When Sungjong arrived at the office, he found Woohyun missing from his desk. The elder was usually always there, waiting for the coffees Sungjong got for him and Myungsoo. He had probably gone on an errand for the boss. Checking his watch, he found that it was exactly 9 am. There was no other option than to deliver the coffee himself. It meant he would be meeting the dragon himself, but that seemed much safer than actually being late with the coffee.

He still couldn’t shake off the nervousness of meeting Myungsoo. He hated it because of how weak it made him seem, but he couldn’t help it. Saying a small prayer, he pushed the door to the chief editor’s office open. He tiptoed across the room towards the table, where Myungsoo had his eyes locked on the computer screen. Gently, he put down the coffee, sighing with relief as Myungsoo didn’t seem to notice his presence. Having accomplished his mission, he turned around to leave when he heard the boss’ voice behind him.

“Thank you.”

He wasn’t sure if he was hallucinating, but why would he imagine such a ridiculous thing? No, he could safely say that he had heard Myungsoo thanking him, him, of all people.

Wait, maybe he thought it’s Woohyun. He didn’t look up so he doesn’t know it’s me.

Despite everything though, he was never so glad to hear those two words. It was a little embarrassing to admit it, but he felt immensely grateful, like he had accomplished something. Myungsoo had thanked him, which meant that he had done something right. Although he might have thanked his PA instead, not knowing it was actually Sungjong because he didn’t deserve such kind words.

As if to clear all his doubts, Myungsoo added, “Tell Woohyun to come and get the final drafts.”

So it’s me, he thanked me. He knows it’s me.

His heart leapt to his throat and he mumbled a “Yes, sir,” before heading out of the room. He returned to his desk, his mood greatly lifted. When Woohyun arrived, he passed on the instruction.

“You went into his room?” the PA asked, furious.

“You weren’t here and it was 9 already…”

Woohyun just made a face and called him a name, before going into Myungsoo’s office. That was what he did when Sungjong was in the right and he didn’t have a retort for him. If Sungjong hadn’t done it, he was sure Woohyun would complain about it as well. It was ridiculous, the way he acted so childishly, but Sungjong had grown used to it. He felt like an adult dealing with a child, so he let most of the things go. It wasn’t like he had any other choice anyway.

In general, things were getting slightly better at work. It was either that or he was getting acclimatised to it all. It had been three weeks already and Woohyun was no less mean, but at least he had let up with the whole ‘you ruined Paris fashion week for us’. However, he found other faults with him and constantly berated him about them. Only yesterday, he had been rebuking Sungjong about his hair. He had let his hair grow and now it reached the base of his neck, framing his face. Woohyun was quick to point out that it was ‘inappropriate’ for him to have long hair when he was working at a reputed office, which apparently he should have known if he had had common sense. He had held his tongue back for good reasons. He didn’t need to be told what an ignorant brat he was for talking back to his senior. With his head bent, he had been silently accepting of Woohyun’s criticism.

Unknown to the both of them, Myungsoo had come out of his office, on his way to an appointment. They had both bowed when they had seen the boss. There was no indication that he had heard Woohyun’s unfair treatment of Sungjong.

That was until the man had calmly said, while accepting his coat from the PA, who had rushed to get it, “Woohyun, we’re all adults here. I think you can have whatever hairstyle you choose to have.”

He hadn’t even looked at the assistant PA but it was quite clear that he had heard what Woohyun had been saying, and he had sided with Sungjong! It had sent his heart fluttering for some reason and he couldn’t stop a grin from creeping to his lips. For the rest of the day, he had felt lighter.

He knew for sure that things were improving for him when Taemin had actually held a proper conversation with him, without the teasing and the slurs, although every time he had answered Taemin’s questions, he had wrinkled his nose like his answers were wrong. Once, Sunggyu had actually smiled at him when they were passing each other in the hallway. Maybe the executive editor had been in an exceptionally good mood and he had been smiling to himself when he had caught his eyes; at any rate, it seemed like everyone was in the process of forgiving him for Paris Fashion Week. Maybe they were just too busy to keep thinking about it and Sungjong was thankful for that.

Minho was still the only person who was actually nice to him. He ran into the man everywhere – the toilet, the break room, the elevator - it could be a coincidence but sometimes Sungjong felt like he had gotten down Sungjong’s schedule. It was impossible of course, but he became a bit suspicious after he learned that the executive editors had a special lounge where they took breaks and a different set of toilets. So it was strange why Minho would be in the subordinates’ break room and washroom.

At any rate, Minho was still his most favourite person at the company.

Taemin, however, had told him a different story about Minho. Apparently, he was the heartthrob at this company, and everyone, starting from the intern to the model, nursed crushes on him. Charming and dashingly handsome, it wasn’t difficult for him to persuade someone he liked to go out with him. But apparently, these flings didn’t last long – Minho grew bored easily and looked for a change. Everyone at the company knew by now what a playboy he was, but it didn’t stop them from pining over him or accepting his invitation, should he have his eyes on them.

It didn’t settle well with Sungjong. He didn’t know Taemin – why should he believe him? He knew Minho as much as he knew Taemin so it would be ridiculous to believe one over the other. Minho just didn’t seem like that kind of a guy, although it was true that he was very attractive and anyone in their right minds would have a crush on him.

Could Taemin be really saying the truth? He is his PA after all…

Even then, the executive editor seemed to understand him, his pain. He had no idea about the past they shared, but he always maintained that Myungsoo was unreasonable and unfair to him. It wasn’t that hearing someone badmouth Myungsoo made Sungjong feel better, it was the fact that someone actually cared enough to notice that the chief editor wasn’t exactly welcoming him with open arms. It meant a lot that Minho was prepared to listen to him, no matter how petty his concern was. He didn’t even know when he had started trusting him so much. On most days, he would confide in the man how he was scared to disappoint the chief editor again. He was tiptoeing around everyone in the office, lest he made another bomb explode, but it was difficult and tiresome.

Taking his hand in his, Minho would tell him that just because he made one mistake didn’t make it more likely that he would make another one.

Two, two mistakes, Sungjong told himself, as he thought about the past.

“You have to stop doubting yourself Sungjong. Stop tiptoeing and start strutting, that’s who you are.”

He wanted to believe him and change himself, but it wasn’t easy.

The hardest part was still Myungsoo. Even though they didn’t have that many interactions, he saw him more often now. He had been given the new job of taking down minutes during the meetings of the executive board. Myungsoo would be there, at the head of the table, and he would be sitting just opposite to him at the other end. That meant he could barely look up from the papers he would be scribbling on. Even though the whole length of the rectangular table separated them, Sungjong felt his heart trembling as if the elder was inches away from him.

Every time he looked up, he was careful to avoid looking at Myungsoo. But he couldn’t do anything to stop listening to his voice.

When they had met nine years ago, Munsoo used to make fun of his brother’s voice, saying he had a cheap accent, and Sungjong used to join in. All this time later, he now found the elder’s voice smooth and firm – charming, although on the colder side. He had known Myungsoo so well but it was only now that he was finding out about all his charismatic features; it was silly but the more he told himself not to think about his boss, the more he thought about him, and admired him. His leadership, his intelligence, his sense – they were unmatched; he was the right man for the chair.

He deserves to be where he is.

Sungjong didn’t understand this newfound admiration for Myungsoo. He had known him for two whole years, but he had never struck as the person who would catch eyes. He remembered how Munsoo had joked about his brother being a nerd and an otaku and he had learned to know Myungsoo that way. Never had he thought of knowing the person even though they’d spent so much time together. He saw what Munsoo told him, nothing beyond, but then again, he was only fifteen and had the barest minimum of common sense. He had laughed with Munsoo, behind Myungsoo’s back, shared jokes about him, . It had all seemed so natural. Sungjong had been the ‘hot cheerleader’ equivalent in school. He had known that he was wanted, and he revelled in the fact.

Now, it seemed that the tables had turned, only he didn’t see Myungsoo gloating, at least not in front of him.

Maybe it’s karma, he thought, as he picked up the papers Woohyun had dropped at his desk and headed for the elevator.

Stepping into the elevator, he pressed the button to the 5th floor. That was where the photography department was located. Woohyun had got him to deliver some pictures that needed redoing. The elevator doors were sliding towards each other slowly when suddenly, someone extended a hand between them, causing them to move back in the opposite direction.

To Sungjong’s surprise, Myungsoo got in.

“Ground floor,” he ordered, then went to stand behind Sungjong.

He noticed that the editor had his jacket on, which meant that he was going out. It was strange for him to go out during midday; he almost never left until 5 pm, unless he had an appointment or lunch plans. As far as Sungjong was aware, he had none of these today.

Turning off the 5th floor button, he pressed the button for the ground floor. Myungsoo didn't like to be kept waiting so he decided to just drop on the 5th floor on his way up, after Myungsoo had gotten off on the ground floor.

The air inside was awkward and stuffy as the elevator started to move down, gruellingly slow in his opinion.

Sungjong was partly claustrophobic so the elevator was never a fun ride for him, but with Myungsoo there, he felt even more suffocated. He didn't know how the elder felt behind him; he probably didn't even care. What was he doing?  Maybe he was just checking his cell phone, humming to himself?  It made Sungjong curious, because he knew so less about the person who was standing behind him, this whole new Myungsoo. There was a time when he knew all his habits, but now, he couldn’t tell even if his life depended on it.

He had his head lowered but he couldn't take it anymore. Surreptitiously, he lifted his head a little. He would have turned around sideways in the pretence of giving Myungsoo room to get down to get a glance at him but before he could do that he saw his reflection on the smooth glass panels that lined the interior of the elevator, along with Myungsoo’s, which was staring straight at his reflection. Their eyes met on the glass, making his heart stop. 

Myungsoo looked away immediately, fishing his cell phone out of his pocket and fixing his eyes on it. Sungjong’s reaction was slower. He couldn't believe what he had just seen. He could feel a blush creeping onto his cheeks and he lowered his gaze immediately.

When they reached the ground floor, Myungsoo got down quickly, and he just stood there, not pressing any buttons, watching the doors close again. He was a bit dazed from what just happened - it had been their first real eye contact and Sungjong couldn't believe that Myungsoo had been looking at him. There was no doubt about that – he had even looked embarrassed when their eyes had met. He had only seen his eyes for a moment, not enough to read the emotions there but it had definitely not been hatred - he was sure of that.

Or maybe, I don’t want it to be hatred. Maybe I’m just imagining things.

---

Mopping his face with his napkin, he put down his fork. The girl seated opposite to him was beautiful. She had long wavy hair and pale skin, his ‘ideal type of girl’, or so he told the media in interviews. When they had arrived at the restaurant, many heads had turned at them. And why not – she was a model, she’d recently been on the cover of most of the famous fashion magazines; he was handsome, people found him attractive. They made the perfect couple, as had been pointed out by their friends. Myungsoo was not so sure.

Despite having her as his ‘girlfriend’, he was lonely. They didn’t hang out often – maybe twice or thrice a month – they were both busy, and he preferred it that way. Whatever they had between them was nothing substantial; he didn’t even know what they had. He was glad though that the relationship wasn’t burdensome, not yet. In a way, she preferred Jiyeon to any other person because she didn’t expect much from him. It was easy to keep her happy – expensive presents once a couple of months, a phone call every week, eating out now and then – she wasn’t demanding at all. If it started to get that way, he would have to cut her loose.

Honestly, the only reason he was even dating her was to shut up his friends. He didn’t have many, the few he had cared about him excessively, and demanded that he had a functional relationship. That was how they would know he was doing okay. He didn’t point out that if his friends needed to see a girl on his arm to know he was alright, then they weren’t much of a friend. But he hated arguments of all kind so he never brought it up.

“Are you okay? You seem occupied,” Jiyeon said, looking worried.

“I’m fine,” he answered briefly.

Truthfully, he was still thinking about the awkward interaction with Sungjong in the elevator. The younger had caught him staring at him – how embarrassing! He couldn’t believe he had let that happen; it was another of his slips and he was not pleased with himself for it. Truth was, he hadn’t looked at Sungjong properly for over a week, and he couldn’t just resist.

Stupid, stupid me. What am I doing?

He had to remind himself that he hadn’t seen Sungjong for eight years and he had been doing just fine. It was Sungjong’s fault, messing him up once again. But he wouldn’t play his game this time. He might have been a fool once, but he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

Besides, he had to remember how Sungjong had ruined a golden opportunity for his company, one that would probably never come anytime soon.

He’s a fire, he burns everything on his way. I have to get rid of him.

There was no specific reason for why he hadn’t fired him. After what the younger had done, no one would have blamed him for firing him. But a part of him had held him back. Wouldn’t he have seemed too vindictive if he had fired him? What would Sungjong think? He would think that Myungsoo had fired him because he couldn’t handle him. It would be the same as admitting defeat.

No, I have to show him who I am.

A part of him wanted him around for revenge – no doubt that the younger was suffering at the office and it was what he deserved.

There was no denying it though that he was confused. In this situation, he wasn’t sure if he was doing the right thing or making an even bigger fool of himself. He wanted to talk to someone, ask someone, but who did he trust enough to openly talk about everything?

He could think of only one person.

Even though Sunggyu worked under him, he trusted his intuition and judgement. They had been friends for a long time and Sunggyu had proved on many occasions that he was wise; maybe even wiser than him. He was the only one among his friends who didn’t approve of pushing him into a relationship he didn’t want. He had hinted at times that he understood that Myungsoo had a bad experience in the past. It made sense to tell him and ask him for advice.

Now is the best time.

He clicked his fingers, motioning at the waiter to bring the bill.

“I need to go,” he told Jiyeon, who looked surprised.

“You said I get an hour! It’s been 15 minutes only.” She pouted, blinking. He knew she was trying to be cute on purpose but those tricks didn’t work for him.

“See you at the party,” he said, placing a number of bills on the table, and getting up from the chair.

He didn’t turn around as he walked away. She was already invisible to him.

When he reached the office, he found that Sunggyu was away on work. That meant he couldn’t disturb him by calling him. Frowning, he sent a small text to Jiyeon, apologising for leaving all of a sudden. Once done, he leaned against his armchair, feeling the tension in his back dissipating.

Something occurred to him – he remembered Minho telling him that Sungjong had been in his room during his break one day a few weeks back. At that time, it had bothered him; the younger had no business with the executive editor, so why would he go to visit him at his room? He hadn’t looked into the matter then; he hadn’t wanted to seem too invested in the younger’s life. But now, for some reason, the disturbing thought kept on tugging at his mind.

Sighing, he called for Woohyun.

“Yes, sir?”

“Did you send Sungjong to Minho’s office at any point?”

Woohyun’s eyebrows started dancing. In an excited whisper, he said, “No, sir, but I’ve heard from Taemin that he goes into Mr. Minho’s office often. Do you want me to find out why, sir?”

There was a conspiratorial look in his eyes, as if he thought that there was something going on between the two – a worplace scandal of some sort. It irritated Myungsoo.

“No,” he said roughly. Then, having a second thought, he said, “Let me know if something – weird is going on. We can’t have that sort of things in our office.”

“Yes, sir, I’ll keep you posted,” Woohyun replied, a bit too eagerly.

Myungsoo felt a bit uncomfortable – he was essentially telling his PA to spy on Sungjong.

It’s just to preserve the office environment, he told himself.

“Okay. Is everything ready for the party?”

Woohyun smiled broadly.

“All set, sir.”

“Good.”

He decided to talk to Sunggyu at the party; until then, he’d have to endure the constant itching in his brain. He didn’t like to think of himself as an alcoholic but right now, he needed a drink.