His Hidden Legacy~ Vhope

Under the Umbrella.

Authors pov

The conference room was silent, the air charged with anticipation. Hoseok stood tall in front of the projector screen, a sleek laptop in hand, his fingers poised as he navigated the slides with practiced ease. The room was filled with board members, their eyes fixed on him, some skeptical, others intrigued. Hoseok’s voice carried confidence, his tone calm yet commanding, as he began his presentation.

“Eclipse Enterprises has seen exponential growth in the last quarter,” Hoseok started, his eyes scanning the room. “But that growth is just the beginning. We’ve identified key sectors where strategic investments could double our market share within the next year.”

He clicked to the next slide, revealing a graph that depicted an upward trend. “First, we need to focus on expanding our digital footprint. By investing in targeted advertising and improving our user experience, we can draw in a younger, more tech-savvy audience. This demographic not only holds purchasing power but is also the future of consumer trends.”

The room murmured in approval, a few heads nodding as Hoseok continued. “Secondly, our international partnerships have shown promise, but we need to solidify these relationships. For instance, a collaboration with emerging markets in Southeast Asia could open doors to millions of potential customers. Diversifying our portfolio in these regions is crucial.”

He transitioned to another slide, showing detailed statistics. “Additionally, internal restructuring can streamline our operations and cut costs by 15% without compromising efficiency. This includes adopting automation where applicable and re-evaluating roles to ensure every employee is contributing to their fullest potential.”

Taehyung’s gaze was locked on Hoseok. His personal assistant exuded authority and knowledge, his words precise and impactful. But Taehyung wasn’t just watching Hoseok work—he was mesmerized by the way Hoseok carried himself. The way Hoseok’s lips curved slightly as he made a point, the subtle furrow of his brows when he emphasized a detail—it was intoxicating.

God, he’s incredible, Taehyung thought, his chest tightening as his eyes trailed down Hoseok’s form. The fitted suit Hoseok wore only accentuated his slim, elegant frame. The way Hoseok moved, his confidence commanding the room, sent a pulse of heat through Taehyung.

“And finally,” Hoseok concluded, his voice unwavering, “Eclipse must innovate to stay ahead. We can’t just follow trends; we need to set them. This means bold moves in research and development. It’s a risk, but as history has shown, calculated risks often yield the greatest rewards.”

The room erupted into applause as Hoseok bowed slightly, a small, satisfied smile on his face. He turned and walked to his seat beside Taehyung, his heart racing slightly from the adrenaline. As another board member stood to speak, Taehyung leaned over, placing a warm hand on Hoseok’s thigh.

“You did well,” Taehyung whispered, his voice low and smooth, brushing against Hoseok’s ear.

Hoseok’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and he glanced at Taehyung shyly. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice soft.

Taehyung smirked, his thumb brushing briefly over Hoseok’s leg before he pulled his hand away, redirecting his attention to the woman now addressing the room. Hoseok couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto his face, though his heart continued to beat erratically.

---

It was well past midnight when Hoseok finally finished the stack of reports Taehyung needed for tomorrow’s conference. His office was dimly lit, and his eyes burned from hours of staring at the screen. He yawned, stretching his arms above his head and cracking his fingers.

He glanced around the empty building, feeling an odd comfort knowing Taehyung was still there somewhere. Hoseok didn’t know why Taehyung hadn’t gone home, but he didn’t mind the company, even if it was silent and unseen.

Finally done, Hoseok gathered his belongings, turning off the lamp before stepping out of his office. The cool night air hit him as he exited the building, and he sighed in relief. The streets were quiet, the city resting under a blanket of calm.

As he descended the steps, he felt a cold droplet land on his cheek. He froze, looking up as more droplets began to fall, quickly turning into a light rain. Hoseok groaned, wiping his face.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

With no umbrella and no energy to run, Hoseok resigned himself to waiting, hoping a taxi would pass by soon. He crossed his arms, trying to keep warm as the rain began to soak through his clothes. His thoughts drifted to Taehyung and the kiss they’d shared the day before. Hoseok’s face heated as he bit his lip, disappointed they hadn’t discussed it yet.

Suddenly, the rain stopped falling on him. Confused, Hoseok looked up to see an umbrella shielding him. He turned his head, his eyes widening as he saw Taehyung standing beside him, holding the umbrella.

“Sir?” Hoseok stammered, his face turning red.

“Good evening,” Taehyung replied nonchalantly, his deep voice sending shivers down Hoseok’s spine.

Hoseok hesitated before asking, “Are you waiting for a taxi too?”

Taehyung chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling. “No, I have my own car.”

Hoseok blinked in confusion. “Then… why are you here?”

Taehyung shrugged, looking away. “I don’t like the rain. I figured I’d wait for it to stop before heading to my car.”

Hoseok frowned. “But you have an umbrella.”

Taehyung’s cheeks flushed faintly, and he muttered, “Shut up.”

Hoseok couldn’t help but laugh, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. “You just wanted to be close to me, didn’t you?” he teased, his tone playful.

Taehyung turned his head, hiding his smile, though it broke through despite his efforts.

The two stood in comfortable silence, the sound of rain filling the air. After a moment, Taehyung broke the quiet. “Do you… want to come to my place? Just to hang out,” he added quickly, his tone casual but his eyes betraying his nervousness.

Hoseok furrowed his brows. “Why?”

“Don’t ask why,” Taehyung said, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

Hoseok smiled softly, nodding. “Sure.”