Penta Ent. | JungHo ✅

17

I walked in the next day feeling rattled. I was unsure about the shirt I bought and I couldn't stop thinking about last night. What did he mean by, "My Woo"? Was he claiming me for himself or was it a new term of endearment? "Little marten!" I snapped out of my thoughts and realized I had almost fallen down the stairs. I looked back then gave him a smile. "Hey. Thanks for saving me." "Of course. I knew I wouldn't reach you in time. So, what's got you in a fog?" "It's nothing serious." "So? Any problem you have is a problem for me." I felt a bit touched at his statement.

"I see...Don't hang out alone with him." "Why?" "He wants you just as much as I do." I had forgotten Ten was interested in me. "He's not. He's always teased me." "Compare then to now and tell me how much the difference is." I calculated every time I could remember back then and compared it to now. I also took into consideration the time he was in Australia. "Oh." "So I'm right." "Maybe...it's only a slight increase." "That'll keep increasing. If you ever plan to hang with him, bring me along. I'm not giving you up to anyone." "Possessive much?" He shrugged then stretched out. "I'm sure Mr. Jo is looking for you, so I'll take my leave. Let's talk more after hours." I nodded then walked off.

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I finally calmed myself then knocked on Jinho's door. "Come in." I entered then noticed it looked slightly messy. "Did I interrupt?" "Not at all. Since you're here, do you mind straightening up? I'd like them in alphabetical order." "Right away." I placed the bag down on the table then picked up the strewn papers. "What's in the bag?" "Oh, uh...a gift I guess." "Ah. For someone special huh?" I laughed nervously as I picked up the last few. "Jinho-" The door swung open and a frown took residence on my face. "Mr. Jo~" "Ms. Kun, you can't just-" She shoved a box into his hands with a giddy look.

"What's this...?" "You'll find out when you open it, silly." She was being awfully sweet and it made me sick. If you looked up the word fake in any dictionary, you'd see her portrait right next to it. "A shirt? How nice.." My heart sunk a bit as he seemed genuinely pleased with it. I snatched up the bag then placed the papers on his desk. "Did you-" I turned on my heel and left the room. I entered my office then closed the door before tossing the bag onto a chair. Naturally, it missed and landed on the floor. "She always does shit like this." I was visibly upset with Maerin and her shenanigans. Every time I saw a chance to gain his favor, she'd always find a way to steal it away. It was like she could read my every move.

I sat at my desk then eyed the bag on the floor. "Is my job in jeopardy...?" I felt deflated and rested my head against the cool surface of my desk. I heard a knock and weakly allowed them to enter. "Junguwu doesn't look his best. What goes on?" "Shin..." I started to pout then told him what had happened. "Seems like she's getting in your way more huh?" "Yeah! I just wanna look good in his eyes and maybe get paid more but she just..." I could hear the frustration in my voice. Maerin was becoming an even larger thorn in my side. "Well, all I can say is to think two steps ahead." "Do you think she listens in on us?" "Wouldn't put it past her." Then that could mean she was there yesterday. "Which also means..."

I shot up from my seat in a slight panic. "Woah, where's the fire?" "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god." "Jungwoo, what's-" I reached over then shook him by the shoulders. "She has dirt on me!" "Huh? How? You're like an angel around here." I couldn't tell him what happened. "Shit...I don't know what to do." "Is it that bad?" "Yes! They'll think I-" I pursed my lips then turned my back to him. "Please go." "Are you sure? A problem shared is a problem halved." "I know, but...I can do this myself. Don't worry about me." I heard my door close and I promptly collapsed into my chair. If word got out about us switching tops, people may start to think I got this position because of relation. "And knowing how much everyone likes Jinho, they'll come for me..."

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I hadn't been called back to his office, but he still texted me what he needed to be done. It made me feel slightly better that he was giving me space; However, it only prolonged the talk we were going to have. It was obvious that I couldn't ignore the fact that I had not only not finished my task like he asked, but I also walked out as he was speaking. I thought of looking into other jobs in case I'm on thin ice after we talk. A familiar knocking pattern woke me from my thoughts and gave me a slight piece of mind. "Come in." "Why so glum, marten?" "I think I fucked up. I'm probably on thin ice." "Tell me what happened."

"And here we are now." I made sure I didn't mention what happened between Jinho and I yesterday. "Well, Mr. Jo is pretty understanding. I don't think he'd give a punishment for something like that." "Hopefully..." He held my hand then gave it a few pats. "Trust me, I'd know." It amazed me how Ten could ease my worries like this. Was it his tone of voice? The look on his face? The small yet noticeable actions he does? "So, what do you plan to do with the shirt?" "Keep it I guess." Looking at Ten's face reminded me of when he gave me the sweatshirt. "Wait, Jinho still has it..." I quietly groaned then sighed. It seemed like we were going to talk sooner than I thought.