A/N: Sorry, guys! I thought I uploaded this chapter last week, but I never saved/ published it, so it was a draft… .__. To compensate for my mistake, I’ll upload two chapters this week! So sorry for the mix-up! Hope you guys enjoy~! 🙂

Slouched over his desk like a hunkering sea lion, the usually poised marketing director let out a loud, drawn-out groan as he checked his phone for the umpteenth time. What was taking so long for one singer to sign an exclusive contract? Min had made sure that the contract would benefit Yi-an as much as possible, so what in the world was the holdup?! Setting down his phone again, Min sighed before gazing up at the leather sofa.

“Hey, do you think he signed with the company?”

Joon-woo clicked his tongue, ignoring Min’s question as he continued to peruse through his tablet. In the last two hours, the conglomerate heir had asked that exact question around sixty times already– not that Joon-woo was counting or anything... But, seriously, what was he, a god who knew all the answers to the universe? How was he supposed to know whether or not Yi-an signed with ONE Entertainment? 

From the corner of his eye, Joon-woo could see Min pick up his phone yet again. Rolling his eyes, the irate secretary only shook his head. To be quite honest, Joon-woo hoped that Yi-an wouldn’t sign the contract. I can already imagine the chairman flipping out if ASH signs with ONE Entertainment... Ugh, my stomach hurts just thinking about it. 

“Joon-woo, do you think–”

“I DON’T KNOW! How many times do I have to tell you?!” Joon-woo snapped, staring daggers at Min, who flinched at his best friend’s outburst. 

“Why are you so irritated today? You didn’t have to yell.”

“Why do you think I’m yelling?! I can’t even read the news without you badgering me every two minutes! If you’re so curious, just call Director Jung!”

“... Since when did you read the news?” Min asked, raising an eyebrow as Joon-woo let out an exasperated sigh.

“How could I not? Someone has been going around making a mess of things as of late, so I need to keep up with the news to make sure I don’t lose my freaking job!” Joon-woo huffed before turning back to his tablet.

“Well, in that case….”

Joon-woo waited for Min to finish his sentence when the secretary heard a slight rustle of fabric swishing in the background. Confused, Joon-woo looked up from the screen and watched Min smoothly place his wool coat over his shoulders. Sitting up on the sofa, Joon-woo raised an eyebrow at his best friend before glancing at the documents strewn across the desk in disarray.

“What are you doing?”

“Putting on my coat.”

“I can see that. Why are you putting on your coat? It’s only 2pm, and we get off work at 6.” Joon-woo muttered as Min patted his shoulder before strolling toward the door.

“I’m helping you keep your job.” 

“Huh? What do you…?” Joon-woo trailed off before his eyes widened with realization, “Oh, for the love of God… MIN! Come back–!”

~~~

~~At ONE Entertainment…~~

“When should I upload the files onto your fan café website?”

Yi-an paused and turned to glance at Director Jung’s sincere gaze, “... Are you sure?”

“Hmm? About what?”

“He’s your ex-husband… Don’t you, you know, feel uncomfortable?”

“Pfft. Hahaha!” Director Jung screamed with laughter while Yi-an looked on with a baffled look, “S-Sorry. I didn’t think you’d be so concerned about that.”

“Um….”

“That piece of sh*t deserves whatever it is that you’re planning. I’ll make sure that idiot can never set foot into this industry again. So...” Director Jung proudly beamed at the confused idol, “Be confident and do what you must. I didn’t raise you to be so spineless, did I? Don’t be afraid of what other people have to say, okay?”

“Glad to know we’re on the same page. Well, whenever you feel ready, release it and call me so I can bring over snacks to celebrate.”

“Will do! Then, I’ll arrange the press conference when I release these files.”

“Sounds good.” Yi-an turned the doorknob but hesitated for a moment. Motioning for Gina to go on ahead, Yi-an glanced back at the executive officer, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

“What do you know about Jake Yoon?”

Director Jung’s relaxed expression suddenly became rigid with fear as her lips slightly parted at the singer’s unexpected question. What was she supposed to say…? Swallowing hard, the executive officer forced a smile on her face, hoping her voice wouldn’t quake, unlike her quivering extremities. 

“I… Why are you asking?”

“I’m just curious why someone like him chose me as the first celebrity to sign with the company. It just makes no sense to me. I can’t figure him out.” Yi-an frowned, remembering his conversation with the conglomerate heir at the hospital. 

“The thing is–”

“If you’re curious about your future fiancé, why didn’t you call or text me? I gave you my business card for a reason.” A sudden voice whispered in Yi-an’s ear, causing the idol to flinch away in surprise.

No! It couldn’t be him, right? Slowly, the singer turned his head to see the businessman smiling down at him, his piercing black pupils twinkling with amusement. Quickly looking away, Yi-an pulled at his hoodie’s drawstrings, trying to hide his blushing cheeks from view while his heart ba-thumped rapidly against his chest. He wasn’t ready to meet the spoiled heir so soon! This was a disaster– an absolute nightmare! Why the heck was this idiot here?!

“... Director Yoon, I wasn’t informed that you’d be coming by today.” Director Jung hastily greeted Min, who warily narrowed his eyes at the startled woman.

“Ah, I wanted to pick ASH up for an appointment that we have scheduled this afternoon. He’s free to go now, right?”

“Huh? What the hell are you talking about?! I never scheduled anything with you–” Yi-an retorted, but the moment he locked eyes with Min, the idol felt too embarrassed to continue arguing.

“Well, if he’s done here, I’ll take him. Let’s catch up later, CEO Jung.” Glancing down at the pouting singer, Min pulled the flailing young man out the door in a heartbeat while Director Jung blankly stared after the pair.

“... Oh boy.”

~~~

In the distance, a long lens of a Danon camera peered out from a tinted car, snapping away at the bickering pair as Min pulled the pouting singer towards the black sedan that was neatly parked in front of the company building. Pulling back his camera, the cameraman scrolled through the hundreds of photos he had taken of the couple within the last month. A sinister grin spread across his face as he gazed back at the unlikely duo.

“So the heir of S&H is dating ASH, huh?”