July 23, 2013

After a sushi lunch at a nearby restaurant, Kike called their driver to take him and Ilana to Central Park. The small but exclusive hotel they were staying also had a Central Park location, but Kike had chosen to stay in the Sutton Place location instead, due to it being more secluded.

Ilana had been rattling off construction facts to Kike (much to his amusement) as they walked around the park.

 - "Kike, this place is so pretty," Ilana said as they strolled around the park. “Wouldn’t it have been cool to have been the one to have the idea for this place?" Kike just looked at her with amusement.

 - "Now you want to add landscape architect to your titles?"

 - "Pabo," she told him with a grin. He shook his head at her.  "It's just like an oasis in the city instead of the desert." Kike felt a tugging in his heart to see her so alive. As much as it irked him to not be number one in her life anymore, he had to thank her new friends for returning the smile to her face.  "Hold on, Kike, my phone is ringing."

 - "If it's your friends tell them you're busy." She rolled her eyes at him with a smile and answered the call, which was from a number she didn't recognize.

 - "Hello?" She answered.

 - " Miss Ilana Contreras?"

 - "Yes, speaking."

 - "This is Sung-Ryung Kim (she said her name the western way), from New York Presbyterian hospital. If you are still interested in a position here, I'd like you to come in for an interview."

 - "Yes, thank you. I'm very much interested in working there. When would you like me to come in?"

 - "Tomorrow morning at nine. My office is on the fourth floor. Call me and I will meet you when you get off the elevator."

 - "Thank You, I will see you then."   She turned to Kike with a huge smile. "I got a second interview!" With that, she began to jump up and down and squeal, making her brother laugh and jump with her.

 - "Omo! I have to tell the gang!"

 - "Later," Kike said firmly. "Let's go celebrate."

Kike dragged her all through the park that afternoon. He took her to the carousel, bought her a balloon and cotton candy. He managed to get them reservations for the horse and carriage and also a Pedi cab tour. They acted like the teens neither got to be. Ilana lost her parents at the age of ten and he joined the band at age twelve and left home, both had to grow up entirely too quick. They finished their evening by having tapas at a Spanish restaurant near the park.  Ilana and Kike did not return to their hotel until almost nine p.m.

 - "I'm so tired Kike," Ilana plopped herself down on the couch. - "It's late, get your things ready for tomorrow.”

 - " Gracias (Thank You), Kike." She hugged him. "Buenas noches (good night)."

 - "Que descanses bien (sleep well)." He kissed the top of her head and she went off to her room.

Ilana laid out her clothes for the morning and was about to run a bath when she realized she hadn't told the gang about her second interview.  She sent a quick tweet: "Second interview tomorrow, 9 AM, wish me luck!" She left her phone on the bed and went to take a bath and get ready for bed. It was already past her bed time. The bath was nice and relaxing. She wasn't as nervous for her second interview. Sung-Ryung's voice was soothing. She could hear her smiling on the other end. It made her want to smile as well. She wondered about her name. Could she be Korean? Ilana remembered her saying 'Kim' as her last name. Even though she put it last instead of first. She let the bath finish relaxing her. When she was done and ready to climb in bed, she grabbed her phone and noticed all the well wishes from the gang. It made her happy and chased away any nerves. They had confidence in her. Ilana burrowed under the blankets and closed her eyes hoping for a good night's sleep. A few minutes later, Ilana's phone was ringing. "Mmmm....," She groaned before picking up. "Hello?" She answered sleepily without looking to see who was calling.

 - "Yeoboseyo, Cinderella. Mianhaeyo, did I wake you?

 - "Ani, Oppa. Gwenchana."

 - "I forgot the time difference. It's only six in Alaska, we're just getting ready for dinner."

 - "Mmm, I just got in bed five minutes ago."

 - "I wanted to wish you good luck tomorrow."

 - "Gomawo, Oppa."

 - "Are you nervous?"

 - "Aniyo, not as much as this morning and last night."

 - "That's good, fighting!  Get a good night’s rest, arasso?"

 - "Arasso...wait, Oppa is Sung-Ryung Kim a Korean name?"

 - "Deh, although you are saying it the western style with the last name at the end."

 - "Mmm, she gave me her last name at the end. That's the person I'm interviewing with."

 - "If you’re going to impress her with your Korean vocabulary you need to practice her name." Amidst giggles from her and threats from him, if she didn't stop laughing, she finally got it right.

 - "Oppa, it's ten thirty, and thanks to you I'm wide awake."

 - "Should I sing to you?"

 - "Aniyo! Gwenchana! Pabo."  She was laughing again.

 - “Ingrate! Then stop laughing and go to sleep”.

 - "Stop making me laugh. Kike's going to come and scold me any minute. annyeong.”  Ilana slept comfortably knowing that whatever happens after the interview, she would be okay. She had Kike and her friends to lean on when she needed a rest.  That was enough.

July 24, 2013

 - "Nerviosa (nervous)?" Kike asked Ilana as she emerged dressed and ready to go.

 - "No mucho, dormí bien (not much, I slept well)"

 - "No te desvelaste? Te escuché hablando por teléfono ya tarde (Did you get enough sleep?  I Heard you talking on the phone pretty late.)"  He waited for her to tell him which of her friends she had been talking to.

 - "Desde cuando eres metiche (since when are you nosey)," she grinned playfully. "I checked my tweets after I was done with my bath, and then a few minutes later Saengie Oppa called to wish me luck. He was teaching me the correct way of pronouncing my interviewer's name. I was asleep around ten thirty and woke just past six thirty."

 - "It's seven thirty, so you'd better eat. You don't want to rush, you have to find the correct elevator.”

It was a good thing Kike rushed her out the door as there was an extra amount of traffic this morning. The New York traffic made Los Angeles traffic look light in comparison. She still arrived early enough to find her way around. She called her contact once in the lobby, and then put her phone back in her purse and took off her gloves before stepping out of the elevator. 

- "Ilana Contreras?" A woman addressed her as she stepped out of the elevator.

 - "Kim Sung-Ryung?"  Ilana bowed to her politely, surprising the women. -

 - "Please, no need to be so formal," Sung Ryung said.  "I'm quite Americanized now."   She led the way to her office.  "Did you study Korean culture in your International Marketing studies?"
 - "Some, yes."  The rest she had picked up from her friends, but she didn't want to draw too much attention to herself.  That is why she only gave a slight bow, instead of actually introducing herself in Korean.
 - "We have almost every culture represented in this hospital.  That is a valuable asset."
 - "Would you mind telling me about the position I'm interviewing for?"
 - "Yes, I'm currently re-working my department and merging it with another.  On top of that, I will be adding a few responsibilities.  All my coders will be ward clerks and vice versa.  They are also going to be administrative assistants for their assigned doctors."  Ilana listened attentively.  "You did research, right, for a particular team or rep, it's much the same thing."
 - "I understand."  Ilana was relieved, it sounded like she'd only be working strictly with only a few people.
 - "May I ask why you're leaving your current position?"
 - "To tell you the truth, working for that company, was something I was expected to do, what my family wanted me to do.  But I need to know what I can do on my own.  Working here, I believe I can still put my studies to good use and I would very much like to be a valuable employee to you."  Ilana spoke calmly and collectively betraying little emotion.  Again she wondered where this confidence came from. Could it really be, as Kike said, her parent’s legacy?  Of course, her hands were freezing, the only outward betrayal if her nerves.
 - "There are many here, just like you Ilana.  It seems we take in all the strays."  Sung Ryung smiled reassuringly at the younger woman.  She was also thinking of some of the staff that had similar stories.  “Everyone here comes from different walks of life, but we come together as a family.  Our director worked at Disneyland when he was young and because of his experience there, of using everyone's first name, he insists on the same here."
Ilana liked the idea of family.  She was glad she had Kike and now her friends as part of her family.  Even if growing up she felt like she had no one.  For some reason, she felt comfortable with Sung-Ryung.
 - "Ilana, I'm looking for leadership, do you fit that description."
 - "No,"  Ilana thought, “but I will make sure your leadership looks good."  She then gave her answer to Sung-Ryung.  "I'm a self-starter and hard working.  What I lack in knowledge, I will make up in determination.  Can l lead?  I have the skills to do so, but that's not why I'm here.  I want to be a good support for your leaders, and make sure their job is made easier because if me.  I apologize for wasting your time if I do not fit the qualifications you seek.  But you did say I had a valuable asset, let me put it work for you."  Ilana was waiting to be dismissed.  But instead, Sung-Ryung just smiled.
 - "I did say that, and will take it into consideration.  How long are you staying in New York?"
 - "At least until Friday, as far as I know, we haven't made travel arrangements for our return trip."
 - "I have a few more candidates to see today.  I will give you a call no later than Friday. Here is my card, feel free to call me if you have any questions."  Ilana took the card in both hands as a sign of respect, but this time she didn't bow since Sung Ryung had said there wasn't a need.
 - "Thank you, I will look forward to your call," Ilana said.  Sung Ryung walked Ilana back to the elevator. Once in the elevator Ilana was able to put the card away and sigh in relief.  She had done her best, now she just had to wait.

********************************

Walking back to her office, Sung Ryung spied one of her favorite doctors.  He was one of two doctors that led the critical care unit.  He had seen Sung Ryung walking with another woman.
 - "Ah, Dr. Jihoo, I should have any additional staff needed to restructure the coders and clerks here soon.
 - "I'm sure you'll make a smooth transition, Noona.  Was that one of your new candidates?"  He asked, nonchalantly.  The curiosity got the best of him since that was the girl that had almost tripped at the entrance.  He hoped she remembered about the step today.
 - "Yes she is, I confess, I liked her very much and not just because of her qualifications.  Why do you ask?"  She noticed Jihoo had a hint of a smile on his usually serene face.
 - "No reason, I saw you walking out of your office with her.  Well, you always do what's best for your department.  I have to see more patients, I'll be leaving first”.  He bowed to her and went his way.
Sung Ryung wondered what the smirk on Jihoo's normally expressionless face was all about.  She had a gift for reading people, even Jihoo, who normally wore no expression or showed any emotion except for his patients.  Sung Ryung stopped her musing and went back to her office.  She had a few more interviews to do and then she would ask God for wisdom as to who to bring aboard.  She felt there was a reason for her to be in the position she was in.  All of her employees were special to her.  She felt God had given them to her to unlock their special gifts.  She even felt that way about the entire Critical Care unit, with its Doctors and Nurses.  They were all special to her, but she had to confess she did have her favorites.

Ilana asked the driver to stop at a grocery store on the way back to the hotel.  She was tired of eating out and decided to buy a few provisions for the next two days.
 - "What's this?”  Kike asked as Ilana and the driver walked in with a few bags of groceries?"
 - "No more eating out, I bought a few things to get us through today and tomorrow."
 - "La Princesa le cocinara a su sirviente (the princess will cook for her servant)?"  Kike teased.
 - "Si.  Y el sirviente lavará los trastes que deja la Princesa.  (Yes.  And the servant will wash the dishes left by the Princess)."  Ilana teased back.
 - "Así no se vale (that’s so not fair)."
They put the groceries away and Ilana put together sandwiches for their lunch.
 - "You haven't told me, how your interview went?”  Kike asked while they ate lunch.
 - "I'm not sure.  She asked me if I was leadership material and I told her I could be, but didn't really want to be.  She would be better off with me as support."
  - "Ilana, you're selling yourself short."
 - "No, I'm not," she pouted.  "I know what I'm good at."
 - "If you say so."  They glared at each other, each having a silent debate on whether or not Ilana knew what she excelled at.
 - "So, what did you think of your potential boss?"
 - "It's quite strange, but I liked her a lot.  I felt comfortable with her.  She was easy to talk too I was able to speak quite frankly with her.  The director as well; but not as much as Sung Ryung.
 - "That's a good sign.  Had she not been interested, you most likely wouldn't have been at ease.

After lunch, Kike and Ilana walked around the neighborhood.  It was a nice and quiet walk as it was away from the tourist attractions and everyone else was working.  They stopped for ice cream, but other than that, Ilana had no desire to explore the city.  They got back to the hotel and Ilana tweeted the gang an update on her interview.  "Anneyong!  Not sure how this interview went.  She gave me her card and said she'd call in the next few days.  Also, to call her with any questions.  I will let you know as soon as I hear something.”

Sung-Ryung Kim sat in her office.  She had interviewed five people that day and five the previous day. She had everyone's resume and her notes for each spread out on her desk.  For some reason, her eyes continued to drift to Ilana's resume.  What was different about her?  Other than she was recommended by the director.  She also had two other references.  Both volunteer work.  She said a prayer for wisdom and she walked out of her office for the day.  She knew she would have a decision made by morning.

July 25, 2013

The next morning Ilana slept a little late since she had nowhere to be.  At eight A.M. she got up to make breakfast for her and Kike. She made a huge mess in the kitchen that Kike had to clean.  This is why Nana did not allow her in the Kitchen without her supervision.  The pancakes were delicious the mess was well worth it.
 - "If you stay in New York, I'll come every weekend for breakfast," Kike told her.
 - "If you make me your Mama's Puerto Rican Flan."
 - "Deal."
Once the kitchen was cleaned and Ilana and Kike were dressed for the day.  She sat and looked at her phone as if willing it to ring.
 - "No por mucho madrugar amanece más temprano. (Equivalent to:  A watched pot never boils."  Kike told her.
 - "I'm just looking at the twitter page to see what everyone is up to."  She smiled at him.  He didn't buy it for a second, and she knew it.
 - "Let’s go for a walk and burn our breakfast calories."

In the end, Kike dragged her shopping.  He told her she would need a better winter wardrobe if she was going to stay in New York.  Even if they were in the height of summer, the winter clothing lines were already out.  She pouted and protested, but Kike bought her a beautiful hooded burgundy coat, with a removable lamb’s wool lining, as well as new gloves and scarf.  He then dragged her for to a spa for a hair trim and manicure.  He told her she had to look presentable on her first day of work.  The distraction worked.  She didn't take her phone out all day.

Sung-Ryung Kim woke knowing which candidates she'd be calling that day.  She'd had such a vivid dream of a girl whose heart was broken and wept bitterly, the same girl was also smiling, but her heart was still fragile, made of the thinnest glass.  The other candidate also hid his weeping behind a smiling face.  What was strange was she had also dreamt of one of the young doctors.  One of her favorites to be precise. She didn't know how he tied into the new hires, but she would be keeping an eye on him.

The day had gotten away from Sung-Ryung.  It was now late afternoon.  She needed to call her candidates and inform them of their new hire status.

Ilana and Kike had walked into their hotel only a few minutes prior.  They were both busy putting things away and didn't hear Ilana's phone ring.  It was buried in her purse on the bed, under all their purchases.

 - "Kike, let me start dinner.  It's getting late."  Ilana retrieved her phone from her purse to get a recipe.
 - "Are you sure you don't want me to order?”  Kike asked, actually hoping to avoid kitchen duty.
 - "Nope.  We need to cook what we have."  She looked down at her phone.  "Oh, I missed a call."  Ilana listened to the message.  "It's from Sung Ryung, she asked me to call her back."  She looked to Kike with an apprehensive smile.  She took several deep breaths to steady herself before making the call.

****************************

Sung Ryung managed to speak with the young man she had hired and only was able to leave a message on Ilana's phone.  She wanted to actually tell her the news instead of leaving it on her voice mail; therefore, her message asked her to return the call.

About twenty minutes after making the phone calls, Sung Ryung's office phone rang.
 - "New York Presbyterian, Sung Ryung speaking."
 - "Sung Ryung Kim?  This is Ilana Contreras, you left a message to return your call?"
 - "Yes, Yes, dear.  Well, I wanted to ask you if you are interested in joining my staff?"  Ilana wanted to scream 'jeongmal?', but refrained herself.
 - "Yes, I'd like that."  Ilana said in her most dignified voice, even though she was screaming on the inside.
 - "Wonderful, I'd like you to start in two weeks from Monday, does that give you enough time to relocate?  The hospital has its own housing; you might want to look into it on the website."
 - "I will, thank you."
 - "You may come anytime to HR and fill out your paperwork.  It is located in the annex.  You can find it on the map in front of the building."
 - "I will do that immediately."
 - "I will see you on Monday, August twelfth at eight A.M."
 - "Thank You.”

 - “Kike!  I got it!”  She ran and hugged him.

 - “I told you, no one can overlook you.  Aren’t you glad we spent the day getting you ready?  He kissed her cheek and hugged her.  “I'll go get some cupcakes for us to celebrate.”

After Kike left, Ilana was about to call Kyu Jong and the others when another idea formed in her head. She looked up the ship's cruise schedule.  Kike was going to kill her, she smiled to herself.  She made a phone call to ia at the company's travel office back home and then she made a call to Park Jung Min; she had to tell someone or she would burst.

Hmm... Will Kike really kill her when he finds out what she's up to?  Ha ha!