The days passed in a blur of coffee runs and office supplies for Y/n. The initial excitement of being in Seoul, working in the bustling HYBE Corporation, began to settle into a routine that felt almost monotonous. Every morning, she would squeeze into the crowded subway, her heart racing with anticipation as she approached the towering glass building. Yet, every evening, she would return home with a heavy heart, burdened with thoughts of her family's struggles and her father's fragile state.

One afternoon, while balancing a precariously stacked tray of drinks, Y/n found herself caught in a moment that would change everything. As she rounded a corner, she collided with someone, the cups wobbling dangerously before she managed to steady them. She looked up to find herself staring into the startlingly intense eyes of Kim Taehyung.

"Watch where you're going," he said, his tone sharp, but there was a flicker of amusement in his gaze.

Y/n's heart raced. "I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there," she stammered, feeling flustered under his scrutiny.

His lips quirked into a half-smile, and for a brief moment, the aloof facade he wore seemed to crack. "You must be new here. I don’t think I’ve seen you before."

Y/n’s cheeks flushed. "I started a few weeks ago. Just helping out." She gestured to the tray. "I’m on my way to deliver these."

"Let me help you," he offered unexpectedly, reaching out to take a cup from the tray.

Y/n hesitated but then nodded, grateful for the assistance. As they walked side by side, she felt a mix of apprehension and curiosity. "Thank you. I didn’t mean to be in your way."

Taehyung shrugged slightly, his expression shifting from playful to contemplative. "You know, it’s rare to see someone so focused. Most people here are just… well, lost in the glitz. You seem different."

Y/n blinked in surprise. "I’m just trying to do my job, that’s all."

He studied her for a moment, and Y/n could feel the weight of his gaze, as if he were trying to unravel the threads of her life. "What’s your story? You don’t look like someone who belongs in a place like this."

Y/n’s heart raced. She had always kept her personal life under wraps, but there was something in Taehyung's eyes that urged her to open up. "I had to leave my home and family to find work. My father fell ill after we lost our farm in a storm."

Taehyung’s expression softened, a flicker of empathy breaking through his usual mask. "I’m sorry to hear that. That’s tough."

"Thank you," she replied quietly. "I just want to help my family."

As they reached the office where the drinks were to be delivered, Taehyung paused. "If you ever need a friend… or just someone to talk to, I’m around." There was a sincerity in his voice that surprised Y/n.

She nodded, unsure how to respond. "I appreciate that," she managed, feeling a warmth spreading in her chest.

As she turned to leave, Taehyung called out after her. "Y/n!"

She looked back, her heart fluttering at the sound of her name on his lips. "Yes?"

"You should smile more. It suits you."

With that, he walked away, leaving Y/n standing in the corridor, a mix of confusion and exhilaration swirling in her mind.

The days that followed were charged with a new energy. Taehyung's unexpected kindness lingered in her thoughts, and she found herself glancing around the office, hoping for another encounter with him. As if sensing her newfound awareness, Taehyung began to appear more often, sometimes leaning against walls, his gaze lingering on her as she went about her tasks.

But with his attention came whispers. The other employees began to notice the budding connection between the aloof star and the quiet girl. Rumors spread like wildfire, particularly among the staff who knew of Taehyung's notorious reputation as a playboy. They warned Y/n to keep her distance, to not get caught up in the whirlwind that was Kim Taehyung.

"He's trouble, Y/n," Choi Yuna cautioned when she confided in her friend, concern etched on her face. "You don’t want to be another name on his list."

Y/n nodded, the weight of those words settling heavily on her conscience. She was determined to keep her focus on her family and her job. Yet, every time she saw Taehyung's smile or heard his laugh echoing through the halls, she felt the walls she had built around her begin to crumble.

In the midst of this emotional turmoil, a new challenge arose. One evening, as Y/n was preparing to leave the office, she overheard a heated argument between Park Rose and Jimin. They were discussing an upcoming project, but the tension in their voices was unmistakable.

"You can’t be serious, Jimin! We can’t let him near her!" Rose’s voice was sharp, dripping with disdain.

Y/n's heart sank. Who were they talking about? She strained to listen, her curiosity piqued.

"She deserves a chance, Rose. You can’t control everything," Jimin replied, his tone exasperated.

"But you know how he is! It’s just a matter of time before he breaks her heart!" Rose shot back.

The conversation ended abruptly, and Y/n's mind raced. Was Taehyung really capable of hurting her? Was she playing with fire by allowing herself to be drawn to him?

As she stepped out into the cool night air, the bustling city lights twinkling around her, Y/n realized she stood at a crossroads. She could either let the whispers and warnings dictate her choices or take a leap of faith into the unknown.

With Taehyung's presence looming on one side and her fears on the other, she knew one thing for certain—this was just the beginning of a complicated journey that would test her heart, her resolve, and her very understanding of love.