“Siwon-sshi?”

“Huh? Oh, president? Is that you?”

I mentally sighed in relief. My program was still working. I was happy I had made this to talk to Siwon via the computer.

“Yes, it’s me. Listen, I… I think I need some vacation. I’ll do my work before leaving, but… I’ll leave for two years. I need you to help me choose the employee who’ll take my place - at least, my work, I’m still the boss here - for these two years.”

“Huh? You’re leaving?”

“I am. So, any suggestion?”

“Well, why not me?”

“I knew you’d say that. I can give you my job for these two years, but you’ll have twice the work you have right now because there is no way I’ll let you choose a new vice-president.”

“Oh. Forget it, then. What kind of person do you want?”

“Someone who’ll care about the employees. Someone you can trust with anything. You got someone like this?”

“Well, there’s this Korean guy just like us, that Ryeowook Kim. He’s a very caring person and he always does the work I give him, no matter how much there is.”

“Anyone else?”

“Not really, other people in the company are mostly self-centered…”

“Then, connect me to him. I’ll talk to him personally to know more about him.”

“Yes, president.”

I sighed while he was connecting me to Ryeowook. At least I had my program, so he wouldn’t recognize me…

“Um, hello?”

I bit my lip, half because my stomach hurt like crazy, half because his voice was shaking. Had he been crying before I had made Siwon call him?

“Hi, this is president Kyuhyun Cho.”

“Oh?! President Cho? How… how is your illness?”

“It’s okay. But I need to take a break from everything, which is why I’ll be leaving for two years. And I need someone to do my work for those two years. Of course, my usual pay will be yours for two years. And I’ll do the work I need to do before leaving. How’s that?”

“I… president… I don’t know if…”

“Please?”

“President, I… I’m not feeling very well right now, actually. The girl I really love just rejected me, so… I’m not sure if I can do this.”

I clenched my fists so hard that my nails slowly cut the skin inside my palms. The only good it did was that I was now concentrated on the pain in my palms instead of the pain my stomach was causing me.

“She did?”

“Yeah… she… she… oh, president, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be rejecting a generous offer like this just because my heart is broken. I’ll take it.”

“It’s okay, I understand. Thanks for your comprehension. Just go to my office tomorrow morning. Siwon will tell you what you have to do.”

“Yes, president. Thanks for trusting me. I won’t disappoint you.”

I smiled softly behind my computer.

“I know you won’t. Goodnight, Mr. Kim.”

I ‘hung up’ and deeply sighed before I suddenly jumped. The phone was ringing. I frowned, but decided not to answer. I was happy I didn’t have any answering message with my old voice…

“Um… Miina? Y-you’re not home? I… I’m sorry I’m calling when I told you I wouldn’t. It’s just that… that… well, my boss… he… I’ll have a new job. At the same place, but I’ll do the boss’ job… I… I’m just very happy… so I wanted to tell you first… but…”

His voice was shaking so much I was wondering how much he was trying not to cry.

“… but, I… I can’t be happy without you! Just the thought… t-that I can’t call you anymore after that… for o-one whole year! I… my heart is… destroyed…”

I heard him sob softly and I felt some kind of painful grip tightening on my heart.

“I… Miina, why won’t you be here…? I need you… I need to talk to you…”

Don’t pick up the phone.

“Miina… Miina…! Why one year…? I know we’ve not known each other for long… but… Miina…”

Don’t.

“Miina, please be here… please hear me out… please let me hear your voice…”

Don’t!

“Oh Miina… I’ll never forget about you…”

Don’t, Kyu! Don’t!

“I… I promise, I won’t forget… so… since you’re not here… let’s see each other in one year? July 10^th? I’ll be waiting for you in front of the building at 7 PM. I’ll be there. I promise…”

I sighed. “Don’t promise anything…” I knew he couldn’t hear me. But I still couldn’t help but say it.

“I promise I’ll be there, Miina… so…”

I could hear him cry more than a bit earlier.

“Miina, I haven’t known you for long, but… I wanted you to know…”

“Don’t say it,” I pleaded, though he couldn’t hear me. “Don’t say it…!”

“Miina… saranghae…”