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teriup · 1 year

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Pink Post-its (2) | knj

Chapter 2: The staredown

Pairing: Namjoon x named Female Reader

Genre: angst, fluff, (eventual) smut, modern au, office au, slow burn

Contains: Namjoon being naive or more like idiots really, jealousy, pining, sexual tension, sexual scenes, sort of f2e2l

WC: 5k

Plot: Promotion is always a good idea, but yours is bittersweet. You’ve been nothing but the best assistant Namjoon could ever have but when he caused you to move office you’re not sure anymore. Despite the nagging question in your mind of where you went wrong you keep doing what you do best -your job. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be bitter and a pain in his ass, especially now that he’s not your boss anymore.

Chapter Summary: A staredown between you and your former boss ignites things in you two.

It has been ten days since Namjoon, with a giddy grin on his face, handed you the letter of acceptance from the Strategic Planning Manager himself. Does internal transfer processing really take that fast? Was Mr. Jung in dire need of a new officer or was Namjoon that eager to send you away?

It has been nine days since you reluctantly accepted the job offer despite yourself and despite hating Namjoon for giving you a career growth you never asked for and can never be truly thankful for. A sour taste appears on your mouth making you sick of your ungratefulness because you know this was very unlikely you.

It has been five days since you made yourself acquainted and comfortable on your new desk, or at least tried to. Now, your space is way smaller, sharing a room with the whole team. You had to sort out your less important belongings in a box under your desk, pinning a mental note that you would need to bring them home this weekend.

You almost chuckle seeing that the now least important things were Namjoon's lifeline - a box of pens because he always loses his, complaining that if things were digital he wouldn't need it anyway; packs of wet wipes for when his clumsy self causes spills and stains; and the most important one - a first aid kit for when he'd always injure himself.

It has been four days and your mind is still filled with thoughts of him and even without seeing the stupid random stuff, you knew your mind would be occupied by him anyway because you're still riddled with the reason for his sending you away.

Maybe you should have just confronted him about why he submitted your name as an applicant without you knowing instead of spending days mulling over it. There is no denying how the two of you have grown close in those five years of working together so what changed now that suddenly your tongue was caught by the cat?

The anger still weighs you down, the question still fogs your head and you have not been at your best. You may not have wanted this promotion but now that you're here, you wouldn't want to sabotage it either.

So, as you pushed the box further under the desk, you pushed all thoughts about Kim Namjoon aside and planned on dedicating your whole time and energy to your new team.

"Is Mr. Jung available?" you asked Jungkook, your boss's assistant.

"He just came back from a meeting. I'll check if he's free now." He left you at the receiving area reminding you once again of your old office and your old boss. After a minute he returned gesturing for you to come in.

When you stepped in, you immediately noticed how bright the office ambiance was. It had little to do with the natural light coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows or the colorful Kaws that lined his shelf and more with the man himself - his cheerful, approachable self that made the room so cozy and warm.

"Is there a problem, Ms. Yu?" he asked, a pursed grin on his lips.

"Are these the only reports I need to go over for next week's meeting?"

"This quarter's report, yes."

"Should I not review the past quarters' reports as well?"

"But that's not what's going to be discussed in the meeting."

You did not know if the new look on his face was of confusion or frustration. An employee doing what is not asked of him is a turn-off and you definitely didn't want to come across as a show-off. You knew you have to give a reason for your being incessant.

"I can't possibly contribute to the team let alone to the meeting without knowing how the plans and projects were met for the past quarters."

When your boss's expression changed, you took it as a cue to go on with your explanation.

"I mean I may have a slight idea from when I was in the budget team, but that was from a finance point of view. I knew Mr. Kim was always difficult, not giving you your asking budget. But I just might know the reason and if I look up at the previous propositions, maybe I'd see points that could have been beneficial to our sales, had not Mr. Kim been so...stingy." You paused at the last word, not sure if it was ethical to refer to your former boss as that.

Hoseok burst into laughter, surprised that you just called Namjoon that. "You do make a point. I'll have Mr. Jeon send them to you. I'm lucky Mr. Kim gave you to me," he said and it took all your will to mirror his smile.

Gave.

You knew it was meant as a compliment but for you, it was the opposite. The harsh truth hits you again. He did send you away. So far for not letting him occupy your mind.

It has been five days since you and Namjoon crossed paths. Besides the company breaks and vacations, this was the longest he hasn't seen in you at work and it planted a longing in his heart, something he never thought he'd feel.

Sure, Christmas breaks lasted a week or two, but at the end of it he knew he'll come back to working with you. This however was different.

It has been just five days and he started to question if he did the right thing of sending you away.

"How is she doing?" Namjoon asked Hoseok over a quick coffee break.

"Sana? She's fine. Although, I'm afraid I'm letting her overwork herself. Is she always like that?" He peered at Namjoon over the brim of his cup of coffee, his brows arching showing genuine curiosity and concern. He couldn't be more grateful for a very efficient and observant employee but he didn't like the idea that you might be doing it to get his approval. He knew that your educational background is subpar with other applicants' and he feared that you were trying to make up for that.

"Dedicated? Yes. That's why I told you she's a good asset to your team."

"Then why did you send her my way? You could have had her on yours."

"We don't have an opening," Namjoon said matter-of-factly. If they did, there was no way you'd be with the Planning Team right now. But he didn't want to keep you for himself either while waiting for the unknown and pass up on a good opportunity for you.

"I feel like she's wasting her time with me as my assistant. She's been working on menial admin tasks when she could better use her skills in bringing tangible impact to the company."

"Menial? Do you have any idea how taxing their jobs are? God, if I could trade Jungkook for Sana as my assistant, I would."

"Okay, I take it back, but you get what I mean. She's built for something bigger than checking e-mails, answering phone calls, managing someone else's schedule." Why he had the audacity to say that when he was aware he was already missing some of his appointments since you left, he didn't know.

"Yeah, I think I get you," Hoseok answered in between sips. In a week your new boss has agreed that you're a valuable addition to his team.

"So, how did you even convince her to switch teams?"

"I didn't," he said flatly, his admission lacking any hint of guilt or shame. "I just submitted her resumé to you. I actually didn't expect you to take up on her, but I'm really glad you did. She'll never let you down, I promise."

"You did what?" Hoseok's eyes widened at this new information. Not only were your credentials meager compared to others, you never wanted to join his team in the first place.

"All this time I thought she really wanted the position despite the lapse in her degree, that's why she's working double time. And now you're telling me you did all this behind her back?" His brow raised but not as high as his voice did questioning his friend's actions.

"You think you own the girl that you could just send her to any department you deem she fits?" Hoseok and you weren't acquainted much but knowing you as Namjoon's assistant and knowing you now that you are working under him, he couldn't believe at what his friend did.

"Well, if you put it that way, it sounds bad."

"In what way am I supposed to put it then? You did it without her consent, how do you sugarcoat that?"

"But she didn't say no when you offered the position to her, did she? She didn't tell me to retract her application either. I really thought I was doing her a favor here and seeing that she pushed through with it, I thought it was for good." Namjoon felt he did make a point, but even he wasn't convinced. Now that Hoseok brought light to the matter, he might finally understand why you were suddenly hostile towards him.

Two weeks was a short time to revisit this quarter's goals and plans. You can't even remember why you insisted on brining up an old proposal with only the last quarter of the year left. When you did, however, your senior officer and manager supported you with no question. If you'd be honest, you actually didn't expect them to, at least not that easily. You even prepared yourself to persuade them if needed.

But that was Hoseok and Yoongi, now you needed to convince the Planning Director, and two more managers, and that included your ex boss.

You know you are prepared now, like you always were under Namjoon's team, but back then you were always composed and seldom rattled. Now, you are prepared but certainly at your wits end.

While Hoseok and his team were nothing short of amiable and supportive, you were still aloof and nervous. You knew that you are far from being suited for the job and it was what stressed you out for the past two weeks. If you don't work double or triple even, you might seriously get fired this time, but if you do, you'd definitely look like you're kissing your boss's ass.

No one but him knows your credentials or the lack of them, but everyone knew you were simply a former assistant and that alone is enough to drive you to prove yourself - something you were long past done with your previous team and something you're not fond of doing again.

"Are you seriously going over your notes thirty minutes before the meeting?" Jimin, one of the planning officers asked, standing next to you.

You almost jerked from your seat when he bent down at your desk trying to look at the graphs on your screen.

"Uh, yes, Mr. Park," you answered nervously.

"I told you it's Jimin. No one calls me Mr. Park," he whined causing laughter in the room. For the first time you started to feel comfortable, and less than an hour before your first presentation, it was much appreciated.

"Wait, aren't those past reports though?" he asked, pointing at your screen.

"Let her be, she knows what she's doing," Yoongi, your senior officer, said across your desk, coming to your rescue. The last thing you needed was for you to doubt your own proposal.

When you sat with Yoongi about it, you felt like a man proposing to his fiancee and receiving a 'yes' when he approved of it, not that he had the final say, but to be recognized by your senior was already a win for you. And then Hoseok did. Even if this doesn't pass the board today, at least two people believed in your plan.

"Thanks, Mr. Min," you smiled shyly.

"Yup, that is weird. Don't call me that, too."

Shortly after, you all proceeded to the conference room. Everything is familiar - same room, same people, except for Namjoon's new assistant whom you have met and trained exactly four times. It had you wondering, is he doing a good job?

Did he remember to prepare his boss an iced americano in his Kleen Kanteen to keep him awake just in case it's one of those boring meetings that could have just been an email? Did he remember to not give in to his boss's plea of taking the minutes on the tablet believing it was convenient even when you have proven multiple times that the colored post-its were a better visual reminder for his piling folders and tasks? Did he remember to bring wipes just in case he spills his iced americano?

Just then as if answering one of your questions you see him pull out the tablet.

You sigh and shake your head and suddenly, after coming back to reality, mentally curse yourself for letting your mind fleet again with thoughts of him. Being as anxious as you are now, distraction in the form of Kim Namjoon is the last thing you needed.

"Hey, I heard you were presenting a new proposal today?" Yoona slithered her arms around yours the moment she saw you. Your nerves were not going away so you simply nodded. "Fighting!" she said before joining her team.

"I heard too that you'd be giving me a run for my money?" You froze hearing Namjoon behind you and you almost forgot how nervous you were. His presence instantly replaced it with exasperation. You turn not expecting him to be mere inches away and staring down on you. Your eyes easily averted on his hands - no Kleen Kanteen, no iced americano.

"Good luck making me change my mind on the budget. You've worked for me for five years, you know I'm not easily convinced."

"Is that a challenge, Mr. Kim?"

You didn't miss the shocked but amused look on Namjoon, but you did miss the gaping mouths of everyone else in the room, including Hoseok's. Just then, Kim Seokjin, the Performance Monitoring manager came in, right in time to witness your little staredown.

"Namjoon, you're not belittling Ms. Yu are you? You practically raised her. If she's as bad as you think, then doesn't that make you a lousy boss?" Seokjin muttered with a grin. "This should be interesting."

Suddenly it dawned on you - you won't just be getting the director's approval, more importantly, you need Namjoon's approval. Without the budget, your proposal will go down the drain, just like the many others that he managed to decline. And you knew that because in instances more than once, you took part in some of that decision-making.

Over your unofficial lunch meetings, he would ask you for your thoughts on certain projects. Off the record, he would always say, just to make you talk. He knew you always had fresh insights about matters but he also knew you wouldn't want to influence him and be the reason why some projects would get turned down. Heck, you'd never admit that to Hoseok. Although, it won't be a shock if he already knew that by now.

But that's beside the point. Seokjin is right. You were trained under Namjoon. You knew him better than any other in the Strategic Planning team. This was your A game. It has to be. It's your chance of proving to your team that you're a good asset and to prove to Namjoon that he did the mistake of sending you away.

"In fact, why don't we start the meeting with the proposal from the Process Re-engineering?" Seokjin said, taking his seat at the far end of the table. "Mr. Lee can't join us. The minutes will be relayed to him. For now, you need to win us, Mr. Kims."

"Shouldn't we go over this month's reports first?" Yoongi interrupted and you knew he was trying to save your ass.

"If it's good news, then by all means. If it's the same stats as last month, we'll start with the proposal," Seokjin instructed looking at Hoseok.

"Go ahead, Ms. Yu," your boss nodded at you with a bitter look and you felt the pit of your stomach drop.

You stood in front, trying your best to look calm despite the beads of sweat forming on your armpits. You have never been nervous like this before. You initially thought you'd be okay with your proposal being turned down. Seeing how smug your former boss was though ignited a desire in you to beat him.

Meanwhile, your former boss was just taking in your looks, not the slightest intrigued by your proposal that you were so proud of. Were you always that smug? Angsty Sana was a persona he has never seen, and he didn't know if it was a loss or a gain. He certainly didn't wish to get on your bad side, but seeing you feisty ignited a desire in him as well. It's a different kind, though, and seeing you in a slim dress that outlined your silhouette just almost made him feral.

How come you never wore a dress before? Why did you never let your hair down? Were your cheeks always this flushed? Were your lips always this plump?

He wanted to ask but obviously, it wasn't the appropriate time or place. He doesn't even know if there will ever be a right time and place to ask those stupid questions.

"Ready when you are, Ms. Yu" was what he said instead and of course, it had to be coupled with a smug look on his face.

"We have revisited Mr. Min's proposal from the second quarter," you started, clicking the remote to show the first slide that said: Proposal for Cardless Installment on Online Shopping Website.

Not even getting past the first slide and you already heard Namjoon's muffled laugh. Your eyes immediately darted at him and everyone followed suit. You didn't know if you'd be glad the director wasn't present because staying professional is proving to be hard, or if you'd wish him to be here to give Namjoon a scolding for how being difficult he was.

"Mr. Kim," Seokin thankfully warned him.

"What? She practically helped me back then in turning that proposal down."

What the hell.

Did he just tell on you?

Everyone from your team widened their eyes at you, surprisingly except for Yoongi himself.

"It's just ironic. Anyway, go on. I'm sorry for interrupting," he said as if his permission was needed. "This should be interesting indeed," he whispered to Seokjin but still loud enough for the whole room to hear.

Fuck, this is war.

"That is true." It was futile to deny it at this point when your boss himself outed you. Coming clean was the least you can do.

"There were flaws with his proposal which is why we went over it and changed a few things." It took every power in you to feel confident, to sound confident. You owe it to Yoongi. You don't want to appear like the villain who stepped on his project only to claim credit afterward. And you can't blow it up as if Yoongi did all the work because it would sound condescending.

No matter which angle you look at it, it won't end well for you. Things would be awkward from here on. But it's a problem for future you. Present you has to deal with this proposal getting across the board first.

"The previous concern was the assurance of the customers paying their credit and Mr. Min already addressed that," you continued, not failing to give credit where it was due.

"Some of the measures were stricter KYC documentation and requirement, making the program available only to those who have good purchasing ability from our online website but not limited to the affluent who are most likely to afford credit cards anyway."

You scanned the room quickly and was relieved to see everyone paying attention, with Namjoon probably paying too much. His gaze was lowered, a hand on his chin, a raised brow - telltales that he is scrutinizing the proposal in front of him.

"The amendment to this is to lower the interest rate and to discontinue the customer's access to all our services. That means if a creditor misses a certain number of billing cycles, he will be banned from using other services from our company where the person has a registration."

"So that includes access to our network provider?" Yoona asked to which you nodded.

"Isn't that going too far?" Taehyung from Namjoon's team asked.

"There's no loophole that we missed. The clause on refusal to service covers it. The creditors would be screened according to their purchasing behavior. We are targetting low and mid-class buyers. They won't afford to have bad credit nor to be cut off from our services. The installment plans would be a help to customers who want to improve their quality of life but can't wait long enough to save for good things. If they save their money, there's no guarantee that they would still spend it on us. They will be enticed to enroll in this program. And when they do, they'll make sure they'll keep good credit so they can purchase more in the future."

"If they use an alias? Fake address? Or don't use our other services?" Seokjin asked.

"The KYC documentation and requirement cover that, one being they should be using at least one of our services already - mobile network, ISP, banking, among others. You can read the full details on page five," you motioned to the folders sitting on their desks that apparently no one has opened until now.

"We also added reward programs, temporary limit increase, and occasional zero installment plans on some items to attract creditors."

The room fell silent for a few minutes as you gave them time to read the papers.

"I see the potential of this project, but why do you want to include this now in this quarter's plans? We only have three months left. Aren't you being too ambitious on this Ms. Yu?" Namjoon asked, his earlier spiteful demeanor now gone.

"Simple. It's Christmas," you said with a playful shrug of your shoulders eliciting giggles from the audience.

"For the past years, our December sales were good, with the online shopping website falling behind. We only have good credit sales in our electronics. If you accrue the potential profit from installment payment interest, little will go a long way."

"Do we have enough time though?" Seokjin inquired.

Before you could even answer, Namjoon interrupted. "That's true. Three months? Probably two given a month of preparation, if that's even enough." His eyes are on you, his voice deep, his brow raised, his lips curled up on one side, his presence commanding. For five years of working under him, it was your first time to be stared by the man in such intimidating yet sultry fashion. If this was a whole different situation you would've give in to your buckling knees and fall to the ground.

But it wasn't. For fuck's sake get yourself together, you almost visibly and audibly murmured to yourself. So as if to keep your composure and posture more astute, you locked your knees and leaned to grip the side of the table.

Your lowered stance, your arms slightly sprawled against the edge of the table, your equally deep stare at him that you were oblivious of almost had him swallowing.

Almost.

Instead, he feigned a cough to clear his throat. "That's not enough time for ROI, not to mention you even lowered the interest rates. This will put a dent on our year-end revenue. You really expect me to give this a pass?" The furrow on your brow was enough sign for him to think that this will be yet again a failed proposal and it had him grinning. Why he seemed so bent to best you at this, he didn't even know.

But oh he knows. He always scrutinized proposals that would either have a large cut on the budget or could end up as a potential big loss.

What he doesn't know is why is it pleasing him seeing you riled up.

He shook his head and nudged Seokjin on his arm, the sexy look in his face gone and the smug plastered back on his face.

Of course, your ex boss won't go easy on you. You knew ROI was his concern always, and rightly so. Even Yoongi protested against your suggestion of lowering the interest rates knowing Namjoon would see that as a flaw. But you knew there were things he missed.

You straightened your posture and rolled your eyes as subtle as you could because at this point it just couldn't be helped anymore. With a click on the remote and deep breath, you proceeded.

"For the past four years that the online shopping website has been up, the increase in new customers and subscribers aren't impressive. Yes, the ROI would take longer than we'd like. But at this point, you should've realized-" you paused to emphasize that as a good manager as he is, there were simple things he missed.

But if you'll be honest, it was really for the dramatics.

"-that this project is targeting the following KPIs - conversion, loyalty and advocacy."

You went ahead to discuss how each key performance indicator would be met. When you were done, you glanced at your boss nodding as if you needed anymore of his approval.

"As for the timeline and preparation, we have already asked someone from the credit and finance department, and legal team to draft the terms and conditions. It should be ready by Monday. After that, the hands will be dealt with by the IT department," your boss answered them this time.

"You convinced the finance and legal department to draft you the terms and conditions without prior approval?" Namjoon was shocked so were the other people in the room.

You tilted your head and raised a brow. "I told you, I'm confident on this, Mr. Kim." This time you got to wear the smug look.

They reviewed the proposal for few more minutes and the earlier triumphant spirit that you had was starting to be replaced with anxiety.

"You are bold, Ms. Yu, and that's a compliment. So far I have no objections," Seokjin smiled at you and you finally let out the breath you didn't even realize you were holding. The sigh escaped your mouth loudly, you didn't even bother hiding it.

"You?" Seokjin turned to the other Kim.

He looked at the documents once more with brows furrowed. You knew this look of his like the back of your hands.

You spent countless nights waiting on him to finish reviewing budget proposals. You didn't have to wait but you insisted and he more than welcomed your presence in his office.

You'd never admit but getting to stare at him while he was engrossed with his work was something you looked forward to at the end of the day. You thought he looked so handsome when he was serious reviewing papers. Now that your paper was on the receiving end of it, it's a totally different story.

"I agree, you are bold, Ms. Yu. I give you that, but that doesn't change the fact with an ROI that's not that lucrative our year-end revenue might suffer."

You felt a pang in your heart with Namjoon's words. That was always his introduction for when he would decline a project.

"But-" he paused and clearly it was also for the drama. He didn't miss the way your eyes widened and how you pursed your lips to hide the stupid smile threatening. You know that you'll look pathetic to show giddiness only for the proposal to be rejected in the end.

How can you change from feisty to looking like a doll in blink of an eye? He cleared his thoughts and despite the hanging question of whether have you always been this cute, he continued.

"-it is definitely achievable and still profitable than not implementing it at all. And you are correct, our new customers and subscribers on the online shopping site have been more or less stagnant," he added.

Your team was mostly quiet. You saw Jimin squeezing Yoongi's arms and Hoseok biting his lip and you were scrunching the sides of your dress.

"I have no objection as well. Mr. Lee's approval is the last one you'll need." When he finally said it, you audibly gasped. You wanted to hug him. You wanted to run to him and report your first successful proposal like he wasn't one of the managers who approved it. You wanted to celebrate with him and share your win ready to forget the grudge you've been holding.

"You owe me fifty bucks, Jin," Hoseok shouted across the room breaking you from your thoughts and earning surprised glances from everyone.

"You bet on their proposal?" Namjoon asked flabbergasted.

Jin nodded, "My money was on you turning them down. You did raise Ms. Yu well."

"Too well I guess. I felt I just got a taste of my own medicine."

Now, you didn't suppress your smile reaching your ears and you swear you saw Namjoon smile at you. You wanted to savor the feeling, maybe this was a good idea. He gave you a push, the push you needed to dream big because why the hell not?

When you took your seat beside Yoongi he leaned in and asked, "So, you were the reason my proposal was turned down the first time?"

In an instant, you were brought back to the reason why you were infuriated at your former boss and all former plans of hugging and thanking him went right out the window.

You're starting to question yourself whatever did you find in him that made you infatuated because it's starting to blur now.

♡ hi.

the second chapter had gone through much editing. i may have gotten carried away with the business deets, i hope i don't bore anyone but i wanted this to be as real as it could get and not just throw vague scenes 'cause if i would, i'd rather write a drabble or a one-shot. but i haven't finished my units in marketing so if any of u is a business major, pls be gentle on ur criticism heehee

also, i've been distracted a lot by the man himself with his sexy nukim sexy dance during w korea's event for their recent campaign. it would forever be ingrained in my brain. ♡ anne

tagging: @mrskimjoon @namjooningera @dany-but-not-targaryen @piecesofapril11 @sweetjellyfishland @joons-rkive @whoisbts @kittycuptea

comment if you want to be tagged or just to share your thoughts. would love to interact with y'all. and lastly, i hope it's not a big ask to reblog. it means the world to us writers.

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