, a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

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