House Of Cards

First Name Basis

I've spent the last two nights at Dohyun's, feeling too scared to be alone. He didn't think anything of it since we often crash at each other's places.

Right now, it's eight o'clock, the sun has begun to set, and the streets are getting busier. Dohyun holds my hand as we walk down the street.

"Remind me again. Why are we not dating?" Dohyun asks.

I roll my eyes, "Because when we kissed, both pulled away and laughed in each other's face."

"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that."

"But don't forget about our promise. If we're both not married in four years, then we have to marry each other."

It was a stupid promise Dohyun and I had made after we decided not to date. We were drunk at the time, but somehow remembered it in the morning.

"I'd never forget that," Dohyun says.

He stops in front of a busy café. "Oh, this is the one I saw on TikTok. Everyone's talking about how great their iced coffee is."

I look at the crowded building and take a deep breath. As I'm walking forward, Dohyun stops me. "It's crowded. I'll go order our drinks, just wait for me right here."

He points to an empty chair outside the building. "You sit here. I'll be watching you the whole time."

I set my purse down on the table and sit, rolling my eyes at his protectiveness.

"Fine."

He hesitates before going inside. When he's in line, he points to his eyes and then to me. It gains the attention of a group of guys in front of him, and they all look back at me and laugh. Dohyun says something to them, making them bow to me before looking away awkwardly.

I watch the people walk by when I notice a familiar face. The man stops in front of me, his eyes zeroed in on me.

I stand up and bow, "Hello, Mr. Wi."

The girls at the table next to me watch us curiously. They giggle as they look the man up and down. He ignores their ogling, I'm sure he's used to it by now.

"Call me, Hajoon," he says.

I nod, "Yes, sir."

The girls squeal, I look at them, and the one with blond hair giggles. "It's like we're watching a real life, K-Drama."

Hajoon reaches into the pocket of his blazer and pulls out a business card and pen. He leans down to the table and writes on the back of the business card. When he's done, he stands up straight and holds the card out to me.

"This is my personal number. Call me if there's ever an emergency."

I take the card slowly, "What kind of emergencies?"

"Family emergencies," he answers.

I nod, understanding what he means. He believes there's a chance his family will come after me. My blood chills at the thought of it.

"Hajoon? What are you doing here?"

I roll my eyes at Dohyun, "Mr. Wi is allowed to leave the office, too, Dohyun."

"Hajoon," Mr. Wi corrects, giving me a stern look.

My face flushes, "Right."

"You're on a first name basis now?" Dohyun asks, smirking at me.

I frown and stomp his foot. Hajoon raises an eyebrow but doesn't say anything.

"I'll see you two on Monday," Hajoon says before walking away.

My eyes follow him, trying to keep him in my line of sight. The crowd grows larger, and he eventually disappears. I turn to Dohyun, who is staring at me with wide eyes.

"Oh my God," he mutters.

"What?"

He shakes his head, "You're already falling for him."

"You're insane, Dohyun," I say, taking my drink from him.

"Don't worry, I'll figure out if he likes you back."

"I don't like him, Dohyun," I say, giving him a stern look.

He smiles in response, "Okay."