Junsu’s POV

I decided to and this once and for all. Having Ri In here in the company will pose a threat to me. That girl has already shown her first step by sending me the video. How am I supposed to work in peace with her here? I woke up especially early today to avoid Ri In. I walked down the stairs of the house and turned towards the kitchen. I walked and nearly gasped when I saw Ri In there but held myself. Had she always waken up early like this? It looked at the clock to make sure the time was right and yes, it was right. It exposed the time of 5.30 AM. I didn’t know that she would wake up this early. She still hasn’t noticed my presence. I looked at her, busily working on my breakfast. MY breakfast, that is. Why did she have to work so hard just for me? No, Junsu, no! You can’t fall into her trap! I coughed purposely to catch her attention. She turned around to face me, her black, sleek and wavy black hair hang down below, along her spine. Her face was beautifully sculptured, having a perfect jaw line. Wait! What in the world am I thinking?

“Junsu-shii, why are you up early today?” she asked, making me stop the arguments that were happening in my head.

“I-I just c-couldn’t sleep,” I stuttered. What!? I was stuttering! Omo! This is so not happening to me! She raised an eyebrow at me, not believing my fib. She finally let it down and shrugged it off.

“Okay, here’s your breakfast, anyway,” she said, placing a plate of bacon and eggs in front of me, followed by a cup of hot tea. I started to eat the breakfast while Ri In was watching me. I felt uncomfortable at her stares.

“What?” I hissed at her. I was trying to sound as mean as I could.

“Oh, nothing. I-I will be u-upstairs,” she looked away and walked up the stairs. I sighed. Hey, why did I sigh? I should be happy. I am going to make Ri In regret what she ever did. I didn’t feel like eating anymore so I dumped the whole plate into the sink and proceeded to head outside.

At the company…

“Appa, as you know, Ri In isn’t capable of her job here as manager since she failed to show in the last project, so can she, instead, stay at home?” I asked Appa. I could not conduct orders myself to fire Ri In so it must have to go through Appa.

“Why? Do you really hate her that much?” Appa asked me back.

“No, no. I just don’t want her to work too hard,” I lied. I looked at Appa. He was thinking for a while.

“If she wishes to,” he finally said. No! Ri In will definitely not agree.

“Oh, she is just right outside our door,” Appa said. I quickly, but hesitantly, swirled my head to the window of Appa’s office and saw Ri In walking by. I saw Appa’s secretary stop Ri In and told her something. She nodded and walked to the door and stopped to knock on the door.

“Come in!” Appa’s voice called. Ri In slowly turned the knob of the door and opened the door. She walked and gasped when she saw me.

“Hello, Ri In-shii,” I said sternly but tried to hold a light tone to let Appa see that I was caring for Ri In.

Ri In bowed and said, “Good morning Appa, Junsu-shii.”

“Ri In, Junsu and I were talking about whether you want to quit this job and do anything you like instead of staying in one spot all day long,” Appa told Ri In. She looked at me. I knew she also loved doing business so I know she will say no.

“Yes, that is a good idea,” she agreed calmly. I turned to her and her face was full of pain, pain of being betrayed.

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Ri In’s POV

The words came out smoothly, as if to really want to go. I knew that if they discuss about this topic, then Junsu must have raised it up. He must have had a reason to. I looked at Junsu’s face and he looked relieved.

“When are you planning to go, Ri In?” asked Appa.

“I will go now. I won’t disturb you anymore,” I said politely and excused myself out of the office. I walked quickly towards my office, passing Sunny in the process.

“Ri In-shii, are you okay?” she asked, concern in her voice. I stopped in my tracks, not daring to look up at Sunny because of my tear stained face.

“I am fine,” I replied shortly and ran into my room and locked the door. I curled myself into a ball, trying not to make myself cry again. One of my most favourite jobs is what I am not allowed to do now. But it was worth it. Because of Junsu, I am willing to do anything. I rested my chin on my knees, trying to make myself stop crying. I heard knocks on the door.

“Li Yin, open the door!” cried Jae Joong.

“Yeah, open the door, Ri In noona!” Changmin cried from behind the door. I knew they were going to open it soon, so I quickly wiped the tears off my face. I didn’t leave any make-up marks because I don’t wear make-up.

“Coming!” I called. I quickly checked myself and walked to unlock the door.

“Yes? What is it?” I asked everyone.

“I saw you crying, Ri In-shii,” Sunny explained.

“Oh no, that? I got soaked by the rain,” I lied. Everyone knew I lied because they all looked outside towards the window and it was blazingly sunny.

“Don’t lie to us, Li Yin,” Jae Joong said sternly. I sighed. There was no way I could escape this.

“I quit the job,” I confessed. Everyone around me gasped in shock.

“You’re lying, Ri In noona. Why were you crying then?” demanded Changmin.

“I-I…” I started.

“‘I-I’ what?” Jae Joong prompted.

“Okay, okay. I wanted to leave but I cried because of thinking about you guys,” I lied, again. My lie, this time, seemed a bit more convincing since they all nodded their heads in sympathy.

“When are you going, Ri In-shii?” asked Sunny.

“Now,” I told her. Everyone, again, gasped in shock.

“OK, everyone should get back to their work,” I said. Everyone sighed and walk reluctantly away. I walked into my office and grabbed a cardboard box. I slowly started to pack everything, reminiscing. I didn’t want to leave everyone, it was so abrupt. Once I looked back the desk, I immediately felt sick. I had already packed everything up together. Time sure went by fast. I walked slowly to the door to exit. Everyone was there when I just opened the door.

“Didn’t I tell you guys to go back to work?” I asked playfully. Truthfully, I really wanted them all to stay here. Most of all, I wanted to stay here myself.

“Ri In-shii…” Sunny started.

“I will be OK, Sunny. Don’t worry. When I leave, you guys all behave araso?” I instructed them.

“Yes,” the all replied. Some of them were even crying. They made me harder to go but I had no choice. I don’t want to betray Junsu. I am willing to do anything for Junsu. Absolutely anything.

“I will see you all some other time!” I tried to sound cheerful but my voice was starting to crack. Everyone here had been so good to me. I walked myself towards the elevator, passing Junsu’s office. I looked at his office for a moment and continued to move on.

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Junsu’s POV

I have successfully made Ri In go but why do I feel so sad? No, I should be happy. I should even celebrate. Maybe I was sad because making her get out of the company was too easy. Yes, that is why, I tried to convince myself. At least I gave her freedom. She should thank me. She can now go with her ‘Oppa’ Hang Kyung.

“Junsu, you are so smart! You got that out of the company,” Taeyeon exclaimed at me when she opened the door. I felt enraged when Taeyeon said that. I shouldn’t feel that! I took in and deep breath and faced Taeyeon with a smile.

“I am glad you’re happy,” I replied shortly and resumed my work.

“How about we go and celebrate?” Taeyeon asked. I needed something to distract me and this will do the trick.

“OK, let’s go now,” I said. A bright smile plastered across Taeyeon’s face.