She was focused on the last details of her presentation for the upcoming dinner. Most of the team was on a business trip. The rest of them were off as they worked all weekend. She wasn’t in a good mood. She was a bit worried. She’s usually very excited about these types of encounters however this time it felt slightly odd. It was one of these moments when despite her strong professional ethic she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by her personal feelings. The previous evening’s dinner with her best friends was just too much to handle. She sighed.

- Are you ok? She heard someone say behind her back startling her a bit. She looked at him. He could be so silent that it was almost scary.

- Yes, I’m fine…

- What are you doing? He approached dangerously looking behind her shoulder into her laptop. She cleared .

- I’m just reviewing the presentation for tonight’s dinner.

- Presentation? He asked frowning at her. She looked at him. 

- Yes why? She asked sensing something wrong and oblivious to the non-existent distance between their faces. He jumped back and cleared his throat as she looked at him with rounded eyes.

- Are you ok?

- Yes…,mmmh yes, I meant what presentation? Don’t tell me you prepared a presentation for tonight’s dinner? He asked sounding more like himself.

- Yes, I did sir… she explained upset. – I even spent a whole afternoon on it…

- Hana-yah… he spoke trying to restrain a laugh and putting his hand on his forehead. – It’s a dinner…not a presentation…not a meeting…not even a business lunch…but dinner…they made it clear they just want this to be a simple introduction to what might be future opportunities and I’m really happy with it…that’s already a huge step for me knowing that I was literally invisible to the man less than 48hrs ago…I don’t expect him to sign me a 10M dollars investment between two glasses of wines and neither should you…

- Why not? She simply asked as he widened his eyes.

- Why…why not? Did you just ask me why not? He asked dubitative. – Because…because that’s impossible…

- Well I don’t know what that means…

- That’s because you’re too young…

- No. It’s because you’re too old. She said seriously as he stood there before genuinely laughing. She looked at him. He looked so different. When he was laughing.

- Forget your presentation…there’s something else we absolutely need to do…

- What?

- Shopping…

(…)

Shinseage department store

- I don’t understand what we’re doing here.

- Well I do… he spoke to her before drifting back to the tray…this one…this one…and this one…he said talking to the corner manager followed by two other sales girls who looked particularly tensed by his presence. Something told her they were used to be given hard time by the present vampire.

- I hope you’re not suggesting I should wear those because…

- I am. You look…too serious…in your outfit…he said.

- Says who…she mumbled loud enough for him to hear it on her way to the fitting room as the girls closed the curtain for her. - I mean what’s wrong with looking serious…I am a serious person…

- Yes, I think I know that you don’t need to remind me about it…it’s just that…” Kris” …she could not help but notice a very little something that could resemble to annoyance in his voice: - or whatever his name is…has a thing for you…that’s our best arm so far…

- For your information, my best arm is my brain…she stated this time being the one sounding annoyed and she didn’t try to hide it or minimize it.

- I know that you don’t have to be dramatic about it…he explained sitting on the couch, crossing his legs waiting for her to try what he selected. There was a tray on his side where the sparkling water he usually drink was being served on a glass that he reached for opening his tie as it suddenly felt too tight. – I mean… it’s not like I’m selling your body or something like that…he added more for himself as she opened the curtain making him choke hard on his drink spilling water everywhere on the carpet. He noticed some girls trying to hide their scoff as their manager frowned at them before running into him with tissues so that he could dry his hand.

- Are you sure about that?

- About what? he asked as he was drying his shirt and he felt slightly relieved that she didn’t noticed what happened.

- The fact that you’re not trying to sell my body, she told him this time facing him after checking herself in the mirror and pointing at her body.

- Yes…I mean no! I mean yes, I’m sure I’m not trying to sell your body…god what size is that…Isn’t it too small for her? He spoke this time looking at the manager before going back to her: - no that thing is a no go back and try something else…you’re not wearing this…He ordered as she obeyed going back inside quite satisfied with the result.

- It’s her size sir. She has the perfect figure for this dress. “This dress” was the Altuzarra navy Arzel that was cut for a very close fit. It had a row of polished silver buttons than ran along the side accentuating her curves. Meaning her chest and her that were much more prominent that he ever imagined. Yes, it was terribly embarrassing to admit but he did try to imagine it, to visualize it once or twice. Maybe more. Especially after he had to carry her during that night. He couldn’t help but to guess how could she manage to hide it. He had barely finished to dry his shirt that she came out for the second time wearing the black JW ANDERSON crepe mini dress he thought would be perfect because of the buttons through the double-ed silhouette but he didn’t realize how short it was, or was it her legs that were too long? he wasn’t sure…all he knew is that this dress was not an option either.

- Sir? she called for him as he snapped back. He hadn’t realized he spaced out for a moment.

- Yes…he cleared his throat. He couldn’t help but notice once again the amused looks the staff was giving. This was becoming more and more embarrassing.

- What do you think? I like this one…she spoke posing in front of the mirror checking every possible angle looking even more suggestive than the dress already allowed her to.

- I don’t! This is…way…way too short…god why did I pick these? he spoke standing up and clearly frustrated as she felt quite delighted at the sight. She had just won her bet. – let me look for something else…there must be…

- God…I’ll do it ok. She spoke this time rolling her eyes and dangerously walking towards him, as he couldn’t take his eyes of her legs. He finally could breathe when she passed by him stopping at the tray of clothes... What was wrong with him he couldn’t understand? He saw her select a ruffled slub silk-blend top checked stretch-cady wide-leg pants as she was mumbling “CO” and “Chloe” which he assumed would be the designers. She then asked for a pair of “So Kate” 120 suede pumps by Christian Louboutin in black that a girl from the VIP personal shopping team ran to get her while another one was asked to call a makeup artist from shu uemura. Then he saw her running back to the trial room. He felt slightly out of place. His phone rang off.

- Yes Wooky? She heard him say behind the curtain. She couldn’t help but focus a little more on the conversation. She was curious. She felt concerned. By him, by his friend, by her friend. She hated it but her brain made now these connections obvious. – what…her dad what? Wooky calm down I don’t understand a single word…what’s wrong with you? Who does want to have lunch with you? (…) She heard him tell his friend as she could hear the latter shout things that didn’t make any sense. She felt a knot on her stomach. Yes. This really does concerns her. – Why would Hyundai CEO want to meet you tomorrow I don’t under- oh god…

- What? She shouted opening dramatically the curtain. He dropped his glass to the floor - WHAT? Wait a second WHAT? She asked for a third time. She must have heard wrong. – My phone…where’s my phone…I need my phone…she spoke as a girl from the customer service ran to her with her bag. The girl had a panicked look, she was blushing she couldn’t get why. Now that she thought about it there was an awkward general atmosphere. She noticed the male staff was looking at oddly at their feet as some other girls were holding a gasp. She then looked at her boss and his eyes were basically about to stick out.

– Huh…Wooky…let me call you later…then she realized it. The fact that she was only wearing a freedom leaver’s lace soft-cup bra from LA PERLA on the top of the Chloe pants she had selected. – Oh god…she mumbled more to herself before quickly reaching for the black top that she quickly slipped on and put inside of the pants to master her look. – Scissors…can you get me some scissors? She asked the girl who ran for them as another one came with the shoes she asked for. She was desperately looking for her phone in her Prada texture tote bag. She found it. 25 Missed calls from Sue. She dialed her number while putting on the shoes. – Why is she not answering her damn phone…she asked frustrated looking at it? – What do you think about that? This is fine right? Professional but still edgy… chic whatever it does work for tonight right? She asked him as he could sense a lack of energy in her voice. She was troubled.

- Yes…it’s perfect. He simply stated to what she responded with an interrogating look. “Perfect” was maybe too much he realized too late. Why did he pick this word? Probably because he really thought it was…perfect. She nodded before asking the girl to remove the tags. Meanwhile, she kept on trying to reach her friend. She then was asked to sit to fix her make-up. – Make it very natural…like I did it this morning already and spent a whole day at office. Focus on the lips only; I don’t want it to be too obvious- why the hell don’t you answer your phone? (- Huh yeah well last time I checked I’m the one who called more than 20 times…there’s something I need to-) –why the hell does your dad wants to meet him? God sue what did you do? Your father caught you up? Or was-it your brother? How? I mean whom? (- How on earth do you know already?) - That’s a long story…what happened Sue? (- It’s a long story too…I’m meeting with Sunny in two hours in the studio…just get there when you’re done…ok…) – ok I’ll see you there… (- ok…see you later) – sue wait…what about Gongju…did you… (- No…I don’t think it’s a good idea) – ok …see you…she spoke hanging out the phone not wanting to insist on how this felt terribly wrong. Both cases did, calling her after last night dinner was not a good idea, but not calling her after all they’ve been through together and for such an emergency didn’t make any sense either. She hated. Since when did they have to walk on eggs with each other? She bit her lips and frowned before sighing.

- Are you going to be ok? You…you don’t have to come if you want…I think your friend needs you…he spoke interrupting her thoughts. He couldn’t believe what he just said. Neither did the floor manager who’s accustomed to work with him.

- Are you kidding? So, does yours…and this is a super important meeting I can manage…lets just try to make it fast…she stated standing up on her feet and ready to leave.

- Ok…remember to relax…it’s just an informal introduction…it’s not like we’re signing a 10millions dollar contract…she nodded and left and he could feel that she was not really convinced. He followed adding to the team manager: - make sure to add the carpet fee to my note…to what the latter bowed until they had disappeared from his sight.

- What on earth was that? He surprised himself asking out loud to his colleague.

- I have no idea…answered the latter.

(…)

(2 hours later)

- It was a pleasure mister Wu…She spoke shaking his hand as Kris was giving her an amused look that didn’t go unnoticed by her boss.

- Oh no dear it was my pleasure. Quick and efficient. The way I like it…I’ve heard many good things about you from my son here but I must you’re even more interesting that I thought…

- Thank you…she simply answered not really knowing what to add to that.

- You’re very lucky to have her in your team hope you know that…If you hadn’t made such a great impression on me I would’ve tried to steal her…

- I know and I have no intention to let her go anywhere any soon…He answered and she felt like he was implying more than he wanted as the old man laughed loudly.

- Well who knows if I can’t make her join my company maybe I could try with family…he joked as her smile faded away.

- Dad…this is embarrassing…laughed Kris happy with the teasing. She laughed too. At least she pretended.

- I’ll see both of you in two weeks in Hongkong?

- Yes sir…they both answered bowing a last time. Kris winked at her faking a phone with a hand gesture indicating that he’ll call her. To what she nodded awkwardly. They both waited until they disappeared completely. He then turned to her. She had this cocky expression for a few seconds before letting a laugh out and indicating her hand out of joy for a high five but he didn’t react. She felt a bit disappointed. Maybe he wasn’t happy as her. She cleared .

- Oups sorry- she barely had the time to finish that she felt his arms around her waist and her all body being carried as she screamed “omona” at the turns he was making before putting her back on the floor.

- Please tell me I’m not dreaming…tell me I’m not dreaming…tell me just closed a 15millions dollars deal !

- You’re not dreaming…we just did it! she stated amused and now satisfied with her reaction.

- How…how…on earth…is that…even possible? how did you do this…what’s your secret…I mean...I… what do you want? I should triple your salary…or buy you a car…a flat? anything you want? just tell me…

- Itaewon…I

- A flat in Itaewon? yes that’s a good location and a good investment I-

- No god sir…no! she laughed. – oppa are you even serious? she switched indicating that work was finished. He liked it.

- I am very serious…

- Could you drop me at Itaewon? that’s what I meant…

- Oh yes of course…you are right Wooky…I forgot about him…let’s go! He ordered taking the lead by grabbing her wrist. She felt an odd sensation. But she couldn’t know what exactly. It’s funny how earlier she had thought for a moment that he might not have been happy about it. he was the happiest man in the world asking her another dozens of time during the ride he wasn’t dreaming, how his father and the board would turn green at the news, how did she manage to prepare a draft and a pre-contract that he could sign before the official signature in Hongkong and so many other things…She envied him. she wanted to be that happy and excited about it but she couldn’t.

- Are you ok?

- Hmm? She snapped back. - What do you mean?

- You’re thinking about your friend....

- Which one…I was already troubled with one here goes the second…he laughed.

- It’s going to be fine…it’s not like they’re going to get married or something like that…

- Yes. They are. He looked at her. He frowned. How could she be so positive about it. he felt like she knew more than he did but he brushed it away. – she already gave up…

- Well…then…even if they do and given to their family background it could be worst…at least they already know each other…he tried to explain walking on eggs; this conversation suddenly made him uncomfortable.

- You’re joking, right? It would’ve been better if they were strangers…they can’t stand each other…they hate each other…this marriage is going to…destroy them...seriously what if they end up murdering each other? can you believe it…I actually thought about…I wish I hadn’t but I did…He looked at her again. She sounded mad, angry and terribly anxious.

- Aren’t you over reacting? they went through a break-up…ok…they might be a misunderstanding between them…but murder?

- Break-up? who went through a break-up here are we even talking about the same persons- oh god…he suddenly braked on the side of the lane. She realized at that moment that what was obvious for her wasn’t for him and consequently that she might have said something he shouldn’t know.

- I was talking about Wooky and Choi Subin. He stated calmly and very tensed at the same time. His hands on the wheel. He then put them on his lap like he was ready to hear something.

- What do you mean by she’s already given up?

- Forget it…just pretend I’ve never said anything…

- It’s too late I did.

- I can’t tell you…I thought you knew but if you don’t…

- Yah Kim Hana…he’s my best friend-

- So she is! what’s the point of telling you something you’re not going to be able to tell him. Trust me I’m doing you a favor here.

- Damnit…he ended up telling himself looking at the opposite way and giving a tap on the wheel. They stayed silent for more than 40 seconds. – you should tell your friend to get prepared…

- What…what do you mean? she asked now looking at him with a worried look he didn’t dare to face.

- He…he’s probably going to lose it.