December 18, 2010

Seohyun got off the busy bus, wrapping her scarf warmly around her neck thanking God she got out of that hectic bus alive. She rummaged through her bag and took out the business card Kang Eric had given her at the end of the wedding reception yesterday. He had heard from Seowoo and Jungil that Seohyun was in need of a lawyer. They set up an appointment for the morning and now Seohyun was searching for his office building.

It was a usual cold winter day and Seohyun couldn’t wait to be inside a warm building. After walking a couple of blocks down, Seohyun finally found The Law Offices of Kang. Kang Eric came from a long line of lawyers which is why it was just that he owned the company after his father. 

As Seohyun entered through the glass doors, she was greeted with warm air and the bustle of lawyers and assistants working. She approached the front desk shyly. 

“Hi, how can I help you?” asked the receptionist at the desk. 

“Hello, I’m here for an appointment with Kang Eric.” replied Seohyun.

“One moment,” The receptionist picked up her telephone and punched in a few numbers. “I have someone here at the desk for you. Okay I’ll tell her.” She hung up the phone. “His office is on the 12th floor and the elevator on the right should bring you right up.”

“Thank you.”

Seohyun made her way to the elevator, politely avoiding all the worker bees. Their noses were all either buried in files and paperwork or law books. As Seohyun rode the elevator no one made eye contact. Everyone was busy, leaving Seohyun to ride the elevator in awkward silence. 

Once the elevator dinged floor 12 and the doors opened, Seohyun got out and quickly looked around for Kang Eric’s office. 

It wasn’t that hard to spot. Once one exits the elevators doors, Seohyun was greeted by another receptionist and a lavish area of lush couches, the waiting area. 

Once Eric’s receptionist and Seohyun’s eyes met, she stood up. She entended out a hand towards Seohyun as she walked towards her. 

“I’m Misun, Eric’s assistant. You must be Seohyun. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I saw the music video teaser and I can’t wait for the premiere. It’s such a huge deal you know?”

“Yes,” said Seohyun as she shook her hand back. “And thank you.”

“He’s waiting for you in his office. Go down the hallway and make a right.”

Seohyun thanked Misun once again as she walked off towards Eric’s office. Once she arrived outsie his door, Seohyun knocked. 

“Come in.”

She opened the glass door and walked into Kang Eric’s office. 

“Good morning Seohyun,” greeted Eric as he stood up from his desk. “Nice seeing you so soon,” He winked at her as she laughed. “Have a seat.” He pointed to his lounge area. “It’s where I do my best business deals.”

Seohyun smiled as she sat down. “I guess we’ll be making a really sweet deal today.”

He nodded. “I have all the documentation laid out for you on the coffee table. We’ll go through each and if you agree all you have to do is sign and I’ll be your lawyer.”

Seohyun randomly chose a file and opened it. Words beyond words were on each page, in the tiniest print. “What’s this one?”

“That,” said Eric. “Is my terms for you. Basically saying you’ll be honest to me about everything and vice vera. I promise to do whatever I can to represent you.”

Seohyun nodded as she reached for another file. “And this?”

The process continued on with Seohyun opening each file and asking from Eric a brief explanation. There was more to hiring a lawyer than Seohyun had anticipated. She felt as if she was burdening him. 

“You look stressed.”

Seohyun sighed. “Are you mocking me?”

Eric smiled as he leaned back into the couch. Seohyun ran her fingers through her hair and propped her elbow on her knee.

“Come on,” said Eric. “I want to show you something.” He got up from the couch and began walking out of the office.

Seohyun looked down at all the paperwork. “But what about the files?!”

“Leave them!”

Seohyun set out a loud sigh as she went to catch up to Eric.

“Misun, hold all my calls for me for the next hour.”

“You got it sir.”

They went past Misun’s desk and further down a different hallway. They made a left which revealed a secret elevator. Eric quickly pushed the elevator button marked up.

The elevator doors dinged open at an instant. Seohyun followed Eric inside and Eric pressed the only button in the elevator. Soft elevator music began to play and Seohyun couldn’t help but let out a laugh. 

“What?” said Eric as he turned his head to look at Seohyun. “I thought it would be pleasing.”

Seohyun looked down to the floor smiling. Eric was getting more interesting by the second.

The elevator ride was short and soon enough they reached their destination. The doors made another ding and opened. 

“Welcome to my sanctuary.” 

His sanctuary revealed to be a full court outdoors basketball court. Seohyun watched as Eric excitedly got off the elevator and headed straight for the cart filled with basketballs. He took one in his hands and began to dribble. “Come on Seohyun, play one on one with me!”

“You’re kidding right?” said Seohyun as she walked on court. “I don’t know how to play basketball!”

Eric laughed. “I’ll go easy on you.” He tossed the basketball to Seohyun who caught it. 

She quickly gave it back to him and with her hands on her hips asked, “Why did you make this out here, especially on the roof! It’s freezing!”

“It’s a stress reliever Seohyun. Being a lawyer isn’t all that easy you know! Besides, when your blood starts pumping, you can barely feel the cold.” He dribbled around her. “Come on, I can see all that stress in your eyes. Unless something else is bothering you?” 

Seohyun took the ball from Eric and with a playful smile said, “Alright let’s play.”

After an exhausting hour of basketball playing, the two plopped down in the middle of the courts with a exasperated sigh. The coldness in the air barely affected Seohyun as she began to fan herself. She turned to Eric with a smile. 

“Nice game,” He said. “Although I won, it was good for your first try.”

Seohyun rolled her eyes. “Well at least I tried.”

“Yeah, with some illegal hits here and there. My ribs are all sore!” teased Eric. 

She shrugged. “It’s what a girl has to do to get one shot.”

“One shot exactly.”

“Hey!”

Eric put his hands up. “I’m just joking!”

The two of them laughed. Seohyun stretched out her legs as she leaned back. She could now see why Eric chose the rooftop area as his place of relaxation. Even from sitting, Seohyun can see the amazing view of Seoul during the winter. Bare trees with a light sprinkle of morning after snow and buildings decorated with Christmas decorations. She couldn’t imagine what spring would look like from up here. 

“Tell me what’s been bothering you Seohyun.” said Eric, interrupting Seohyun’s thoughts. “I’m not a psychiatrist or anything but I am a lawyer. I can read people’s faces and yours seems a million miles away. I can’t sign this contract with you unless I have your full attention. That’s why I brought you out here. And besides, you’re a friend of Jungil’s and any friend of Jungil’s is a friend of mine.”

Seohyun let out a sigh. “Do you remember what happened last night?”

“Last night...you mean after the wedding reception?”

She nodded. “And you saw me and Yonghwa outside talking.”

“Yeah...” replied Eric.

“Well it was more like arguing.”

Seohyun waited in line in front of the coat check desk waiting to get her coat. The reception had just ended and everyone was leaving. Jungil and Seowoo had already driven off to the airport to get to their honeymoon and some of Seowoo’s friends were still gushing over how one of them got the bride’s bouquet. She enjoyed the rest of the party but Seohyun’s mind was elsewhere. She crossed her arms over her chest and soon enough she was at the front of the line getting her coat. She thanked the lady behind the desk, put on her coat and waited outside. The limo was going to take Eric and Seohyun home and she didn’t want to make the driver wait. She wondered where Eric was. 

“Seohyun...”

Seohyun turned around expecting it to be Eric but instead found Yonghwa. 

“Yonghwa? You haven’t gone home yet?”

“We need to talk.”

“Talk about what?”

“Us.”

“What about us?”

“Look Seohyun,” said Yonghwa. “I know that you don’t want anything more than just friends between us because we’re in this work relationship but I can’t stand just being your friend. There is nothing in our way but you. Every time I reach out you turn away. And I’ve let it go because I know what it feels like to be with someone you shouldn’t be with. But I’m willing, so willing, to not care about that because Hyun I...I really want to be with you.”

Seohyun shook her head slowly. “Don’t do this. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“Just admit it Seohyun. You want to be with me too.”

“We’re in the entertainment industry. It won’t work out.”

“So what! How can you possibly know what will happen in the future.”

“I’m only defending myself from only the inevitable.”

“Which is what?!”

Seohyun looked away as she said, “Let’s stop talking about this. Besides, don’t you have someone else in your life?” 

Yonghwa looked at her confused. “What are you talking about?” She didn’t say a word but Yonghwa scoffed. “You’re not talking about my ex are you? I told you she’s just an ex girlfriend of mine.”

“I don’t want to know.”

“You said that last time!”

“Stop this, we’re just colleagues.”

“You keep on saying that! And you know that that’s not true. We’re not just colleagues.”

“Please. Why can’t we just go back to when we first met?” asked Seohyun. “Friendly and nothing more. We were so good just working together.”

“I can’t--”

“Hey Seohyun.”

The two turned around to find Eric standing before them. 

“Did I walk in on a bad time?” asked Eric with a worried expression. 

“No,” said Seohyun as she shook her head. “Is the limo here?”

“Yeah.”

She turned to Yonghwa. “I’ll see you later.” She began to walk away with Eric trailing behind her. They found the limo waiting for them across the street to avoid the other guests cars. She opened the door and got inside. Eric sat beside her. 

“Are you alright?”

Seohyun quietly nodded. 

“Are you sure?” He asked again. When she didn’t answer he handed her a business card. “Jungil and Seowoo told me that you’re getting into the entertainment industry and that you need a lawyer. They asked me to help you out. Can we meet tomorrow morning?”

“That’s fine,” answered Seohyun. 

“Okay.”

They rode the rest of the way in silence.

“Ah, so that’s what happened.” said Eric as he lightly threw the basketball up and down in the air. “I did walk in on a bad time.”

Seohyun pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around it. She placed her chin on her knees and tilted her head to the side. “Yeah, you did.” 

“So what you’re saying is I don’t have a chance with you?” asked Eric as he looked at her with a teasing smile. 

She rolled her eyes. “My oh my Mr. Lawyer, you’re so funny.”

He laughed. “What does Seowoo and Jungil say about all this?”

“They want me to go for it. But I’m not like them.” replied Seohyun. “I’m cautious and careful. I analyze each step I take. Me and him, can’t happen if I want a future in the entertainment industry. Tabloids, reporters, and fans will eat me alive if they believe I’m unattainable.”

“Do you like him?”

“Of course I like him and I want to be with him more than anything but Eric I’m doing the right thing for both of us. I’d rather have him as a friendly colleague than have him hate me because we were in a tumultuous relationship.” 

“Why do you think you’ll have such a horrible relationship?” asked Eric.

“It won’t be horrible at first,” answered Seohyun. “It’ll be wonderful. It’ll be everything we want. But when the pressures of being in entertainment, having a squeaky clean image, and having to keep him a secret will eventually burden us. And we’ll both end up hurt.”

Eric nodded at her. “I understand how you feel trust me I do. I was born into a family made of generations of lawyers and I was expected to become one too. But I loved basketball. I lived for it. I wanted to be on a major team. It’s what I worked hard for in high school because I believed that it would be the right thing to do for my happiness. But I was wrong. Although I loved basketball I found that I loved justice better. I couldn’t put down a law book for the life of me and I enjoyed being in front of a judge and jury defending my client. I loved representing people to give them the most out of their needs. And soon my feelings of wanting to be a professional basketball player faded away because I found something else that truly made me happy.” He then put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “If your choice is what ultimately makes you happy in the end then go for it. But if you have doubts, then you know you’re not as happy as you could be.” 

Seohyun smiled. “Thanks Eric, for bringing me up here. It really did take all my stress away.”

He smiled back. “Anything for a new client.” He stood up and stretched out a hand for her. “Now let’s get those papers done and get to SM Entertainment. You need a contract.”

Seohyun took his hand and he hoisted her up. He gave her a little reassuring nudge and they head back to the elevator and into his office.

Eric pulled up his black Mercedes Benz into the parking lot of the SM Entertainment building. Seohyun was scheduled to finally sign the contract. She was missing Seowoo by her side but she was on her honeymoon to Jeju Island. 

“Ready?” asked Eric.

She nodded. 

They both got out of the car and headed inside the building. Eric was trying to make light jokes but it was hard not to laugh especially when he was wearing a sharp navy blue Armani suit and holding his black leather briefcase so sternly. Seohyun felt relaxed and she was just so appreciative of all of Eric’s help. 

“Seohyun.”

Seohyun looked up at the sound of her name and found Yonghwa standing in the hallway. She couldn’t believe he was there. It felt awkward “Why are you here?”

“The legal team called me down to sign a few more files for them,” answered Yonghwa. “What are you doing here?”

Seohyun couldn’t answer him straightaway because she couldn’t meet his eyes. He was staring so hard at Eric. She turned to look at Eric who was doing the same. “I--I’m here to sign my contract.”

“And what’s he doing here?”

“He’s my lawyer.”

Without letting go his stare Eric took Seohyun by the arm and said, “We have to go Seohyun or we’ll miss our appointment.”

Eric led her away as Seohyun turned back to look at Yonghwa but he was already gone.

“I’m sorry,” She said whispering to Eric. 

He shook his head. “Forget about that. Right now your career is more important. Let’s get this contract signed.” 

They entered the meeting room and once they were all seated and the contract was brought out, Seohyun held a black pen in her hands and hovered over the contract. 

She cleared her mind and as ink met paper, Seohyun couldn’t help but feel that two boulders have been lifted from her shoulders.