CHAPTER 1

It was just another ordinary day on Seoul…

The parents were accompanying their children to the school, the elders were strolling in the park and, men and women were adorned into their formal suits for their respective works. Yes, we can say that it is a very normal day, but today, we are going to tell a ordinary story. A modern tale about… a Jung.

-x-

Tic Tok Tic Tok Tic Tok …*TRIMMMMMMMMM TRIMMMMMMMMM*

“Arghhhh…”

A clumsy hand coming from a pile under the covers searched for the despicable clock to turn off the alarm…

*TRIMMMMMMMMM TRIMMMMMMMMM*

Yet, it wasn’t successful… after many tries, the hand had success when it thrown the alarm clock on the floor. It can be heard a content sigh coming from the covers as the unknown body returned to the previous sleep. When everything was peaceful again, a door was abruptly slammed against the wall while a young lady, precisely a pretty teenager with beautiful and long black hair marched inside the room and placed her hands on her waist, yelling:

“Oppa! Don’t you have an interview today?! It’s almost 8 AM already!”

!!! *Gasp!*

The ‘body’ a.k.a ‘oppa’ widened his eyes in shock revealing a blond haired guy jumping out from his bed while cursing in english:

“Shoot! Shoot! Shoot! Why you didn’t wake me up sooner, Krystal?!”

Krystal rolled her eyes at her old brother’s remark as she crossed her arms, explaining while her brother grab his clothes and rushed to the bathroom and slamming the door:

“Well, I was trying to call you since hmm *looking to the wristwatch* the last thirty minutes?”

However, she was greeted by a loud snarl coming from the bathroom; Krystal couldn’t help to giggle at her brother’s sulky morning mood. When everything was in silence again, feeling worried, she knocked the door and asked:

“Hey, oppa Are you going to take me to the school today?”

Suddenly the door opened revealing a blond guy completely dressed in his grey suit and blue tie. The brother adjusted his thick frame glasses and the corner of his lips moved to upwards as he ruffled his young sister’s hair playfully:

“Let’s go, kid. You have to study and me, well… I hope to get this job. By the way… you really cute when you huffing like this *chuckles*”

“Ya, Jesse Jung, don’t mess with my hair! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I WORKED ON THIS LOOK?!”

The brother, now Jesse just laughed at his angry sister and passed by her as he raised his hand in defeat:

“Sorry, princess. Let’s go, your carriage it’s ready.”

“You…” Krystal gritted her teeth at her brother’s annoying laugh while they left their simple apartment.

-x-

Minutes later…

Jesse parked his bike in front of Krystal’s school and waited her to get off. Once she was out, he stepped out of the bike and adjusted his sister’s uniform tie as he warned gently:

“Now, be a good girl and study hard. Don’t talk with strangers ok?’

“Gheez, oppa… you are looking like dad now…”

Krystal said as she rolled her eyes and gained an ice glare coming from her brother. The latter smiled when Krystal apologized and looked down. He chuckled at her reaction and placed his hands on her shoulders as he started gingerly:

“Look, Krys… since our parents aren’t here, I need to take care of you. As much we miss mom and dad, we must strain ourselves to fulfill our dreams. So… for now, we only have each other. I can’t be the best oppa in the world, but I love you okay?”

“Ya, oppa… I was kidding… although you mess with me all the time and quite annoying sometimes… you know I love you too.” A melted Krystal pouted and pulled Jesse down to a tight hug as she whispered honestly:

“Take care, oppa. And don’t worry, everything will be fine. Actually, I have a good feeling about this interview. So… fighting, oppa!”

Jesse chuckled and nodded as he handed the bike for his sister. He planted a kiss on the crown of her head and waved:

“Thanks, Krys. Now, take the bike with you since I don’t know when I will come back. As soon your classes are over, go home. I am gonna take a cab! See you later!”

“Bye, oppa~~~”

Krystal waved back with a smile in her face as her brother finally disappeared from her sight. As soon she turned around, she let a big sigh as she remembered brother. Jesse always was tired, she couldn’t blame him… since they moved to Korea; Jesse always worked hard to support them while their parents were on States. He is a good brother and always made sure to take good care of her. With a smile in her face, she prays for God’s help to her brother have a good opportunity. She couldn’t ever imagine that his destiny already had everything planned…

-x-

Meanwhile at the Hwang Mansion…

“But, dad… How can you go on a trip now?! What about me?!”

A beautiful brunette wearing a fine office outfit whined to her father who was wearing a nice and black tux while they were climbing down the long staircase. The middle age man just chuckled at his daughter’s whines while he watched the time in his wristwatch. Suddenly, he turns around, standing in front of his daughter and placing his hands on her shoulders:

“Miyoung, I thought we already discussed about this. Isn’t any trip; I have to go to Japan. It’s a big step for our company. We just recovered from a great loss in our sales and now, every help is available, right dear?”

“Yes, father. But how do you think I will be able to deal with everything while you are away? I don’t know I am that good…”

“*chuckles* Oh dear, it’s in your blood. When the time it comes, I am more than sure that you will know what to do. I bet your mother would think the same if she was here. So… can I count with you?”

The brown haired young lady sighed deeply and nodded slightly while looking at the floor:

“Yes, father.”

Mister Hwang smiled widely in return as he leaned and kissed his daughter’s forehead affectionately:

“That’s my girl, I knew I could count with you, darling.”

“Yes…” A hesitant Miyoung smiled and nodded as she accompanied her father to the front door. He reached his briefcase and hugged his daughter, already walking to his limousine as the chauffeur opened the car’s door. However, before enter, he turns around and waved while smiling:

“I will call you as soon I get there, dear. And don’t worry, I know that everything will be fine, remember, you are a Hwang after all. Farewell, darling!”

“Bye, dad. Have a safe trip.”

Miyoung smiled and waved back to her father as he entered in the car and left the mansion. Once he was out of her sight, she sighed heavily and leaned against the wall, mumbling to herself:

“Great… Daddy counts with me so this means … a double responsibility… oh boy… I can’t believe I will have to deal with the whole company all by myself…”

-x-

“Oh, good morning, Miss Hwang!”

The doorman of the gigantic building labeled “Hwang & Kim Corp.” greeted Miyoung with a wide smile. She returned with an eye-smile and greeted back:

“Good morning, Mr. Lee. How is Mrs. Lee?”

The old man smiled back at the young lady concern and answered:

“She is fine, thanks for asking, Miss Hwang.”

She smiled at the answer and when she was about to enter in the building, she stopped abruptly. In realization, she stomped on her foot and mumbled sulkily:

“I can’t believe I forgot!”

“What’s wrong, Miss Hwang?” Mr. Lee asked in concern while eyeing Miyoung’s actions. The latter just smiled apologetically as she answered into a small voice:

“It’s just I realized that I forgot to grab my favorite coffee before work.”

“Oh, miss Tiffany. Why don’t you tell me this before? I could call someone or I—“

“That’s fine, Mr. Lee. The coffee shop it’s down the corner. Thanks anyway, I will come back soon.”

Miyoung a.k.a Tiffany waved happily at the old man which only chuckled at the young lady weird actions. With that, Tiffany walked to the coffee shop.



“Damn! If I knew that the cab would take so long, I would use my bike. I can’t believe I am late for my interview!”

Jesse grumbled to himself as he watched his wristwatch. He froze when he saw that he only had one minute to arrive on the “Hwang & Kim Corp” building. Jesse started to jog to get more time as he run by the street to his destination. Just when he thought that his life couldn’t get worse… he realized that he was wrong…

*SLAM* CRASH!* “Ouch…”

Two bodies crashed on each other and fell onto the floor flatly. A dizzy Jesse held his head and shook it to adjust his blurred view. Out of sudden, he saw a young brunette with her head lowered and bowing million times while sputtering super fast:

“OH-MY-GOD-I-AM-SO-SORRY!”

Jesse rubbed his eyes and frowned when he sniffed a familiar smell. Once he looked down, he sighed heavily and facepalmed himself when he saw a big stain on his favorite coffee on his cloth:

“Great… caramel coffee… my favorite… but isn’t a good mix with my white shirt.”

While he just adjusted himself and seated on the floor, he couldn’t help to smile as the lady in front of him kept apologizing, but he couldn’t see her face since her head was bowed. He frowned when he saw her hands completely drenched in the caramel liquid and well, her coffee was totally ruined. So sympathizing with her, he got a white tissue inside his pocket and wiped her hands gently:

“No, I am sorry, miss. It’s just I am really clumsy. I didn’t saw you coming, here; let me help you with this.”

“No! It was my fault, if I were more attentive, I wouldn’t hit y---“

When the young lady raised her head, their eyes finally met. That moment, everything stopped… within the other’s stare, imaginary sparkles happened between them and their heartbeats were totally accelerated. Only one word echoed Jesse’s mind as he watched the gorgeous brunette trough his glasses:

“Beautiful…”

“Why am I blushing?!” Tiffany’s cheeks heated under Jesse’s stare. So, since no words were exchange between them, Tiffany gulped and looked down shyly while speaking:

“Hmm… I guess we should stand up now, right?”

“Oh, right!” Jesse snapped from dreamland as he quickly stood up and extended his hand to help her. Looking up at him again, she returned the gentle action with a warm eye-smile as Jess was totally dumbfounded in reaction. He coughed and looked to his side to prevent his blush. However, to Tiffany’s luck or curse, in the middle way of standing up, her heel got stuck on a small hole in the pavement and there was she, ready to fall again.

Jesse promptly held her in his arms to prevent her fall. He stifled a chuckle when he saw some blush in her cheeks; once she looked up, he flashed a smile as he helped her to straighten herself:

“That’s why I prefer flats… *chuckles*”

Tiffany couldn’t help to chuckle as well with this unknown, yet different young man. Once their chuckle subsided, he reached her purse on the ground and gingerly placed in her hands. Nonetheless, that moment, their hands brushed on each other slightly and a sudden shiver ran by their bodies. They looked at each other momentarily, just smiling; and when Jesse caught a glimpse of the hour on the girl’s watch, he widened his eyes in realization. Ready to jog again, he quickly bowed to the young lady as he hurriedly explained:

“Once again, I am really sorry for ruin your coffee, miss!”

Jesse quickly reached some bills on his wallet and carefully placed on the lady’s hand as he spoke earnestly:

“I am sorry that I couldn’t help more, but I think with this you can buy another coffee.”

Tiffany felt surprised with his action as she stared the bill in her hands. Soon, he reluctantly passed through her, staring her longer for the last time like if it was the last time they would see each other. Jesse hastily turns around, but before he could disappear, Tiffany shouted in concern:

“Wait! I stained your shirt! Let me buy you a new on--!”

“That’s fine, miss, really. Thanks anyway! Have a good day!”

With that Jesse ran to his destination leaving a puzzled Tiffany to behind. Only when he disappeared from her sight, something clicked in her mind… Once she realized, she slapped her own forehead and mumbled hopelessly:

“I didn’t even asked his name…”

Tiffany stumbles her shoulders to forward as she dragged herself back to the building with a concerned and disappointed expression.



“Good morning, Miss Hwang. Oh, what happened with your face? Isn’t Taecyeon again?!”

A cheerful young lady greeted Tiffany, but when she was her boss’s pout, she raised her browns and couldn’t help to ask. However, while she handed some files to Tiffany, the latter sighed deeply and answered:

“I’m fine, Sunny. Hey, didn’t I tell you to call me just Tiffany? We are friends as well, you know?”

“Right, miss Tif—I mean, Tiffany. But, yeah, I will keep that in mind.”

With a small smile, Tiffany walked to her office as Sunny followed her. Meanwhile, she took a look on the files which her secretary gave to her:

“Hmm, Sunny, what is this?”

“Oh, it’s the resume for the job’s offer.”

“The interview is today?”

“Yes, Miss H—Tiffany. Mr. Hwang would interview the candidate, but since he in Japan…” Tiffany sighed, yet opened the file carefully as she entered in her room and spoke:

“Thanks, Sunny. Send the candidate in.”

Sunny nodded her head and smiled as she left the glamorous office. Meanwhile, Tiffany sighed heavily with her thoughts still wandering on the gentle stranger. However, she took a peek at the file and became surprised to see such admirable curriculum. Yet, she couldn’t help to ask to herself why someone with such notorious skills and instructions would like to work as her assistant. Once she saw the person’s name, something inside of her clicked… yet she couldn’t know what…

“Hmmm… Jung Jesse? Interesting…”



Meanwhile on outside Tiffany’s office…

Sunny quickly dialed to the reception while seated in her desk and asked:

“Please, send the candidate in.”

A couple seconds later, the elevator door opened into a loud *TING* sound and the so called candidate walked to the office. Jesse eyed the work routine attentively; and he couldn’t help to feel nervous as he thinks:

“Am I really going to adjust on this company? Aish, of course I can, I need to get this job. I can’t be negative now, remember… your sis its counting with you…”

Once he took a deep breath, he walked to the secretary’s desk and asked to the young blond haired lady who was with her head lowered:

“Hmm, excuse me. I am here for the interview, I am Je…”

“Jesse?!” The secretary stopped her writing and instantaneously looked to upwards only to gawk in surprise. She rapidly stood up, already smiling and pulled the blond guy for a tight hug:

“Sunny?! You work here?!”

“Of course, silly! Don’t you remember that I told you this before? Don’t blame, but blame this thing that you call head.”

Jesse glared at her icily and his friend smiled uneasily. Out of sudden, they broke in laughter as he continued, feeling much more relieved:

“So you are the president’s secretary. Hmm interesting...”

“*Giggles* Yeah, but this is just a part-job to help me with the university’s expenses and everything. But hey, I almost forgot, the president Hwang it’s waiting for you. So you are the one for the president assistant’s post?”

“Well, I hope so since I really need this job. Krys and I, well, we are living together and we help our parents as well.”

“Right, oh by the way, how is Krys? Oh, aish haha I am blabbering again! We will chat latter! You have an interview and I have work to do hahaha!”

Jesse smiled with a nod as Sunny guided him to the president’s office. She opened the door for him and winked as she mouthed cheerfully:

“Fighting, Jess!”

The latter stiffed a laugh as he finally entered into the wide and glamorous office. Walking silently and taking a deep breath, he couldn’t help to scan the whole room. He was amazed to see such trophies and diplomas plastered on a wall. When he stopped his tracks, he realized that he was in front of the president’s desk, yet looks like that the latter was facing the wall while analyzing some files. Out of sudden, a serious voice spoke:

“Good morning, Mr. Jung. You can have a sit.”

Jesse was surprised to listen a feminine’s voice since he thought that the president was a man due the job’s information. However, he was even more surprised because this same voice was incredibly familiar, but he couldn’t remember properly. So focusing on his interview, he held his own files firmly and greeted back at the same seriousness:

“Good morning, Miss ---“

Before he could end his sentence; his mouth dropped in shock when the woman turned around and became pleasantly surprised, reflecting his expression. At the same moment, all the previous feelings like shivers in their spines and fast heartbeats invaded their human system. Then, a blush crept in her cheeks as a genuine smile formed in their lips when they uttered at the same moment while their eyes were locked into a warm stare:

“You?!”


TBC

A/N: So... did you guys enjoy it? Should I proceed? I will wait for your answer, until then... see ya! Fighting, readers! God bless all!