Beyond Boundaries • A KNJ Fanfiction

18.

The shoot wrapped up flawlessly, with Namjoon receiving praise from the director and the crew. He handled it all professionally, nodding in acknowledgement and exchanging polite words. But as soon as he stepped into the makeup room, his demeanour shifted-calm, composed, yet somehow more approachable.

How does he do it? How can he be so flawless, switching effortlessly between his professional and personal faces?

I hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door, unsure if I should disturb him.

"Yn, you don't need to knock," his deep voice came from inside. "Just get in."

I pushed the door open, stepping inside with my camera bag. "Hmm... okay," I murmured, trying to keep my voice steady.

He sat in the chair in front of the vanity, his face still glowing from the shoot. He glanced at me through the mirror, his gaze unwavering. "Do I have to click your pictures while you remove your makeup?" I asked, my tone lighter, hoping to distract myself from the rapid thumping in my chest.

"Yes, proceed," he replied without missing a beat, his tone as calm as ever.

"Okay," I said, fiddling with my camera.

In truth, I could click his pictures for life. Every angle of him was perfection, every expression worth immortalizing. But his behavior was starting to do something to me-his calm dominance, the way he spoke to me like he saw right through me. It was making my heart race in ways I didn't understand, or maybe didn't want to admit.

I wanted him to stay calm so I could stay calm. But with every glance he gave me, I knew that was impossible.

Namjoon removed his makeup with practiced ease, his movements as precise and effortless as everything else he did. Once done, he turned to face me, his bare skin glowing under the vanity lights.

"Which one do you like more? With makeup or without?" he asked, his voice low yet teasing.

I froze, caught completely off-guard by his question. My brain scrambled for a response, but before I could muster anything coherent, he chuckled softly.

"Did I throw you into trouble with that question?"

"N...no," I stammered, feeling a sudden heat creeping up my neck.

"Then? Answer it," he pressed, his sharp eyes locked onto mine.

What was I supposed to say? With makeup or without? Did he want me to say I liked both? Or was he fishing for something else entirely?

"You're Kim Namjoon," I finally said, forcing a casual tone. "Why would you need my opinion?"

"Where's your straightforward nature gone? Evaporated?" he retorted with a smirk.

"That's none of your business," I shot back, trying to regain some semblance of composure.

"Oh, it is my business, little girl," he said, leaning casually against the vanity, his piercing gaze holding mine. "You're my employee now, so your behavior should align with me."

"You act like such a controlling man," I muttered under my breath.

"Well, I love everything to be in my control," he admitted without hesitation. "But only the things that need to be controlled and should be controlled," he added, his voice dropping slightly as he stared at me. "And for the record, I don't control women doing their jobs independently."

"And yet, here you are trying to control how I behave," I countered.

"No, dear, you're mistaken," he said smoothly. "I simply want you to be a little disciplined around me. It... bothers me when someone defies me and throws tantrums at me."