Yes, Boss | A Ryeji Rivals Romance

The Final Pitch

The day of the final pitch had arrived.

It was the culmination of everything Yeji and Ryujin had been working toward for months—the moment that would determine who would become the next president of the company. For all the ambition, all the late nights and calculated moves, it all came down to this one presentation in front of the board. This was the deciding factor.

Yeji sat in her office that morning, staring at the polished surface of her desk, her thoughts racing. She had prepared for this moment relentlessly, ensuring every detail of her pitch was flawless. But as the time drew nearer, she couldn't shake the weight of what this decision meant. Not just for her career but for her relationship with Ryujin.

Despite their promises to face this together, there was an undeniable truth hanging over them—one of them would win, and the other would lose. What would happen then? Could they really keep their relationship intact when one of them was handed the victory they both so desperately wanted?

The knock on her door broke her from her thoughts, and she turned to see her assistant step inside.

"Ms. Yeji, the board is ready for your presentation," the assistant said, her voice soft but professional.

Yeji nodded, standing and smoothing the front of her suit. She had chosen a sleek, tailored look today—sharp and professional. This was her battlefield, and she needed to show the board that she was the right person to lead the company into the future.

As she made her way down the hallway, she could feel the adrenaline building inside her. She passed by Ryujin's office and, for a brief moment, considered stopping, exchanging a few words of encouragement. But she knew better. Both of them needed to be focused on their pitches, and any distraction—no matter how small—could throw them off balance.

Yeji arrived at the boardroom, taking a deep breath as she pushed open the door. Inside, the members of the board sat around the long table, their faces expectant and serious. Mr. Park, the CEO, sat at the head, his expression unreadable.

"Ms. Yeji," Mr. Park said, gesturing for her to take her place at the front of the room. "We're ready when you are."

Yeji nodded, her heart pounding as she stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the room. She had practiced this presentation countless times. She knew the numbers, the strategy, and the vision she had for the company inside and out. But this time, it felt different. The stakes were higher than ever.

She took a deep breath and began.

"Good morning, esteemed members of the board," Yeji said, her voice steady and confident. "Today, I'm here to present my vision for the future of this company, and how we can continue to lead the K-pop industry both domestically and globally..."

As she spoke, the adrenaline gave way to focus. Yeji moved through the presentation with precision, outlining her plans for expanding international reach, leveraging digital platforms, and nurturing the label's talent pool. She knew she had to strike the perfect balance between innovation and stability, between ambition and sustainability. The board wanted a leader who could take risks but also protect the legacy of the company. Yeji knew she could be that leader.

When she finished, the room was silent for a moment before the board members began nodding and exchanging glances. Mr. Park leaned forward, his gaze thoughtful.

"Thank you, Ms. Yeji. Your vision is compelling, and we appreciate the level of detail in your strategy," he said. "We'll take everything into consideration as we make our decision."

Yeji nodded, maintaining her calm exterior, though her heart was racing. She had done everything she could. Now, it was out of her hands.

As she exited the boardroom, she allowed herself a brief moment to exhale, her body still buzzing with the rush of the presentation. But there was no time to relax. Ryujin's pitch was next.

Yeji made her way back to her office, her thoughts now turning to Ryujin. Despite their emotional breakthrough, today felt different. They were back to being competitors, and the reality of that hit Yeji harder than she had anticipated. She knew Ryujin's pitch would be bold, innovative, and risky—that was who Ryujin was. And Yeji had no doubt that the board would be impressed by her vision.

As she sat at her desk, waiting for Ryujin's presentation to end, the minutes felt like hours. She couldn't help but wonder what Ryujin was feeling right now. Was she nervous? Confident? Did she feel the same tension that Yeji did—the fear of what would come after?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door to her office opened, and Ryujin stepped inside.

Yeji's breath caught at the sight of her. Ryujin looked composed, but there was a flicker of emotion in her eyes—something raw and vulnerable.

"How did it go?" Yeji asked, her voice soft.

Ryujin crossed the room, standing in front of Yeji's desk. "It went well. But it's out of our hands now."

Yeji nodded, her chest tight with emotion. This was it. Everything they had worked for, everything they had built, was now in the hands of the board.

For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of the day pressing down on them. Then, Ryujin took a step forward, her gaze softening as she looked at Yeji.

"No matter what happens, I meant what I said," Ryujin whispered, her voice filled with quiet intensity. "We'll figure this out. Together."

Yeji's throat tightened, and she stood, crossing the room to stand in front of Ryujin. She reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against Ryujin's hand. "I know. I believe you."

Ryujin smiled, a soft, almost bittersweet smile. "I just wish it didn't have to come down to this."

"Me too," Yeji admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it does."

They stood there, the tension between them thick but no longer suffocating. The uncertainty of the board's decision hung over them like a shadow, but for the first time, Yeji felt like they might survive it. They had come too far to let this competition destroy what they had.

"Do you want to get out of here?" Ryujin asked suddenly, her tone lightening. "Just for a little while. Before the decision comes down."

Yeji blinked, surprised by the suggestion. She had been expecting them to stay in the office, waiting anxiously for the board's final word. But maybe Ryujin was right. Maybe they needed a break from all of this. From the pressure, the competition, the uncertainty.

"Yeah," Yeji said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Let's go."

Without another word, Ryujin took her hand, and together they walked out of the office, leaving the weight of the decision behind them—at least for now.

They didn't know what the board would decide. They didn't know what the future held. But for this moment, they were free.

And for the first time in a long time, that was enough.