The week after their conversation in Chanyeol's office, Min Ho couldn't shake the feeling that everything had changed. The atmosphere in the office was charged now, every glance and every word between him and Chanyeol felt laden with meaning. Min Ho had always been good at reading people—his years of working odd jobs had honed his ability to sense moods and emotions—but with Chanyeol, it was different. Chanyeol was an enigma. His confident exterior, always in control, hid layers Min Ho was only beginning to understand. But it was the moments in between—the fleeting looks, the silence that lingered—that told Min Ho everything he needed to know.
That Friday afternoon, after yet another long meeting, Min Ho found himself alone in the office with Chanyeol. The others had left for the day, and the office was eerily quiet, save for the sound of keys tapping and papers shuffling. The low hum of the air conditioning and the distant sound of traffic below was the only background noise as Min Ho worked on a last-minute assignment that Chanyeol had requested.
"You're still here?" Chanyeol's voice broke the silence, sending a shiver down Min Ho's spine. He looked up from his screen, startled to find Chanyeol standing by his desk, watching him. His suit jacket was off, his sleeves rolled up, and his tie loosened, giving him a slightly more casual look. But even in this more relaxed state, Chanyeol exuded power—there was no mistaking that.
"I just need to finish this up, sir," Min Ho replied, trying to focus on the screen and ignore the pull he felt toward Chanyeol. It was getting harder to concentrate, especially with Chanyeol so close. He could feel Chanyeol's gaze on him, burning into him like an invisible weight.
"At least take a break," Chanyeol suggested, stepping closer, his voice softer than usual. "You've been working non-stop all week. Don't wear yourself out."
Min Ho hesitated. It's just a friendly suggestion. He's your boss. But the warmth in Chanyeol's eyes and the concern in his tone made Min Ho's chest tighten. He wasn't used to this—no one had ever cared this much about his well-being. It was disorienting, but in a way that made him feel cared for in a way he had never experienced before.
"I'm okay," Min Ho said, trying to sound more casual than he felt. "I'm just focused on getting everything right for Monday."
Chanyeol leaned over, resting one hand on the desk next to Min Ho. The closeness made Min Ho's breath catch in his throat. This is too much. It's getting too hard to breathe.
Chanyeol's voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke again. "I've been watching you, Min Ho. You're one of the most dedicated employees I've ever seen. But I don't want you to burn yourself out. You deserve better than that."
Min Ho could feel the heat rising in his cheeks at the compliment, but it was more than just a compliment—it was a recognition of who he was, not just as an employee but as a person. The way Chanyeol said his name, the way his eyes never left him, made Min Ho's heart beat erratically.
"I appreciate that, sir," Min Ho managed, his voice strained as his body fought against the growing desire to close the distance between them. This is insane. He's your boss. You can't—
Chanyeol seemed to sense Min Ho's discomfort, but instead of pulling away, he took another step closer, his body now nearly brushing against Min Ho's. The proximity was overwhelming, the air thick with tension. There was no mistaking it now—the chemistry between them was undeniable.
"I'm not just talking about work," Chanyeol said, his voice low and hushed. "I'm talking about you, Min Ho. I see the way you work. The way you care. It's rare."
For a moment, Min Ho was paralyzed. His heart pounded so loudly in his chest, he was sure Chanyeol could hear it. The tension between them was thick, almost suffocating. Chanyeol's hand was still resting on the desk, just inches from Min Ho's, and their eyes locked, both of them aware of the unspoken words hanging in the air.
He can't be serious, Min Ho thought. He's my boss. He can't be saying this. Not to me.
But then, Chanyeol did something unexpected. He slowly, almost hesitantly, reached out and touched Min Ho's hand. The brief contact sent a jolt through Min Ho's body. His hand trembled slightly, but he didn't pull away. Chanyeol's touch was gentle, almost tentative, as if he were waiting for Min Ho's response.
"Min Ho," Chanyeol said softly, his voice a breath against the stillness of the office, "you don't have to hide it. I know what you're feeling. It's okay."
Min Ho's heart skipped a beat. He wanted to deny it, to push it away, but there was no denying the truth anymore. He had been feeling it for days—the magnetic pull between them, the attraction that seemed to draw them together despite all the reasons they shouldn't be.
"I don't know what you mean," Min Ho said, his voice faltering despite his best effort to remain calm.
Chanyeol smiled, a knowing smile that made Min Ho's stomach flip. "You don't have to say anything. I just want you to know that I see you. And I want to make sure you're okay."
For a moment, there was silence between them. Min Ho's heart raced, and his mind screamed at him to step back, to maintain control. But everything about Chanyeol's gaze, the sincerity in his voice, made it impossible to ignore what was happening between them.
"I'm fine," Min Ho whispered, but even as the words left his lips, he wasn't sure if he believed them. The truth was, he wasn't fine. He was falling for Chanyeol—harder than he'd ever fallen for anyone.
Chanyeol's hand lingered for a moment longer before he slowly withdrew it, his fingers brushing against Min Ho's skin one last time. The touch was almost a promise—a promise that Min Ho wasn't ready to admit to himself yet. Chanyeol was stepping back, but the bond between them was stronger than ever.
"I should go," Chanyeol said, his voice a little strained now, as if he were forcing himself to break the connection. "But don't overwork yourself, Min Ho. You need rest."
Min Ho nodded, though his mind was spinning. The encounter had left him breathless, and all he could think about as Chanyeol left the room was how much he didn't want it to end.
---
That night, as Min Ho lay in bed, he replayed the moments in Chanyeol's office over and over again. His heart was still racing, and his mind was consumed with thoughts of his boss—his feelings for him, his growing desire. But even as he felt the excitement of the connection they shared, doubt crept in.
What happens next? Min Ho wondered. Can I really let myself feel this way?
As he closed his eyes, the warmth of Chanyeol's touch lingered in his mind, and for the first time since he started working at Lee Tech Solutions, Min Ho allowed himself to hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was something more between them.