Penta Ent. | JungHo ✅

13

I lied on my side as I stared at his last message. I've experienced this with Jaehyun, but I was rarely the person he'd think of first. For the moment, I felt important to someone. I slightly jumped at the sudden vibrations from my phone. I answered his call and waited for him to speak.

It was a bit hard to concentrate as I couldn't deny that his tired, late night raspy voice sounded hot. "And I think the pressure is starting to get to me..." "Maybe you should take a break. Do things you like and that make you happy." It made me feel accomplished when he let out a low chuckle. "Do you mind staying up a bit longer?" "It's fine." "Good because...just hearing your voice makes me plenty happy." I covered my face with my hand as I blushed. "Stop saying such embarrassing things." "Sorry, but I did mean what I said. Also, thank you, for listening. I really do feel better." "It's what friends do." "Friends huh..." He never did finish his sentence that night.

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I frowned as I was being called into work on a cold yet sunny day. "I knew it was only a matter of time..." I got myself ready and properly dressed. I found myself thinking back to last week when I asked him what happened earlier that day. Neither of us had brought it up either. I rested my hand on the door as I remembered him leaving through this door with the fakest smile I had ever seen.

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"Good morning, Mr. Jo." "It's just us and a few staff today. Formalities are dropped when we're alone." I took up residence at the table and began to look over papers. The only sounds heard were the papers being handled by the both of us. "Jungwoo..." His voice had come out a bit shaky. "Yes?" "What I told you then...I hope it didn't upset you." I had stopped moving then looked at him. Was that his biggest concern? He did seem a bit cautious around me lately. "It's fine. You did what you had to." I had said the exact same line a week ago as well.

The room was devoid of human speech as we busied our hands rather than our mouths. "I actually kept quiet about it, but I had met him earlier that day. He gave me a business card and I threw it away. He gave me weird vibes. And it seemed I wasn't wrong..." I expected some backlash and prepared myself. "I'm disappointed that you didn't notify me. But, I thank you again for having my best interest at heart." My face flushed at his praise once more. It made me feel as if I've done something to better his life. "Have you eaten?" I turned my attention to my boss who was typing away on his phone. The door suddenly opened and someone I hadn't thought of in a long time appeared before us.

"I knew you'd be here. All you ever do is work." Maerin. "You seem to know me well. What can I do for you?" Maerin. "You promised you'd take me out today." She looked in my direction then gave a disgusted look. "I still can't believe you hired someone like him." He didn't say anything other than "Take care of things" as she ushered him out the room. Just when I thought she stopped being a thorn in my side, she appeared in front of me again.

[Flashback]

I walked down the hall then heard people talking. "...acts the way he does because he thinks he's untouchable." "Really? I always did find him strange." I saw Maerin and another coworker standing by the elevator. "Morning, ladies." They wordlessly gave slight bows then boarded the elevator. I couldn't help but wonder who they were talking about.

I had arrived back at my office and saw a bag hanging on the door knob. "This is..." I frowned heavily as a single piece of paper was in it. "'You're a shit assistant. I'm more qualified than you ever could be.' From Maerin..." I decided to let it go since she was probably just acting out on her jealously.

She cornered me at the end of the day and I didn't like the air she had around her. "Did you hear about what happened to his old assistant?" "No." "Poor thing. She couldn't handle the obstacles that came her way. He has such terrible taste in...assistants." She had looked me up and down as she said the last sentence. "I've been doing pretty well-" "Until now. I advise you not to think you can fool around and be all close with Jinho just because you're his assistant. I will make this workplace a living hell for you." I usually wasn't scared by threats, but hers made me uneasy.

The following days she continued to harass me in ways that she couldn't necessarily get in trouble for. She even turned some of the workers in the company against me. Lies about me filled my ears whenever I passed by. What could I have done that wouldn't make me look worse than they already believe?

[End Flashback]

I checked the time and confirmed they had been out for over an hour. "What are they doing? Where did they even go?" It was a lot of work to do alone and some of it I had hardly learned. I decided to push on and hope for the best.

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The blue sky had started to receive some color. I didn't realize how late it was. I had finished most of it after going over what Jinho had already done and learning for myself. My phone rang and it was a call from Shinwon. "Is something wrong? You hardly call." "Where are you?" "The office. Why? Do you need me to get something?" He hung up. I assumed he planned to get it himself. If that was the case, why did he call?

I closed his door then heard panting and footsteps. "Shinwon? Did you run here...?" "That's not important." I thought it was plenty important in this situation. "Why did you ask if I was here if you were just going to come yourself?" He stepped towards me then gave me a hug. "How long were you alone?" "Uh, about 4 hours? Why?" He held me by my shoulders then shook his head. "I remembered you said you had to go in today, but I saw Mr. Jo and Maerin...so, I got worried..." I gave him a smile then sighed. "Thank you for worrying..." "I'll walk you home." "You don't have to." "I insist." He ended up walking me home despite my protests.