Chapter 28

Jennie Kim was terrifying.

That was the general consensus across the entire company.

Employees straightened the moment her heels echoed down the hallway. Conversations died mid-sentence when she entered a room. Even the most seasoned executives chose their words carefully under her sharp gaze. She was precise, calculating, and ruthlessly efficient—every decision made with cold clarity, every expectation impossibly high.

Deadlines weren’t suggestions. Mistakes weren’t tolerated.

And smiles? Rare. Almost mythical.

“Redo this,” Jennie said flatly, sliding a report back across the table without even sparing it a second glance. “I don’t accept mediocrity.”

The manager across from her swallowed hard, nodding quickly. “Y-Yes, CEO Kim.”

Jennie leaned back in her chair, expression unreadable, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. “You have until tonight.”

There was no room for argument. There never was.

The meeting ended in stiff silence, people filing out like they had just survived a storm.

All except one.

Lisa remained seated beside Jennie, tablet in hand, calmly organizing the next set of documents. Unlike everyone else, she didn’t look nervous. If anything, she looked… relaxed.

Jennie didn’t speak until the last person left and the door clicked shut.

Then—

A dramatic sigh escaped her lips.

Her posture crumbled instantly as she turned toward Lisa, eyes softening, voice dropping into something entirely different.

“Lili…” she whined.

Lisa didn’t even look surprised.

In fact, she smiled.

“Yes, ma’am?” she replied sweetly, still typing.

Jennie pushed her chair back and scooted closer—far too close for any professional setting—and gently rested her forehead against Lisa’s shoulder.

“I’m tired,” she mumbled, voice muffled. “They’re all so incompetent.”

Lisa chuckled softly, setting her tablet aside. “You say that about everyone.”

“Because it’s true,” Jennie huffed, tightening her grip around Lisa’s arm. “Only you’re not.”

Lisa raised an eyebrow playfully. “Wow. I feel so honored.”

“You should be,” Jennie murmured, nuzzling closer like a cat seeking warmth. “I only like you.”

Lisa laughed under her breath and finally turned to face her fully, brushing a strand of hair away from Jennie’s face. “You love me. There’s a difference.”

Jennie pouted, lips forming a small, stubborn curve. “Same thing.”

“Not really.”

“It is for me.”

And just like that, the terrifying CEO was gone—replaced by a clingy, soft, utterly needy wife who refused to let go of her secretary.

Lisa reached up, cupping Jennie’s cheek gently. “You scared the entire board again.”

“Good,” Jennie muttered. “They should be scared.”

“But you made Mr. Han almost cry.”

Jennie blinked, unbothered. “He should’ve prepared better.”

Lisa sighed, though there was no real exasperation in it. “You’re impossible.”

Jennie’s arms slid around Lisa’s waist now, pulling her closer until their chairs were practically touching. “And yet you married me.”

Lisa smiled, soft and fond. “Yeah. Because I know this version of you.”

Jennie tilted her head slightly. “What version?”

“The one who can’t go five minutes without clinging to me.”

Jennie gasped lightly, offended—though her grip tightened instead of loosening. “I do not cling.”

Lisa said nothing, simply raising an eyebrow and glancing pointedly at Jennie’s arms wrapped securely around her.

Jennie paused.

“…This is different.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“I’m just… resting.”

“Of course you are.”

Jennie huffed, burying her face into Lisa’s neck now. “You’re warm.”

Lisa laughed again, her hand naturally coming up to stroke Jennie’s hair. “You’re unbelievable.”

Silence settled between them for a moment—comfortable, quiet, completely at odds with the intense atmosphere Jennie created outside that room.

Then Jennie spoke again, voice softer this time.

“Stay with me today.”

Lisa blinked. “I always stay with you. I’m your secretary.”

“No,” Jennie mumbled, tightening her hold slightly. “I mean… don’t leave my office. Work here. Next to me.”

Lisa tilted her head. “You have three more meetings.”

“I’ll cancel them.”

Lisa pulled back slightly, giving her a look. “Jennie.”

Jennie frowned, clearly displeased. “What?”

“You can’t cancel everything just because you want cuddles.”

Jennie’s expression shifted into something dangerously close to a pout. “Why not?”

“Because you’re the CEO.”

“And?”

“And you have responsibilities.”

Jennie groaned dramatically, letting her head fall back against the chair. “I hate responsibilities.”

Lisa smiled knowingly. “No, you don’t.”

“…I hate them when they take you away from me.”

That made Lisa pause.

Her expression softened immediately, warmth flooding her gaze.

“Jen…”

Jennie looked away slightly, suddenly quieter. “You’re always busy too.”

Lisa reached for her hand, gently intertwining their fingers. “I’m busy because of you.”

“I know,” Jennie muttered. “That’s the problem.”

Lisa squeezed her hand lightly. “Hey. I’m right here, aren’t I?”

Jennie glanced at her again, eyes soft, vulnerable in a way no one else ever saw. “…Yeah.”

“And I’m not going anywhere.”

Jennie studied her for a second, then slowly leaned forward again—this time resting her forehead against Lisa’s.

“Good,” she whispered.

Lisa smiled, closing the small distance and pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

It was brief, gentle… but enough to make Jennie melt completely.

When they pulled back, Jennie looked significantly less like the ruthless CEO everyone feared and more like someone who just needed a little too much affection.

“Five minutes,” Lisa said softly.

Jennie blinked. “What?”

“Five minutes of cuddling,” Lisa clarified. “Then you go back to being scary CEO Kim.”

Jennie considered it.

“…Ten.”

Lisa laughed. “Five.”

Jennie narrowed her eyes. “Eight.”

“Six.”

“…Deal.”

And just like that, Jennie curled into her again, completely content.

Outside the office, employees whispered about their cold, unforgiving boss.

Inside—

Jennie Kim clung to her wife like she was the only thing keeping her sane.

And honestly?

She kind of was.