~ ʙʟᴜᴇ & ɢʀᴇʏ: ʙᴛs~

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Seohwa's POV~

I stood in front of the mirror and tied my hair into a neat ponytail, brushing away a few loose strands that framed my face. My reflection stared back at me - dark circles were faintly visible under my eyes, but I forced out a smile. It had been a long time since I had slept well. And considering today, the first day of my new job, I had way more trouble sleeping than other days, anxiety ate me out.

I put on a white blouse and tucked it into a black skirt, smoothing out the creases to look neat and clean. I grabbed my blazer from the wardrobe and draped it over my shoulders before reaching for my wristwatch. Being a secretary, I must look professional today.

My gaze shifted to that diamond ring on my ring finger. Yes... that same ring he gave me before leaving me forever. My smile faded as I traced it with my fingers, chuckling to myself bitterly, "I wish I could just throw it. But I can't force my heart to do so. Even though, I know that you... betrayed..."

The door of my room creaked open suddenly, "Are you done, Seohwa?" my brother, Seokjin, asked me.

I hummed, glancing at him for a second, before I grabbed my handbag and rushed out of my room. I headed to the small kitchen where Seokjin had placed breakfast. The delicious scent watered my mouth instantly.

"Woah... That's a lot, oppa," my eyes widened seeing the variety of dishes he had prepared. It'd be a crime to deny that Seokjin cooked the best food! No one could ever compare to him.

"Oh no no! It's perfectly enough!" he waved at me playfully, "You gotta eat a lot today. After all, it's the first day of your new job!" he winked at me.

"I'm not a giant that I can finish these all!" I whined as I glanced over the food arranged on the small table. They were all my favourite dishes from different delicacies.

"I'll pack it for your lunch then," he replied, leaving me with no choice but to chuckle and take a seat to feast upon the mouth-watering food he had prepared.

"So... Is it good?" Seokjin asked me with a hesitant smile.

That made me giggle, "Of course, oppa! Is it something you should ask? You're the best chef!" I complimented him.

He scratched the back of his neck nervously and chuckled, "Ah... It's nothing!"

"You are the best chef. No doubt why you have so many customers at your restaurant," I winked at him.

He giggled and nodded, "That's a point, though. And I'm handsome too," that made me roll my eyes playfully. Seokjin had always been proud of his looks and it was a peculiar habit of his to flatter himself. Suddenly, his gaze turned serious and his smile faded away as he stared at me. I could sense he was worrying about something.

I gulped down the water from the glass after finishing my food and stared at him with a confused look. I decided to ask him, "What's wrong?"

He sighed and looked away. I wondered what was bothering him so much. I frowned as I started to get tensed too. "Hey, oppa-"

"Take care of yourself... Please...," he looked at me with eyes filled with worry, "I-I am... worried you'll fall sick again."

I couldn't help but smile gently at his words, "Oppa, please don't stress yourself. I'm doing well, okay? Besides, I'm taking my medicines on time. So... I'll get better soon."

Seokjin sighed and nodded. He knew deep down that he was worrying a bit too much but he couldn't do anything about it. I was his only family and he was my only. He looked at me and spoke softly, "You haven't met your CEO yet, have you?"

I shook my head, "He was away overseas when the interview was taken. The Executive Manager took it and hired me."

He nodded, "So... good luck with your meeting with the CEO. Please don't stress yourself... The doctors already said it's harmful. Keep up that confident demeanor and present yourself well."

I smiled and assured him, "I won't stress, oppa. Don't worry."

I glanced at the wall clock, "I think I should get going. I don't want to be late. It's the first day."

Seokjin nodded, "Yes, you should. Be careful and take care. Do call me from time to time."

I nodded and got up from my seat. I slipped into my heels and rushed out to the door. I glanced back at my brother, "I'll come soon. Take care of yourself... and her."

Seokjin nodded firmly, "Don't worry about that. Go safe," he waved at me as I left for the bus-stop.

»»---->

The lobby buzzed with activity as I made my way to the reception. Shoes clicked onto the floor, as employees rushed past me. The scent of coffee lingered in the air, mingling with the random conversations among employees.

I approached the reception desk. The receptionist was a kind and young lady, with a radiating smile, "Hello, this is Park Jiwoo, the receptionist. How may I help you, miss?"

I smiled back at her, "Greetings, this is Kim Seohwa-"

The lady widened her eyes, "Oh, you're the new secretary for our CEO!" I nodded at her words. "The executive floor is the 60th floor."

I nodded with a warm smile, expressing my gratitude, "Thank you."

The office on the 60th floor was sophisticated - a huge area with floor-to-ceiling windows displaying the city skyline and the tall skyscrapers. I looked around in awe. That felt surreal!

I took some help from the employees around who led me to the CEO office. I huffed as I stared at the huge double-doors. The building tension in me was increasing as each second passed by. Calm down, Seohwa. You can do it. I assured myself.

"May I come in, sir?" I tried my best to not sound nervous, though my voice came out shaky.

A deep, manly voice resounded through the huge room, "Yes."

I forced out a bright smile, to hide my nervousness skillfully as I approached the CEO. I wasn't able to see his face clearly - he was busy signing some files, the computer in front of him shielded his face from my view.

But then, he looked up from his papers and set his gaze on me.

And... I felt as if my soul had left my body when I recognized the man in front of me. My smile instantly faded away and my eyes widened. I almost stopped breathing. How could it be? I swear it's a nightmare!

I could see the same reaction on his face. His breath is caught in his throat as he swallows a heavy lump in his throat. He mumbled breathlessly, his eyes filled with disbelief, "S-Seohwa?"

"J-Jungkook...?!" I gasped out his name. I felt like I was hallucinating. No... Not HIM out of all people!

"You- what are you doing here?" he got up from his seat abruptly, as he made his way towards me.

I flinched seeing him come towards me. I instinctively clutched onto the handle of my handbag as I murmured nervously, "I-I... I am the new secretary..."

His eyes widened more as he stared at me, "Secretary?! Y-You are the one?" he looked at me with a frown, trying to convince himself if I was telling the truth. "Shit...," he cursed under his breath.

I huffed and looked away. Oh God! Please tell me this is a nightmare! The man whom I had never wanted to meet ever again, was right there, sitting in front of me as my new boss.

He sighed and walked back to his desk, gesturing me with his hand, "Take a seat."

I reluctantly took a seat. I could feel my hands sweat and tremble. I looked down, fumbling with my fingers. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. I felt like a prisoner, desperate to escape.

»»---->

Jungkook's POV~

I could feel my heart thump hard against my chest. That was beyond my wildest thoughts. Am I being delusional?! I asked myself. The woman that never left my mind even for a second, that face that I had yearned to see all these years... She was right in front of me!

I sighed and searched through my drawer. Focus Jeon, focus. She is your secretary, you're her boss! I reminded myself. I took out a pile of papers and briefly read through the contents to make sure it was the correct one.

"Here," I handed her the papers, "This is the work you need to complete within a week."

She nodded and gently took the papers in her hands, reading through the contents, "I'll try my best, Mr. Jeon."

Mr. Jeon...? Not Kookie? Not Kook? It made me uncomfortable hearing her address me by my surname. It was way too formal. I kept my gaze fixed on her for some good minutes. I had a lot on my mind. Many questions. Is she still waiting for me? Is she still single? Does she still love me like she used to? I was battling my inner thoughts, wondering if I should ask it all or not.

"Mr. Jeon..."

Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I kept staring at her dumbfoundedly, "Y-Yes, Kim?"

"Could you please tell me about the rules and regulations of the company?" she asked.

I cleared my throat before continuing, "Sure," I looked straight into her eyes, "The rules and regulations of this company are simple - no slacking off, no leaving the work that requires a deadline and the most important rule is that, you can't disrespect the CEO in any way," I paused for a moment, "You're new here so, you're not required to work overtime. However, if there's an urgent meeting, I may call you anytime."

She nodded, "Alright. Thank you, Mr. Jeon."

'Mr. Jeon' again... I huffed at that. I didn't like how she was addressing me. I missed how she used to call me 'Kookie' with her soft voice, that was like a mellifluous melody to me. But... wasn't it obvious? I was her boss, she was my secretary.

»»---->

Seohwa's POV~

I sighed, taking the papers in my hand. A week... I guess I should be able to complete it.

I noticed Jungkook staring at me from head to toe. He said softly, with a hint of reluctance clear in his voice, "It's been a long time... How have you been?"

"Good," I replied dryly. I saw his eyes turn a bit sharper as his eyebrows shot up at my nonchalant tone.

I was about to get up when he spoke out, "How's life going? All good?" his voice was reluctant and nervous.

I looked at him with a stoic expression as I answered, "Great."

He nodded, poking his inner cheek. I was instinctively rubbing the 'promise ring' he gave me six years ago within my fingers. Suddenly, my eyes fell on the ring finger of his left hand.

The 'promise ring' was gone. It was replaced by another diamond ring, larger and shinier than the 'promise ring'.

Another ring...? Where is the 'promise ring'? My eyes widened in both confusion and disbelief. Did he... actually get over me?

Jungkook must have noticed where my eyes were. Because he pulled his hand away from the desk and looked away.

"You're... engaged?" I blurted out, staring at him with a sad expression. He got over me this easily?

He hesitantly nodded. "It's been two months...," he replied dryly.

I wanted to lash out at him, throw a ton of questions at him but I held back. I forced out a smile, "That's great... Congratulations!"

He looked away and murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, "Thanks..."

There lingered an awkward silence between us. None of us spoke to the other. It was him who broke that deafening silence.

"You... Are you still single?" his eyes flickered over my face and then, it averted to my left hand. I noticed how his eyes lightened up at the sight of the 'promise ring'. He asked softly, his voice laced with anticipation, "Still waiting for me?"

I wanted to slap him at his question. Still waiting for him? Yes, I was! Did he think I'm a traitor like he turned out to be?!

I chuckled, a hint of bitterness in my tone, "No. I'm married," I lied.

I sat back comfortably as I watched his expression change in an instant. He froze on his seat, his eyes widened and his jaw hanged open. He got up from his seat abruptly as he huffed out, "What?"

I nodded, "You heard right. I'm married."

"W-Who? Who is it?" his eyes turned sharper as he stared at me.

"An old friend of mine," I replied nonchalantly.

"Which 'old friend'?" he asked me sharply, "And how long have you been married?"

"Six years," I stared back at him, "I have been married for six years and I have a daughter as well."

That was too much for him to process. He shook his head, "You're married? For... six years? And... you have a daughter?! You're a mother now?" he stared at me in disbelief.

"Yes. I am," I replied confidently.

He scoffed, "Six years ago... I left for Germany. And you immediately got married with another man? That was how much you loved me?"

"What should I have done, then? You were the one who blocked my number when I tried to reach you out!" I snapped at him.

That silenced Jungkook as he looked away. Yes, it was his fault. He was the one who ended our relationship. He had no right to be hurt. He let out a deep exhale and looked away.

I got up from my seat and bowed, "I should get going, Mr. Jeon."

He merely nodded as I took my leave from his office room.

I let out a sigh of relief as I exited his room. I felt terrible for lying to him that I was married. I was not. I could never think of marrying anyone else. But I didn't want to appear like a fool to him, who waited for him to return all these six years while he's there, engaged with another woman. I couldn't reveal the entire truth to him. I didn't want him to stick to me my entire life.

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