Jamais Vu

Chapter 36

"Can you tell me again why am I with you instead of your fiancé?" asked Sunhee to Haewon.

"Doo Hyuk oppa is busy and I get self-conscious if I come here alone," explained Haewon.

'Here' was Kim & Co, the bridal boutique owned by Jaesuk's friend, Kim Younha. From the exterior of the shop, it looked elegant, classy and sophisticated. Haewon was finding it quite intimidating as the place screamed money.

"What is there to be self-conscious about? Think of it as window shopping."

"That's different. Jaesuk said this is a normal bridal house. This is a bridal freaking boutique. I should have known from his designer clothes his definition of 'normal' is my 'abnormal'. This place looks freakingly expensive and I feel out of sorts if I come here alone. I don't look rich."

"So do I."

"Sunhee, you're chic and stylish. I'm plain and dowdy. They're not going to entertain me for sure."

"First of, you're not plain and dowdy. Boho chic is your style," said Sunhee sternly.

She had enough of down talking during her trainee years to last her a lifetime and she didn't want people around her to feel inferior because of their personality and taste in clothing.

"Second, don't judge a place by its look. Business is business and they would be a fool to turn you down just because of a customer's appearance. You don't have to get in if it makes you uncomfortable," continued Sunhee.

"I know, but Jaesuk arranged this for me. I feel bad if I didn't turn up," said Haewon. "You're a CEO. You can be my shield."

"As if you need any protection from anything. In case you've forgotten, if you're talking about corporate rank, you're my CFO. Come on. You know a Vera Wang dress isn't cheap either," coaxed Sunhee, linking her arm to Haewon.

"What are you ladies doing outside?" said Jaesuk, joining them all of a sudden and Haewon yelped in surprise.

"We were marvelling at the exterior of the shop. Haewon eonnie was contemplating whether your friend is going to change her mind about getting her dream dress," covered Sunhee.

"Don't worry. I told her about Haewon-ssi's preference. She can arrange an appointment with Vera Wang boutique for your dream dress. Let's go. She's waiting inside," Jaesuk ushered Haewon and Sunhee inside. "Not to brag, but I did the design for this shop too."

"It looks wonderful," said Sunhee.

"And exclusive," added Haewon.

"Thank you," replied Jaesuk. He was balancing 4 cups of drinks from a well-known coffee shop and pushed the door with his back. "After you," he welcomed them in as if he was at his own home.

"Welcome to Kim & Co," greeted a striking woman, dressed beautifully in pink ruffled blouse and black pants. "I'm Kim Younha, I'll be attending you today," she introduced herself to Sunhee and Haewon. "Please, have a seat and make yourself comfortable."

"This place looks wonderful," commented Sunhee, looking around after they were done with the introduction.

"Thank you. I'm still new in this business but I can assure you that I try my best to cater to the needs of both the bride and the groom," said Younha modestly.

"Your service is lousy today. You usually open the door for customers, I had to open it myself," Jaesuk put the drinks on the coffee table inside the boutique.

"I open it for my customers. You're not and you can very well open the door yourself," said Younha to Jaesuk.

"Where's your staff?" asked Jaesuk.