The days that followed felt like a blur to Min Ho. Every time he saw Chanyeol, every time their eyes met across the office, a rush of conflicting emotions surged within him. There was the familiar pull, the undeniable chemistry that drew him to Chanyeol, and yet, there was also a sense of dread. The lines between professional and personal were blurring more and more, and Min Ho wasn't sure how much longer he could keep pretending that everything was fine.
On Monday, after a weekend of over thinking, Min Ho arrived at work early to prepare for the big presentation. He had spent hours refining the report, tweaking the slides, and making sure every detail was perfect. It was important—not just because it was his first big task, but because Chanyeol would be reviewing it. Min Ho had come to care deeply about what Chanyeol thought of his work. And in some ways, about what Chanyeol thought of him as a person.
As he sat at his desk, reviewing the final draft of the presentation, Min Ho tried to calm the nervous energy swirling in his chest. His hands were slightly clammy, and his pulse raced with anticipation. But despite all of this, a small part of him felt excitement. The thought of seeing Chanyeol again, of working side by side, filled him with a strange sense of comfort and unease.
At precisely 9:00 a.m., the door to the office opened, and Chanyeol walked in, dressed impeccably in his usual suit, his presence commanding the room. He paused when he saw Min Ho, giving him a small nod. There was something in the way Chanyeol's eyes softened when they met Min Ho's gaze—a flicker of something unspoken.
"Morning, Min Ho," Chanyeol said, his voice carrying a warmth that was impossible to ignore. "I trust you're ready for the presentation?"
Min Ho nodded, standing up to greet him. "Yes, sir. Everything is prepared. I just need your final approval."
Chanyeol gave him a small smile and walked toward his desk, sitting down with an air of authority. As he opened the folder Min Ho had prepared, their eyes met once again. This time, the tension between them was palpable. It wasn't just the weight of the presentation—it was the unspoken connection, the chemistry that neither of them could ignore.
"You've done a great job on this," Chanyeol said, his voice low, but with a note of genuine appreciation. "I'm impressed, Min Ho. You've really outdone yourself."
The compliment made Min Ho's chest swell with pride, but it also made his heart race. He couldn't deny how much he wanted Chanyeol's approval—not just for his work, but for something deeper. Does he feel it too? Min Ho wondered, the thought gnawing at the back of his mind.
Chanyeol continued reviewing the slides, but his gaze occasionally drifted back to Min Ho. Each time their eyes met, Min Ho's stomach flipped, and he couldn't help but notice how Chanyeol's gaze lingered just a moment too long. It was subtle, but there was no mistaking it. Chanyeol was watching him, and the intensity of his gaze made Min Ho's breath catch in his throat.
"You've been working hard," Chanyeol said after a moment, his voice softer this time. "I can see that. It shows."
Min Ho's face flushed at the compliment. "Thank you, sir. It's all part of the job."
Chanyeol paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as if considering something. Then, in a tone that was almost too casual, he said, "You know, Min Ho, I've been meaning to talk to you about something."
Min Ho froze, unsure of what Chanyeol meant. Was this about the presentation? Was he about to criticize something? But then he saw the look in Chanyeol's eyes—the seriousness, the subtle weight behind his words. For a moment, Min Ho's heart skipped a beat.
"Is everything okay?" Min Ho asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Chanyeol leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the desk. He was hesitating, but Min Ho could tell there was something weighing on his mind. The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy, until finally, Chanyeol spoke.
"I can't help but notice... the way we've been interacting lately," Chanyeol began, his tone cautious, as if choosing his words carefully. "I know I'm your boss, Min Ho, and I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but I can't ignore what's happening between us."
Min Ho's breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he couldn't speak. His mind raced, his heart pounding in his chest. He knows?
Chanyeol seemed to be waiting for a response, his gaze never leaving Min Ho's. The intensity in his eyes was both comforting and terrifying.
"I..." Min Ho began, but his words faltered. He didn't know how to respond. He wanted to tell Chanyeol the truth, wanted to confess how he felt, but he was scared—scared of the consequences, scared of what it would mean for his career, scared of how Chanyeol would react.
But then Chanyeol reached across the desk, his fingers brushing against Min Ho's. The touch was gentle, almost tentative, but it sent a shiver through Min Ho's body. Chanyeol's eyes softened, and for a brief moment, there was no distance between them—not in terms of work, not in terms of power. There was only a raw, unspoken connection.
"You don't have to say anything," Chanyeol said softly, his voice carrying a quiet understanding. "But I need you to know that I... I feel the same way, Min Ho."
The words hit Min Ho like a wave. Chanyeol feels the same way? The realization left him breathless. He hadn't imagined it. The tension, the stolen moments—they were real, and they weren't just in his head.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them seemed to hum with energy, a palpable connection that neither of them could deny. Min Ho's mind raced as his heart pounded in his chest. He had never been in a situation like this before, and it was both thrilling and terrifying.
"I'm not sure what this means, or where it will go," Chanyeol continued, his voice low and filled with something that made Min Ho's pulse quicken. "But I can't deny that I want to explore this. With you."
Min Ho's breath hitched. The temptation was too great, the pull too strong. Without thinking, he leaned forward, closing the distance between them. The moment their lips met was soft, tentative at first, but as the kiss deepened, it was clear that both of them had been waiting for this—waiting for the moment when they could finally give in to the attraction that had been simmering between them for so long.
The kiss was everything Min Ho had imagined and more. It was tender, but full of longing, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. There was no office, no power dynamics—just Chanyeol and Min Ho, finally allowing themselves to feel what they had been holding back.
When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless, their hearts racing in sync. Chanyeol's forehead rested gently against Min Ho's, his eyes closed as if savoring the moment.
"I don't know what this means for us," Min Ho whispered, his voice shaky. "But I don't want to stop."
Chanyeol smiled, a small, contented smile. "Neither do I."