Chapter Text
Somewhere in a residential area in Seoul the leaves are changing their colour, some are greens, some are turning into brown or red. The wind blew more frequently and it's getting a little bit chilly, the autumn season is around the corner. A petite woman with, pony-tailed hair, white hoodie, jeans, and a pair of converse is seen lifting several boxes assisted by one of the moving truck man, moving from the truck to the old apartment. The man said goodbye and the woman closed the door. She turns her back and see her new studio apartment. It's empty. Not that empty empty. It's furnished, but there are just one bed, one sofa, and a small dinner table in this studio apartment.
"Okay, Bae Joohyun, this is your new home. Let's go unpack and make this room more you!" she said after turning on the heater and start to unpack her boxes.
The clothes are in the drawer, bed cover and bed lamp are set, some cooking utensils are placed in the kitchen, and lastly some frames are placed on the wall. "I'll do the best again for you guys, wish me luck." she said with a smile while brushing her thumb on the frame. Joohyun and her family were seen laughing happily in front of their house. A few boxes are still packed but Joohyun is putting herself down at the sofa and breathed heavily.
"Ahh.. I'm getting promoted but it's like nothing has changed. It's Saturday afternoon but why I feel so tired already, uurrghhh." Irene said with stretching his hands."At least my apartment is getting bigger and warmer." She looks with her doe eye screening at her new apartment. Suddenly her phone is ringing at the table with her mother's name is on the display.
"Hello mom ... yeah I just unpacked some and arranged it. It still 2 boxes left with my old documents in it and stuff ... no, I haven't. maybe I'll get some take outs later. My kitchen is ready to used but I still haven't bought a single thing to cooked. I will buy take outs while shopping later ... I'm a little nervous actually. Seoul is a big city and now I'm moving on the main building with all important people in it, so yeah, it's challenging. But that's okay, I'll manage, don't worry. Is dad okay? ... Ah, I'm glad. Please remind him to not work too hard because of his heart condition.. and how's Jaehyun too? ... Glad to know he's helping you at home. Send my loves to the others, mom. I still have to unpack these and strolling around for food ... Yeah, stay healthy too, mom. Love you." She ended the call and started to unpack the remaining boxes.
-
Monday or the first day of Joohyun working at the SM Company. With freshly combed hair, red lipstick, black blazer and skirt, white shirt, and black heels, she walked confidently yet nervously from subway to her new office. The security opens the glass door for Joohyun and she's searching for the information desk.
"Excuse me, I am Bae Joohyun the new Manager Director on Marketing Team. I haven't got my ID. Could you let me pass through?" she says at the information lady
"Wait a moment... Ah okay, you are registered and said that you can meet Ms.Lim at 15th floor. I'll inform the security to let you in."
"Thank you.." She walked pass the security and going up to 15th floor.
Everything is going to be okay. You are from the small city but you can do it, Bae Joohyun.
The elevator dinged on the 15th floor. She step out and immediately saw Ms. Lim name on a wood door with a glass wall. There was a short hair woman with a pair of glasses sitting inside.
"Excuse me" she says after knocked the door and opened it. "Hi, my name is Bae Joohyun. I'm transferred from Busan as a Manager Director.."
"Oh! Yes, yes. Please wait at the meeting room. It's the room in the corner of this floor. Wait there while I call for some people." Ms. Lim said.
"Ah okay, thank you. I'll.. go to the meeting room." Joohyun closes the door and headed to the mentioned room. She found the meeting room and go inside and placed her bag on the table and sit.
The door opens and three people come in. The one opened the door is Ms. Lim, the next one is a shorter woman with monolid eyes and gentle smile on her face, the last one only wearing casual shirt and an id card and has the same height as Ms.Lim.
"Ms. Bae. I didn't introduce myself before. My name is Lim Yoona, I am Head of Human Resources, Mr.Lee Hyukjae from Busan is a friend of mine, he always praised you and worked hard to get you promoted to Seoul. So, you are transferred to Marketing team and this is Ms. Kang Seulgi, an Executive Director, your division team is work under her. And this is Park Sooyoung, she is one of the marketing team." she introduces two other women politely.
"Hello, my name is Bae Joohyun" Joohyun says shyly while bowing a little.
"Now, you girls know each other. I'll leave the introducing part on Ms.Kang. Have a good day, Ms.Bae!" Ms.Lim says goodbye and closes the meeting room door.
"Okay, let's have a sit, shall we?" Ms. Kang invited them to seat. "Firstly, welcome to the SM Company in Seoul, Ms.Bae. It is unusual for having a Manager Director transferred from another city, usually it is promoted from the bottom and up up to the Manager Director. But, I heard your reputation before, so I really eager to be working with you."
Joohyun a little bit tense and nervously just said "Okay..."
Ms.Kang who sense her nervousness quickly release her calming scent and said with a smile on her face. Again. "Eh? Oh, please Ms. Bae, I wasn't trying too pressed you or something haha. I heard your reputation, you know. And, that's not bad. I know this is your first day and you might not familiar with how we worked here. So, this Park Sooyoung right here, is going to assist you. She already worked here for 1.5 years. Basically she's your senior, but technically, you're still her boss. Don't worry about it, she will show you our last or current works, who we worked with, and how we worked. If you have anything to asked, you can asked her. If she can't answer you, you can ask me anytime. Okay, is there any question?" Joohyun as a beta can sense Ms.Kang scent and how calm her words. So Ms.Kang is an alpha I guess?
"Umm.. at this time no. I'll check what's on the deck first, I'll catch up with how everyone's here worked and maybe I'll find some later." Joohyun adds.
"Okay then" Ms.Kang says as she clap her hands. "Good. Once again, welcome to Seoul. Sooyoung will show you the office. Have a good work and have a great day." Ms. Kang stands up and bid her farewell.
"Thank you, Ms. Kang. And have a great day too." Irene says while shaking the slightly taller woman's hand. Joohyun and Sooyoung step out from the meeting room and heading to their office.
"So, Ms.Bae, you can call me Sooyoung, I will show you where our office and your room are. Follow me." Sooyoung leads them to the elevator and pushes 16th floor button. "Our division is placed at the 16th floor, Ms. Kang also at the 16th. The important people of our company are at 21st floor. Our division has 3 teams, with each team currently working on 2 or 3 projects. I'm head of team 2 too, by the way."
"Hmm, yes, I've heard about it but not in details about the projects. Can I use a meeting room later for you guys to presented it to me?"
The elevator dinged "We're here, let's go. Yes. You can use it anytime, you're our boss anyway. At least on our floor haha. There are some reports on your table, you can read it.". Sooyoung leads the way and announce to everyone, "Attention everyone, we know we have our new Managing Director today, this is Ms.Bae."
"Hello, my name is Bae Joohyun, I just got transferred from Busan. I hope we can worked together well and sorry if I still have to adapt for several days" people welcoming Joohyun with warm smile and hellos. "Okay thank you all. So, Ms. Sooyoung just informed me about what works we working on but I still need the details of it. I want all team to presented what projects you working on in one hour, if you ready you can go first and call me in my room." Everybody says yes and prepare to get back to work, "Thank you. I'll see you soon then. Good luck everyone."
-
The day goes by and it's already Friday afternoon, the sun is set, people with their coat on exit from the building.
"Ms. Bae! Are you going home? We're going to have a drink, come join us!" Sooyoung said it to Joohyun.
"Maybe next time. I still new to this city and have to refill my supply. Next time, okay?"
"Okay boss, next time you have to treat us all as your welcome party." said Taemin, the one on team 2 from Marketing Division. Joohyun already knows everyone on her team and they seems nice to her.
"Yah! Okay, I'll do it next time! Have a good night, guys. Stay safe!"
They go separate way with Joohyun walked to the subway station. The subway is packed with people since it is kinda rush hour. Joohyun pick up her white headset from her brown leather sling bag and set it to her ear while sitting on a subway. She walk to a grocery store near her apartment. The night is getting colder or its just me? She pick up a basket and strolling around the food counter. Fish? Nah, I'm not in the mood on making seafood. Meat will do. She put it on the basket with some fruits too. Done shopping, she walk home again. With a plastic bag on her hand she waited for green light when a silver SUV car put on a sign and the window opened.
"Ms.Bae? Yes, it's Ms.Bae!" Ms.Kang call her with her signature crescent eye smile and waving her hand.
Joohyun startle and pull out her headset. "Hello, Ms.Kang. What are you doing here?"
"I live in this neighbourhood and I thought I saw your figure from afar. Do you want a lift, Ms.Bae?"
"Oh, no, Ms.Kang. I'm fine, thank you. I don't want to burden you.."
"What? No! What burden? It's okay. Come come! A friend walking you home won't hurt right? Well I'm technically driving but you know what I mean. Come in!"
A friend? Your boss as your friend? "Okay, Ms. Kang." She closes the door and suddenly Ms.Kang's scent rushing at her nose. A citrus, is it? Ms.Kang grab her plastic bag and put it on the back seat.
"Now sit comfortably. So, where do you live?" she says as she turn on the left sign and locked the door.
"It's on H apartment, it's not far from here tho."
The executive director nods, "Oh, I know the place. Okay, let's go."
They arrived at the entrance of the building, "This is where I live.. Thank you, Ms.Kang."
"You're welcome! Your apartment is not that far from mine, you know. I'm at M apartment. If you need help or anything you can contact me, okay?"
"Yes, Ms.Kang." Joohyun gets out from the car and stands besides Ms.Kang's door, "Thank you for driving me home, Ms.Kang" she says while bowing and grab her plastic bag with both if her hands.
"No, need for thanking me again. We're a colleague, right? We got each other back." she said that again with that smile again on her face. It's getting silent for a mere 3 seconds and out of nowhere Joohyun said "Do you want to come inside, Ms. Kang? I'll make you coffee if you want. As a thank you."
"Hmm.. Well sure, why not? Coffee it is."
It was a quite drive to Joohyun's apartment and it's as quite as before with their walk onto her room. Joohyun is searching for her key while Seulgi is looking around at the scenery from the hallway. "Come in, Ms. Kang", Joohyun inviting her inside and put her shoes on the rack. Seulgi who wears sandals with socks on put her sandals on the rack too and take off her jacket.
"You really just moved in" she says while looking around the apartment and see the minimum of interior Joohyun has.
"Hm? Oh, yeah. I just moved some stuff I had before and had no energy to fill my room with new stuff. Come sit here, Ms. Kang. Sorry if it's bellow your expectation hehe. It's a small apartment after all" adds while preparing hot water for her guest's coffee.
"Hey, I expect nothing and this is more than okay, you know. You have a your own place to hide from this cruel is more than enough", she sits at wooden chair with small table near the kitchen. "So, Ms.Bae, while we waiting for the coffee of yours and before things getting awkward, would you tell me about yourself?" adds her while intertwining her hands and sees Joohyun with her curious eyes.
Joohyun just put out a mug from the cabinets turns around and leaning the counter behind her. "What do you want to know, Ms.Kang?" she says with a smile in her face.
"Uhm, I don't know? How you got here in the first place maybe?"
"How did I get here?" she crosses her arms and scrunches her brows "mm, there's nothing usual by the way. I'm originally from Daegu. Moved out the city due to college, moved out again to Busan, and ended up here, right now, with my boss sit in front of me interrogating me." she says jokingly and happy to see her executive manager shows her crescent smile again.
Ms.Kang chuckles and liking the atmospher right now "I'm not intetrogating you! haha. I'm just trying to know you."
"Hahaha, I know. I just want to lighten up the mood. That's enough about my bored story, what about our young executive director here?"
"Wow you read about my profile, I guess. I'm born in Seoul and still here till now. I am the second child, you might know that, I have a brother. All my family are here except my brother, he's aboard for his study. And I live alone as your neighbour." she looks at Joohyun's playfully and gets a chuckle from her.
"My neighbour? Hahaha. Technically we're not and having my boss as my neighbour? I don't think it's a good idea." Joohyun smirking with her right eyebrow lifted and Seulgi notices it. The water heater beeping and Joohyun continue pouring the coffee to the mug. "You want sugar, milk? or just black?" she says while stirring the coffee.
"Both are fine, one tablespoon each. Anyway, you know about my title as a young manager, and sorry I didn't read your profile thoroughly, but how old are you? You seems independent from the beginning of your career?"
Joohyun sits and give Ms.Kang her coffee while she holding warm milk on her hands. "I read some profiles from our company and of course I have to know who I worked for, right? I'm 2 years older than you, I'm 32." She sips her milk while looking at Ms.Kang.
"What?? You barely look like 25 year old! Oh my God! I definitely look old due to all the work stress!" she amazed with what she just heard and make that O shaped mouth
"Honestly you're not the first one saying that, Ms.Kang. The magic comes from my small body, you know." she says as she smirks and untied her ponytail and tied it in a bun. Ms.Kang seems zoned out looking at her, "Ms.Kang"
Ms.Kang that just zoned out because she suddenly feels like looking at a goddess in front of her. What? A goddess? "Eh? Well I don't want to be rude, but yes you are small, and that's what makes you look pretty!" she says unconsciously and just realised what she said 2 seconds later and her cheeks get warm. "Umm, what I mean is, your small body looks perfect for you, ehm... Like, you look good you know. You know what I mean" she abruptly ends her talk and hurriedly warm coffee. What the heck did I just said to my subordinate
Joohyun understands what she talked about and says "Thank you, Ms. Kang, I appreciate that." while staring at her boss. Never know she has this side of her, and her tip of ear is turning red it's cute. What? "Ehem, if you want more coffee I'll pour you some again."
Ms.Kang who just heard Joohyun a little bit confused why she's offering it and looking at her mug, Well dumb. "No, it's okay! It's a bit cold and your coffee is definitely my taste, I like it and chug it all down, sorry. Ehem.. I guess that's all, Ms.Bae. Thank you for the coffee and the chit chat. It's not everyday my co-workers offer me their drink on their house." She stands while grabbing her jacket on the back of the chair and put the mug on the sink.
"Oh you don't have to do that, Ms.Kang. I'll clean it afterward" adds her referring to the mug and walks her to the door.
Ms. Kang wears her jacket back and opened the door "Once again, thank you for the coffee. You don't have to walk me downstairs." there's a pause between them for 3 seconds and they only staring at each other. At that moment Ms.Kang realised she liked Joohyun's big eyes. "By the way," she turns around and pointing outward. "You see that grey building? Well, you'll see the colour in a daylight, that's where I live. We're not far from each other, right?"
Joohyun seeing outside and see what she's pointing "Okay, yeah, I see that."
Ms.Kang just stand at looking at her again. "What?" Joohyun looking at herself and wonder what's wrong with her face
"No, your accent just slipped out and it's cute" she once again slipped out what's on her mind without thinking and this time she doesn't realised it and Joohyun just blushed. The wind suddenly blew at them and Joohyun gets a little trembled and her cheeks get redder due to Ms.Kang compliment.
"Wow it's cold. Go inside, Ms.Bae. Next time I'll pay for your kindess, if there's any next time?" she adds with hope shown in her eyes.
"Next time is fine, boss" she says softly.
"Hahaha, cut it. Okay I'll go now. Don't be a stranger, Bae Joohyun ssi" she says as she turns and wave at her without turn her head and walks to the elevator.
Joohyun closes the door with a smile on her face and prepare to cook for her dinner. Well, a boss as your friend and neighbour is not bad, right? she thinks and begin to cut the meat she bought few hours ago.