Your POV
The next morning at work was normal. Like any other weekday, you stopped by the nearby cafe to grab a small cup of coffee—rushed, of course, thanks to the crowded bus and your usual sprint out the door. Judging by the line, everyone else had been rushing too.
Now seated in your office, you're buried in a pile of assignments. Your father had been reminding you of them non-stop for the past week, and the pressure was rising. You're stressed, and yet, no matter how hard you tried to focus on anything else, one image kept creeping back into your mind: Kim Yugyeom.
You exhale sharply, leaning back in your chair with frustration just as a soft knock snaps you from your thoughts.
"Come in!" you call out, trying to sound cheerful.
The door creaks open and you raise a brow as Jackson peeked his head in, scanning the room before his eyes met yours.
"Hey, Yooha. Thought you might like some coffee," he says, stepping in with a warm smile.
"Thanks, Jackson, but I've already got one. That one is for you." You smile, gesturing toward the nearly untouched cup beside you.
"Did you need something?" you ask politely as you reach for your drink.
He hums in thought, and the hesitation makes you curious. His furrowed brows eventually soften into a smirk, which only makes you more suspicious.
You raise a brow again. "What?"
"So... what's up with you and Yugyeom?" Jackson asks, folding his arms and giving you a smug look.
You roll your eyes and mock his tone. "So... what are you doing in my office?" You turn back to your laptop with a dramatic sigh.
He laughs, dragging a chair over and sitting in it sideways like a kid at detention. "I'm here for answers, duh."
Your fingers freeze over the keyboard.
"Answers about Yugyeom and me?" you echo, scoffing a little.
His expression softens. "Genuinely asking though." His tone is serious now, and his gaze doesn't leave yours. You can feel him staring, but you ignore it.
"Did something happen between you two?"
You sigh and look up, locking eyes with him. Jackson's warm brown gaze hold concern, and for a moment, neither of you say anything.
"We're getting married," you mumbled.
"What?"
"We're getting married," you repeat, dropping your head onto your desk.
"Yooha, I—"
"We're getting married, Jackson!" you yell, lifting your head. Your face is flushed red with embarrassment, and Jackson's eyes widen at your sudden outburst. He bites his lip, clearly unsure of what to say—until suddenly, he bursts out laughing.
His head drops into his lap as he slaps his knee repeatedly.
"H-Hey! It's not funny!" you yell, but he keeps laughing, louder this time. You can feel eyes peeking through the glass panel of your office door.
"Why are you laughing?!" you snap, arms folded as your cheeks and ears burn.
"Sorry, I—" Jackson takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself. A few chuckles still escape until he can finally talk normally.
"I was just picturing you getting married. You barely talk to anyone," he teases with a grin.
"Shut up. It's an arranged marriage."
That sends him into another fit of laughter. He tilts his head back this time, wheezing.
"I should've seen it coming though," he chuckles. "You're cute, Yooha."
He stands and reaches out to pinch your cheek, but you slap his hand away, turning your face to hide your expression.
"That's all I wanted to ask," he says with a wider grin now. Your cheeks have finally started cooling, so you give him a small smile.
"I'm glad I don't have to deal with you anymore," you tease, and he looks offended. You stick your tongue out, and he shakes his head with a laugh, waving as he exits your office.
Once the door is closed, your slight smile grows wider. For the first time that morning, the thought of Yugyeom is gone. You feel ready to actually work.
That lasts for about five minutes.
The first email in your inbox is from your father—reminding you that starting today, you'll be Yugyeom's assistant. Your stomach drops.
With a long sigh, you begin gathering your things, your temporary relief fading into grief all over again.
*
"Good morning, Yugyeom. My father told me I'll be your assistant starting today," you rehearse quietly.
You're standing just outside his office door, whispering to yourself in the most polite, professional tone you can manage. Calm. Confident. Efficient. You've been practicing for five whole minutes, and somehow, you were still stuck on step one.
"Agh, I hate this," you mutter, clutching your head in frustration.
Through the small glass panel in the door, you catch sight of Yugyeom looking up. His brows furrow slightly. If he's been watching this whole time, then he definitely saw your one-woman rehearsal.
Your face flushes pink. Great.
No turning back now.
You knock. A second later, his hand gestures for you to enter. You comply, stepping in quietly and standing stiff in front of his desk like a nervous intern.
"You needed to see me?" he asks without looking up, eyes glued to the papers in front of him.
You nod, trying to speak. But the neat little intro you had just prepared evaporates from your mind.
"I—well, um... No. I mean—my father..." you stammer.
That finally makes him glance up. His face is unreadable, which somehow makes it all worse.
"He sent me an email," you continue, mentally kicking yourself, "and he told me that... well..."
Yugyeom sets his pen down and motions for you to finish, his gaze now locked on you. The patience in his eyes surprise you, and you rush the next part before you forget it again.
"I'm your new assistant."
Silence.
He stares for a long second. You think to. yourself maybe you should say it slower—maybe he didn't hear? But finally, he gives a small nod and points behind you.
You turn. And there it was.
A tiny, dusty, miserable excuse for an office space. Your new "workspace."
Complaining instantly came to mind, but one glance at Yugyeom's face told you that nothing you say would change a thing. He looks way too amused.
You keep staring at the disaster until Yugyeom clears his throat.
"Something wrong?" he asks, feigning innocence.
You force a tight smile and shale your head. "Not at all," you respond sweetly.
He smirks.
You seriously consider smacking that expression right off his face. But there's no time to waste—there was dust to fight, and a long day of cleaning ahead of you.
*
word count: 1269
song of the day: golden child- one (lucid dream)
sorry for not updating! its been almost a month ahh but its hard to update since i dont feel like im in the best state right now :( ty for understanding! <3
YOU ARE READING
Arranged Marriage
Fanfiction"You don't hate me, Yooha. You just wish you did," Yugyeom steps closer, his eyes locking onto hers as she steps back. "I wish I could hate you," "Because it would be so much easier than admitting I can't stop thinking about you."
