Song Ji Hyo really hated her job. It was always a dread coming to work at IOK Entertainment, to be reminded of her dream to write and direct every single day. Her office was on the top floor, and had a beautiful view of Seoul, but even that couldn’t cheer her up.

Once upon a time, she wanted to make-up stories and tell it to the world. Jihyo wanted to show different tales where people could be lost with the story and just enjoy where it would take them. But reality hit her hard, and she had to face the fact that she couldn’t afford taking film courses in college.

So, she settled with the second-best thing, she studied a different course and somehow still got into the world of showbusiness as one of the best talent agent in the company.

It doesn’t help that she’s great at what she does. She’s paid handsomely and could now afford to get into the classes she wanted, but she doesn’t have the time to go anymore. The higher ups won’t let her take a time off, even for just a day. The fact that she made Jo In Sung and other top celebrities sign with her had her CEO glued to her seat and cellphone. Now they’re pressuring her to make Song Joong Ki sign with the agency, now that it’s been rumored that his contract with his agency is about to expire.

Jihyo’s been looking into Joong Ki’s contract, and had her team contact the top celebrity. It shouldn’t be that hard, since In Sung is a very good friend of Joong Ki’s, but the very person who should help her is the one who’s making it hard for her.

The first time they met, was the first time she was ever trusted to negotiate with top celebrities. She was just given a promotion, and the owners of the company’s noticed her potential at making the impossible possible. It was also her eye at discovering new upcoming artists that made her stand out from the rest. Plus, she’s easy to the eye, even actors tell her that she should consider taking up a career as a model or an actor.

She met Jo In Sung at a luxurious restaurant reserved by IOK. They were really trying to impress Jo In Sung. She couldn’t blame them though, because whenever In Sung would star in a movie or drama, it was sure to be a hit. That time, In Sung was just discharged from his military duties, and her company didn’t waste any time to schedule a meeting with him to talk about the possibility of signing with the company.

She doesn’t remember how she convinced him. But she did remember that she didn’t put in much effort that night. Song Ji Hyo enjoyed his company, they talked and just had fun all evening.

Jihyo wished she could go back at that time, because lately, she’s been dreading to go with him.

Even though her position needs her to stay in the office to research about who they need to sign up next or who to train among the ones auditioning, he pesters her by requesting her to be his personal manager. The owners of the company approved his request. And so that’s why aside from her duties inside the company, she has to accompany him with his schedules, and manage his career.

That’s also the reason why she can’t focus on signing Joong Ki.

She jumped at her seat, as soon as he walked into her office.

“Jihyo-ssi~” he said in a tune.

“Ya, couldn’t you go to the filming alone?” she asked, trying not to meet his eyes, taking a glance at her watch. Surely, it’s time for him to go to his film site.

“Jihyo-ssi, we’ve talked about this before. You’re my personal manager, you’re responsible to take me to where I’m needed. If I don’t show up, it would be your fault.”

She scrunched up her brow, “Arasso, arasso.” She hated that he’s right, but she hates him even more for making her life so complicated.

Jihyo pressed a button from the telephone to contact someone from her team, “Da-In, be a dear and continue to look at scheduling a meeting with Joong Ki. If he does agree, contact me right away. Also, look into the contract he’s being offered, send it to me right away as soon as it’s done.”

Yes Ma’am.

“All right, let’s go In Sung.” She said, reaching over for her handbag, before heading straight to the door, not even sparing him a glance.

“You’re still trying to sign Joong Ki?” He asked from behind her.

“Yes.”

“So you need to set up a meeting with him?”

“Yes.”

“Why the one-liners?” In Sung asked, as they waited in front of the floor elevator.

She let out a deep breath, then paused to look at him. “Nothing,” She said as the elevator arrived.

 “Oh come on.” He managed to say, before he follows her into the elevator.

Then a message came through her phone. She managed to type in a reply before turning to the guy next to her.

“In Sung” she said, gritting her teeth.

“Yes, my beautiful manager?” he said sheepishly.

“Damn it, I told you to refrain from seeing actresses outside of work. Someone took pictures of you and Gong Hyo Jin-ssi, and they’re trying to fish stories out from people again.”

“But she’s a friend.” In Sung pouted, trying to act cute.

“Don’t you dare use that card on me, you already see each other at work.” Ji Hyo said as she poked her fingers at his chest.

Jo In Sung unexpectedly grabbed her wrist as she pokes him, startling her.

“Well, the only way I would stop seeing actresses is for you to agree to go out with me.” At that moment, they’ve reached the basement parking but In Sung pressed the emergency stop button.

“Wha-what?” she sputtered out of bewilderment.

“Jihyo-ssi, don’t pretend you don’t remember. I notice you’ve been trying to make excuses lately, trying to avoid me, is it because of that night?” He advanced towards her, forcing her to step back.

 “What are you talking about?” She said, trying to pretend she doesn’t know what he’s referring to.

“Ji Hyo, you’ve not been yourself lately. You don’t normally treat me this way, we’ve always worked together well. You don’t act like a strict manager. We’re always good together. Is it because of what happened that night?” He asked, stepping closer again.

In Sung, we shouldn’t…

Shhh… Ji Hyo, it’s only natural.

She shook the memories away, this time she stood her ground, mustering all her courage to stop him from insinuating further.

“Stop this nonsense, we’ll be behind schedule.” But he only ignored her.

“See, I’m right. You wouldn’t change the topic if I didn’t hit the right buttons. I know you.” He said smugly, as he stalked even closer, smirking as she gave in and backed away until she hit the wall.

“In Sung.” She sighed. “What do you want?”

“Just tell me the truth.”

“We were drunk In Sung. Obviously, it wouldn’t happen have we not been drunk.” She explained.

He wasn’t convinced, “Why would you think, it wouldn’t have happened? Tell me the truth Ji Hyo, or we’ll be stuck in this elevator the whole day.”

“I wanted to avoid the awkwardness In Sung. We’re too good as friends to screw it up.” She said, her voice shaking, pleading.

Her reply had him frowning, “I don’t want to be just your friend.” In Sung said, finally releasing the stop button and walked over the company car without saying a word.

***

To say that the drive to the film site was awkward was an understatement. Nobody dared to utter a sound all the way through. Jo In Sung knows she can be quite stubborn when it comes to her feelings, but he definitely didn’t want to remain just as a friend to her. If she refuses to see her as a man, then he would rather have not see her at all to save him from the pain.

When they arrive, he threw himself to work right away. Not bothering to look back at her to say goodbye, he went to his dressing room right away. Jihyo silently stood at the background, giving him what he needs without saying a word.

He lost track of time, as he worked throughout the day. When it’s finally time to take a break, he saw her at the corner.

Da In, did you get a hold of Joong Ki?

She sighed loudly, Two days Da In, It’s been two days. Can’t you get a hold of someone who knows him?

She frowned as she pinches her nose, I can’t ask In Sung that. This is work, we should respect his personal life.

Jo In Sung thinks she really overworks herself, doing things at the same time. Also, she prides herself too much of not using connections, when it should be really easy for her to get a hold of him. How is she to know Joong Ki’s number if it’s not with his friends? Surely, his present agency won’t give her Joong Ki’s number.

Should he just- fine. He fished out for his phone, and gave his dongsaeng a quick call. He would help her just this one final time.

“Yeoboseyo, Joongki-ya.”

***

The next filming break, he saw her looking over the monitor just beside the director, chatting over the latest film sequence. The director is now a very good friend of hers since they started filming, in fact, she gets along well with all of his directors and writers. They often joke how she’s a great manager by asking them a storm about the tiniest detail at his take.

The director laughed heartily, as she pointed out on what seemed like a metaphor in the sequence. You catch on too quickly. We’ve only discussed about that detail with my writers.

Song Ji Hyo beamed at the director, proud of herself for noticing it. As she was smiling carefree, she accidentally looked over to him. She paused for a bit, before smiling warmly at him, but he refuses to smile back.

***

On the wee hours of the night, he finally finished his parts. When he arrived at the dressing room, he saw  Ji Hyo, curled up on the sofa, sleeping soundly.

He doesn’t have the heart to wake her. She looks like she haven’t really slept in days with all the work the company is giving her.

“Eo, you’re done?” she said, rousing from her sleep.

 “You could go home now. I could drive myself home.”

“But, it’s my duty to-“

“I’m fine. You should rest.” He interjected. “I think it’s taking a toll on you to keep doing things for me while you work for the company. I’ll tell them to relieve your duties from me.”

“But-“

“Don’t be stubborn, I’ll be fine.” He said, his words having two meanings. He’ll be fine, soon.

***

Song Ji Hyo knows about In Sung’s feelings longer than he probably thinks. The night he confessed wasn’t the first time she felt his feeling for her. But she can be selfish sometimes.

She’s not good with keeping relationships. The longest relationship she had was with her career and family. All her exes told her she focused too much on her work, that they don’t think they don’t matter at all.

Of course they mattered, but they weren’t her priority. So, when she felt her relationship with In Sung is inching on a dangerous line between friends and lovers, she didn’t entertain nor reject it. She just went on like there’s nothing between them. She wanted so much to hold unto what they have, because what they have works.

But if it weren’t for a few drinks that night from a company party, he wouldn’t have the courage to tell her his feelings, and she wouldn’t be in such a weak state of mind to accept him. And so, she left him the morning after, and pretended to go back where they were before that night, just a manager-artist relationship. Of course, the change in the way they act was noticed by so many people, so it doesn’t surprise her that he noticed it. She changed in how she acts towards him, and she avoids him if she had a chance.

Now he’s acting cold, and she doesn’t know how to feel towards it. Should she feel relieved now that he’s off her case, or bothered by him not responding to her at all?

She sighed loudly, she couldn’t work at all in this state of mind. It’s been an hour since she started going over the papers in her hands, but she couldn’t process anything.

“I knew you’d go straight here.” Jo In Sung said, startling her.

Not heeding to his advice, she went over to the office instead of going home.

“I had to check the contract that will be offered to Joong Ki, he finally agreed to meet.” She explained.

“I thought Da In would send it to you?”

“She forgot.”

He sighed, “You know, you always have me worried. You should stop being good at these things, that’s why they’re expecting more and more from you.” In Sung said, before placing the ramen he brought on the table.

She smiled at him, thankful. “Komawo.” They didn’t have the time to get dinner before going their separate ways, and she forgot to stop by a restaurant before going in the office.

“You know I can’t just stop working. It’s for my family.” She said, as she reached over for the ramen.

“But what about you? Who would take care of you?”

“Good thing I have you, right?” She didn’t realize what she said until the words rolled out of .  She stopped, and looked over him.

“You should start focusing on what makes you happy.” He commented.

“You know why I signed in your company?” In Sung raised his brow in query. “It’s not because of what IOK can offer, it’s because of you.” He revealed. “You were full of passion when I met you. I’m surprised with your knowledge in the different genres of movies, the way your eyes sparked when you were reciting books you think would make a good drama or movie. From then on, I knew that if I signed in a company who hired you, I knew I would be in good hands.”

“I… I- didn’t know.”

“Jihyo, that’s why I signed up. Then I got to know you. And you couldn’t be even more perfect. As time passed, I’ve become more and more attracted to you. You’re amazing at what you do even if you don’t like what you’re doing. That’s why I insisted to make you my personal manager, not just because I wanted to spend time with you, but I wanted to get you to the filming sites. I remembered the girl who was so passionate about being a writer and director, but as you stay in the company, you began to settle in your role. I wanted you to remember the dream. I don’t want you to give it up Jihyo, just like I don’t want to give up on my feelings for you. But if you wanted just to remain friends, then I’d rather we go our separate ways.”

She was speechless, she didn’t know what to say. She remained on her seat, unmoving as he stared expectantly. He exhaled a breath, “I just wanted to know, why did you leave after?”

When she couldn’t answer him, he was resigned to the fact that she wouldn’t want to answer him. He leaned in, cupped her face and gave her a chaste kiss. “I’ll tell boss to have me assigned to another manager.” He said, walking towards the door.

“Wait,” before he could look behind him, he felt her arms wrapped around him.

***

So I had this story idea yesterday, and the writing just flowed. It's kinda cliche so please just bear with it. HAHA.