THE TERRITORIAL LOVER ( BEGINNING OF "DESERTED ME" )

chapter 1

Two months ago, at JY Jeon Enterprises, one of Korea's leading entertainment companies...

Jeonguk, a handsome man in his 20's,  couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at the laptop screen. He let out a chuckle of disbelief and shook his head.

" Are you serious? He rejected it? He really rejected the offer from JY? How foolish."
(He said, looking at the picture of a boy that his staff had captured on the streets of Busan. The boy had a captivating face, with sharp features and piercing eyes. He wore a simple hoodie and jeans, but he looked like he belonged on a runway.)

Manager: It's unbelievable, sir, but we can't force anyone to sign with our company. He said he wasn't interested in modeling.

JK: He just declined our offer without a second thought. Do you have any idea where he lives? What he does?
(He asked, feeling a surge of curiosity and frustration. He wanted to know more about the boy who had caught his attention and refused his proposal.)

Manager: I checked with Becky too, since she's from Busan, but she doesn't know him either. And in her opinion, the boy doesn't have a model figure.
(He said, shrugging. He didn't share Jeonguk's fascination with the boy. He thought he was just another ordinary kid.)

JK: Professional jealousy, huh? Whatever...put Min Cho for the shoot then. He can pull it off.
(He said, turning back to his laptop screen. He tried to focus on his work, but he couldn't get the boy's image out of his mind. He felt a strange attraction to him, something he had never felt before for anyone.)

JK's POV: I've never seen a face like yours, so unique, conspicuous, striking. You look different from the normal SK beauty standards.

(He exclaimed, looking at the boy. He felt his heart skip a beat and his breath hitch. He wondered what the boy's name was, what his voice sounded like, what his personality was like.)

JK: You're making me uneasy now. Is it because you rejected our offer...or is it you?
(He mumbled to himself. He felt a mix of emotions: admiration, annoyance, intrigue, desire. He wanted to see the boy again, to talk to him, to convince him to join his company, to be with him.)

??: What are you staring at so intently? (A Korean beauty walked in, interrupting Jeonguk's thoughts. He was Jin, one of Jeonguk's closest friends and colleagues. He had just returned from a long vacation with his family.)

JK: Jin hyung!! Are you back from your long vacation? How was it with your family? (He greeted him with a smile, trying to hide his inner turmoil.)

Jin: Excellent, warm, refreshing. (He said, smiling back. He looked happy and relaxed. He had a glow on his face that Jeonguk envied.)

JK: Does family feel that wonderful? I wonder where you were going, taking off from work so often. Very suspicious, hyung. (He teased him, knowing that Jin had a family that he hadn't introduced to anyone yet.)

Jin: Family is wonderful if you have that person in your life whom you love with all your heart. (He said, sighing dreamily. He looked at Jeonguk with a knowing look.)

JK: Hmm...then I should think about finding one too. (He said, half-jokingly, half-seriously. He wondered if he could ever feel the same way as Jin did for someone.)

Jin: High time, Kook. Have some mercy on those boys or girls who are dying to be with you. By the way, what's your orientation? Don't tell me you're homophobic.
(He asked, nudging him playfully. He knew that Jeonguk had never dated anyone, and he was curious about his preferences.)

JK (smiles): My orientation is work as of now. (He said, dodging the question. He didn't want to admit that he was confused about his feelings, especially after seeing the boy's picture.)