06

CHAPTER 5

YN's heart thudded in her chest as she read the email for the third time that morning. She had been officially hired as the new personal assistant to the CEO of Kim Corporation,

Kim Taehyung-the very same man she had encountered in the most embarrassing way possible weeks ago. The phone mix-up. His irritated glare. The way his piercing eyes had seemed to freeze her in place. And now, she was going to be working for him.

Standing in front of her bedroom mirror, YN adjusted her blazer for what felt like the hundredth time. Her palms were clammy, and her mind raced with thoughts about the day ahead. Would he even remember her? If he did, how could she possibly face him without thinking about that awkward encounter? Stop overthinking. She gave herself a firm look in the mirror, but her anxiety was hard to shake.

The morning commute passed in a blur, with YN's nerves barely allowing her to focus on the city around her. As she neared the towering headquarters of Kim Corporation, the sleek glass building loomed overhead, casting long shadows in the early sunlight. It was the kind of place that exuded power, wealth, and influence-everything YN had always felt so distant from. Yet, here she was, about to step into that world.

She straightened her back and pushed through the heavy revolving doors. The lobby was exactly as she remembered it: grand, with marble floors that gleamed beneath the soft light filtering in from the towering windows. The air was crisp, smelling faintly of polished wood and fresh flowers. Every step she took echoed slightly, a reminder of the importance of where she was. Employees moved briskly around her, some engrossed in conversations, others absorbed in their work. Everyone seemed to belong here, and YN couldn't help but feel like an outsider.

At the reception desk, the receptionist-a polished woman with a perfectly tailored suit and an even more perfect smile-greeted her warmly.

"Miss YN, welcome to Kim Corporation. We've been expecting you. You're assigned to the executive floor on the 17th. Mr. Taehyung will see you shortly."

YN swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "Thank you," she managed to say before turning toward the elevators, her feet feeling heavy. Her mind played and replayed the scenario of meeting Kim Taehyung again. What if he remembers? What if he's still irritated? What if I mess up on my first day?

The elevator doors slid open with a quiet whoosh, and YN stepped inside, pressing the button for the 17th floor. The ride up was agonizingly slow, the numbers ticking upward with a deliberate pace, giving her far too much time to overthink. She tried to steady her breathing, clutching her bag a little too tightly as she mentally ran through the responsibilities of her new role. Stay calm. Be professional. Everything will be fine.

When the elevator finally opened, YN was greeted by an atmosphere entirely different from the lobby. The executive floor was quieter, almost serene in its luxury. Plush carpeting muffled her footsteps, and the walls were lined with minimalist art, giving the space a refined, exclusive feel. Everything about it screamed importance, and YN felt smaller with each step.

A staff member guided her to her desk, which was positioned just outside the office of Kim Taehyung himself. It was an elegantly designed workspace, with sleek furniture and a large window that overlooked the city. On the desk, a small bouquet of fresh flowers greeted her with a card that read: Welcome to Kim Corporation! The gesture was sweet, but it did little to ease the knot of anxiety tightening in her chest.

She hadn't even had time to properly settle in before a soft chime from her computer alerted her to a message. Her breath caught in her throat as she read the notification:

The CEO requests your presence in his office. Please come immediately.

Her stomach lurched. Already? She had been there for all of ten minutes, and she was already being summoned by the one person she had been dreading to meet. YN quickly stood, brushing invisible wrinkles from her skirt as she took a deep breath. She smoothed her hair and mentally prepared herself for the encounter. You can do this, YN. You have to.

The walk down the short hallway to Taehyung's office felt longer than it should have. Her heart pounded in her ears, and her palms felt damp. His office door stood at the end, large and imposing, with a frosted glass panel that offered only a vague silhouette of the man behind it. She paused for a moment outside, trying to gather her nerves before knocking.

Before she could even raise her hand, a deep, commanding voice came from the other side. "Come in."

The sound of his voice made her heart stutter. It was just as she remembered-deep, cold, authoritative, with a slight edge that hinted at someone who wasn't used to waiting for others. YN hesitated for the briefest second before pushing open the door.

As she stepped inside, the sight that greeted her was nothing short of intimidating. Kim Taehyung's office was a vast, open space bathed in natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that stretched across one side. The view was breathtaking, the cityscape sprawling beneath them like something out of a painting. His desk, a sleek black piece of minimalist design, sat in the center of the room. Behind it, Taehyung himself was seated, engrossed in a document, his brow furrowed slightly in concentration.

He was even more imposing than she remembered. His sharp features were highlighted by the morning sun, casting shadows across his face. His dark hair was perfectly styled, not a strand out of place, and he wore a fitted black suit that exuded both power and precision. Everything about him-from the way he sat to the faint tapping of his pen against the desk-radiated control.

As YN entered, Taehyung looked up, his cold eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, the world seemed to stop. His gaze was intense, almost piercing, as if he was assessing her in that very instant. His expression was unreadable, a mask of professionalism that gave nothing away. There was no sign of recognition, no hint of the irritation she had feared. He was simply... cold.

"Miss YN," Taehyung said, his voice smooth but devoid of warmth. "Have a sit."

Her legs felt weak as she made her way to the chair in front of his desk, carefully lowering herself into the seat. She clasped her hands in her lap to keep from fidgeting, her heart still racing in her chest. She had been in the room for less than a minute, and

already the air felt thick with tension.

"Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Kim," YN managed to say, her voice softer than she intended.

Taehyung nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Let's go over your responsibilities as my personal assistant." He leaned back slightly in his chair, folding his hands in front of him. "I expect nothing less than excellence. You'll handle my schedule, correspondence, meetings, and anything else I require. I don't tolerate mistakes."

His words were like a weight pressing down on her, but YN nodded, trying her best to remain composed. "I understand, sir. I'll do my best."

He watched her for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if he were trying to determine whether she was truly capable of handling the role. The silence stretched, the tension in the room palpable. Finally, he spoke again, his tone colder this time.

"I have high standards, Miss YN. I don't have time to deal with incompetence. If you fail to meet those standards, I won't hesitate to replace you. Is that understood?"

YN's throat tightened. "Yes, Mr. Kim," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Taehyung's gaze remained fixed on her, and YN couldn't help but feel as though she were being measured, judged. The silence was unbearable, the weight of his expectations crushing. She felt small under his scrutiny, like an insect under a magnifying glass.

Then, abruptly, Taehyung's attention shifted back to the documents on his desk. The dismissal was clear. "That's all. You may return to your desk."

Relief washed over her, and YN quickly stood, her legs feeling shaky. "Thank you, Mr. Kim ," she said, her voice a little steadier now. She turned to leave, her mind reeling from the encounter.

Just as she reached the door, Taehyung's voice stopped her in her tracks. "Miss YN."

She froze, her hand on the door handle. Slowly, she turned back to face him. His eyes were on her once again .

"Don't let me down."

The words were simple, but the weight behind them was heavy. YN nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "I won't," she promised, though she wasn't sure if she was convincing herself or him.

With that, she slipped out of his office, the door closing softly behind her. As she walked back to her desk, the tension in her shoulders slowly began to unwind. But even as she tried to focus on her work, Taehyung's cold, piercing gaze lingered in her mind, YN returned to her desk, feeling both relieved and unsettled. The brief encounter with Kim Taehyung had been intense, more so than she had anticipated. He was cold, almost robotic in the way he delivered his words, as though emotions were something foreign to him. His expectations were clear, and the weight of them pressed heavily on her mind. She had to be perfect. There was no room for mistakes.

Sitting down, she exhaled slowly, trying to steady her racing heart. The large windows in the office offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, but YN was too distracted to appreciate it. Her hands hovered over her keyboard as she tried to focus on the tasks in front of her, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Taehyung's eyes. That brief flicker of curiosity, or was it something else? She wasn't sure.

The hours passed slowly as she familiarized herself with her duties. Every few minutes, she glanced toward the large door that separated her from Taehyung's office. The door was firmly shut, a barrier that kept the rest of the world out and him inside. YN wondered what he was doing, what kind of pressures he was facing as the CEO of such a massive corporation. She couldn't imagine the weight of it all, but it was clear from their brief interaction that he didn't tolerate distractions, not from anyone.

Midway through the afternoon, YN's phone buzzed softly, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from Jimin, the friendly colleague she had met during her interview process.

Jimin: "How's your first day going? Surviving the big, bad boss?"

She smiled at his message, appreciating the bit of levity in an otherwise tense day. Her fingers flew over the screen as she typed a quick response.

YN: "Barely surviving. I met him this morning. He's... intense."

Jimin: "Yeah, that's one way to put it. Don't worry, though. Once you get used to his icy demeanor, it gets easier. Kinda."

YN: "Kinda?"

Jimin: "Well, let's just say no one really gets used to Taehyung. But he respects hard work, and if you can keep up with his demands, you'll be fine."

YN felt a bit reassured but also slightly more nervous. If even Jimin, who had been at the company for years, still found Taehyung intimidating, what chance did she have? She let out a quiet sigh and glanced at the clock on her desk. There were still hours left in the day.

Just as she was about to return to her work, the intercom on her phone beeped, startling her. Taehyung's voice came through the speaker, low and crisp.

"Miss YN, come into my office."

Her heart skipped a beat. Again? She had been hoping to avoid another face-to-face with him so soon, but she had no choice. She quickly stood, smoothing down her clothes before heading toward his office once more. Her steps were slower this time, not out of hesitation but because she was steeling herself for whatever awaited her inside.

When she entered, Taehyung was standing by the window, his back to her. He didn't turn to acknowledge her immediately, and the silence in the room felt thick, almost suffocating. His posture was rigid, hands in his pockets as he gazed out at the city below. The late afternoon sunlight cast long shadows, adding a golden hue to the sleek, modern office. YN stood awkwardly by the door, waiting for him to speak.

"Close the door," he finally said, his voice firm but not harsh.

She did as instructed, the soft click of the door shutting behind her amplifying the quiet in the room. She could feel the tension, the unspoken weight of the moment, though she wasn't sure why. Taehyung remained silent for a few more seconds before he turned to face her.

His expression was unreadable, as usual. Dark eyes locked onto hers, and YN felt a familiar wave of nervousness wash over her. There was something in his gaze, something that made her feel small and vulnerable, as if he could see right through her.

"I have a dinner meeting tonight with a potential investor," he began, his tone even and businesslike. "You'll accompany me."

YN blinked in surprise. "Me? I mean, of course, sir. I just... I wasn't expecting..."

"You're my assistant," Taehyung interrupted, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You'll accompany me to any meetings, events, or trips that require my attention. Is that a problem?"

"N-No, not at all," YN stammered, feeling foolish for even questioning him. "I'll be ready."

"Good," he said, turning back toward the window. "We leave in an hour. Dress accordingly."

The dismissal was clear, and YN quickly excused herself, her mind racing as she returned to her desk. A dinner meeting? She had expected to spend her first few days organizing schedules and handling emails, not attend

ing high-profile dinners with investors. She was woefully underprepared.

Panic set in as she glanced down at her attire. While her outfit was professional, it wasn't exactly appropriate for a formal dinner meeting. She needed something more polished, more elegant. Glancing at the clock, she realized she didn't have much time. Frantically, she grabbed her phone and sent a quick message to Jimin.

YN: "Emergency! I need something appropriate for a dinner meeting, and I have less than an hour!"

Within minutes, Jimin replied.

Jimin: "Relax, I've got you covered. There's a boutique nearby. I'll send you the details. Just tell them I sent you, and they'll take care of the rest."

True to his word, Jimin provided the information, and YN rushed out of the building, making it to the boutique in record time. The staff, well-aware of Jimin's connections, immediately helped her find a sleek, elegant dress-simple yet classy, exactly what she needed to blend in at a formal dinner.

Back at the office, YN barely had time to change before Taehyung appeared. He gave her a brief, approving glance, but said nothing as they exited the building together. His car was already waiting, a sleek black vehicle with tinted windows. The driver opened the door for them, and Taehyung slid into the backseat without a word. YN followed, her nerves still buzzing as the car pulled away from the curb.

The ride was quiet, Taehyung completely absorbed in his phone. YN stole glances at him from time to time, marveling at how composed and focused he always seemed. His presence filled the car, and though he wasn't speaking, there was a palpable sense of authority that radiated from him.

As they neared the restaurant, Taehyung finally put his phone down, turning to her. "Remember, tonight is important. The investor we're meeting is crucial to a deal I'm working on. Stay quiet unless spoken to directly. Your job is to observe and ensure everything runs smoothly."

YN nodded, her heart thudding in her chest. "Understood."

The car pulled up in front of a lavish restaurant, the kind that only the most elite dined at. YN could feel the weight of the evening pressing down on her. She had never been in such a setting before, and the prospect of navigating the high-stakes world of business alongside Taehyung felt overwhelming.

Taehyung stepped out first, offering no assistance as she followed. He strode toward the entrance with his usual confidence, and YN hurried to keep up, trying her best to project an air of professionalism despite the butterflies in her stomach.

As they entered the restaurant, all eyes seemed to turn toward them. Taehyung's presence was commanding, and YN could feel the attention they were drawing. She swallowed hard, hoping she wouldn't embarrass herself.

The hostess led them to a private dining room at the back, where the investor was already waiting. He was an older man, well-dressed and exuding wealth. He stood as they approached, offering a firm handshake to Taehyung before turning his attention to YN.

"And who might this be?" the investor asked, his tone curious but polite.

Taehyung's expression didn't change as he introduced her. "My personal assistant, YN. She'll be joining us tonight."

The investor smiled, though there was a hint of condescension in his gaze as he looked her over. "A pleasure to meet you."

YN managed a polite smile, keeping her voice steady. "Likewise."

The dinner progressed slowly, the conversation focused on business, numbers, and future prospects. YN stayed silent as instructed, carefully observing everything. She watched as Taehyung negotiated, his words sharp and calculated. He was a master at controlling the conversation, steering it exactly where he wanted it to go. His confidence was unshakable, and YN couldn't help but admire the way he handled himself.

As the evening wore on, YN found herself feeling a little more at ease. Though the atmosphere was still tense, she was beginning to understand the rhythm of the business world, the way words were chosen carefully, and the power dynamics

that played out in high-stakes conversations. By the time dessert was served, YN felt more comfortable in her role, though the nerves never completely disappeared. She noticed how Taehyung and the investor exchanged subtle gestures and signals, each one loaded with meaning. It was a language she was just beginning to decipher.

The dinner drew to a close, and as they left the restaurant, YN couldn't help but reflect on the evening. She had survived, and Taehyung had seemed somewhat satisfied with the outcome. The investor had left with a positive impression, which was a win for Taehyung and his business.

As they walked back to the car, Taehyung finally broke the silence. "You did well tonight," he said, his tone cald as usual .

"Thank you, sir," YN replied, surprised by the compliment. "I appreciate the opportunity to observe."

Taehyung nodded. They both slipped into the backseat of the car, and the vehicle started moving. The drive back was quiet, but there was a shift in the air. Taehyung was slightly more relaxed, though he maintained his usual demeanor.

Once they arrived back at the office building, YN was about to step out when Taehyung spoke again. "Get some rest. We have a busy day tomorrow."

"Yes, sir," YN replied, stepping out and watching as Taehyung entered the building. She was tired, but she felt a sense of accomplishment. The evening had been challenging, but she had managed to hold her own. It was a small victory, but it was one she was proud of.

As she walked to her apartment, she thought about the day's events. Taehyung was complex-distant , cold and dominating . She was beginning to understand the layers beneath his icy exterior, but there was still much more to learn. Her role as his assistant was demanding, but it also came with the opportunity to witness the inner workings of a powerful company and its enigmatic leader.

Back at her apartment, YN sank into her bed, exhausted but satisfied. The reflections from the day danced through her mind, and she wondered what tomorrow would bring. The challenges were daunting, but they were also what made the role intriguing.

The next morning, YN arrived at the office early, determined to start the day on the right foot. She spent the morning organizing Taehyung's schedule, preparing reports, and handling various tasks with meticulous attention. The office buzzed with activity, and she was quickly swept up in the whirlwind of meetings, calls, and paperwork.

Around midday, as she was working through a pile of documents, Jimin stopped by her desk. He looked at her with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"So, how's it going with Taehyung? Survived the dinner meeting?"

YN looked up, giving him a tired but genuine smile. "Yes, I did. It was intense, but I think I handled it well. Thanks for the help with the dress."

Jimin grinned. "Anytime. Just remember, Taehyung is a tough nut to crack, but he respects hard work. Keep up the good work, and you'll do just fine."

Their conversation was cut short as Taehyung's office door opened. He looked out, his eyes scanning the room before settling on YN.

"Miss YN, come in," he called.

YN nodded to Jimin and walked briskly to Taehyung's office. Inside, he was already at his desk, looking over a series of documents. He gestured for her to take a seat.

"I need you to prepare a presentation for an upcoming board meeting," he said, handing her a stack of papers. "It's important that this is done meticulously. I expect it to be ready by tomorrow morning."

YN took the papers, feeling the weight of the responsibility. "Understood. I'll have it ready."

Taehyung gave a curt nod. "Good. Let me know if you need any additional resources."

As she left his office, YN felt the pressure intensify. The presentation was crucial, and the tight deadline left little room for error. She dived into the task, gathering information, designing slides, and compiling data. The hours flew by as she worked late into the evening, driven by a mix of determination and anxiety.

By the time she finally wrapped up the presentation, it was past midnight. Exhausted, she reviewed her work one last time before sending it to Taehyung for approval. She hoped it would meet his high standards.

The next morning, as YN arrived at the office, she was greeted by a message from Taehyung. He had reviewed the presentation and wanted to discuss it before the board meeting. YN took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for another round of intense scrutiny.

When she entered Taehyung's office, he was already seated, reviewing the slides on his computer. He looked up as she approached.

"Let's go over this," he said, gesturing to the screen.

YN sat down and began explaining her choices and the rationale behind the presentation. Taehyung listened intently, occasionally asking questions or making comments. Despite the high stakes, the discussion felt less intimidating than before. Taehyung's feedback was constructive, and YN appreciated his focus on improving the presentation rather than merely criticizing.

By the end of the meeting, Taehyung gave his approval. "It's well done," he said. "We'll use it as is."

Relief washed over YN. She had successfully completed another challenging task, and it seemed that Taehyung had acknowledged her efforts. She thanked him and returned to her desk, feeling a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.

The days continued to be demanding, but YN was slowly adjusting to the pace and the expectations. Each day brought new challenges, but with each task, she felt herself growing more capable and confident. Her interactions with Taehyung remained professional .

As the weeks went by, YN became more adept at navigating the complexities of her role. She developed a routine, built a rapport with the staff, and gained a better understanding of Taehyung's expectations.

Despite the rigorous demands of her job, YN found herself more engaged and motivated than she had anticipated. The challenges were daunting, but they were also a testament to her growing resilience and adaptability. As she continued to work closely with Taehyung, she was determined to prove herself and make the most of the opportunity she had been given.

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