“Yah! Hee-Rin! Park Hee-Rin!”

Reluctantly acknowledging Hana’s presence with a nod or two, I quickly resumed back in making tea for the chairman and his guests.  Rotating my neck back and forth from the excruciating pain and stress, I also made myself a cup of tea to warm up another tiresome day at the office.  After a good five minutes or so, I began filling the cups with the warm beverage with ease but was rudely interrupted by Hana’s outburst.

“Hee-Rin-ah! I told you to come see! It’s the chairman’s son! I heard he’s going to be the new chief executive in our department!” Hana squealed, excitingly clapping her hands together like a little girl.  I swear her squeals reached the third octave this time compared to last time’s eye candy—the delivery fellow.  Rolling my eyes, I placed the teapot down and picked up the silver tray.

“Please, Hana. We’re not in high school—”

“Who’s not in high school?” A voice suavely interrupted our conversation.  Taken aback at the sudden interruption, I glanced up to see an unfamiliar face who took the time to bother with us office ladies in the canteen area.  Gripping tightly onto the tray, I tried hard not to look too surprised at the presence before us.  Compared to Hana, she was already straight up gawking at the guy.

Biting my bottom lip, a light blush slowly colored my cheeks.

He was handsome.  It wasn’t every day that the office had a hot male figure present in our company which overall surprised me.  Suited in a clean cut Armani attire from head to toe, I could tell that he wasn’t just some guy-in-a-suit walking around the halls of Lee Corporations.  Hands shoved in his pockets, he looked really laid back considering that he had just interrupted our conversation.  Flashing a boyish grin, I opened my mouth to say something but once again, the world was being cruel to me because someone else had to budge in into this light conversation.

“Ah, Donghae-ssi, your father is looking for you.” Secretary Ma informed the man. 

“Oh, I see. Well, see you ladies later.” Donghae winked as Secretary Ma motioned him to head down to the meeting room on the left.  Hana squealed once more in delight after Donghae had left the canteen.  I sighed in relief, glad that the tray didn’t jump out of my hands due to his sudden appearance.  But the fact that Secretary Ma mentioned Donghae’s father was a bit puzzling.

“Hmm…”

Popping his head through the entrance, Secretary Ma pointed at us. “You two, the chairman said that all marketing staff should report to the meeting room too.”

Hana and I transferred looks at each other, wondering what was up.

“Could it be that…”

“Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my son, Lee Donghae—heir to Lee Corporations. He will be our chief executive from now on so all marketing business issues will go to my son. And as a welcoming gift to our new chief executive, I have also arranged a 1 night stay at Hakone Springs for all.” The old-timer crookedly smiled, his wrinkles visibly present at the corner of his eyes.  Everyone clapped in respect to warmly welcome Donghae into our department.  Bowing, Donghae smiled, showing off his pearl whites.

Clapping my hands with little enthusiasm, I finally saw why I was awe-stricken by his smile—it looked exactly like the chairman’s. 

Exiting the rooms one by one through the double doors, Donghae genuinely smiled at me as I passed him.  I shyly smiled back as I slowly made my way out.  However, upon leaving, the old man didn’t forget to send me a sharp stare.

“Park."

“Chairman.” I answered back and walked out of the discussion rooms towards my office.  Meh, the chairman and I never liked each other.  It was probably the work of first impressions.  Though he dislikes me, he knows that the company would be helpless without me.  Therefore, I am still prancing around these halls because of this mere fact.

“Wah! It’s so beautiful~” I cheered contently as I walked through the entranceway of the hot springs.  The facility was established in a Japanese fashion with paper sliding doors to coy fish ponds.  This time it was my turn to squeal like a little girl.  It’s been a long time since I got the chance to relax and it felt nice that the reward was coming from that old geezer. 

“Maybe he isn’t that of a grouchy little old man.”I giggled at the silly thought but the thought vanished as the old man’s younger image appeared in front of my face.  It was Donghae.

Having his face so close surprised me and I almost tripped over my large tote bag.  In an instant, his hand shot out and grabbed my hand.  Pulling me away from the coy pond, I stumbled into his hard chest. 

“Sorry if I scared you.”

I gazed up into his soft eyes and immediately blushed from embarrassment.  Taking a step away from him, I chuckled nervously. “A-ah, no! It’s my fault! T-thanks though, Donghae-ssi.”

Flashing his signature grin, he leaned in towards me with hands comfortably placed in his pockets. “Donghae is fine. And that’s an order from the chief executive.”

Leaning my face away from his hot breath, I shyly nodded. “Damn! The things this guy makes me do!”

After he finally left for his room, I sighed in relief; clutching onto my unsteady heart that was dying to burst out of my ribcage.  Fanning myself, I couldn’t help but replay that incident over and over again.

“What was that?” Hana snickered slyly as she nudged my arm.  I blushed and stammered, “N-nothing!”

Raising a curious brow, Hana scoffed in disbelief. “Yeah, a fine piece of flesh like that up close is nothing, huh?”

Wanting to change the subject, I stretched my arms and yawned. “Ah! Well, if you don’t mind—I’m going to go relax in the hot baths now~”

And with that, I quickly shuffled my feet across the lobby and into our room, obviously avoiding Hana’s suspicious stares.  Oh how I felt like dying right there when she interrogated me.  Jesus, I need a drink.

Swinging my legs back and forth into the clear waters below, I downed a cup of sake.  Though the place was a hot springs, I was even more surprised to find a small pool near the front entrance.  It wasn’t like those outside pools you’ll see at hotels but rather a cozy one inside the facility. 

After taking a dip in the hot springs with Hana, I felt like drinking on my own near the poolside.  Wow, talk about acting like a non-social.  Then again, Hana isn’t the type who drinks.

Humming a tune, I swung my legs harder into the waters—trying to make some sort of picture with my feet.  However, I was taken aback again as I noticed Donghae’s smiling face in the pool’s reflection.  Without looking up, I blushed as I felt him sitting down next to me. 

“Why drinking alone out here? I thought you would be playing a game of table tennis with the others.”

I shrugged. “Felt like I needed some time to let loose?”

He chuckled.

Gosh, his laugh is to die for.

“Why are you out here? Isn’t this trip your welcome party?” It was my turn to interrogate the guy.  Suspiciously, I took a swig of sake.

Leaning back onto his weight by placing his arms on the walk board, he turned to me and pretended to be butthurt. “Why? You don’t like my company?”

Coughing at the same time drinking another cup of sake, I looked at him bewildered. “No! No! It’s not like that, it’s just…”

Raising a curious brow, he leaned forward—his lips only centimeters away.  I gulped nervously, gripping my hold onto my sake.

“J-just…” I stammered.

His eyes then turned into slits.  Laughing, he pointed an accusing finger at me. “You’re drunk!”

Cupping my left cheek, I was confused. “What? I am not!”

Immediately getting up, I was in the process of standing erect when I accidentally tripped over my two feet.  On instinct, I dragged the laughing Donghae with me into the waters.

Splashing around, I wiped my face away from any excess water. “Yah!”

Hysterically laughing at my fail, Donghae was having the time of his life.  Dreadfully embarrassed, I sank deeper into the waters to hide my red face.  Chuckling, Donghae drew closer and pulled me along.

Cupping my face into his hands, he leaned down and naturally pecked my lips.  I stared in awe at his actions.  Smiling, he drew me into a hug and lightly chuckled. “You’re interesting, Hee-Rin. I’m starting to like you even more.”

I hid my blushed face into his chest and a small smile etched upon my lips.

“Like? Since when?”

“Since the old man hired you.”

“What? You weren’t even—”

“Yes, I know.”

“Wait…don’t tell me I was hired because of YOU!”

“Babe, don’t ruin the moment.”