• Falling For You • |A JongSang love story|

14 - Flirting 101

The night after his call with his friends, Yeosang found it nearly impossible to sleep. Their conflicting advice had left his mind racing with questions, none of which had easy answers. Was Jongho just trying to be nicer, or was there something more? And if there was something more, how could Yeosang figure it out?

By the time the sun crept through the blinds of his small apartment, Yeosang was still wide awake, feeling no closer to a solution. He sat up in bed, running a hand through his blonde hair as he debated his next move.

Maybe Wooyoung was right, he thought. Maybe I should try flirting...

But there was one major problem—Yeosang had no idea how to flirt. It wasn't something that came naturally to him. He'd spent most of his life avoiding the spotlight, preferring to quietly blend in rather than draw attention to himself. Flirting felt like uncharted territory.

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that this might be his only chance to figure out how Jongho really felt. With that thought in mind, Yeosang grabbed his phone and dialed Wooyoung's number.

"Yeosang?" Wooyoung's groggy voice answered on the other end of the line. "It's, like, 7 a.m. What's going on?"

"I need your help," Yeosang said, his voice filled with determination.

By mid-morning, Yeosang stood in front of his full-length mirror, eyeing the outfit Wooyoung had helped him pick out. It was different from his usual style—a fitted vest and wide-leg trousers that gave him a more polished, sophisticated look. The warm, earthy tones of the outfit contrasted nicely with his blonde hair, and while he wasn't used to dressing like this, he had to admit that it suited him.

Wooyoung's words echoed in his mind as he adjusted the vest. "If you want to get Jongho's attention, you've gotta switch it up a bit. Be bold. Confidence is key, Yeosang."

Confidence. Right. Easier said than done.

Yeosang took a deep breath and headed to work, his mind buzzing with a mixture of nerves and determination. Today was the day he would find out if Jongho had feelings for him or if all of this was just a confusing mess.

When Yeosang arrived at the office, he noticed Jongho almost immediately. The CEO was sitting at his desk, focused on his computer, his usual stern expression in place. Yeosang swallowed hard, reminding himself of the plan.

Be bold. Be confident.

As Yeosang passed by Jongho's office, he offered a soft smile. "Good morning, sir," he said, his voice a bit more casual than usual.

Jongho glanced up, his eyes flickering to Yeosang's outfit before quickly returning to his screen. "Good morning," he replied, his tone neutral.

Yeosang felt a pang of uncertainty. Was that a reaction? Did he notice the outfit? He couldn't tell. But he wasn't about to give up.

Throughout the day, Yeosang made subtle attempts to flirt with Jongho, following Wooyoung's advice. He made small talk about things unrelated to work, complimented Jongho on his leadership skills, and even found ways to brush against Jongho's arm when passing by. Each time, he tried to act natural, though his heart was pounding in his chest the entire time.

But while Jongho responded politely, his reactions were hard to read. He didn't seem to notice the flirtation, or if he did, he didn't show it.

By the time the afternoon rolled around, Yeosang was starting to feel frustrated. He had gone out of his comfort zone, changed his style, and put in the effort, but he still had no idea where he stood with Jongho. Was he getting through to him at all, or was Jongho simply being his usual composed self?

When the workday finally ended, Yeosang clocked out and headed home, his heart heavy with self-doubt. He couldn't help but feel like he had failed. His attempts to flirt hadn't led to any clear results, and he was left more confused than ever.

Later that evening, Yeosang stood in his kitchen, preparing a simple meal as he FaceTimed his friends. The steam from the boiling pot curled up in the air as he stirred the ingredients, his mind still replaying the events of the day.

"So, how did it go?" Wooyoung asked eagerly from the screen, his eyes glinting with curiosity.

Yeosang sighed, glancing at his reflection on his phone screen. "I don't know. I tried everything you said—changed my outfit, flirted, made conversation—but I still can't tell what he's thinking."

Seonghwa, who had joined the call from his own place, chimed in. "Maybe he's just not used to seeing you like that. Give him time."

"Or," San added with a smirk, "maybe he's completely clueless. You know some people just don't pick up on things like that."

Hongjoong, always the more blunt one, leaned closer to his camera. "Look, Yeosang, if he didn't say anything by now, maybe he's just not interested. You might be wasting your time."

Yeosang's shoulders slumped slightly. He had hoped for clearer advice, but once again, his friends had left him with more questions than answers.

"What do you think I should do?" Yeosang asked, his voice quiet as he continued stirring the pot.

"Just be yourself," Seonghwa said gently. "Don't overthink it. If he's interested, he'll show it eventually."

Wooyoung nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you don't need to change for anyone. If he doesn't like the real you, then it's his loss."

Yeosang offered a small, grateful smile. He wasn't sure what to do next, but at least he knew he had his friends supporting him. As the conversation continued, Yeosang tried to push the doubts from his mind, though he couldn't help but wonder what Jongho really thought of him.