Terms and Conditions ||• Heehoonki•||

Chapter 03 A hint of Jealousy

"I'm gonna sue this entire building." he groaned, forehead throbbing.

---

Five and a half hours later

Sunghoon's soul had already left his body and came back twice.

His fingers were cramping from typing, his eyes were fried from Excel cells, and his blood had turned into coffee. The only thing keeping him upright was spite.

Heeseung would occasionally walk past his desk with a bored glance, and Niki would swoop in with another urgent file like some corporate grim reaper.

Jake, dressed in a crisp navy shirt and flashing a charming smile, strolled into the office like it wasn't hell on earth.

Sunghoon blinked at the sudden contrast. This man looked like peace.

"Hey," Jake greeted, placing a hand on Sunghoon's desk. "You look like you've been hit by a lawsuit and a truck. Simultaneously."

Sunghoon dropped his head onto his keyboard. "I think I've developed early-stage arthritis and several trust issues."

Jake chuckled. "Damn. Want to grab lunch?"

Sunghoon raised his head slowly like a haunted doll. "Lunch? With... me?"

"Yeah," Jake grinned. "Unless your schedule includes a breakdown right now."

Sunghoon stood so fast he almost knocked over a file tower. "I am suddenly cured."

They left the building together, walking side by side toward a café nearby. Jake held the door open, even pulled out Sunghoon's chair. Was he being courted? Was this flirting? Was he dreaming??

They talked about everything but work-music, weird childhood stories, favorite snacks. Jake was stupidly easy to talk to, warm and funny in a way that made Sunghoon forget the spreadsheet hell he'd come from.

What they didn't know was that two sets of eyes watched from the CEO floor window.

"You seriously work with them every day?" Jake asked mid-bite.

Sunghoon groaned. "Barely. I think Niki wants to replace me with a scanner. And Heeseung? Pretty sure he eats interns for breakfast."

Jake laughed, nearly spitting out his drink. "You're hilarious."

Sunghoon smiled, a little surprised. "Thanks. Most people just call me annoying."

"I think annoying is hot." Jake said casually.

Sunghoon choked. "Oh."

They both stared at each other for a second too long before Jake cleared his throat.

"Anyway, we should hang out sometime. Outside of hell - I mean, work."

"Sure." Sunghoon said, still pink in the ears.

Jake pulled out his phone. "Give me your number?"

Sunghoon did. Quickly. Like it was a job interview.

---

They walked back into the hallway just as Heeseung stepped out of the elevator, phone in hand.

His eyes flicked to Sunghoon. Then Jake. Then the two coffees in their hands.

Heeseung didn't say a word. But the way he walked past them felt... colder.

Jake gave a small wave. "Hey, Mr. Lee." He said like he was Heeseung's best friend.

Heeseung nodded once. Barely.

Then Niki came out from the hallway and saw the same scene. His eyes narrowed. Just for a second.