Chapter Text
"No."
"Minho—"
"What does going to a Christmas party have to do with my qualifications as junior partner?"
"We're not just looking for someone qualified, Minho, and you know that. We're looking for a team player."
"Oh please, says the guy who promoted Bang Chan," Minho said scathingly, rolling his eyes.
"I saddled him with a similar task, since you brought him up. Besides, Chan is good with people, unlike you. Now, can you name three lawyers who work here?"
"You."
"I don't work here, Minho. I own the place. Don't give me cheek."
"Last time I checked you weren't managing partner."
"Do you really want to go there?" his boss's voice was getting dangerously soft.
"Fine. Chan," Minho said quickly. "And Felix Lee."
"He's your secretary."
"He's a member of the bar."
"You know what I meant."
"He is a lawyer, and he works here," Minho ticked it off with his fingers.
His boss sighed, allowing it.
"And a third?"
Minho was silent.
"Exactly."
...
"Dad," Minho pleaded.
Mark Lee looked at his son with something that resembled compassion, but he was unrelenting.
"Give me a third name, Lee Minho. Then maybe we can think about your promotion."
"What do you mean Mr. Lee is coming?!" Hyunjin almost yelled, panicked.
"Geez, calm down, Hyune," Felix almost giggled at how comical he looked, but he knew how important it was to his friend that his boss whom the same friend had been harboring a more than 7 year crush over was finally coming to their annual Christmas party, the one occasion Hyunjin was allowed to dress up for and had the rising reputation of being the star of, because he was hoping something like this would happen.
"I—I don't think I'm ready," Hyunjin's voice got higher the more he spoke. "My outfit—"
"—looks amazing, I'm sure," Felix rolled his eyes.
"You have to introduce us, Lix!"
"You know what? I actually might."
"What do you mean, did something happen?" Hyunjin whispered.
"Mr Lee came back from a meeting with THE Mr Lee and he was in a bad mood. He asked me to pick up one of his dress shirts for tonight, but," Felix looked around and lowered his voice, motioning for Hyunjin to come closer.
"What?" Hyunjin said in the same volume, wide-eyed.
"He also asked me for the profiles of all partners and associates that work at the firm."
"Profiles? Why?" Hyunjin asked, puzzled.
"Right? He muttered something about having to memorize it by the end of the day."
"He's so weird," Hyunjin chuckled. "It's a good thing he's the love of my life."
"Aaaaand I think I just threw up in my mouth."
"Thanks for the heads up, Lix," Hyunjin kissed him on the cheek and slapped his butt. "Now go, he's waiting for you!"
"Mhmm," Felix adjusted the coat hanger and files he was carrying on one arm. "I'll see you tonight, okay?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Hyunjin grinned.
"Finally looking at associates?" Minho smirked, noting Chan's frustrated expression as the latter was huddled over a pile of documents.
"Oh hey," Chan replied, briefly looking up then went back to staring at the file he was looking at. "Just one, actually. Felix recommended him."
"Are you making my secretary work for you? You should pay him by the hour, you know," Minho said lazily, plopping down onto the chair in front of his hyung's desk.
"I just asked him for his opinion, Minho, and he just so happened to have someone in mind," Chan sighed.
"The great Bang Chan hiring someone to work for him! Has the world gone mad?"
"I'm not the one being required to attend a party just so I could be considered for a promotion," Chan goaded him.
"So you've heard."
"It may have been me who suggested it, actually."
"Are you f—don't test me, Bang Chan."
"I'm still your hyung, you know," the elder laughed. "And your superior," he wiggled his eyebrows.
"Don't remind me," Minho muttered. "It's unfair."
Chan shook his head.
"On the contrary, I think it's perfectly reasonable, and I think deep down, you know they're right to ask this of you."
"To attend a party?"
"To make friends."
Minho sighed.
"I already agreed, don't make me do it twice."
"Then what's this I hear about you asking for a list of associates and partners to memorize?"
"Does Felix tell you everything? Should I fire him?"
"You and I both know I would take him in a heartbeat but you would never allow it," Chan grinned.
Minho narrowed his eyes and snatched the file Chan was holding.
"Whatever," he said. "I'll make this the first name I commit to heart."
"He's a good fit," Chan commented, referring to the file. "I've made up my mind to ask him to work for me but don't tell Felix okay? I want to be the one—"
"—to see that smile light up his face, I know, I know," Minho sighed, rifling through the file and being gracious enough not to see Chan blush.
"30 minutes," he sighed, getting up.
"Come on, 2 hours!" Chan bargained. "I'll introduce you to our whole floor."
Minho visibly cringed.
"An hour, tops," he said firmly. "Then I'll hightail it outta there."
"Felix, good, you're here."
"Sir! You're early!" Felix Lee exclaimed, a little flustered, hurrying towards him.
"It's better this way," Minho lifted his hand, signaling him to slow down. "The less time I spend here, the better."
The place was not half full, just as he'd planned. If he could just stand all the small talk that was sure to come his way for the next hour, he'd be good to go.
The younger's brows scrunched together.
"What?" Minho demanded, not unkindly.
"It's just... I think it would be better if you stayed longer... if you wanted to... you know," Felix hesitated.
Minho raised an eyebrow.
"Meet people?" Felix had the decency to look sheepish.
"Does everyone know about this?" Minho asked through gritted teeth, frustrated.
"No sir, of course not!" Felix shook his head. "It's just... well, I'm me. I know everything," he grinned.
"And that's why I hired you," Minho sighed, giving in. "Don't worry, I said I'd stay an hour."
Felix smiled brightly. "That's perfect, sir!" he said, finally taking Minho's coat and leading him towards one of the secluded tables at the back.
It was near the bar enough so he could fetch drinks as often as he'd like but just far enough so he wouldn't be bothered by the inevitable queue that would form around it later that night. Felix handed him a glass of scotch not a minute later, which he was grateful for. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all.
They were interrupted by a series of not so subtle gasps from around the room. The guests were all looking at something by the double doors. As Minho followed the direction they were staring at, he realized it was a someone, not a something that had caught their attention.
"Who is that?" Minho asked, nodding towards the entrance. He put down his glass and squinted (not inelegantly) at the man who had just entered, all glitter and grace, the ballroom in a blindingly red suit that would have been ridiculous on anyone else. The suit fit him so well Minho thought there was no way in hell someone like him could afford it with an associate's monthly salary, because this boy sure as hell wasn't a partner.
"That's Hwang Hyunjin, sir," Felix said in a peculiar tone, and Minho looked up to see him trying not to smile.
"What?" he demanded.
"Nothing, sir," Felix laughed. "He works at intellectual property and consumer goods division."
Ah, Chan's department. That explains why Minho's never seen him before.
"He's also my best friend," Felix added, a fond smile still on his face. "He likes Christmas."
"I can see that," Minho murmured. He suddenly remembered why his name sounded familiar. "Ah. Chan's new associate."
"He made a decision already?!" Felix squealed.
"Shit, don't tell him I told you, he wanted to break the news to you himself," Minho said, repentant.
"This is amazing!" Felix just about jumped up and down, and looked towards the direction of his friend, then back to Minho.
"Oh go ahead," he allowed.
"Really?"
"It's a party, Felix, you shouldn't be babysitting me."
"But sir—"
"Go," he gave his secretary a look, and the latter squealed another 'thank you' before rushing off to his friend.
Minho watched the tall, raven haired boy recognize Felix and light up, holding out his arms. Felix immediately leaned up and whispered something to him, causing his eyes to widen animatedly and then turn into crescents in the most disarmingly adorable smile Minho has ever seen.
He was still staring when the boy caught his eye, and smiled.
Minho looked away, clearing his throat.
Seems he has a third name now after all.
Hwang Hyunjin.