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“We are happy to have you on board Namjoon.” Namjoon shakes the offered hand and sits in the chair the man gestures to. “Your references sang your praises and said you were a man of discretion. That is exactly what we need here at HYBE. “
“Of course, Sihyuk-ssi.”
Bang Sihyuk leans forward in his chair and puts his elbows on his knees. “I have to say I usually don’t meet with new hires.”
“I did find it a bit strange. But I really appreciate the opportunity to meet with you.” The phone call after the second round of interviews and background checks offering him the position was expected. The request to come in for a meeting with the CEO before his first day was not.
“Of course, of course. Now, we hired you as security for our lobby. Correct?" Namjoon nods, daytime lobby security specialist his new official title. "However, there is another position in our company we need filled rather quickly and of our current teams and prospective applicants, I have reasons to offer it to you first.”
“Sorry sir?” Namjoon fumbles. Sihyuk holds Namjoon’s eyes. The gentle smile on his softly rounded face does nothing to disguise the sharp look in his eyes.
“There is another position, different from lobby security, we would like you to consider. It would still be security, we wouldn’t be asking you to join our finance department or anything but it is a completely different job. We have an artist with unique needs and you fit certain qualifications. If you are willing to consider a position beyond the standard security detail and take a more specialized role, I will need you to sign an additional NDA. We can then discuss in more detail what the job would be after that is done."
It isn’t necessarily surprising he is being asked to sign an NDA. He assumed he would be signing a general one as part of his first day on the job anyways. HYBE has artists topping charts worldwide. Celebrities would need their information protected. Jungkook has been beside himself imagining all Namjoon is going to get to see in his new job. Signing one specifically to talk about another job though is a bit daunting. A job he didn't even ask for.
"Do not feel pressured, of course. If you want to just stick with the role we hired you for we will be just as pleased.” Shihyuk leans back and his chair and interlocks his fingers over his stomach, a patient expression on his face.
“Can I ask more about this position before deciding?” He really hadn’t come in today expecting to have to make any big choices. He's a chronic over thinker and tends to go down rabbit holes when considering options. Walking into a different job offer is really throwing him.
“Unfortunately, all I can say before the NDA is signed is an artist with unique needs and you were chosen because of specific qualifications. Verbatim from our lawyers. You understand. Signing the NDA doesn’t mean you have to take it. There just isn’t a point to go further if you have no interest.”
“Oh, uhm.” Namjoon shifts in his chair a little. He twists his neck, cracking it, and looks around as though guidance can be found on the walls.
“How about I get us some tea and give you a moment to consider. See if you are up for a change of plans.” Sihyuk pauses a moment to check that it is agreeable to Namjoon then stands up and walks out the door.
He had originally applied for this job as it advertised an 8-5, Monday through Friday position in the lobby. It sounds boring frankly, but is a step up in pay from his position as grounds security at a local gated community. Plus air conditioning, which is great. Working with an artist will probably mean sporadic hours, which isn’t ideal. His life really needs routine. Maybe there will be more money though. And money does talk regardless of what some people may say. He is just tallying Jungkook’s university tuition, trying to determine if there is a price point he couldn't refuse, when Bang walks back in, setting a mug in front of him.
“Alright Namjoon. What do you say? Would you like to hear about a different position?”
There is no harm in hearing him out right? He can balance time versus money tonight with Jungkook.
“Sure. Let’s hear it.”
Sihyuk smiles widely. “Let’s get those lawyers in here then shall we?”
“Alright, now that we got that out of the way, let’s go over the position. There are things I still won't share with you until you accept the job. So that will be a little leap of faith for you here. But I will be as transparent as possible.”
Namjoon sips his tea hoping to hide his incredulity. They have a nondisclosure signed and still want to keep information from him.
“We have an artist here at HYBE that is an omega. This artist has our standard security detail and so far, we have found it to be fully effective in keeping all of our artists safe. However, they have been receiving some very concerning threats and it has created a situation. In addition to extra security, closer security, their needs go above and beyond physical security. Nothing untoward or illegal, just unique. Due to the situation, you would be working very closely with the artist, practically a shadow. You were chosen by the artist themselves based on many factors. Your history, your degree in psychology and gender studies, your gender, dynamic and scent."
Namjoon chokes on the warm liquid in his mouth. He sets his cup down and coughs. “Excuse me? My scent?”
Namjoon has always been told he smells like high quality dark roast coffee with zero sweeteners or creamers. Just acidic bitterness with slight nuttiness. Adults usually appreciate his scent. Few children do.
“Mm. Yes.“ Bang nods like this isn’t an almost taboo topic in professional settings.
“What... What does my scent have to do with the position? Am I…….? You're not asking that I scent this artist or something are you?” Maybe there is harm in hearing him out. He is wracking his brain trying to remember if there has been any scandals from within HYBE about harassment and the employees.
“No no. Nothing like that.” Sihyuk seems to realize how this sounds and appears earnest in reassuring Namjoon. “I apologize that this may be a clumsy explanation trying to keep things discreet still. It is just necessary that the artist accepts your scent as we would require you to cease any use of scent blockers and allow your natural pheromones to function as they do. So I guess you could say there is a bit more than just a security job. Your entire goal is to keep this artist safe, but it will require you to do things outside of the norm to do so. I don’t want to mislead you, there is more to it. I just can’t really explain it except maybe I can say your dynamic and education will be heavily relied on.”
“I can't wear scent blockers?”
“No.“
“This sounds very….this sounds more than unique.” Namjoon clasps his hands together and works at some tension in the muscles there.
“I understand. And I don't want your answer right away, take the night to decide. This placement will come with extra hours and extended times traveling. However, it also pays 3 times the rate we hired you at.”
Three times the rate. The original position was already almost double what he was paid at the gated community. If he is paid that kind of money, Jungkook's schooling will be easily paid for. If they don't have to worry about Jungkook working in addition to school then the hours won't really matter. He feels uneasy about any position that is based on his scent but the dollar signs are pretty.
“I have a few questions.” Namjoon hedges.
“Of course. “ Sihyuk appears relaxed again, sipping his tea.
“You said I'd be their shadow.”
“Yes. Any time they are out in public on schedule, if they are not on stage or on some set, you will be within arms reach of them. Even then you will be right behind the curtain so to speak. Even within the halls of our own building.” This is interesting. Requiring such close security even in their own walls. Curious why Sihyuk doesn’t mention hazard pay if it is so dangerous.
“Is this artist being threatened that badly? Is that why?”
“Yes and no. All artist's face some concerning attention. This particular threat isn't out of the realm of some of the more severe threats we have dealt with in the past. But other circumstances make the situation more…..volatile.”
“Are the other circumstances….is that what you won't share with me?”
“I am afraid so.”
“If the situation is so…volatile, how does that work for off hours or outside of work. Would I still get days off and such? Is there another security team member I would be switching off and on with?”
“It would be only you in this particular role. The artist’s regular security detail in addition to our in house security will continue as they are now but it will only be you that will be the shadow. And of course you will get time off. The artist will be safe within their own home with just the normal security measures. They have committed to laying low and minimizing all outside personal time trips.”
Namjoon puts his tea back down and laces his fingers together, elbows on knees. It is definitely intriguing. It doesn't sound hard necessarily. It just depends on what this situation is. Could the artist be pregnant? It would explain a lot. Maybe an unmated omega considering the whole scent thing. Omegas can often feel insecure not being able to sense a person’s moods, especially a new alpha.
“Is this a permanent position?” If the position is short term he feels safe to assume that is the case.
“Not entirely. We expect this situation to go on for about six more months. But after that you will be able to choose to stay on with the artist as part of their team or we can look at other openings throughout the company, back down to the lobby if you prefer, though the pay will change accordingly. We wouldn't want to lose you just because everything is resolved, your employment would be secure.”
Definitely pregnant omega. And understandable he doesn't want to share that information before Namjoon has committed.
“I would like a chance to discuss this with my family tonight.” Six months for six times the pay. He and Jungkook can make anything work for six months with that type of incentive. He is fairly certain he is going to take it. He just needs to make sure Jungkook is game as well.
“Of course. Tomorrow morning. I will have someone waiting for you to hear your decision. If you choose to take the new role they can explain everything. If you choose to pass then they will get you set up for the lobby position. Sound okay?”
Sihyuk stands while finishing talking and holds his hand out for Namjoon. Namjoon shakes his hand and begins his walk back to the car. He can already hear Jungkook’s theories bouncing around. He can't help the gleeful little excitement he feels in his chest. It has been a long time since he has gotten to expand out of his day to day routine. A pregnant omega superstar, which he is 80% sure is the case, will certainly be an adventure.