Work Text:
Jisoo glances nervously at his watch, breathing a sigh of relief when he realizes he has more than an hour before his interview.
Good, I have time to get my coffee, he thinks, turning on his heel and heading into the Starbucks on the corner. He steps in, breathing in the scent of freshly brewed coffee, smiling when he feels his senses perk up a little bit.
He orders his usual Iced Americano, thanking the barista before heading out. He wants to get his introduction right, and make a good impression. The last interview he had was an utter disaster, and Jisoo desperately wants to avoid a repeat performance. He looks around, spotting a car in the corner with tinted windows. It’s parked away from the morning crowd, and Jisoo hurries over, quickly checking that there’s no one in the front seat (talk about awkward ).
Perfect.
He clears his throat, plastering on a bright smile and sticking his hand out, cringing when he stares himself down in the window’s reflection. He sighs, taking in a deep breath to try and center himself.
“Good morning, it’s an honor to meet you, thank you so much for the opportunity, I’m Hong Jisoo, and I’m so gratef – That’s too long, it makes me look so eager,” Jisoo stops, sighing as he runs a hand through his hair, freezing and hurriedly checking his appearance in the window, just to make sure his hair is still properly styled.
“Okay, just try again,” he murmurs to himself, taking another deep breath and straightening his shoulders. “Good morning, it’s nice to meet you, thank you for the opportunity,” he pauses, lips pursing as he contemplates introducing himself.
“They should at least know my name right? So I shouldn’ –”
Jisoo nearly has a heart attack when the window rolls down, and he can immediately feel the crushing embarrassment creep up his body. The man in the car watches him, lips curled in an amused smirk. Jisoo shrinks into himself, trying (and failing) to form a coherent apology.
“I liked the second one better,” the blonde man in the car offers, and Jisoo stares at him, the confusion and shock written clear on his face.
“I’m so sorry, I just- – I’ve got an interview later and I really want the job so I’m really nervous and I just…” Jisoo trails off, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
“Don’t worry too much about it. Be confident,” he winks. “Not so simpering and nervous. Confidence makes you look more competent and capable,” he continues, and Jisoo nods eagerly, thanking him for the advice, and bowing in apology once more.
“Hyung, your coffee, we have to head to the office now, or you’ll be late for your meetings,” a voice appears from behind Jisoo, and the blonde man nods.
“I’m Jeonghan, by the way,” he offers, already turning away. “Maybe I’ll see you soon, Hong Jisoo,” he grins, rolling up the window just as the car pulls away, leaving a very confused Jisoo behind.
Jeonghan sighs, gratefully accepting the coffee his personal assistant got for him, taking a sip before glancing back to see Jisoo slowly walking away.
“Hyung… Isn’t that –”
“Yep.”
“Was he –”
“Yep.”
Chan sighs, glancing at Jeonghan in the mirror. “..... You’ve already decided to hire him haven't you?”
Jeonghan laughs, raising his cup to Chan. “Ah, you always know me so well Channie,” he chuckles, leaning back and letting his mind wander about his new cute Korean American hire.
He arrives in the office early, wanting to get some work done before Jisoo arrives, but Jeonghan spots Jisoo already waiting, and decides that those emails could wait another twenty minutes.
“Chan-ah, tell the front desk to bring in Mr. Hong,” he calls out, turning to the papers on his desk to rifle through, waiting for Jisoo’s surprised reaction.
The quiet, hesitant knock on his door makes Jeonghan look up, just in time to see Jisoo freeze in recognition. Jeonghan has to try incredibly hard not to just laugh, but he waves Jisoo in, shit-eating grin gracing his features.
“I –” Jisoo stutters, and Jeonghan interrupts him promptly.
“It’s nice to meet you too, you’re most welcome for the opportunity. Sit, sit,” Jeonghan greets cheerfully, hiding a chuckle as Jisoo unceremoniously plops into the chair across from him. He can see the nerves practically radiating off Jisoo’s slim shoulders, the redness in his cheeks from embarrassment, and even the slightest hint of disappointment at the thought that he might’ve already blown the interview.
“So, you might be glad to know that I’ve already decided to hire you. I like employees who are concerned about how they’re going to present themselves to professional clients, and you’re the perfect picture of smart but quiet,"Jeonghan says, offering Jisoo a stack of papers.
Jisoo sits silently, mouth slightly open, staring at Jeonghan in shock. The blonde continues, unbothered by his newest hire’s lack of verbal response. “Besides, I already called your references, and they all said you’re an excellent worker with sharp wit and stellar records once you’ve warmed up a little, so it’s perfect, really.”
Jeonghan continues talking about how his previous boss practically sang his praises, but Jisoo is still struggling to even form a sound. It seems to amuse Jeonghan though, which Jisoo can only hope is a good sign.
“It is partially selfish. I couldn’t help myself. You were just too cute and I couldn’t not hire you!”
“B-but I don’t want to be a trophy hire,” Jisoo finally manages, voice cracking awkwardly as he forces out the words.
“I know,” Jeonghan answers simply, pushing a pen and Jisoo’s contract towards him. He takes the papers with shaking hands, reading it carefully despite the adrenaline rushing through his system.
It’s silent for a few minutes, apart from the clicking of Jeonghan’s keyboard, and the silent vibrations from his phone, as Jisoo pores over the contract, before he takes the pen and signs at the bottom of the page.
“I’ll prove it to you,” Jisoo says quietly, glancing up at his (decidedly) hot new boss.
“I know you will,” Jeonghan answers, shooting Jisoo a knowing wink, and for some reason it just riles Jisoo up even more.
“No I really will!” He protests, leaning forward keenly. “As long as you give me the opportunity I definitely will prove myself here!”
Jeonghan turns to face Jisoo, hooking a finger under his chin, eyes boring into the other’s intensely. Jisoo immediately freezes, captivated and stunned by Jeonghan’s boldness. “Prove it later. I want to take you out tonight,a ... celebration of sorts.”
“A-... are you trying to seduce me?” He whispers, and Jeonghan blinks, letting go of Jisoo’s chin, noting that Jisoo’s cheeks are once again tinted the prettiest shades of pink.
“Is that not obvious?”
“... Still not a trophy hire,” Jisoo grumbles, but there’s no real malice, and Jeonghan can even sense a hint of a smile in that complaint.
“Of course you aren’t, pretty boy,” Jeonghan acquiesces, reaching over and pressing a button on his desk. “Now, chop chop, get to work. You start today, and Channie will show you around!”
Jisoo blinks, confused by the sudden change in pace. “HUh? What about you?”
“I’m the CEO, I have other business to attend to, silly rookie.”
“H E Y-”
Just as Jisoo begins to protest, a young man strolls in, greeting Jeonghan and handing him a coffee before guiding Jisoo out the door.
“Hello, welcome to Cheonsa , we met briefly earlier today and now my boss has a new plaything - I MEAN ROOKIE. My name is Chan, but I know you’re older than me so come with me Jisoo-ssi so I can introduce you to the rest of our team!” Chan rambles as he walks, and Jisoo hurries to catch up with him, nearly crashing into a walking crate of flowers.
“Oh, sorry, I can’t see with all the flowers in my fac- OH! A new hire? Finally!” a voice comes from said crate, and Jisoo sees a bright smile appear from the overflowing box.
The man introduces himself as Seokmin, the agency’s resident florist. Chan whispers that Seokmin is younger than himself, but always a walking ball of sunshine. “ I would love to stay and chat but I’ve got to go before the hydrangeas wilt and my bridezilla - i mean, my client decides my head doesn’t need to be attached to the rest of my body. OK Bye!” Seokmin waves at Jisoo and Chan and practically sprints off, a feat, considering his lack of vision.
The rest of the day goes by quickly, with introductions and set-ups taking up most of Jisoo’s first day. He meets everyone in the team, and his head is spinning with names and introductions and titles. The only thing he remembers (okay, there are two things he remembers) is that he’s the oldest, alongside Jeonghan - his stupidly handsome CEO - and Seungcheol, the somewhat puppy-like Sales Head, and that Jeonghan said he wanted to take him out to celebrate.
“Don’t kid yourself, he was probably just flirting to make me less nervous,” Jisoo sighs to himself, muttering as he glances at the office quickly emptying. It’s a beautiful, open concept office, big and spacious, and Jisoo smiles to himself.
He’s always wanted to plan weddings, be part of a team that brings these events to life. His mom was a wedding planner, a damn good one, and he’d grown up around crazy, chaotic (and sometimes disastrous) love.
But it was always love.
“Hey rookie, don’t try and get out of our dinner date,” a wry voice snaps him out of his thoughts, and Jisoo’s breath nearly catches at how ridiculously beautiful Yoon Jeonghan was.
Even nature seemed to mock him with Jeonghan’s beauty, the setting sun peeking in through the bay windows and casting perfect shadows over his boss’ stupidly perfect features.
“I’ll have you know I’m a very seasoned planner!” Jisoo sputters, packing up his bag and hefting it over his shoulder. “I grew up around all this, it’s just like coming home,” he adds on, smiling to himself softly.
Jeonghan doesn’t answer, grinning wickedly and dramatically leering at his newest hire, who just rolls his eyes at him.
Hong Jisoo, you’re so fucking cute.