Truth Behind The Glasses | Exo D.o.

Chapter 21

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Starting my job as CEO of Lim Corporation was exhilarating—but also overwhelming. Every day brought new challenges, and while I was determined to do well, I found myself getting distracted in unexpected ways. Specifically, by Kyungsoo. And maybe by the way my best friend Jinah seemed so comfortable around him.

It's not that anything was going on between them—they were just friends. I knew that. But that didn't stop a knot from forming in my stomach whenever I saw them together. It was ridiculous, really. Jinah had been by my side through everything—through bad breakups, sleepless nights, and the chaos of stepping into this role. She was my anchor, my person. And Kyungsoo... well, he was becoming someone important too. Just in a different way. Or maybe not so different. And that was the problem.

One afternoon, I glanced up from my desk and spotted Kyungsoo leaning casually against the wall, talking to one of our interns. He had that small, easy smile—the one that made him seem effortlessly calm, like nothing could rattle him. It was the kind of smile that made people want to tell him things, like their worries didn't seem so heavy when he was listening. It was part of why I liked being around him.

But it also made me feel... uneasy. Not because he was doing anything wrong. Just because.

"Kiara, you coming to the meeting?" Jinah's voice broke me out of my thoughts. She was leaning against my doorframe, looking as put-together as always.

"Yeah," I said, forcing a smile. "Just need to wrap this up."

Jinah tilted her head, studying me with that sharp gaze of hers. "You okay? You seem kind of... distracted."

"I could say the same about you," I teased lightly, hoping to deflect. But the truth was, I was distracted—and I hated that she could tell.

Jinah raised a brow but didn't push. "Well, don't be late. I don't want to get stuck explaining the projections by myself." She gave me a grin, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

I hesitated. I wanted to ask if she was okay, if maybe she was feeling the shift between the three of us too. But instead, I swallowed the words and followed her to the conference room.

The second I stepped in, my eyes found Kyungsoo at the far end of the table. He looked up, and for a moment, our gazes locked. Something flickered between us—something unspoken. I felt it in my chest, that strange mix of excitement and dread that always seemed to follow me when he was around.

The meeting started, but I wasn't really paying attention. My focus kept slipping to Kyungsoo and Jinah—how easily they talked, how they shared small smiles and inside jokes that I wasn't a part of. It was innocent, I knew that. But knowing didn't make it any easier.

I hated feeling like this. Like I was on the outside, watching two people I cared about get closer, while I stood there trying to figure out where I fit.

After the meeting, I made a beeline for the break room, hoping a cup of coffee would help clear my head. As I leaned against the counter, stirring my drink, I heard their voices from the hallway.

"Jinah, can we talk for a second?" Kyungsoo's voice was low, kind, the way it always got when he was concerned about someone.

"Sure," Jinah replied, sounding a little surprised. "What's up?"

"You've seemed... off lately. Are you okay?"

I froze, gripping the edge of the counter. They were just friends—I knew that. But hearing the care in Kyungsoo's voice made my chest ache.

Jinah let out a small laugh, brushing it off like she always did. "I'm fine. Just tired, you know? Work's been kind of a lot."

"You sure?" Kyungsoo pressed, his tone gentle. "You know you can talk to me, right?"

I hated how easy it was for him to say things like that. And I hated how natural it was for her to hear it.

"I know," Jinah said softly. "Thanks."

I swallowed hard, feeling foolish for standing there, eavesdropping like a jealous teenager. It wasn't fair—to them or to me. Jinah was my best friend. Kyungsoo was... well, I didn't know exactly what he was yet. But if I kept letting this jealousy fester, I was going to ruin everything before it even had a chance to become something real.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out into the hallway, plastering on a smile. "Hey, you two. What's going on?"

Jinah glanced at me, her expression a mix of curiosity and something softer—concern, maybe. "We were just catching up," she said casually. "You good?"

Kyungsoo gave me one of those small, reassuring smiles that made my heart do stupid things. "Just checking in on Jinah. Making sure everyone's holding up."

"Right," I said, forcing myself to relax. "We're all a bit overwhelmed these days."

Jinah's gaze flickered between us, and for a moment, I wondered if she could tell what was going on inside my head. But instead of calling me out, she just smiled. "We've got this, Kiara. Don't worry."

I nodded, feeling a little foolish but also grateful. "Yeah. I know."

Kyungsoo's smile lingered, warm and steady. "We're all in this together, right?"

Something in his voice made my chest tighten—but not in a bad way. It was comforting, in a way I hadn't expected.

Jinah slung an arm around my shoulders, giving me a squeeze. "Exactly. No drama, no weirdness. Just us, figuring things out."

I smiled for real this time, the knot in my chest loosening just a little. "Thanks, guys. I mean it."

Jinah grinned. "What are friends for?"

And just like that, the tension I'd been carrying all day seemed to ease. There were still things I needed to sort out—feelings I needed to untangle—but at least I wasn't doing it alone.

As we stood there in the hallway, I realized something important: I didn't have to have all the answers right now. Whatever was happening between Kyungsoo and me, and whatever I was feeling about Jinah, we'd figure it out.

For now, it was enough to know that we had each other's backs. And maybe—just maybe—that was all I really needed.