The flowerbed - Aespa's Giselle x M!Reader

The security

As the elevator climbed, I could feel my pulse quickening. This was either brilliant or absolutely insane.

"My heart's about to beat out of my chest," I muttered.

Joy laughed softly. "Join the club. I haven't felt this nervous since debut."

The elevator dinged, doors opening to reveal a sleek hallway lined with glass-walled offices. Joy stepped out first, her idol training evident in her perfectly composed expression.

"Follow my lead," she whispered. "Only move when I signal it's clear."

We made our way through the floor like some bizarre corporate stealth game. Joy would walk ahead, then casually stop to check her phone, using the reflection in the glass walls to check for people coming. When the coast was clear, she'd tap her finger against her thigh - our signal to move.

As we passed CEO Jung's office, my steps faltered. Through the glass, I could see him at his desk, probably plotting new ways to make idols' lives miserable. My blood boiled as memories of what he'd enabled Choi to do flooded back.

Before I could do something stupid like burst in there, Joy's hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling me back.

"Not today," she said firmly, but her eyes held understanding. "We're here for evidence first. Then you can punch him."

"Promise?"

Her lips quirked. "I'll hold him down for you."

We continued our careful progress through the floor. The security office was just around the next corner - we were so close I could taste it.

"Ready?" Joy whispered, peering around the final turn.

I nodded, heart thundering in my chest.

But as we rounded the corner, we both froze. There, standing outside the security office like some twisted guardian, was Choi.

He looked different than I remembered - his expensive suit replaced by something cheaper, his usual arrogant stance diminished. He was talking to another man, also in a suit, but I didn't recognize him. But Choi? I could recognize him from anywhere, the cruel glint in his eyes was exactly the same as he turned to face us.

Before I could even process what was happening, Joy's hand shot out, shoving me sideways into a narrow maintenance corridor. My back hit the wall as she smoothly stepped in front of the opening, effectively blocking me from view.

"Joy-ssi?" Choi's voice carried that same condescending tone I remembered all too well. "What brings you to this floor?"

"Ah, Choi-ssi! I was actually looking for the PR team," Joy's response was perfectly pitched - casual but professional. "There's been some confusion about Red Velvet's upcoming schedules."

"I see." A pause. "Though I'm curious why you're up here, considering PR is on the tenth floor."

My heart hammered against my ribs as Joy laughed lightly. "Oh, is it? I must have gotten turned around. But since I've run into you - I thought you were reassigned to the Osaka branch? Everyone was quite... surprised by the news."

"Temporary situation," Choi replied, his voice closer now. "Just wrapping up some loose ends here."

I pressed myself further into the shadows as he passed by the corridor, holding my breath. One glance to the side and I'd be caught.

"Well, I should head down to the correct floor," Joy said smoothly. "Have a good day, Choi-ssi."

Only when his footsteps had completely faded did Joy step back, allowing me to stumble out of my hiding spot.