The afternoon lull had settled over the office, the kind that made the minutes stretch into hours as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Most of the staff were either hunched over their desks or absent altogether, leaving the floor unusually quiet. It was the perfect time for a quick break, and Sanghyeok found himself in the pantry
The hum of the coffee machine filled the silence as he watched the dark liquid swirl in his cup, his mind wandering. He preferred these quiet moments—no distractions, no interruptions. Just him and his thoughts.
But his solitude didn’t last long.
Footsteps echoed softly behind him, and Sanghyeok didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Jihoon’s presence had a certain… intensity to it, one that he could sense from a mile away. The man had a reputation—a notorious playboy, always with a flirtatious comment ready to go. Sanghyeok had seen it all before, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t intrigued. He just liked to make Jihoon work for it.
Jihoon didn’t say a word as he approached, but Sanghyeok could feel the shift in the air as the distance between them closed. Then, just as he was about to lift the cup to his lips, he felt the warmth of Jihoon’s breath against his ear.
“You know,” Jihoon’s voice was a low murmur, barely above a whisper, “you’re beautiful when you’re deep in thought.”
The words sent a shiver down Sanghyeok’s spine, but he kept his composure, not wanting to give Jihoon the satisfaction of seeing him flustered. Instead, he let out a soft chuckle, taking a sip of his coffee as he turned his head slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of Jihoon out of the corner of his eye.
Jihoon had positioned himself so close that it felt almost like an embrace—his chest nearly touching Sanghyeok’s back, his lips so close to Sanghyeok’s ear that it was impossible to ignore the intimacy of the moment.
“Careful, Jihoon,” Sanghyeok replied, his tone teasing, “flattery might just get you what you want… or not.” He turned his head a bit more, giving Jihoon a coy smile before taking another sip, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Jihoon’s grin widened at the response, clearly pleased that Sanghyeok was playing along. He leaned in a fraction closer, letting his hand rest on the counter beside Sanghyeok, effectively caging him in. “Is that so? Maybe I should keep trying then. I’ve got all day,” he whispered, his voice smooth and confident.
Sanghyeok could feel the tension between them thickening, a heady mix of attraction and playful defiance. He wasn’t about to let Jihoon off easy, though. With a slight tilt of his head, he leaned back just enough so that his shoulder brushed against Jihoon’s chest. “Don’t get too ahead of yourself. I like a good chase, but you’ll have to earn it.”
Jihoon laughed softly, the sound vibrating through Sanghyeok’s back. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Sanghyeok hyung.”
For a moment, they stayed like that, locked in a silent battle of wills, neither willing to back down. Sanghyeok could feel his heart beat a little faster, but he refused to let it show. Instead, he finished his coffee with deliberate slowness, savoring every second of their closeness.
Finally, Sanghyeok pulled away, slipping out of Jihoon’s near-embrace with a graceful ease. He turned to face Jihoon fully, his expression calm and composed, though his eyes still sparkled with that playful challenge. “I’m sure you have work to get back to, Jihoon. Can’t spend all day chasing after me.”
Jihoon smirked, clearly enjoying the game. “Maybe not all day… but I can make time for you.”
Sanghyeok gave him a small, knowing smile before stepping past him, brushing his hand lightly against Jihoon’s arm as he went. “We’ll see,” he said, his voice lingering in the air like a promise, before he disappeared out of the pantry.
Jihoon watched him go, a satisfied grin on his face. The chase was on, and he couldn’t wait to see where it would lead.
Sanghyeok buried himself in his work, his focus unwavering as he typed away at his computer. The hours flew by as he meticulously combed through the financial data, ensuring every detail was in order. He prided himself on his work ethic—serious and dedicated, especially when it came to his responsibilities.
It wasn’t until the clock struck the end of the workday that he allowed himself a moment of reprieve. Sanghyeok leaned back in his chair, stretching out the stiffness in his muscles. He was just about to pack up when his manager approached him.
“Lee Sanghyeok, don’t forget about the team dinner tonight,” the manager reminded him with a friendly smile. “We’ll be heading out in about twenty minutes.”
A team dinner. That meant he’d be seeing Jihoon again. The thought brought a slight curve to his lips as he considered the possibilities. What kind of surprise would Jihoon have in store for him tonight? He couldn’t help but smile fondly at the thought, taking a slow sip from his water bottle as he entertained the idea.
What he didn’t realize was that he was being watched.
Across the room, Jihoon had been observing Sanghyeok for the past few minutes, curious about the sudden smile that had graced his usually composed face. The sight of Sanghyeok, so lost in thought and smiling to himself, stirred something in Jihoon—a mix of admiration and desire to be the cause of that smile.
Jihoon decided to make his move.
He walked over to Sanghyeok’s desk, his steps light and deliberate. Leaning casually against the back of Sanghyeok’s chair, Jihoon dipped his head slightly, close enough for Sanghyeok to hear the teasing lilt in his voice.
“I never knew our company’s financial data could make you smile so easily like that,” Jihoon remarked, his tone playful. He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before adding, “Am I just losing now?”
Sanghyeok looked up at him, momentarily caught off guard by Jihoon’s proximity. But he quickly regained his composure, tilting his head slightly to meet Jihoon’s gaze. The smile he had been wearing transformed into a more deliberate smirk as he set his water bottle down on the desk.
“Maybe,” Sanghyeok replied, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of challenge. “Or maybe you’re just not trying hard enough.”
Jihoon chuckled softly, enjoying the banter. “Is that so? I guess I’ll have to step up my game, then.”
Sanghyeok’s eyes sparkled with amusem*nt as he leaned back in his chair, looking up at Jihoon with a knowing expression. “Well, we’ll see how you do at the team dinner, won’t we?”
The playful tension between them lingered in the air as Jihoon straightened up, giving Sanghyeok a mischievous grin. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
With that, Jihoon turned and walked away, leaving Sanghyeok to his thoughts. Sanghyeok watched him go, the smile returning to his face as he considered the possibilities for the evening. Whatever Jihoon had planned, Sanghyeok was ready for it. The game was far from over.
The atmosphere at the restaurant was lively as Sanghyeok walked in, still adjusting his appearance. He had taken off his round glasses, leaving them safely tucked away in his bag, and his suit jacket was casually draped over one shoulder. His hair was slightly tousled and damp, a result of the quick face wash he had done to refresh himself before the dinner. He might have looked a bit messy, but he was still very much presentable, if not a bit more ruggedly handsome than usual.
Sanghyeok scanned the room, spotting his team already gathered around a long table in the back corner. He made his way over, opting for a seat near the end, almost in the corner—away from the center of attention but close enough to still engage in conversation if he wanted to. The soft chatter of his colleagues filled the room as they laughed and shared stories from the day.
As he settled into his chair, Sanghyeok let out a quiet sigh of relief, enjoying the brief moment of solitude. He was about to pick up the menu when he felt someone slide into the seat beside him.
“Fancy seeing you here,” came the familiar, teasing voice of Jihoon.
Sanghyeok didn’t have to look up to know who it was, but he did anyway, just in time to see Jihoon flash him that playful grin he was so used to. Jihoon’s presence was like a magnetic force, drawing attention wherever he went, and Sanghyeok couldn’t help but smirk at the way Jihoon effortlessly made himself comfortable beside him.
“Oh, thank you for saving a seat for me,” Jihoon said smoothly as he settled in. “That’s good of you.”
Sanghyeok raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking up in a wry smile. “Didn’t realize I was saving it for anyone,” he replied, his tone light but laced with a hint of sarcasm.
Jihoon chuckled, leaning back in his chair with an easy confidence. “Well, you’ve got me now. I’m not so bad, am I?”
Sanghyeok shook his head slightly, amused by Jihoon’s persistence. He leaned in just a bit, lowering his voice so only Jihoon could hear. “Depends on how you behave tonight.”
Jihoon’s grin widened, clearly enjoying the challenge. “Oh, I plan on being very well-behaved. At least for now.”
The subtle flirtation in Jihoon’s words wasn’t lost on Sanghyeok, who simply shook his head again with a soft chuckle. He liked the way Jihoon kept him on his toes, always keeping the banter alive. It was a game Sanghyeok was more than happy to play.
As the rest of the team continued to fill the seats around them, the two settled into a comfortable rhythm of quiet conversation, Jihoon occasionally brushing his shoulder against Sanghyeok’s in a way that felt almost natural. Despite the playful teasing, there was an undeniable ease between them—a connection that neither could deny, even if it was just the start of something neither had fully acknowledged yet.
The night was still young, and Sanghyeok couldn’t help but wonder just what surprises Jihoon had in store for him. Whatever they were, he knew it would be an evening to remember.
The dinner was full with laughter and conversation filling the room as the team dug into the dishes that had been laid out. After their manager gave a brief speech, thanking everyone for their hard work, the atmosphere lightened even more, and the clinking of glasses and utensils began to punctuate the evening.
Sanghyeok was content to eat quietly, savoring the food and enjoying the lively ambiance without getting too involved in the conversation. He preferred to keep a low profile at these kinds of gatherings, especially when he was still catching up on his energy after a long day.
But of course, Jihoon had other plans.
No sooner had Sanghyeok picked up his chopsticks than he felt a familiar nudge against his shoulder. It was subtle at first, just a gentle brush as Jihoon reached for something on the table. Sanghyeok didn’t pay much attention to it—until it happened again. This time, the nudge was a little more deliberate, causing Sanghyeok to pause mid-bite.
He glanced sideways at Jihoon, who had a suspiciously innocent look on his face as he continued to eat. Sanghyeok raised an eyebrow but said nothing, deciding to let it slide. He was about to take another bite when Jihoon’s arm suddenly stretched in front of his face, reaching for a dish on the other side of the table.
“Excuse me,” Jihoon murmured, his voice low and smooth as his arm lingered a little too long in front of Sanghyeok, brushing past his nose as he grabbed the dish.
Sanghyeok’s eyes narrowed slightly, but there was a hint of amusem*nt in his expression. Jihoon was clearly trying to get a reaction out of him, but Sanghyeok wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction that easily.
However, the next move caught him off guard.
As Sanghyeok was about to resume eating, he felt the warmth of Jihoon’s hand resting on his thigh under the table. The touch was subtle but firm, an unmistakable gesture that sent a jolt of awareness through Sanghyeok. He froze for a moment, his chopsticks hovering in midair as he processed the sudden intimacy.
Jihoon, for his part, was completely unfazed. He continued to eat, his eyes focused on his plate, but there was a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips, as if he knew exactly what he was doing. His hand remained on Sanghyeok’s thigh, a quiet but deliberate reminder of his presence.
Sanghyeok took a deep breath, regaining his composure. He wasn’t about to let Jihoon get the upper hand—not here, not now. With a calmness that belied the flutter in his chest, Sanghyeok gently but firmly moved Jihoon’s hand away, shooting him a sideways glance that was both a warning and a challenge.
Jihoon’s smile only widened, his eyes glinting with mischief as he finally looked over at Sanghyeok. “What’s wrong? Didn’t mean to distract you,” he said, his tone dripping with faux innocence.
Sanghyeok huffed softly, shaking his head as he resumed eating, though there was a small, amused smile on his lips. “You’re going to have to try harder than that, Jihoon.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Jihoon replied smoothly, leaning in just a little closer. “I’ve got all night.”
Sanghyeok’s smile deepened, and though he focused on his food, he couldn’t help but feel the growing anticipation. Jihoon was relentless, but Sanghyeok wouldn’t have it any other way. The evening was shaping up to be far more interesting than he had expected, and he was more than ready for whatever Jihoon had planned next.
