The next day, I'm at Naya's office for an emergency meeting to discuss my new job. Lee Know is already there, sitting with his arms crossed and an unreadable expression on his face.
"(Y/N), you hired me to fix your image...and then accepted a job at your boyfriend's company. Can you see the problem?"
"But it's not like Min-ho helped me. He didn't even know I was interviewing."
"The public doesn't care. At best, it looks like you used your connections to get the job. At worst, it looks like Min-ho gave his mistress a cushy position."
I glance at Lee Know to find he's watching the conversation with a strange look in his eyes...
"Aren't you going to say anything? She's being completely unreasonable!"
Lee Know clears his throat and leans forward.
"Naya, we hired you to help us take our relationship public. Now, I understand the...terms of our situation have changed, but I believe you're being compensated well enough to adapt on the fly."
"It's not about the money. It's about trust. I told you in our first meeting that I require absolute honesty from my clients."
"I knew I went off-script, but this is my dream job. I couldn't turn it down. And I really hope you don't ask me to."
"I was never planning to ask that of you, (Y/N). But I just need a chance to prepare before you make any life-changing decisions. Currently, you're making it impossible for me to do my job.
Naya takes a deep breath, running her hand down her face.
"I apologize for losing my cool, but I'm not sure this partnership is visible at this point."
"Are you...firing us?"
Lee Know pushes back in his chair, then offers Naya his hand.
"Thank you for all your hard work, Naya. You'll receive the full amount we agreed upon and a glowing reference, should you ever need it."
"Good luck to both of you."
Lee Know has me out the door and into the car with Carter before I can completely process what happened...
"Home, Mr. Lee?" Carter asks.
"Ms. (YLN)'s apartment, please. Then the office."
Carter smiles at me as the partition rises, giving me and Lee Know privacy. I try to break the ice...
"Hey, now that Naya fired us, do you think I can move back in?"
"Do what you want, (Y/N). I'm sure you will anyway."
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you upset with me?"
"Of course I'm upset! How could you take this job without talking to me? I get why you didn't tell Naya, but me? I thought we were partners..."
"Lee Know... I thought you'd be happy for me. You're supposed to always be in my corner..."
"I am in your corner, which is why you should've talked to me instead of going it alone. I hate to admit, but Naya is right. If our relationship get out now, people will make assumptions..."
"Even though you're not my direct supervisor? We're not even in the same division."
"I know, but we can't risk anything that might influence my father's decision in the competition for the company."
I clench my fists as Carter turns down my street. The car suddenly feels too small to hold the both of us.
"Look, we can figure something out. It's not too late to change your mind–"
"Oh, so I'm supposed to completely sacrifice my career for you?"
"That's not what I said–"
The car rolls to a stop, and I've already got the door open.
"I can't deal with this right now. I start my new job in two days, and I need to make sure my head is clear."
"(Y/N), wait–"
"I'll talk to you later. I think we both could use some time to cool off."
I walk away, and Lee Know lets me.
Monday morning, I wake up an hour before my alarm, still feeling upset over my fight with Lee Know.
"I definitely can't go into the office with this hanging over my head..."
But when I pull up my phone, I find myself dialing Jenny instead to catch her up.
"...Then I stormed off and we haven't spoken since."
"So you had a fight, but you called me instead of him because...?"
"I guess I feel guilty about blindsiding Lee Know. I was just so excited about the position that I didn't even think to talk to him before saying yes."
"You know you don't have to run everything by him, right?"
"I know, but if we want to build a life together, I should include him more. I'm just...not used to it yet."
"So you've just gotta practice more! No biggie."
"Well, when you put it like that..."
"Now get your sorry ass out of bed, put on a smokin' outfit, and show all of Lee-Russo who's boss!"
"Okay, okay! Thanks for the pep talk, Jen. I needed it."
She blows me a kiss, then hangs up. I turn to my closet to find a 'smoking' outfit and my gaze falls on a new mint green blouse.
"This is perfect..."
I slip into the chic, professional look that's perfect for the office...
"Now I'm ready to face the day."
I arrive at Lee-Russo Incorporated, feeling a surge of pride as I flash my employee badge and head straight for the lab. Evan greets me as I slip on my lab coat.
"Welcome, (Y/N). You look very professional for your first day."
"Thanks."
"Let me show you to your private work station."
"I get my own desk? Fancy..."
Evan leads me over to my desk that is already stocked with things I need.
"Wow, some of this tech was still in development when I was grad school."
"You'll find we have the best of everything here at Lee. Best tech. Best personnel. Which includes you now, I guess."
"I can't wait to get started."
"Oh, and someone dropped a delivery off for you this morning."
"For me? There must be a mistake..."
I trail off as Evan steps aside to reveal the delivery in question. I find a vase full of roses and a note.
Good luck on your first day. I know you're going to blow them all away
-LK
It's from Lee Know!
"No one else I've hired has ever gotten flowers."
I glance around the lab, which is mostly filled with men. The lack of bouquet deliveries is not a surprise.
"I guess things are gonna start changing around here."
I have a feeling this won't be the last time Lee Know sends me flowers.
Evan observes, lips pursed, as I smell the fresh bouquet.
"Not too much, I hope. Aditya will be by to help you get started. If you need me...don't."
After I settle in at my desk and add a few personal decorations, I make my way over to the main part of the lab.
"You must be (Y/N). I'm Aditya Bharad."
"Nice to meet you."
"You want some coffee before we get started? Evan insisted on a brand new espresso maker, so we can whip up just about anything."
"In that case, I'll take a fancy hot chocolate. I'm not much of a coffee drinker."
"I get it. I'm more of a tea-man myself. One delicious hot cocoa, coming right up."
Aditya fiddles with the machine for a few minutes, then hands me a steaming cup. I take a long sip...
"Damn, that's good."
"Now that you've got your morning jolt, it's time to meet the rest of the crew. We usually work in groups of four to six, depending on the project. Charles and Kai will be your best resources as they've been here the longest."
"Where are you coming from? Pharmaceuticals? Agriculture?" Charles asks.
"You're not from the energy sector are you?" Kai questions.
"Actually, I'm brand new. I graduated with my master's last year."
"Nice. It's about time we had some new blood..." Kai smiles.
"So do we all work on the same thing? Like, same project, different parts?"
"Yes, exactly. Each group works on their own studies, experiments, et cetera, and each group member is assigned specific parts of that." Aditya informs me.
"Teamwork makes the dream work. Got it."
Aditya leads me over to a table with rows and rows of blood samples."
"Good thing I'm not squeamish. - I give a small laugh."
"Right now, we're working on pollution remediation in farmlands with heavy pesticide use. The blood samples are from animals in the area. You'll need to catalog all of them. Like so."
He picks up a tube and holds the barcode up to a scanner. Then, he shows me the different storage refrigerators for logged and unlogged samples. After, he leads me over to a machine I recognize as a blood chemistry analyzer.
"Once all the samples are logged, you'll want to start processing them. Each batch is color coded. Any questions?"
"Uh..."
"I know it seems like a lot, but once you get the hang of it, it'll be a breeze. And don't hesitate to reach out if something comes up. Just don't ask Evan."
"That part, I already figured out."
"Then I think that's all you need to know for now. Let's make sure you're all set up in our computer system so you can get started."
Aditya and I go back to my workstation to get me logged in to everything. I can see him eyeing the flowers.
"You might as well ask me..."
"I didn't want to pry, but those roses are beautiful. And...big."
"They were a gift from a friend. Just a little something to wish me luck on my first day."
"You must have some really nice friends. These must have cost a fortune."
Aditya helps me get all set, then leaves to check on some of his own experiments.
Alright, I've survived the hardest part. Now I can just put my head down and plow through these samples...
Before I know it, everyone in the lab starts packing up their things. The rest of my team approaches me as they're heading for the door.
"We're about to head up to the cafeteria for lunch. Care to join us?"
"They make a mean tuna melt..."
"Thanks, but I wanna make sure I have everything in order before I take my lunch break. Tomorrow?"
Aditya and the rest of the lab workers file out, all of them chattering happily and making lunch plans. Even Evan seems to have cleared out for the noon hour. After putting all the logged samples away, I glance over at my work station...and the beautiful bouquet from Lee Know.
I haven't heard from him all morning...but I'm sure he just doesn't want to bother me on my first day. Though, no one would miss me if I snuck upstairs to talk things out...and thank Lee Know personally for the roses.
A few minutes later, I slip into Lee Know's office. Even his receptionist is out to lunch, so it seems.
"(Y/N), what're you doing here?"
"I wanted to thank you for my flowers in person. And don't worry, I made sure no one saw me."
"That's good. In that outfit, you'd have the whole office talking."
Lee Know moves toward me, arms outstretched, before he seems to remember there's still a lot to discuss.
"I'm glad you're here. I didn't get any sleep this weekend."
"Me neither. I hate when we fight."
Lee Know crosses the office, and I allow him to pull me into his arms.
"I hate it too."
"Then don't act like a condescending ass next time!"
Instead of taking offense, Lee Know chuckles and tightens his hold.
"You're right. I reacted poorly to your news about the job, and I'm sorry for that. But you did catch me off guard."
"I honestly thought it would come as a nice surprise...'
"It is a nice surprise, now that I've had time to wrap my head around it. I just wish you'd talked to me about it first, that's all. I want to be a part of my life, (Y/N). Of every part. Can you forgive me?"
"Of course I forgive you. And not just because of the extravagant roses you sent me..."
I lift a hand to Lee Know's cheek, guiding his lips to mine for a soft kiss. I look around his office, remembering the first time I was in here.
"It seems like just yesterday I was in this office for my nanny interview..."
"Did you imagine you'd end up like this when we first met?"
"Honestly? Not even close. I was determined to keep it professional...but you were impossible to resist."
"You're the irresistible one."
"What about me? What's the first thing that caught your attention?"
"Your smile. Your intelligence. Your passion."
"Those are three things."
"They were all vying for attention from the start."
Lee Know tugs on the sides of my lab coat to pull me close until my body is flush against his.
"My intelligence, huh? So you like my lab coat?"
"I'd like to see you in only your lab coat..."
I lose no time in slipping out of my clothes and tossing them into a pile in the corner. I slide the lab coat back on and give Lee Know a flirty smirk over my shoulder.
"This what you had in mind?"
"Ms. (YLN), that's not appropriate work attire..."
"Isn't it? I feel fully covered."
I do a little spin, making sure to show off every curve of my body. Lee Know grabs me by the lab coat again, tugging me back into his arms.
"So are you technically my boss again?"
Lee Know shakes his head.
"Not right now. I handed off all my previous oversight duties when I took over the robotics division. As long as you're not in my department..."
"We can do whatever we want?"
"Well, there is still the employee code of conduct."
"Screw the code of conduct." I wickedly grin.
"I'd prefer to screw you."
Lee Know wraps a hand around the back of my neck. He pulls me in for a deep, searing kiss.
"Oh..."
There's something possessive about the way his fingers curl into my nape, holding me in place while his tongue plunders my mouth."
"I wanted to do this so badly when I was interviewing you. I could barely hold myself back..."
"You don't have to hold back now, Mr. Lee. After all, I'm just a nanny who's willing to do anything to get this job..."
Lee Know's eyes flash as he realizes what game I'm playing.
"In that case..."
He steps back. The space between our bodies pulses with heat and promise as I watch him start to undress. Lee Know starts with his belt buckle, his sure fingers graze the rigid line in his slacks."
"Is this what you want, (Y/N)?"
I nod as he continues stroking his length. His movements are slow and careful, his whole body rigid as I watch. Then he begins unbuttoning his shirt. He moves slowly, each button flicking open in an agony of suspense... When he finally slides the shirt off his broad shoulders, all my caution fizzles out...
"Enough teasing."
The rest of Lee Know's clothes join mine on the floor, and I push Lee Know until he's perched on the edge of his desk. I kiss him fiercely...
"You're quite bossy for an interviewee. I thought I was conducting this meeting?"
"Mr. Lee...I can offer a lot to this company..."
"Oh? Show me."
I change places with Lee Know so I'm the one on the desk. I prop my legs up, letting my thighs fall open so he can see exactly what I'm offering him... He reaches out to stroke a finger down my center, my breath hitching as he teases my button.
"I bring–Ohhh!–a lot to the table..."
"I can see that."
Lee Know hooks a finger around my underwear and pulls it to the side. The friction causes my hips to buck as he leans down to blow against my core...
"Yes, very good..."
I glance at the clock, realizing the lunch hour is nearly up.
"Mr. Lee, your next interview will be here soon..."
"I know we typically ask where you see yourself in five years, but in the interest of time, why don't you just tell me where you see yourself in five minutes?"
"Straddling you on your chair."
Lee Know leads me around his desk and settles into the sturdy executive's chair. He guides me onto his lap, and I let out a moan as I feel him pulsing against my opening.
"Oh God..."
"You're already so wet for me, Ms. (YLN)..."
My lab coat brushes against the top of Lee Know's tights as I lower myself onto him. His grip at my waist tightens as he lets me set the pace. I take a moment to adjust...then raise myself back up, and lower myself again.
"Ohhhh..."
"I'm always just as...dedicated as my employees."
Lee Know pushes my lab coat aside to take my nipple into his mouth. I arch my back, desperate for more of his touch as he starts to move his hips in time with mine. My body starts to tense up as the pleasure builds in my core. Lee Know's breath comes fast and hot against my skin, his grip on me tightens.
"Ms. (YLN)... (Y/N)... I'm almost..."
I nod knowing the end is nearing, my center red hot.
"Yes, Mr. Lee, Yes! You're gonna make me–"
My words are cut off as the wave of ecstasy hits me. Lee Know pumps into me once, twice more before he follows me over the edge.
"...Ms. (YLN)!"
We lean against one another for a few minutes, catching our breath. ONce I've recovered, Lee Know pulls me to my feet, my legs still quivering a little.
"Well, did I get the job?"
Lee Know chuckles as he leans in to kiss me. The touch of his lips is sweet and gentle.
"Definitely. I look forward to negotiating your...perks with you later."
We help each other recover our clothes and look presentable. After one final kiss, I slip back out of his office with no one the wiser...
After my lunch break, I return to my workstation feeling optimistic about the rest of the day ahead.
"Hey, (Y/N). I brought you this from the cafe across the street."
Aditya approaches my workstation with a cup in each hand, setting one on my desk.
"Hot chocolate, right? I got you extra whipped cream, to give you a boost."
"Thanks! I can't believe you remembered my order..."
"I have a good memory. Plus I usually get coffee for the team after lunch."
I look past him and notice that Charles and Kai also have coffee cups in hand.
"Then I'll have to get the next round."
"Don't worry about it..."
"Hey now, let's hear her out." Kai smiles.
"Yeah, you can't turn down free coffee for the rest of us, Adi. Not cool." Charles adds.
The men continue bantering as I slip back to the sample station. There's a light, teasing camaraderie in the air that makes me feel perfectly at home. The hours fly by, and I almost can't believe it when the five o'clock hour rolls in.
"Did you finish cataloging all those blood samples?"
"Damn, that was fast." Kai says.
"I thought that'd keep you busy until the end of the week, at least." Charles blurts.
"You're gonna have to step up your game if you wanna keep me occupied."
"You hear that, Charles? No more slacking." Aditya laughs.
"Who's slacking? Never mind that now. Just get your act together, everyone. The big boss is coming." Evan comes out of nowhere and informs us.
Everyone stands to attention. I lean over to Aditya...
"Aditya...I thought Evan was the 'big boss'."
"He's just the head of this lab. I'm guessing the director of the entire division is on their way down."
Director of the division? How bad can they be? At least it's not Robin.
"Everyone, look sharp!"
The sound of footsteps and low voices draws near. I hold my breath as the door swings open to reveal...
"Sofia?! You're in charge of the environmental division?"
"Of course I am. And I'm looking forward to working with you very closely."