Lee Know and I both stare open-mouthed at the monitor...
"Is that Sofia? And Robin? And they're..." my mouth falls agape.
"Looks like it..."
We're so shocked that Robin would hand over a sex tape without any kind of warning that we make no move to stop the images from playing in front of us.
IN VIDEO
"I can't believe you kept me waiting after everything that happened this afternoon with Min–"
"I told you not to talk about him when we're together."
"Ooooh, touchy. How about you make me forget all about him?"
Robin grabs Sofia around the waist and flips her over, maneuvering on top in a practiced move. It's obvious from Sofia's light laugh that this is a game they've played before...
"Do you want me, Sofia? I want to hear you say it."
"Yes, yes, Robin... I want you."
Robin pins Sofia's hands above her head with one hand, the other reaching lower...
"Tell me I'm the only one who makes you feel like this."
"God, you're so needy..."
Robin is about to protest, but Sofia cuts him off with a kiss.
OUT VIDEO
We were so enticed, I startle when Lee Know reaches to turn off the video.
"I've seen enough."
"Why the hell would Robin give us this?" I ask in disgust.
"He wants us to do his dirty work for him. He knows this could destroy Sofia's reputation...and take her out of the running for CEO for good."
"He wants us to release revenge porn of her? That's low, even for Robin.'
"He probably thought he was doing me a favor."
"That doesn't make it okay."
"No. It doesn't. No one should have their private life exposed like that. And besides, if I win, I want it to be because I've earned it, not because I pulled some cheap trick."
"You're a good person. Sofia doesn't deserve you."
"And I don't deserve you. Life's a funny thing sometimes."
Lee Know pulls me close and covers my mouth with his.
"We'll figure out another way to get through this...together."
The next morning, the whole office is buzzing about Robin being fired without notice.
"They're saying Robin was caught in the middle of a huge cheating scandal." Charles states.
"I never trusted him." Kai blurts.
"Neither did (Y/N)..." Aditya adds.
"So what really happened? Come on, we know you know! You have direct access to the big boss." Charles asks.
"put the whole company at risk. There was some pretty shady stuff going on with the way he ran his department... If it had been allowed to continue, there's no telling how bad the damage would've been."
"No wonder they booted him."
"Working for Sofia is so much better...and that's saying something!" Kai laughs.
"Charles, where are those numbers on the new sample?" Evan asks.
As Charles and Kai turn to answer Evan, Aditya and I head back to our own stations. I spend the morning working my way through a huge stack of paperwork. I'm so focused I don't notice when someone approaches my desk...
"If it isn't my favorite worker bee..."
"Sofia! Wait, was that supposed to be a compliment?"
"Depends on how you feel about bees. Personally, I can't stand them. All that noisy buzzing."
"Well, they also keep our ecosystem running and pollinate our crops so–"
"Yes, yes whatever. Forgive me that being stung doesn't go with my master plan."
"So have you heard about Robin?"
The expression that flits across Sofia's face is dark...and dangerous.
"Of course I heard."
"And? How do you feel about it?"
"That's not any of your business. I came to check on your progress. In case you forgot, the final shareholder meeting of the year is Friday. Your job is to make me look good at it."
"My CT scan prototype isn't enough?"
"Not anymore. This is the final sprint to the finish. I need something new and flashy to present at the meeting."
"I have a few ideas I can start working on. Now that you mention it, there are some exciting new developments I've been considering.'
"Then consider them faster. I want something in hand first thing Friday morning."
"It'll take a lot of overtime, but–"
"But nothing. Get it done."
I have a sigh at the mountain of work ahead of me...but I also feel a thrill of excitement. This is the work I was born to do.
"You can count on me."
Sofia nods, and something like a smile crosses her face. In that moment, I can't help but feel she's the best kind of boss for me. He's manipulative and unpredictable, but she also pushes me to succeed in ways that no one else ever has.
She probably deserves a heads-up about Robin's sex tape... That might not have been his only copy.
I glance around the lab to make sure no one is paying attention before lowering my voice...
"There's something you need to know about Robin... He stopped by Lee Know's apartment last night to help him beat you for good."
"I doubt that–"
"He gave us a video of the two of you being...intimate."
"What? Where is it?"
"Lee Know has it right now, but he's planning to destroy it. He wants to be CEO, but not that much."
Sofia looks pissed, but she manages to wrangle herself back to a state of calm.
"You watched it?"
"Just long enough to figure out what it was."
"And? How did I look?"
"What?"
"If I'm going to have to handle a sex tape scandal, I want to make sure I know what I'm dealing with. Did I look good?"
"That's not the point. You can't be serious!"
"Of course I'm serious. I don't spend half my life at the gym for nothing."
"You looked fine, I guess. Robin seemed to be enjoying himself.'
Sofia nods and casts an appraising look over me. It's almost as though she's trying to figure me out...
"Thanks for letting me know, (Y/N)."
"That's all you're going to say?"
"I don't like being in anyone's debt, but I suppose I'm in yours...for now."
Sofia turns on her heel and leaves. I shake my head as I return to my computer.
Now that that's out of the way, I can focus on this new project.
Over the next few hours, Aditya and I put our heads together to come up with a new plan for the shareholders' meeting... Eventually, I decide to make it a walking brainstorm, if only to get my blood flowing.
"Anything that's made of plastic could benefit from our prototype. Tarps, garbage bags, disposable cutlery..."
"I don't think garbage bags were what Sofia had in mind when she asked for something flashy. It needs to have a real impact on the future. Otherwise, what's the point?"
"Sofia doesn't fire us?"
"True, but I'd rather get fired doing something that matters than get a promotion for making something pointless."
My brain is running a mile a minute. Every idea I have seems either too small or too ambitious.
"Ugh! Why can't I come up with anything?"
"For starters, we've been brainstorming for less than a day. And...maybe your heart just isn't in it anymore?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, maybe what you really want is to be working in the robotics department...with Lee Know?"
I shake my head, surprised at how strong my feelings are.
"As much as I care about Min-ho, it would be weird to work that closely. I'd much rather be able to keep my personal and professional live a little more separate. It's not fun to ask someone about their day and already know the answer."
"If you're sure..."
"Positive. Robots are cool and all, but we can do better."
"Uh, I'm pretty sure nothing is cooler than robots."
"...You're right. No matter what we come up with, we can't do better than a functioning, viable robot."
"Then why do you look so excited?"
"Because I figured out how we're gonna impress the shareholders on Friday. If you can't beat 'em...join 'em."
"Why do I get the feeling Sofia isn't gonna like this?"
"Because she isn't. But she put me in charge for a reason. There's just one other person I have to convince..."
I whip out my phone and pull up Lee Know's number.
Me:
-Hey, got a sec?
Lee Know:
-For you? Always. How's everything down in the lab?
Me:
-Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about...
A few days later, Thursday evening rolls around. Aditya and I are still hard at work on my new plan, having stayed late every night this week perfecting it.
"When this is over, I'm gonna sleep for five days straight."
"That makes two of us. I'm so tired, I'm starting to hear birds chirping inside the office..."
"What? Oh! That's my phone."
I can tell by his expression that it's his wife. I turn away to give him some semblance of privacy, but it's impossible not to overhear their conversation.
"I told you already, I won't be home until late."
"Again? That's every night this week, Adi! Dinner's already on the table. I feel like you're abandoning me..."
"I'm not abandoning you, but we have this big project due tomorrow and..."
I catch Aditya's attention as his wife interrupts him.
"Why don't you go home? I don't want you to get in trouble because of a project I came up with."
"I hate to leave you..."
"We're in a good spot, and your wife obviously needs you more right now."
Aditya starts gathering up his stuff, but casts one last look at me.
"You sure you'll be okay to finish on your own?"
"Absolutely. Now, get outta here."
The lab is eerily quiet after Aditya leaves, but I don't have time to dwell on it. If I'm gonna get this finished by morning, you need to focus.
"Now, where was I...?"
Another hour passes in the blink of an eye, and I'm only pulled out of my work trance when my phone chimes.
Lee Know:
-Still burning the midnight oil?
Me:
-Yeah, everyone else has gone home for the night. I'm so close to finishing, I can taste it.
Lee Know:
-So you're all alone in that big empty lab? You could come up to robotics and work here. The twins are with my parents tonight...
Me:
-You'd keep my company??
Lee Know:
-I could do a lot more than that, if you let me.
I tell Lee Know I'll join him in a few and pack up my laptop. I break out into a smile as I enter the robotics lab and see Lee Know waiting for me. I'm more grateful for a friendly face than I realized.
"Don't worry. I have sustenance."
I throw my arms around him and savor the warmth of his embrace. I've spent so many hours in this cold, sterile lab that his heat and rich, intoxicating scent instantly makes me feel better.
"You've been working too hard."
"Shhh. You can scold me after the hug."
There's still a lot to be done before I'm ready for the shareholder meeting, so I have to get right back to work.
"Tell me what you need. I'm here to help."
"The prototype is just about finished, but I'm struggling trying to nail down the manufacturing and delivery chains. Science I know, but business..."
"...Is where I come in."
Lee Know sits down and immediately starts going through my folders.
"The problem isn't the manufacturing chain, it's your timeline. If you adjust this date here..."
I lean close as Lee Know points out a few places where I can streamline my system. I pull up the chart on my computer and start inputting his figures.
"The thing I can't understand is why there's a delay here."
"That's where the synthesis of the primary chemicals undergoes curation. We can't rush that process. I can do a deep dive into the science if you want, but it might take a while..."
"Do you mind? I know we're in a time crunch, but I like knowing as much about how our stuff works as possible."
I do my best to simplify the explanation of the chemical basis for my project. Lee Know nods along and asks an occasional question, his attention never wavering.
"You sure you want me to keep blathering on? This is pretty dry stuff..."
"Don't ever dim your passion for my sake, (Y/N). I love to learn about what gets you excited."
Lee Know and I continue to work side by side. Every time I hit a snag, Lee Know is there, waiting to jump in. Then when he gets confused over the science, I have an explanation ready.
"Aaand...done!"
I press the save button one more time for safety before powering down my computer.
"I can't believe it. We actually finished."
Yawning, I glance up at the clock to find it's almost five in the morning.
"And with plenty of time to spare."
"I think this calls for a celebration..."
Lee Know grabs me around the waist and hoists me up onto the desk, settling between my legs.
"Lee Know!"
I moan as Lee Know grinds his hips against mine with firm, determined pressure. He kisses down my jaw, my neck, the soft curve of my shoulder...
"You've been working so hard, (Y/N)...it's time you got your reward."
"What did you have in mind?"
He nips at the skin of my throat as his hands trail along my sides.
"This."
As Lee Know captures my mouth with his, I arch my back and grip the cold metal of the work station. He tugs on the fabric of my clothes, and I pull apart just long enough to bare myself to him.
"Now what have we here?"
I gasp as he pulls my hips closer to the edge of the table, then kneels before me. Lee Know licks his lips with careful deliberation. I watch the movement of his tongue and quiver deep inside.
"Yes, Lee Know. Touch me. Taste me."
Lee Know's head begins to duck toward the open splay of my thighs. I moan and buck my hips in anticipation of his tongue on me, but suddenly... The lights turn out!
"Is someone here?"
I can feel the soft breath of Lee Know's chuckle along my core.
"It's just the motion-controlled lights turning off for the night."
The darkness envelops us both, but Lee Know doesn't let it stop him. With renewed determination, he begins blazing a line of impossibly hot kisses up my thigh... I brace my palms on the work station behind me as Lee Know licks my core, circling my button with his tongue.
"Lee Know..."
"You'd better find something to grab onto, because I'm not going to hold back."
I grip the back of Lee Know's head as he dives between my thighs, using his tongue to ravage the fold of my body.
"Ooooh...yes!"
With his hands on my thighs to keep me steady, he laps greedily on me, stroking long and hard against my slit. I buck wildly against him.
"God, you taste so good."
I lose track of time as Lee Know continues working over my body. He knows just where to touch to set me on fire... I'm working up to a feverish pitch when I hear the sound of footsteps in the distance... I jerk, but Lee Know is right there to hold me in place.
"Don't worry. It's just the janitor gathering the trash in the outer office." he whispers.
"What if she hears us? "
"Then I guess you'll just have to keep quiet, won't you? "
I gasp as he returns his attention to my body. I'm on the edge, and he knows it.
"Ohhh!"
"What was that? Is someone there?" the janitor calls out.
"Shhh, (Y/N)."
As much as I know we should stop, I should give myself a chance to cool off while the janitor is on the other side of the door, my body rocks up into Lee Know. I want this. I want Lee Know. And I can't hold back anymore. My whole body arches as Lee Know dries me closer to the edge.
"Cum for me, (Y/N)."
Unable to resist the powerful lure of his voice, I take my lower lip between my teeth and bite down, hard.
"Mnn...!"
I release with a sudden bursting shudder. I barely manage to hold back my cry as my body clenches tightly, again and again. Finally, I hear the janitor leave the lab, and I sag against the work station, completely spent.
"That was a close one..."
"I thought for sure you were gonna bring the whole janitorial staff in here."
"Well, it would've been your fault."
Lee Know wraps his arms around me and holds me close, his heartbeat thumping against mine.
"Oh, I know. And I wouldn't have it any other way." he smiles.
Friday morning, after my late-night work, Aditya heads straight for me, hot cocoa in hand.
"Bless you."
"It's the least I could do after you covered for me last night."
I've barely had time to lift my cup to my lips before Sofia motions for me to join her in Evan's office.
"So? What do you have for me?"
"Good morning to you too."
"I don't have time for niceties."
"Well, I've been up for thirty-six hours straight getting everything done, so the least you could do is pretend to appreciate it."
"Fine. Good morning. Now, what do you have for me?"
I whip aside the tarp covering my new prototype to reveal the new prototype.
"What is this? Why is Min-ho's prototype here? Don't tell me you got so desperate that you stole the competition?"
"If you take a closer look, you'll see the newest addition to Lee-Russo Incorporated...Eco-Erin."
With the push of a button, I make Eco-Erin extend an alternative plastic arm.
"Eco-Erin is a collaboration between the robotics and environmental division, where modern technology meets the latest in biodegradable plastic."
"Hmm."
"I wanted to think about the future of the company. If we want to compete in the global market, we have to think bigger."
"And this is 'thinking bigger'?"
I wince. The flat line of Sofia's mouth isn't making me feel very confident...
"No one else has anything like it."
Sofia turns to me with a calculating gleam in her eyes...then smirks.
"I can't believe you finally had the gut to screw me over. I'm almost proud of you."
"This robot has the potential to make a big difference...and a lot of money. Can't you put your ego aside for once? This isn't about you and Lee Know. It's about all of us."
"Last I checked, that includes me."
Sofia impatiently holds her hand out for all of my files. She scans them with a knowing grin.
"Perfect. Spinning this to look more like my project than Min-ho's will be a piece of cake."
"You can't do that!"
"You didn't think I'd let Min-ho get all the credit for this, did you? You're learning, (Y/N), but you still have a long way to go..."
"You may leave now."
Completely dismissed, there's nothing I can do but head back to my work station and wait... I spend the entire day waiting to hear back from Sofia...and fighting the urge to nap.
"Maybe you should go home for a few hours. Who knows how long this'll take?"
"You've got a point. I feel pretty dead on my feet and..."
Just then, the lab doors open and I see a familiar face approach. Aditya steps away to give us a moment of privacy.
"Lee Know? Is it over? What happened?"
"Our robotic arms were a huge hit! The company's going to plan the next year around its development."
"What about Sofia? She seemed pretty determined to take all the credit."
"She tried, but there was no way she could pretend the robot tech was hers. You should've seen her face when they cut her off in the middle of her speech."
"Does this mean you're officially CEO?"
"Not quite. Since the new prototype came from both departments, it didn't move the needle either way."
"Oh, Lee Know. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I'm not. Dad says it'll come down to a 'photo finish', and he'll announce it at the holiday party as planned."
"That sounds fair. It's only a week away. Plus, that gives us a little more time to come up with another plan..."
"Honestly, I'd rather just enjoy this victory with you. I think we've earned some downtime."
"What'd you have in mind?"
Lee Know slides an arm around my waist.
"There's something I've wanted to do with you since the day we met...since the day you asked about it."
"You mean...?"
"What do you say, (Y/N)? Go skydiving with me?"
"Okay...as long as you promise not to let me fall."
"Don't worry. I'm planning to hold you the whole way down."
Before I can change my mind, Lee Know whisks me away to the airport. I gulp as I watch the small prop planes take off.
"Are you ready?"
"Honestly, I can't believe it's taken this long for you to take me. I can't wait for you to show me the world."
The skydiving team is finishing up preparations as we approach the plane. Since Lee Know will be jumping with me, they keep our introduction brief. Lee Know helps me into my suit and harness, letting his touch linger...
"Lee Know, is this a little preview of what our jump will be like?"
"If you want it to be..."
I lean in to kiss him, letting him deepen the kiss for a moment...
"Okay, now I'm ready."
The two of us finish strapping in, and Lee Know shows me where my harness will attach to his.
"See? We'll be connected the whole time. Everywhere you go, I go."
"Sounds perfect."
By the time our plane hits the skies, I'm starting to feel calmer...but I notice Lee Know look a bit on edge.
"Are you ready for this? You're all jittery."
"I'm just excited. It's been a few years since I've done this..."
"Why'd you stay away so long? The boys?"
"They were part of it, but honestly... I just wasn't interested in skydiving after Addi died. It didn't hold the same thrill it used to."
"Then...maybe it's time to chase a different thrill. You're not as young as you once were, you know."
"Don't remind me."
"Sometimes the greatest thrall comes from your kids returning home and telling you about their day."
The plane hits a pocket of turbulence, and I grab Lee Know's arm.
"And sometimes it comes from jumping out of a plane at ten thousand feet."
"As long as we're together, every day is a thrill."
I smile and lean back into him, taking comfort from his warm presence behind me... All around me, the world is nothing but brilliant blue sky and tiny patchwork fields below.
"We're approaching the jump spot. You two ready? "
"Absolutely."
Lee Know helps guide me into position so he can strap my harness to him. The wind whips around us both as we approach the open door. I gasp at how exposed I feel. There's nothing between us and the earth but open air...
"Any last words?" Lee Know asks.
"If you let us die, I'll kill you." I joke playfully.
Lee Know chuckles and grips me tighter around the waist. I can feel his laughter reverberate through my whole body.
"Relax. I've got you. Whenever you're ready. I want you to be the one to make the leap."
I nod. I take a deep breath...
Here goes nothing!
We're flying through the air, the ground rushing up to meet us!
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!"
"You're doing great!"
It takes me a few seconds to adjust to the pressure and the speed, but Lee Know's right...nothing will ever beat this rush of adrenaline. We're moving so fast that everything is reduced to sensation.
"Freefall will only last thirty more seconds. What do you wanna do with it?"
I start to move my legs and arms, experimenting with poses. I turn my head toward Lee Know's nudge up our face shield to capture his lips in a searing kiss. I feel the double thrill of flying through the air and the slide of his tongue along mine.
"I've never done this while skydiving before..."
Although I feel as though I could fall in Lee Know's arms forever, the moment of truth arrives. Lee Know motions for me to pull the parachute cord.
"You want me to do it?" I ask.
"I'll be with you every step of the way." he smiles reassuringly.
I take the ring in my finger and tug. After a rustle of silk and a sudden, shocking jerk, Lee Know and I begin floating gently toward the ground.
"I like the high speeds of free fall, but this is my favorite part. Look."
I follow the line of Lee Know's finger as he gestures out toward the world. Now that we're moving slower, I can make out every detail of the earth and sky.
"I've never seen anything like it."
Lee Know watches my every reaction.
"Neither have I..."
The open field below starts rushing toward me faster and faster. Lee Know helps me get in landing position with his hands low on my hips.
"Don't forget, you have to keep your legs up so you don't hurt them when we land."
"No pressure!"
"On my mark...get set...up! "
I lift my legs on Lee Know's command, my heart pounds as he makes a safe landing. He parachute whooshes to the earth, it's heavy weight slowing us down.
"We made it."
"And in one piece, even. What'd you think?"
"That was more fun than I expected."
As soon as I'm unbuckled, I throw my arms around Lee Know.
"I had no idea I could be so scared and so happy at the same time. I push my helmet up and pull Lee Know into a fierce kiss. My heart is already pounding from the adrenaline, and I pour all of my emotions into the kiss. I can hear the sound of the pickup van approaching in the distance. Breathless, I lean back to press my forehead to Lee Know's."
"Thank you. This was the perfect ending to a perfect day."
"Trust me, it was my pleasure."
The next week passes by in a blur until I wake up on Saturday morning with butterflies in my stomach.
"I can't believe it's finally here...the company holiday party."
It's hard to fathom that after months of hard work, secrets, and drama, the CEO competition will really be over in a few short hours.
"I just hope Lee Know comes out on top."