vermilion. || nct taeil [COMPLETE]

chapter 14.

Rin feels her blood run cold as she comes into work that Monday morning. She grips on the straps of paper bag containing a new pair of socks.

"Oh my god." She groans, running a hand down her face. She doesn't know how she's gonna face her boss now.

I cannot believe I puked on his socks. Oh my god. Rin bites her lips, exhaling through her nose.

The elevator dings open as Rin walks out nervously. She passes by office cubicles, bowing to her co-workers as a greeting.

When she reaches her own desk, she looks over to her boss, working diligently in his glass-walled office.

Taeil feels someone stare at him, making him look and catch Rin's eyes on him. The secretary quickly averts her eyes from him, scurrying to start on her work. Taeil kinda expected this from her. She was the same when she drunk called him the first time.

Taeil dials Rin's desk phone, calling her in.

"Lee Chaerin." Taeil greets Rin curtly, gesturing her to take a seat in front of his desk. "Good morning. You're quiet late today."

"I'm—Yeah, it's because I'm resigning," Rin blurts out in panic.

Taeil's eyes widen. "Excuse me?"

"I'm—I—"

"Lee Chaerin, if this is about last Saturday, don't worry about it." Taeil cut her off before she starts stumbling out incoherent words.

Rin calms down after that, her shoulders sagging in relief. "I'm really sorry about your socks," she apologizes.

"Don't worry about it. I mean... I did puke on your dress so that's a lot worst..." Taeil reassures her.

Rin smiles at him gratefully. "Also, I'd like to thank you for taking care of me." she produces the paper bag she's placed on the floor and puts it on Taeil's desk.

Taeil blinks in surprise and peeks at it. "Socks?" he raises an eyebrow.

"It's compensation for puking on yours," Rin explains.

"You didn't have to..."

"But I wanted to."

"Hmm." Taeil ponders for a while before he pulls out a paper bag out of his drawer and hands it to Rin. "I'll only accept this if you accept my gift."

"What?" Rin takes the paper bag from the desk, surprised to see it was the dress Taeil bought for her in the first place. "You still have this?"

"Yeah." Taeil huffs grumpily, crossing his arms. He was still bitter about Rin not accepting the gift before. "And don't worry, I removed the receipt this time."

"I still remember the price, sir."

"Just—Just accept it, Lee Chaerin, and I'll accept your socks." Taeil snatches the paper bag, placing it in his drawer so Rin didn't have the chance to take it back.

"I—" Rin is speechless. She quietly takes the paper bag and stands up. "I'll—I'll start working now."

"Okay. Good. Send me that manuscript of our new author, alright?" Taeil nods to her, going back to his laptop to resume working.

"Right away, sir." Rin exits his office, returning to her desk to start working for today. Her face was still red from embarrassment of last weekend's events but Taeil seems to be taking it well. He wasn't—He didn't even comment about—

Rin flushes again, burying her face into her hands. "I can't believe I did that..." she whines at herself.

Taeil sees her having an internal dilemma and makes a face. "What a weirdo," he comments, shaking his head fondly.