Everything Was Forced ➳ hwang hyunjin × oc

015 | ᴇᴡꜰ ✓

Chapter 15: The Hidden Hand
written in kang hyeseul's pov

"Don't tell me I'll drive you to work for a year." Hyejoon asked, shaking his head with an exaggerated sigh as I fastened my seatbelt.

It was my second day at HYUN.E, and the nerves from yesterday had finally shifted into a bubbling excitement.

"Unfortunately." I replied, a playful smile tugging at my lips as I glanced at him.

My brother rolled his eyes, accepting his defeat as he began to drive. "Can't believe you're making the CEO of Chaesan Daily as your designated chauffeur."

"You were my brother before you became a CEO." I said, suddenly cringing at how sentimental it sounded.

"Speaking of which, how do you treat your employees as a boss? Are you as intimidating as they say?" I asked, a hint of curiosity slipping into my voice.

"I like to think of it as being assertive. In a news agency, it's all about structure. Everything has to stay formal and precise-especially when we're dealing with the news."

"So no soft side, then?"

"In my case, no. But that doesn't mean I lack compassion or empathy. I genuinely care about my team; I just prefer to express it in a more understated way. It's a matter of professionalism, really-I maintain a clear boundary."

"Sounds tough. I mean, isn't there a risk of coming off too cold?"

Hyejoon shrugged, glancing at me with a hint of amusement. "Maybe. But I believe clarity in leadership is essential. People need to know what to expect from me."

"Fair enough. It's interesting how different you and Hyunjin are." I said, reflecting on his demeanor since the day of my interview. "He had a unique talent for combining warmth with leadership, ensuring that everyone felt valued while still maintaining control."

"Hyunjin? Yeah, I've heard he's pretty charming." Hyejoon replied, a slight smirk creeping onto his face. "But that's not my style."

"Isn't it tiring to always be so... formal?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Maybe a little. But at the end of the day, it helps maintain respect and order in a chaotic environment."

I nodded, recognizing the validity of his perspective and appreciating his clarity of thought.

We continued our conversation until we arrived at HYUN.E, where Hyejoon brought the car to a stop. I began gathering my things, ready to step out.

"Don't fall for him." He suddenly said as I opened the door, prompting my brows to curve into a frown.

"Or do." He added with a playful smirk.

I rolled my eyes at his nonsense, a smile creeping onto my face as I closed the car door.

With that, I walked into HYUN.E, the anticipation of the day ahead sparking a lightness in my step.

As I settled into my workspace, a wave of excitement coursed through me. Today marked the beginning of our work on Poseidon's piece for the launch, and I was eager to dive in.