7

Jennifer enters the elevator praying to the Monday morning gods to give her a break today, the last thing she needed was any drama today, as she stood in the corner of the empty elevator she was glad to be alone until she saw Taehyun run inside, she prayed the doors closed but unfortunatley he made it. The elevator was relatively quiet at first, as Taehyun didn't know how to break the silence with her. He couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat as he saw just how distant she was.When he finally spoke, his voice sounded surprisingly soft."Did you get enough rest over the weekend?"She cursed inside wondering why he was even talking to her after she told him not, "Yes sir."Taehyun raised an eyebrow at the way she still insisted on calling him "sir". He could tell she was doing it solely to remind him of their work relationship."You know you don't need to call me that.""You are my boss."He couldn't help but let out a small grunt as she refused to waiver. She was so stubborn, and he couldn't help but find that part of her to be so adorable."I know who I am to you," he muttered, "but you don't need to make a point of reminding me every single time."She secretly enjoyed the reactions she got out of him, pissing him off made her so happy she knew something must be wrong with her."I am simply addressing you, my boss in a professional manner.""You know damn well that's not the reason," he muttered.Realizing that he was getting irritated by her response, he forced himself to calm down. He wouldn't let her get to him, she was his employee after all and he was supposed to be acting like her boss, not someone who still cared for her.She scoffs, "I won't change my mind." She crossed her arms over her chest determined not to lose to him, not this time not ever again."Stop being so damn stubborn," he said sharply, before taking a deep breath and calming himself down. He needed to be more rational and less emotional."Look, I just want to talk to you, that's all.""I'm only interested in talking about work."Once again Taehyun found himself irritated by her cold response, as if she still refused to acknowledge that they had once loved each other."Forget it." he muttered, "why do you always have to be so cold towards me?""Because I hate you." The words slipped out before she could stop herself.His jaw clenched as he heard her utter those words, that one single sentiment that had struck him down to his core.Taehyun had always known that she despised him, but hearing her say it outright had hurt him. His heart gave a sharp jolt as he processed the truth.A part of him wanted to lash out in anger, another part of him wanted to just collapse unto the ground. As much as she hated him, he couldn't help but hate himself even more, because in the past, he was the one who had hurt her.Jennifer could tell her words hurt him but she didn't care as much as she needed to, "I don't want to be this bitter version of myself, just stop please, nothing between us can be anything other than professional."That hurt. Hearing her say that nothing between them could be anything more than professional felt like a huge blow to the stomach. He could feel the anger rising inside of him, but he couldn't blame her for feeling the way she did."So, that's it for you?" he asked, "that's all it's going to be between us for the rest of our lives? Nothing more than a superficial boss/employee relationship?""You're dating Josie, what on earth do you want from me? for me to forgive you? fine you're forgiven now leave me alone."His eyes flinched, when she brought up how he was currently dating Josie. It made him realize just how far away from forgiveness and reconciliation they were. Hearing how easily she forgave him, he couldn't help but feel even more frustrated."Is that all? You'll just forgive me and then we'll never speak or look at each other ever again?""I really hope so Taehyun.""You know what, I can't even say you're wrong for doing this," he slowly stepped forward, until he was almost right in front of her face."I don't deserve your forgiveness so I'm not going to ask for it. But just know this, I still see you the same way I did all those years ago. I still love you."She stares up at him gulping as her heart raced, this wasn't what she wanted to hear, nothing was right because his words actually made her feel something she thought died years ago. However her reaction masks her true feelings."I'm not going to listen to you or believe those lies.""I'm not lying," he said softly, his eyes searching hers for a moment before he continued, "I still feel exactly the same. I'll never stop loving you, even if you hate me."She covers her ears knowing how childish that was but unable to think of anything else she does it. "I don't want to listen to that...just stop."He found himself wanting to laugh, not at her response but at the fact that she literally covered her ears. He would never have expected her to react in that way, and he found it adorable."You can try and block it out as much as you want," he said softly, "but the thing is, it's still the truth."==============================================================================================="Today was hectic." Yuri says as they walk out of the office to head to the train station. "You have no idea, what on earth was today?" Jennifer adds making Yuri and Minhyuk laugh. As they chatted more while walking Jennifer was surprised to see Taesan, "Excuse me guys, see you tomorrow." She waves goodbye to them walking over to him."Taesan?"Taesan immediately pulled her into a hug, wanting to hold her close to him, even if she was so tired."I ended class early today, it was a pretty laid back session so I decided to come pick you up," he said softly, his chest tightening at the way her body fit into his so perfectly.