To Be or Not To Be: A TaeLice Story

Chapter 1. Domino For Mr. Kim

Chapter 1. Domino for Mr. Kim

(Listen to Domino by Jessi J if you want. That's what I listened to while writing this chapter)

Taehyung was at his desk going over his list of meetings for the day when the front desk called and told him that Lalisa Manoban was there for her interview. His last personal assistant had ended up moving away with her husband because he got a better job offer in the states. "Send her right in. I hope she's a good fit because I really need some help keeping up with everything," he stated simply. "Yes sir. I'll send her upstairs now," the front desk worker spoke quickly before hanging up. The man at the front desk then explained to her how to get to his office on the 3rd floor. Lalisa thanked him for his help and headed towards the elevator. She was so nervous because she desperately needed this job. Her last job hadn't met her needs. She was paid well, but she wanted to get out of that field, especially after the recent stalker incident.

People could think what they wanted, but being an exotic dancer wasn't glamorous or easy. In fact between the depression, drugs, and stalkers being in that kind of profession was pretty dangerous. However, at the time she started, it was the quickest way to get quite a bit of money so that she could help pay for treatments for her best friend, Eun Byeol. After Eun Byeol passed she kept the job out of pure habit. She had to do something to keep it off her mind. She wasn't happy, but she was making it. Until one day a man grew obsessed with her. He began following her home and would stand outside her house. It was worse because the cops wouldn't do anything because technically he wasn't doing anything wrong.

That's when Lalisa began teaching herself how to use the computer and all the common softwares. She'd grown up with it, so most of it wasn't hard. She figured if she could prove herself enough, she could be a secretary or assistant. She just needed someone to take a chance on her. She took a quick office management course and got certified before she started looking for jobs. She'd been to dozens of places already but nobody wanted to hire someone like her. She was running low on money and this was her last shot or she'd have to go back to working in the night world.

After what felt like ages, she finally reached Mr. Kim's office. She knocked on the door politely. "Please come in Miss Manoban. I've been expecting you," a deep voice came from behind the door. She took a deep breath and entered the room and shut the door quietly behind her. Taehyung didn't even look up from his paper as she walked into his office. On the other hand Lalisa was caught quite off guard. He was the most handsome being she'd ever set her eyes on in person. Her palms began to sweat and she grew nervous all over again. She gulped and her throat was dry so she accidentally started choking. This got Taehyung's attention. "Would you like a bottle of water? I have some right-" he cut himself off as he looked up at her. She was beyond gorgeous. He saw something in her eyes. A darkness, a hint of sadness, and a tiny bit of hope. She had the makings of a diamond in the rough.

Taehyung recovered himself by clearing his throat and reaching into his desk drawer for a water bottle. "I hope room temperature is ok," he said as he handed it to her. Lalisa reached out her hand and grabbed the bottle while Taehyung was still holding onto it. Their hands weren't touching, but they were close enough to feel the heat from each other. Lisa stared wide eyed at him before quickly pulling the water away and looking down. "Thank you Mr. Kim...." Taehyung told her it was nothing and then pulled up her resume on his computer. He frowned at what he was reading. She was a dancer? Why did she want to work in an office then? Lalisa could almost read his face. "Dancing...doesn't have good benefits," she explained, hoping he wouldn't ask further.

Nodding, Taehyung kept scrolling through to see her skills. He kept his gaze steady and unreadable which was making her even more nervous. "I see you have no experience in this field...however...your accreditation is good. Tell me why you want this job and why you think you would be a good fit." He sat back in his chair with a blank expression on his face and waited for her to answer. She sat up a little straighter after drinking some water to help her throat. "Well I'm looking for something...more stable. I want steady pay and benefits. I'm trying to change my life for the better. It's...been a roller coaster lately. However...I'm a very quick learner. I've always been organized. My late friend...I pretty much managed all her scheduling for appointments and treatments with various doctors. I like helping people and I can use just about any program you throw at me."

Taehyung had to control his face, he almost frowned. Her late friend? So things had been rough on her lately. He nodded his head and was mentally scolding himself. He really shouldn't be giving someone without experience a job...but she was so damn attractive. Wait, that was more reason not to hire her as he was already spoken for. Still, he could tell she was something special and just needed a break. He decided then and there that he would give her a chance at least. Though he knew deep down this was dangerous for many reasons. He looked at her carefully for a few minutes in silence. Lalisa swore she could hear a pin drop and her back was dripping in sweat because of nerves. Finally he spoke up. "I'll give you a trial period of 3 weeks. If by then you're not a good match, I'll have to find someone else. Can you start tomorrow?"

Lalisa gasped softly at his words. "Um yes, Mr. Kim. I can start tomorrow if you'd like me to. What time should I be in?" she pulled a little notebook out of her purse and started writing down what time she would need to be there and the documents she would need to bring to set up auto pay and everything else she would need. She smiled as he finished up telling her what she needed to know. She then put her notebook away and bowed before leaving the office. "I'll see you tomorrow Mr. Kim."

Taehyung nodded and went back to work though he was a little flustered as he watched her walk out of the room in her tight pencil skirt. She certainly had the body of a dancer. He shook his head after the door shut and went back to work. After a while his phone went off and his partner was texting him. "Don't forget about dinner tonight *kissy face*" Taehyung sighed as meeting Lalisa had totally made him forget about it. He quickly responded that he would be there as soon as he could be.

"Take me down like I'm a domino. Every second is a highlight. When we touch don't ever let me go." This song was stuck in Lisa's head as she returned home. Every single fiber in her being was attracted to her new boss. She hoped she could keep it professional. He'd been stoic and uninterested in any other way apart from their business, at least that's all she saw from him. She sighed and went to her closet to pick out the perfect outfit for her first day at work.

End Ch. 1