Chaeyeon looked like a mysterious black bean burrito trafficking drugs despite going through legal procedures in going overseas and being innocent as . In reality, she was going back to the country she was born in for an important matter.

“Daehan Minguk~” Chaeyeon did a little dance as she got to the arrivals area.

Her small yet nifty luggage was dragged onto smooth marble floorings of Incheon International Airport. She continued to be vigilant with her surroundings as she saw a familiar person carrying a tarp with her name on it. She got closer, almost shocking the person.

“Jo Yuri…” Chaeyeon took off her shades and face mask. “It’s me.”

“Why did you go with that get-up, Chae?”

“Sorry. You know the reason, right?”

Yuri shrugged it off and escorted Chaeyeon towards a black sedan. Another person helped with the luggage and placed it at the trunk. Chaeyeon hugged her tight afterwards and swayed her many times.

“Slow down with the hug, unnie.”

“Come on, Jang Wonyoung. I missed you. I missed you all.”

She went to hug the driver and got a pat on the back. Chaeyeon whined but the driver shuts her up. 

“You’re just like Boss Kkura, Kwon Eunbi.”

“It doesn’t pay to be her childhood friend. I got used to the cold treatment.” Eunbi spoke and drove.

Chaeyeon relaxed on the passenger’s seat as Eunbi drove towards Seoul. She might’ve missed the place but she had a firm standing not to return. But when a call from the Boss about work came, she had to return.

Either that or she’s just whipped to see her again.
“Do the rest know you’re here, Chaeyeon?” Eunbi asked.

“Not Minju, Chaewon, Nako, and Hitomi. Also my parents.” Chaeyeon answered. “If I tell the four of them, my parents will know and they’ll nag on me to take over the company again.”

“Unnie, you’re a chaebol and an heir for an accounting firm – the best accounting firm in the country!” Wonyoung spoke this time. “I wonder why you won’t take the chance, unnie.”

“Won has a point, Chae.” Yuri joined in. “If you become the CEO of Lee’s Accounting and Law Firm, MS Engineering and Architecture will become huge! Think of it as a favor for Boss Kkura. She’d love that.”

Chaeyeon would’ve been firm with her decision but when Sakura was mentioned, she perked up and became ambivalent. “Really?”

“It’s Boss Kkura that makes her live and think proper decisions, I must say.” Eunbi sighed, making Wonyoung and Yuri laugh. “Anyway, good thing that you managed to return, Chae. You know how Boss Kkura takes her meetings seriously.”

“Please. I suggested a virtual meeting but Boss Kkura refused. Attendance is a must.” Chaeyeon sighed. “You don’t realize the hassle I had to go through to convince BPI that I resign and tell my landlady that I need to return here.”

“You’re resigning?!” Yuri was shocked.

“Pft. Chaeyeon-unnie doesn’t need a job. She has one and six zeroes as an allowance from CEO Lee himself. That’s US dollars, by the way so a billion Won.” 

“Despite COO Lee’s dispute, the CEO himself holds the final decision.” Eunbi added.

“To answer your question, Yul, yes. I resigned. And yes, Dad loves me more than Mom.” Chaeyeon chuckled. “But I know Mom loves me that much too. She wanted me to hold a responsibility, that’s all.”

“Then why aren’t you taking it, Chaeyeon?”

“I don’t think I’m ready plus I don’t want it, Eunbi. And I hate doing something that’s forced. Dad told me to take my time and never force myself if I don’t want it.” Chaeyeon added. “And maybe I’ll want it soon. I  want to take my time.”

“Wholesome.” Yuri commented.

“Amen.” Wonyoung joined in.

The talk ceased from there. It ended up with Eunbi driving and with the rest sleeping – even Chaeyeon was snoring inside the car. Eunbi thought Chaeyeon was unladylike sometimes. Nonetheless, they arrived at their accounting firm that also bore Sakura’s ownership.

LC Accounting and Law Firm; an exclusive firm for MS Engineering and Architecture. They handle the accounting side of the architectural firm’s projects and have a sideline of handling cases related to the firms’, if there are any. It was named that way because Chaeyeon was the boss of it; a rightful candidate because of her expertise and of her exclusive name as an heir for the most famous accounting firm in the country. With its exclusive service for Sakura, it was an unknown firm but earned known amounts of money.

It goes to show that power was really mysterious and powerful. Literally.

Chaeyeon waltzed in and slumped at her pedestaled station, slumping on her seat. The remaining three got to their stations and relaxed.

“Thank God you’re here, Chae.” Eunbi spoke again. “I can’t handle being an OIC and a mom to this duo sometimes.”

“It’s good to be back but I always know you’ll do well, Eunbi. However, I’ll be hiding again. Can I stay at either of your places?” Chaeyeon spoke.

“You have lots of money. Just buy another apartment, unnie.” Wonyoung spoke. “You can’t return to your old one since your parents might find come and find out about your return.”

“Please. I sold it before I went to the Philippines. In fact, I sold and gave away everything there after my resignation and I’m back, almost homeless.” Chaeyeon chuckled. 

“I found a secluded apartment close to the firm, Chae. It’s spacious and cheap but it looks old.” Yuri added.

“Tell the owner I’m reserving it. I’ll go there after the meeting.” 

Yuri was a step ahead and did what she was told. Chaeyeon thanked her and lets everyone rest before the meeting. She looked at her subordinates and missed them a lot.

Kwon Eunbi was the OIC and the operations manager, handling Chaeyeon’s position when she was gone in the Philippines for five years. She was also an attorney handling the law side of the firm. She has a cold personality like Sakura and she was also her childhood friend. Chaeyeon always nagged her for anything about Sakura – from her likes and dislikes – and hoped she’d help her win the Boss’ heart. Eunbi thought it was sometimes stupid and unladylike but she always helped Chaeyeon with those things.

Jo Yuri was the accounts receivable manager. She always collaborated with Wonyoung and Chaeyeon when it comes to monetary matters and had a bubbly personality. There were even times she came with Eunbi to the architectural firm or at their project’s construction site to check the progress with Sakura. In her case, she always eyed a duck helping the workers and lifting heavy sacks and bricks while coughing out dusts from cement.

Jang Wonyoung was Yuri’s counterpart as the accounts payable manager and was Eunbi’s protégé in law. She had a nick for remembering debts and nagged at bogus contractors for being irresponsible. She and Eunbi collaborate the most, especially when project expenses come in. She was the youngest but acted like the oldest when money was involved, especially debts.

For Lee Chaeyeon herself, she was the CEO and the payroll manager. She led the accounting firm and was excellent in making payrolls, hence to why she got the position, to why she didn’t take the responsibility as a heir of their company, and to why she lived a low profile despite being a chaebol. Thankfully, selected people knew that but the public didn’t, not even the architectural firm. 

It was hours before the meeting. Chaeyeon took the time to grab her backpack and get a special picture frame out. She giggled silently while looking at it.

Chaeyeon was very whipped towards Sakura. Like her, Chaeyeon was the boss and very driven with her work. However, she smiles compared to Sakura never showing a face. She’s lively compared to a composed Sakura. Most of all, she was flirtatious compared to a dense Sakura.

The flat mouth Sakura portrayed was the most famous impression both firms had towards her. She was known to be very serious and had no time to have fun, leaving the subordinates to think that Sakura was unapproachable. For Chaeyeon, she understood the fellow boss and just calmed herself about it.

Not that she didn’t mind but Sakura looked HOT like that. Chaeyeon couldn’t help but think about her everyday.

“Earth to Chaeyeon!”

Chaeyeon gasped as Eunbi got to her side. Eunbi saw the picture frame and almost wheezed. 

“Don’t mock me, Eunbi. You’re lucky that Boss Kkura’s your best friend.” Chaeyeon pouted. “What is it?”

“We need to move now.” Eunbi spoke, letting her see the time. “We need to prepare for the meeting and Boss Kkura expects us to arrive before lunch.”

Chaeyeon nodded, opening her luggage to let out her formal business attire. Eunbi, Wonyoung, and Yuri got their attires from their bags and took turns changing. Chaeyeon was the last to change and she was relieved that her clothes weren’t that disheveled.

“Ready?” Chaeyeon raised a thumb and everyone raised one back. “Okay. Let’s go!”

+++

It was a silent atmosphere in a VIP area of a famous restaurant. Sakura was talking to the waiter of their orders as Hyewon, Yena, and Yujin gave suggestions to which Sakura added. The orders were settled immediately and the three subordinates attempt to talk to their boss casually.

“Uhh…Boss Kkura?” Yena tried first. “That was a lot of food ordered. Won’t that be more than enough for all of us?”

“It’s enough. Even if it is more, we can bring which food we want to our homes.” Sakura spoke. “I reckon that all of you are hungry from this morning’s procedures of our project so all of us deserve to have a heartfelt lunch. Besides, Jjaeyeon arrived from the Philippines and she deserves a heartfelt welcome.”

The trio were excited that their main accountant has returned. However, Hyewon had another idea and asked next. “Boss Kkura, I can’t help but tell that the foods you ordered are Chae’s favorites.”

Yena and Yujin nudged her to stop asking such questions yet Hyewon didn’t give a damn. Sakura was shocked through her eyes yet she couldn’t bat. Hyewon asked nicely, after all.

“In a way, yes.” Sakura answered. “Why do you ask, Kwangbae?”

“It’s out of curiosity, Boss.” Hyewon answered back. “Did you mind?”

“Not at all.”

A knock was at the door and Yujin volunteered to open it. She greeted Wonyoung first and almost stumbled. Luckily, Wonyoung caught her and greeted her with a bright smile.

“H-Hey, Wonie.”

“What’s up, AhnYu?” Wonyoung greeted back before bowing at the others, especially at Sakura.

The others followed inside and greeted everyone. As the boss, Sakura was given the most respectful greeting by each member, especially by Chaeyeon.

“Boss Kkura~” She even shook her hand. “Long time, no see.”

“Same to you, Miss Lee.” Sakura shook back and lets her sit beside her. “How’s the Philippines?”

“Good. I had a wonderful life of five years there. My job’s fine, the people are hospitable, yet the environment .” Chaeyeon spoke. “I returned here immediately after you called for a meeting and I had permanently quit my life there to permanently stay here for the project.”

The architectural firm was shocked of Chaeyeon’s decisions. Sakura showed hers through a straight face with wide eyes. Worried looks followed yet Chaeyeon assured them that it was fine. “Don’t worry, everyone. I got it all settled. I decided to put my time for the project and for both our firms.”

“Daebak~ as expected from our main accountant~” Yujin clapped and the ’99 duo followed, with the other accountant members following.

Sakura thought it was wholesome for Chaeyeon to dedicate herself to their work but she felt guilty for accepting a huge project and implementing a strict policy when it came to meetings. She may be a driven boss but she would never want her employees to sacrifice their own lives for work.

Maybe the virtual meeting was a better idea.

“Boss Kkura, it’s okay, really.” Chaeyeon saw through her eyes and held her hand. “I’ve made the decision with no regrets. Besides, I miss all of you.”

“What about your things, Chae?” Yena asked.

“I sold some while I gave some away. I only brought selected things.” Chaeyeon spoke.

“Woah…wouldn’t that be a hassle? Where will you stay?” Yujin asked.

“Nope. I’ve thought about it for a long time.” Chaeyeon added. “I found a simple apartment close to the accounting firm. Yul will come with me to check it out.”

“Can I come?” Yena raised. “I know people within the neighborhood because of a previous project.”

Yuri lets Yena check the place. Yena approved the huge space but not the infrastructure. “Are you sure about this, Chae? The pillars are wearing out plus the cracks are prone to bugs and earthquakes – even a magnitude of 3 will cause the building to topple down.” She chuckled. “I know the owner. I should come to negotiate about the infrastructure. I’ll even help with the renovation.”

Chaeyeon was very thankful while Yuri thought she was awesome. Sakura joined in to spend a bit of money for it and Chaeyeon was blushing and thanking Sakura many times. Her conscience was cheering many times. Anything about Sakura was enough to make her happy and with her helping for her new place, she was the happiest.

The talk had to end there as their lunch was served. Chaeyeon wowed of the food as they were mostly her favorites. Everyone said grace and ate wholeheartedly. Chaeyeon had servings from each food and her plate was like the Himalayas.

“Slow down, Chae.” Eunbi spoke.

“Let her be, Eun.” Sakura spoke back. “Jjaeyeon deserves it.”

Chaeyeon almost choked but she remained composed and ate again. Eunbi and the rest joined in silence but their consciences had the same idea. If they were in an inner conference, they would be smirking at each other.

Sakura thought nothing of that and ate silently. Chaeyeon thought about Sakura and now that she returned, she had better chances of winning her heart.