“Who was that?” Jeong Hoon asked; his tone was stiff and emotionless.
“My boss,” I replied casually.
“You were with him all night?”
“All afternoon until just now, to be exact,” I said.
“Is there something going on between the two of you?” he asked me.
“Jeong Hoon, are you crazy?” I exclaimed. “I was just working late with my boss. Why are you jumping to conclusions?”
“You sounded different when you answered the phone earlier.”
“I was working. I was trying to focus. Why are you being so unreasonable? What are you really upset about? You’re sick of me? Are you? Are you sick of us?” I asked him.
“Mian,” he said, his expression softening as soon as those words came from my mouth.
“Already I’m so tired from work and you’re giving me this crap about me having an affair. Gawd!” I exclaimed.
“Mian,” he said and he pulled me into his arms quickly, as if I were about to run away in that split second.
“Jeong Hoon,” I gasped, because he was hugging me really tightly.
“Mian,” he whispered against my hair. “I didn’t know what came over me. I was waiting for you the whole night and I just flipped when I saw you pull up in that car with that guy.”
“What’s up with Min Woo?”
“He looked like such a player. I was afraid you were really involved with him.”
“He’s a nice guy, Jeong Hoon.”
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“It’s okay. Stop apologizing,” I said, and I kissed him.
“Are you hungry?” he asked as we pulled apart seconds later.
“Starving,” I said.
“Let’s go in,” he said as he took my hand.
Jeong Hoon’s cousin, Shin Hee, turned out to be a sweet little girl, albeit being spoilt. At least she was polite towards me.
“Annyeong,” she said as she stood up when I approached the table.
“Annyeong,” I smiled.
“Sierra, this is Shin Hee,” Jeong Hoon introduced. “Shin Hee, naui yeoja chingu, Sierra.”
“Oppa,” she said, “I speak English you know. I can understand if you introduced her to me in English,” she added as she smiled apologetically to me.
“It’s okay, Shin Hee,” I said as I sat down. “I understand some Korean.”
“Oh good!” she said, and she started speaking excitedly in a rapid stream of Korean.
“Shin Hee,” Jeong Hoon interrupted her.
“Wae?”
“She understands some. Not all,” he laughed as she looked at me with a confused expression.
“Yea. I only know the basics.”
“That was embarrassing,” she laughed nervously.
“It’s alright. I get that all the time,” I smiled.
“What are you eating?” Jeong Hoon asked me.
“I’ll just have mushroom soup and garlic bread,” I said, and Jeong Hoon walked over to the counter to order for me. His friend owned the cafe, so most of the time, we didn’t bother to call for the waiter. There are times when we’d walk straight into the kitchen to get whatever we wanted.
“Is that how you stay so slim?” Shin Hee asked me as soon as Jeong Hoon walked away.
“Me? No… I don’t have an appetite today. I usually eat as much as, sometimes more than Jeong Hoon.”
“Chongmal?”
“Yep…”
“Then how do you stay slim? I’ve tried so many diets but I can’t seem to get rid of my baby fats,” she said sadly.
“Really? I’m sorry, can’t really relate to that, because I’ve never had baby fats,” I said, trying not to sound smug. “But there was a time when I did put on weight, and I had to control my diet and exercise like crazy to lose it.”
“Hmm… maybe I should exercise,” she said wistfully.
“I think that would be the best way.”
“What’s the best way for what?” Jeong Hoon asked as he approached the table.
“Girl talk,” I said dismissively, and Shin Hee giggled.
“Yah… you better tell me or I’m gonna leave you here,” he threatened Shin Hee.
“Leave her alone, you big bully,” I poked Jeong Hoon in the ribs, and he jumped.
“You wanna play rough, huh?” he smirked at me. “I’ll get my revenge later,” he said as he looked at me meaningfully.
“You’re sending me home and you’re taking Shin Hee home with you.”
“I’m sending Shin Hee home, and I’m coming home with you.”
“No way,”
“Yes way…”
“Your under aged cousin is sitting right in front of you, quit the sexual innuendos.”
“She’s no longer under aged in Korea.”
“This is Singapore.”
“And who said anything sexual? I’ll just hit you where it won’t show,” he grinned.
“Yah! Kim Jeong Hoon!” I exclaimed.
“Oppa! You’re so bad. I’m gonna tell your mother.”
“Tattle-tale,” he said as he stuck his tongue out at her.
“Look at you,” I laughed. “Does he always behave like a 10 year old?” I asked Shin Hee.
“Always… His mother is always asking him to find a wife and grow up.”
“Tell her I’m not getting married, ever,” he said.
“Yah! Then what about me?” I glared at him. “If this is going nowhere, I think we should end this.”
“No, no… I meant that I won’t marry the girls she’s always trying to match make me with, since I have you,” he said quickly, as he put an arm around me.
“Hmmph!” I exclaimed as I tried to shrug his arm off.
“Hajima…” he pleaded, and he turned to glare at Shin Hee who was giggling at him.
Just then the waiter approached the table to put down the bowl of soup I’ve ordered.
“Thank you,” I said as I pulled the bowl across the table, towards me.
“Shall I feed you?” Jeong Hoon asked, sweetly.
“Save it,” I said as I focused my attention onto the bowl of soup while he sulked.
“Ya… onni… can I call you onni?”
“Sure.”
“Oppa is usually the king at home. It’s so nice to see someone who’s able to overpower him,” she laughed.
“I’m still in charge, okay,” he said as he puffed up his chest indignantly.
“Sure you are,” she laughed.
“He’s usually very well behaved,” I winked. “Ne?” I said as I turned to Jeong Hoon.
“Ne,” he bowed submissively, and Shin Hee laughed again.
“Good boy,” I said, and I kissed his cheek.
Few hours later, Jeong Hoon pulled up in front of my apartment gates, and I started to unbuckle my seatbelt.
“Want me to walk you in?” he asked me.
“It’s okay,” I said as I picked up my bags. “Shin Hee’s tired. You should go home.”
“Call you later,” he said as he leaned over to kiss my cheek.
“Araso,” I smiled. “Good night.”
As I walked into the lobby, the security guard called out to me.
“Miss Sierra, someone dropped this off for you awhile ago.”
“What is it?” I asked as he handed me an envelope.
“Don’t know. But a man dropped it off awhile ago and said that you’d left it behind in his car.”
“Thanks,” I said as I stared at the enveloped, puzzled.
I ripped the envelope open as I walked into the elevator, and inside was a bracelet.
Monday, 26 February 2007
Thursday, 1 February 2007
Chapter 7: For A Moment
10 minutes later, I walked into Lee sonbae’s office with my files and laptop.
“Sierra,” he smiled. “Pull up a chair.”
I nodded and did as I was told.
“Lynn, can you please bring in lunch,” he said to his secretary as he held down the intercom button.
“I really don’t want to take up your time, sonbae,” I said apologetically.
“You won’t. The main reason I wanted to help you was because I wanted to know more about the project myself.”
“In that case, let’s get to work,” I smiled.
Lunch consisted of sandwiches and coffee, and after that, we buried ourselves in the project. Working with Lee sonbae turned out to be a really enjoyable experience. He wasn’t stuffy and narrow-minded like some of the other editors, who always wanted things their way. He was open to my ideas and he gave me lots of constructive criticism. I also realized that his communication skills were excellent. I have yet to receive a critique from him that I did not agree with.
We were so absorbed in our work that we’d lost track of time. It wasn’t until Lynn came to inform Lee sonbae that she was going home that we realized the time.
“Are we done?” he asked me.
“Not quite,” I replied as I continued typing.
“Then I’ll stay until we finish,” he said.
“You don’t have to, sonbae. You should go home.”
“I’ll stay,” he said firmly, and I decided not to argue.
We continued to work and out of the blue, he called my name.
“Yes,” I said, as I looked up.
“Why do you keep calling me sonbae?” he asked.
“Isn’t that what I’m supposed to call you?” I asked him.
“You know what? From now on, call me Min Woo,” he said.
“Why?”
“I think we’ve worked closely enough to be on a first name basis.”
“The other seniors will frown upon it.”
“This is an order from me,” he said in mock seriousness. “You will call me Min Woo, or you will cease to be an employee with this magazine.”
“In that case,” I said. “Min Woo it is.”
“Good… now get back to work,” he smiled.
“Yes, Min Woo,” I laughed.
My phone rang at about 8pm. It was Jeong Hoon.
“Where are you?” he asked me as soon as I picked up.
“At work,” I replied.
“Didn’t you get my message?” he asked me. I moved the phone away from my ear to look at the screen. Sure enough, there was the indicator that I had a new message.
“Sorry,” I said. “I was so busy, I didn’t hear my phone.”
“We’ve been waiting for you for the past hour. Are you coming?” he said impatiently.
“I’m still working. I’ll meet up with you guys for drinks later?”
“Whatever,” he said, and he hung up.
“Boyfriend?” Min Woo asked as I flipped my phone shut.
“Yep… and he ain’t happy,” I drawled.
“If you need to leave, just go. I’ll finish up here,” he said.
“Twaeso…” I smiled. “Is that how you say it?”
“Yep,” he laughed.
“Yea… whatever. I’m meeting him later. So let’s just try to get this finished. I don’t want to face Karyn tomorrow, unprepared.”
It was 10pm when we finally shut down our laptops and packed up.
“You need a ride?” he asked me.
“I’m fine. I’ll take a taxi home.”
“You haven’t had dinner,” he reminded me.
“Oh, right! I’m supposed to meet my annoyed boyfriend,” I giggled.
“I’ll take you to him. I insist,” he said.
“Alright. Can I just zip to the loo for a moment?” I asked.
“Go ahead. I’ll wait at the reception area for you.”
After freshening up and reapplying my lipstick, I picked up my stuff from my desk and met up with Min Woo. We walked down to the car park and stopped in front of a black BMW M6 convertible. Min Woo unlocked the doors with his remote control, and opened the passenger door for me.
“Ma’am,” he bowed a litte, and I laughed at his exaggerated act of chivalry.
He got in on the other side and started the car. As he did, the top of the convertible opened up.
“Nice car,” I said.
“This old thing?” he laughed as we pulled out of the parking lot.
As we stopped at the first traffic light, I turned toward him to ask him a question.
“Min Woo… there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask a convertible car owner,” I said.
“What is it?”
“Have you ever been pooped on by birds flying past?” I said with a dead serious look.
He burst into laughter as I tried to control mine. In the end I gave in and laughed with him.
“That’s the first time I’ve had that question. All the girls who ride in my car would usually ask questions about my paycheck, the size of my apartment, stuff like that.”
“That’s so sad,” I smiled. “They’ll probably go through life with all such little niggling trivia unanswered.”
“Yes,” he agreed.
“So… have you ever been pooped on?” I asked.
“Well… it happened once, but I wasn’t in the car. And when I’m driving, the probability of this happening would be less, since I drive real fast.”
“How fast can this thing go?” I asked him.
“You want me to show you?”
“Sure,” I said.
“Ok, hang on. I’m just gonna put the top up. Or our faces might get rearranged by the force of the wind,” he laughed.
He turned out of the main street, onto the highway, and as soon as the top was up, he started accelerating the speed of the car. The scenery by the road started to speed by, faster and faster.
“Is this fast enough?” he asked me.
“Erm… I guess…” I said. I was a little nervous now. The speed was starting to get a little too scary for me.
“I think that’s enough,” he said. “I can see you’re a little freaked out.”
“I am…” I laughed nervously.
“Alright,” he said and he slowed the car down to a cruise. He brought the top back down, then he turned on the radio. Fly to the Sky’s Namjadapgeh was playing, and he sang along.
“I like this song,” I said.
“You do?”
“I have the album at home.”
“Mine’s playing right now,” he smiled. “We have the same tastes in music.”
“What a coincidence,” I replied.
“Actually, I guess not. FTTS are pretty popular. Many people listen to them.”
“In Korea, you mean. Not in Singapore.”
“Right…”
We finally arrived at the cafe where Jeong Hoon and his cousin were waiting for me. I actually felt a little dizzy as I stepped out of the car. Too much wind in my head I suppose.
“Thanks, Min Woo,” I said.
“No problem. You’re becoming a natural at saying my name.”
“I have an innate ability with languages. So names are a piece of cake,” I said.
“Right,” he smiled. “See you tomorrow,” he said and he drove off.
As I turned around, I saw Jeong Hoon standing on the sidewalk, glaring at me. He did not look ecstatic to see me.
“Sierra,” he smiled. “Pull up a chair.”
I nodded and did as I was told.
“Lynn, can you please bring in lunch,” he said to his secretary as he held down the intercom button.
“I really don’t want to take up your time, sonbae,” I said apologetically.
“You won’t. The main reason I wanted to help you was because I wanted to know more about the project myself.”
“In that case, let’s get to work,” I smiled.
Lunch consisted of sandwiches and coffee, and after that, we buried ourselves in the project. Working with Lee sonbae turned out to be a really enjoyable experience. He wasn’t stuffy and narrow-minded like some of the other editors, who always wanted things their way. He was open to my ideas and he gave me lots of constructive criticism. I also realized that his communication skills were excellent. I have yet to receive a critique from him that I did not agree with.
We were so absorbed in our work that we’d lost track of time. It wasn’t until Lynn came to inform Lee sonbae that she was going home that we realized the time.
“Are we done?” he asked me.
“Not quite,” I replied as I continued typing.
“Then I’ll stay until we finish,” he said.
“You don’t have to, sonbae. You should go home.”
“I’ll stay,” he said firmly, and I decided not to argue.
We continued to work and out of the blue, he called my name.
“Yes,” I said, as I looked up.
“Why do you keep calling me sonbae?” he asked.
“Isn’t that what I’m supposed to call you?” I asked him.
“You know what? From now on, call me Min Woo,” he said.
“Why?”
“I think we’ve worked closely enough to be on a first name basis.”
“The other seniors will frown upon it.”
“This is an order from me,” he said in mock seriousness. “You will call me Min Woo, or you will cease to be an employee with this magazine.”
“In that case,” I said. “Min Woo it is.”
“Good… now get back to work,” he smiled.
“Yes, Min Woo,” I laughed.
My phone rang at about 8pm. It was Jeong Hoon.
“Where are you?” he asked me as soon as I picked up.
“At work,” I replied.
“Didn’t you get my message?” he asked me. I moved the phone away from my ear to look at the screen. Sure enough, there was the indicator that I had a new message.
“Sorry,” I said. “I was so busy, I didn’t hear my phone.”
“We’ve been waiting for you for the past hour. Are you coming?” he said impatiently.
“I’m still working. I’ll meet up with you guys for drinks later?”
“Whatever,” he said, and he hung up.
“Boyfriend?” Min Woo asked as I flipped my phone shut.
“Yep… and he ain’t happy,” I drawled.
“If you need to leave, just go. I’ll finish up here,” he said.
“Twaeso…” I smiled. “Is that how you say it?”
“Yep,” he laughed.
“Yea… whatever. I’m meeting him later. So let’s just try to get this finished. I don’t want to face Karyn tomorrow, unprepared.”
It was 10pm when we finally shut down our laptops and packed up.
“You need a ride?” he asked me.
“I’m fine. I’ll take a taxi home.”
“You haven’t had dinner,” he reminded me.
“Oh, right! I’m supposed to meet my annoyed boyfriend,” I giggled.
“I’ll take you to him. I insist,” he said.
“Alright. Can I just zip to the loo for a moment?” I asked.
“Go ahead. I’ll wait at the reception area for you.”
After freshening up and reapplying my lipstick, I picked up my stuff from my desk and met up with Min Woo. We walked down to the car park and stopped in front of a black BMW M6 convertible. Min Woo unlocked the doors with his remote control, and opened the passenger door for me.
“Ma’am,” he bowed a litte, and I laughed at his exaggerated act of chivalry.
He got in on the other side and started the car. As he did, the top of the convertible opened up.
“Nice car,” I said.
“This old thing?” he laughed as we pulled out of the parking lot.
As we stopped at the first traffic light, I turned toward him to ask him a question.
“Min Woo… there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask a convertible car owner,” I said.
“What is it?”
“Have you ever been pooped on by birds flying past?” I said with a dead serious look.
He burst into laughter as I tried to control mine. In the end I gave in and laughed with him.
“That’s the first time I’ve had that question. All the girls who ride in my car would usually ask questions about my paycheck, the size of my apartment, stuff like that.”
“That’s so sad,” I smiled. “They’ll probably go through life with all such little niggling trivia unanswered.”
“Yes,” he agreed.
“So… have you ever been pooped on?” I asked.
“Well… it happened once, but I wasn’t in the car. And when I’m driving, the probability of this happening would be less, since I drive real fast.”
“How fast can this thing go?” I asked him.
“You want me to show you?”
“Sure,” I said.
“Ok, hang on. I’m just gonna put the top up. Or our faces might get rearranged by the force of the wind,” he laughed.
He turned out of the main street, onto the highway, and as soon as the top was up, he started accelerating the speed of the car. The scenery by the road started to speed by, faster and faster.
“Is this fast enough?” he asked me.
“Erm… I guess…” I said. I was a little nervous now. The speed was starting to get a little too scary for me.
“I think that’s enough,” he said. “I can see you’re a little freaked out.”
“I am…” I laughed nervously.
“Alright,” he said and he slowed the car down to a cruise. He brought the top back down, then he turned on the radio. Fly to the Sky’s Namjadapgeh was playing, and he sang along.
“I like this song,” I said.
“You do?”
“I have the album at home.”
“Mine’s playing right now,” he smiled. “We have the same tastes in music.”
“What a coincidence,” I replied.
“Actually, I guess not. FTTS are pretty popular. Many people listen to them.”
“In Korea, you mean. Not in Singapore.”
“Right…”
We finally arrived at the cafe where Jeong Hoon and his cousin were waiting for me. I actually felt a little dizzy as I stepped out of the car. Too much wind in my head I suppose.
“Thanks, Min Woo,” I said.
“No problem. You’re becoming a natural at saying my name.”
“I have an innate ability with languages. So names are a piece of cake,” I said.
“Right,” he smiled. “See you tomorrow,” he said and he drove off.
As I turned around, I saw Jeong Hoon standing on the sidewalk, glaring at me. He did not look ecstatic to see me.
Thursday, 18 January 2007
Chapter 6: Give Me
We were in the car park in the basement of my office’s building. Jeong Hoon’s hands were on my hips as his lips roamed across my neck and down to my collar. We’d had a quick breakfast at the nearby Delifrance had ended up here right after that.
“Why did you have to wear a blouse with such a high collar today?” Jeong Hoon grumbled as he continued to kiss me.
“Cos I knew you’d want to do this?” I giggled. My blouse’s collar ended with ruffles above my collarbone and there was no way to unbutton it, save for taking off the whole blouse.
I climbed over to sit on top of Jeong Hoon, my legs straddling him from either side and I returned his kisses as he lay there in the seat, slowly dragging his hands down my back, across my butt and down to my thighs. Thank got my skirt had high slits.
“I have to go,” I whispered as I nibbled his earlobe.
“Not yet,” he groaned and guided my head so that our lips met.
“I really need to go, or Karyn will have my ass,” I said.
“Tell her… your ass is mine,” he laughed softly as he gave me another hard kiss before he pulled away.
“I don’t think she cares,” I said as I climbed back to my seat and started straightening out my outfit.
“Bitch,” he laughed.
“Yes…” I agreed as I reapplied my lipstick. “I’ll see you at lunch,” I said as I turned to look at him.
“Okay,” he smiled. I reach over to rub of some of my lipstick which has ended at the corners of his mouth.
“Love you,” I whispered.
“Saranghae,” he replied and leaned over to kiss me gently and slowly. “You’d better go before I get started again,” as he nibbled my lips before he pulled away.
“Yep,” I laughed as I opened the door.
I walked into the lobby feeling giddy from all the passion earlier. So giddy, that I didn’t notice Lee sonbae until I walked right into him. I felt myself losing balance, falling to the ground and I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact of it. That’s when he caught me by the waist and pulled me up. We were face to face and glued to each other from waist down. I could feel his breath fanning softly against my cheek and I blushed as soon as I realized the compromising position we were in.
“Choesonghamnida,” I said and quickly pulled away.
“No harm done,” he smiled. “Just be careful next time. Someone else might not have such quick reflexes,” he winked.
“Nae,” I bowed a little and I started walking really quickly towards the elevator. It was a little silly of me to do that in the first place, since he was going up too, and we’d definitely have to share an elevator.
“Did I scare you back there?” he asked as he fell into step beside me.
“Erm… no. Why do you say that?” I replied.
“You were running away from me,” he laughed softly.
“I was? No I wasn’t.”
“Then it must be your great enthusiasm in getting to work,” he smiled.
“Hmm?” I looked at him.
“You must be dying to get to your desk and start working,” he said.
“Oh… yea,” I smiled. This was getting a little too awkward for me. Sure I wasn’t one of his fans, but somehow, today, he’d managed to make my heart go pitter-patter. ‘It’s just the shock from almost falling!’ I told myself as I took a deep breath.
The elevator finally arrived and we descended the floors in silence. I heaved a sigh of relief when I arrived at my floor.
“See you later,” he smiled as I walked out.
“Later?” I repeated after him.
“The meeting, remember?” he smiled as the elevator doors closed.
Damn! I forgot about the meeting. I’ll have to cancel my lunch plans with Jeong Hoon today, since the meeting was a lunch meeting. I dumped my bags onto my desk and whipped out my phone to call him.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Jeong Hoon, I can’t have lunch with you and your cousin today,” I said.
“Why?”
“I have a lunch meeting.”
“Oh… dinner then?”
“I’ll call you later,” I said.
“Okay. I’ll be fine. Call me once you’re able to get off work.”
“Right! Love you,” I said. I sure used it a lot today. Must be my brain recognizing the permanence of Jeong Hoon in my life.
“Saranghae,” he said, and I could picture him smiling his sexy smile as he said it.
“Saranghae…” I heard Skye mimic as soon as I flipped my phone shut.
“Shuddup!” I said as I started to unpack my laptop from my bag.
“You sure turned him into a blob of mush,” Skye laughed. “I’ve never known Jeong Hoon to be so mushy and romantic during our school days.”
“Then I guess I’m what he’s been missing in his life,” I smiled.
“And why would you think that? The last thing a guy needs is a girl to turn him into a useless blob of mush. I’d rather stay a man and be without a woman.”
“I’ll be sure to tell your next target what you’d just said.”
“Hey… keep that between me and you. The ladies have me pegged as a sensitive male and I don’t need you ruining my rep for me.”
“Player,” I said as I turned on my laptop. Hundreds of emails popped up in my Inbox as soon as I logged on. I groaned as I started to go through them. With the concert and Fashion Week coming, I had my hands full. Mails from sponsors, event coordinators, fashion houses, I was swamped. I let out a loud sigh.
“Sighing so early in the morning?” Shoei said as he appeared beside me.
“I don’t think I’m ever going to get on track with my work,” I whined.
“Why’s that?” he asked.
“I can’t even finish clearing my emails.”
“Clearing emails? There is a way to clear them all at once.”
“How? Show me.”
“Okay,” he said as he leaned between my and my laptop. He click on one of my emails in the list, hit CTRL+A to highlight all the mail, then hovered the mouse over the delete button. Before I could scream, he clicked it and the mails started to disappear.
“Shoei!!!” I screamed and he just laughed. “What did you do?” I exclaimed as I stared at the screen in shock.
“I cleared the mails away,” he laughed.
“I meant clear in the sense of reading them. Not deleting them!”
“Chill… They’re still saved in your recycling bin,” he laughed as he started clicking around my screen and the mails reappeared. “There you go.”
“Not funny,” I said as I hit his arm.
“You really need to relax. You’re so high-strung today.”
“Gah!!! Leave me alone!” I said.
“Okay, grumpy…” he laughed as he walked away.
I worked feverishly all morning until someone tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up and saw Skye peering down at me.
“What?”
“It’s time for the meeting,” he reminded me.
“Oh…” I said as I stood up quickly and started gathering my stuff.
“What’s with you today?” Skye asked me.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re so nervous and blur.”
“I’m just… not having a good day,” I said. It was a lame excuse. I had no explanation for why I felt like that today. It certainly wasn’t a bad day, but I wasn’t sure why I felt so unsettled.
“Not a good day?” Skye smirked. “I saw you and Jeong Hoon this morning. Not a good day?” he smiled knowingly.
“Where did you see us?” I asked him.
“In the parking lot,” he coughed and winked at me.
“Omigod!” I exclaimed. “You stalker!”
“Hey… who would missed his pimped out Mitsubishi. I’d recognized the license plate and walked over cos I saw that the engine was still on. As soon as I saw what you both were up to, I turned and walked away. I’m a gentleman. I don’t stare.”
“Fine… whatever… let’s go,” I said as we walked quickly towards the conference room.
Everyone was seated and waiting when we entered.
“Sierra-shi,” Karyn’s voice grated. “You had to be fashionably late hadn’t you?”
“She should be the Fashion Editor then,” Lee sonbae joked and everyone laughed. Despite Lee sonbae’s effort to lighten the mood, Karyn didn’t look amused.
“I’m sorry, I got carried away with my emails,” I explained.
“Don’t we all,” Karyn replied. “Let’s see your presentation.”
Shoei helped me hook up my laptop to the projector and I started my presentation. As soon as I finished, I looked at the senior editors, waiting for some input and comment. Finally, Karyn spoke.
“Redo it,” she said.
“I beg your pardon?” I said. I was in shock. Did she just ask me to redo weeks of research?
“Redo everything. This is utter rubbish!” she said as she looked at me challengingly.
What had I done in my past life to deserve a boss like her?
“Yes,” I sighed and just then, Lee sonbae cut in.
“I don’t think it needs to be redone,” he said.
“Why? Don’t you think it's all nonsense?” Karyn exclaimed, surprised that Lee sonbae defended me.
“It just needs improvement. Come see me after lunch, Sierra. I’ll help you fix it,” he said.
“Well…” Karyn huffed. “In that case, it’s your call. Meeting dismissed,” she said as she got up and left the room.
I packed up my stuff as everyone else filed out of the room. Lee sonbae just sat there and looked at me.
“Sierra,” he said.
“Yes?” I replied as I looked up.
“I think we should have lunch in my office. Come over with all your materials. I’ll get my secretary to order in some lunch,” he said.
“I don’t want to inconvenience you, Lee sonbae.”
“You won’t” he smiled as he got up. “Be in my office in 20 minutes,” he smiled as he walked out of the conference room.
“Why did you have to wear a blouse with such a high collar today?” Jeong Hoon grumbled as he continued to kiss me.
“Cos I knew you’d want to do this?” I giggled. My blouse’s collar ended with ruffles above my collarbone and there was no way to unbutton it, save for taking off the whole blouse.
I climbed over to sit on top of Jeong Hoon, my legs straddling him from either side and I returned his kisses as he lay there in the seat, slowly dragging his hands down my back, across my butt and down to my thighs. Thank got my skirt had high slits.
“I have to go,” I whispered as I nibbled his earlobe.
“Not yet,” he groaned and guided my head so that our lips met.
“I really need to go, or Karyn will have my ass,” I said.
“Tell her… your ass is mine,” he laughed softly as he gave me another hard kiss before he pulled away.
“I don’t think she cares,” I said as I climbed back to my seat and started straightening out my outfit.
“Bitch,” he laughed.
“Yes…” I agreed as I reapplied my lipstick. “I’ll see you at lunch,” I said as I turned to look at him.
“Okay,” he smiled. I reach over to rub of some of my lipstick which has ended at the corners of his mouth.
“Love you,” I whispered.
“Saranghae,” he replied and leaned over to kiss me gently and slowly. “You’d better go before I get started again,” as he nibbled my lips before he pulled away.
“Yep,” I laughed as I opened the door.
I walked into the lobby feeling giddy from all the passion earlier. So giddy, that I didn’t notice Lee sonbae until I walked right into him. I felt myself losing balance, falling to the ground and I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact of it. That’s when he caught me by the waist and pulled me up. We were face to face and glued to each other from waist down. I could feel his breath fanning softly against my cheek and I blushed as soon as I realized the compromising position we were in.
“Choesonghamnida,” I said and quickly pulled away.
“No harm done,” he smiled. “Just be careful next time. Someone else might not have such quick reflexes,” he winked.
“Nae,” I bowed a little and I started walking really quickly towards the elevator. It was a little silly of me to do that in the first place, since he was going up too, and we’d definitely have to share an elevator.
“Did I scare you back there?” he asked as he fell into step beside me.
“Erm… no. Why do you say that?” I replied.
“You were running away from me,” he laughed softly.
“I was? No I wasn’t.”
“Then it must be your great enthusiasm in getting to work,” he smiled.
“Hmm?” I looked at him.
“You must be dying to get to your desk and start working,” he said.
“Oh… yea,” I smiled. This was getting a little too awkward for me. Sure I wasn’t one of his fans, but somehow, today, he’d managed to make my heart go pitter-patter. ‘It’s just the shock from almost falling!’ I told myself as I took a deep breath.
The elevator finally arrived and we descended the floors in silence. I heaved a sigh of relief when I arrived at my floor.
“See you later,” he smiled as I walked out.
“Later?” I repeated after him.
“The meeting, remember?” he smiled as the elevator doors closed.
Damn! I forgot about the meeting. I’ll have to cancel my lunch plans with Jeong Hoon today, since the meeting was a lunch meeting. I dumped my bags onto my desk and whipped out my phone to call him.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Jeong Hoon, I can’t have lunch with you and your cousin today,” I said.
“Why?”
“I have a lunch meeting.”
“Oh… dinner then?”
“I’ll call you later,” I said.
“Okay. I’ll be fine. Call me once you’re able to get off work.”
“Right! Love you,” I said. I sure used it a lot today. Must be my brain recognizing the permanence of Jeong Hoon in my life.
“Saranghae,” he said, and I could picture him smiling his sexy smile as he said it.
“Saranghae…” I heard Skye mimic as soon as I flipped my phone shut.
“Shuddup!” I said as I started to unpack my laptop from my bag.
“You sure turned him into a blob of mush,” Skye laughed. “I’ve never known Jeong Hoon to be so mushy and romantic during our school days.”
“Then I guess I’m what he’s been missing in his life,” I smiled.
“And why would you think that? The last thing a guy needs is a girl to turn him into a useless blob of mush. I’d rather stay a man and be without a woman.”
“I’ll be sure to tell your next target what you’d just said.”
“Hey… keep that between me and you. The ladies have me pegged as a sensitive male and I don’t need you ruining my rep for me.”
“Player,” I said as I turned on my laptop. Hundreds of emails popped up in my Inbox as soon as I logged on. I groaned as I started to go through them. With the concert and Fashion Week coming, I had my hands full. Mails from sponsors, event coordinators, fashion houses, I was swamped. I let out a loud sigh.
“Sighing so early in the morning?” Shoei said as he appeared beside me.
“I don’t think I’m ever going to get on track with my work,” I whined.
“Why’s that?” he asked.
“I can’t even finish clearing my emails.”
“Clearing emails? There is a way to clear them all at once.”
“How? Show me.”
“Okay,” he said as he leaned between my and my laptop. He click on one of my emails in the list, hit CTRL+A to highlight all the mail, then hovered the mouse over the delete button. Before I could scream, he clicked it and the mails started to disappear.
“Shoei!!!” I screamed and he just laughed. “What did you do?” I exclaimed as I stared at the screen in shock.
“I cleared the mails away,” he laughed.
“I meant clear in the sense of reading them. Not deleting them!”
“Chill… They’re still saved in your recycling bin,” he laughed as he started clicking around my screen and the mails reappeared. “There you go.”
“Not funny,” I said as I hit his arm.
“You really need to relax. You’re so high-strung today.”
“Gah!!! Leave me alone!” I said.
“Okay, grumpy…” he laughed as he walked away.
I worked feverishly all morning until someone tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up and saw Skye peering down at me.
“What?”
“It’s time for the meeting,” he reminded me.
“Oh…” I said as I stood up quickly and started gathering my stuff.
“What’s with you today?” Skye asked me.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re so nervous and blur.”
“I’m just… not having a good day,” I said. It was a lame excuse. I had no explanation for why I felt like that today. It certainly wasn’t a bad day, but I wasn’t sure why I felt so unsettled.
“Not a good day?” Skye smirked. “I saw you and Jeong Hoon this morning. Not a good day?” he smiled knowingly.
“Where did you see us?” I asked him.
“In the parking lot,” he coughed and winked at me.
“Omigod!” I exclaimed. “You stalker!”
“Hey… who would missed his pimped out Mitsubishi. I’d recognized the license plate and walked over cos I saw that the engine was still on. As soon as I saw what you both were up to, I turned and walked away. I’m a gentleman. I don’t stare.”
“Fine… whatever… let’s go,” I said as we walked quickly towards the conference room.
Everyone was seated and waiting when we entered.
“Sierra-shi,” Karyn’s voice grated. “You had to be fashionably late hadn’t you?”
“She should be the Fashion Editor then,” Lee sonbae joked and everyone laughed. Despite Lee sonbae’s effort to lighten the mood, Karyn didn’t look amused.
“I’m sorry, I got carried away with my emails,” I explained.
“Don’t we all,” Karyn replied. “Let’s see your presentation.”
Shoei helped me hook up my laptop to the projector and I started my presentation. As soon as I finished, I looked at the senior editors, waiting for some input and comment. Finally, Karyn spoke.
“Redo it,” she said.
“I beg your pardon?” I said. I was in shock. Did she just ask me to redo weeks of research?
“Redo everything. This is utter rubbish!” she said as she looked at me challengingly.
What had I done in my past life to deserve a boss like her?
“Yes,” I sighed and just then, Lee sonbae cut in.
“I don’t think it needs to be redone,” he said.
“Why? Don’t you think it's all nonsense?” Karyn exclaimed, surprised that Lee sonbae defended me.
“It just needs improvement. Come see me after lunch, Sierra. I’ll help you fix it,” he said.
“Well…” Karyn huffed. “In that case, it’s your call. Meeting dismissed,” she said as she got up and left the room.
I packed up my stuff as everyone else filed out of the room. Lee sonbae just sat there and looked at me.
“Sierra,” he said.
“Yes?” I replied as I looked up.
“I think we should have lunch in my office. Come over with all your materials. I’ll get my secretary to order in some lunch,” he said.
“I don’t want to inconvenience you, Lee sonbae.”
“You won’t” he smiled as he got up. “Be in my office in 20 minutes,” he smiled as he walked out of the conference room.
Tuesday, 26 December 2006
Chapter 5: Patch It Up
“Jeong Hoon,” I exclaimed. “What are you doing?” He looked at me and his face darkened.
“Waiting for you, what do you think?” he said.
“Didn’t you say you were going home?”
“Would you forgive me if I did?” he said. I kept quite for I knew the answer to that question. He knew me well. He knew that if he wasn’t here now, I’d be pissed for the rest of the week. I opened the door and walked into the apartment without another word as he trailed after me.
“Have you eaten?” I asked him.
“Yea,” he replied curtly as he sat down on the sofa.
“I’m gonna have my dinner and I’ll be right out,” I said.
“Okay,” he said as he switched on the television.
I ate quickly and took a shower before I came back out to the living room. I didn’t think I would be able to pay attention to him while I was sweaty and grimy from my walk home from the bus stop. I walked into the living room and sat beside him, facing the television. We pretended to watch the television in silence for the next few minutes, or at least I did, and Jeong Hoon finally spoke.
“So are you going to hear me out?” he asked.
“Mm…” I murmured, not looking at him. He turned off the television and adjusted himself so that his body faced me.
“The girl who called yesterday… she’s my cousin,” he said.
“So why couldn’t you just tell me that when I asked?”
“I was panicking myself because she wasn’t supposed to be here.”
“What do you mean?”
“She sort of ran away from home,” he explained.
“How old is she?”
“She’s only 17.”
“So what are you going to do about her?”
“I’ve called her parents to inform them that she’s safe with me. I’ll let her stay a couple of days before I try to persuade her to go home.”
“And meanwhile, who’s entertaining her when you’re at work?”
“I’ve taken the day off tomorrow to bring her sight-seeing. You want to come along?”
“If you’d told me earlier, I could’ve taken the day off tomorrow. It’s too late now.”
“No problem, I’ll be fine. I can show her around myself.”
“Hey!” I exclaimed as I suddenly remembered. “If you didn’t know she was coming, why did she say that you were supposed to pick her up?”
“She sent me a text message before she boarded the plane in Korea. I didn’t see it until after her phone call that morning,” he reasoned as he took my hand. “You doubt me?”
“Mian,” I said as I leaned over into his arms and he put his arms around me. “You have to admit it was pretty sudden. Any concerned girlfriend would behave like that.”
“Mian,” he whispered and kissed my hair. “I’ll be quicker at explaining stuff the next time.”
“So where are you taking her?”
“Shopping,” he sighed. “Where else?”
“You can meet me for lunch,” I suggested. “I’d like to meet your cousin.”
“Sure,” he said. “I’ll call you when we arrive. I’ll pick you up.”
“Okay,” I smiled. I pulled away from him and stood up. “You’d better go home,” I said.
“Chasing me away?” he grinned.
“No… it’s late and you’ve not showered and stuff.”
“Araso, I’ll go now,” he smiled. “Naeil payo,” he said and gave me a quick kiss on the lips.
“Is that all I get?” I said, pretending to be annoyed. “That’s what you call a make-up kiss?”
“Mian,” he said and he pulled me to him and kissed me slowly. I put my arms around him, not caring that he’d been out the whole day and had not showered. We pulled away sometime later and I noticed his eyes looked like they were half-closed.
“Are you sleepy?” I asked him.
“Nah,” he said, rubbing his eyes. “Just felt so comfortable that I could just relax and fall asleep.”
“I make you sleepy?” I asked him.
“No,” he said, putting his arm around me and dragging me along as he walked to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said and he kissed me again before walking off.
Danae came back an hour later, with Dong Wook in tow.
“Where did you go?” I asked her.
“We went to the opening night of this new play. Hossan Leong was hilarious!” she grinned.
“I don’t know what she sees in him,” Dong Wook sighs.
“She has weird tastes,” I replied.
“Hey… are you trying to imply that I’m weird?” Dong Wook asked me.
“Hmm… maybe you are,” I laughed as I walked into my room and closed the door.
I turned on my laptop and began my nightly ritual of scouring the internet for the latest news on TVXQ. I’m not some stalker fan, mind you. This is research… so that I will be prepared when I interview them at Sentosa. I stared at Jae Joong’s photo, the one taken for the Prince in Prague photo book. He looked mesmerizing as usual. I could drown myself in those eyes of his. How could someone look so gorgeous all the time? How could someone have that kind of intensity in his eyes all the time? I flipped my laptop shut at 11pm. Time for bed. As I snuggled against my bolster under the covers, I imagined myself hugging Jae Joong.
My phone rang and I opened one eye to peek at it. It didn’t sound like my alarm. I looked at the time on my radio clock; it’s too early for my alarm to ring.
“Hello,” I mumbled into the phone as I flipped it open.
“Sierra, you awake?” Jeong Hoon asked.
“What do you think?” I said as I yawned and stretched.
“Do you wanna go for breakfast together?” he asked. What’s up with him? Feeling guilty?
“Breakfast? We’ve never had breakfast on a week day,” I don’t get down that easily :P
“Have you forgotten?” he said.
“Forgotten what?”
“It’s been a year already.”
“A year? A year of what?”
“Gawd!!! You’re so dense in the morning,” he said, exasperated. “It’s been one year since we’ve met!”
“Oooh…” I giggled. “Mian.”
“I’m not gonna do the remembering for our next anniversary,” he complained. I could almost imagine him pouting as he said that.
“You think we're gonna last that long?” I teased.
“Yaah!! What are you getting at?”
“Mian,” I laughed. “I’ll get dressed. Come pick me in half an hour.”
“Ppali,” he said.
“Araso,” I replied and hung up.
30 minutes later, I stood at the gates of the condo’s compound waiting for Jeong Hoon. I was dressed in a feminine blouse adorned with lace and a simple pencil skirt. I decided that today since today was a special day, I was allowed a new pair of shoes. I happily unearthed my new pair of kitten-heeled ballet shoes that I bought a few weeks ago. They felt wonderfully comfortable. It pays to pay more because my feet didn’t feel pinched and I didn’t feel any blisters coming. Jeong Hoon pulled up minutes later in his pimped out Mitsubishi. I remember when he first got that car. I was wondering if I’d dated the wrong guy. I hadn’t imagined him to be like that. I thought that he’d just buy a nice, classic European car.
“Hello,” I smiled as I got in. I reached over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and turned to put on my seatbelt.
“That’s all I get?” he asked.
“You’ll get more, later,” I winked.
“I’d better,” he laughed as we pulled out onto the main road.
“Waiting for you, what do you think?” he said.
“Didn’t you say you were going home?”
“Would you forgive me if I did?” he said. I kept quite for I knew the answer to that question. He knew me well. He knew that if he wasn’t here now, I’d be pissed for the rest of the week. I opened the door and walked into the apartment without another word as he trailed after me.
“Have you eaten?” I asked him.
“Yea,” he replied curtly as he sat down on the sofa.
“I’m gonna have my dinner and I’ll be right out,” I said.
“Okay,” he said as he switched on the television.
I ate quickly and took a shower before I came back out to the living room. I didn’t think I would be able to pay attention to him while I was sweaty and grimy from my walk home from the bus stop. I walked into the living room and sat beside him, facing the television. We pretended to watch the television in silence for the next few minutes, or at least I did, and Jeong Hoon finally spoke.
“So are you going to hear me out?” he asked.
“Mm…” I murmured, not looking at him. He turned off the television and adjusted himself so that his body faced me.
“The girl who called yesterday… she’s my cousin,” he said.
“So why couldn’t you just tell me that when I asked?”
“I was panicking myself because she wasn’t supposed to be here.”
“What do you mean?”
“She sort of ran away from home,” he explained.
“How old is she?”
“She’s only 17.”
“So what are you going to do about her?”
“I’ve called her parents to inform them that she’s safe with me. I’ll let her stay a couple of days before I try to persuade her to go home.”
“And meanwhile, who’s entertaining her when you’re at work?”
“I’ve taken the day off tomorrow to bring her sight-seeing. You want to come along?”
“If you’d told me earlier, I could’ve taken the day off tomorrow. It’s too late now.”
“No problem, I’ll be fine. I can show her around myself.”
“Hey!” I exclaimed as I suddenly remembered. “If you didn’t know she was coming, why did she say that you were supposed to pick her up?”
“She sent me a text message before she boarded the plane in Korea. I didn’t see it until after her phone call that morning,” he reasoned as he took my hand. “You doubt me?”
“Mian,” I said as I leaned over into his arms and he put his arms around me. “You have to admit it was pretty sudden. Any concerned girlfriend would behave like that.”
“Mian,” he whispered and kissed my hair. “I’ll be quicker at explaining stuff the next time.”
“So where are you taking her?”
“Shopping,” he sighed. “Where else?”
“You can meet me for lunch,” I suggested. “I’d like to meet your cousin.”
“Sure,” he said. “I’ll call you when we arrive. I’ll pick you up.”
“Okay,” I smiled. I pulled away from him and stood up. “You’d better go home,” I said.
“Chasing me away?” he grinned.
“No… it’s late and you’ve not showered and stuff.”
“Araso, I’ll go now,” he smiled. “Naeil payo,” he said and gave me a quick kiss on the lips.
“Is that all I get?” I said, pretending to be annoyed. “That’s what you call a make-up kiss?”
“Mian,” he said and he pulled me to him and kissed me slowly. I put my arms around him, not caring that he’d been out the whole day and had not showered. We pulled away sometime later and I noticed his eyes looked like they were half-closed.
“Are you sleepy?” I asked him.
“Nah,” he said, rubbing his eyes. “Just felt so comfortable that I could just relax and fall asleep.”
“I make you sleepy?” I asked him.
“No,” he said, putting his arm around me and dragging me along as he walked to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said and he kissed me again before walking off.
Danae came back an hour later, with Dong Wook in tow.
“Where did you go?” I asked her.
“We went to the opening night of this new play. Hossan Leong was hilarious!” she grinned.
“I don’t know what she sees in him,” Dong Wook sighs.
“She has weird tastes,” I replied.
“Hey… are you trying to imply that I’m weird?” Dong Wook asked me.
“Hmm… maybe you are,” I laughed as I walked into my room and closed the door.
I turned on my laptop and began my nightly ritual of scouring the internet for the latest news on TVXQ. I’m not some stalker fan, mind you. This is research… so that I will be prepared when I interview them at Sentosa. I stared at Jae Joong’s photo, the one taken for the Prince in Prague photo book. He looked mesmerizing as usual. I could drown myself in those eyes of his. How could someone look so gorgeous all the time? How could someone have that kind of intensity in his eyes all the time? I flipped my laptop shut at 11pm. Time for bed. As I snuggled against my bolster under the covers, I imagined myself hugging Jae Joong.
My phone rang and I opened one eye to peek at it. It didn’t sound like my alarm. I looked at the time on my radio clock; it’s too early for my alarm to ring.
“Hello,” I mumbled into the phone as I flipped it open.
“Sierra, you awake?” Jeong Hoon asked.
“What do you think?” I said as I yawned and stretched.
“Do you wanna go for breakfast together?” he asked. What’s up with him? Feeling guilty?
“Breakfast? We’ve never had breakfast on a week day,” I don’t get down that easily :P
“Have you forgotten?” he said.
“Forgotten what?”
“It’s been a year already.”
“A year? A year of what?”
“Gawd!!! You’re so dense in the morning,” he said, exasperated. “It’s been one year since we’ve met!”
“Oooh…” I giggled. “Mian.”
“I’m not gonna do the remembering for our next anniversary,” he complained. I could almost imagine him pouting as he said that.
“You think we're gonna last that long?” I teased.
“Yaah!! What are you getting at?”
“Mian,” I laughed. “I’ll get dressed. Come pick me in half an hour.”
“Ppali,” he said.
“Araso,” I replied and hung up.
30 minutes later, I stood at the gates of the condo’s compound waiting for Jeong Hoon. I was dressed in a feminine blouse adorned with lace and a simple pencil skirt. I decided that today since today was a special day, I was allowed a new pair of shoes. I happily unearthed my new pair of kitten-heeled ballet shoes that I bought a few weeks ago. They felt wonderfully comfortable. It pays to pay more because my feet didn’t feel pinched and I didn’t feel any blisters coming. Jeong Hoon pulled up minutes later in his pimped out Mitsubishi. I remember when he first got that car. I was wondering if I’d dated the wrong guy. I hadn’t imagined him to be like that. I thought that he’d just buy a nice, classic European car.
“Hello,” I smiled as I got in. I reached over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and turned to put on my seatbelt.
“That’s all I get?” he asked.
“You’ll get more, later,” I winked.
“I’d better,” he laughed as we pulled out onto the main road.
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