Only On Paper / JJK

Chapter 16

Two hours into your shift, you feel absolutely exhausted. Mr. Kim has exerted your capabilities in not just your secretarial duties but has even had you serve cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to his guests. He had you waitressing even though it's not a part of your responsibilities. You're certainly not going to stand up for yourself because the last thing you need is to be fired from the only job that will open up so many opportunities for you.

So you push through it, smiling and greeting those interested in Vante's art without a single complaint. You do exactly what Mr. Kim has asked of you, but as soon as your shift ends and he closes up the exhibit for the night, your lips upturn as you return to the front desk.

Letting your hair free, you comb through the dark locks, and the heachache knotted at your temples comes loose. You breathe a sigh of relief.

This is probably the hardest you've ever had to work at Vante's. You actually broke out into a sweat. Your clothes aren't soaked or anything but still, this is the most exercise you've done in a while.

You wonder what kind of workouts Jungkook does to stay so fit. Naturally, you end up picturing his abs. You had gotten a rather good glimpse of them when you went shopping for the first time. You remember it quite well.

"Who are you thinking about?" The question has you slip out of your reverie to look up at your boss, who's smirking down at you.

You fidget with your fingers before tucking your hair behind your ears, sputtering nonsense because you were caught off guard. You don't know how to respond to that.

Mr. Kim laughs lightly. "You're blushing. That's why I asked."

You cover your cheeks with one hand, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"You must like them a lot if just the thought them makes you heat up like that."

This is not the kind of conversation you want to be having with someone you work under, especially not with Mr. Kim. He's your boss! This is really unprofessional, but he doesn't seem to mind as he continues to talk.

"That's, uh, why I had to fire Dal." The unprecedented confession has the warmth in your cheeks cool. What did he just say?

You blink at him, as speechless as ever. Why is he telling you this? You're not his friend.

Mr. Kim licks his lips, breaking eye contact to nervously scratch the back of his neck. "I realize this is not something we should talk about. But you're by far one of my best employees, and I don't really have anyone else to talk to about these kinds of things. My family and friends are at Bisan-dong, my hometown. I just...really need to get this off my chest."

His gaze returns to yours, trying to find some sort of affirmation from you before he really blurs the line of professionalism. You search his eyes, finding desperation to just get it all off his chest, and so you slowly nod your head.

"You want something to drink?" He motions to the back where the champagne bottles are. He needs to loosen up to get really comfortable, as do you. You respond with a resound, "Yes."

Following him to the break room, you take a seat at the small, round table towards the center while you watch Mr. Kim grab a bottle from the fridge in the corner and a couple glasses in the cupboard beside it.

He places one in front of you, the other across the table where he sits, and pours about a third in each glass. You bring it to your lips and take a sip, savoring the taste as it's one of the most expensive drinks you'll perhaps ever have.

Mr. Kim does the same and then breaks the silence. "So, I guess first things first. I'm gay, which you know or else I wouldn't have had to fire Dal." He takes another swig of champagne.