𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐀𝐅𝐅★𝐈𝐑𝐒 ― F. TOJI

第二话―

𝐓𝐎𝐉𝐈 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐍𝐎 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐀 how or when he ended up there. Inside Kong Si–woo, the Vice–President of his company's office. Talking about you.

"Perhaps it's...um," the other male rubbed his chin as he slightly turned his head to the side, eyes seemingly far away; lost in his thoughts. "Early mid–life crisis?"

"Early mid–life...crisis?"

"How old is Ms. (L/N) anyway?" Si–woo leaned closer to his friend, ears all open for Toji's answer.

"Good question," a loud, exaggerated sigh met his words as Si–woo slumped back into his seat.

"How could you? She has been working for you for 8 years!"

"Why? Is her age relevant to me?" Toji questioned, an air of intimidation rounding him as his friend muttered, you cold–hearted bastard...

"It's not that! I just want to know more about her," Si–woo nervously laughed, palms slapping the thigh of his friend sitting across from him. Though, he didn't need to look to quickly retrieve his hand back to himself, tucking it behind him if he didn't want to lose it from the menacing glare that fell on him. "After all, Ms. (L/N) is popular in the company for how attractive and capable she is. Plus, she's the only one who can keep up with you..." the male mumbled the last part.

"Well, of course. It must be from how I train her."

"Yes, yes, Mr. Vice–Chairman," the shorter male sighed, having enough of his ignorant words. "But it's not just that. It's—promise you won't tell anyone else, but she's single too!"

"...so?" Toji questioned at his friend's excited squeal, disgust written all over his face as he narrowed his eyes and quirked a brow. "Plus, I am aware of the fact that she's single."

Si–woo quickly recovered from his embarrassing fanboy moment after realising the look on Toji's face, clearing his throat into the awkward air before speaking, "That's cause it's you. But if anyone else in this company were to know...everyone would be fighting to score a date with Ms. (L/N)!"

Toji's face suddenly shifted right after hearing what Si–woo had said about his employees—all of which are idiots obsessed with his secretary. "A date?" he scoffed, speechless as he stood up from the mini office couch, walking around the office space as his friend curiously followed him with his gaze, "There's no way. Ms. (L/N) has no interest in wasting her time, she's too busy working with me."

"You can't say it like that," Si–woo clicked his tongue, a raised finger wriggling in the air as he shut his eyes and shook his head, as if he was a teacher trying to right his student's wrongs. "Women, no matter who, craves romance. The passion, the wonder, the ecstasy of love!" the male exaggerated, piecing his fingers together as he fluttered his eyelashes.

"Work is still work, shouldn't that be a priority?" Toji's larger hands came up to push Si–woo's face, making him fall back into the sofa with a loud thud.

This only made the shorter male let out an exasperated sigh, palm rubbing the nape of his nape with his back slouched; tired of having to explain everything to his employer, "Ms. (L/N) is no different than any other woman. Imagine having no time for romance for 8 whole years—it's torture for them!"

No romance? Torture? Toji's mind clicked just after hearing what Si–woo had said; is this perhaps connected to your sudden change? Are you finally tired of keeping up with him? Is he going to lose his precious secretary of 8 years?

"No way."

"What?" Si–woo stared, confused. Has Toji finally gone insane from all that workload?

"I forgot I have something to do...in my office," the male suddenly paused, long legs quick to rush to the door as if he had something terribly urgent to deal with, leaving his friend still staring and confused when the door slammed close.

"Is your sudden change related to the lack of romance in your life?" your employer startled you with his words.

You stood in the center of Toji's spacious, meticulously organized office, your mind still reeling from the absurdity of his sudden question.

"Excuse me?" you managed to reply, your tone tinged with disbelief and a touch of irritation.

Toji's tall figure loomed over his desk, his gaze serious and almost intense, as if he had just uncovered a mystery that had been plaguing him for days. He repeated, with no hint of embarrassment or hesitation, "Is your sudden change related to the lack of romance in your life?"

"I don't understand, Mr Vice-President," you said, your voice carefully controlled, masking the irritation simmering beneath the surface. "Are you unsatisfied with my recent conduct?"

"Or is it some kind of early mid-life crisis?" he lowered his head, one of his eyebrow rose while his eyes remained trained onto you. The ever-so-nonchalant employer of yours was awfully curious that day, and he didn't seem to mind throwing these dismaying guesses at you.

The sheer absurdity of his words made you bristle, but you forced a smile, one that didn't quite reach your eyes. "I assure you, sir, I am perfectly fine." your words were clipped, tone colder than you intended. Before he could respond, you turned on your heel and strode out of the office, your heart pounding with a mixture of frustration and... something else you didn't want to name.

A/N: Kinda short but I'm struggling lately 😭 The only drive for me to write is procrastinating from my studies rawwwwww