Take off your clothes, Jeongguk."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. I want your clothes off but leave on your boxers. Then I want you to turn around so I can tie you up."
Jeon Jeongguk had never seen this side of Mr. Kim Taehyung.
As his executive assista...
Jeongguk stood up, straightened his clothes, and stepped out of the bathroom stall a different man. He rinsed his mouth, ate several mints, and brushed his hair back until every wayward strand lay in place leaving some to lay on his forehead. He no longer had the pinched look of a corporate prisoner. Jeon Jeongguk was free. All he had to do was submit.
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He doesn't show fear—neither will I.
He doesn't say much—I don't have to either.
He does his job perfectly. So will I.
The b*stard won't even know what hit him.
Their interactions changed dramatically after that. Jeongguk no longer scurried about in his presence. He had the impenetrable calm of the enlightened. There was nothing Mr Kim, or anyone for that matter, could do to ruffle his composure.
If Jeongguk noticed him watching him more and more, well, surely it was only curiosity and maybe even a bit of envy?
He rightly deduced Mr Kim wouldn't be satisfied with his rebirth without testing his defenses. His attacks came in the form of borderline unreasonable tasks.
Unreasonable tasks.
Unreasonable prodding.
Unreasonable callings.
Jeongguk countered each one with a serene smile. He poked and prodded, haughty expression firmly in place, to see if he could make him bleed. He was impervious for righteousness sided with him. Their battle raged for eighteen days before Mr Kim withdrew in defeat.
"Excellent work, Mr Jeon."
He called him by name. Mr Jeon. Wow. A progress in their work relation.
The heavens opened up and "Ode to Joy" became his personal soundtrack for the rest of the day. He kept dwelling in the same haze throughout the day repeating 'excellent work Mr Jeon' like a favourite song on repeat.
Soon their schedules overlapped enough to become the same. A replacement never materialized—at least not in Mr Kim' office. When Jeongguk received a hefty raise he rightly assumed he wasn't going back to IT dept anytime soon.
