Love in the Shadows (KTH x reader x JJK) (18+)

Chapter 14

Y/N's POV-

As the weeks passed by, my life settled into a familiar routine. Mr. Kim seemed to have eased up on troubling me, though he still occasionally assigned me excessive work. However, his absence was quickly filled by Ms. Irene, who seemed to have made it her mission to make my life difficult.

Whenever Mr. Kim called me into his cabin, Ms. Irene would shoot me disdainful glances, her smirk dripping with malice. It was as if she took pleasure in seeing me scolded or given extra tasks.

But her hostility didn't end there. On several occasions, she deliberately crossed paths with me, bumping into my shoulder and nearly causing me to fall. It was clear that her intentions were anything but friendly, and I couldn't help but wonder what I had done to deserve such treatment.

Feeling the need for a break from the stress at work, I reached out to Jennie and Lisa to meet up, but they were swamped with work and couldn't make it. I briefly considered calling Jungkook, but quickly dismissed the idea. It didn't feel right to constantly rely on him for company, despite his assurances that I could reach out anytime.

Jungkook was a busy person with important responsibilities, and burdening him with my troubles didn't sit well with me. So, instead, I decided to call Baekhyun.

I dialed Baekhyun's number. The phone rang a few times before Baekhyun picked up, his cheerful voice breaking through the line.

"Hey, pumpkin! What's up?" Baekhyun's voice was warm and welcoming, instantly putting me at ease.

"Hey, Baek! Not much, just feeling a bit overwhelmed with work lately," I replied, my voice carrying a hint of exhaustion.

His tone turned sympathetic. "Ah, I get it. Work can be tough sometimes. What's been going on?"

I sighed, feeling grateful for the chance to vent. "Well, you know that new secretary of our CEO, Ms. Irene? She's been making things really difficult for me. And to top it off, Mr. Kim's been giving me more tasks than usual."

He clicked his tongue sympathetically. "That sounds rough. I'm sorry to hear that. Have you talked to anyone about it?"

I shook her head, even though he couldn't see her. "Not really. I've been keeping it to myself mostly. But today, I just needed a break from it all."

His voice carried understanding. "I totally understand. How about we go and have dinner tonight? Sometimes, a change of scenery can do wonders."

My lips curled into a small smile at the suggestion. "That sounds like just what I need. Thanks, Baek. You're always there for me."

"Of course, pumpkin. Anytime. Just let me know when you get free today and I will pick you up from the office," he offered, his words reassuring.

"Thanks, Baek. I appreciate it. I'll text you soon, okay?" I said gratefully, already feeling a weight lifting off my shoulders.

"Sounds good. Take care, pumpkin," he replied warmly.

"You too, Baek. Talk to you soon," I said before ending the call, feeling a sense of gratitude for having such a supportive friend.

As the evening settled in, I sent a quick text to Baek, asking him to pick me up in 20 minutes. I hurriedly wrapped up my work and stepped outside, the cool breeze offering a welcome relief from the confines of the office. Today, I had decided not to bring my car, opting instead for a ride from Oppa or else I had to come back here to take back my car.

Soon enough, Baek pulled up in his car, and I felt a sense of anticipation wash over me as I settled into the passenger seat beside him. The familiar comfort of his presence instantly put me at ease.