The sound of laughter echoed the open office, a steady hum of chatter filling the air as everyone went about their tasks. Y/N sat at her desk, glancing at her phone for a moment before her attention was drawn to the group of guys gathered in the corner. They were all talking about her again—whispers, casual glances thrown her way whenever she wasn't looking.
Y/N, being the cheerful and hardworking girl she was, didn't mind the attention. She was used to it by now. But today, she noticed something strange. Several of the guys seemed more eager than usual to talk to her, offering to help her with anything she needed, their eyes lingering just a little longer than necessary.
Across the office, Yeong Ja was sitting with Jungkook, their conversation casual, but the way she leaned forward, the way her fingers brushed his as she handed him a report—it was clear she was flirting.
Yeong Ja - “You know, Jungkook, you’ve been working so hard lately. You deserve a break. Maybe I can take you out tonight. We could go somewhere nice, just the two of us?”
Her voice was sweet, laced with an unmistakable hint of seduction. Jungkook, as always, was calm, his expression unreadable. He didn’t seem uncomfortable, but neither did he seem entirely interested. His attention kept drifting back to the work in front of him.
Jungkook - “I’ve got a lot to do tonight, Yeong Ja. Maybe some other time.”
But Yeong Ja wasn’t one to give up easily. She smiled, placing a hand gently on his arm, her touch lingering.
Yeong Ja - “You’re always working, Jungkook. Don’t you want to have some fun? We used to hang out all the time. I miss those times.”
Jungkook paused, looking at her for a moment before he gave a small, polite smile.
Jungkook - “I’m sure you’ve got plenty of people to hang out with. Let’s just focus on work for now, okay?”
A little while later, Yeong Ja’s patience wore thin. She wasn’t used to being brushed off, especially not by someone like Jungkook. As she watched him walk away toward his office, she felt a rush of frustration.
Yeong Ja stormed into Jungkook’s office without knocking, her eyes sharp with determination. Jungkook, who had been reviewing some reports, looked up in surprise.
Yeong Ja - “Jungkook, I need to talk to you. Why are you always pushing me away?”
Jungkook raised an eyebrow, his face still impassive as he gestured for her to sit.
Jungkook - “What do you mean? I haven’t pushed anyone away.”
Yeong Ja’s voice softened, but there was a certain bitterness behind it.
Yeong Ja - “I don’t understand, Jungkook. Why can’t you see that I like you? I’ve been trying to get your attention for so long, and you keep turning me down. Is there someone else?”
Jungkook’s eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable. He stood up from his desk, walking toward the window to look out at the city below, taking a deep breath before responding.
Jungkook - “Yeong Ja, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but this isn’t something I’m looking for. We’re friends, nothing more.”
Yeong Ja’s face faltered, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and hurt.
Yeong Ja - “So that’s it? Just ‘friends’? Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to be around you, always pretending like I don’t feel this way?”
Her voice shook with emotion, and she was on the verge of tears. Jungkook sighed, his expression softening for just a moment, but he still held firm.
Jungkook - “I’m sorry, Yeong Ja. But I don’t feel the same way.”
Yeong Ja’s frustration finally boiled over. She stepped forward, raising her voice.
Yeong Ja - “You’re so cold, Jungkook. I thought we meant something to each other. But you’re just like everyone else—so focused on work that you can’t see what’s right in front of you.”
Her words hung in the air, thick with tension. Jungkook stood motionless, his jaw clenched. The moment felt heavy, like something had shifted between them that couldn’t be undone.
Jungkook - “I think it’s time you left, Yeong Ja.”
Later That Afternoon:
After the fight with Yeong Ja, the office felt oddly quieter. Jungkook had withdrawn to his office, leaving Y/N to continue her work. But the words Yeong Ja had said echoed in his mind. Was he really so focused on his work that he couldn’t see what was right in front of him?
Jungkook glanced across the office floor, his eyes landing on Y/N. She was surrounded by several of the male employees, laughing, her eyes sparkling as she joked with them. For some reason, seeing them all gathered around her stirred something inside him—something uncomfortable.
He quickly turned away, trying to shake off the feeling, but it lingered. He couldn’t stop thinking about how easily the other guys admired her, how effortlessly she commanded their attention. It wasn’t just that they were talking to her—no, they were noticing her, in a way he hadn’t quite realized until now.
Jungkook found himself clenching his fists. What was this feeling? His mind raced, but he couldn’t quite put it together.
As he watched Y/N smile at one of the guys across the room, a strange surge of frustration built up inside him. It was as though he wanted to march over there and pull her away from them, but he couldn’t explain why.
Why does this bother me so much?
Was it jealousy? Or was it something else?
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♧♧♧
YOU ARE READING
FALLING FOR THE FLAME
Romance"Jungkook is a powerful and demanding CEO, used to being in control of everything. Y/N, his secretary, is no ordinary assistant-she's sharp, confident, and handles everything with ease. Though their professional relationship is strong, Jungkook begi...
