Maybe it had been too soon to assume that my life would get easier. Unfortunately it didn’t- the opposite happened.

To be more precise- Kim Jongin happened.

 

It had only been three days since I had subsequently left the interview with Hot News Korea- and three days since I had received the mysterious package from whom I had simply assumed to be Kim Jongin as well.

 

You’d think I would be able to rest in peace, knowing that I had dirt on that three-year-old, but instead I was wiggling like a worm every night in bed.

Why hadn’t they called me yet?

Were they planning to blackmail me?

Were they scheming different ways to control me somehow?

 

Whatever it was, I didn’t like it one bit.

I would be happy to simply be left alone to my own devices, and stay out of whatever mess they planned on pulling me into. But instead anxiety bubbled through my stomach like lava, preparing to erupt.

 

I had tried my best to keep my cool, telling myself repeatedly that they would call me back, it would just take some time.

 

But until then, I was stuck living my everyday life, trying to get by on the small amount of money I had saved up from my previous job.

 

I had just left the convenient store on the street corner after picking up a few necessities. Water, snacks, and food in general. Pretty much nothing that held any kind of nutritional value to it. Thankfully the convenient store wasn’t far away from my apartment complex, and I didn’t need to walk far to get back home.

 

I sluggishly walked into the elevator, and slammed the ‘close door’ button repeatedly so that no one else would enter. The only reason being that there was a chance one of my neighbors could be that person, and I didn’t feel like explaining why I hadn’t come to the most recent block party. Fortunately the doors closed with ease, and no one tried to stop them. I soon felt the elevator rising with a few shakes and bumps, and then it stopped just as quickly.

 

Thankfully we were on the second floor, and I didn’t know anyone on that level. That meant that I didn’t have to worry about… talking to anyone. I sound like a real hermit, don’t I?

Lowering my head so that my eyes were positioned on the ground, I only saw a shady figure slump onto the elevator, making it sway subtly in the process. For some reason he found this quite horrifying, and he dramatically grasped onto the sides of the elevator.

I made a strange face, but didn’t bother looking up to see who the half-wit was.

 

Once the doors closed again, the elevator moved upwards slowly. The man grunted in satisfaction, seemingly happy that we hadn’t crashed to our deaths. We stood in silence for a long moment, and I couldn’t help but picture crazy assault scenes that occurred in elevators from crime shows I had once watched. My mother had always scolded me for watching those, but honestly, I couldn’t pretend like it didn’t happen.

 

My fear started to increase as I noticed how tall the man was compared to me. Not to mention he was super shady. His hood was pulled down entirely, covering his eyes so that I could only get a look at the lower half of his smug face.

 

But it didn’t matter. In the end, I kept to my business, and he kept to his. A gasp of relief escaped my lips when I heard a small ‘ding’ indicating that we had arrived on the fourth floor- my level. The doors popped open simultaneously, and I practically sprinted down the hall, jumbling for my keys the entire time.

 

As I searched for them in the depths of my purse, I felt a strange presence behind me, which only made me search with more urgency.

Had the man gotten off as well? I couldn’t remember anyone like him living on this floor.

I quickened my pace, sending a frantic glance behind my shoulder.

 

It was him! The man from the elevator!

 

I almost choked, and finally threw away my resolve, sprinting down the hall to my apartment door. With a finally tug I jerked my keys from my bag, and shoved them into the door lock. But before I could twist it, two large hands slammed the door in front of me, caging me into a deadlock.

I stood, petrified, not being able to move an inch.

“W-what do you want?” I stammered, breathing like I had just run a marathon.

“You know exactly what I want.” The man replied, pushing his body against my back.

 

Wait a second. That voice. It sounded… familiar.

 

I bit my lip angrily, and grunted in spite. Then I threw my head back, sending a hard blow to the man’s forehead.

“OW!” He cried out, almost falling to his feet. I turned around furiously, and crossed my arms.

“Exactly WHAT do you think you’re doing?” The words dripped venom, and I could barely control myself from kicking him repeatedly.

“How did I know it was you, Kim Jongin?” I sighed, tapping my foot, waiting for an explanation.

He pouted like a puppy, rubbing his forehead where a bright-red mark was slowly appearing.

 

“Why did you hit me so hard! My beautiful face is ruined!” He squeaked.

“That’s exactly why I hit you! NO MAN SHOULD THINK HE’S BEAUTIFUL!” I yelled. “You self-absorbed, immature, spoiled, son of a-”

“Will you just calm down?” Jongin cut off my insults, and shook his hair with one hand. “I just wanted to visit.” He added, and for some reason he found his remark normal.

I stood there for a moment, giving him a serious look.

“You wanted to… visit?” I spat, tilting my head to the side.

He simply nodded, the seriousness remaining plastered on his face.

“You do know that in order for people to visit each other, they have to be friends, right?” I questioned.

“Well… I guess so.”

“And are we friends?”

“I’d say more like enemies.” Jongin nodded.

“Then why are you here?” I grumbled.

Jongin stood still for a moment, pondering his answer.

“To get a good idea of what I’m up against.” He finished.

“What do you plan on doing? Do you think that I’ll just invite you in with a snap of my fingers? Or have you already forgotten what you did to me?” I growled, clenching my jaw.

 

His face stayed blank, and a hot rage boiled up inside me. “WHAT? Have you really forgotten?” I screeched. “I can’t say that I do remember. You know, I upset more than one person on a normal day.” He nodded matter-of-factly.

“Is that so? I never would have guessed. Well let me refresh your memory- you almost assaulted me.” I hissed, whispering it so that my neighbors wouldn’t hear.

“Really? That’s what you're throwing this big fit about?” He laughed, leaning in. “Why don’t I really assualt you this time? Then you’ll have something to actually brag about.” He smirked, and my face instantly turned beet red.

I knew he was just joking, but I was still completely flustered. He was joking...right?

 

Without hesitation, I flipped around, opened my door, jumped inside, and then promptly slammed the door in his face. His fists crashed on it with fury.

“Ji-eun! OPEN THIS DOOR!” He yelled, slamming on the door angrily.

“I was just kidding!” He added.

“Were you? Were you really just kidding?” I questioned seriously, suddenly happy that a door separated me from the temper tantrum throwing three-year-old.

“Of course I was! Now OPEN THIS DOOR!” He yelled, and I sighed in anger. At this rate, everyone on this floor would think a murder was taking place.

 

Setting my purse down and cracking my knuckles, I swiftly opened the door just as Jongin’s fist was flying through the air to slam it one more time. I caught it in mid-air, grasping it tightly. He seemed quite surprised by my quick reflexes.

 

“Now that I’ve opened the door, will you stop throwing a fit? What do you want?” I growled, squeezing his hand. He quickly ripped his hand from my grasp, and held it like I had severely injured it.

“You could start by treating me with more respect.” He began.

I couldn’t help but laugh heartily. “And why would I ever do that?” I chided, leaning on my door frame.

“Well, the reason I came here in the first place was to tell you that you got the job.” He smiled shiftily, narrowing his eyes.

It seemed that his friends had made the decision without his say.

I tossed my hair behind my shoulder dramatically. “Of course I did. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind.” Except for those sleepless nights when I thought I wouldn’t get the job for sure.

“BUT- there are a few conditions.” He added, smiling evilly.

Oh great.

 

“First of all, you have to dress modestly in the workplace.” He lifted up his pointer finger, and stared at me seriously. I tilted my head suspiciously.

“I’m not saying that I wouldn’t have done that in the first place, but why?” I asked, brow creasing.

He seemed a bit agitated that I had prodded about his reasons. “Well...that’s because I don’t want anyone else looking at you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Just take it from me- men have dirty minds. DIRTY I TELL YOU!” He squawked, and left the explanation at that. “The second condition is to always come on time.” He lifted up a second finger. “This is for obvious reasons- I am a busy man. I don’t have extra time to waste on your dawdling, or whatever else women spend their time doing.”

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “If you're such a busy man, what are you doing here? Couldn’t you have simply texted me?” I suggested.

 

He seemed stumped, and gave me a harsh look. “I could have, but since you will be my personal secretary, I assure you that telling you in person is a better idea.”

My stomach churned, and I could feel my lunch promising to make a sudden re-appearance.

“I’m going to be your what?” I muttered.

“My personal secretary. That way, you won’t be able to reveal any racy information about me to the press.”

I scowled ungratefully.

“Well, pardon my incompetence on the subject- but wouldn’t being your personal secretary give me more racy information about you?” I questioned.

“Hm. I guess that’s true. But I’m simply relaying the information Kyungsoo told me to tell you.” He nodded.

Hmph. Kyungsoo, eh? That sneaky, big eyed, innocent looking man. I could still remember his underhanded questions from three days ago at the interview. There was no doubt in my mind that he knew exactly what he was doing by putting me right next to Jongin. Sure, that gave me direct access to his temper tantrums, and if I so desired, I could easily release the information to the public. So then why was he taking such a risk? There had to be a reason.

“That’s great and all, but I didn’t want to become your babysitter. I wanted to become a reporter!” I whined, ready to turn down the only job offer I had received for three months.

Take it this way: Would you want to babysit a 24 year old baby?

Didn’t think so.

 

“Sorry to tell you, but you’ll have to work your way up to that just like everyone else. You're not the only one that wants to become a reporter. You haven’t even interned anywhere.”

“But- my blog-” I began, but Jongin raised his hand to silence me.

“That doesn’t matter. That blog is an unofficial gossip website. There’s really nothing professional about it.”

My jaw clenched angrily. Had he just insulted my hard work?

“For your information- that blog is followed by millions of readers! I probably have more readers than you have followers on twitter!” I howled.

“Hm. I doubt it.” And with that, Jongin simply waltzed away, down the hall.

“HEY! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING?” I growled, ready to chase after him.

“I don’t particularly feel like listening to your commentary any longer, so I’ll be leaving. Oh- and don’t forget to come to work at 6am tomorrow. Sharp.” He smiled evilly, and sidestepped slyly into the elevator.

 

The doors closed with a small ‘ding’, leaving me fuming, alone, in the hallway.

“That rotten jerk. I can already tell he’s going to abuse me at work. He’s so lazy, he’ll probably force me to do everything for him instead of doing it himself.” I huffed, and slammed my door behind me after I stepped inside.

 

….

 

“Are you… sure?” The secretary repeated, tilting her head to the side.

“Yes, quite. Now do you think you could give me my ID now? I’m going to be late.” I practically growled. Ten minutes ago, I had arrived to work in one piece. Jongin had made it quite clear the other day that being late would not be tolerated- therefore I decided to come a half and hour early.

Unfortunately, the secretary would not let me through.

“Well yes, of course.” She slowly handed me my employee ID, freshly printed. “But are you sure that you can handle it? Don’t tell anyone I said this- but our CEO can be quite the handful.” She bit her lip timidly.

 

“Trust me. I am well aware of that.” I frowned, and before she could say anything else, I marched right past her, and headed straight for Kim Jongin’s office. As I passed, the employees gave me worried, sad, and even frightened looks. I would soon find out why.

 

A large crash almost burst my eardrums just as I reached for the doorknob on Kim Jongin’s door. I could hear muffled screams inside, and papers flying around. Slowly, I opened the door, afraid of what I might find.

 

“YOU BLITHERING IDIOTS! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?” Kim Jongin howled furiously, and I watched in horror as he threw anything he could get his hands on. There were two cowering employees that hid underneath a desk, trying desperately to avoid being struck.

Kyungsoo stood by, trying to calm Jongin down.

 

“Kai, calm down! They had to do it- its a part of their job!” He growled, obviously irritated with Jongin’s horrible behavior. Unfortunately it didn’t calm him down at all.

Jerking his arm out of Kyungsoo’s grasp, Jongin took a paper weight off of his desk and aimed it directly at one of the employees that were cowering underneath the desk at the opposite side of the room.

 

Before the object could be thrown, I quickly intervened, throwing my body in front of him.

“And just WHAT do you think you’re doing?” I screeched, slapping the weight out of his hand. It hit the floor with a loud thump.

The room grew completely silent, and the only thing that could be heard was my heavy breathing.

“Why are you hurting these people? Take a chill-pill, for God sakes! You look like a child!” I yelled, crossing my arms.

“What does she think she’s doing? No one has insulted the CEO and lived to tell the tale!” One of the employees whispered behind me.

 

I narrowed my eyes angrily, glaring at Jongin with hatred. He seemed utterly shocked, and somewhat embarrassed that I had witnessed everything.

“Ji-eun. What are you doing here?” He choked, his lips. They were probably dry after all the yelling.

“I’m here- on time- for my first day at work. But I should be asking you that question. What are you doing here?” I motioned to the scene before me.

 

He seemed speechless, and baffled. “I- I don’t know.” He finished, and looked confused. “So you were throwing a fit for no reason?” I asked.

“No- I was angry because they miss-filed my papers.” He pointed accusingly to the cowering employees like misfiling papers was a felony. My eyes widened.

 

“They misplaced your papers? That’s what this huge fuss was about?”

“Yes…?” He seemed confused at why I didn’t think their ‘sin’ was that bad.

I sighed deeply, setting my face in my hands dramatically.

“How can I work for you if you treat your employees like garbage? Maybe I should find another job.” I shook my head disapprovingly, and to my surprise, Jongin seemed utterly distressed.

“What? No! Don’t do that…” He murmured, grabbing hold of my wrist. For a moment it had sounded like he actually...cared. I looked down at his hand, and then at him. Did he not want me to leave…? Either that or he knew once I left I would tell everyone about his little screw up at the bar.

 

Suddenly for some reason I was really angry. I wasn’t sure why- all I knew was that I was being used in some way, and I didn’t like it.

 

I jerked my wrist out of his grasp, and his eyes widened in surprised. “Don’t touch me.” I growled, baring teeth. “If you want me to stay here, you better stop pulling stunts like this.” I pointed to the cowering employees. In truth, they had been right. How did I have the audacity to scold a man that had offered me a job? He was the one in charge. I should be afraid- not him.

 

“Then why don’t we get to work?” Kyungsoo offered. He seemed to be interrupting on purpose- probably because of me. He didn’t want me to set Jongin off more. “You two, clean up this mess.” Kyungsoo ordered the two hiding behind the desk, and they humbly agreed. I was a bit enraged that he dared to order around two employees that had just been abused, but I thought better of insulting anyone else. I didn’t want to push my luck.

 

“And you- come with me.” Kyungsoo grabbed my arm gruffly, and dragged me out of the room before anyone could protest.

“What are you-” I began, but he interrupted me once we reached the hall. “So, how’d you do it?” He turned to me, and my arm dropped from his hold.

“I’m sorry. Do what?” I asked, confused.

“You stopped him in his tracks. How did you do it? Even his closest friends can’t keep him from throwing a tantrum- much less stop him in the middle of one.” He tilted his head, analyzing me closely. I felt like an organism being looked at under a microscope.

 

“Well… uh…. I guess…” I rambled, but no matter what he thought- I couldn’t accept the fact that I had stopped him with my own efforts. “Are you sure you can’t stop him? He’s always seemed pretty manageable to me.” I ended.

Kyungsoo gave me a serious look. “I’m positive. For example- it took me almost 45 minutes to get him as calm as he was when you interrupted back there.” He jabbed a thumb behind us to the office we had emerged from.

“And even then, he was still throwing things. So tell me-” He leaned in, one eyebrow raising, “-just how you pulled it off?”

 

My head slowly pulled back, and I avoided Kyungsoo’s penetrating gaze. My shoulders shrugged quickly, and I fiddled with me hands. “I don’t know. Honestly…” I began, only to be shoved from behind. I almost choked, and Jongin swiftly stepped in front of me, arm extended so that it separated Kyungsoo and I. He had been getting awfully close. Too close for comfort, at least.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” Jongin growled, practically snarling at Kyungsoo.

Kyungsoo seemed completely unaffected. He straightened his back casually, and tilted his head to the side. I noticed that he did that often- and it made him look like an innocent puppy. An innocent, deceitful puppy, that is.

“What ever do you mean?” His voice dripped sarcasm, and he blinked slowly. “I was simply asking for her tips on taming the beast.” He smiled, and without another word he his heel, and practically ran in the opposite direction. “This conversation isn’t over!” He pointed to me, and disappeared into an elevator just as quickly.

 

“That man always has an agenda.” Jongin muttered.

“Tell me about it.” I almost laughed, but realized how stupid it would look. I was supposed to be mad at Jongin.

“But that’s beside the point. What do you want?” I huffed, crossing my arms.

“Well I saw him interrogating you, and thought that I’d lend a hand.” He smiled. My face remained solemn.

“I don’t know what you’re getting at…” I snarled, glaring at him directly.

“What do you mean?” He asked, leaning in closer.

I backed away just as quickly. “What I mean is that i’m getting mixed vibes from you. If I do remember correctly- not long ago you had me thrown out of your club and never wanted to see me again. Now you’re being all… friendly.” I said the word with distaste. “What’s your deal?” I added.

He stopped for a moment, and looked off into the distance as if he was contemplating something important. I could only wonder what exactly he was thinking.

Suddenly a look of enlightenment appeared on his face, and he turned back to me, smiling.

“The only reason I acted like that in the first place was because you threw a drink on me.” He smiled, as if the answer would satisfy me.

“Hah! Not before you almost assaulted me, and YOU threw the drink on ME first! I was only retaliating!” I screeched, and then looked around to make sure no one had heard me.

 

“Hm. I guess I forgot about that.” Jongin stated.

“You FORGOT? How could-” I stopped in my tracks. It seemed that this conversation always ended this way. Did he really forget about that night? Or was he pretending. Instead, I said something else.

“You know- even if you pretend to forget about that night, I won’t.” I winked, giving him a devilish smile.

His eyes widened subsequently. It seemed that I had hit the nail on the head. So he HAD been pretending to forget, hoping that I wouldn't post the article about that night!

 

“It doesn’t matter anyways- I already wrote the article. I’m just waiting for the right moment to publish it.” I added, feeling confident. A look of tragic dismay came upon Jongin’s face, and I knew that he was fighting the urge to throw yet another tantrum.

 

But then he became lighter, and his face cleared like a rainbow after a storm.

“Do what you wish. Oh- and you may leave. I don’t think today would be the best time to start you off as my secretary, considering I will have to deal with the employees from before. So just go home, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

He promptly turned away, and marched down the corridor. I stood still- stunned at the sudden words. Had he asked me to... leave?

So that was it? My big ‘first day of work’ ended here, just like that?

 

“Well, I might as well go home and update my blog.” I wasn’t very distressed, more or less relieved, actually.

 

“But… will he pay me for being here today? Even if it was for a few minutes. It was a few minutes of my precious time.” Grumbling, I took my leave.

 

…

 

The day had ended just as soon as it had begun, and I found myself drifting off into sleep to get ready for another troublesome day at work.

It was now exactly 12:00 am, and I only had six hours to sleep.

 

The darkness around me comforted me, but I was completely unable to see anything in my apartment. Because of this- I almost choked when I heard a faint ‘creak’ noise, and then voices surrounding my room.

 

“Why is it so dark in here?” One voice said. At first, I thought I was dreaming, until I heard his voice.

“Probably because she’s a hermit.” Jongin laughed, and hot lava boiled in my stomach. What the hell were they doing?! Breaking into my apartment? Why? And how many of them were there?

 

I shifted around anxiously in my bed, completely horrified. Would it be better to stay put, and not move so that it seemed like I was still sleeping?

 

Suddenly a horrible thought came into my mind. What if they were going to kill me? I almost laughed-out-loud right after thinking it, simply because of how bizarre it was. They did have a reason- to kill me and get rid of any evidence of me ever knowing Jongin. But they were also CEO’s and managers. If they wanted to kill me, they would send someone else to do their dirty work for them.

 

“So, do you know where this computer of hers is?” I heard Kyungsoo’s voice. So even he had stooped this low?

“I don’t know! All she said was that she had the paper saved in drafts, so that she could post it whenever she wanted to!” Jongin argued.

“Well that could mean any number of things.” I heard another man’s voice. I didn’t know his name- but I knew that he had been present at my interview.

 

Suddenly I heard a loud ‘CRASH’ that sounded like pots and pans being thrown everywhere. What the hell were they doing in my kitchen?!

“What are you doing, Suho? Get over here!”

“I’m sorry, I mistook her pantry for her computer.”

“Only you would do that. Anyways, I think I’ve found the computer.” After a moment, I saw my computer come to life, and a faint light enveloped the room. I quickly squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that they hadn’t seen me.

 

“There she is.” One of the men whispered. “I think she somehow slept through that crash. Hey- she looks pretty cute. Is that why you hired her, Kai?”

“What? No- of course not Chanyeol! Don’t spout such nonsense.” Jongin defended.

“Stop your arguing and get over here.” Kyungsoo growled. “I thought that she might have a password on her computer like most people do nowadays, but she doesn’t.”

The keyboard typed away furiously, until I heard a unanimous gasp.

“There it is!”

“The post!”

My heart stopped for a moment, but I didn’t fret. I had a back-up plan. I always did.

“What’s this? She titled it, ‘My Confrontation with Korea’s biggest screw-up, Kim Jongin.”

I heard a few snorts and giggled, but Jongin silenced them quickly.

“Shut up guys. How do we delete it. That’s the bigger problem.”

“Easy-” Kyungsoo typed again, and then pressed ‘enter.’

“Done.”

“So that’s it? It’s gone?” Suho asked. “I thought this would be a cool spy mission. That was too easy.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” I flicked on the lights, smiling evilly.