Million dollar baby | heejay

assert control

Heeseung stood in front of the grand glass doors of Jay's company building, the reflection of the towering structure looming over him like a symbol of everything out of reach.

The name of Jay's business was etched into the polished steel above, cold and commanding, just like the man who ran it.

Heeseung had heard of Jay.
A powerful businessman, known for his keen eye for talent, as well as his unbending rules and sharp gaze that could freeze a room.

But Heeseung wasn't the type to be intimidated by the likes of Jay.

His unruly brown hair caught in the afternoon breeze as he pushed open the doors, his leather jacket hanging loosely over his shoulders.

His wild energy and playful smirk were a stark contrast to the pristine, rigid world inside.

The lobby was an expanse of marble and glass, all sleek lines and muted colors.

Everything was precise, controlled, not a thing out of place, just as Jay liked it.

Heeseung noticed the other models waiting for their turn.

Some were fidgeting, others were still as statues, as if trying to mirror the perfection of the room.

But Heeseung simply strode forward, his footsteps echoing off the high ceilings.

He was here to stand out, and he knew he would.

When his name was called, he walked down the corridor toward the audition room, his heartbeat steady.

Inside, a panel of executives sat, watching him with unreadable expressions.

And there, at the center of it all, was Jay.

Even in a room full of powerful people, Jay commanded attention effortlessly, sitting with his legs crossed and a cool, detached air about him.

Heeseung met Jay's gaze the moment he entered.

Jay's eyes, sharp and assessing, lingered on him for just a second too long.

The businessman's expression didn't falter.
He remained the picture of calm professionalism, but Heeseung could see something.

Behind those cold eyes, there was a flicker of something else.
Interest? Satisfaction?

Heeseung couldn't quite tell, but he knew Jay liked what he saw.

Standing in the center of the room, Heeseung didn't bother to strike a traditional pose like the other models had done.

Instead, he stood casually, hands in his pockets, as if he was in control of the room.

As if he belonged there.

The executives exchanged glances, clearly thrown off by his lack of formality, but Jay remained still, his eyes never leaving Heeseung.

"Lee Heeseung, is it?"
Jay's voice was as smooth and cool as glass, but there was something in it.

Something taut, like a string pulled too tight.

"That's right."
Heeseung replied, his voice confident but casual.

He could feel the tension in the room, but he wasn't about to play by anyone's rules, especially not Jay's.

He'd been in enough auditions to know when someone was pretending to be indifferent.

For a moment, Jay said nothing.

His eyes roamed over Heeseung's form, taking in his sharp features, the way his clothes hung off his lean body, his confident stance.

Jay's jaw tightened, and Heeseung knew he was trying hard to maintain his icy facade.