When Y/N stepped inside the office, everyone was awkward. She knew that the incident with Aera and the mention of Y/N's late boyfriend was going to make things uncomfortable for a while. Y/N tried to put on a brave face and focus on her work, but she couldn't shake the feeling that lingered within her.
The memory of that dream felt too real and she wished it had been. She wished that Jay had truly been there, holding her and kissing her with that same tenderness from months ago.
"Did you get home safely?" Her coworker asked with a soft smile and she nodded, forcing a smile in return. "People can be a bit insensitive so don't let it get to you too much."
"I appreciate it." Y/N smiled, offering a reassuring pat on her shoulder. "Is Mr. Park here?"
"Yes, he asked about you earlier. The way he defended you yesterday made quite an impression on the team. Everyone is talking about how he stood up for you."
"Yeah," She smiled awkwardly. "I should thank him for that." She took her laptop and stood up from her desk before making her way to his office, her hand hovering over the doorknob for a moment. However, before she knew it, the door swung open and he stood in front of her, making her forget how to breathe for a moment.
He was talking on the phone and their eyes met for a brief moment before she looked away. "Come inside. I'll be back in a minute." She bowed politely and stepped into his office as he walked out. The scent of his cologne lingered in the air, a faint trace of something comforting and familiar.
She sat there, silently waiting for him to come back. His glasses were sitting on the edge of the desk, and she couldn't help but pick them up and turn them in her hands. The memories of that night in the hospital flooded her mind but when she heard someone clear their throat, she quickly put them back. "I'm sorry."
Jay closed the door behind him and gave her a faint smile as he took his seat behind the desk. "It's fine, Y/N. It's not like you never touched my things before. Old habits die hard, you know."
Y/N couldn't bring herself to look at him, her gaze fixed on the floor. "Yeah, well, um... thank you for yesterday. I appreciate it, Mr. Park."
"Mr. Park?" He repeated, his brow slightly up. "We're not strangers-"
"We're at work. You're my boss and there's practically nothing between us now," she interrupted him, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... it's easier this way."
Jay leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving her. "Did you get home safe yesterday, Miss Y/N?" She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, feeling disappointed that her dream had been nothing more than a fleeting illusion brought on by alcohol and loneliness. When she nodded, he pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek. "How did you get home?"
She frowned, glancing at him while fidgeting with her fingers. "I... Um, I don't want to bother you with the details. It's not important," She replied, avoiding eye contact.
"You were drunk. Did you get a cab, or did someone drive you home?" He leaned forward and she could feel his eyes boring into her, demanding an answer.
"I don't remember much," Y/N admitted reluctantly. "I think I called a cab, but... I don't know. Everything's a bit hazy after leaving the restaurant. Why do you even care? You don't have to pretend to care. We both know things are different now-"
"So you don't remember anything." She glanced up at him, her eyes locking with his, and she saw a flicker of something in his gaze – something that made her heart skip a beat.
"I don't," She replied, her voice shaky. "Should I?"
He leaned back against his chair and let out a sigh, running his fingers through his perfect hair. "No, you shouldn't. Actually, things are better now that you don't remember. I can just pretend that nothing happened."
"What..." Her heart sank to the floor. "What do you mean?"
"You're dismissed, Miss Y/N." Y/N couldn't believe what she was hearing. Jay's words felt like a punch in the gut, leaving her feeling confused and hurt. She knew she deserved it, but he could at least have been honest with her.
"Fine, Mr. Park," She said, her tone colder than she intended. "I'll leave." She stormed out of his office while telling herself that her dream could never have been a reflection of reality. It was just a fleeting illusion, and Jay's cold attitude had made that painfully clear. How stupid she had been to let herself hope for something more.
Over the next few days, Y/N kept her distance from Jay. She focused on her work and tried to push aside the memories of that dream and the painful conversation that had followed. But it wasn't easy. Every time their eyes locked or the two of them met in the hallway, an undeniable tension hung in the air. Y/N couldn't help but feel that Jay was avoiding her as well, which only added to her confusion and frustration.
One afternoon, as Y/N was working on a program, she received a message on her computer. It was an email from Jay, asking her to come to his office. She sighed, wondering what he wanted now, but couldn't ignore the request from her boss. When she entered Jay's office, he was sitting behind his desk, looking more serious than she had ever seen him. "Mr. Park."
"Miss Y/N, one of our clients wants to have a meeting in an hour. I would like you to come with me since you're the one working on his project."
Y/N was taken aback by Jay's request. It was the first time he had directly asked her to accompany him on a client meeting since that awkward conversation in his office. "Of course, I'll be ready in a few minutes." She quickly put on her coat and grabbed her bag along with the folders with the necessary documents for the client meeting.
Jay was waiting for her downstairs before the two of them walked to his car. She watched as he opened the door for her and she got in without a word before they started the silent drive. She felt awkward but she just looked out the window and fidgeted with the hem of her coat, unsure of what Jay had in mind.
"How are you?" His sudden question made her look over at him while his gaze was fixed on the road. "I heard you cough earlier so I bought some medicine. It's in the back of the car, you should take it if you're not feeling well."
"You don't have to pretend to care, Jay. I know you hate me so-" Jay's grip tightened around the steering wheel and the car suddenly came to a stop, making Y/N startle. She watched while he rested his forehead on the steering wheel for a moment and sighed.
"I don't hate you, Y/N. I need you to stop saying that." He breathed, the sound of exasperation in his voice. "Why are you so cold to me, sunshine?" The nickname he used for her made Y/N's heart flutter and she could feel the tears well up in her eyes. "Do you think a man like me could ever hate you?"
