In Another Life: Han Ji Pyeong's Happy Ending (Start Up)

Chapter 30: Where Are You?

Dal mi's POV
"Oh, I'm so nervous." I say as I fan myself. The time has come. Everyone has gathered in the waiting room. The lots have been drawn. Samsan Tech will be going in sixth place, while In Jae's company will be going first.

"Ms Jung, this will help calm you down. Here, take it." Chul san says happily as he offers Sa ha a calming pill. Sa ha gives him the side eye.

"Do you know I spent the last few years fighting in court everyday." Sa ha says. "Nothing can frighten me." She says. Chul san looks dejectedly at the calming pill in his hand.
"Chul san, can I take that then?" I ask and reach for it. Chul san looks at me speechlessly as I take it.

"Don't worry. Everything will be okay." Do san says with what sounds like forced confidence. He raises his hand for me to high-five him. Both of us can feel the nervous anticipation radiating from each other.

"We'll be okay." I say, wishing that Ji pyeong was here. I look at my phone, checking for any messages or calls from him. I tried calling him twice to hear his voice again. I want to hear his voice. But the line was busy.

Ah, I really want to hear his voice.

"Where is Yong san?" I ask, looking around.

"Here." Yong san says moodily as he joins us.

"Are you alright?" I ask Yong san. He wears a strained expression and looks grey.

"I'm fine."

"Okay, everyone gather around." I say as I gesture to the group to huddle up. There's a mix of emotion: anticipation, excitement, pure nervousness.

"Whatever happens out there, we have so much to be proud of." I say confidently. The rest smile at me.

"Hwaiting!"

~

"And the winners of Sandbox's 12th Residency Programme is Samsan Tech!" Ms Yoon announces.

The entire team erupts into cheering and pure joy. We scream in sheer exhilaration and run up to the stage. Chul san can't stop crying. Sa ha, for the first time, is beaming from ear to ear. Yong san looks like he's praying to the heavens and thanking them. Do san wipes a few tears from his eyes as he pumps his fists in the air. I'm overcome with joy. My eyes scan the audience and they fall onto the name plate in front of the empty chair.

Senior Manager, SH Venture Capital. Han Ji pyeong

I scan the crowd for him.

Where are you?

~

"Dal mi, come on! Let's go get our photos taken." The group calls me as they hold the huge certificate that declares them the victorious winners of Sandbox 12th Residency Programme.

"Give me a second. I just need a minute!" I call out as I spot Dong cheon and dash towards him.

"Dong cheon!" I call him.

"Oh! Ms Seo, hello." Dong cheon says.

"Dong cheon, do you know where Ji pyeong is? Why wasn't he at the presentation today?" I ask.

Dong cheon pauses for a second.

"Oh, Mr Han took a sick day off." Dong cheon says.
"He's sick?" I gasp.

"Why are you so shocked Ms Seo? I warned him that if he didn't take care of his body he would-" I don't get to hear the last of Dong cheon's sentence as I dash off.

Dong cheon's POV

"Ah don't take it to heart. She didn't ignore you. She's just terribly impatient." I comfort myself.

Dal mi's POV

"Dal mi! We're going for a barbeque tonight to celebrate, come on!" Do san says happily when I join them again.

"I'm sorry. But I have to attend to something today." I say quickly.

"Is everything alright?" Do san asks me, picking up on my flustered tone. I nod my head quickly.
"Yes. Everything's okay." I say and crack a smile.

"Ah, but it won't be the same without you, CEO Seo." Chul san whines.

"I'm sorry." I apologise. "I'll join you all another time." I wave goodbye.