During my private tour of the robotics lab at Lee Enterprises...my heart beats out of my chest when Robin walks in on me and Lee Know in a rather...compromising position.
"Robin, what are you doing here? And why is Sofia calling you?"
"She was looking for you. Do I even want to know what you two were up to?"
"We were just working." I answered.
"You know you don't actually work here, right (Y/N)?"
"Lee Know was showing me the prototypes. That counts as work..."
"We don't need to explain ourselves to you, Robin. Did you finish the press release for the Milan breach?"
"I've been a little busy, but apparently I'm not the only one."
Enough. If you have something to say, say it. If not, then get back to work."
Robin storms toward the exit...but pauses at the door.
"I almost forgot. Sofia had a message for you, (Y/N). She said since you were doing this office tour today, you should come to the company picnic. This weekend."
"Really? I thought she wanted me fired."
"It's probably a 'keep your enemies closer' type of thing. She already told Mom and Dad about the invite, so they're expecting you to be there."
Robin walks out of the lab without a second glance. Lee Know sighs and turns to me.
"(Y/N), are you okay?"
"I can handle Robin. I'm not worried about him. It's not like he actually saw anything incriminating."
Lee Know nods, his eyes searching my expression.
"You don't have to come to the picnic, you know."
Something about the tone of Lee Know's voices gives me pause...
Does he not want me there?
"If you...think it's best I don't--"
I move away, but Lee Know reaches out to put a hand on my arm. I turn toward him, but avert my eyes from his.
"That's not what I meant. I want you there. Against my better instincts...I always want you wherever I am."
I finally look up, my breath catching as I meet his gaze.
"Okay then. I'll be there."
Finally, the day of the company picnic arrives... I rifle through my things, trying to find the right outfit.
"Okay, I give up. I have no idea what to wear to something like this."
As if on cue, I hear the pattering of feet running down the hallway. I turn just in time to see Mason and Mickey appear at my door, holding a bag that's almost as big as they are.
"(Y/N)! We got you something!" Mickey smiles widely
"Dad said we could surprise you with something for the picnic." Mason added.
"Did he now?"
I open the bag to find a cute, summery outfit, perfect for a day in the sun.
"Let's see how it fits..."
I change in the bathroom and come back to show off my new look for the twins.
"What do you think?"
"No idea! We don't know anything about fashion." Mickey shrugs.
"But you seem to like it, so we do too!" Mason smiles big.
I laugh as I wrap them both in a big hug. They hug me back, then jump up as someone knocks on my door.
"(Y/N), have you seen the boys--"
"Dad, look! (Y/N)'s wearing the outfit we picked out!" Mason blurted.
"Oh, wow. You look...nice."
"Just nice?"
Lee Know glances over at the twins, then drops his voice to a husky whisper so only I can hear."
"Definitely not 'just nice', but I'm trying to be good."
"I think i like you better when you let yourself be bad."
Lee Know's eyes darken as he drinks me in...then he clears his throat and straightens up.
"Right. Is everyone ready to go in here?"
"I am!" Mason answers.
"Wait, I forgot my socks!" Mickey says running to his room.
Lee Know gives me one last look before he follows the boys out of my room.
This is gonna be one hell-of-a-picnic...
When we arrive at Central Park, the sun is high and a pleasant breeze wafts over the grounds, but the boys are still dragging behind me and Lee Know.
"What's the problem, you two? You don't like picnic?"
"Normal picnics, yeah. But who knows what Aunt Sofia has done to this one?" Mickey states.
"Boys, I promise you, Aunt Sofia didn't have any part in planning this picnic." Lee Know reassures them.
"But we still have to follow her rules, don't we?" Mason asks.
"You can still have fun too. Besides, there'll be so much going on, I bet she won't even notice if you sneak an ice cream cone. Assuming your dad says it's okay, of course."
"Really?" Mickey asks with joy.
"Sure. But just the one treat. We don't want you to get a sugar overload."
The boys gasp as we round the corner and the company picnic comes into view.
"It's beautiful...I can see our building from here!" Mason exclaims.
Sofia strides across the lawn toward the four of us, waving hello.
"Min-ho, you've got to see this. It's accounting versus legal on the badminton court!"
She pauses as she takes in my outfit, then plasters a smile on her face.
"Well, don't you look adorable. You always know how to turn it on when it matters most, don't you?"
"I try."
"Can you also try to keep the boys from getting too dirty or being too loud or eating any sugar or running near the adults? Min-ho and I will be right back."
"You got it. Come on, boys. Let's see what Lee Enterprises has in the way of games."
"Yeah! Games! Games! Games!" Mickey shouts.
Across the picnic area, I and the boys run into some familiar faces.
"Mason, Mickey, (Y/N). Welcome to our humble little affair." Mr. Lee greets with a smile.
"Thanks for having us."
" 'Humble'? You don't want to see the receipt on this thing. And you certainly dressed for the occasion, didn't you, (Y/N)? Very fun!"
"Indeed. She fits right in. Have you boys been getting enough sunshine and sugar to keep you occupied?"
"Not yet!" Mickey answers his grandpa.
"We were just about to fix that."
"Do you mind if we take over? We just can't resist spoiling them." Vivian smiles real big.
"Be my guest."
I stay behind as the twins go with their grandparents. A moment later, one of the engineers I met at the office waves me over to where he's talking to Robin.
"Hello again, (Y/N). I see you made it to the company picnic. We must've charmed you during your visit." Grant smiles.
"Lee Know really sold the company, trust me. I got a private window into exactly how persuasive he can be."
I guess Robin's still upset about the lab incident...
"Lee Know definitely did. The entire environment was so friendly and mature, not to mention focused."
"Isn't it so crazy how childish office politics can be?" Grant laughs.
"Well, we are only human. Sometimes you just see something that makes you emotional."
Just then, Mr. Lee's voice rings out through a megaphone, and everyone gathers around in a grassy field to hear him speak.
"Welcome to the Annual Lee Enterprises Company Picnic! I hope you're ready for some good old-fashioned fun! We've got everything from giant Jenga to croquet to kickball... But the highlight of the afternoon will be starting in five minutes...tug-of-war!"
I turn to Robin, who is still standing next to me.
"Is he serious? I dominate at tug-of-war!"
"I'm sure that's not all you dominate."
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"It's Complex A versus Complex B! If you're not an employee, pick a side." Mr. Lee states.
There's an excited murmur as everyone splits into teams on opposite sides of the field, leaving me stranded in the middle.
"Are you sitting out too, (Y/N)? This game is so filthy and juvenile, I always sunbathe through it." Sofia tells me.
"(Y/N)! You have to be on our team!" Mason tells me.
"Yeah! Together we'll be unstoppable!" Mickey cheers with excitement.
I look at the boys' smiling faces...then to Lee Know, right behind them.
"We could use the extra hand..." Lee Know says with a smile.
"If (Y/N) doesn't want to play, she doesn't have to play."
Well, Robin definitely doesn't want me to be on Lee Know's team...but since when do I care what Robin wants?
"I can't resist a good competition. I'm in!"
"Yeah! Suck it, Uncle Robin!"
"Mickey..." Lee Know scolds.
"I mean...you're going down?"
"We'll see, kiddo. At least we don't have any distractions on our team."
"Bring it on."
I huddle with Lee Know, Mason, Mickey and the other members of our team on one side of the field.
"First thing's first, we need a team name!" Mason says.
"What about...Team Lee?" I suggest.
"Yeah, go Team Lee!"
"Enough conferring! It's time to play." Mr. Lee laughs.
"On our mark, both teams will start pulling on opposite sides of the rope. Whichever team pulls the center of the rope over their line wins. Understood?" Vivian explains.
"Just pull backward as hard as we can, got it?" I tell the team.
"Boys up front. (Y/N), you can stand by me."
I slide in front of Lee Know and grip the rope, acutely aware of his close presence behind me. I look across the field to see Robin glaring at me... I stick my tongue out at Robin. He rolls his eyes at me, but I can tell I'm distracting him from the game.
"Is that your method of long-distance trash talk?"
"It's working, isn't it? Robin's head isn't in the game, which means we've got this in the bag."
"Let's put that theory to the test."
"Everybody ready? On your mark..." Mr. Lee begins.
"Get set..." Vivian says.
"Pull!"
I surge forward as the other team starts pulling on the rope!
"Whoa! Dig your heels!" I shout.
I grit my teeth and bear down on the rope, refusing to stumble toward the other team. I meet Robin's eyes and glare.
"You'll have to do better than that!"
"Pull, Mickey! Puuuuuuuullll!"
"I am pulling, Mason!"
"Then pull harder!"
My fingers tighten around the rope, and I heave backward with all my strength. The other side starts to give!
"Hold...your...ground! " Robin shouts
"That's it, Team Lee! We've got'em on the ropes!" Lee Know cheers.
I dig my heels into the ground just as the rope shifts...putting me directly into the path of a mud patch!
Crap!
I scoot to the side, and the direction of the rope shifts again, saving me from a slippery fate.
"Almost...there!"
My team gains ground as Robin's composure continues to slip...
"We can't...let them win... Look at them! Though I guess (Y/N) does have some experience playing dirty."
Seriously, Robin? Trash talk?
"You know what they say, Robin... All's fair in love and tug-of-war!"
My team gives one final wrench backward...and we overtake the other side, heaving the center of the rope across the marker!
"Hnnnnn!"
The momentum causes me to stagger back...and into Lee Know's arms. His grip tightens around me as he holds me flush against his body. I look back into his eyes, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades away...
"...Hi."
"Hi."
My breath catches as I find myself getting lost in his eyes.
"Lee Know..."
"(Y/N), I--"
The noise of the celebrating team jars us from our moment.
"And the winner is...Team Lee!" Mr. Lee shouts.
"Congratulations." smiles Vivian.
"We did it!"
"Team Lee for the win!"
Jarred from the spell, Lee Know's arms fall away from me just in time for Mason and Mickey to tackle him in a bear hug!
"You did it, boys!"
"We did it, Dad!"
"Yeah, we couldn't have beat Uncle Robin without you and (Y/N)!"
"And we couldn't have done it without you two."
I reach down to ruffle Mickey's hair, and he grins up at me.
"That's one way to put it."
I whip around to find Robin standing right behind me, somehow looking even more furious than before.
"Nobody likes a sore loser, Robin. Be a good example for your nephews." Vivian tells Robin as she gently lays a hand on my shoulder.
"Minnie, my big, strong man! I've got a wet wipe and a fresh shirt with your name on it."
"I--"
But before he can protest, Sofia loops her arm through Lee Know's and tugs him away. I watch them go...until the boys claim my attention again.
"(Y/N), can we play giant Jenga now?"
"Absolutely! Lead the way..."
Later, after a few rounds of Jenga with Mason and Mickey, the boys go off with their grandparents for ice cream, leaving me free to sneak off to the food station. I've just place my order when someone steps up behind me.
"You're a hard woman to catch alone."
"I didn't know you'd been trying."
"After what I saw at the lab, talking to you is all I've been able to think about. What the hell is going on between you and Lee Know? For real."
"You want the truth? There's nothing going on."
I cross my arms over my chest, refusing to back down.
"And I don't appreciate the accusation."
"It didn't look like 'nothing' in the robotics lab."
"You know what they say about assuming, Robin."
Robin sighs deeply, massaging his temple.
"Look, (Y/N), I'm all for some innocent flirting, like at the engagement party...but whatever I walked in on the other day wasn't innocent. I was on-board for making Lee Know mad when I thought he just didn't want me sleeping with his nanny. I didn't know I was making him legit jealous. I'm just worried about you, (Y/N)."
"Robin...I can take care of myself. I appreciate your...concern, but it's not necessary. I've got everything under control."
"From where I'm standing, it doesn't look like it. Lee Know is the best man I know. And in another life, you two could've been great together... But in this life, he has obligations to his family, his company, and his fiancée. You have to back down. It's the right thing to do."
I stare at Robin, unsure how to respond. No matter what my heart says...part of me is worried he's right. But before I can confront the truth of that realization, the snack vendor calls my order number.
"That's mine. And I'd better find Mason and Mickey soon, anyway, since I'm...just the nanny."
"Think about what I've said, okay?"
I nod. Thankfully, by the time I've collected my food, Robin's disappeared into the crowd. Late that afternoon, after many more games and hot dogs, the picnic draws to a close. I help the twins get ready to leave.
"Okay boys, Carter will be here any minute. Let's wipe our hands and throw away our trash."
"But my hands are super clean! Seeeeee?"
Mickey holds up his hands, which are covered in streaks of some sort of sauce. I stifle a grin.
"Then let's wipe them again, just to make extra sure."
I gather the paper plates on the blanket and turn to find Lee Know approaching me with an open trash bag.
"I'll take those."
The two of us fall into step together as I follow the boys toward the edge of the park where Carter will pick us up.
"So, did you have a good time today?"
"Well, I think the boys had fun."
"I'm glad to hear that, but that's not what I asked. You weren't here as just their nanny, (Y/N). I want you to have fun too."
"I had fun. But to be honest, this moment right here with you? It's been the best part of my day."
"The party planning committee will be disappointed to hear it...but it's my favorite too."
I spot Carter pulling up in the town car, and Sofia and Robin are already waiting at the curb.
"Looks like the ride home will be a little crowded tonight."
"Good thing I can get out of it for once. I always stay behind and help the cleaning crew after the picnic. It's the least I can do to show my appreciation for everything."
"No one's too good to clean up their own mess, right Dad?" Mason states.
"That's exactly right, little man."
"But we don't have to stay...right?" Mickey looks at his dad with a smile.
"Not until you're a little older."
I try to hide my smile at the look of relief on Mickey's face as he climbs into the car, followed by his brother.
"Yes, honey, very inspiring. See you at home."
Sofia blows Lee Know a kiss, then follows the boys. Now only Robin stands waiting for me to join.
"(Y/N), are you coming?"
I look at the crowded backseat and my soon-to-be squished middle seat...then at Lee Know. He smiles at me encouragingly.
"You're welcome to stay and help, if you want. It won't take long between us and the crew. We usually divide the conquer to cover more ground."
Sounds like the perfect way to get some alone time with Lee Know.
"Sounds like a great way to help out this afternoon."
"Sure. Just...remember what I said."
Robin gives me one last glare before he slides into the car, and it drives off. Lee Know and I head back to the picnic area, and start picking up red cups and stray napkins together.
"Have you ever been to a big picnic like this before?"
"I have never been to one before. Neither of my parents ever had a company picnic, so this was a first."
"And? What's the verdict?"
"I'll let you know when I have one."
I lock eyes with Lee Know...then turn away after a moment. I grab a stack of paper plates and slip them into my trash bag.
"I bet you've been to a million of these things over the years."
"You could say that. I was still a kid when we held the first one, but it looked nothing like this. We could practically all fit on one blanket back then."
"It's hard to imagine the company being that small."
"Yeah, we've definitely grown a lot since then. But as soon as I sometimes miss how...simple things were back then, we also couldn't make as big of a difference. We can help so many more people now that we're bigger."
"I bet that feels good."
"It does. And it definitely makes the hard days a little easier."
"Speaking of, I can't believe you're not soaking in a bubble bath right now. You were at the center of all the activity today."
I reach for a red cup at the same time as Lee Know and blush. My fingers linger on his for a moment before I withdraw my hand.
"Sorry."
"No worries. I am pretty tired, but it's a Lee family tradition to stay behind with the workers and, well, work. My father always stayed behind, but now that he's older, the mantle falls on me."
"You know, Robin mentioned one time that he's also being considered for CEO...but I can't really picture him staying behind, even if it's part of the job description."
"Yeah, well, he probably wouldn't have to, even if he were CEO. My dad has always held Robin to different standards than me. But at this point, that would only happen if I really, really messed up."
I glance around and realize the rest of the cleaning crew is on the far side of the park, giving me some semblance of privacy.
"Taking responsibility has never been Robin's strong suit. Great at making messes, though."
At the mention of messes, I can't help but think back to what Robin said earlier...
Flashback
"Lee Know has obligations, to his family, his company, and his fiancée. You have to back down. It's the right thing to do."
Present
Robin's not the only one who's great at making messes, apparently.
"You're being awfully quiet over there."
"Hmm? Oh, I just...have a lot on my mind... Actually, Lee Know...there's something I want to talk to you about..."
Lee Know immediately stops what he's doing and looks at me.
"What did Robin do now?"
"Earlier today, he pulled me aside and demanded that I leave you alone..."
Lee Know goes still, measuring me carefully with his eyes.
"What did you say?"
"I told him I didn't know what he was talking about...but I don't think he believed me."
Lee Know sighs, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'm so sorry I've put you in this position, (Y/N). You shouldn't have to deal with my brother confronting you like this."
Lee Know reaches out to touch my face, and I feel a pang in my chest at the intimacy.
"Robin seemed pretty sure that at the end of all this...I would be the one who ends up hurt."
Lee Know's fingertip trails tenderly along my jawline.
"As much as I hate to say it--and as much as I will do everything in my power to prevent it--he's probably right. But (Y/N), my parents' expectations, the company politics, Sofia...it all just fades away when I look at you."
"Lee Know..."
Just then, the sprinklers turn on, dousing us both!
"Oh!"
I curl against Lee Know's chest as he tries--and fails--to shield me.
"Okay, seriously, who sets their sprinklers to go off in the middle of the afternoon?"
"Someone who got AM and PM mixed up?"
Lee Know reaches to smooth my now-dripping hair out of my face, his eyes serious.
"You look beautiful like this...I've never seen you wet before."
"You don't know that."
"That's not fair. Now that's all I can think about..."
"Now you know how I feel."
Lee Know's eyes darken...
"Does that mean you think about me all the time? At night, in bed, alone..."
"Yes...touching myself, thinking of you, wondering if you're turned on, because of me." I smile seductively at him.
"Always..."
Lee Know's grip tightens around me...Lee Know's eyes flash as he lowers his head, capturing my lips with his. His hands are all over me now and I kiss him back, deeply, dizzily... I groan as Lee Know's mouth melts against mine. I grind back helplessly.
"(Y/N)...what are you doing to me? "
Lee Know's lips trail from my mouth along my jaw...then up to my ear...
"I can't seem to control myself around you..."
"Maybe I want you to lose control..."
Tangling my fingers in his wet hair, I drag his lips back to mine. I gasp as his fingertips graze my nipples through the wet fabric of my clothes...
"I want nothing more than to lay you down and take you right here, but..."
I gasp as his mouth blazes a fiery trail down my neck...
"We are still in public...and in broad daylight."
Lee Know pauses, pressing his forehead against mine, eyes closed...
"Dammit."
Lee Know leans in for one last kiss, softer, slower, before pulling away. My body throbs as he steps away...but he keeps one of my hands in his.
"You're going to be the death of me, (Y/N)."
He glances around the thankfully still-empty section of the park.
"Or at least, the death of my reputation."
"...You're welcome?"
Lee Know chuckles as he picks up his trash bag again.
"We should probably get back to cleaning, or we'll never finish."
"Oh, I'm desperate to finish, alright."
Lee Know gives me a look, but we both refocus on the job at hand...and getting out of the sprinklers' spray. Over the next few days, everything seems to return to normal... Until I hear a knock at my bedroom door one morning.
"I wonder what Lee Know wants so early.
I check my hair, then open the door to let him in.
"Sofia! What're you doing here?"
"(Y/N), I heard about what happened at the picnic. We need to talk."