His Cold Heart J.JK

Chapter 5: Cracks in the Armor

Yoonji sat at her desk the next morning, trying to focus on her work, but her mind kept drifting back to the previous night. Jungkook's words, his uncharacteristic vulnerability, replayed in her head. She couldn't help but wonder why he had shared so much with her, even if just for a fleeting moment.

A soft buzz interrupted her thoughts. It was an email notification, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw his name in the sender's field.

From: Jeon Jungkook 
Subject: Meeting Follow-Up

Miss Min, 
I'd like to hear your thoughts on the presentation material further. Please meet me in my office at 4 PM.

There was no hint of personal connection in his words, no acknowledgment of the conversation they'd shared. Yoonji bit her lip, feeling the familiar push and pull that had become their routine. He let her in, only to shut her out again, leaving her constantly on edge.

4 PM, she thought. There were still a few hours to go. She tried to busy herself with reports and emails, but her mind kept wandering.

Just as she was starting to make headway on her tasks, Jisoo appeared at her cubicle, leaning over with a mischievous smile.

"So, how's the Ice King today?" Jisoo teased, her tone light but curious. "Still freezing everyone out, or have you managed to thaw him a bit?"

Yoonji shook her head, trying to play it off casually. "He's... the same as always."

Jisoo raised an eyebrow. "You're terrible at hiding things, you know that? Come on, something's up with you two. Spill."

Yoonji hesitated. She hadn't told Jisoo about the strange moments she'd shared with Jungkook. Part of her didn't want to admit how much they affected her. But more than that, it felt... private. Like a secret she wasn't ready to share, even with her best friend.

"Nothing's going on, Jisoo. He's just my boss," Yoonji said, forcing a smile. "That's it."

"Uh-huh," Jisoo replied, clearly unconvinced but letting it go for the moment. "Just remember to keep your heart safe, okay?"

Yoonji nodded, appreciating Jisoo's concern even as she felt herself getting pulled deeper into the complicated dynamic with Jungkook.

---

By the time 4 PM rolled around, Yoonji's nerves were on edge. She stood outside Jungkook's office door, taking a deep breath before knocking. The familiar "Come in" greeted her, and she pushed the door open.

Jungkook was at his desk, his expression as unreadable as ever. He barely glanced up as she entered, gesturing for her to sit.

"Miss Min," he said, his voice cool and professional, "I've reviewed your notes on the presentation, and I'd like to hear your further insights on the projected figures."

Yoonji nodded, pulling out her tablet to go over the data. As she explained her thoughts on the company's strategies, she kept glancing at Jungkook, searching for any sign of the man she'd glimpsed the night before.

But today, he was all business—detached, distant, and focused solely on work. The shift felt jarring after their intimate conversation. Every time she paused, hoping to catch his eye or draw him into a deeper discussion, he would respond with curt, professional feedback.

Finally, Yoonji couldn't take it anymore. She set her tablet down and looked at him directly.

"Why do you do that?" she asked, her voice softer than she intended.

Jungkook frowned slightly, glancing up at her. "Do what?"

"Push people away. One moment, you let them see who you really are, and then the next... it's like you put up walls again."

His expression tightened, his eyes darkening with something she couldn't quite place. For a moment, Yoonji thought he wouldn't answer, that he'd brush off her question like he usually did. But then he sighed, leaning back in his chair.

"Because it's easier," Jungkook said, his voice low. "People expect me to be someone I'm not. It's better to keep them at a distance. It hurts less."

Yoonji's heart ached at his words. She could see the weariness in his eyes, the weight he carried beneath his cold exterior. It wasn't just about being a ruthless CEO—there was more to it, more to him.

"You don't have to be that person all the time," Yoonji said softly. "Not with everyone."

Jungkook's gaze lingered on her for a long moment, his eyes searching hers as if trying to decide whether to let her in again. The silence stretched between them, thick with tension and unspoken words.

"Maybe I don't," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Before Yoonji could respond, the door to his office swung open, and Hyejin entered with a stack of papers. The moment shattered. Jungkook's expression hardened immediately, the softness in his eyes vanishing as he turned back to business.

"That will be all, Miss Min," Jungkook said, his tone cold once more.

Yoonji gathered her things, her mind spinning from what had just happened. As she walked out of his office, she couldn't help but feel like they had taken another step closer to something real—only to be pulled apart again by the walls Jungkook so carefully maintained.

But this time, Yoonji wasn't sure she could let it go.

---