Let's Be Professional

The camera flashes rained down on the couple as they exchange their kiss. For a second, Soohyun thought that this kiss was not just a simple kiss. And for that same second, JiU also felt that it was more than just a simple kiss. However, it has gone long enough and must end.

JiU pulled away, much to Soohyun's dismay. The cameras keep snapping what could probably be the most significant moment of the year—the world's powerful man and woman in the business industry, making their relationship known to the world. Entirely possible to be dubbed the best power couple of the year.

"That's all folks, thank you for today," the companies' spokesperson took the stand after juicy news coverage.

As soon as the interview ends, JiU begins to walk away. Soohyun frowns at her action since he thought it was all going well. He follows suit behind her with their bodyguards covering their backs while they head to the elevator.

"Woah, wish, what's the rush there?" Soohyun chuckled after managing to catch up to JiU.

"We are on the clock, Soohyun-ssi," her tone flat and blunt.

Soohyun frowned while eyeing the lady. Come on. I can't be the only one who felt that kiss, Soohyun thinks when trying to study her.

"We're not going to talk about that?" Soohyun gestured back to the podium's location even after their elevator ascended.

"Talk about what, Soohyun-ssi?" JiU answers without as much as looking to Soohyun's way.

He scoffed and was about to laugh, thinking that she might be joking. And yet, something about her expression shows the truth. She wasn't kidding. "Then what about that k..." Soohyun's sentence never finished when JiU interrupted.

"The kiss? What's there to talk about, Soohyun-ssi?" Her tone the same, and her face skeptic, "It was merely a show for the public to consume and an advantage to show we mean business."

"So, it's all business in the end?" Soohyun tried not to sound hurt by her earlier assertion.

"All business, nothing more, nothing less, " as soon as the elevator opens, JiU left Soohyun alone in the elevator with a dejected feeling in his chest.

Who am I kidding? I guess this is just a fascination that a drink or two will fix. Soohyun shrugged and followed close behind to the meeting room for the first of many appointments.

The day progressed longer than expected. As a new company merged, there are a lot more papers to take to attention. Much to Soohyun's dismay, he had to spend the whole day looking at JiU. The woman that deliberately rejected his advancements. A part of him hates that he can still admire her while the other keeps telling him to give it another go.

"Wouldn't you agree, Soohyun-ssi?" JiU's equally stern and firm tone snapped Soohyun from his trance.

"Yes, 100%," not knowing precisely as to what he agreed to, at least that saved him from embarrassment.

There she is, looking that gorgeous and expects someone not to trip? Soohyun leans onto his hand to observe his fake girlfriend. To say that she takes the room's attention is just another understatement. The dress she wore is a stunner, and Soohyun has been kept on his toes when he sees her using such an outfit.

Eventually, the meeting ended for lunch before continuing its torture again. Soohyun sparked an idea and exited the meeting room in a rush, leaving JiU with a raised eyebrow.

JiU couldn't set aside or ignore the fact that he has been staring at her for the whole duration of the meeting. She would also catch him smiling her way before averting somewhere else when she looks back at him.

That kiss, there was something in it. JiU can't flee from it; the truth is too bright not to notice. It is unclear as to why such emotion would appear out of nowhere, but JiU chose not to feed on it. Her relationship with him is nothing more than a signature on paper. And nothing will change her mind from it.

JiU also had noticed how nice Soohyun had become with her. She had also seen that he is trying to grab her attention any chance he gets. Some gestures are indeed sweet. Nonetheless, this is just an agreement between two people and nothing more. JiU intends to keep her professionalism with the man even if she has to remind him repeatedly.

"Hey, girlfriend," Tiffany hooked her arm around JiU's with a smile spreading on her lips.

"So, where do you have in mind this time?" JiU knows pretty well what Tiffany wants at this hour.

"You know me too well, Kim Minji, " Tiffany marched out of the meeting room while dragging JiU.

"Practically grew up with your face all over me in kindergarten, " JiU states with a pat on Tiffany's hand.

"Oh my gosh, " Tiffany gasped as she looks forward, causing JiU to look the same way, "Who's that?"

"Hmm... That's Gray, Soohyun's best friend," JiU pointed out.

"Mind if I go for this one?" Tiffany nudges JiU's arm for approval.

"No fornicating, " JiU says, which made to let Tiffany release her arm.

"Yahhh, what do you take me for?" Tiffany pinched JiU's side and frowns.

"Yahhh, why did you pinch me?" JiU can't help but chuckle after teasing her friend.

"That was uncalled for," Tiffany hissed.

"I'm kidding, " JiU shakes her head, "Go knock yourself out."

"Good," Tiffany then eyes back to Gray, who disappeared behind a wall after talking to a few staff.

"I'll go get my things in the office," JiU states as she departs from Tiffany, who immediately made her way to Gray.

Upon arriving in her office, a whiff of fantastic and delicious emanated from her office. As she entered, her coffee table is full of pork cutlets, kimchi, bimbimbap, tteokbokki, and, most of all, her favorite Korean food. And sitting right next to the table is Soohyun, pouring a drink for himself.

"Hi, JiU-ssi, " he gestured to the food on the table, "Since we will have our meetings in an hour, I took the liberty to order us something 20 minutes before our meeting ended."

JiU's stomach immediately grumbled as soon as she laid her eyes on the pork cutlets. Then her eyes met Soohyun's who seemed eager that she would agree to join him. Her lips are just seconds away from uttering a confirmation, but once more, her professional mindset precedes. She doesn't want to get too close to this man because, in her eyes, he is a walking red flag. Secondly, she will not involve herself in any relationship until she deems herself ready for it.

"Kim Soohyun-ssi, " fate seemed to have another thing in mind. Before she could finish whatever she wanted to say, Tiffany rushed in.

"Omo, I knew that smell was familiar," Tiffany grinned so wide as if it was her first time seeing such a setting.

Tiffany, without hesitation, turned her attention towards Soohyun. "Is this for us or just you and JiU?"

Soohyun nodded almost immediately, much to Tiffany's delight. And without JiU's consent, Tiffany made herself comfortable in one of the couches around the table. Then barely a second later, Gray joined in after being drawn by the delicious smell. In the end, JiU had no other choice but to join in.

The whole lunch started awkwardly at first when JiU sits next to Soohyun. But it is the complete opposite of Soohyun's side when he enjoys the exchange. Tiffany and Gray started very well too as they converse the whole time they began eating. And JiU had to eventually give in to her stomach's needs, chowing down on the food before her eyes.

The whole meal lasted for 45 minutes without any exchange of words between Soohyun and JiU. But no one is complaining since they both know what's going on. Soohyun chooses to stay silent and not push things after the morning's incident in the elevator. He is willing to take it slow to get to know his fake girlfriend. Not as much the same when it comes to JiU. She was keen on leaving as soon as they finished eating.

"It's fun just to relax a bit, right?" Soohyun asked after it was only JiU left in the room.

Soohyun made an excellent point that JiU finds it hard to argue. But her decision is constant to make whatever this is, strictly business. "That may be true, Soohyun-ssi, " JiU states as she stands to leave for the meeting room.

"However, this does not change anything, " her tone the same as earlier today, "Let's be professional and keep it strictly to business. Don't get me wrong; the food was excellent. Thank you. But if it were up to me earlier and my best friend hadn't joined in, I would have refused without a second thought. Now let's go."

Soohyun left stunned once more at her blunt remarks. Keep playing it that way, JiU-ssi. I'll get through you somehow. Just wait. A hidden motivation sparked within Soohyun to make JiU warm up to him. One way or another, Soohyun smiled and followed JiU to the meeting room.