Part 3

I exhale again and knock at the door once again. After a few seconds, it flew open, “WHAT?!” I was flabbergasted, when the same guy—gay shouted at me. I pouted, I need Jinki now!! I really want to cry. Why do these people on this place are ill-tempered?

“The receptionist downstairs says I go up here. My name is Ito---” My voice is getting hoarsely.

“Ooh… the artist... Pardon my previous actions; I thought you’re one of his crazy stalkers slash girlfriends… My boss is waiting for you, but he’s quite busy now. Come in…” From where I was standing I can see his back, and a light coming from his laptop. I walk inside, his office doesn’t give the impression of an office for me, and it looks like a five-star hotel room. We stood behind him. “Sir the artist is here.”

He was talking in fluent French nodding at the same. His head swung around, and utter “hi” to me. I just smile. For a split second, he turns his head on our direction. I saw his jaw dropped. My brows got wrinkly. “Have we met before?” he asks. But somewhat he does look familiar.

“Uh… I don’t think so… this is my first time at Seoul… and I just arrived yesterday… ”

“Tsss… those same words… I think I heard it a thousand times already.” The assistant commented, and rolled his eyes. I smiled.

“Are you sure? I really think I’ve seen you before. What’s your name?”

“Ito A---”

“MANAGER!!! Will you stop flirting with her and continue talking to that French executive?” he stomp his feet, he was getting irritated to his boss. I timidly cover my mouth. Mr. Kim just grin and… winked at me before he went back to that French guy.

“Ito-ssi, kindly sit first.” He usher me towards the couch, few feet away from manager. “Feel at home.” He gave me a half smile and walk away. I sigh and look my wrist watch, it’s already ten in the morning, thank heavens I already ate before I went here. I place my plastic case on the coffee table and smile.

This might take long but patience is a virtue.

---
“Miss… Miss…” I stir up when someone called me; add to that, that someone was tapping my cheeks. I open my eyes. To my surprised it’s….

“Manager.” I shriek. I immediately sat down; he was kneeling in front of me. He chuckle breathlessly. I look around, and immediately look back at watch, not good. Not good. It’s already two in the afternoon and I fell asleep. I took four hours nap. “I…. I…. I’m s-s-sor---”

“No… No…” he shook his head. I look around, where is his nosy assistant? “I should be the one apologizing to you. I kept you waited; and maybe I disrupt your tight schedule.”

“Sir… it’s really okay… about the pre---”

“Good!!! Okay, let’s go, I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten anything.” He stood up and immediately pulls my hands, luckily I was able to get my stuff before I was truly drag by him.

What an odd man.

---

There, I find myself sitting opposite to him in this fancy restaurant. I don’t know what had happened. I don’t know why I let this boss of mine hauled me and dine with him.

I swallowed a few, to be honest this moment is quite awkward for me. First, I barely know him. Second, he’s my boss. Third and last, from what I’ve heard from his assistant, this guy in front of me is a flirt towards women, and I don’t want to be one of his victims.

“Sir… about the designs…”

“Let’s not talk about business now, I’m currently eating, we’re currently eating.” I nodded in accordance. He’s right; it’s rude to talk about this kind of things while eating. But… how can I start dealing with my own stuff? “And also… I have a name; my parents gave me one, so stop calling me sir.”

“Ne.”I lower my head. Is it my fault if I don’t know his name? Besides he’s my soon-to-be boss, it would be inappropriate if I don’t address him as any formal names.

“The name is Jonghyun. Kim Jonghyun.”

Jonghyun? What a coincidence! He had the same name of our other best friend. I smiled and murmur his name with delight.

Jonghyun.

“Hmm?” he asks while he was chewing his food.