Mikaela got into a lot of fist fights as a teenager at the south side of Nexpoint downtown. Sometimes he won, usually when he fought betas. Other times well, some alphas showed him the physical difference between Alphas and Omegas. But that didn't stop Mikaela from challenging them.
It wasn't fighting for the fun of it. It was always in defence of some defenceless creature getting picked on. Nerdy betas, Shy omegas, Mikaela would come in to save them from a beating. Not because he pitied them or anything like that. He even detested them for being such pushovers. The reason he fought was he hated bullies, people who had to step over someone they deemed as lesser, whether for gratification or to stay relevant. It didn't matter to him. He saw all of them as trash to be disposed of.
— • —
Ji-hoon called Mikaela in his office right after he defended Mira. The bodyguards are outside as directed by Ji-hoon, who demanded to be alone with Mikaela. He's sitting on his desk, staring right at Mikaela. Mikaela is standing upright, a bit far from the desk, but in a close enough range to be aimed with the daggers, Ji-hoon was shooting out from his intense eyes.
Beads of sweat trickle down Mikaela's forehead. He gulps as he finds his throat, feeling dry as he tries his best to remain composed despite his worries. He decides it's best to apologise for the sake of appearances.
"Sir, It was foolish of me to -"
"You know, in all my thirty-five years of living, no one has ever stood up to me before." Ji-hoon gets off from his chair, "No matter what I did, I never got a push back. Honestly, I'm impressed."
Mikaela tries not to laugh, This guy is a total nutcase.
Ji-hoon steps forward to Mikaela, his hands in his pockets, "So what prompted you to do so?"
Mikaela looks at him blankly with a slightly bored expression on his face, "Sir, with all due respect, you shouldn't have said something like that to Mira. She's clearly underweight and seems to have some type of anxiety issues."
"Oh, did she tell you that? Already making friends, are we Mr. Miller?" Ji-hoon grins, his body getting uncomfortable close to Mikaela.
Mikaela takes some steps back since it feels like Ji-hoon is sucking the air right out of his lungs with how close he is, "No, It's obvious from her appearan- Agh!"
Mikaela seems to have missed his step and trips backwards. While he internally chastises himself for making a fool of himself in a mission, his fall is abruptly stopped. A tight grip holds him, pulling him up close.
Ji-hoon chuckles, and Mikaela can feel the deep rumbling vibration due to their close proximity. "I think you should look out for yourself more before you watch other people's backs, Mr. Miller."
Mikaela pants heavily, visually flushed and a little embarrassed.
Ji-hoon doesn't give him time to catch his breath, pulling him closer, his grip getting tighter as his finger kneads his sides. "Why your bravado impressed me, and I find your concern on others foolish yet endearing. I suggest you focus on your job and watch your step. Your concern is me, in more ways than one. Ola will fill you in on that last part."
Ji-hoon squeezes one last time before patting his lower back, "You're free to go now. "
Mikaela can't even hide the uneasiness on his face as he walks away, taking one last glance at Ji-hoon who smiles and sends a goodbye wave.
— • —
Mikaela leaves Ji-hoon's Office disoriented. Just when he was figuring out what Ji-hoon meant by "more ways than one," Ola Joshua exits the HR office and stumbles into him.
Ola gives Mikaela a handshake, "Ah, there you are, Mr. Miller." laughs nervously, "You know, how about I give you a tour? After all, you need to know your way around as the company's new secretary."
Mikaela shakes his head, coming back to sense, "Ola, wait, is there something you're not telling me?"
Ola drops the facade, his face now bearing an anxious look to it. He takes a stealthy glance at the door before he answers, "Okay…maybe I wasn't entirely clear on the job description in the application." He dials his voice down, "One of your tasks as Mr. Jang's secretary is, for lack of better words, is to do things...with him, whenever he demands it…wherever he demands it."
Seconds ticked by as Mikaela processed this, he had his suspicions, but at worst he thought Ji-hoon could get quite handy and say inappropriate things, not that getting physical was just as mandatory as reminding him of his daily schedule.
Everything I learn about this scum bag makes me sick.
Mikaela gives Ola a dirty look, "Some HR manager you are, this isn't just harassment and coercion. It's bordering on human rights violations."
Ola sighs almost dramatically, his head hanging low, "Believe me, I know how awful it sounds, and if you wish to walk away and quit, you are free to do so. But if you choose to stay, you would consent to the terms, and you can't hold anything against my conscience. Whatever you do from there would be between you and Mr. Jang. There's a reason we don't hire omegas. It could lead to pregnancy, and besides, omegas barely qualify anyway-"
Mikaela storms off, unable to stand any more bullshit from someone so spineless. When he reaches the bathroom, he calls Darcy.
Her voice comes up, "Mikaela, you there? Any Progress, I was beginning to get worried -"
"Put the Director on."
"Huh? Is there an issue? " She sounds puzzled.
"Don't ask, just do as I say." Mikaela's voice strains on the little patience he has.
"Well, she's gonna ask why, and I would rather not look stupid in front of the Director because my partner won't tell me anything."
She thinks we are partners. Cute.
"Fine, send her this message; She knows the real reason why she sent me on this undercover mission so she can cut the crap about me being the best person suited for the job. On a second thought, she wasn't entirely wrong. In more ways than one."
"Huh? Mikaela, hold on -"
He switches off the communicators.