The days after the kiss between Min Ho and Chanyeol passed in a blur, filled with a mixture of exhilaration and anxiety. What had started as a fleeting moment of undeniable attraction had turned into something neither of them could ignore. But as much as they both wanted to explore this connection further, they knew there were risks involved. The consequences of their actions had yet to fully sink in.
Chanyeol was the first to break the silence. Late one evening, after most of the office had emptied out, Min Ho was reviewing a report when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He looked up to find Chanyeol standing in the doorway of his office, a serious expression on his face.
"Can we talk?" Chanyeol asked, his voice low but firm. He wasn't wearing his usual suit jacket; his sleeves were rolled up, and the tie was loosened, giving him a more relaxed appearance. But the intensity in his eyes made it clear that this conversation was far from casual.
Min Ho felt a wave of unease settle in his stomach. What now? His mind raced, and he could feel the heat of anticipation in his chest. He'd been expecting this conversation, but that didn't make it any easier.
"Of course," Min Ho replied, standing up from his desk. He forced himself to remain calm, but his heart was thudding loudly in his ears.
Chanyeol stepped into the office, closing the door behind him. The moment the door clicked shut, the tension between them grew palpable. They were alone now—truly alone—and there was no turning back.
"I know things have been... complicated between us," Chanyeol began, his voice measured but tinged with something that Min Ho couldn't quite place. "And I don't want to pretend that it's just going to be easy. We need to talk about what happened and what it means for both of us."
Min Ho swallowed hard, nodding in agreement. This is it. The moment of truth.
"I've been thinking a lot about what happened between us," Chanyeol continued, stepping closer. "And I want you to know that I don't regret it—not for a second. But we can't pretend that it's just a fling. This—what we've started—this is real. And we need to figure out what to do with it."
Min Ho's mind raced. This is real? His heart was already caught in Chanyeol's words, but the reality of the situation was starting to sink in. There were consequences to their actions, and they couldn't just go on pretending that nothing had changed.
"I agree," Min Ho said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't know what we're supposed to do about it. You're my boss, Chanyeol. If anyone finds out, it could ruin both of our careers."
Chanyeol's gaze softened, and for a moment, he seemed to struggle with his words. "I've been thinking about that too. The risk is high. But I also know that what I'm feeling for you is real. And I'm not going to just ignore it, Min Ho."
The sincerity in Chanyeol's voice made Min Ho's heart flutter. Chanyeol wasn't just saying these things to placate him; he meant them. The vulnerability in his words was something Min Ho hadn't expected. It was a side of Chanyeol that he hadn't seen before—one that made him realize just how much Chanyeol was willing to risk for this relationship.
"I don't want to lose my job," Min Ho said, his voice shaking slightly. "I need this job. I've worked so hard to get here."
Chanyeol nodded, understanding. "I know. And I'm not asking you to give up your career for me. But we have to be careful. We can't let anyone find out, not yet, at least. We need to keep things private for now. But I also don't want to hide how I feel. Not anymore."
Min Ho's chest tightened. This is dangerous. But the pull toward Chanyeol, the longing he'd been feeling for weeks, was too strong. He couldn't deny it anymore. He didn't want to.
"I don't want to hide either," Min Ho admitted softly. "But how do we make this work? How do we keep it a secret?"
Chanyeol smiled faintly, a trace of the same confident man Min Ho had always admired. "We'll figure it out. We have to be careful, though. No one can know. Not yet. But that doesn't mean we can't be... more than just a boss and an employee."
Min Ho nodded, his mind still spinning. "So, what do we do now?"
Chanyeol took another step closer, his presence overwhelming. "For now, we keep it professional. We do our jobs, and we make sure no one suspects anything. But in private..." His voice trailed off, and he let the words hang between them, the promise of what could be.
The tension in the room became almost unbearable. Min Ho's breath caught as Chanyeol reached out and placed a hand gently on his shoulder. It was a small touch, but it felt like the world itself was shifting around them.
"I'm not asking for anything from you that you're not ready for," Chanyeol said, his voice low, almost soothing. "But I want you to know that I care about you, Min Ho. And I want to see where this can go—if you're willing to take that risk with me."
Min Ho closed his eyes for a moment, letting the weight of Chanyeol's words settle in his heart. This was real. There was no denying it now. And despite all the doubts, all the fears that had been holding him back, a part of him wanted to take that leap. To take the risk.
"I'm willing," Min Ho whispered his voice barely audible.
Chanyeol's hand slid down to rest on Min Ho's arm, the touch warm and steady. There was no going back now. The decision had been made. They would navigate this complicated, dangerous relationship together—secretly, cautiously, but with a growing understanding that it wasn't just about desire. It was about something deeper, something neither of them had expected.
The kiss that followed was slower this time, more deliberate. It was a promise, not just of passion, but of a future they were both unsure of but willing to explore. It was the beginning of something neither of them had planned, but both of them wanted.
As they pulled away, Chanyeol placed a finger to Min Ho's lips, silencing any further words. "We'll figure it out. Together," he murmured.
Min Ho nodded, his heart thudding in his chest. For better or worse, their lives had changed forever. And whatever came next, he knew one thing for sure—they couldn't stop now.