Jamais Vu

Chapter 23

It was June and the construction for the remodelling work started. Despite the noise from the next-door shop, business was great as usual and Sunhee couldn't be happier than she already was. Hoseok was busy flying in and out of the country for concerts and shows. Both talked when they could and if they didn't manage to catch each other due to the time difference, they would leave a video or voice message.

Sunhee was due for a meeting with Kang Jaesuk at the site for the material chosen. This time she asked Haewon to join in the meeting to get her views on it too.

"Are you sure you want me to join?" asked Haewon. She didn't know that much about construction or design that she was not sure if her being there would help that much. She watches home improvement show and that's just about it. "Just in case you've forgotten, I'm colour blind."

"Eonnie, you're just colour blind, you can still see. Your opinion counts too. You can help me by telling me what you think. Your time spent watching tv might help."

"Fine. Don't blame me if I'm not much of a help during the meeting," warned Haewon. She looked at her watch and frowned. "Is the consultant always this late?" asked Haewon. Despite the frequent meetings Sunhee and Jaesuk had, Haewon still hadn't had a chance to meet him and Sunhee planned to fix that, just in case Sunhee wasn't around if anything important arised..

"This is a first. He was always early," commented Sunhee, looking outside.

"I could still hear the crew working."

"The crew is working, that doesn't mean he's always there," explained Sunhee.

"You know what makes a man hot? If he's a designer and works hands-on at the construction site," said Haewon thoughtfully. "Those muscles, oh yeah," said Haewon dreamily.

"You watched too many shows on HGTV," stated Sunhee, referring to the channel that focuses a lot on home improvement and real estate. "I'll make a note on telling that to Doo Hyuk-oppa," winked Sunhee.

"Don't have to. He knows and he already started showing off his muscles even when he's just fixing the leak in my kitchen," Haewon said appreciatively.

"Well, lucky you," replied Sunhee.

"Too bad the crew next-door doesn't have much of an appeal," sighed Haewon.

They both then heard someone went through the bakery door as the bell dinged. They both turned and saw Jaesuk getting in. He looked smart in jeans and a shirt with a denim jacket tied around his waist. His hair was a bit ruffled and a bit dusty. His working boots looked seasoned, showing that he went to the site and maybe, did some work too.

"Oh my god," Haewon gasped. "This is way better than HGTV. You never told me the consultant is that hot," whispered Haewon, referring to Jaesuk's looks and appearance.

Sunhee nudged Haewon in return. "Behave," warned Sunhee.

"Hi Baek Sunhee-ssi," he greeted. Jaesuk was half an hour behind the time and when he came, he was not alone. "Sorry I'm late," apologized Jaesuk. "I got held off," he said, looking a bit angry. He was unhappy with his companion who was tagging along. His companion was a woman in her early 20s, looking posh and expensive. Not to mention childish and pouty.

Sunhee cursed inside. She knew that person too well. Why does her past have to haunt her back now?

"Baek Sunhee eonnie?" asked the person in surprise.

"Hello Lee Aera," greeted Sunhee without enthusiasm. Why does it have to be her? Lamented Sunhee inwardly. Why not the much nicer girls from her trainee year? Life certainly doesn't work that way.

"You know each other?" asked Jaesuk curiously.

"She was a trainee with me back then. She didn't debut," said Aera making it sound like Sunhee was not that good enough to make the cut. Sunhee looked at Aera unamused. Some people don't change. She's still the same 14-year-old Aera who Sunhee knew. She didn't know how she would survive if she debuted with Aera. She didn't mind the other 4 members, it's Aera who she couldn't stand.

"Good for her," jumped Haewon immediately. "She's a boss now and Fame disbanded after 3 years," slotted Haewon in. "Imagine that."

That stung Aera as her face changed. Sunhee felt like laughing out loud and mentally reminded herself to give Haewon a raise. That was the truth. The band broke not long after they debuted due to the favouritism of the agency on a certain band member.

Aera was obviously the company's favourite but she wasn't the one who the public likes. After the group disbanded, some of the members continued in the entertainment business, some went back to their studies and Aera dabbled in acting. She was given minor roles and that was it. She hadn't received her big break in that industry and Sunhee had no idea what Aera was into now.

"I'm working on a new drama," Aera showed off.

"Good for you," Haewon snorted in response. Sunhee held Haewon's hand in warning. The meeting would end up being both Haewon and Aera flinging insults if they didn't stop that instance.

"And I'm famous," defended Aera.

"Good then. I don't have to introduce you to everyone here," dismissed Jaesuk.

"Oppa, of course, they know me. I'm a star," pouted Aera.

"Was," Haewon coughed that in as looked at Sunhee comically.

Aera's group disbanded, and her head was still up high. Hoseok and BTS were still active in the industry, and they still went out of their way to personally introduce themselves to the bakery staff. They did come and buy some bread after the Billboard award, and they made the effort to make everyone matter. They were humble and grounded. So very unlike Aera there.

"Oh, and I'm his fiancée," she announced giddily, showing off her diamond ring.

"Congratulations," said Sunhee and Haewon. They tried to be sincere but failed.

Jaesuk breathed out in exasperation. "Sunhee-ssi, can we reschedule our meeting some other time?" he vented out. It looked like he was hanging by a thread and he was looking really miserable. Aera on the other hand was oblivious to Jaesuk's expression.

"Oppa, you can still have your meeting. I'll be quiet. I promise," said Aera coyly.

"I can't work like this," said Jaesuk to Aera. "I'm really really sorry for today. This is unprofessional and I should have thought of that before coming," Jaesuk stood and bowed apologetically. "Can I confirm the time with you again later?" he asked Sunhee.

"Yes, sure," agreed Sunhee.

"Here's the sample of the material that I told you," Jaesuk passed Sunhee a small bag. "Call me up after you take a look at it and I can tell you more about any piece that catches your attention."

"Oppa, are you going to make an appointment with her behind my back?" wailed Aera. "What are you trying to do?" Jaesuk and Aera left with Aera complaining along the way. "Are you going to have an affair with her?" they could hear Aera's heels stomping along the way.

Sunhee really sympathized with Jaesuk right then and wondered why he proposed to Aera. It was obvious that he didn't like her that much. Aera would be just fine if she didn't barge into a business meeting. Most importantly, it would be better if she grew up. Small account or not, professionalism is important.

Maybe they were engaged due to family arrangement, thought Sunhee. That still happened in wealthy families where they marry their offspring to another rich family. Jaesuk's clothes and style are top-notch which reeks of money and Sunhee knew Aera came from generations of chaebol. That made sense.

Sunhee just hoped that Aera won't interfere with the project. She wouldn't want to have anything to do with her, ever.

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Author's note:

Chaebol: After the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953, a few selected businesses run by families were given special loan and financial support to boost up South Korean's economy. Their business boomed and then morphed into sprawling conglomerates with their family members in the highest rank. The top chaebols now are Samsung, SK and Hyundai Motors.