Mr. Arrogant and Ms. Attitude

Su Yeon's POV

I didn't know what was going to happen next. All I knew was that I stood just inches from my boss's face… and he looked far too amused by it. My heart thudded unreasonably fast. Gwang Hyeon Woo was undeniably handsome, but that attitude of his could drain the charm out of anyone. The worst part? He seemed to enjoy watching me flustered.

"And here I thought only men made the first move," he murmured, lips curling into a smug grin as he stood, hands landing on my shoulders far too casually. "We haven't even introduced ourselves properly, and you're already making a move."

I blinked, stunned for a heartbeat before the irritation surged. Was he mocking me? I was sure of it. What a jackass.

I brushed off my suit jacket and straightened my posture with a tight smile. "Your head's stuck so far up your ass, Mr. Gwang, I'm surprised you can still breathe."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard. Before he could retort, I spun on my heel and marched outside, leaving him to stew in the aftermath of his smugness. I waited by the car, arms crossed, irritation buzzing under my skin like static.

When he finally stepped out of the building, his expression was as composed as ever. The chauffeur opened the door, and he looked at me expectantly, gesturing toward the back seat as though we hadn't just exchanged insults. I scoffed and slid into the passenger side without a word. Let him stew in the back with his inflated ego.

He didn't argue, just climbed in and adjusted his cuffs. "Back to Gwang Industries," he told the chauffeur, then rolled up the window with a flick.

The silence was thick, the air inside the car tense. I could feel his gaze prickling the back of my head through the rearview mirror. I refused to look back. Instead, I stared straight ahead, feigning indifference.

Then my phone buzzed. Mi-na. My best friend had impeccable timing.

"Hello? Mi-na, I can't talk right now. I'll call you later," I said quickly before hanging up. Even my voice was tight. I could feel him listening.

"Ms. Shin," his voice broke the silence.

I turned slightly, my face carefully neutral as I met his eyes through the mirror. "Yes, Mr. Gwang?"

"Call Mr. Kim. Tell him he's needed in my office."

I raised an eyebrow. "I'm fairly new here, sir. I haven't had the honor of being acquainted with your circle yet." I turned fully this time, my smile strained. "If you could provide me with Mr. Kim's contact information?"

He smirked, pausing mid-scroll on his phone. "You're suddenly so polite. It's unsettling."

Nevertheless, he handed me his phone.

"Whatever," I muttered, dialing the number. The call connected, and a gruff voice answered.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Kim," I began, voice syrupy sweet. "This is Mr. Gwang's secretary. I've been instructed to inform you that, unfortunately, you're fired."

I didn't look back, but I could feel the heat of Mr. Gwang's glare burning into me.

"W-what?!" Mr. Kim's voice crackled through the phone.

Before I could finish, Hyeon Woo yanked the device from my hand.

"Mr. Kim, this is Gwang Hyeon Woo. There's been a misunderstanding. You're needed in my office. That's all," he said through clenched teeth. Then he hung up and handed the phone back.

"Happy to serve, Mr. Gwang," I said, all innocence and venom.

He gave a forced chuckle. "Be thankful I'm a very generous man, Ms. Shin. That little stunt should have cost you your job."

"Thank you for your generosity, sir," I said sweetly as the car pulled to a stop.

I stepped out first and waited by the elevator. As he approached, I jabbed the button repeatedly in a silent plea for the doors to close.

"Ms. Shin," he drawled. "Trying to ditch your boss already?"

"Not at all," I said, plastering on a fake smile. "I was just being efficient."

He chuckled and stepped inside. As the elevator ascended, the silence grew heavier. Then he moved.

With a click, the elevator stopped. I gasped as he leaned in, placing one hand on either side of me against the railing. His face hovered inches from mine.

"You've had your fun," he murmured, breath warm on my cheek. "But if you plan on keeping this job, you might want to tone down that attitude."

I met his eyes, unflinching. "If it weren't for your attitude, I wouldn't have one."

He tilted his head, loosening his tie. "You do know who you're talking to, right?"

I smiled, sweet and dangerous. "Oh, I do. In fact..."

Without warning, I kneed him… hard.

He doubled over, gasping. "What the—"

I leaned down, casually fixing the knot of his tie. "I'm glad we're still getting to know each other. There's still time to change, don't you think?"

With a smirk, I pressed the button to resume our ride. He groaned, still catching his breath. By the time we reached our floor, he was upright again… barely.

"Your office is this way, Mr. Gwang," I said politely. "And do try not to keep me waiting again... if you ever want to have a new generation."

He cleared his throat and stepped out. I followed at a respectful distance, satisfied.

Mr. Kim was already waiting.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Kim," I greeted with a small bow. Mr. Gwang flinched beside me. "I apologize for the earlier confusion. I'm still new, after all."

"Yes, I can tell," Mr. Kim replied, though his tone held no malice.

I bowed again and stepped aside, letting them continue without me.

Hours passed. By the time the office emptied and silence blanketed the halls, I was the last one left. The buzz of my computer had become white noise.

Stretching, I muttered to myself, "Didn't realize it was this late…"

The office was silent, the buzz of my computer long forgotten. The hallways were dim now, most of the lights having switched to energy-saving mode. I rubbed the back of my neck, thinking about dinner… or the lack thereof, when a quiet voice interrupted the stillness.

"Ms. Shin."

I turned quickly, heart skipping. Standing a few feet away in the corridor's shadows was Gwang Hyeon Woo, his posture rigid, his expression... unfamiliar. Gone was the trademark smugness. In its place was something almost hesitant.

"Sir, you scared me," I said, pressing a hand to my chest to calm the startled thump of my heart.

He didn't speak right away. Instead, he stood still, almost awkwardly, before slowly raising his hand toward me. His fingers were slightly curled, the gesture unfinished.

I stared. "What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Just take it," he said.

The silence between us grew. I tilted my head and raised a brow. "Sir, you're starting to embarrass yourself."

He gave a shallow breath—was it a sigh or a gulp?—and murmured, "I want to apologize."

I blinked.

Was he actually—

"What was that, sir? You mumbled."

He closed his eyes briefly as though bracing himself. "I said, I'm sorry."

I studied him. No grin. No teasing glint in his eyes. His voice was lower now, more serious than I'd ever heard it. I couldn't help the smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Something inside me softened.

"I heard you the first time," I teased gently. "Just wanted to make you repeat it."

His eyes flicked up to meet mine, and a subtle chuckle escaped him. It wasn't sarcastic. It wasn't smug.

I reached out and took his hand. His grip was firm but unassuming. We stood like that for a moment… longer than necessary, certainly… but neither of us seemed eager to pull away.

His fingers shifted slightly in mine, and when he finally let go, it was with visible reluctance.

"I'll see you tomorrow, sir," I said softly, giving him a nod.

"See you tomorrow, Ms. Shin," he replied.

And this time, his smile wasn't forced, or sly, or smug.

It was real.

It was human.

I feel like I have seen him somewhere before in my life, like something back in my past that I couldn't remember.

One year later (2023)...

"Fine! I quit! You never even listened to what I had to tell you to begin with!" I yelled at Mr. Gwang as I picked up my box, which was incomplete, because I hadn't finished putting all of my belongings inside it.

After leaving the studio in defeat, I couldn't even believe that Mr. Gwang didn't want to hear a single word out of me. How is he so unfair to me? I didn't even do anything wrong!

I thought we were doing just fine, and then suddenly, something like this happens and ruins everything that we have built on. But then again, knowing how our professional relationship was built on pretenses and impression management, it's not like I can find myself to be not at fault for the consequences.