I
As clear as the sky, quiet surrounding. There goes a woman, walking by the corridor of a known, a much known building. Her heels taps and echoes through the empty hallway, indicating she has yet to see people in a few hours. Cascading a small interior waterfall by the wall. Emitting relaxing music to anyone who adores peace. On the corner of the hall, she was met with an elevator. She pressed a button ascending towards her work zone. That woman was you.
You patiently tap your foot to the elevator floor while you waited arriving at your destination. Classical music surrounded the small room, you absolutely hated.
Yes. You hate classical music. No offense.
You sighed as the elevator went to a halt, indicating you reached your destination. Slowly but surely, the door slides smoothly open. You walked towards your lone office, which stood a petite looking being waiting your arrival.
“Good morning, Miss. Early as always”, she greeted. You wondered why your so called secretary was as early as you. You just gave a lazy nod, swiping a card beside your office door to have it unlocked.
You walked in to your office, threw your belongings under your work desk. Only taking out your planner and phone and as you faced your secretary, “I should be telling you the same. What are you doing early?” you asked. Your secretary approached you as she dropped about five file folders on your desk revealing it to be somewhat you need to sign.
You gazed at the folders lying on top of your desk and gave them a lazy stare; you hated wasting some ink from your favorite pens only to be signing a bunch of stupid papers. “The higher aids need for you to finish signing before the day ends”, before she could step foot out of your office, you called her.
“Rina?” you called lazily as you feel a yawn coming out of your mouth. She came to ask what it is as you scan through the documents on your desk.
“Will you bring me some coffee? I need to release before the meeting this afternoon,” as you take your seat, starting signing through the mountains of paper. “Of course, Miss. The usual?”
“Yes”, with that she left your office then you let out another sigh.
You’ve been working with the company for almost half of your life. Well, not literally. You started working at the same company at the age of 20, right after you graduated college. The company revolves around branded clothing line all over South Korea. And you admit it wasn’t easy. You started as an intern, where your seniors or higher ups gave you more than work you deserve before you achieved your position as of now.
With all the passion, all the hard work and sweats you’ve invested for this company, here you are, the highest position anyone could ever get in your department. Of course, you have a higher boss, a CEO.
On the other side of the hall, your secretary crossed through a now full of employee rushing to their work stations. Before she could enter the company cafeteria, a dashing man greeted her. A man so dashing, masculine body with toned muscle visible through his long sleeve button up shirt and geez, this man is oozing with handsomeness with hair brushed up, revealing his forehead. Like a God, who came out of nowhere?
“Hey cutsie, is your boss in her den now?” the man greeted with a smile with oh so, white teeth shining. The girl blushed on the nickname he just named her. Blushing cheeks with pink rosy shade, gaze down to her black, newly shined flat shoes, she bit her lower lip while fiddling with her fingers.
“Uh.. Good morning, Mr. Kim. Yes, she’s already in her office.” She answered with her tiny little voice, suppressing a shy tone. “And I suppose you’re getting her coffee?” the man asked her again.
“Oh, yes. She said she needed a release of---” the man cut her off. “A release, huh?” he thought to himself.
Kim Seok Jin, the man your secretary is talking to. He’s from another department, but of same company. He’s coming to visit you from every now and then to check up on you.
No, he’s not the CEO, or son of the CEO. But he does look like one. Like how he professionally dress himself for work. He’s well respected in his department as well as you are in your own department. As a matter of fact, he quite took an interest in you. That’s why he’s been visiting you for some time.
“I’ll take it from here, babe. You can go back to your station”, Jin claimed he’ll get your coffee instead. Of course, he knows your favorite, he did his research.
A few minutes passed, your secretary is yet to come back with your coffee in her hand. Surprisingly, you already finished one of the five folders before your desk. And then a knock was heard from across your room. You simply uttered a “Come in”, there revealed a handsome being bearing two cups of coffee in both his hands. To your dismay and wondered where did your secretary go? But instead this man appeared.
“Here’s your coffee, princess.” You halt from your position, hearing a man’s voice instead of your secretary’s. She yet gave him a lazy stare. “What are you doing here??” you questioned the man. And for the nth time, of course, he gave you a charming smile. He only wished you’d talk to him more nicely today. Ever since you acquired your position as department head, he’s been visiting your office. Hoping you two could get along even if you are on separate department.
“Is it wrong to take care of my princess?” he cooed, giving you a small, cute pout. You admit, he’s cute and handsome, but you never took a liking for this person. You thought of him as a “Rival” more than a nice friend. Each department is different. Since they are a clothing brand company, they fought for each line. They need their stats high to be able to get praised.
“I’m not your princess, Kim”, you directed to him coldly. You stood up from your chair to snatch the coffee from his hand. You waved a hand gesturing for him to leave but he didn’t budged. Eyeing you from head to toe, while you take a sip of your coffee.
“What?” you questioned the man. He let out a small sigh, walking towards one of the chairs on the front of your desk. Casually taking a sip of his coffee as well. “Do you always pull your hair up in to a lace braid bun?” eyeing at your current hair do. You always adore a bun like this and it took definitely a long time before you mastered it yourself.
“And? You have a problem with that?” he scoffed, trying his best not to lose his shit for this hard headed woman. No matter how hard you try not to acknowledge his presence, he’ll always be paying you a visit. Until you learn to accept him. Which will be never? You thought to yourself.
Yes, all the girls in the company are head over hills for this guy, but not you. Once a rival, will always be a rival. Nothing more, nothing less. The two departments had been the highest ranked department of all time. They are always fighting to get on top. You don’t wanna lose to a guy, you want to prove your worth, as a woman. Proving a woman can do whatever man can.
“I think you’ll look more beautiful with your hair down, don’t you think?” he took another sip of his coffee. You, instead of giving him answers, went to your desk and attempted to finish signing all the documents before lunch time. He let out a chuckle of how amused he was of you.
He sometimes loves to pull a prank on you as well, just only to get you notice him. He’s so desperate of your attention, to fully notice. Why? He doesn’t wanna admit but more like he’s attracted to you. Admired you, for being the only woman on top of a department. And he definitely did not want to admit it until he was sure of his feelings.
“Giving me another cold treatment. I’m hurt, baby..” you paid no attention to him. Not long before he received a text from his own secretary, telling him he’s needed in his office. He stood up from his seat and gave you a last stare. “Are you leaving or not?” you simply asked without eye contact. “Geez, no need to be cold. I promise you one day, you’ll notice me, princess.” He gave you his signature wink before heading out of the door. But, his head peeked through a small gap of the once again opened door.
“Don’t forget to finish your coffee, see you at the meeting.” This time he casted a flying kiss towards you. “Ugh! Freak!” you annoyingly slammed your desk with your hand forming a fist of anger.
Afternoon came. But after having your lunch with some of your co-workers, you feel a little bit of nausea building up in your stomach. Was it the lunch you ate at the cafeteria? You always brought your own lunch before but ever since you became a boss, you were too busy to even cook your lunch.
You are already in your late twenty’s and you live alone. Both your parents are currently living in the province with your younger sister. You did have your fair experience of relationships and some flings but you’re not someone who settles early. You still have a dream to achieve. That is to give a property for your parents since they still rent. And of course you helping pay their rent and other bills as well.
Back in your office, you waited for some time before going to the meeting room with the other bosses from each department. And yet again, you were feeling kind of sick, anytime your stomach could grumble from the sensation building up. You wondered. You were not a heavy eater, you had a normal digestion, so why? You just shrugged it off since it’s already time for the meeting. Maybe it’s just because of the air from the AC that is making your stomach upset.
You quickly grabbed your planner and phone, once headed out, you greeted some of the employee who’s currently present at the corridor towards the elevator. Sadly, the meeting room was on the first floor while your office was located on the eleventh floor. Just this day could get any better, you thought.
You arrived at the room without any problem. You scanned the room to see who’s already taken their seats, and of them is your rival, Jin. Once he saw you staring at him for good ol’ ten seconds, he let out a smirk like he’s planning something evil. You took a seat just right in front of him, which is ten feet away. It’s the only seat near you since you don’t wanna move much.
Soon, the CEO came in to proceed with the meeting. Throughout the meeting, you felt the grumble of your stomach getting worst, you couldn’t pay attention to the meeting anymore. You clench your hand in your stomach, and then you felt pain. But eventually goes off. You didn’t understand what was happening. You’re starting to let out small groan, which thankfully wasn’t loud enough to be heard.
Meanwhile, Jin has been carefully eyeing you. Letting out soft chuckles to see how you’re suffering. He knew this was going to happen and he’s quite amused by the scenery before him. “I’m sure you won’t last long, Y/N”, he talked in his head. While you, contemplating whether you would excuse yourself or stay until the meeting is over. But then you decided it’s time for you to head out.
The room lit up as soon as you grabbed your planner and phone, indicating the PowerPoint presentation has come to an end. But surely the meeting wasn’t done yet. “So, anyone would like to speak up their suggestions?” asked the CEO himself. You took this opportunity to raise your hand, not caring whether you’ll shame yourself in front of these people.
“Yes, Ms. Y/L?” you cough before speaking out. Standing straight not wanting anyone to know that you have an upset stomach right now. “Uh.. Pardon me, sir. But I kind of need to excuse myself, if I may?” you spilled out in a seriously stern face hoping he would say okay. Jin hid his grin behind his fingers, elbow resting on the round table.
“Suit yourself,” you sighed in relief as you scurried out of the room without saying thank you.
Walking at a fast pace, you looked for the nearest restroom you could find. Inside there stood two women looking at the mirror fixing their hair and touching their makeup. As much as you’re suffering, you waited for the two ladies to leave the premise. You cursed under your breath as you locked the main door, found yourself the nearest cubicle to shut yourself in, not wanting anyone to disturb you.
You have your own private comfort room in your office, but you swear to the gods above your release could not wait any longer. “Damn it! Of all time!” you cursed once again, letting your voice out fully since no one will be able to hear you. You groaned louder as the pain stroke through your stomach. It’s the first time this happened. You tried your hardest to think what you ate wrong. Was it your breakfast? Lunch? Definitely not since it was a fresh salad. The water? Or the coffee you had this morning?
The coffee, you thought. It was Jin who brought you the coffee, not your secretary. And the way he sneaked a smirk while in the meeting room. Definitely not right about him. As you keep him invading your thoughts, suddenly your phone rang. Checking the caller ID to be none other than Kim Seok Jin himself.
“What! The fuck do you want?!” trying your best to hide the pain in your mouth. Instead of a decent answer, he let out a mocking chuckle insulting your well being while being trapped inside a small room all by yourself. “Are you enjoying your release, baby girl?” as his chuckles still echoes in your ear going up to your head.
“What did you put in my coffee, you jerk?!” you were furiously mad at him as you groan again in pain, not wanting the release to stop. Small droplets of sweats start to form around your forehead. “Easy, princess. You must be having a hard time right now,” this time you could feel that he was pouting over the phone. Gross. You wipe away your sweats, silence engulfing over the two of you. You couldn’t take it anymore, you wanted to cry out of pain but you can’t let him hear you crying. Little you know, you badly wanted a smoke because of the stress rising. You have this bad habit of having a smoke or two whenever you feel stressed. Bathroom was not an exception. You did bring a pack but it was locked away in your office, inside your bag.
You heard him chuckle again, “Are you okay there?” a hint of worry was present but you couldn’t figure it out because of another set of pain raging through. “You really think I’m okay?” you shot another question with a calm tone. But deep inside you were completely hurting. You asked him the same question as what he did to your coffee.
“Okay, your secretary said you needed some release so I thought I’d help you out,” you snorted, dumbfounded by his answer completely pissing you off. “And what kind of help was that? Me ending up literally shitting myself?!!” you’ve got a foul mouth and you are very much aware of that. And you’re not afraid to curse this man all day long. You heard another set of chuckles. “Relax, baby. You don’t have to be shy about it. A release is normal. So I asked some laxative and I had it mixed in your coffee,” he half halfheartedly showed concern for you.
“What the fuck, KIM!” you burst out. “That’s not the release I meant! A release of schedule for next week!! Goddamn it!!” of course, he knew it was for the schedule. He tried to hold his laughter acting all worried and stuff. God he was getting in to your nerves. “Oh, I thought you’re having a bad digestion, so—” before he could complete his sentence you burst out again.
“NO, YOU LITTLE FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT!!” you hanged up after that blood boiling conversation with your rival. While the guy on the other line exploded laughing his gut out, forming tears from his very eyes. Oh, how he imagined your face right now. And you on the other hand, stayed in the rest room until your stomach calmed down. Once you felt a little better, you did your cleaning before leaving the area. You hurried your way to your office not wanting to bumped in to anyone who was present at the meeting.
Once you reached your office, there awaited the so called Kim Seok Jin, your rival. Leaning against the door of your office. “Get out of my way, freak!” you shoved him to the side, swiping your card to unlock your den. “Feeling any better, princess?” while he kept his smirk, he asked. You proceeded to grabbing your bag, took out a pack of cigarette and a lighter. Ignoring the man in front of you not uttering a word, you disappeared to your private comfort room.
Jin snickered, “I guess my princess isn’t done releasing yet,”
You sighed in relief once again as the pain subsided. You felt dehydrated. And it truly sucked. You planned on calling your secretary to buy you a bottled water to re hydrate yourself. But little less you know, Jin was still in your office waiting for you.
