the 8 before the 1 - ATEEZ ff

4

"Now it's my turn. Everyone pay extra attention! It gets spicy so my apologies in advance." Wooyoung totally switched the mood as Lia chuckled. Wooyoung felt proud of his share of the video as he kept an eye on Lia's reaction.

"Hongjoong hyung kept his promise. He didn't lose contact with Lia. She had told him that she was looking for a part time job. To help out with her expenses. Hongjoong, as the sweet guy he is, pulled some strings and got her a job at KQ." Now it was Hongjoong's turn to feel proud. He crossed his arms as he smiled and kept watching Wooyoung's part of the story.

Entering the building, Lia felt a little out of place. Being a janitor was not in her cards but she was not complaining. Cleaning was something she enjoyed and if it gave her some extra money, she was satisfied.

After getting her situated, she started her shift. Late nights at the company became her routine. She worked on the bathrooms, the offices and the studios. 

Days went by and Lia got used to her job. Just like any other day, she cleaned the bathrooms, the offices and the studios. 

With her headphones on, being used to the empty building, Lia entered the dance practice studio surprised by the lights being on. Not giving much thought to it, someone must have forgotten to turn them off.

Starting on the big mirrors, Lia jumped as a man appeared behind her.

"Hi" he said.

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry! I didn't think anyone was in here." Lia tried to calm her heart from the jump scare.

"It's alright, I'm Wooyoung, what's your name?" He looked friendly.

"And just like that, we started being friends." Wooyoung kept explaining. "Almost every night I went to the studio to practice my dance. And also to see her. She became my muse at a point. The mysterious girl that appeared late at night and disappeared during the day." 

Lia turned to Wooyoung, "Ok that sounds dramatic, I was just a university student". 

"Yes but what's the fun in that" he responded.

"As time went by, we started developing a flirtatious relationship. We weren't close friends because we didn't know much about each other. It was working hours for her and practice hours for me. But our personalities allowed us to quickly feel comfortable around each other."

"Being alone every single night started taking a toll on me. And before you attack me, don't blame me for being a young adult with a very sexually deprived life!"

One day Lia worked as usual, feeling particularly tired. She needed something to cheer her up. Wooyoung was nowhere in sight today. He must have had something else to do. While cleaning the mirrors in the practice room, Wooyoung suddenly appeared. Just like how they met.

"Thank god you're here. I was missing you." Lia said.

Wooyoung hugged her from behind while looking at her through the mirror.

"Really? How much did you miss me?" She smiled and turned around facing him. 

"Just a little." Lia smirked, moving her hands towards his shoulders.

The position they were in, the small distance between them, the look in their eyes. All was set. They had hit the climax of sexual tension. After weeks of flirting, they felt the need for touch.

Wooyoung made the first move, testing the waters by kissing her. Lia looked a little surprised by his move but quickly responded to it by kissing him harder.

They both started yearning for even more touch. 

"I'm trying really hard to keep this pg 13, but Lia was a wild card back in the day, let me tell you"

She smacked Wooyoung's arm, as he chuckled at his owns remarks in the video.

"Anyways, we kept a casual relationship. Although we cared for each other, there were no romantic feelings involved. It kept going for a few weeks until Lia was called in the office."

Scared for her life, Lia stepped in and sat down at the CEO's office.

"You look scared, but don't be Lia. I bear good news." She instantly relaxed, but that was the moment she decided to stop putting Wooyoung in a dangerous position. Next time she saw him she would tell him it was over. She cared for him enough to let him go.

"There has been an opening in the manager position. I would like for you to consider it. You have shown to be a trustworthy person and with your studies coming to an end pretty soon, we would like to offer you a permanent position. What do you say?"

Lia was stunned by the offer. After talking over the details, she figured this was an opportunity of a lifetime. Jumpstarting her career as an idol manager would open her so many doors later on. It was an easy yes. Even if the job came with its hardships.

"And that was my story with Lia. She told me that we couldn't be together anymore on the same day she was offered the job. Although I was saddened to not have her physical comfort anymore, it was the beginning of a new era. She became my emotional support. Being my manager, she was always there whenever I needed her. She made me learn that lust only goes a long way, a good friendship lasts forever. Thank you for everything Lia."

Lia hugged Wooyoung as he cried a little. She truly helped him get back on his feet whenever he fell down. Gratefulness filled Wooyoung's heart.

Lia felt nothing but adoration for this man. They both went through a rough patch. She was studying all day and working hard every night. The physical relief Wooyoung gave her made her push through. But the time she later spent knowing him as a friend was the most meaningful for her. Lia would take this friendship to her grave.