NOW

APRIL 2017

                RIGHT after Sehun forced him to take a warm shower before going to bed, Jongin never felt so awake and alive and bored in his bed. Sehun already left an hour ago after brewing him some hot tea and he was now left alone in his apartment. Jongin was laying down on his right, squeezing an extra pillow between his legs, browsing through Audi website on his phone, wondering one day if he will ever own one. A moment later he received a text from Soojung.

                ‘Hoi Jongin-ah.’

                Jongin let out a faint laugh, surprised by the unexpected text at 12.04 AM. Are they all done with the gathering?

                ‘Hoi.’

                ‘Whatchu up to? I hope you’re all safe and sound at home.’

                ‘I am actually. About to sleep too. Is the gathering over?’

                ‘The whiskey was too strong for everyone.’

                Jongin let out a chuckle this time, glad he was not the only defeated one in the game. ‘For you too?’ He then hit send.

                ‘Don’t make fun of me.’

                Jongin smiled quietly, and asked her what question Minho asked that has made her took the shot.

                ‘He dared me to call the person I have the biggest crush on and confess to him.’

                Jongin was silent the moment he read what arrived from Soojung, and immediately sympathized with Kyungsoo. That boy must be grieving for now.

                ‘You didn’t call him?’ Jongin asked.

                ‘I couldn’t.’

                Jongin mused, wondering if he could offer some comforting words for her. Holding back is never the easiest thing to do.

                ‘Jongin…’ Another text came from Soojung before he could type another word.

                ‘Yes?’

                ‘Good night…’ And then, Soojung was offline from the Kakaotalk in a flash. Jongin was caught off guard by her sudden exit but he decided to let it go.

NAEUN stared hard at the announcement poster that her staffs were putting up on the noticeboard. The font was grand and clear – talking about the intern presentation about their program in Jeju; the one that Jongin had long prepared for. She took two steps back to study the poster and was proud of herself for finally conducting and chairing a meeting. This was her first decision and her father was very pleased to let her proceed with the idea. Finally, she came in handy. It was 8.00 AM and more and more of the interns came in and were intrigued to look at the poster that could never escape from anyone’s sight. The gathered around the board, mumbling something to one another, and every word was intelligible to Naeun. Some were sighing and some looked, fortunately, half-excited, half nervous. Naeun stared down at each of them, who all looked just about her age, and wondered what fun life they had in university when they enjoyed their youth and not having their embarrassing , failed wedding ceremony up on YouTube. Naeun walked back, feeling a bit out of place, and proceeded to her office.

                At least Jongin would be happy with this news.

                SOOJUNG pursed her lips, musing, and while she saw doing that standing in front of the announcement poster regarding the presentation for all the interns, a couple of male workers turned heads to take a second glance at her, an obvious indication that the boys had never seen someone as beautiful as her on the 8^th floor. She drew her long hair behind her shoulder and crossed her arms. She was in a bad situation. She didn’t write any report about her internship program in Jeju because her supervisor didn’t mention about it, and now that she has to do some slide on the program, she wondered from whom shall she seek some help.

                Jongin. Good thing she came here to see him.

                Naeun was just getting out of her office to grab some late breakfast when she realised Soojung was just about done reading the poster. Naeun’s movement halted in a brief, and when she noticed Soojung’s incoming footsteps were getting closer towards her own department, she walked back, re-entering her office.

                Does she work on this floor?

                HYORIN was smiling and laughing the entire time she was fixing Hyejong’s clothes and wiping his little mouth that was covered in melted chocolate fro-yo. They were out of napkin by the time Hyejong finished the whole cup of the frozen yogurt. Hyorin took out a dry tissue from her purse and reached for her sloppy three-year old miracle.

                It was almost lunch time but Hyorin decided to treat his son to his favourite snack because his teacher called in this morning to remind her of the award giving ceremony tonight, and Hyejong has just been nominated for Proactive Award of the semester, all this while being the youngest in his class.

                “You’re a big mess, honey,” Hyorin pinched Hyejong’s button nose and the loving gesture made the little boy broke into a foolish grin, showcasing his gapped front teeth.

                “Do you want some more yogurts?” Hyorin asked, pulling back the empty cup to the center of the table. “Or you’re all done?”

                “Strawberry,” Hyejong’s said crisply in his broken language, tilting his head sideway cutely.

                “You’re a big yogurt eater,” Hyorin laughed. “At this rate you’re gonna become their unofficial ambassador.”

                “What is em-bassa-dur?” Hyejong’s innocently asked as though he was feigning ignorance to his mother’s statement regarding his big appetite. Hyorin nodded and pinched some more of Hyejong’s little nose before making a wave at the waiter.

                “It’s ambassador,” Hyorin winked at her son, and Hyejong copied the gesture naturally. Hyorin’s heart exploded at the sight of her son’s adorable wink that she couldn’t help but plant kisses on his pinkish round cheek. “And it means someone who eats a lot.”

                “So I am ambassador?”

                “Yes, Hyejong, you are an ambassador.”

                Hyejong grinned at the happy news his mom told him; a dimpled grin that could melt anyone’s heart.                 Hyorin placed her chin in her hand and offered another to hold her son’s hand.                

                “Are you ready for some fro-yo?”

                “Yessss!”

                Hyorin was about to lean to plant another loving kiss on his son’s cheek but the vibration from her phones startled her. She reached for her phone, and read an unidentified number written on the screen.

                “Hello?” She greeted the caller calmly. “Who is this?”

                “Hello, Hyorin?” Lana said with a slight crack in her voice. “Is this Hyorin? It’s me, Lana. Minhyuk told me you wanted to see me.”

                JONGIN was just outside Naeun’s office and he was about to knock on his boss’s door when Naeun coincidently swung the door open to resume her interrupted breakfast plan. She was close to bump into him before forcing herself to remain rooted to the floor. Jongin chuckled a little, smiling at Naeun.

                “I was about to knock-”

                “Oh,” Naeun gasped. “That’s new.” She commented casually, and laughed a little when she noticed Jongin’s hardened expression.

“What’s up?” She asked, gesturing Jongin in, and he nodded slightly with a thanks. “Have a seat.”

                “Thank you. I just have a few questions regarding the intern meeting.”

                “What about it?” Naeun sat down on her cheek, facing down at Jongin. He looked up, suddenly nervous by the towering figure in front of him. “Is there anything about the presentation that bothers you?” She added.

                “No, everything’s fine. I, uhm, thought it got cancelled. What happened?”

                “I kinda revived it.”

                “You did? Why?”

                “Because,” Naeun paused, tucking her blonde hair behind her one ear. “This will be a good evaluation for all the interns. I look forward to seeing what potential they have got within themselves.” This answer is ing textbook.

                “Cool,” Jongin shrugged. “Also, I realised you’ll be chairing the meeting.”

                “So you did,” Naeun smiled shortly. “And of course, you will be my assistant.”

                “I am your assistant. “

                “And the MC. Coordinator. Moderator. Whatever petty job that needs to be taken care of, you’ll be in charge of that,” Naeun said as-matter-of-factly, waving her hand a little.

                “I will? Are you sure about this?”

                “Jongin, I revived the meeting. I am more than sure about this thing, okay?” Naeun gave a few emotionless pats on Jongin’s shoulder before rising up to her feet. She raised her brow playfully and nodded at him as a sign of dismissal.

                “Naeun,” Jongin also rose to his feet, and she looked up at him naturally.

                “Yes?”

                “For that much work load, I’m gonna need more than just a good evaluation on this presentation.”

                Naeun held shut, thinking of any potential merits she could offer to Jongin besides the ones that is already on the table. “I can try to overlook your mistakes. And, you know, not embarrass you in front of other interns.”

                “Oh,” he gasped. “That’s actually very nice of you.”

                “Yeah,” she smiled. “And now that I remember, I think you promised to cook me dinner.”

                THERE were only 10 interns registered at Blue Diamond Hotel and Jongin noticed that Soojung and him were the only students of the same public university to be accepted for internship. Each of the rest was from a different school, and they were all private and well-known. He guessed he got lucky.

                Jongin was looking at the timeline of the meeting that was given by Naeun right before she left for a conference in another hotel. Lunch hour would be over in less 30 minutes but all he had for that day was a slice of bread with ham and salad. The bread was soft and wheaty but the files in front of his eyes were far more attractive. He was sitting alone in the cafeteria and completely lost in his own train of thoughts that he didn’t notice Soojung was tapping on the glass window outside. Jongin looked up and turned to see her, and his face cracked a smile, laugh lines formed immediately around his mouth. Soojung waved at him and he signalled her to come and join and him.

“I was embarrassed. People thought I was ing on you,” Soojung said as soon as she sat down next to him.

                “They’re not wrong, alright,” Jongin teased, and pushed back all the files into a single lump to make space for his friend.

                “What is all this?”

                “Just some standard files to learn about the – staff, I guess. Naeun told me I’ll be MC-ing the intern meeting this Friday. You did know about the meeting right?”

                “I did. The posters were everywhere. You cannot simply walk past them and not notice the loud ‘come and read, you peasants’ expression the poster was giving.”

                “So, are you done with the slides? What are you going to talk about?”

                “See, the thing is, I came by your floor this morning but you weren’t there, and now that we’re here, I was wondering if you could help me with my slide.”

                “I could, if I learn a bit of finance.”

                “No, it’s not gonna be about finance. That s’s tough.”

                Jongin snorted, half-amused, as he looked at Soojung. “Okay. Do you have any particular idea you want to present to us?”

                “How social media impacts the shift toward eco-sustainability and more networking in hotel industry.”

                There was a fleeting moment of silence between the two friends, each holding gaze against the other in hope for a better, more alive response.

                “I’m not sure about that.”

                “What? WHY?” Soojung frowned in agony. “That was perfect though? Was it not perfect?”

                “Well, first of all, you’ll definitely be putting at least half of us to sleep. Secondly, I’m not sure if the topic is – up to my boss’s standard.”

                “And what exactly are the standards?”

                “This isn’t a debate,” Jongin laid out carefully after heaving a silent sigh, his countenance was still. “You’re probably got carried away with the recent win but you need to make sure that everyone in the room, especially my boss, would actually listen and get the point you’re trying to convey and not put them to sleep. In fact, let me text Naeun and ask her opinion on this.”

                “Then text her,” Soojung gave a small throw to her head, resting her chin in her hand.

                A brief moment of silence took over while Jongin was focusing at his lit-up phone screen. He was looking down the whole time, and occasionally a small giggly snort came out through his mouth, a beautiful smile tugging at the end of his lips. Soojung looked on, and couldn’t help but to feel envious of the apparent closeness between Jongin and his supervisor.

                “Read this,” Jongin smiled, unconscious of the surge of happiness he received from a bunch of text exchange with Naeun as he drew his phone toward Soojung. She almost grunted from misery when he offered her his hand phone, and took it without saying a single word.

                Soojung was silent as she read the Kakaotalk conversation between the two that went:

J: get this, topic on social media impacting the shift toward eco-sustainability and more networking in hotel industry for the presentation this Friday

J: is it good?

N: …

N: If you’re trying to kill me to sleep that’ll work wonder

N: I don’t even understand half of the sentence you were saying

N: is that what you’re going for?

N: I mean ofc I can listen to that

N: just know that it’d be the last thing I’ll be listening to before I close my eyes

N: for good

N: no pressure tho J

J: that’s not mine

N: then whose…-?

J: a friend

N: tell your friend no please don’t

N: sorry

N: pick something much more interesting, simple

N: I envision the presentation to be a place of relaxation, fun and happiness

J: you sound like you’re throwing a pot party but yeah sure I’ll tell her that

N: shut up

N: now go be useful, you slecker

J: that’s a wrong spelling for slacker, boss

                Soojung bit her bottom lip; her brows were already against each other. She gave back Jongin his hand phone and only stared at him without a word. She was not bothered by the rejected topic as much as she was by how close and friendly the two sounded in the chat. How can a boss act like that toward her subordinate – an intern at that?

                “Sorry,” Jongin said with a remorseful smile.

                “My day is ruined, that’s for sure. Then what should I talk about?”

                “How about the study of trends and important impulse for the future of hotel industry. That sounds something like we discussed in a talk at the program. I think a report on that wouldn’t be so underrated.”

                “Ugh that sounds easy and not challenging.”

                “This isn’t a debate.”

                “Ugh,” Soojung rolled her eyes and grabbed the files that were in Jongin’s hands. She flipped through the pages in silent, her mind drifting someplace else. It did not take long for Jongin to notice how easily it was to make her agree to something.

                “You’ll do fine,” Jongin said gently as he leaned in close to Soojung’s ear, oblivious of how the little comforting whisper was enough to put her back into a good mood.

                She turned to face Jongin; face flushed, and he was quickly retreated to his position, already picking up his untouched sandwich. He took a smile bite and offered her some when he realised the long hard gaze Soojung has been giving him.

                “No, thanks.” Soojung returned that files that she initially took from Jongin. “I already ate,” she said silently with a shake to her head. She smiled at him, pushing back the chair and waved him goodbye in an awkward manner. “Thank you for your help.”

                “I didn’t do much, Soojung. Sorry I ruined your day.”

                Soojung smiled anyway at Jongin’s answer before walking away. She walked past the counter and the empty tables but never once did she realise she was already at the elevator, and then her stomach began to turn and twist, making her head feel light and heavy at the same time.

                NAEUN came back to the office right away upon the closing speech of the conference. She came separately with her father only so she would not be caught up between the conversation of old men who tried to compete with each other to see who could come up with the most boring topic on world’s economics and investment in foreign countries and God knows what else. If she spent another minute trying to be part of it, she would start to see things that weren’t there.

                The elevator took no more than 1 minute for it to arrive, and once she got inside, she noticed Jongin was all ready to call it a day.

                “Yah, you dare leaving office without telling your boss?” Naeun stood out, waiting for Jongin to come out. Jongin held a constant gaze at her for some seconds and stifled a playful smile at her.

                Seriously, Son Naeun.

                “You’re done with the conference?” He asked too casually as he approached her, both hands in pockets.

                “I am. Going home?”

                “Yeah, it’s almost 6.” But he never glanced at his watch.

                “I know,” Naeun said. “Okay then, have a nice night.” She proceeded to enter the elevator as Jongin was walking out of it. He noticed right away the stiff air around Naeun, so he turned around and pressed open the elevator.

                “What are you doing?”

                “I know what’s in your head.”

                “What are you saying?”

                “Get out of there,” Jongin smirked a little. “C’mon, boss.”

                “Shut up,” Naeun blurted defensively. “What is this? What are you implying? Go home! Go the f home!” Naeun was actually holding herself from bursting into a laughter out of embarrassment. Was it that obvious to Jongin as to why she headed back to hotel instead of going straight home? Why does he have such sharp intuition?

                “You didn’t bring up dinner for nothing, Naeun. I can see right through you. C’mon. Let’s have dinner.”

                “Ugh, this is such a nuisance,” Naeun rolled her eyes and held high her chin like a snobbish brat. “Consider this your lucky day,” Naeun reminded him carefully, and Jongin nodded as he played along with her act.

                “I’ve never been so lucky in my entire life.”

                “I HAVE never felt more creeped out by you than I was this evening,” Naeun said as she handed the waiter the menu. “I mean, I know I forget a lot of things-”

                “Only important things,” Jongin chided in. “You forgot a lot of important things.”

                “Yeah,” Naeun spat bitterly. “What I’m trying to say, you monster, is that it’s nice that you remembered.”

                “I’m sorry I forgot. I had a lot on my mind.”

                “How’s your presentation coming along?”

                “I’m done with my slides, but I still need to add some more details here and there.”

                “Wow you’re really taking this internship seriously. I’m actually very proud. I wonder who’s your supervisor. She must’ve been so nurturing to you.”

                Jongin chuckled in disbelief. “Jee, I know right.”

                “I’m just glad there’s only ten boring lectures I have to sit through this Friday. I usually don’t compromise well with boring lectures, but this is what adults with actual jobs do, so I guess I can oversee that. I mean, for you, at least. I just wanna get this over with.”

                “You should know mine isn’t going to be boring, at all. Also, what do you mean you don’t compromise well with boring lectures? You don’t even know half of what went through in your meetings. I usually write down everything for you but you never bothered to read them.”

                “I know,” Naeun nodded. “You’re not wrong,”

                “I’m not trying to prove a point. Naeun, c’mon, stay on the lane.”

                “Are we seriously gonna talk about work? When I just got off the conference about foreign hotels and stuff. Like, literally, the whole time I was there, I only understood how delicious caviar was and why they were expensive.”

                “You’re impossible,” Jongin shook his head.

                “What do you mean?”

                Jongin heaved a sigh, and leaned forward as he looked at her. “I know I’m in no place to say this, but, it is okay for you to actually do your job and be an adult.”

                “Excuse me? What the heck were you trying to say?”

                “Naeun, sometimes, I feel like you’re taking your job and your responsibility lightly when they’re in fact not anything light. I’m not saying works are not supposed to be fun, but, there should be times when you play and when you work. I know this job is handed to you on golden platter, but the moment you have your name carved on the plate, you need take every aspect of your job seriously. The lectures may be boring and not worth your time, but this is what your people have made for you. It would mean a lot to us if you listen, very attentively, and give us remarks instead of wanting to get over with it.”

                The waiter arrived with the dinner they both had ordered but by this time, none of them had any appetite for soft-shell crabs or Osso buco alla Milanese.

                “This is ridiculous,” Naeun removed her napkin and reached for her purse. “I did not remind you of this stupid promise of yours to listen to you telling me how to do my ing job. You’re just some student who don’t even hold a stable job, and yet you have the balls to lecture me – unbelievable.”

                “Wait, Naeun,” Jongin called. “I’m sorry - please, sit down,” Jongin looked restless, hating himself immediately for going out of way. It was not in his usual manner to go overboard about something. He was usually a man of few words.

                “Go to hell, Jongin,” Naeun threw out the words coldly and made a quick dash out of the Italian restaurant.

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I LOST MY PASSWORD SO I HAD TO MAKE NEW ACCOUNT T.T

Hope you still remember me and enjoy this story

Click here to read the beginning hehe 

<3 Happy New Year everyone! May 2021 give us alot of good news and happy results!