Chapter 1

Joshua pov.

A week into the training...

"What did he do wrong this time?" Hao asked me as I sat in my office glaring at this one person that makes me wanna eat all my hair off.

"What? Nothing? What are you talking about?" I asked trying to deny my feelings. I know it's pretty obvious but I don't wanna be biased. Even if I was really biased this time. I mean I kinda hate the guy but I'm professional and fair. I mean I guess so....

"Alright then let's play your game... what do you think of the new guy?" He asked me knowing full well my expressions are failing me.

"He's alright." I said shortly.

"Oh okay let me rephrase what I just asked. What do you think about him changing the order of the files in the work room." He asked me and I looked at him.

"I guess a new filling technique is due.." I said while gritting my teeth.

"You hate the way he files them don't you." Hao smirked. He knows me already he just wants me to admit in hating the guy.

"God I hate them! The files just keeps getting lost and everyone needs to make another one just to compensate, then sometime they appear out of no where. I just.. ughhh. I hate it. You know? If I wanted it arranged I would have told him or done it myself. And the worst part is that the boss likes the guy! I get the initiative but why fix something that's not broken?!?" I said to him suddenly.

"Okey noted. You are stressed. But then again, the boss told him it was a great idea. So we gotta suck it up." Hao suddenly added. That even made me more furious. The boss liked the new guy, he keeps on complementing him for every small thing he does. Like what is this special treatment. I never gotten this from anyone.

Then there was a knock on the door.

"I'm coming in." Hoshi said as he opened the door to my office with Dk behind him carrying his files and a box full of his stuff.

"Good morning sir." Dk said to me and smiled. Okey what's good in the morning anyway. But then again. I'm professional. I greeted him back with a smile.

"Good morning." I said. Hao just smirked beside me.

"What's with all that?" Hao asked as I continued my work signing documents left and right.

"Oh, he's been promoted." Hoshi said nonchalantly.

"Promoted? But he's a trainee. No offense dk" I said.

"Non taken. I don't even know why myself." He said and smiled at the same time.

"I just got the email. You did check yours this morning right?" Hoshi asked. That's the thing about me, I hate emails. Even though my work mainly uses emails and all.

"He didn't open them yet, pretty busy thinking about someone. Oh sorry... I mean something." Hao said as he chuckled. Oh he finds this entertaining wow. Then I just pushed him aside and opened my computer.

I opened my email and started reading the email. I read it twice to make sure I was not making a mistake. Then thrice as I realized the absurdity of this email.

"Damn.. he did get promoted. Congratulations sir, You just got yourself a personal assistant." Hao said as he put his arms on my shoulders. Turns out he was reading the email the same time as me.

"I know right! I mean, I don't even have one. So lucky!! " Hoshi complained.

"I'm the who now?" Dk suddenly asked us all. Understandable since he was not informed about this too.

"Apparently, You're gonna be my assistant." I said trying to be optimistic. To be honest, I don't think I need an assistant. I survived my work alone and did pretty good myself. Why in the world did my boss need to do this.

Then, I noticed the face of Dk, as if he was dissatisfied as I was... but then he smiled at me again as soon as he noticed me look at him. which I was confused about. Maybe I was imagining stuff.

"I'll be in your care sir." He said bowing.

"Alright then... we are off. He's all yours." Hoshi said as he dragged Hao with him outside.

"Where can I put my stuff?" He then asked me.

"I actually have no idea. My office is pretty crowded and this decision was entirely sprung out without warning so we have to compromise a bit." I said as I thought of a way to make do of the situation.

"You have a lot of space though. The cleanest office I have been in to be honest. I can just move things around." He suddenly said.

"No. I hate change. I want it just like how I see it everyday. It messes up with my mind." I said honestly. I could see that he got caught off guard. I mean I just blurted that out.

"How about there?" He suddenly asked me as he pointed on the small table on the window part in-front of me.

"Maybe.. for now...for the mean time you stay there." I told him.

"I'm good here. And whatever you need, I'm just one call away literally a meter away." He smiled. Great, now I have to look at him everyday. How is he so energetic all the time.

Then all of a sudden there was a ring on his phone.

"Oh shit." He suddenly cursed.

"First of all. Phones should always be in silent and second of all cursing in my office is prohibited. Well.. unless necessary." I said and he nodded.

"I'm so sorry sir but can I just take this? It's from my dad, he's probably just checking up on me." He asked and I just nodded. I mean I'm not that strict as a boss. And he seemed really frantic to be honest.

"I'll be back in a bit." He said as he ran out of the office. The thing about my office, is that I have a great view of the balcony. Anyone that goes there is clearly visible to me.

Well this time, it was Dk. He chose the balcony to call his father. I mean it was an obvious choice. I couldn't hear what he was saying but he looked mad. He was walking back and forth and his mouth rambled on and on. His expression was not pleasant as well. He looks like he's scolding someone. Isn't he talking to his dad? Weird.

I wanted to respect his privacy a little too late so I continued with my work and not paying attention to the guy in the balcony. After sometime he returned with his cheeky smile as always.

"Sorry sir, I'll be in my chair." He said and I nodded.

"Oh right, I just have one rule. Since we share an office and all.. so that we can both function properly, You can touch anything in this room except for this safe. Inside are very important files for the company and very confidential too. I trust that you understand my only rule." I told him and he nodded.

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The morning turned out normally. We didn't speak much, since I gave him a lot of paperworks throughout the day. He was still struggling with his pace so it was understandable. He answered calls and even checked my emails for me. I guess having an assistant was not bad. Everything went well he was really minding his own business. Then I took my lunch break. Hoshi and Hao were there invited me inside my office.

"Why don't you bring the new guy." Hao whispered in my ear as we were all getting ready. Hoshi was having small talks with him.

"I mean, he's been here a week maybe we should. I mean at this point Hoshi is already inviting him." I whispered back.

"Come on guys he told me he's busy." Hoshi suddenly said.

"Oh. There we go." I said without thinking.

"Oh my oh my, a hint of disappointment. What have you become my friend." Hao said to me and I looked at him. Whatever did he mean. Hoshi just chuckled.

"Dk, eat as soon as you finish your work alright? We'll be back in an hour." I said and Hoshi agreed with me. Even if he annoys me I'm not a monster. I care about my trainees.

"Sure thing boss." He said cheekily. Hoshi and Hao laughed a little. I didn't tell him to call me that but he decided on his own.

"Didn't I say to call me sir?" I said.

"Oh right. Sorry sir. Have a nice lunch!" He said as he waved his hands and continued his work.

We went to lunch as usual. Hoshi and Hao keeps on ordering random things in the restaurant. It was a ramen restaurant and it was amazing. It looked like an old restaurant and the taste of the food was really home cooked.

"We should bring some for your new assistant." Hoshi suggested.

"Sure." Hao said and they ordered for him. We went back  to the company with our take out. Hoshi and zhao were preoccupied by some people talking to them, when I noticed a sound in my office. I immediately went there leaving them both.

"Wh—- What are you doing???!?" I said as I saw the state of my office. I didn't yell but my face said it all. I was so shocked.

"Uhmmm.. I didn't think you would mind... my place was kinda cramp so I decided to move this big cabinet a little." He said and I looked at the cabinet.

"Move it a little? Then why are the files scattered on the floor?" I asked in shock trying to calm myself.

"I'm so sorry sir, I moved it a little too much with force and it fell. I was hoping you guys would be late and I can fix it all before you guys get back. I mean I was pretty close." He said with embarrassment in his face.

"That's the problem with assumptions boy. This guy right here is never late. When he says one hour. It will be an hour. No more or less." Hao said as he saw my office as well. Hoshi followed behind him and chuckled.

"How am I supposed to continue my work here now?" I asked him.

"I'll fix it right away. Just give me a 10 minutes sir." He said and I walked out. Hao asked if they could help but I glared at him. He knew what I meant and nodded. He caused the mess, he's gonna fix it all on his own.

"Aren't you being too much?" Hoshi asked as he ate the kimbap he brought.

"I thought this was for dk?" Hao asked him and he laughed.

"Well I got hungry again." Hoshi said. Then I realized that maybe he didn't even get the chance to eat yet. My conscience was knocking.

"Where are you going?" Hao asked as I started to walk back to my office. Call me soft and all but I'm not some heartless boss.

"Just gonna check a file in my office." I told them and they continued to talk about whatever they want to talk about. How they both manage to finish their tasks i have no idea how but they do. Even with the shenanigans. As soon as I entered the room he looked up as he was finishing. He does work fast. I give him that.

"Oh right on time as always. Hi sir, I finished the 'renovations'" he quoted in the air.

"Good." I said not expecting him to finish on time. And I looked at my office again it was much organized. I nodded to give him my approval and he smiled as he wiped some of his sweat.

"For the record, i'm not usually a great cleaner." He said and then smiled again.

"I can tell." I told him honestly and he chuckled.

"Really sorry about earlier. I could do better next time." He said as he sat down his chair. He continued working on things I gave him earlier then I realized that I haven't asked him if he had eaten yet.

"Oh right, did you have time to eat?" I asked him.

"Oh between the cabinet falling down and dressing my wound, I didn't really have time. But it's alright I had a lot to eat on breakfast anyway so it's fine." He rambled and I looked at him confused about what he just said.

"You hurt yourself?" I asked.

"Yup just a scratch. But nothing that major." He said while it looks like he was dusting his feet.  Then I looked at his foot.

"I think that's bruised. Did you place something cold? We have an ice pack in the freezer." I said to him as I felt guilty about leaving him work alone and he even hurt himself. But then he just smiled.

"Nah. It's fine. I'm just gonna sit this one out and it will heal on its own." He said confidently. Why is he being so stubborn? It's not embarrassing to ask help sometimes.

Then without warning my boss the ceo of the company entered with a smile. I straightened my back and watch him walk towards my table. This was a pretty unusual visit because he only visits when someone important is having a meeting with me or someone he knows.

"Joshua. Good morning. How's the new assistant?" He asked and I bowed at him.

"I'm great sir. Just finishing some paperworks. Sir Joshua really is a great help in my training." He said and I looked at him. He's not afraid to talk to the boss, I'll give him that.

"Great now before—— wait, what's that on your foot? Is that a bruise? And is it new???" The ceo asked. Then he looked at me with a disappointed reaction. Is he assuming I did that? What the hell does this psychopath thinks about me?!? Always putting me at a disadvantage.

"Oh it was my fault—" but before Dk could explain the boss face me and looked at me directly.

"This is not how we treat our fellow employees. Do you honestly think I wont see? Get yourself together Joshua. Do something about this. " He said and before I could explain myself he left the room and slammed it on my face.

Silence. All I could hear was silence.

"Sir I—" before he could say anything I raised my hand to stop him from talking. I don't need this right now.

"Get some ice pack in the fridge and place it in your foot right now!" I didn't mean to yell at him too but I was just frustrated at how things escalated. He just nodded while saying sorry and went out of the room immediately.

"Woah someone's in a really bad mood." Hoshi suddenly said as soon as he opened my office.

"Shut up and go." I said to him and he raised his hands in surrender.

"What happened? Is it Dk?" He asked with concern this time.

"I'm sorry. Just so frustrated. Anyway why are you here anyway?" I asked him this time after I took a deep breath.

"Oh to give you this. We found this in the break room. It has your name on it." Then he gave me a piece of paper. I read it and it says:

To Joshua,

"8:00 pm . Same place. Meet me there or I'll expose you to everyone in your secret to everyone."

I read it silently and then clutch my fist in rage. Why is he doing this to me? What the hell is his problem. And how the hell did he found me here. I can't believe he was in my place of work. He found me.

"Hey... what's the problem?" Hoshi asked confused and concerned about the piece of paper he found.

"It's nothing just a black paper. Can you just leave me alone for a minute? I need a little time to rest my head is killing me." I told him a bold face lie. He didn't but it at first but I continued to tell him to go. Then he did.

"Rest well." He said and I nodded.

As soon as I was along in the office I ripped the paper into shreds. I can't risk anyone reading this. They will for sure ask some questions. I didn't realize my hands were already shaking when the door opened behind me. I looked back to see Dk smiling then stopped when he saw my state. Fuck I forgot about this guy.

"Sir? Are you alright?" He asked me and I just glared at him.

"I'm fine." I snapped at him unintentionally. Damn I should pull myself together.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I got you this as a peace offering." He said as he gave me an iced coffee.

"No, I'm sorry. You just caught me in the wrong time. I'm not mad at you. Just continue your work and turn it in on time. I don't want you slowing me down." I said to him calmly.

"Yes sir.  No more mistakes." He said as he got back on the desk. 

"Good." And I just sat there the whole time thinking about the letter.

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Later that night.

"What do you want?" I asked him.

"Don't be so cold now baby. I just want you Joshua. I want you back." He said as he closed the distance between us and run his fingers into my lips. I pushed him on the chest and he smirked.

"I don't like you anymore" I told him honestly.

"I'm disappointed Joshua. You did everything to keep me away from you. Now you tell me you don't like me? After all these years?" He asked me.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked him.

"Maybe because i missed you. Or maybe because I'm just bored. Won't you play with me again... this time?" He asked me. I looked at him seriously and disgusted by how I let him manipulate me like this and he just got away with it.

"Just leave me alone." I told him and walked away. I could hear him chuckle.

"You can walk away now but maybe you gotta wanna see this." He then took out his phone and showed me a picture of Hao and Hoshi.

"What the hell Gyu! Don't touch any of my friends" I said and he smiled.

"Oh you still remembered my name how sweet." He said.

"Seriously what do you want." I shouted at him.

"I told you already. I want you." He said.

"No. I don't want you back. I've been hurt enough. With all the blackmailing and the toxic relationship. We were not meant for each other from the start." I told him and he looked at me.

"But you wanted me. You started talking this relationship because you can't get enough of me." He said to me while closing the gap between un again pressing himself to me as my back hit the wall.

"I started the relationship because I thought you were a great guy. But turns out you were just a jerk wanting to have fun and mess with my life." I said to him.

"You know I liked you for real." He suddenly got serious. What a dramatic guy.

"You just like my body nothing else! I was just a toy to you. You were just bored and I happened to like you. You took advantage of me but I know better now" I told him honestly with tears threatening to spill.

"Took advantage of you? Isn't it the other way around? You wanted a boyfriend. I gave you one." He told me and I scoffed. How I liked him in the first place, I don't even get it now.

"Alright! Alright! I concede. I can't stop thinking about you alright? You were a drug to me. Please take me back." He said with a little sad tone in his voice.

"Gyu, I can't and I wont. You need to just leave me alone. I'm already doing better without you." I told him honestly. Then all of a sudden he grabbed me by the waist and kissed me.

I didn't know what was happening. It took so long for my brain to process that I was kissing him back! Then I pushed him back a little too much. He looked at me and smiled. I wiped my mouth.

"You responded to me." He said.

"Tha-that was a mistake." I said stuttering.

"I know you still want me Joshua. Just don't fight it." He whispered in my ear.

"No. Please leave me alone." I told him.

"For now. But you will seek me Joshua." He said and left me alone in the alley. I don't know how the dynamic between us even started. I hate how I feel so weak right now. I know I don't want him anymore. I just let myself go and cried.

I walked to my car as soon as I calmed down. Just as I was opening the door. I saw someone. Dk?

"Sir? Are you okey? Why are your eyes red?" He asked as soon as he saw me and walked towards me. I know It was outside work but why is he so casual.

"You're going home?" I changed the subject right away. He got confused and nodded.

"I'll take you home get in the car, where do you live?" I told him and he looked at me confused that I was being nice to him.

"Really??? Thank God!!! You're a life saver sir." He said as he immediately took the offer and gave me a big smile.

"Just around the corner. I was just gonna walk earlier but I heard a couple shouting from the alley. I think they are lovers." He said and I stiffened. He heard us. This kid seriously.

I knew he didn't know it was me because he was openly sharing to me.

"Never-mind other people's business. Haven't I taught you that already?" I asked him.

"Oh right. Sorry." He said and continued to eat his pizza.

I guess that's his dinner. He offered me one but I refused and told me I have my brother waiting and cooking for me.

I dropped him off and then went home.

As soon as I arrived home, Jeonghan greeted me and i just nodded and went straight to my room.

I just felt so exhausted.

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Author's note:

Whooooooooo 1st chapter doneeee!!! Finally had time to write!!! What did you guys think? It's a rocky start I think 🤣🤣🤣 see you next chapterrr!!!