Golden ◂ NCT Jaemin

38 ◂ Deal

keep this picture in mind as you read this chapter, thanks <3

◂ 38 ▸

Jie knocked on the door to Taeyong's office and opened it once she heard him hum quietly in return. Jaemin and she stepped inside, then waited for Taeyong to finish what he was working on. 

Taking that moment to look around, Jie quickly noticed that the office was unusually messy. Papers and files were lying around. A blanket and pillow partly covered the sofa. Empty take out boxes were piled up next to the coffee table. 

Jie sighed as she threw a glare at the oldest, who finally looked up. His relieved smile lasted for not even a handful of seconds before it swapped places with apologetic puppy eyes and an awkward grin. 

While Jaemin didn't know why he reacted this way, Taeyong knew exactly what was going to happen. 

"What did I tell you about spending time at the office?" Jie asked. She talked as if this was an exam and Taeyong was about to fail.

He forced a smile. "No more than three days in a row?"

"And how many days has it been?"

"...more than three," Taeyong admitted sheepishly. To counter her judging glare, he quickly got up and rounded his desk. "But I had important things to do!"

"What will happen if you get sick?" she asked him in return.

He hesitated, considered to challenged her glare with a glare of his own. However, he ended up realizing that there was no use battling her in this. 

He would lose without a doubt. 

So he gave in and said in defeat, "I won't be able to take care of the important things."

"Right." She seemed satisfied. "Please go home tonight."

Pouting, the older nodded. "Yes ma'am." 

Changing the topic quickly, Taeyong motioned for the two to sit down. Jaemin went first and dragged the girl to the sofa with him. 

"Let's talk," Taeyong said enthusiastically as he let himself drop down on the chair opposite the younger two. 

He handed them a file each, allowed them to quickly skim through it. Taeyong grinned, which confused Jie. 

"Are you alright?" she asked. 

"I just realized that this is the first job where it's just the two of you," Taeyong pointed out. "Quite exciting, isn't it?" 

It took Jaemin a moment to agree to that. At this point, he felt so close to Jie already that he had completely forgotten that they had actually gone on barely any missions together. 

Jaemin looked at her curiously. "You trust me, right?" 

Jie nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

Wide grin, eyes sparkling with joy, Taeyong clapped his hands together. "Great!" 

Though it affected Jaemin and Jie, it was Taeyong who seemed the most joyous about this. He was genuinely happy to see them getting along well. 

Truth be told, he had been a little anxious. He had forced coincidences onto the two in hopes it would change things for the better. 

Yet, he also knew that Doyoung was right. Secretly pushing them in a certain direction wasn't what he should have done. 

Knowing that it at least worked out, eased his mind. 

Meanwhile, Jaemin and Jie were already reading through the file in her hands. Their task was outlined on the first page, yet both of them skipped right past it considering that Taeyong usually preferred to explain that part himself.