The air in Chanyeol's office felt thick with tension the next morning. Despite the late-night conversation they had shared, Min Ho couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was coming. The rumors had spread faster than he'd expected, and now they were both forced to face the reality of their situation. It was no longer just whispers—there were open stares, murmurs behind closed doors, and glances exchanged between the employees when they thought neither Min Ho nor Chanyeol were paying attention.
Min Ho had spent the night turning over every possible scenario in his mind, but as he walked into the office that morning, none of them felt like the right choice. They couldn't keep hiding, but they also couldn't just walk into the office and announce their relationship. The company wasn't ready for that, and neither was Min Ho.
As he approached his desk, he could already sense the shift. People were watching him more closely than usual, their eyes lingering just a little too long. Lena's words echoed in his mind: "People are starting to figure it out." And she was right. The quiet whispers in the hallways had grown louder. He didn't want to be the subject of office gossip, but the more he tried to push it out of his mind, the more it consumed him.
He glanced up to find Chanyeol standing in his office doorway, watching him with a look of quiet determination. Their eyes met, and in that moment, Min Ho knew what they had to do. It was time to face the truth, no matter how difficult.
Chanyeol stepped into the office, closing the door behind him. "You ready for this?" he asked, his voice low but confident. His usual composed demeanor was still intact, but there was a certain seriousness in his gaze.
Min Ho swallowed hard, nodding. "I think we have to face it head-on."
Chanyeol didn't hesitate. "We'll talk to HR. We need to make this official before the rumors get any worse. We can't let them control us."
The idea of going to HR was both a relief and a source of anxiety. On one hand, it meant they were taking control of the situation, acknowledging their relationship in a way that would be out in the open. But on the other hand, it meant admitting to the world what they had been trying so hard to keep hidden.
"I'll be with you through this," Chanyeol continued, his voice reassuring. "Whatever happens, we'll handle it together."
Min Ho nodded, feeling a small amount of comfort from Chanyeol's words. As much as he feared the fallout, he also knew that this was the right step. Hiding it any longer would only cause more problems. They had to take a stand—both for themselves and for their future.
The two of them made their way to the HR department, each step heavier than the last. The halls of the office seemed longer, more daunting, with every person they passed eyeing them curiously. Min Ho could feel the eyes on his back, the whispers hanging in the air like a weight. But with Chanyeol beside him, he held his head high, refusing to let the pressure break him.
When they entered the HR office, the receptionist looked up from her desk, her expression unreadable. "Mr. Chanyeol, Mr. Min Ho. How can I assist you today?" she asked, though there was a subtle tension in her voice.
"We need to speak with HR about a personal matter," Chanyeol said smoothly, his tone leaving no room for debate. "Please let Mrs. Lee know that we're here."
The receptionist nodded and made a quick call, and within minutes, Mrs. Lee, the head of HR, appeared in the doorway. She greeted them with a polite smile, but it was clear she already knew what this meeting was about.
"Mr. Chanyeol, Mr. Min Ho," she said, her voice measured. "Please come in."
They followed her into her office, where she motioned for them to sit. Min Ho's nerves were on edge, but he sat down, trying to steady his breathing. Chanyeol took the seat beside him, his presence comforting, even in this tense moment.
"I assume this is about the rumors," Mrs. Lee began, folding her hands in front of her. "There has been some speculation around your relationship, and we need to address it officially."
Min Ho nodded, his throat dry. "Yes," he said, his voice firm despite the nervousness inside. "Chanyeol and I are in a relationship. We've kept it private, but we believe it's time to make it clear to the company."
Mrs. Lee's expression didn't change, but Min Ho could sense the shift in the air. She was processing the information, thinking about the potential consequences, both for the company and for them. Finally, she spoke again.
"I understand," she said, her tone neutral. "This will need to be handled delicately. There are policies in place regarding workplace relationships, and we must follow protocol to ensure that everything is in order."
Min Ho's heart raced. "What does that mean for us?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"It means," Mrs. Lee replied, "that we'll need to formalize your relationship in the company's records. You will also need to make sure there is no conflict of interest in your roles. Chanyeol, as the CEO, and Min Ho, as his secretary, need to be transparent about your professional boundaries. We'll need to address the situation with the rest of the staff as well. A public statement will likely be necessary."
Chanyeol nodded, his gaze steady. "We're prepared for that. Whatever is required, we'll do."
Mrs. Lee seemed to consider this for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. I will begin the process, and we'll arrange for a meeting with the staff to address the rumors. But I must stress that transparency is crucial from this point forward. Any appearance of favoritism or impropriety could damage both your careers and the company's reputation."
The weight of her words hung in the air. Min Ho felt a knot tighten in his chest, but he held onto the thought that they were taking control. They were no longer hiding. They were being open, honest, and facing the consequences head-on.
When they left HR, Min Ho felt a strange mix of relief and apprehension. It was done. The world would soon know, and there was no turning back. He looked over at Chanyeol, whose expression remained calm, though there was a flicker of concern in his eyes.
"Whatever happens," Chanyeol said, his voice quiet but resolute, "I'm with you, Min Ho. We'll get through this together."
Min Ho smiled, the weight in his chest easing just a little. He didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain—he wasn't facing it alone.