[Yunho’s POV]

I watched her diligently doing her work at the desk. I hope nobody saw me peeking from the blinds in my room, it’d be embarrassing. I’ve gotten used to standing there for a couple of minutes, watching her on her desk. The calm look on her face and that sweet smile was able to wash away my tiredness. I couldn’t help but to sigh heavily, I’ve fallen deeply in love with the lovely girl that is now working as my secretary.

“Pabo Yunho, when are you gonna confess to her?” I scolded myself, eyes still glued to the window.

“Yeah Yunho-ah, when?” I sudden voice woke me up from my thoughts. I almost jumped from the shock.

“Yah, why didn’t you knock? You scared me.” I snapped at my best friend who chuckled to himself as he made himself comfortable on the couch.

“I was going to, but I caught you spying on your beloved secretary and decided to just come in.” he teased. Park Yoochun, my best friend since college days always loves teasing me about my crushes.

“Seriously Yunho, when are you going to confess?” Yoochun repeated the question earlier as I sat facing him. “I noticed a few of your staffs are flirting with her already, including me.”

I snapped my head up at his words with one eyebrow raised. He just smirked, knowing that he just made me jealous. “Don’t you dare…”

Yoochun let out a hearty laugh. “I’m just kidding. But you really have to make a move soon, or else someone else might get her.” He reminded.

I sighed heavily at his words as I leaned against the couch. “I know, but how? What if she doesn’t like me? What if she rejects me?” I voiced out my worries.

“You never know till you try.” He reasoned while standing up. “By the way, you’re coming to the banquet this weekend right?”

I nodded as I stared at his retreating figure. “Bring her along… as your date, not your secretary.” He said the last words before waving me goodbye. Oh great, now how am I going to do that? 

It’s been two days and I still didn’t have the courage to ask her to be my date for the banquet. I really have to get my act together since tomorrow night is the event. Each time I decided to do so, she will stare at me with those beautiful smile of hers that made me speechless. I ended up giving her lots of work instead. It seemed that I could only talk to her if the conversation is work-related.

“Sir, these files just came from the Jeju branch and they want you to look through them.” She walked over to my desk after placing the files in front of me.

I nodded in response as she bowed slightly, attempting to leave. “Wait, Inna-sshi.” My mouth suddenly called out for her.

“Yes, sir? Do you need anything else?” she faced me questioningly.

“Uhm, n-no. H-how have your sister been coping here?” I suddenly blurted out the unnecessary question. I mentally smacked my head for my silliness.

She looked quite taken aback by my question, but she answered nevertheless. “Yes, she’s doing fine. Graphics design has always been her specialty. Thank your for your concern.”

“What about you? Do you like working here?” I was suddenly curious of her response.

She bit her lip while deep in thoughts before she smiled. “I feel very comfortable here. Everyone has been treating me nicely.” She nodded.

“Have you checked my schedules? About the banquet tomorrow night…” I paused for a while to take a deep breath. Brace yourself Jung Yunho.

“According to your schedules, you do have a banquet tomorrow night. Is there a problem? Do you want me to inform them of your absence?” she immediately opened a small book consisting of all my schedules while flipping through the pages in panic.

“No, that’s not it. I will be going there. But you’re coming with me.” I bravely proposed. Wait that didn’t sound right.

“N-ne? Why should I come along? I thought you didn’t need any assistant for that night. It’s just a normal launching event right?” she widened her eyes, quivering as she finished her sentence.

I stood up from my seat and approached her. She took a few steps backwards, startled at my sudden move. “I need a company and I couldn’t think of anyone else. Will you accompany me for tomorrow night?” 

[Your POV]

I fixed my dress for the nth time while nervously waiting for Yunho to pick me up. My sister smirked playfully at me, knowing very well that I have a crush towards my boss. I pouted when I looked at the time, did he really mean about me being his date for tonight? Just then, our doorbell rang as my sister dashed towards the door before I could.

“Oh Mr. Jung, good evening. What brings you here?” she asked, acting all innocent. “Omo, are you my sister’s date?” she blurted out.

I curiously peeked from behind the wall, I could only see his head as my sister was standing right in front of him. Yunho just flashed his million-dollar smile while politely asking for me.

“Unnie! Your date is here!” my sister shouted at the top of her lungs while walking inside, earning giggles from my parents who just came from the kitchen.

“Have a nice date honey.” My parents bid me goodbye as I kissed both of their cheeks. “It’s not a date omma…” I pouted.

“Did you wait long? I’m sorry, there was a-” Yunho stopped in the middle of his sentence as soon as he saw me.

His eyes were wide as he stood there, stunned at… me? Ughh, I knew I should’ve picked the yellow dress instead of this blue one. I must’ve looked out of place later. Plus Yunho was wearing a three-piece navy suit that looks dashing on him and expensive too, my cheap dress was nothing compared to what he was wearing right now.

“I look bad right? Maybe I should change…” I unintentionally pouted, staring down at my dress as I turned to head inside again.

That seemed to wake him up from his dream as he grabbed my arm to stop me. “No need, you look… beautiful.” He smiled as he brought me to his car. My heart fluttered at his compliment.

Throughout the journey to the banquet, we both sat in the car in an awkward silence. I stole a few glances at him, his eyes were focused on the road. I frowned at the situation, he seemed to be bored with me and it’s making me more nervous than I already was.

He suddenly spoke, making me turn my head towards him. “Is there something you would like to ask me?”

I hesitated for a second before I asked. “Is it really necessary for me to come along Mr. Jung?”

“Please, just call me Yunho. We’re not in the office right now.” He told me before answering my question. “You’re not coming as my secretary, but as my date.”

D-date? Did I hear him right? I’m his date for tonight?! I would already faint if I was standing at this moment. I couldn’t find the right words to reply to his statement just now. Should I thank him? I turned to him, staring curiously at his side-profile. He caught me looking and just smiled sweetly at me as I quickly shifted my eyes to something else. 

“Here.” Yunho held out his left arm for me, asking me to loop my arms around it.

I was hesitant at first, but he gave me a reassuring smile to convince me. I finally agreed, my right hand grabbing gently on his elbow. I tried not to make much contact with him or I’ll hyperventilate for sure.

He walked confidently while I looked like I was being dragged by him. It was a really awkward situation as people kept staring at us and whispering by themselves. I swear each time we passed a group of girls, they were giving me death glares.

“I… I don’t think I should be here…”

“Relax, this is normal. You have me remember?”

Yunho was really doing his part excellently, mingling with the guests at the banquet. I excused myself as I went back to our table, pouting to myself. A waiter placed some fruit salads on our table as I quickly dug in. I tend to eat when I’m nervous.

“She eats like a beggar. Wonder where Yunho got her.” I heard a voice near my ear, possibly mocking at me.

I swallowed my food and turned my head towards the voice. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, did I say that out loud?” she pretended to be shocked and giggled along with her group of friends.

I decided to just ignore her antiques and continued eating. “No wonder she looks like that, she’s a food monster!” she giggled once again.

I gritted my teeth and grasped my fists as I had heard enough. I stood up and turned to them, my eyes burning with anger. “Say that again, one more time.” I challenged her.

Oh, this girl didn’t know who she’s dealing with. I could simply break her neck with a single twist if I’m angry. Before I could attack, I heard a voice backing me up. “At least she’s not anorexic like you.”

Yunho appeared beside me with an arm around my shoulder. “Y-Yunho oppa! She’s the one who mocked me!” the girl defended herself, telling a whole different story.

“I witnessed everything to know that she’s the victim here.” He simply remarked as he pulled me to the dance floor.

*** 

“Can you dance?” he asked, jolting me back to reality.

I softly shook my head in embarrassment, I should’ve known that they have dances for these sort of banquet. Yunho just smiled kindly as he placed my arms around his neck and his arms on my waist. He gently swayed us to the slow music that was starting to play.

“Mr. Jung-”

“I told you to call me Yunho.”

“Y-Yun… Yunho-sshi, I’m sorry… I have been a lousy date.” I apologized.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with that girl.” He too apologized. “But thanks for being my date. I had a great time.”

I looked up to stare at his face as he smiled. I couldn’t help but to smile along. Being in his arms like this felt just like the first time he did when we were at the factory. I felt the warm and protective aura from him. I felt safe in his arms.

But then a thought hit me, I’m just his secretary. And tonight, I was simply accompanying him here. After tonight, we’d be nothing more than an employee and her boss. My heart sunk to the pit of my stomach at the thought, I should get my mind straight before my feelings get out of control.

We danced a little while more to the music. Yunho didn’t seem like he wanted to let go of me. I almost slipped a few times as I felt someone kept stepping at the end of my dress. I turned my head and saw that girl from earlier. She smirked at me while dancing wit her partner.

Suddenly, someone came and called Yunho. He excused himself and left as I head over to the punch counter. Before I could reach there, I slipped and fell while grabbing onto the table cloth nearby. Unfortunately, the punch bowl was located on the table and it fell over me. I was soaked in punch all wet and sticky and lying in embarrassment on the floor.

I heard the familiar giggle and turned to find that the girl earlier was laughing her heart out at me. Her foot was pinned on the end of my dress. I glared at her as I tried to stand up. But I slipped again due to the wet floor. When I tried to stand up again, a hand helped me up.

I was really hoping it would be Yunho, but it was his friend Yoochun. Yunho was unfortunately nowhere in sight. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine.” I replied, wincing when I felt a slight pain in my ankles.

I looked at myself, all wet and sticky. I looked embarrassing. Everyone was laughing at me. I couldn’t let Yunho see me like this. “I… I have to go.”

Please enjoy this story! There's gonna be one more part before thos short story will end.

Comments and suggestions for oneshots are appreciated! <3