Promotion To Your Heart

Part 1

"Here is your glass of champagne, Miss Kim," the attending waiter uttered as he placed the wine glass on the table.

"Thank you.." Kim Jisoo responded while returning a slight smile. The waiter gave a bow and excused himself from the table.

It is already her third glass but she still feels sober as ever. It seems the alcohol content of her drink is not enough to make her mind pay no heed to the speeches of business leaders across different economic sectors. Being a Chief Executive Officer and major shareholder of the largest retail conglomerate in the country, she should attend as a representative for such an event, the 2022 Seoul Business Summit Conference.

'Dull and boring' she thought. It has only been an hour passed since the conference started and she already wanted to leave the place.

'Very non-productive' she thought. She could be back in the office and focused on more important things in the business. Product launch, business expansion, additional investments... she has a lot on her plate right now. Yet, she is forced to be stuck here doing basically nothing.

'Six more hours' she thought, 'and this will be over.'

A few moments later, a short open forum was initiated. Typical as it is, other business representatives were eager to participate in the discussion of the major challenges given the emerging global economic realities. For Jisoo, it is another series of uninteresting brags and proposals from the other businessmen, as if it is to aide the country's economic growth. In reality, it is all for the sake of making their reputation be appealing to the public.

She intended not to listen any longer and let her mind drift off to somewhere else. However, her attention was caught by a sweet and delicate voice which has resonated in the conference hall. It was the woman's turn to give off a speech of her views on technology and innovation. Jisoo gazed over the large LED screen at the stage and saw the owner of the angelic voice. She felt her heart skipped a beat.

'She is beautiful..' she wandered her eyes around the hall to look for her in person. She found her standing three tables away from her. 'The camera didn't even do justice on her beauty. She's more exquisite in real life,' she thought. Just by gazing at the woman made her feel the warmth. Just by listening to her made her feel calm. 'Her voice is like a lullaby.'

Yet, who would have thought that the beautiful woman would gaze at her direction? Their eyes met. The warmth sensation went up to Jisoo's ears. She felt her vulnerability. With that, she quickly looked away.

"She is such a pretty woman." another businessman at her table uttered. The other person responded, "Isn't she the newly appointed CEO of Claire?"

"The conglomerate owning high-end shopping malls? Yes, she is. And so I heard she's a bachelorette." the former said.

Claire. The name of the conglomerate is familiar to her. In fact, it is very, very familiar. Being in the same field of retail, Claire is her direct competitor. And with the thought, she remembered the name.

Chaeyoung. Chaeyoung Park.

It was the name spread over the news in the past month concerning the change of management of her rival conglomerate. The young woman took over the role of her father in managing the business. Of course with her being occupied in her own matters, she didn't feel the need to snoop over the side of the rival company. Yet now, she has regretted. She could have seen such fine creation of heaven since a month ago.

She happened to glance back at Chaeyoung. And who would have thought their eyes would meet again? The moment drew a smile on Jisoo's lips. To her, it felt like it was an invisible string tugging Chaeyoung to look back at her. 'Cheesy,' she thought. She pursed her lips and avoided the latter's gaze again. But before she completely did, she noticed Chaeyoung shying away as well.

Right before her speech, Chaeyoung Park felt nervous. This is the first external event she has ever attended alone and without her father's shadow. To her, this event is a stepping stone for her to be seen and be known in the industry. So, she thought, she had to give her best. Yet, the anxiety in her mind is eating her up.

Despite her having a note written to guide her on the speech, it didn't help with the nervousness. She wandered her eyes around to distract her from it. 'It is a nice technique to do while giving a speech,' she thought. 'Establish an eye-contact with the audience.'

Surprisingly, it did help her out. 'Fascinating,' she thought. She found serenity within herself. And it is for the reason that she accidentally glanced over a young businesswoman who was seated a few tables away from her. The woman was glancing back at her with a soft and calming stare. Chaeyoung felt the warmth seeping in her body.

'This is familiar,' she thought. She knew she will meet her again here.

Jisoo. Kim Jisoo.

She was her first crush. The woman she met at London Business School. They were in the same year, yet, were always in different classes. They did not know each other personally, yet, she has always looked up to the latter during their years of study.

Kim Jisoo was a prodigy. She was regarded as the best student in their course and has even swept the highest academic award during their time. 'She does not even need to try,' she thought. That is why she did her best to excel by herself. It was pure hard work and perseverance. She may not be able to surpass Jisoo, but at least, she had to try so she would be able to walk alongside her as they stride the field of business.

'Cheesy,' she thought. She had to distract herself from the overwhelming feeling. She wandered her gaze again across the audience and sent a much more confident smile than before. 'Knowing she's there listening to me is enough,' she thought.

Before she ended her speech, her subconscious mind made her look back at Jisoo's direction. 'Fascinating,' she thought again. The latter was glancing back and now wearing a gentle smile on her lips. The warmth in her body rose to her face. She felt delicate. With that, she shied away.

"Miss Park?" the emcee of the event called which caught back her attention.

She smiled back and concluded the speech, "That is all. Thank you very much."

Even with sitting back down on her seat, she was not able to stop herself from looking at her first crush. She felt surprised Jisoo was returning the same.

The rest of the first half of the conference seemed to have become a battle of glances for the two. Chaeyoung steals a glance. Jisoo surprisingly glances back. Jisoo initiates a stare. Chaeyoung returns the same.

Her complete attention is supposed to be for the topics of the conference alone. Yet, Chaeyoung couldn't help herself but surrender to the distraction. And every time Jisoo purses her lips while staring at her, she could not help but melt. 'Charming,' she thought. It has been years since they last met yet the excitement in her heart makes her feel like she is back to her past, on the silly daydreams of her crush. The question now in her mind is, why is she staring back? Why is Jisoo looking at her this way?

Jisoo doesn't even know why as well. She knew herself she just wanted to ignore the business conference. And yes, she found a way to drift her attention off from it. Chaeyoung. Admiring the woman's beauty. She thought her rival CEO looked stunning in her black blazer and with her blond hair. Even with just a simple look, Chaeyoung has easily stolen the attention of the rest of the attendees. Well, she is living proof of it. She has been completely drawn.

But could it really be just for that reason? Just to make herself not be bored for the rest of the day? Maybe not. Jisoo thought there is something more. No. There really is something more.

The lunch break is coming in a few minutes. Jisoo and Chaeyoung were immersed in their thoughts on how to approach each other. 'How? Will it be alright if I make the first move?' they both thought.