Chapter 1
Winning Hearts
“You have an appointment with Mr. Jay Park at 9 A.M.”
“Mm.”
“After that, there’s brunch with the Lee brothers. They want to record a song with you and Mr. Kim Jongwoon.”
“Ah.”
“At noon, Mr. Kim Youngwoon and his life partner Mr. Park Jung Su have reserved a tea time at the country club.”
“Do a little spin.”
Ryeowook paused, glaring faintly at his boss. “Sir, I will do no such thing. Now, please allow me to finish reading you your schedule for the day.” Clearing his throat, he continued reciting, “The whole afternoon has been freed up in case Mr. Kim and Mr. Park wish to take you out for drinks or a late lunch.”
The handsome, dark haired young man was lounging on the leather desk chair, lips turned up in a lazy smirk. “Why won’t you do a turn? You’re wearing such nice pants today. I want to see you from behind.”
“That’s ual harassment,” he answered without missing a beat. “Please refrain from speaking to me like that, Mr. Cho.” Ryeowook glanced back down at his planner, frowning softly as he tried to find his place again. His eyes lit up when he found it, lips pressed together in an accomplished smile. “As I was saying, you have dinner plans at 7:45 P.M. with Mr. Kim Kibum. He’s the young actor you agreed to interview. Then, starting at midnight, you have late night recording for your new album.”
Cho Kyuhyun yawned, standing and walking over to his personal assistant. “Call up Seohyun, and invite her to golf.”
“Understood,” Ryeowook nodded, scribbling the note into his book. Looking up at his boss, he bowed once and carefully followed him out of the office. Once they were in the waiting area, Ryeowook headed to his desk, only to feel a hand close around his wrist, pulling him back. Stumbling a little, he turned to look at Kyuhyun. “Sir?”
“You’re really cute, Ryeowook,” he remarked, smiling, “do I tell you that a lot?”
“Every day, sir,” he responded.
“And how long have we known each other?”
“Three years.”
Kyuhyun chuckled, letting go of him slowly. “I really haven’t gotten tired of you in all that time? That’s amazing. You must be an excellent worker.”
“Have you been drinking again, sir?”
“No, I have not,” he huffed, “At least, not much. I may have had a drink or two last night.”
Ryeowook rolled his eyes, sitting down in his chair and pulling the phone from his pocket. Entering Seohyun’s number, he his Bluetooth and waited for an answer.
Catching the male’s chin, Kyuhyun tilted that face up, winking, “See you later, cutie.” Then he disappeared through the sliding glass door.
A high, fragile voice rang through the speaker and Ryeowook grimaced. His voice, however, did not betray him. “Hello, this is Kim Ryeowook from Mr. Cho’s office. I’m calling on behalf of Mr. Cho who wishes for you to accompany him at the country club for tea time at high noon.”
“Oh, of course. Tell him I can’t wait to see him,” she stated quickly, sounding like she had just been told that her life depended on her appearance.
“I will inform him, Miss Seohyun.” Ryeowook really didn’t understand why she was so against her real name. The woman refused to be addressed by anything but her stage named, actually. “Have a good day.” Then he ended the call, turning to his computer.
Barely ten minutes had passed before Ryeowook shot up, fumbling with his planner. Cursing under his breath, he hurried out of the office and down the hall, calling the driver out to the front door. He stepped into an elevator just as it was closing, breathing a sigh of relief.
Most of the time, he was rather on top of things, but the one problem he always had was Friday schedules. They were so bothersome because everything seemed to happen on the one day that Ryeowook just wanted to fall into bed and sleep. Kyuhyun was kind enough to give him the weekends off, but that’s to be expected when he worked such hectic hours.
Climbing into the backseat, he opened up his book, skimming over his daily “Reminders” list and calling out the first thing he saw. “Take me to the dry-cleaners,” Ryeowook told the driver, not looking up from the paper.
A minute or so passed and then the car was rolling forward.
Reminders for October 28th:
Pick up dry-cleaning
Get a car wash
Pay the housecleaner
Pick up newly ordered computer monitors
Buy anniversary presents for Uncle and Auntie Cho
He smiled a little, closing the book and leaning his head back against the leather seats. It had never been a subtle thing. The day he left school was nearly the same day he entered the music production company and became Cho Kyuhyun’s new personal assistant. People told him they hoped for the best, knowing very well that every assistant before him had lasted at most one year – that one man was incredibly persistent.
As terribly cheesy as it sounds, Ryeowook really did put his all into keeping the job. His livelihood depended on that salary and without it his entire family would end up on the streets. Ryeowook had barely noticed when Kyuhyun’s life was his life. Every part of his day was accounted for and it seemed as if Ryeowook had been the only person stupid enough to end up trapped as a servant to the man named Cho Kyuhyun.
“We’re here.”
“Thank you.” He stepped out of the car, shutting the door before entering the dry-cleaners and smiling at the familiar old woman standing behind the counter. “Good morning, ahjumma,” Ryeowook greeted.
“Oh hello, dear,” she chuckled softly, walking over to the rack of pressed and cleaned clothes. Pulling out a set of about three suits, she handed it Ryeowook. “How is your husband doing?” her sweet, frail voice asked.
Smiling off the mistake, Ryeowook bowed to her and took the clothes. “Kyuhyun is my boss, remember?” He laughed gently, handing her a few bills before turning around and walking towards the door. “See you in a few days, ahjumma!”
“Yes, yes…,” she mumbled absently, watching him go. Her lips were still spread in a sweet, tired smile. From the backroom, her husband came out and she looked at him. “That dear boy…he is little Kyuhyun’s wife, right?” She frowned suddenly, seemingly confused by her own words.
The old man nodded slowly, hands clasped behind his back. “Something like that…”
“Hmm…can I see the other ones?” Ryeowook looked up from the diamond necklace in front of him. Pulling out his phone, he checked the time, surprised to find that it was already half past ten.
Dialing, Ryeowook his Bluetooth, waiting quietly for an answer. He didn’t have to wait long though as Kyuhyun’s deep, sweet voice replied, “Hello, sweetheart.”
“Are you on your way to brunch?” he murmured while inspecting the new necklace brought out. It was much less gaudy than the last one, but there still seemed to be one too many diamonds. “The Lee Brothers said they would have someone waiting for you in the lobby to drive you back and forth.”
“Yes, I’m already in the car,” Kyuhyun drawled, chuckling, “don’t worry, Ryeo-ah.”
“Does auntie like more or less diamonds?” he asked, holding up a delicate necklace to the light. Ryeowook pouted softly.
Kyuhyun paused and then said, “She likes gaudy things.”
“Hmm…alright. And your uncle wants that silver cigarette case, right?”
“You know our family so well, yeobo,” he teased.
Ryeowook huffed and set the necklace down, pointing to the original, thick diamond coated accessory. The worker nodded, taking the others to put away. “Stop that. We’re not married and this is borderline ual harassment again,” he complained, leaning back against the glass case, waiting for the employee to package the present.
Kyuhyun simply laughed. “Did you schedule a date for their anniversary party?”
“I sent an invitation to Miss Im Yoona,” he responded, “You should be expecting a call from her by tonight or tomorrow morning.”
“Yoona again?” he sighed, “She’s horribly boring. Did you know she doesn’t know the first thing about Starcraft?”
Ryeowook cracked a smile, stifling his laughter. “Yes, I know. I’ll try to find a woman who likes video games next time.” Mouthing a thank you to the employee, he handed her a credit card and slipped the velvet box into his black bag. No, it was not a purse.
“Thank you. I’m entering the restaurant now, so I’ll see you…when?”
“I’ll be at the office all afternoon finishing up paperwork and returning calls,” Ryeowook stated as if it were natural. “I already picked out the suit you’re wearing for your dinner with Mr. Kim. There’s also a set of clothes and polished golf clubs laid out for your tea time.”
“And you’re still denying that you’re my wife?” Kyuhyun scoffed. “Oh please, yeobo, just accept it and send me pictures of you in those pants.”
Slamming the door to the car, Ryeowook ended the call, not bothering to answer the teasing. He sighed and told the driver to head back to the office. It really was ridiculous of Kyuhyun to continue his teasing. They were associates and maybe friends. Ryeowook wasn’t crazy or immature enough to think that there was a possibility for them to fall in love.
Besides, he glanced down at the silver bracelet around his wrist. Ryeowook smiled affectionately at it, lips parting in silent words.
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