The sleek, glass-fronted building of Solis Marketing gleamed under the city skyline, a symbol of power and success in the competitive world of corporate marketing. Inside, the hum of busy employees filled the air, phones ringing, keyboards clicking, and a sense of urgency in every movement. Zoey Park stood at the head of it all, the CEO, her presence enough to silence a room. Today, however, her attention was fixed on a new recruit — a young man who seemed entirely unfazed by her commanding aura.
Jiho Hyun had only been working at Solis Marketing for a few days, but already Zoey had taken notice of him. It wasn't because of his impressive resume or the way he handled his first presentation with surprising professionalism. It was his indifference to her usual methods of control. Most employees cowered before her sharp gaze or tried to impress her with false charm. But Jiho? He was different. Quiet. Reserved. Completely immune to her usual tactics.
Zoey leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished wood of her desk. She had noticed him ever since his first day — the way he held himself, barely making eye contact with anyone, as though he was in his own world. And yet, he worked diligently, carefully processing every task she assigned him, never once faltering. It intrigued her. Perhaps it was because she could see right through most people's facades, but Jiho seemed like an enigma she couldn't crack.
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"You're late," Zoey's voice cut through the air, sending a jolt through Jiho as he stepped into her office. His eyes immediately dropped to the floor, a sign of his Omega nature that Zoey found amusing. She enjoyed the little ways his discomfort surfaced — his stiff posture, the slight flush on his cheeks, the way he avoided looking directly at her.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Park," Jiho replied, his voice soft but steady. "I was finishing the report for the marketing campaign. I wanted to ensure it was done correctly."
Zoey raised an eyebrow, studying him for a moment. "You didn't need to come all the way up here for that," she said, her tone playful but sharp. "I could have easily checked it from my desk. But now that you're here, let's talk about something else."
She stood up, walking around her desk slowly, her heels clicking on the floor with each step. Jiho's eyes followed her, but he remained standing by the door, unsure whether to move or stay put.
Zoey paused in front of him, her expression unreadable. "Tell me, Jiho, what do you want to achieve here? Do you want to climb the corporate ladder, or are you content staying in the shadows?"
His eyes flicked up to meet hers, and for a moment, Zoey saw a flicker of uncertainty. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a calm, almost emotionless gaze.
"I just want to do my job well," Jiho replied, his voice steady, though Zoey could sense the walls he had carefully built around himself.
Zoey was both intrigued and amused. He was serious. Professional. But that wasn't what fascinated her. It was the fact that he didn't seem to care about impressing her. Most people would have tried to win her over, knowing that her approval meant higher stakes, better projects, more opportunity. But not Jiho.
"You don't care about climbing the ladder?" she asked, her voice lowering in tone. "Why not?"
Jiho hesitated for a split second before answering. "I believe in working hard for what I earn. If I do my job well, the promotions and recognition will come naturally." He gave her a polite, but distant smile. "No need to chase after them."
Zoey's smirk deepened. "Chasing is exactly what you should do in this world, Jiho. But," she stepped closer to him, tilting her head, "I can respect someone who doesn't make it his life's mission. At least for now."
She paused, her gaze locking with his. "You're going to be a challenge. I can already tell."
Jiho swallowed, feeling a slight knot in his throat, but kept his composure. "I'll do my best to meet expectations, Ms. Park."
Zoey laughed softly, the sound light and almost teasing. "Oh, I'm sure you will." She studied him for a moment longer, before turning her attention to the file in his hand. "Now, hand me that report. I'm curious to see if you've actually lived up to your promises."
Without waiting for a response, Zoey took the file from his hands, brushing past him. She didn't need to see him blush or react to her presence anymore. She was already marking him as someone who would be more than just another employee — he would be someone who could potentially disrupt the balance she had worked so hard to create.
And Zoey Park didn't like being disrupted.
{End of Chapter1}