The next morning, Minji walked into the office with a bit more energy, fueled by the coffee Minho had given her the night before. She was determined to push through the final stages of her collection. After all, the showcase was looming.
As she entered the conference room for a meeting with the design team, she saw Minho already seated at the head of the table, reviewing some paperwork. His presence, as always, made her stomach do that familiar flutter — the one she didn't quite understand.
"Good morning," she said as she took a seat across from him, her voice steady but her heart a little faster.
Minho glanced up from his notes and met her gaze. His expression was calm, professional, but there was a flicker in his eyes that Minji couldn't quite place. "Morning," he said simply, offering her a small, almost imperceptible smile.
The meeting started, with discussions about timelines, designs, and the upcoming fashion showcase. Minji remained focused on the task at hand, but she couldn't ignore the tension that seemed to grow with every glance Minho stole in her direction. He was there, but he was also somewhere else, as if his mind kept drifting back to her.
---
Later in the Meeting:
The conversation shifted to the collaboration preview, and Minji found herself explaining her latest design concepts. She was in her element, speaking with confidence, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Minho was paying closer attention to her than usual.
She looked up from her notes and caught him watching her, his gaze a little too intense. She felt her heart skip a beat but quickly looked down, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up her neck.
"Are you sure the fabric choices will hold up under the lights?" Minho asked, his voice low but steady. He wasn't just asking as a CEO; there was something more to his words. He was engaged in the discussion, yes, but there was an underlying layer of curiosity.
Minji nodded, meeting his eyes for a moment before looking back at the table. "Yes, I've tested them thoroughly. They'll be fine."
Minho didn't say anything else but continued to watch her as the meeting progressed. His gaze lingered a little longer than usual, and Minji couldn't help but wonder why.
---
After the Meeting:
As the meeting wrapped up, Minji quickly gathered her things and stood to leave. She had another round of work to finish before she could call it a day, but as she walked past Minho, he caught her arm gently.
"Minji," he said quietly, causing her to pause and look back at him. "Can we talk for a minute?"
She nodded, feeling a slight nervousness in her stomach but also curiosity. Minho had always been direct, but there was something in his tone now that felt different — more personal.
---
Private Moment:
They moved to a quieter part of the office, where Minji sat across from Minho. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes soft but intent.
"I just wanted to say," Minho began, his voice sincere, "that I know you've been working hard. I… I notice how dedicated you are, and it's impressive."
Minji blinked, surprised by the compliment. She hadn't expected him to acknowledge her in such a personal way. "Thank you," she said, her voice almost a whisper.
There was a moment of silence between them, an unspoken understanding passing in the air. Minho's expression softened further, but he didn't push the conversation. Instead, he just gave her a look — one that made her heart flutter again.
"You should get some rest," Minho said softly. "You're pushing yourself too hard."
Minji smiled lightly, though there was a touch of something uncertain in her eyes. "I'm fine. Really."