Joonseo led me out of his office and toward the desk just across from it.
"There's your seat, Ms. Minji," Jiho said with a polite smile, gesturing toward the desk.
"Thank you," I replied softly, settling into the sleek leather chair.
As Jiho walked away, I noticed the large glass window separating my desk from Joonseo's office. From here, I could see him clearly… and unfortunately, he could see me too.
I looked away quickly. I'll just pretend I didn't see that.
"What am I even supposed to do now?" I muttered to myself. I had no instructions, no clue what my tasks were supposed to be. So, in true Minji fashion, I pulled out my phone and opened a game.
An hour passed. Maybe more. I stretched my arms with a yawn and lifted my eyes from the screen… only to freeze.
Joonseo was staring at me.
Not just staring. Glowering.
He was sitting at his desk, elbows resting on the surface, his eyes locked on mine through the glass like a laser sight. The expression on his face screamed danger.
I gave him a nervous little wave, trying to brush it off.
He didn't wave back.
Instead, he raised a single hand—and crooked his finger. Calling me in.
I gulped. Well... here goes nothing.
I stood up, my legs wobbling slightly, and walked into his office.
"Mr. Joonseo…" I said cautiously.
He didn't speak. Not right away. He simply leaned back in his chair, eyes never leaving mine.
And then, with that same cold voice that always made my stomach twist, he said—
"Come over here."
I took one hesitant step forward. "Anything else, Mr. Joonseo?" I asked, trying to sound calm—though my hands were already getting clammy.
Without replying, he reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small remote. He clicked it, and instantly the large glass window behind me began to blur. In seconds, it was completely frosted white. No one outside could see in anymore.
My nerves spiked. "W-What is it, Mr… Joonseo?" I stammered. He wasn't just my boss now—he was my husband. A husband who was unpredictable, intense, and honestly... a little terrifying.
"Come closer," he said, voice dropping an octave.
I slowly walked toward his desk until I was standing beside him. "I'm here, sir," I said quietly.
Suddenly, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me onto his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. I gasped, frozen, now sitting on him, heart racing like it wanted to escape my chest.
What the hell is wrong with my heartbeat… Am I actually falling for him?
"Mr. Joonseo, what are you—"
But before I could finish, his other hand slid gently around the back of my neck. He leaned in—and his lips crashed into mine.
It was deep, passionate, and overwhelming. I didn't move. I couldn't. For a full second, I just sat there, shocked.
But then, I pushed him away and jumped off his lap, breathing fast. "What are you doing?!"
He leaned back in his chair, smirking, that dangerous glint back in his eyes—the kind of smile that looked like it could ruin someone without lifting a finger.
"Am I not allowed to kiss my wife?" he said, voice like silk laced with steel.
"But… we're at the office," I whispered, eyes darting toward the door even though no one could see us now.
"I missed you, Minji," he said softly, eyes locked on mine. "Too much."
"Joonseo, if you keep doing these things at the office, I won't come to the company anymore. I'll change jobs," I said firmly, trying to keep my voice from trembling.
He looked at me, serious now, and without saying a word, pulled a document from his drawer and placed it on the desk in front of me.
"Copy this document five times. I have a meeting later."
"Sure," I replied, slipping into a professional tone.
I picked up the papers and left his office, heading straight to the copier. As I started making the copies, a girl walked up to me.
"Hi, are you new here?" she asked brightly.
"Yeah," I said, keeping my focus on the machine.
"I'm Nakyung. And you are?" she asked with a friendly smile.
"I'm Minji," I replied.
"You have a really nice name," she said warmly.
"Thanks," I said politely.
"So which department are you in?" she asked curiously.
"Hmm… I'm an assistant," I said casually.
"Are you Mr. Seungwoo's assistant?" she asked.
"No. I work as Mr. Joonseo's assistant," I said.
Her eyes widened. "Wow, you're working beside him?" She stepped a little closer, her voice lowering in excitement. "Do you know how many girls want him? He's so handsome, rich—oh my God, he's totally my type."
I glanced at her. If only she knew he's my husband… would she strangle me on the spot? I wouldn't even be surprised—he probably has a whole fan club.
"Oh, and not just that," she added. "He's dating that big Chinese model—Yuna. She's in Paris right now."
That's when my hands slipped, and I dropped four of the copied documents.
"What's wrong with you?" she said, picking them up for me and handing them over.
"Thanks," I muttered. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Is he… still in a relationship with Yuna?"
She blinked. "Of course. Don't you know about it? Everyone here does. They've been together for a while. I mean, I'm even jealous of her."
My heart sank.
So that's what this is? He has a girlfriend, yet still plays around with me. Is that it, Joonseo? Are you trying to make me your side woman? Your—your mistress?What a jerk. What a complete liar.
I finished printing and said, "I have to go. I'm done with the copying."
"See you soon, Sister Minji!" Nakyung chirped cheerfully.
I didn't answer. I walked to the elevator and made my way back to Joonseo's office. After knocking, I stepped inside.
I placed the documents on his desk, my voice turning cold. "Here it is."
He looked up at me, frowning. "What's wrong with you?"
You. You're what's wrong. A perfect actor with a girlfriend in Paris, yet pretending like I'm the only woman in your world.
"Nothing," I said flatly.
"You're off work now. You can go home," he said, leaning back in his chair. "I'll ask Jiho to drive you back."
"No need. I have somewhere else to go."
"Where?" he asked.
Why do you care? I wanted to shout. Go call your girlfriend, enjoy your perfect romance.
"I'm going to a friend's house. Haven't seen her in a week."
He studied me quietly. "Don't be late coming home."
Home. What home? The one you share with your lies?But I nodded anyway. "Okay."
I stepped out of his office, trying to breathe, trying not to cry, and clutching my phone where Nakyung's number was saved.
Maybe it's time to make some distance between me and Mr. Perfect Pretender.