Seung Ni's P.O.V

I didn’t sleep well last night, I had been horrible to Changmin, and he had helped me all day nursing my hang over. As soon as the sun burst through the window, I got up and changed into a dark blue power shoulder dress and black stockings. I threw two silver necklaces and a string of pearls around my neck, and dug my feet into a pair of blue suede ankle boots. I blew dried my hair into a wave and slipped on a black bowed headband. I looked good, perfect clothes for a job interview. But first, I needed to amend my relationship with that arrogant fool. I clomped down the stairs, my fingers busily attaching a pair of blue earrings onto my ears. I got into the kitchen and promptly took out two english muffins, some spinach, some ham and a whole lot of eggs. I had decided to make him breakfast, nothing is better than a warm feed in the morning right? I filled a pot with water and placed it onto the stove to boil. I took the two muffins, split them and placed them into the toaster. Now for the hollandaise sauce. I took the eggs, cracked them into a bowl and added butter and salt. I began whipping it, praying that the eggs would not split. I laid out the muffins and topped it with spinach and my perfectly poached eggs. Usually it wouldn’t look this good. Changmin came into the kitchen soon after for his morning coffee. I inhaled deeply, now or never, I kept telling myself.

“Morning,” I smiled.

He ignored me.

“I made breakfast,”

“Good for you.”

I pouted, “I made some for you too.”

He turned to look at me, “Thank you,”

I put the plate down on the bench in front of the stool and gestured him to sit down.

“I’m sorry,” I said, as I picked up the cutlery. 

Changmin snorted, as he split my perfectly poached eggs. The golden yolk ran out. 

I smiled, “Look, its perfect. That’s dedication!”

Changmin smiled, “Look’s good.”

I nodded, “So you accept my apology?”

He shrugged, “Were you really dedicated?” he raised a brow.

“Do you know how hard it is to make hollandaise from scratch? I could have easily bought it. Hollandaise from a jar, how does that sound?”

Changmin laughed, placing some food into his mouth.

“How’s it?” I smiled.

His face cringed.

My eyes widened, “Oh no…”

“Maybe you should have bought it,” Changmin frowned, taking a large gulp of coffee.

I slammed my palm onto my forehead, “Failed again.”

Changmin pushed the stool away from the bench and stood up, “Come on, I’ll take you to breakfast.”

I shook my head, “No, it’s okay. You’re probably very busy, it’s fine.”

He rolled his eyes and grabbed my upper arm, “Come on.”

He dragged me out of his house and out to his garage where his car was parked. As soon as I saw the Prius I couldn’t help but smile, he caught me.

“What? Are you going to make fun of me now?”

I shook my head, running to the car, admiration washing all over me.

“Yours?” I murmured.

He nodded, but still had a frown on his face. 

I ran my hand down it’s bonnet, sighing. “It’s so pretty.”

Changmin raised a brow.

“Wait!” I snapped, “Why is all mighty Shim Changmin driving a Prius? Aren’t you so rich you could buy any car in the world. A Ferrari, a Porshe? Lamborghini?” 

He shook his head, as he unlocked its doors.

I climbed in immediately as he started the engine. “BMW? Mercedes? Audi?”

He shook his head, ignoring me and reversed out of the driveway.

“Lexus?”

“Shut up!”

I frowned, “What? I’m confused.”

“Do you know how much fuel a ferrari uses?”

I nodded, “Oh!” I gasped, “SHIM CHANGMIN FUEL EFFICIENT?” my eyes widened, was he that cheap?

He kept his eyes on the road, “Do you know how much carbon a Ferrari releases?”

I nodded, of course I knew. I checked up on these car before I bought my Ford ECOnectic.

He smiled, “And there’s your revelation.”

I was stunned, Shim Changmin cared about the environment more than he cared about the uptown market.

I couldn’t help but smile, “I’ve always wanted a Prius.”

He nodded, “Really? Why didn’t you get one?”

I bit my lip, “I couldn’t afford it. BUT, I did buy a Ford ECOnectic, most fuel efficient small car and safe for the environment too. It was a win win, you see.”

He nodded, “All that money you save on fuel, you spend on clothes huh?”

I frowned, but realized that I was busy putting bangles and rings onto my hand.

“I…” I began, but I knew I was defenseless. 

“Do you know how much resources the fashion industry wastes?”

I rolled my eyes, he didn’t need to tell me what was politically correct.

“This coming from the guy who demanded I pay for his dirty Armani suit.”

Changmin laughed, “That’s because I just didn’t like you.”

I glowered. But Changmin had already pulled into the front of the hotel and has thrown his keys at the valet parker. I followed him into the hotel, my heels clomping as I quickened my pace to keep up with him.

“Mr Shim,” the waitress greeted, as she lead him to what appeared to be his usual table. The waiter pulled out the chairs for us and I dropped into the seat, picking up my menu.

“You want egg hollandaise right?”

I looked at all the delicious foods on the menu, egg hollandaise. Who cares about egg hollandaise now. I could have a crepe with chocolate and strawberries with butterscotch. And so I did. 

“Where is your car?” Changmin asked, through a mouthful of food.

I frowned, “They wouldn’t let me take it…” that was half true, I had immediately jumped at the idea of being chauffeur driven around everyday. I hated driving, I’d always thought myself as a hazard on the road. But of course I wasn’t going to tell him that.

He frowned, “I’ll get it for you tomorrow.” 

My face dropped, “Okay then, thanks”

“So why are you all dressed up today?”

I looked down at my dress, dressed up? This was how I usually dress.

“Job interview,” I said.

He nodded, “Didn’t you say you were a student?”

“I am,” I nodded, “Part of the pre-requisites was to work in a firm for a year. Hence I’m finding a job.”

Changmin nodded, “I know a lot of firms, we’ve got one for the company, how about I get you in?”

My eyes narrowed, no I didn’t need his help. I was sure that I could get a job myself. 

Changmin must have read the expressions on my face because he shrugged and stood up, “Just tell me when you need help.”

I sniggered, I won’t need his help. He left the restaurant and I sat at the table finishing my breakfast alone.

I had spent all day going from firm to firm asking for a job, but no one had wanted me. It was as if I were blacklisted. I’ve been rejected over and over again and I was beginning to give up hope. It was as if god had wanted me to go crawling back to Changmin. If I didn’t get a job now, I was going to not finish my course. Five years of study, and this is what I get? I got out of the taxi, paid the driver and entered the hotel slowly. It was about 5:30 and I wanted to get my failure out of my mind. I didn’t know why I wanted to return to the hotel. Maybe it was the lure of a possible job that kept me running back. But my stubborn side kept telling me no. I dragged my feet across the lobby. By now the staff knew who I was, and ignored me. I could do whatever I wanted. 

“Seung Ni!”

His voice snapped me out of my trance, as I lifted my head to see him standing in front of me.

“I was about to call you, glad you’re here. I’m sorry,” he said.

I was confused, “What?”

He grabbed my arm and dragged me into an elevator.

“I’m sorry,” he said again, as he closed the doors. “My parents, they’ve blacklisted you from every architecture company in Korea.”

I frowned, “What?” I gasped.

He cringed, “I’m sorry, but they want you to always be around. They want you with the firm that we work with.”

My mouth opened, “Unbelievable! They’re continuing to take away my freedom!” I cried out.

Changmin sighed as the lift opened and we approached his floor.

“But your parents aren’t even here,”

Changmin’s lips tightened, “I’m afraid, your parents were in on the act.”

I was furious, how dare they.

Changmin approached the door to one of the meeting rooms on the floor of his office. “They’re in there waiting for you,” he sighed. “Good luck.”

He opened the door and pushed me through.