Two weeks. It was supposed to be just work.
Two weeks since I signed that damn contract with an heir who thinks he's a detective.
We were in a meeting with my team. We planned every detail: cameras, passwords, escape routes, how to integrate the security system into every door and window.
And he was there. Quiet. I wasn't even sure if he was listening to my technician. He just kept staring at me. Like something was off.
When the meeting ended, I headed to my office. And of course, he followed. Like always. Like my shadow.
Now there he was. Sitting beside my desk, sleeves rolled up like the AC didn't apply to him.
— Do you always get this tense when I come work with you? — Kang asked, eyes still on the screen.
— I get irritated when someone breathes too much next to me.
— Uh-huh. And you think I don't notice how you react when I breathe near you?
I rolled my eyes.
He loved playing with fire. He just didn't know I'd been a block of ice ever since his father broke me.
— Focus on the reports. I need the data by Friday.
— Already done.
He stood, circled the desk. Stopped behind me. I could feel his heat. His breath near my neck.
— Can I ask you something, Mr. Hild? — His voice was low. Almost intimate. — Did you really love my father?
My heart kicked like someone had yanked the wound wide open.
I stood up abruptly, pushing the chair back.
— That has nothing to do with the project — my voice cracked. Great. — Or with you — I added, firmer.
— It has everything to do with me. I don't get why you were with him. I get why you left, but what made you stay? — He gave a sad smile. — He's been awful to plenty of people. But you... stuck in my memory.
I took a deep breath. A deep, painful breath.
I wanted to scream. Or punch a wall. Or punch him.
But deep down, I hated that he was right.
Why? Because he seemed kind? Because he knew nothing about business and I thought he'd help me, teach me? That we'd grow together?
Kang stepped back, realizing he'd crossed a line. But it was too late.
— You want to know if I loved him? — I asked, voice low. — Yes. I was naive. But he didn't love me back. He used me. And when it got too inconvenient, he threw me out. Because men like him — and maybe like you — don't know how to deal with someone who refuses to be just a shadow.
Silence fell heavy in the room.
Kang looked away. And that's when I saw it.
The wounded kid. Not the smug man.
— I'm not him — he muttered.
— Good.
I returned to my desk. Pointed at the monitor.
— I need to code. Let me work.
He nodded. Sat beside me again. Eyes on the screen. Still... way too curious.
He was a problem. Just not the kind I expected.
He flirts constantly.
Apparently, I'm a man Kang "admires."
But that doesn't matter. It doesn't affect me. And I'm not insane.
I'm sure I'm not.
(...)
I see him three times a week. Every morning he shows up, it's like he already belongs to the company. He doesn't go out of his way to talk to people, but he doesn't avoid anyone either. He just seems... normal.
But his eyes shift when he looks at me. When he watches me drinking coffee.
He resembles his father, but he also feels like a completely different person.
Same expressions. And that... scares me sometimes. But Kang is taller. His hair's longer. Voice deeper. Skin darker. And those eyes... green.
— Thinking about me? — I literally jumped.
His voice brushed the back of my neck. I stared at him, stunned. I hadn't even noticed him walk in. But he wasn't smiling.
As if my reaction wasn't something to laugh about.
— Don't look at me with those eyes — he said.
I blinked. That startled me, but not the way he thought.
— Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you — he added.
— It's... it's fine — I muttered, awkward.
Truth is, I was watching him pull into the parking lot. Zoned out so hard I hadn't noticed him enter my office.
— Tonight. Is that okay?
I took a deep breath.
Going back to that place… wasn't something I wanted. I could send someone from my team. But there were things better seen in person.
I spent the day distracted.
I looked at him again. He was typing something. Focused. He had his own work. But... clearly wanted to spend more time near me.
And... it was starting to get uncomfortable. What were his real intentions?
— You're gonna fall for me at this rate — he said, glancing at me.
I froze.
— You sure that's a good idea? — he added.
— Shut up, kid — I snapped, more familiar than I meant to sound — but with every right.
He laughed.
— Mr. Hild, I'm single. Not because I lack options. Let's just say... I have a certain standard. Hard to meet.
I rolled my eyes like it was already a habit.
— That's enough, Kang — I replied. — Go take a walk. Leave me alone for a minute.
— Sure — he said, stretching.
Once he left, I was finally alone.
It had already been a month. But it was getting hard to handle.
I stood, pacing across the room.
For a moment, I wanted to rip off the tie that felt like it was choking me.
I came back and grabbed the documents I'd asked my secretary for.
Kang's background.
It wasn't wrong. It was necessary to know.
Kang, 25 years old.
Son from Kemun's first marriage.
Studied arts. Worked at the company and climbed the ladder gradually. Currently CEO, while Kemun is retired.
"Kang dated actress Candace for a year and a half..."
Did my assistant pull this from a gossip site?
I frowned, staring at it.
He's straight? Then why does he keep pushing my buttons?
But there was more.
Four years ago, Kang was in a serious car accident and recovered abroad.
Even after recovering, he stayed inactive for a year.
"Public argument among the Mingells..."
I let out a dry laugh.
Of course. Two egos never end well.
I shredded the papers before Kang could return. Sat at the desk, deep in thought.
Not long after, the kid came back carrying snacks.
— Want one, Mr. Hild?
— No, thanks — I replied, curt.
He walked around the desk and stood beside me.
— You'll like it. Say "ah" — he teased, trying to push one toward me. I leaned back, confused.
He gave up. Just handed me the pack. I took one. Better to just get it over with.
— Why don't you do presentations?
— Presentations?
— In the meetings.
— I've got people who can do that for me.
— But you're talented.
— How would you know?
— Aren't you the one who creates everything?
I sighed. Yeah. I didn't like giving presentations.
— You should stop running.
— Running?
He slowly turned the chair, looking at me like he could see straight through.
— Yes. — His smile was soft. But his eyes... those damn eyes said too much.
Damn it.
Why does he talk like he's known me for years? Like he knows exactly where to hit?
I should've said something. Cut it off right there. But instead, my throat locked up. I took a deep breath.
— I'll meet you tonight.
— Okay. No one else will be there — he murmured, standing slowly. — Just me.
Our eyes met, and for a second, I wanted to answer with sarcasm, anger — anything to push him away.
But all I did was nod. Barely.
Kang reached the door but stopped.
— Oh, and Mr. Hild... — He looked back over his shoulder. His gaze more serious than before. — Don't look at me with those eyes.
I froze. Time stopped.
— What eyes? — I asked, barely audible.
— The ones looking for someone else — he said, and left.
I dropped into the chair. Breath stuck in my chest.
That d*mn kid.
He was getting way too good at reading me.