Start-Up

The Presentation

"Mr. Han!"

Ji-pyeong's entire office startled as Dal-mi burst into his office and rushed to his desk.

"Ms. Seo! What--"

She shoved a copy of her presentation into his hands. "Please review my presentation one last time," she pleaded as he opened the folder, "I'm presenting today and--"

"I knew you would be here!" Dal-mi shut her eyes at the sound of In-jae's voice behind her.

Ji-pyeong's team hid their smiles as they watched the scene unfolding before them.

In-jae reached over and snatched Dal-mi's presentation out of Ji-pyeong's hands. "No last-minute coaching, Mr. Han," she said sternly, and he held up both hands in reply. "Wasn't planning to," he said hastily.

"And you," she fixed her gaze on Dal-mi, who sheepishly hung her head. "Is this how you act before a presentation? Maybe we should just skip the whole thing, and I'll just put this where this belongs." In-jae poised the presentation above Ji-pyeong's trash can and raised an eyebrow at Dal-mi.

Ji-pyeong stared at In-jae, who was shooting daggers at her sister. She really was an Ice Queen at work, and it was such a sight to behold. He had never been more attracted to her than he was now.

"So, Ms. Seo? It's your call," In-jae challenged, waving the presentation over the trash can.

The entire room watched as Dal-mi took a deep breath, gathered her hair into a ponytail, then squared her shoulders. "I'm ready, Ms. Won," she declared, and In-jae shoved the presentation into her hands. "Good to hear it."

In-jae turned on her heel to saunter out of the room, when Ji-pyeong suddenly called out, "Ms. Won? Could I sit in the presentation?"

She whipped around to look at him and narrowed her eyes at him.

"Potential investor point of view!" he said hurriedly, then flashed her a winsome smile.

Normally his bedimpled smile did her in, but not today. Her face remained stoic as she said, "Fine, Mr. Han, you can join us."

She stalked out of the room and Ji-pyeong rushed after her, hastily telling his team, "I'll be right back."

Ji-pyeong was last to enter the meeting room, and he took a seat beside In-jae at the head of the table. He watched as Dal-mi started her presentation, and had to admit that she was doing very well. The mentor in him was proud to see how she addressed all of In-jae's questions after the presentation, showing how she had anticipated them and prepared well for them. She had vastly improved since their time together at Samsan Tech, and he had no doubt that this was all thanks to In-jae's training.

He stole a glance at In-jae and watched as she continued to make notes in Dal-mi's presentation, asking her questions in that no-nonsense, straightforward way he loved. The boyfriend in him enjoyed seeing In-jae in work mode. She was smart and sharp, and he could see how even her questions now were designed to continue challenging and training Dal-mi, as well as everyone else in the room. She was a great leader, and he was so proud to call her his girlfriend.

"Mr. Han?"

He startled as In-jae looked at him expectantly.

"Yes, Ms. Won?" he asked in a businesslike tone.

"From what you've seen today, would you invest in this company?" she asked, and he hid his smile. So this was how she was planning to do this.

He looked at Dal-mi in the front of the room and said, "Speaking as a potential investor, I would say yes, I think this company is ready for an investment."

"Company?" Dal-mi said in confusion as In-jae stood up.

"That's great to hear, Mr. Han. Because I have decided that the self-driving car project will be housed under a new company called Cheong Myeong Company, to be led by its CEO, Ms. Seo Dal-mi."

Dal-mi's eyes widened in shock as In-jae joined her in front of the room and the entire room burst into applause. "Cheong Myeong Company?" Dal-mi said softly, tears welling up in her eyes.

In-jae nodded and squeezed her arm. "For Dad," she smiled.

Ji-pyeong smiled as he watched the two sisters hug, then In-jae pulled away and extended her hand out to Dal-mi. "Congratulations on your promotion, Ms. Seo," she said, and Dal-mi grinned as she shook her sister's hand. "I won't let you down, Ms. Won," she promised.

Ji-pyeong stood up and quietly made his way to the door. In-jae caught his eye, and he mouthed, "See you at home?" She grinned and nodded at him, then he slipped out into the hallway.

He began to walk back to his office, when he suddenly heard her call out, "Mr. Han?"

He turned around and saw her rushing after him. After looking around quickly to make sure no one was in sight, In-jae stood on tiptoe and gave Ji-pyeong a quick kiss on the lips. "More of that tonight," she winked at him, then walked back into the meeting room where he heard her clap her hands and say, "Okay people, we've got work to do."

Ji-pyeong touched his fingers to his lips and smiled. He couldn't wait to get home tonight.