CHAP 14

                                    

                                          
Mingyu was practically buzzing with excitement as he strode into Wonwoo’s office building after a long day at university. All he wanted was to slip into Wonwoo’s office, settle in his lap, and let the stress of the day melt away with a few stolen moments of peace.
As he approached the front desk, he nodded politely to the new receptionist—a young woman with a rigid, professional expression. He didn’t recognize her, and she clearly didn’t recognize him. He was about to walk past when she cleared her throat sharply, stopping him in his tracks.
"Excuse me, sir,” she called, her tone clipped. “Do you have an appointment with Mr. Jeon?"
Mingyu paused, slightly amused, and turned to face her. "I don’t need an appointment. I’m his husband."
The woman’s eyebrows shot up, her mouth twisting into a slight smirk. She gave him a look up and down, clearly unimpressed by his casual appearance, a bag slung over his shoulder, and a slightly disheveled look from a long day of classes.
"Husband of Boss Jeon?” she repeated, her voice dripping with disbelief. “You’re joking, right?"
Mingyu raised an eyebrow, his polite smile slipping as he caught the hint of condescension in her tone. "No, I’m not joking. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to see my husband.”
The receptionist crossed her arms, her smirk widening. "I don’t think so. I’m not letting just anyone waltz in here with some made-up story about being Mr. Jeon’s husband. You need to make an appointment like everyone else.”
Mingyu’s patience was wearing thin. "I don’t think you understand. I’m Kim Mingyu, and I have every right to go see my husband without an appointment.”
The receptionist scoffed openly. "Oh, please. If you’re really his husband, I’m the queen of England. Look at you! No offense, but Mr. Jeon would hardly go for someone like…” she trailed off, gesturing dismissively at him, “...that.”
Mingyu clenched his jaw, irritation flaring up as the woman’s words sank in. His hands curled into fists, and he was just about ready to give her a piece of his mind when the woman picked up the phone, a triumphant gleam in her eye.
“Hello, yes, I’m calling security,” she announced loudly, sneering at Mingyu as if he were some intruder. “There’s a young man here causing trouble, claiming he’s the husband of Mr. Jeon. Yes, he’s lying about his identity.”
Before she could go further, a pair of footsteps echoed down the hall, and Wonwoo appeared, his usually composed face twisted in a rare expression of worry and irritation. The moment his gaze landed on Mingyu, his expression softened with relief.
“Mingyu!” Wonwoo called, striding forward without hesitation. He completely ignored the receptionist, going straight to his husband and placing a protective hand on his shoulder.
The receptionist’s face drained of color, her eyes wide with shock as she looked between Wonwoo and Mingyu, realization dawning on her.
“Wonwoo,” Mingyu greeted with a small, relieved smile, though his eyes still held a glint of anger. He reached up, resting his hand over Wonwoo’s.
Wonwoo turned to the receptionist, his gaze icy as he fixed her with a withering glare. “Is there a reason why my husband was being stopped and interrogated instead of being welcomed?”
The receptionist stammered, looking flustered and at a complete loss for words. “I… I didn’t know, sir. He just came in, and he didn’t look— I mean, I thought he was lying.”
“And based on what, exactly, did you assume he was lying?” Wonwoo’s voice was calm but laced with a deadly edge, the kind that made everyone in the room tense up. “You know, as well as everyone in this office, that my personal life is not for you to judge or make assumptions about. Kim Mingyu is my husband, and he has every right to walk in here whenever he pleases.”
The receptionist swallowed, her face pale as she stumbled over an apology. “I’m so sorry, sir. I… I just thought—”
“Clearly, you weren’t thinking at all,” Wonwoo cut her off, his tone hard. “Perhaps I need to make some things clearer. Mingyu isn’t just someone I tolerate—he is my husband, and I respect him as much as I expect every one of you to respect him. Is that understood?”
The woman nodded frantically, her face burning with embarrassment. “Y-Yes, sir. Understood.”
Without another glance in her direction, Wonwoo turned his attention back to Mingyu, his gaze softening. “Are you alright?”
Mingyu’s annoyance melted a little at the concern in Wonwoo’s eyes, and he gave a small nod. “Yeah. Just… didn’t expect that to happen.”
Wonwoo’s eyes narrowed as he glanced back at the receptionist, his expression hardening once more. “You can consider this your first and last warning,” he said coldly. “Any disrespect toward my husband again, and you’ll no longer be working here. Understood?”
The receptionist nodded, looking utterly humiliated. “Yes, sir. I’m so sorry.”
Satisfied, Wonwoo took Mingyu’s hand and guided him toward his office, leaving the receptionist gaping in silence. Once they were behind closed doors, Wonwoo exhaled, his gaze scanning Mingyu as if double-checking that he was really alright.
“I’m so sorry about that,” Wonwoo said quietly, his voice laced with guilt. “I had no idea she would be so disrespectful.”
Mingyu chuckled softly, squeezing Wonwoo’s hand reassuringly. “It’s alright. Not everyone gets to know the full story of Boss Jeon and his husband, right?”
Wonwoo’s lips quirked up in a faint smile. “Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean they get to judge. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Mingyu gave him a grateful smile, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Wonwoo’s cheek. “Thanks for standing up for me. I think she got the message.”
Wonwoo smiled, wrapping his arms around Mingyu’s waist. “Of course. No one messes with my husband and gets away with it.”
With a mischievous grin, Mingyu leaned into him, resting his head against Wonwoo’s shoulder. “Well, after all that, do you think I can get that cuddle I came here for?”
Wonwoo chuckled, pulling him close. “For you? Always.”
In that moment, all the frustration of the day faded away as they shared a warm embrace, safe in each other’s arms, knowing that nothing and no one could ever come between them.