The days blurred together for Min Ho. As his time at Lee Tech Solutions went on, the tension between him and Chanyeol Lee only grew stronger. The first few days, Min Ho kept his head down, focusing on learning the ropes of the job, making sure everything was perfect. He knew that he had to prove himself if he wanted to be taken seriously in a company like this. But even in the midst of his hard work, his mind kept wandering back to Chanyeol.
He couldn't help it. Chanyeol was everywhere—his deep voice echoing in the halls, his cologne lingering in the air, and his presence felt like a constant weight in the room whenever they worked together. The more Min Ho tried to avoid thinking about Chanyeol, the harder it became. He'd catch Chanyeol's gaze across the room during meetings, and when their eyes locked, a spark would flare between them. Min Ho's stomach would flip, his heart racing, and he'd quickly look away, pretending not to notice the way Chanyeol seemed to be watching him.
Min Ho had tried to convince himself that it was all in his head—that Chanyeol was just a professional, that the glances and subtle touches meant nothing. But with each passing day, he began to doubt himself more and more. There was something there, something undeniable. And despite his best efforts, Min Ho found himself drawn to Chanyeol in ways he couldn't explain.
One afternoon, after a particularly long meeting, Min Ho stayed behind in the office to finish a report. Chanyeol was already at his desk, reviewing some documents. The office was quieter now, and Min Ho couldn't help but notice the way the light from the setting sun illuminated Chanyeol's features, casting a warm glow on his sharp jawline and tousled hair. He was lost in thought, his brow furrowed in concentration, but Min Ho couldn't tear his eyes away.
Without thinking, Min Ho let out a quiet sigh, more like a breath than anything else, but it was enough to catch Chanyeol's attention.
"Long day?" Chanyeol's voice cut through the silence, and Min Ho jumped, embarrassed to have been caught staring. Chanyeol's lips twitched as he stood up from his desk and walked toward Min Ho. "You don't have to keep working so late, you know. You've been here all day."
Min Ho swallowed hard, trying to compose himself. "I—I'm fine, Mr. Lee. Just finishing a few things."
Chanyeol's eyes softened, and he placed a hand on the back of Min Ho's chair, leaning over slightly. Min Ho's breath caught in his throat at the closeness. "You're a hard worker. I appreciate that."
The compliment sent a warm shiver through Min Ho's body, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to disappear. There was only Chanyeol—close enough that Min Ho could smell the faint hint of his cologne, feel the warmth radiating from his body, and hear the steady rhythm of his breathing. It was overwhelming. He fought the urge to reach up and touch his chest, to reassure himself that Chanyeol was really here, really standing so close.
"Thank you, sir," Min Ho managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.
Chanyeol's eyes didn't leave his. There was something in them—something unspoken—that made Min Ho's heart race again. Chanyeol's gaze dropped to Min Ho's lips for just a fraction of a second before he quickly pulled away, as though catching himself.
"I'll leave you to it, then," Chanyeol said, his voice tight. There was an unspoken tension in the air, and Min Ho could feel it—their proximity, the growing chemistry between them, the connection that neither could deny.
As Chanyeol walked away, Min Ho sat frozen at his desk, his hands trembling slightly. This is dangerous, he thought. This is all so dangerous.
But even as he told himself that, part of him wanted more. More of the quiet moments with Chanyeol, more of the stolen glances and subtle touches. The tension between them was building, and Min Ho couldn't ignore it. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep pretending that everything was fine, that he wasn't falling for his boss. He wasn't sure how long either of them could hide what was simmering just beneath the surface.
---
That evening, as the office emptied out, Min Ho tried to shake the feeling of Chanyeol's hand lingering just behind his chair. He grabbed his things, heading toward the elevator, but as he passed Chanyeol's office, he hesitated. Through the glass wall, he could see Chanyeol still at his desk, lost in paperwork. He didn't know why, but something pulled him toward the door.
Without thinking, Min Ho knocked gently, then stepped inside when Chanyeol gave a brief, distracted nod.
"I just wanted to check in on the report for tomorrow's presentation, sir," Min Ho said, his voice more hesitant than he wanted it to sound.
Chanyeol looked up from his papers, his expression unreadable. But there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something that made Min Ho's pulse quicken.
"I haven't had a chance to go over it yet. But I trust your judgment, Min Ho. Just make sure everything is in order."
Min Ho nodded, feeling the heat of Chanyeol's gaze on him. He didn't know if it was his imagination, but it felt like there was something more in the air than just business.
"Alright, I'll finish it up tonight," Min Ho said quickly, retreating toward the door.
"Wait."
Min Ho froze as Chanyeol's voice stopped him. He turned around to find Chanyeol standing up from his desk, taking a step toward him. Their eyes met, and for a moment, there was a silence between them—heavy, almost suffocating.
Chanyeol cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Are you... okay? You seem distracted. Just making sure everything's alright."
Min Ho felt a tight knot form in his chest. "I'm fine, sir. Just tired, I guess."
Chanyeol seemed to consider that for a moment, then nodded. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I mean it."
There was a pause, and for a heartbeat, it felt like they were both standing on the edge of something—a precipice that neither could ignore.
"Thank you, sir," Min Ho said softly. "I appreciate it."
Chanyeol gave him a small nod, but his gaze lingered for a moment longer than usual before he finally spoke. "Get some rest tonight. You've been working hard."
With that, Chanyeol turned back to his desk, resuming his work, but the unspoken tension in the room remained. As Min Ho stepped out, the elevator ride down felt longer than usual. He stared at his reflection in the glass doors, his mind racing. The attraction was real, undeniable, and it was only growing stronger with each passing day.
---
The Growing Tension had become palpable between them. What started as simple admiration was quickly turning into something deeper—something neither of them knew how to handle. But as they continued to work side by side, they both found themselves on a collision course with their feelings. The line between professional and personal was blurring, and soon, they would both have to confront it.
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