Make It Work.

The Storm.

"Ladies," Wonho walked up to our table with a tray of drinks and set them down in front of us.

"You didn't have to do that," Karina smiled at Wonho, grazing his muscular arm with her long nails.

"I didn't, actually- they're from," he scanned the crowd and then settled his eyes on someone, "Him."

Wonho was pointing at the end of the room at a table. We all looked at where he was pointing.

I furrowed my brow with irritation, and Karina waved Wonho away.

Kihyun was looking straight at me. He seemed to challenge me with his eyes.

Usually, I would break the stare- look away in intimidation or fear...but I had a stomach full of alcohol and a head full of dangerous thoughts.

I grabbed the drink and put it up to my lips, "The storm," I echoed Karina's words as I, once again, threw my head back and chugged the glass, using my arm to wipe my mouth (and my lipstick).

Kihyun raised his eyebrows slightly, surprised, and the corner of his mouth curled into a half smile.

I stood up from the table, "Watch my bag," I said to Karina and Lizzie, who had watched the entire silent exchange. 

"You sure you wanna-" Lizzie began to speak, but all I could focus on was walking over to Kihyun.

As I walked, I remembered those times in the lobby when I would walk toward Shownu- my heart racing, palms sweating, knees going weak by the second, and how my courage would drain from me as soon as I reached my destination.

But now, in this moment, it was nothing like that.

In fact, it seemed like the more distance closed between us, the more strength I got.

Finally, I was face to face with him, and this time...he was the one looking up at me.

"Mr.Yoo." I said, my face as expressionless as his usually is toward me.

He leaned back in his seat and then motioned for me to sit down.

I didn't take my eyes off of him as I sat across the table.

"Y/N, I'm going to need you to keep this between us. Like I said, I like to be professional-" His tone was firm, the way it usually was at the office, making my blood boil.

"Don't you talk to me like that," I snapped at him.

He seemed to be caught off guard by my tone, "What?" He asked.

"We're not in the office, which means here," I motioned to the room around us, "You're not my boss," I said.

He looked around, trying to make sure no one was listening, "Excuse me?" He asked, an incredulous expression on his face, "I may not be your boss out here, but you still need to respect me. What you say to me out here might affect our relationship in the office, so I suggest you watch yourself," He said. 

My courage kept growing, "Or what? You're one to talk, considering the display you just put on," I said, pointing to the platform.

He caught himself and looked down. I could see his Adam's apple move as he swallowed.

"I know...I'm sorry," He said.

Even getting fired for my drunken rebellion would've been less surprising than what he just said.

"...what?" I asked, my heart steadying.

"I know I put a lot of pressure on my employees-" He looked at me, connecting his eyes to mine, "especially on you, to be professional and, well... I know I haven't set the best example tonight," He looked back down.