The Smile You Bring Me

Awkward

Ji Pyeong almost fell to the floor, but Dal-Mi caught him before it happened.

"I didn't know you were here," Dal-Mi said as she helped him stand straight.

Dal-Mi was the last person Ji Pyeong wanted to see, but it was like fate wanted to play with him.

"It's alright! I am done in there anyway," he said shortly. He walked away from her.

But Dal Mi couldn't stay quiet anymore, "Ji Pyeong, why are you avoiding me?" she asked.

Ji Pyeong turned around and faced Dal Mi. He could see in her face the guilt she felt for hurting him but seeing her that way didn't help him.

"It's because I know what you're going to say. I always think that: I'll be cool with it, but I am not. And that I am not okay!" Ji Pyeong paused, "But if I am okay now, it will also mean that I didn't like you that much!" he finished with a forced smile.

"I am sorry!" she said; she knew that was not enough.

Ji Pyeong smirked, "I am sorry too! I'll act like this for a while!" he said.

"....We decided to bid," she suddenly informed him. After all, he's still their —unofficial— adviser.

"Good decision!" Ji Pyeong said with a fake smile, and he walked away from her.

***********************

Dong-Chun looked at Ji Pyeong until he settled down at his desk.

"What is it?" Ji Pyeong asked him as he felt Dong-Chun's stares.

"I know it's not my place to ask this: but until, when were you planning to avoid Ms.Dal-Mi?" Dong-Chun asked.

"I just saw her earlier, and we talked... briefly," Ji Pyeong answered, but his eyes didn't leave his computer.

"Director, don't get me wrong, but I think Ms. Dal-Mi is the only girl for Mr. Do-San, whereas you can get a better woman than..."Dong Chun said, trying to start a conversation. However, Ji Pyeong was too focused on his work now. Dong Chun knew that whenever Ji Pyeong was like that, he wasn't listening to him anymore.

************************************

It was two hours passed office hours, and everybody had already left except for Ji Pyeong.

Ji Pyeong relaxed his eyes and rested the back of his neck on the chair. He looked at his wristwatch and saw that it was time for him to go home. He got his things and rode an elevator to the parking. Suddenly, it opened in the lobby—but no one entered. When the elevator was about to close, Ji Pyeong saw a familiar face standing in the lobby of Sandbox, "Min Ah?" he asked himself in disbelief.

Min-Ah saw him, "Ji Pyeong!" she shouted his name.

Ji Pyeong was surprised as he left the elevator while Min-Ah walked toward him excitedly.

They embraced each other tightly, "Min Ah, what are you doing here?"Ji Pyeong asked. For the first time in a long time, he felt happy.

She grins at him. It was a smile every girl makes when they have an ulterior motive.

Min Ah raised her hand, "In-Jae!" she called.

Ji Pyeong turned around. He saw that it wasn't only In-Jae behind him, but almost everyone in Chung Myeong Company was also present.

In-Jae and Min-Ah kissed each other on the cheeks.

In-Jae was surprised to see Min-Ah and Ji-Pyeong together, "Do you two know each other?" she asked.

Min-Ah naughtily looked at Ji Pyeong and wrapped her arm around his shoulder, "Yeah! Ji Pyeong is the guy I told you about. He is the very reason I am standing here now!" she said and smiled.

In-Jae looked briefly at Ji Pyeong and smiled, "I...see! Your honesty is why Sang-Su can't get over you!" she replied.

"Oh! Please! Don't mention your brother," Min-Ah giggled.

Ji Pyeong looked at Min Ah in confusion. Either: he or the people of Cheong Myung could understand them.

"In-Jae, we'll go ahead first," Dal Mi said on behalf of the group.

With one look, In-Jae knew that Dal-Mi felt uneasy being in the presence of Ji Pyeong. However, she thought that they couldn't avoid each other constantly.

"Where are my manners?" In-Jae said, and she started introducing everyone to Min Ah. "Let me introduce my sister, Dal-Mi. She is the CEO of Cheong Myeong Company. They are their partners: Mr. Nam Do San, Mr. Lee Chul San, and Ms. Jung Saha. And this is Min Ah. She is a doctor and a friend of mine!" she said.

Min Ah took a step forward and shook the hands of everyone, "It's nice to meet you all! I already know Ms. Sa-Ha and Ms. Dal-Mi from last year, right?" she said. Then she looked at Do-San, "Mr. Nam Do-San, right? I've heard so much about you. How's 2sto and Mr. Alex?" she inquired.

Ji Pyeong was impressed once again by Min-Ah. He was sure that he did not tell anything 2sto to her.

"They were just fine when we left," Do-San answered passively.

"How did you know Mr. Alex?" Chul-San asked.

"He was once my patient," Min Ah answered.

Chul-San couldn't hide his admiration, while Sa-Ha was disappointed with Chul-San.

Then, Min-Ah handed her calling card to Do-San. He looked at it, but then Chul-San got it from him. Min-Ah smiled at them.

In-Jae invited Min-Ah and Ji Pyeong, "Do you want to join us? We are going out to have dinner," she offered.