ALL BARK NO BITE | SADISTIC BEAUTY SPINOFF

Chapter 57

~ 5th Floor, Main Office, Baleine Books Tower, 184-3, Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

"I want central locations, one for the schools and three for the university areas and I want special focus on literature, I can't risk even a mild shift in genres, we have a reputation that we need to keep steady and hang onto tight. That's all I'm concerned with right now. The budget and fundraiser details came in this week so I need quick action on the follow-up for venue, setup, guests and extra costs. Talk to the event organisers and the booksellers about our plans"

"Mr. Jang, as in-charge of planning, do keep in mind:- I want the approvals from our associations by Thursday, 10 am sharp" Wookyung looked at one side of the table, "Definitely, sir" the subordinate replied briefly and confidently "Good" Wookyung sat back in his chair to take a breather, he had been speaking for long and he felt like he couldn't focus. It was like doing things but also not doing them consciously. He was sitting right there but he also wasn't... some people were beginning to tell.

He had just returned from the shopping mall with Junha, already getting calls for meetings as he drove back to the office. Junha had cross-checked his schedule in the car while whining about what happened in the store and where he disappeared and why was Byun Minho there. He had lied to him saying he didn't notice anybody and had been exploring the store, hence his brief disappearance. Junha had seemed satisfied with the answer, shutting up immediately.

As for his own thoughts, Wookyung was afraid he couldn't shut them out. Minho was right... how could he be so selfish as to touch him again when he was the one who traumatised him in the first place. He had no right to be forgiven so easily. And yet, he wanted to devour him somehow... the bruises awakened something in him. A sick lust, arousing because they were coloured deeply on his beautiful body but also remembering the same on his mother's skin. Pain and pleasure...

Why were they the same thing???

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"... as compared to a working Monday, they asked us to settle for a weekday... Mr. Cha?" one of the members asked and Wookyung snapped out of the haze upon hearing his name "Uh... can you repeat that, please" he asked and the executive smiled nervously "Sir, should we finalise it for the 23rd?" he asked and Wookyung considered it for a moment "Let's have it on 26th. A free weekend gives everyone a chance to turn up and people already on campus can also rush over"

He massaged his brow bone with the back of his hand. He had gone about his day, craving a smoke but tried to suppress the urges. It was happening too often, only a while ago, he had stared at a coworker asking for a lighter, seeing his unlit cigarette and thinking about the flavour at the back of the throat, the heat along his nasal passage as he breathed it out, the mild buzz numbing the world out as he inhaled the smoke. He wanted to hold it between his fingers again.

He wanted the comfort of having it in his pocket... close to him...

Within reach...

To be able to get his hit whenever he wanted...

Wookyung pinched the bridge of his nose. He needed to conclude the meeting "Anyhow..." he spoke over the ensuing murmurs, clapping the table lightly and pausing as everyone settled back in "Listen up! they've given us good leeway so let's not screw up. Coordinate and don't leave any party behind. I am determined to make this sponsorship work and get us out there. This is a fair chance, let's do this, alright??" Wookyung slapped his individual report on the meeting desk, concluding it.

"Alright, sir"
"Thank you very much, sir"
"We'll get on it, right away, sir"
"Thank you, sir"
"Good evening, sir"
"Sir, we have a submission"