Long Night

Once dinner had passed and all the delectable dishes had been enjoyed, Jooyeon found himself in the pleasant position of walking Han Sooyoung to her car. By then, the sun had long since set beyond the horizon, leaving a sky full of stars, and the quiet street was softly illuminated by the gentle flickering glow of the streetlights that lined the road. The cold night air nipped at his exposed skin, making his breath visible as it mingled with the crispness of the winter night. And yet, none of these discomforts seemed to matter to him at all. His heart felt warm and content, like the lingering warmth and comfort that surrounded him at his family's dinner table during their shared meal.

Beside him, walking, Han Sooyoung's usual assurance and authority was somewhat relaxed by the smile which lingered on her lips. The silent surroundings around them now and then echoed with the distant hum of a passing car, and occasionally were filled with gentle noises as the wind wove in and out between the leaves of the trees. Jooyeon couldn't help steal a furtive glance in her direction—she seemed to shine softly in the dim light, as if the dancing shadows about her face were playfully creating an ever-changing interplay of light and dark. She was almost otherworldly, like a creature who belonged nowhere near such an unremarkable and mundane moment, making her presence all the more striking.

As they approached her polished black Sedan this time, which was parked meticulously beneath the soft glow of the streetlight, Jooyeon cleared his throat for a moment, all while awkwardly fumbling with a plastic container that he held tightly in his hands. The comforting warmth he had initially felt was quickly overtaken by an overwhelming wave of nervousness that washed over him. He realized he hadn't thought this through or planned for what would happen next.

"Uh… President," he began hesitantly, his voice cracking slightly in an almost awkward manner before he managed to steady himself and speak more confidently. "Would you… would you like some of the leftovers from our meal?"

Han Sooyoung paused in her movements and turned to face him, one elegant eyebrow arching in mild surprise as she regarded him. Her dark eyes sparkled with an intriguing glimmer, catching the light in a mesmerizing way that made his chest tighten with both admiration and nervousness.

"Leftovers?" she echoed, a smile dancing at the corners of her lips as she spoke, the faintest hint of amusement woven into her tone.

Jooyeon found himself swallowing hard, the action almost uncomfortable, as he extended the container toward her with a sense of purpose, as if it were a sincere peace offering between them. "Yeah. My mom packed extra, just in case," he said, trying to sound casual. "It's, um, jajangmyeon and mandu. You know, she'd wanted to somehow Repay for the trouble ." His words seemed to tumble out in a rush, spilling forth without much thought, his awkwardness only magnified by the way she was looking at him—so calm, poised, and utterly unbothered by the situation they found themselves in.

For a fleeting moment, he found himself contemplating the possibility that she might actually refuse his gesture. However, to his complete and total astonishment, she smiled—once more. This was not just any smile; it was far from the polite smile she typically reserved for formal meetings or the tight-lipped expression she wore when she was practicing patience in difficult situations. No, this smile was distinctly different. It had a quality about it that felt… genuine and heartfelt.

"Thank you, Jooyeon," she said softly, her voice radiating warmth that reminded him of the comforting glow cast by the streetlight nearby. She reached out and took the container gently from his hands, cradling it with great care, as if it were an object of immense value and preciousness.

"So Cute."

He looks like a happy puupy waging his tail after you say somehting nice, atleast to her , it was something she deared and wanted no one else to see.

Jooyeon's heart skipped a beat. She said thank you. And she smiled. Twice.

They stood there for a moment, embracing the quiet of the night, as the gentle, soothing hum of the streetlamp filled the quiet surrounding air. Jooyeon felt himself looking once more, his eyes scrupulously tracing the curve of her lovely face, noticing how her hair fell about it in such a way as to frame it perfectly. The cold had brought a subtle and becoming blush to her cheeks, and the soft light from the lamp caught her dark eyes at just the right angle, so that they seemed impossibly deep and compelling.

"What is it?" she asked suddenly, her voice pulling him back to reality.

"Huh? Nothing!" he blurted out, his face heating up. He looked away quickly, feeling like an absolute idiot.

"You're a terrible liar, Jooyeon," she said, a small laugh escaping her lips.

Her laughter echoed deep inside of him, sending a shiver down his spine. He was not aware of it because the air felt cool, but somehow he was unable to shake this unrecognizable feeling within himself. At that point, he was completely unarmed and defenceless; he felt that she could look directly into his soul and show all that he was hiding in himself.

She shifted her body just a little bit, taking the time to wipe away a faint smudge that had marred the clarity of the car window with the fabric of her sleeve. The way she moved was unhurried and relaxed, possessing a casual quality that seemed strikingly different from her typical poised demeanor. "Tonight was fun," she remarked, her voice now softer and more subdued. "Your family… they're quite lively and full of energy. They remind me so much of my own."

Jooyeon blinked in surprise at her words. "You… you had fun?"

She cast a quick glance at him, her expression continuing to soften even more. "Yes," she replied in a straightforward manner. "I don't have the opportunity to experience nights like this very often at all. Thank you so much for inviting me to share this moment with you."

For just a fleeting second, Jooyeon found herself completely forgetting how to breathe in that moment. She was having fun. She truly enjoyed herself in ways she hadn't anticipated.

"Anytime, President," he managed to respond, his voice coming out barely steady as he spoke.

As she carefully opened the car door and gracefully slid into the driver's seat, the soft glow of the dome light flickered on, illuminating her face with a gentle radiance. Jooyeon found himself captivated and couldn't tear his gaze away from her. She looked absolutely perfect, even in this simple, quiet moment that seemed so mundane yet special.

"Drive safe," he said, his voice softening unconsciously, filled with an affectionate tone that he wasn't even fully aware of.

She paused for a brief moment, her hand resting lightly on the steering wheel, and looked up at him through the open window, her expression thoughtful. "Oh, and Jooyeon?" 

"Yes?" he replied, his heart fluttering slightly at the sound of her voice.

Her lips formed a delightful and playful smile that seemed to light up her entire face. "You really should stop staring so much. If you keep it up, people might start to think that you're completely into me," she teased, an amused glint in her eyes.

His face immediately turned a deep shade of scarlet, a blush creeping up as he tried to protest. "I-I wasn't…" he began to stammer, but her melodic laugh interrupted him, halting his attempt to defend himself.

As she expertly pulled out onto the street, her car began to fade into the distance, gradually disappearing from sight and leaving Jooyeon standing there all alone in the cold night air that surrounded him. He instinctively touched his face, coming to the realization that he was grinning like a fool without even being aware of it.

Mesmerized? Maybe I really am. But honestly, who wouldn't be ?

...

The car glided effortlessly along the tranquil streets, her lips curled up into a gentle smile that she found difficult to suppress completely, almost as if it were a natural reflex.

Her assistant, who was comfortably seated in the passenger seat, took a moment to glance at the rearview mirror. Upon noticing her unusual expression that was not typical of her usual demeanor, he adjusted the mirror slightly to get a better view. "Did something good happen, ma'am?" he inquired, a subtle hint of curiosity creeping into his voice.

Han Sooyoung's smile momentarily wavered, as if caught off guard, and her hand moved instinctively to the window control with purpose. With deliberate care, she rolled it up slowly, almost as if she were attempting to seal herself away from the outside world, and in that instant, her usual composed and cold demeanor returned with full force. "Yes… something good," she replied in a voice that was calm and measured, though there remained a subtle hint of warmth that lingered in the air.

The assistant chuckled lightly, a sound that seemed to echo in the space between them, as if he were cautiously testing the waters of their conversation. "That guy—you've never treated anyone like this," he remarked, a note of curiosity underscoring his words.

She shifted her attention in his direction, and a brief moment of astonishment flitted across her features, catching him slightly off guard. "Huh? Did I really treat him better than I thought?"

"I mean, you took the time to actually go to his house," he remarked, his voice carrying a tone that was casual yet perceptive, making it clear he had noticed the details.

Han Sooyoung settled into her seat, leaning back with a gentle sigh, allowing the weight of the realization to fully envelop her and sink in deeply. Had her behavior toward him changed in some way? Was she perhaps… starting to allow him to become more than just an employee in her life? A brief yet significant thought darted through her mind: Could it be that ?

"It was fun," she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper, almost as though she were engaging in a private conversation with herself rather than speaking to someone else.

"Fun?" The assistant lifted an eyebrow in surprise, his lips curling into a subtle, knowing smile that suggested he understood more than he let on.

Han Sooyoung took a moment to gather her thoughts and didn't respond immediately. Instead, her attention drifted outside the car window, where the streetlights illuminated the darkness with their warm glow, creating fleeting patterns that danced on the interior of the vehicle. After a thoughtful pause, she finally confessed, "Yes." Her admission was sincere and revealing. "It's… as if I experience a sense of peace, whenever he happens to be nearby." In that moment, her voice softened noticeably, revealing a vulnerability and tenderness that she rarely permitted herself to express openly.

The assistant took his time to adjust the air conditioning settings to provide a more comfortable atmosphere inside. Later, he cranked up some comforting music, letting the soft rhythm fill the car with soothing sounds that enveloped them both. Though he didn't press for further details, he felt an urge he couldn't contain when a smile effortlessly spread across his face. This was one of those rare times president wasn't openly pushing her emotions, and it felt genuinely refreshing and lovely.

As the car smoothly cruised along at a steady pace through the still and sleeping city, where the streets lay quiet and untouched, Han Sooyoung found her mind wandering back to the events of the evening. Fun… perhaps this is precisely what I've been missing all this time, she mused to herself.

The assistant took a moment to glance over at her briefly. In that fleeting look, he noticed that she seemed calmer than usual, almost radiating a sense of contentment. This level of tranquility was certainly not typical for her, he thought to himself. Usually, her days were filled with such a busy schedule that she hardly had any time to devote to anything outside of work commitments. However, ever since this new guy entered her life… everything seems to have taken a noticeable turn for the better.

Maybe everything worked out in the end.

Jooyeon threw himself on the bed, his hair dripping from the shower, and stretched out over the cool sheets-the air was cool on his skin, but he did not care. He had let his phone stay at the desk as it was running out of charge.

But despite his desperately tired body, his mind cannot calm down.

The image of her smile, soft and genuine under the flickering streetlight, refused to fade. He replayed the scene over and over in his head, every detail sharper than the last: the slight curve of her lips, the way her hair caught the faint glow of the lamp, the warmth in her eyes. It was all etched in his memory like a painting he couldn't stop staring at.

Boss smiled today. The memory made him grin, uncontrollable to suppress, rather try and fail.

Why can't I stop grinning?

And then came a memory of awkwardness. And the grin curled into a groan. He grabbed a pillow and buried his burning face inside it. "I was so much of an idiot in front of her".

His mind rewound back to dinner. Not only did my mom and sisters think she was my girlfriend, but they caused her so much trouble. How embarrassing! How could they? Yet, despite all the chaos, Han Sooyoung didn't seem angry.

Jooyeon lay on his side, his face still buried under the pillow. His mind travelled back to how they sat alongside each other as they ate, but she just looked so lovely. The gentle curves of her lips as she tried to laugh and smiled at some silly antics on his sisters part; her hair cut framed her head even in just casual moments-all this made him's chest compress.

But then reality hit him like a cold splash of water. What am I doing? She's my boss! Snap out of it, fool!

In a weak attempt to shake the thoughts away, Jooyeon slapped his own cheeks, the sound echoing in the quiet room. He sighed deeply, rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling.

That day had been so long and exhausting that his eyelids only grew heavier with time. Slowly, then, the sleep began to take hold of him, while his last conscious thoughts yet were of her.

The night went on quietly and silently. Dreams lingered on the edges of his heart.