✨

"You!"

The girl's eyebrow raised and Jungkook immediately realized he had said it out loud. CEO Jung gave him a questioning look.

"Secretary Jeon?" he asked. "Do you know Miss Manoban?"

"I uh..."

He blinked. The girl didn't seem to recognize him as she had this blank expression on her face. Or did she?

If she did, he's toast. Why? Because he had no mask on and he was in his usual fanboy get-up. Camera, big backpack and a black cap. If she does remember the incident at the airport, his identity would be revealed and he'd be fired! That can't happen. The new lens he bought still had a few payments left and he wouldn't be able to pay for that if he loses his job. Tzuyu would kill him if he asks money from her to finance his fanboying. Especially their mom.

He can't let that happen!

"I uh... I was uh... I meant to say... Y—Good!" he managed to blurt out. "It's good to finally meet um... M-Miss Manoban... sir."

Crap. 'You' to 'Good'? Who'd even but that shit?

He secretly scolded himself. He's usually on his feet during encounters like this but why was he turning into an awkward mess? Was it because of...

Miss Manoban gave him a knowing look—like 'I don't buy that shit' kind of look, before turning her attention towards CEO Jung.

Manoban...

Where has he heard that before? Why did it sound oddly familiar?

Manoban... Mano—holy crap.

His eyes grew wider than it did before. Marco Manoban is CEO Jung's stepfather. That means... she's his half-sister! Miss Manoban is the new CEO.

He just f**king kissed his new boss!

✨

Lisa wasn't buying it. This secretary looked really sketchy and oddly familiar. She was supposed to ask him something but seeing as how pale the poor secretary looked, she decided otherwise and avert her brother's attention towards her.

"So this is how JHS turned out," she said smirking as her fingers played with her sunglasses and her eyes looking around. It did not escape her line of sight how a petite woman eyed her from her head down to her toes. The woman even grew wide-eyed when she saw the bag that she was carrying. She placed her gaze back towards her brother ignoring everyone else's rather confused expressions. "I rather like how it looks."

"Thanks, Li," Hoseok replied. "It wasn't easy to turn that small building into this—"

"Um, excuse moi?" The girl standing beside Lisa's brother interrupted. Clearly, she did not look impressed as her arms were folded and she had a scowl plastered on her face. Lisa couldn't help but secretly chuckle. "Who the hell are you? And... what are you doing here? Do you even have any business here?"

She turned towards the brunette and smiled. Then back at her own brother.

"I'm disappointed, oppa," she said with emphasis on the oppa. "I can't believe you didn't tell them who I am. Am I not that important to you? After everything we've been through?"

Her tone implied something else which made the girl's eyes grow bigger. Clearly, she took it in a manner she was expecting her to. Her brother, however, seemed to have caught on her teasing and decided to play along.

"Don't take it in that way, baby," he said stepping a bit closer to her. And to add salt to injury, he trailed his knuckles gently on her cheek. "You know I don't like sharing you to other people. You're only mine, remember?"

Lisa's lips morphed into a sly smirk and she bridged the distance between them. His arms wrapped around her shoulder and she fit perfectly on his side. She'd pay a thousand dollars to anyone who could've photographed the girl's arcane expression on her face.

"Oppa?! Baby?!" the woman started to throw a tantrum. "Ya! Who do you think you are to call my darling like that? He's mine!"

"The right question should be, who are you?" she countered.

The girl flipped her hair—like in a TV ad, and gave an 'I'm-the-most-beautiful-person-here' look.

"You don't know who I am? I am Korea's no. 1 It-Girl. Jennifer Kim."

"Well..." She gave her brother a quick look before turning back to her. "He was mine first. He's been mine for twenty-five years now so... yeah. I don't think you'd beat me."

"What?!"

She grinned. She loved playing with people's emotions from time to time.

"We came from the same womb. Of course, you'd beat every girl out there," her brother added fully making Jennifer Kim's mouth fly wide open. "Board meeting's in about an hour. Let's head to my office first so I could brief you."

As Hoseok guided her towards the elevator, she couldn't help herself taunt the shocked girl they left behind.

Turning slightly towards the girl, she gave her a playful wink as soon as their gazes locked.

Even Secretary Jeon who was following suit got startled.

"Oh, I forgot," her brother suddenly said. "I forgot something from the front desk. I'll just go get it. Secretary Jeon can accompany you to my office."

Before either one of them— she and the secretary could protest, Hoseok already sprinted away from them.

Secretary Jeon cleared her throat before moving his arm to guide her towards the elevator door.

"After you, Miss Manoban."

She stepped inside the elevator and he pressed the button leading to the top floor. He stood a step behind her just like how a secretary or a bodyguard would usually do.

Secretary Jeon looked very young. Maybe around his early twenties or so? He also has this boyish vibe to him but also a manly one. Or something in between.

But she can't help but think. Where'd she seen this guy? He looked really really familiar. She's just been here for a few days so she hasn't met many people yet. And she wouldn't have met him in New York or Vegas. So he's definitely from Ko—

Holy crap!

Her body turned a 180-degree facing the secretary.

"You."

✨

It's confirmed. The girl Jungkook accidentally kissed in the airport was none other than Lalisa Manoban—his new boss. The woman who lashed out and slapped the living daylights out of him was Jung Hoseok's beloved half-sister.

A week had passed and things were quite awkward. But at least his secret hasn't been exposed—yet. And right now, the young miss didn't seem to have any problems adjusting. Except for the fact that almost everyone in the company is scared of her "intimidating" aura.

Day after day Miss Manoban enters the building like she was on a fashion show. One time she wore this silk slip-on dress with a slit that was around half a foot from her hips and paired it off with boots. It didn't help that she had this matching coat on 'coz almost every male in the building couldn't function well that he even had to walk a few inches closer to her side fearing she might flash anyone. Or that other time she wore a pair of high-waisted jeans and a Versace crop top during one of the board meetings that almost gave Director Cha a mild heart attack because of the "indecency" of the outfit. She had to use his suit jacket to at least look work appropriate. She hasn't returned it since.

And now, she's wearing a red suit jacket—with black lace frills, as a dress and a black conductor's hat. Her exposed legs made that one male intern collide with a colleague spilling his morning coffee on the poor guy's clothes.

"Can we start? I have a lunch appointment today," Miss Manoban said as they sat in front of the trainees to be assessed. She had this business-like tone that can be interpreted either as she's bored or she just wasn't interested at all.

"Yes, Miss Manoban," he answered signaling a couple of staff members and the trainees.

The first to perform was the girl group set to debut within the year. CEO Jung always had high hopes for the group for these set of girls are one of the eldest ones in the company.

"Girl Group team A called 'Ro5E'," he informed Miss Manoban making her raise an eyebrow as five girls stood in formation. "Their ages range from 17 as the youngest and 22 as the eldest. Set to debut five months from now."

"Five months, huh?" she said tapping on the clipboard he just handed her. "Let's see what they can do."

The music started and the girls showed the new CEO what they can do. And yes, they did not disappoint. Three years of intensive training—five for the eldest, really does show.

Miyeon—the main vocalist, hit her notes well and was able to deliver her lines smoothly. Saerin—the main dancer, showed everyone why she was chosen by CEO Jung himself. She could put even the current idol to shame with her crisp moves. Ahyoung—the rapper spat fire as she rapped in English in perfect pronunciation. Dahee and Bianca, both lead singers but the other one was the center, did their parts well and added color to the group. All in all, he can confidently say that they were ready. And he's sure they'll rake tons of supporters just by being Royal's little sisters.

"The company currently only has one idol group, correct?" the new CEO asked him as she twirled a pen on her fingers. "And one soloist?"

"Yes, Miss Manoban," he answered. "We were aiming to have a female group by the end of the year and a new boy group next year."

Miss Manoban just nodded and turned her attention to the profile sheets he gave her. She flipped through them while simultaneously throwing the performing girls a glance.

Halfway through the girl's performance, Miss Manoban raised her hand signaling the music to stop—her gaze stuck at the clipboard her other hand was holding.

"Miss Manoban?"

"Saerin-ssi?" she called one of the girls ignoring him. The eldest member—though startled, stepped forward. "You're the main dancer, am I correct?"

"Uhm, yes," the girl answered in a shaky, out-of-breath voice. Of course, it would be like that since she just danced her heart out.

"You're off the debut team," the CEO said shocking everyone in the room.

"Miss Ma—"

Miss Manoban threw him a glare, warning him not to interrupt. Poor Saerin looked crushed as her eyes started to water. But being the strong girl that she is—being the oldest one in the roster and the one who've been through a lot, did not give Miss Manoban the benefit of seeing her cry. Everyone inside the room—including the trainees, fell silent. And they pitied the girl.

"The remaining four girls' debut will be pushed to next year as we will be needing to replace Saerin-ssi," the CEO continued. He could see how Saerin bit her lip, trying to compose herself and not cry in front of everyone.

That's it. She can't just do that.

"I apologize but we cannot do that, Miss Manoban," he said earning everyone's attention. Even his boss raised an eyebrow at his audacity. "The debut has been scheduled and we've already released statements regarding Ro5e's upcoming debut. We're almost finished with the recording of their debut EP so we just can't afford to make sudden changes. Plus Saerin's an incredibly talented trainee. We can't just let her go—"

"Who says anything about letting her go?" she cut him off. She stared blankly at him sending unknown shivers down his spine. Then she turned towards the girl. "She's to debut five months from now as a soloist. She's far too valuable to be trapped inside a mediocre group."

Jungkook's mouth flew wide open the same time Saerin's eyes grew wide. Gasps could be heard from the other trainees as well as the other staff members. Miss Manoban remained unfazed and just crossed her leg while scanning the profile on her hand.

"Apart from her dancing, her voice is even better than the main singer," Miss Manoban continued. "She only needs to work on her rap and that's it. She's the perfect package. I've seen Royal's comeback album and there's one song she can sing with the group as a feature on one of their comeback stages."

"But Miss Manoban," he blurted out. "We cannot debut another soloist since we have Miss Ji Eun—"

"And?"

"Wouldn't this cause an uproar with the fans? There could be a conflict with the supporters—"

"Then why debut a boy group next year, then?" She folded her arms as she stood up to face him. "They are different people. From what I've gathered, Miss Ji Eun doesn't dance much, right? Then that's where Saerin-ssi would focus. They would also cater to a different age group as well as have different concepts."

The CEO took a step forward, eyes darted to wards him. They were piercing through him almost through his soul. But there was this blankness in them too. Something he did not understand.

"I am not daft," she said in an authoritative manner. "I know talent when I see one. I know you do too but, you shouldn't let personal interests cloud your judgment. Am I right, Secretary Jeon?"

He froze.

What... what did she just say?

✨

A wide smirk was etched on her face as she sat behind her brother's desk. In front of Lisa was Secretary Jeon's notebook and beside it was a sticky note she found on his desk.

"I must say, I'm terribly disappointed in you, Secretary Jeon," she addressed the man in front of her. "My brother had always spoken very highly of you. How you're reliable and dedicated. Dedicated, yes but, for a different reason."

Lisa shifted her leg and leaned back to her chair's backrest as she locked gazes with the secretary.

"So... what's your side of the story?" she asked casually. "I'm usually not intrusive but you do understand that I needed to check who the notebook belonged to. And imagine my surprise when I saw a very detailed schedule of Miss Lee Ji Eun."

"I..."

"You?"

"I uh..."

The edge of Lisa's lip raised a bit. Maybe the poor boy needed some help.

"Are you a fanboy, Secretary Jeon? A crazed fanatic? A stalker?"

Jungkook sighed heavily. The thing he dreaded the most finally happened. He didn't say a word and just bowed before taking his ID off.

Anything he'd right now would surely affect him. Seeing the evidence laid in front of him, he cannot simply lie his way out. If he did admit to what she's saying, he pretty much secured his place in jail. Not that being a fanboy is a crime but divulging information about IU's schedule before it was released can be considered one.

He's not particularly proud of what he has done but he wanted to iron out his schedule since being a secretary can mean limited free time. So he aligns the fan meets, airport appearances and IU's other activities to his so that if in case he couldn't attend those he can send his friend Yugyeom to go instead.

So his only way out—and to keep a shred of dignity, was to resign. At least he neither confirmed nor denied the accusation.

Lisa raised an eyebrow as Secretary Jeon took a few steps and placed the ID next to the notebook on top of the desk. Shock was an understatement. But of course, he did not give him the benefit of it.

Again, the man bowed before walking towards the door. But before he could completely leave, she spoke.

"So you're just gonna walk away?" she said. "No explanations whatsoever?"

"It wouldn't matter," he answered straight. "Whatever I say will be taken against me."

"I said an 'explanation', not an excuse," she muttered chuckling. "You don't give me much credit, Secretary Jeon. I have known about it for quite a while now."

She actually found out about it a few days ago when she saw the familiar handwriting. Grabbing the small notebook from her purse, she was shocked to find out that the notebook she picked up at the airport wasn't from one of those fangirls flocking the airport. It was in fact his. And he is a fanboy. Miss Lee Ji Eun's dedicated fanboy.

"Then why didn't you fire me right away?" he asked.

"Do you want me to?" she questioned back. "Do you want me to fire you?"

Jungkook did not answer. He knew it was a trick question.

"Every person has their own quirks. I'm not bothered if you're a crazy fanboy as long as you do your job well," she stated taking the ID from the surface. "But, you are fired."

His forehead creased.

"Why?"

"Because I don't like it when people question my judgment," she said nonchalantly and stood up. She played with the lace of his identification card as she walked towards him.

Even though he towered the CEO, her aura was intimidating enough to make him gulp and take a step back. But the door blocked him making his back hit it.

They were only a few—maybe a couple, inches apart as she folded her arms and leaned even closer to him. Her eyes narrowed at him.

He didn't know what to do as she was staring at him too close for comfort. Is that what happens to people who stay abroad for too long? Forgets the thing called personal space?

"Especially in front of other employees."

Miss Manoban's luscious lips formed a smirk before standing straight again.

Wait, did he just call her lips luscious?

"Have a nice day, Mister Jeon."

✨

Jungkook heaved a sigh as he dug into the kimchi fried rice he just made. A day has already passed of him being officially unemployed and it felt terrible. He was bored out of his wits and he's pissed at the trolls flocking stan twitter. He was tempted to give them a piece of his mind but as a fan site, it's not necessarily right to get in between fan wars.

And there's user stanjieun. He doesn't know much about this person but he was a menace. This sasaeng fan would always follow IU around and take photos even in flights. This person would also book hotels in close proximities to IU just so he could get photos of her or in compromising situations. Sometimes he'd think whether this person was a fan or a hater. Because of his actions that are way over the line.

His thoughts were cut off when he felt his phone vibrate. His forehead creased when he saw Manager Choi's name flash.

He contemplated whether to answer or not.

Why is IU's manager calling him? Did Miss Manoban tell him about his identity? Is he gonna curse me or something?

Or it could be some sort of emergency? Maybe IU's having problems? Troubles?

In the end, the idea of being rude made him receive the call.

"Yes, Manager Choi?"

"Um... Secretary Jeon? Is this you?"

His eyes grew wide and he almost choked on his food.

It was Lee freakin' Ji Eun! IU herself was freakin' calling him!

"Uh... Uhm... uh... y-yes! It's uh... um... me. Secretary Jeon. Yeah." He stammered as he tried to compose himself. "What um... what can I do for you, Miss Lee?"

He tried his best to mask his squealing self by sounding serious and business-like.

"I was wondering if you were free tonight? I haven't been able to thank you about my comeback fiasco and CEO Jung told me that it was you who really helped contain the situation," she said sweetly.

He can't help but fawn over the other line but of course, hid it well. Except for the small strain in his voice that he was quick to dismiss by clearing his throat.

"Um... now? I uh..."

"I'm sorry if it's urgent. I'd understand if you aren't free—"

"No! I mean... I uh... yes! I'd love you to join you for dinner. But you don't actually have to. I just did my job so you really shouldn't be giving me too much credit."

"Still, Secretary Jeon, I am very thankful," the idol said on the other line. "So I guess seven in the evening would be fine?"

"Ah, yes. It's fine."

"Great! I'll have Manage Choi pick you up tonight." Her cheerful voice was music to his ears. "Again, thank you very much for your help, Secretary Jeon."

And then the line was dead. But his heart was very much... alive.

✨

Lisa was close to losing her mind. It had been just one day and not having a secretary was pure torment. Maybe she acted rash by firing Mr. Jeon? But the bloke almost made her look stupid in front of the trainees and staff. Plus he's that pervert who kissed her at the airport.

"Miss Manoban, Ro5e's debut EP final cut is already done. Mr. Min is ready for you," the intern said before immediately leaving at the whip of her hand.

Min Yoongi. So he's still here. How delightful.

A min-haired guy with a pale complexion walked into her office. He had a stick in his mouth just like always.

"No smoking inside my office, Mr. Min," she said as she scanned the papers on her desk. She just gave him a quick glance to check whether or not the guy was actually there.

Yoongi chuckled as he took the lollipop out of his mouth. Typical Lalisa Manoban.

"So what's gotten your panties in a twist, Manobutt?" He boldly said walking towards her desk. "You know I've already quit that shit."

Lisa stopped whatever she was doing and removed her glasses before locking gazes with the older man. She scoffed.

"I see you still don't know how to sensor your words," she said clasping her hands together and placing her elbows on the surface. "Too bad. You would've made a great idol."

"I heard what you did with my group. I can't say I don't agree with you but those girls are looking forward to their debut."

"And they still will," she answered. "I can't just place Saerin in a group 'coz that'll just create a problem between the girls. She's 22 and the rest are 17 to 19. Plus her voice even overshadows the main vocal's. Can you imagine the hate and backlash she'll get once they debut? Her being the company's second soloist would both benefit her and the company."

"But the IU fans would throw hate at her."

"Not when we make concept different. I was thinking edgier. She can rap a bit so we can use that. Her aura would definitely help break into western market. I dunno why my brother keeps pushing her to be in a group when she can make it on her own."

Yoongi's eyes narrowed at her.

"What?" She spat.

"You do know this is a risky move."

"If we don't take risks, then we wouldn't be taking a step forward. JHS will remain second best instead of being the best Entertainment company," she reasoned out. "Hoseok oppa made a big risk with Royal and look where it got him. I've made unknown names in the US be known, Yoongi. I'm confident that Saerin will carry JHS into a whole new level."

"But the States and Korea are two different countries. To be honest, talent is just second here."

"Saerin's visual might be a bit weak but I'm sure it's nothing a glam team can't do."

Yoongi wasn't able to reply to that and just sighed.

"So, is the song ready?"

"Yeah. But I can't show it to you just yet."

Lisa raised an eyebrow.

"And why is that?"

"I made dinner reservations," he said shrugging. "You owe me one."

Lisa then finally broke into a smile before grabbing her purse.

"Great. I'm famished."

✨

[BREAKING] Dispatch reveals Nation's Sweetheart IU is dating! Various images released of a man in his early twenties with the idol at a restaurant with the two smiling lovingly at each other with neither her manager nor her stylist at close proximity. Her company is yet to confirm the news.

Jungkook almost dropped his phone as soon as he saw the headline. He blinked a couple times before rereading the article a few dozen times.

Then his phone started to ring.

He gulped before reaching for the device then took a deep breath.

"Hello?"

"GET YOUR FILTHY ASS HERE IN MY OFFICE. NOW!"

"Y-Yes, Miss Manoban."

✨