Secret Love

The Intern

(First chapter, I'd like to introduce you to Haru's weekday and weekend routine. It's the same from day to day..., until...)

The alarm went off and Haru quickly switched it off, annoyed by it. She got up and stretched her arms and legs as she sighed.

Haru bathed and wore her newly bought office attire. She headed downstairs to sit at the table with her family for breakfast.

Haru was the only daughter of Lee Min-ryu, a retired army major general and Hana Tochiki, whom he had met when he was stationed in Tokyo when he became a diplomatic attaché. Hana was a stay at home wife, raising their two children here in Seoul.

Haru's older brother, Lee Min-jun, was a retired army pilot. He was injured during a practice fly and had to retire. He now worked as an NIS agent and was placed in the Italian organized crime division.

"Haru, please finish your food before you go today", Hana spoke softly.

"Yes, mama", Haru shoved the rice in her mouth quickly.

"Haru! Slow down!", Min-ryu scolded her.

"Yes, father", Haru giggled.

After eating, she placed her plate in the sink and kissed both of her parents. Her brother, Min-jun was already at the door.

"Haru, c'mon! You can't be late for your first day, lawyer!", Min-jun giggled.

Min-jun dropped her off at Geumga Plaza, where the law firm called Jipuragi was situated. Min-jun handed her a box with a small red bow on it.

"Consider it your good luck on your first day", Min-jun flashed his usual grin.

"See you later, oppa!", Haru waved and ran inside.

She looked at the address again and quickly headed to the law firm. The plaza was deserted, but Haru figured it's still early in the morning, that's why no one is around.

She reached Jipuragi and the door was opened. She knocked and entered to see two men, one looked almost the same age as her father while the other was wearing glasses and was probably 10 or 15 years older than her brother.

"Good morning, my name is Lee Haru. I'm the new intern", Haru smiled.

"Ah, you're early. I'm Hong Yu-chan and I own Jipuragi. This is my paralegal, Nam Ju-sung", said the older man.

"Please to meet you", Mr. Nam smiled as he extended his arm to Haru.

Haru smiled and shook hands with Mr. Nam. "I will try my best to be useful here".

Mr Nam and Yu-chan showed her around and told her of her tasks during her internship. Mr Nam even showed her what's best to eat around Geumga Plaza.

Haru opened the present Min-jun had given her. It was a pen with a Pororo figurine on top. Haru smiled and placed the pen on her stationery holder.

Haru assisted them in the filings and handlings of documents. She thought office work would be boring as her outgoing brother often described, but she quite enjoyed them.

Occasionally, she'd accompanied Yu-chan to court rooms and she'd helped him with the documents he needed during trials.

That's when Haru met Hong Cha-young, Yu-chan's only family. Mr Nam said to never ask about Cha-young, but he told Haru everything about Cha-young and Yu-chan.

Haru could only watch as the father and daughter bantered, but Yu-chan would always win against her. Watching them reminded her of her brother and father's little banter at home.

Cha-young did confront Haru about Yu-Chan every time they bumped at the ladies' toilet. Haru could tell that Cha-young was worried for Yu-chan, despite them fighting in court since Cha-young represented the very company that Yu-Chan's fighting.

"Ms Hong, don't worry. I will try my best to look after him for you", Haru smiled one day.

At the end of the day, Haru would wait at the bus stop in front of the plaza for her brother to pick her up. She could drive, but since her family only have two cars - one being her parents' and one being her brother's, she had no other choice.

She wanted to earn her own money to buy her own car, just as her father had taught her. She could take the bus or call a taxi, but her brother told her to not waste money when he could just come and pick her up since it's along the way home.

During weekends, she would either spend her time helping her mother around the house or in her room, watching dramas on her laptop. Haru had always been shy, unlike her outgoing and extrovert brother.

Even in school, had people not know she was related to Min-jun, she'd be picked on every day.  She had always been small and Min-jun often had to defend her from the bullies all the time.

"I'm sorry you have to come and save me all the time", Haru sobbed.

"Hey, why are you sorry for? I'm your older brother, aren't I? That's my job to always look after you, Haru", Min-jun flashed his usual grin as he patted her head.

One day, Haru got a text from Min-jun, who will be late due to a meeting. Min-jun mentioned a cafe nearby Geumga and asked Haru to wait for him there.

"I'm in desperate need of coffee. Could you buy me one later? I'll text you when I'm on my way", Min-jun sent her another text.

Haru sighed as she packed her things. Yu-Chan noted on her sighing.

"Is there something wrong?".

"Ah, nothing, sir. My brother just texted me, saying he'll be late".

"Would you like me to send you home?", he asked.

Haru shook her head, smiling. "It's ok. His office is just along the way, so it saves time. Besides, he had asked me to get him a cup of coffee".

Haru bid Yu-Chan and Mr Nam and left the office. She waved to some of the tenants as she headed outside.

Haru went to the cafe that her brother mentioned. She ordered her coffee and sat at a corner while drinking her iced coffee.

Haru looked outside. She observed outside and her eyes landed on someone she never thought she'd be seeing again.