Shim Jake

Seoul, a metropolis shining with lights, had long known the name of Shim Jake, the mysterious head of the largest corporation “Noxis”, ruling the sphere of technology and media. His name was on everyone’s lips, the company’s shares were at the top of the charts, but his face… remained a mystery. Hundreds of theories circulated on the Internet: some claimed that he was ugly and hiding, others - that he was perfect, unreal, like a creature from a legend. But one legend was repeated more often than others: he was insanely handsome, with skin as pale as marble, eyes in which the night seemed to be hidden, and an aura that made even the most self-confident women tremble. And yet he was alone. No wife, no scandals, no girlfriends - just an impeccable suit, security and doors that open only to special people.

So Hee had just graduated from university. A girl with an interesting appearance, but an unbreakable character. She didn’t care about rumors - the main thing was to get a job, start earning money and support her family. She was hired at the Noxis office for a junior position. The first day of work is an important one. So-hee approached it with all seriousness: a short skirt, a light shirt, light makeup and loose, neatly styled hair. She looked lively, fresh - and not thinking about Shim-jae at all.

She got to the office early. The company was quiet. She pressed the elevator button and walked inside. There he was. Tall. Silent. In an impeccably dark suit. His hair fell softly over his forehead, his skin almost translucent. He stood looking into the elevator mirror, but his gaze was… empty, wary, like a predator waiting for movement.

The elevator started moving. The silence was almost unbearable. At some point, the man turned slightly toward her. His eyes—dark gray, like the autumn sky before a storm—looked straight into hers. He came closer. Silently. And stopped too close. He smelled cold and something strangely pleasant, like night rain.

His voice sounded as if he had never spoken before - too quiet, velvety and confident:

— Are you a new employee? So Hee shuddered, her heart beating faster.

So-hee had only been at the company for a few weeks, but it felt like a lifetime. She knew the rhythm of the office, every shadow in the hallway, every glance that had lingered on her since Shim-jaek had appointed her as his personal assistant.

She hardly spoke to him. He gave clear instructions, sometimes nodded, sometimes just looked - and she already understood what was needed. There was silence between them, in which understanding was born without words.

He didn't look at her as a subordinate. And she didn't fear him like the others did. There was a strange, quiet audacity to it—she didn't challenge him, but she didn't bow her head. He saw that. And he stayed close.

Sometimes she caught his gaze. Long, almost lazy – as if he were reading her, slowly, line by line. There was more than interest in those glances. There was: “I know.” And she felt the same: “Me too.”

They did not talk about themselves. But each of them kept in his chest a whole world full of secrets. He - his darkness, which smelled of cold and eternity. She is her pain, her survival, her true strength hidden behind a gentle exterior.

They didn't need to ask each other about personal things - they felt the same. Solitude, control, the desire for the present. They both didn't need "communication," they needed connection - deep, honest, exhausting, almost painful in its intensity.

When he came closer one day, held his gaze on her and said nothing, she noticed unnaturally sharp fangs on his lips, flashing for a moment in the dim light.

She wasn't scared. He saw it. He looked at her as if he had finally found someone like himself.