The Marks from Minjae

As soon as Minjae's sleek car pulled up to the studio, Jihoon practically leapt out, trying to escape the teasing smirk that had been plastered on Minjae's face during the drive. Minjae followed close behind, his leisurely pace contrasting Jihoon's hurried steps.

The two entered the building, heading for the elevator. As the doors slid shut, trapping them in the enclosed space, Jihoon crossed his arms and groaned. "Ugh, my back still hurts... Why didn't you warn me it'd be this hard?"

Minjae's lips curled into a mischievous grin, his voice a low purr. "You didn't seem to mind last night. In fact, if I remember correctly, you were begging for—"

Jihoon's face turned bright red, and he whirled around to smack Minjae's arm. "Stop it! Someone could hear!"

Minjae chuckled, unfazed. "Relax, we're alone. And for the record," he leaned closer, his voice teasing, "I loved what I saw last night. Hope we can 'repeat the experience' soon."

Jihoon groaned again, covering his face with his hands. "You crazy fucker...."

The elevator dinged, signaling Jihoon's floor. He quickly stepped out, eager to escape Minjae's relentless teasing. "I'll see you later," Jihoon muttered, not daring to look back.

"Have a great day at work, my model superstar," Minjae called after him, waving lazily as the doors began to close.

But just before they shut completely, Jihoon caught sight of Minjae holding up his hand, his index and middle fingers moving in a suggestive sex motion that made Jihoon's jaw drop.

"You-!!!" Jihoon yelled, scandalized, but the elevator doors closed, leaving Minjae's cheeky grin burned into his mind.

Jihoon stood frozen in the hallway, his face burning. He could hear his coworkers bustling around nearby, but his thoughts were stuck on Minjae's audacious gesture.

"I swear-" Jihoon muttered to himself as he stomped toward the studio, "that man is going to drive me insane....."

But as much as he complained, he couldn't stop the tiny smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.

Jihoon walked into the sleek, modern office where his immediate boss awaited. The man sitting at the desk radiated charisma. He was young, probably around 26, with sharp features and a confident yet approachable aura.

His black hair was styled back, a few loose strands falling naturally over his forehead, giving him a sophisticated yet casual look. He wore a slim-fit navy blazer paired with a crisp white shirt, left unbuttoned just enough to suggest a touch of carefree charm. His tailored black trousers and polished leather loafers completed the ensemble, exuding an air of effortless professionalism.

The man looked up from his laptop, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Jihoon, right? Welcome aboard." His voice was calm but carried an underlying energy that hinted at his enthusiasm for his work.

Jihoon nodded, still slightly flustered from his earlier encounter with Minjae but managing a polite smile. "Yes, it's nice to meet you, sir."

"No need for formalities," the man said, standing up and extending a hand. "I'm Seo Junwoo, but feel free to call me Junwoo. I'm your modeling coordinator."

Jihoon shook his hand, surprised by how down-to-earth Junwoo seemed despite his polished appearance.

"Minjae spoke highly of you," Junwoo continued, motioning for Jihoon to take a seat. "Said you have the potential to take this industry by storm. I can already see why."

Jihoon felt his cheeks heat up at the compliment but quickly masked it with a polite nod. "I'll do my best."

Junwoo leaned back in his chair, studying Jihoon for a moment before continuing. "Your first assignment has already been set up. You'll be doing a spread for Seoul Vogue. It's a lifestyle feature, showcasing luxury menswear. Big opportunity for a first gig."

Jihoon's eyes widened. Seoul Vogue was no small deal. "Really? I mean—thank you. I'll make sure to deliver."

Junwoo chuckled, leaning forward with a reassuring smile. "Don't stress too much. You've got the look, and we've got a team to guide you. Just relax and enjoy the process. You'll be working with one of our top photographers tomorrow. Get a good night's sleep tonight—it'll be a long day."

Jihoon nodded, feeling both excited and nervous. "Understood. Thank you for the opportunity."

As Jihoon stood to leave, Junwoo added, "Oh, and one more thing—don't let Minjae distract you too much. You'll need to focus."

Jihoon froze for a split second, unsure if Junwoo was teasing or serious. He turned back to see Junwoo smirking knowingly, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement.

"I-I won't," Jihoon stammered, bowing slightly before quickly exiting the office.

As he walked down the hallway, Jihoon couldn't help but feel a mixture of nerves and excitement. His first modeling assignment was no small task, but he was determined to prove himself. Still, Junwoo's parting words lingered in his mind, making him wonder just how much his boss knew about him and Minjae.

Jihoon thanked him and made his way to the dressing room. As he entered, a few female staff members greeted him and immediately started getting to work, helping him undress, take measurements, and pick out outfits for the photoshoot.

They were quick and efficient, but Jihoon couldn't shake the nerves. He was excited for the job, but at the same time, he felt exposed, both figuratively and literally.

As the stylist began to do his makeup and hair, Jihoon looked at his reflection in the mirror. He was still distracted by how the day had gone so far. The nerves from the shoot were starting to settle, but he didn't expect what he saw when he turned his body slightly to examine his chest. His eyes widened as he saw faint bite marks scattered across his skin—across his neck, shoulders, and collarbone.

His heart stopped for a second, panic gripping him tightly. No, no, no… he thought. The bite marks were unmistakable. They were from Minjae. His face flushed, feeling both embarrassed and overwhelmed.

How had he not noticed this earlier? His first instinct was to cover up the marks, but it wasn't like he could hide them during the photoshoot. What if the photographers saw? Would they ask questions?

He quickly touched the marks, feeling the faint bruises where Minjae had left his mark on him. What the hell do I do? Jihoon thought, still stunned by how deeply he'd gotten involved. Last night had been intense—passionate, and a little reckless—but he never expected to be carrying the evidence of it into work the next day.

The door to the dressing room opened, and the stylist's voice cut through his racing thoughts. "Jihoon, are you ready?"

He quickly snapped his head back to the mirror, his mind still spinning. He wasn't ready. But what could he do? "Yeah, I'm ready," he replied shakily, trying to cover up his discomfort. He quickly grabbed a robe to shield his body from the stylist's view.

The stylist entered, smiling brightly, but her expression faltered when she saw his face. "Is everything okay?" she asked, sensing something was off.

Jihoon quickly adjusted himself, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. Just a little nervous, I guess. Let's get this over with," he said, trying to brush off his panic.

As she began working on his hair and applying light makeup, Jihoon couldn't help but notice the marks again. They were visible now, especially with the makeup being applied to his face, and he felt his stomach twist with the idea of anyone noticing.

He tried not to think about it—tried to focus on the task at hand—but his mind kept drifting back to the fact that Minjae's marks were now a part of him, marking him in ways he hadn't anticipated.