Hey peeps was meant to get this out before Christmas as it is festive themed, but oh well.

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The bitter winter chill engulfed the streets, people bustling to get Christmas gifts for friends and loved ones. Some businesses winding down for the festive period while some got hectic because of it.

Y/ns relatively small media company was probably in the middle, some areas within the company could take it easier while other areas had to make sure their partners and customers were maintained. For example websites or software due to the flow of traffic online during this period.

The young CEO was working extra and staying late most of the time, more so since the start of December to try and help out her employees, further more get ahead of the curve so the closer it got to Christmas the less pressure came.

Y/n rented 2 floors in an high rise office block with vast office space, making the most of the floor plan. While the CEO had her own office, her secretary desk positioned outside her office. This then led to open plan office space divided into sections by moveable partitions per department. The company was steadily growing and gaining a solid reputation, so she hoped eventually she would move base to a bigger location.

She didn't want her employees to feel suffocated and unable to build relationships with the businesses other departments. Y/n wanted her staff to feel valued and supported in their roles, she didn't want to be that boss that was unapproachable or scary. The one that never showed face or palmed off work to her subordinates, no she wanted to muck in and lead by example.

It was around 6.30pm when she was heading for the exit, majority of the lights were out apart from a few scattered spots across the workspaces knowing a few were opting to stay late aswell.

Overall Y/n was an organised woman, she only had a couple of presents left to buy for her family, which she would be spending Christmas eve and Christmas day with. The two days would be spent at her parents house along with her younger sister and her boyfriend.

There was a few times the CEO stayed until the last one, the woman had very little commitments other than her work and that's why she was choosing to stay there beyond what was considered normal. If she had a pet or a partner ofcourse she would have that work life balance, so right now she is making the most of being free.

These next couple of weeks she was going to be staying until the bitter end, Monday when she went to leave she noticed one light on in a nearby row of desks. She didn't think anything of it, it was probably a one off maybe came in late today amd wanted to catch up.

However it happened the next day making Y/n frown, its not often anyone stays this late let alone two nights in a row. Making a note of it, the young CEO would go talk to her employee if it happened the third time to make sure everything is okay.

It was around 7.30pm on the Wednesday all the staff were long gone, yet the same area was lit up again. This time Y/n waltzed over into the marketing area, to see an employee she was semi familiar with.

"Hey...." Y/n called out leaning against one of the partitions.

The woman jumped in her chair, knocking over a couple of stationary items, before turning her head towards Y/n.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." Y/n apologised.

The woman held a hand to her chest calming down before chuckling quietly. "Oh....eh hi Miss L/n. Its okay...."

"It's Chaeryeong.....right?" Y/n asked unsurely hoping she was correct.

The young brunette nodded half smiling, she didn't think the CEO knew who she was having only been working here since the spring. "Yes it's Chaeryeong, is there something I can help you with?" She responded politely.

"Actually I was wondering that about you, I noticed the last few days the light over here on when I'm leaving. Normally I'm the last one standing." Y/n wondered.

She could tell Chaeryeong was unsure how to act around the CEO and was a little intimidated by herself. "Oh....yes I just want to get ahead of my work. I had some extra tasks...." Chaeryeong explained which made Y/n frown.

"You don't have to be so stiff, I am not one of those bosses. I want my staff to feel comfortable around me. What extra tasks? I thought I had picked up most of them......" She said walking closer to Chaeryeongs desk to investigate.

"Right....sorry. I was always brought up to be respectful, its hard to get used to. Uhh....well I was supposed to give them to you.......but when I got round to doing it you really looked snowed under. I thought I would just keep them." Chaeryeong said carefully.

Appreciative of the thought Y/n couldn't help but smile, although Y/n hadn't really been involved much with the young woman. She had heard through the grape vine she was a valuable member of the team. She also noticed how her desk was neat in addition to having a personal feel to it. There was two pictures in frames among some cute stationary items, one of Chaeryeong with another girl judging by resembling appearance Y/n presumed it was her sister. The other photo was of five women including Chaeryeong wrapped up in wintery clothes all standing with their arms around each other, the background was illuminated with various colours looked like a theme park of some sort.

"Here I will still take them, thank you for wanting to do it but it's the Christmas period if anyone should be staying late around here it's me. You should be having fun." Y/n stated.

"No its absolutely fine and I've made a start on them all so I'm in the flow. I really don't mind doing them honestly." Her voice was soft but had a determination about it and Y/n sighed.

"If you insist.......fine you can finish them, on the condition you go home right now as I am and you go home when I go, up until you complete the tasks. That way I can be on hand to help, you may also leave before me if you wish. I don't like my employees burning themselves out." Y/n compromised.

The brunette nodded drawing her lower lip into her mouth anxiously not wanting to go against her boss too much. "Sure. Le...let me just stop at a good point and turn my computer off."

Not wanting to be overbearing Y/n took a few steps away bringing her phone out, to allow Chaeryeong to feel more comfortable.

A couple of minutes later she heard movement and Chaeryeong was now wrapped up warm in a thick padded coat, scarf and a woolly hat her long hair flowing out from it. Honestly Y/n thought she looked quite adorable which she kept to herself. "Ready to go?"

"Yess, you didn't have to wait." Chaeryeong voiced softly and Y/n just shrugged.

"I couldn't trust you not to stay." She chuckled lightly turning around to head for the exit as Chaeryeong followed behind.

There was some awkward silence as the elevator moved down to the parking lot, Y/n hadn't noticed Chaeryeong had also pressed the lobby button so was about to step out when it did come to a halt.

"Oh that's not the parking lot."

"It's me, I will see you tomorrow Miss L/n." Chaeryeong said and bowed.

"Hey wait.....you don't have a car?" Y/n asked.

The brunette stopped shaking her head. "I get the metro....."

"Where do you live? Let me give you a ride........I mean as a thank you for doing my work." Y/n offered quickly holding the elevator door open. Chaeryeong was reluctant but she was tired and atleast she knows Y/n car would be warm.

"Fine....thank you. Insadong....." She returned to the elevator timidly. Y/n really didn't think she was that intimidating, she made it her mission to make her more comfortable around herself if they were both going to be staying late for the foreseeable.

"Great, let's go." Y/n gave a friendly expression.

The drive was still a little awkward, however Y/n managed to get some small talk out of her staff member. That she house shared with two of the friends in the picture that was on her desk and clarification it was indeed her older sister in the other, then a little bit about work.

Before long Y/n pulled over reaching the destination. "Thank you....uh for the ride. Got me home alot faster." She shyly smiled getting out of the car. She had only walked a few steps before she heard a shout from her boss. "Hey Chaeryeong......you dropped your glove." Y/n appeared by the brunette with her hand out.

"Oh tha-"

"Whoa Chaer! Is this why you have been coming home late?" A strong voice interupted startling both of them.

"Hi I'm Yeji." The sprightly woman introduced herself holding her hand out to shake. Y/n vaguely recognised the young woman from Chaeryeongs picture, mainly due to her eyes being very distinct.

Y/n held a hand out to meet Yejis with a confused look.

"No Yeji thats not it. I told you I was working late for a while." Chaeryeong denied embarassed that Yeji thought such a thing.

"Hi.....I'm Y/n. Nice to meet you." Y/n casually spoke and she saw the other two eyeballing each other.

"Are you dating Chaeryeong?" Yeji boldy questioned as she intensely looked at Y/n while Chaeryeong looked like she was having an existential crisis.

Y/n chuckled she realised Yeji was trying to intimidate her, she was also surprised with her blunt question. "What Chaeryeong said is true. No we are not dating, you don't have to look at me like that. I'm just her boss."

Chaeryeong was glad Y/n handled it well however she was not sure how she was going to face the CEO tomorrow.

"Her boss?.......Do you drive all your employees home Y/n?" Yeji raised a questioning brow and Chaeryeong was back to wanting to bury her head in the sand.

"Yeji....."

"I am yes. I have been working late aswell and noticed she had been the last one left this week. Turns out she had been doing extra work that I should have been doing, I offered her a ride home as a thank you." Y/n calmy explained.

Yeji was playing devil's advocate she wanted to probe further however thought better of interrogating her friends boss.....for now. She would interrogate Chaer instead once they got inside.

"Yeji let's get inside it's freezing! Thanks again Miss L/n." Chaeryeong hastily spoke wanting ASAP to get out of this situation. It lowkey amused Y/n but she didn't point it out.

Yeji complied and walked inside, Chaeryeong quickly bowed to Y/n and scuttled inside too.

"Yeji what the fuck!? That was my boss!" Chaeryeong scolded her friend now that they were alone, embarassed all over again. "How am I going to face her tomorrow."

"IS THERE something going on?" Yeji brushed off the scolding. Chaeryeong melted back into the sofa whining.

"No literally what she said, that was it. I'm a lowly employee pretty sure as the CEO she would want someone on her level and I don't even know if she swings that way."

"The CEO!? I thought she was just like your department manager or something. Oh my god I'm an idiot. I don't want you to get fired." Yeji frantically let out.

"I tried to tell you! Yeji I don't think she is like that unless it is just a front but according to other staff she is pretty cool. I'm mad at you for embarrassing me but please don't worry about it." Chaeryeong reassured.

"Okay.....I'm sorry Chaer. I guess that explains the fancy car now......tell her that im sorry" Yeji apologised.

........................

Chaeryeong was dreading coming to work today, she was running through possibilities in her head of how Y/n would react.

It was 8.45am when she set foot at her desk, organising herself ready to work when her manager Jeongyeon popped over. "Morning Chaeryeong, the boss wants to see you when you're sorted."

The brunette gulped before composing herself swiftly looking at her manager. "Morning Jeongyeon.....oh right.....thanks for letting me know."

Jeongyeon nodded and gave a friendly smile going back to her work.

Taking a minute Chaeryeong then made her way to the CEOs office. "Morning Sana.....Miss L/n wants to see me?"

Sana the bright spark as ever beamed at the older one, she was perfect for a secretary job. "Good morning, yes I will just let her know you're here."

She stood up knocking on the door before entering, she heard muffled voices and Sana came back. "You can head in." She smiled. Chaeryeong nodded and timidly opened to door going over the threshold closing the door behind her.

"Good morning Miss L/n, you wanted to see me?" She bowed and made eye contact with the CEO who had a neutral expression heightening her anxiety.

Y/n had a steaming cup of coffee on her desk surrounded by papers and a few files. "Morning Chaeryeong, yes I did. Don't look so worried....." Y/n spoke reassuringly showing a lop sided smile.

"I can tell you probably mulled over that interaction yesterday evening with your friend?......I just wanted to let you know you aren't in trouble or anything, like I said I'm not that kind of boss. If anything it was kind of amusing, it's good your friends are protective."

Although a little embarrassed she felt relief wash over her and deflated. "Right......I'm sorry about her it won't happen again. She also told me to tell you she is sorry."

Y/n swivelled in her chair a touch and clasped her hands together in front of her on the desk giving Chaeryeong her full attention. "Don't be......its fine. I certainly wouldn't fire you over something you can't control and wanted to let you know you are a valued member of staff, I realised you haven't been working here that long and have already been making an impression."

The standing woman felt her cheeks get hot, to be acknowledged by the CEO felt great. "Oh...uh thank, thank you Miss L/n. Is that everything?"

The boss nodded, allowing Chaeryeong to turn and leave putting out her hand to grab the handle Y/n spoke again halting the young woman.

"Oh and Chaeryeong.......please feel more comfortable around me." Y/n warmly smiled to which Chaeryeong shyly nodded then left the room.

The brunette let out a long breath as alot of her worry melted away, grasping now that maybe her boss wasn't like other CEOs.

It was after hours now and with staff finished for the day, Y/n and Chaeryeong were still present slaving away. Chaeryeong took these tasks not completely understanding how long theu would take to complete. She now knew it would probably take up until the week of Christmas to finish the jobs, as she couldn't work on them during office hours they were classed as ad hoc duty. The CEO probably could have done them in a much timely manner as this was fairly new to her.

Y/n left about the same time as yesterday, she wandered over to Chaeryeongs work space. "Hey Chaeryeong, it's time to go." Y/n called out tapping her watch making sure the woman complied with the deal. Chaeryeong began tidying up her work, while Y/n waited. "Be sure to let me know if you need a hand with anything okay? Even if I have a lot of work...." Y/n kindly told her.

She didn't have much to tidy away so she was done pretty quick. "I will.....thanks."

The two walking to the elevator Y/n picked up the conversation. "For now would it be handy for you to know what time I will be leaving each evening? I can drop you and email sometime in the afternoon each day to let you know?"

"Sure that would be helpful....."

"Great I will do that." Y/n said calmy, the elevator reached the bottom and they bid their goodnight.

On Friday Y/n let Chaeryeong know she was leaving early, mainly she didn't want her to spend her Friday night working away. Y/n decided to make a habit of basically collecting Chaeryeong on the way to leaving that's if she hadn't already disappeared for the evening and trying to strike up conversation up until the point the pair went their separate ways. One she wanted to get to know her staff member and two making the effort to get Chaeryeong to be comfortable around her.

The next week followed very much the same pattern, by Wednesday Chaeryeong was feeling more relaxed about being around the CEO.

It was Thursday evening it was particularly cold and sleeting on an off the whole day. As Y/n looked out the panel windows in her office she decided she would offer Chaeryeong a lift home again.

Making her way around she greeted Chaeryeong who was already getting off her chair ready to leave. "It's pretty horrible outside do you want a ride tonight?" Y/n asked.

"It is?......yes sure if you don't mind. Thank you." She sweetly smiled pulling her scarf tighter, she wasn't a fan of the cold.

"I don't mind at all."

"Aish....why can't it snow properly, this stuff is disgusting." Chaeryeong complained staring out the front windscreen of the car, very appreciative of the heated seats.

"I know it just turns to dirty mush right away......" Y/n agreed making sure to concentrate on the road due to the conditions.

"Oh umm, I will need you to sign off on some of the jobs that I'm busy doing, I guess those were the ones you were definitely supposed to get." Chaeryeong mentioned.

Y/n hummed. "No problem just bring them my way when you think you've finished them."

There was a brief comfortable silence between them, as her superior Y/n didn't want to ask to personal questions fearing it would set their work relationship back. "What are you're housemates like? I've only ever lived with my parents or by myself."

"I'm the youngest of us three so they treat me like a little sister. I guess we bicker sometimes......but they're good people and we have known each other for years." Chaeryeong had a fond expression as she told Y/n about her friends that were basically sisters.

"Sounds like fun, part of me wished I'd had that. I got too occupied with starting the company up." Y/n said.

"Do.....do you have a sibling?" The fox looking girl asked.

"I do, I have a sister. I am 27, she's five years younger than me? She's.........your typical annoying little sis. Is your sister older?" Y/n chuckled as she smoothly drove nearing their destination.

"Oh we're the same age! We do look pretty alike but shes a couple years older than me." Chaeryeong responded.

"Really? That's cool. I guess I have a lot of employees younger than me, it still feels odd that I'm in charge of people way older than myself to."

"I can imagine."

"And we're........here." Y/n said lightly bringing the car to a halt.

"Thanks, I appreciate the ride. See you tomorrow." Chaeryeong let out.

"Again no problem, but you're welcome." Y/n gave a friendly smile. Chaeryeong went to get out the car but groaned as she saw her other housemate bringing some rubbish out. "Just my luck......."

"What is it?"

"It's my lucky day, now my other housemate just spotted me with you." Chaeryeong grimaced.

"Ahh......do you want me to back you up? I know how friends are or would you just like me to leave?" Y/n proposed slightly amused, a pretty unfortunate coincidence.

"She might be less annoying if you wouldn't mind helping me out?" A hopeful Chaeryeong said. Y/n nodded took off her seat belt exiting the white E-class, dressed in her smart business suit it totally oozed superior vibes. Chaeryeong followed suit seeing her housemate Lia dilly dally waiting for her younger friend.

"Chaeryeong hey! There's some stew inside ready made." Lia greeted in attire that screams I'm not leaving the house for the rest of the night, a hoody and patterned pyjama trousers. Taking a glance at the stranger with her friend she felt rather under dressed.