Promotion To Your Heart

Part 2

"And there goes the first half of day one of this conference. Lunch will be served at the Four Seasons restaurant in this hotel. We have our hotel staff to guide you to the place. We will resume in two hours.." the emcee announced. Jisoo took that as her cue to approach Chaeyoung.

As she walked towards the latter's table, several people have approached her and so was Chaeyoung. Their eyes met again and shared a bit of an awkward smile. It seems they have to deal with this first.

This is one of the things Jisoo hates the most on event gatherings. Socializing. It is indeed an integral part of maneuvering oneself in pursuing a business career. Yet, unfortunately, this aspect is not her forte. She hated being around people. She hated attention. She'd rather be alone and focus on her job. Yet, she had no choice. She has to do it for the sake of the business. Jisoo is introverted. Yet, impressively, she knows how to turn that off. It is like she can transform herself into a different person, especially in such situations.

Chaeyoung is quite the opposite. She loves social gatherings and she is fully aware this is important to grow the business. Connections equate to more investors and a better reputation. And being an extrovert, she knew this is her forte. 'Her time to shine.' she thought. But that didn't seem to matter for her at this moment. All she wanted now is to approach Jisoo.

The situation got Jisoo a bit frustrated, however. Thus, she decided to quickly end the conversation with the other businessmen. She smiled gently at them and excused herself, gave a bow, handed them business cards, and shook their hands.

She doubled her pace to where Chaeyoung was. She gathered all her courage to dive into the conversation circle. "Hello there.." she greeted Chaeyoung and did the same for the rest of the circle. She flashed a smile to her and asked, "If I'm not mistaken, aren't you Chaeyoung Park? The new CEO of Claire?"

"Yes, I am," Chaeyoung answered and smiled back, "And, you are Miss Kim Jisoo of JK Group, right?"

"Yes. It is very nice to finally meet you," Jisoo extended her hand for a shake. "Congratulations on your new appointment, by the way."

"Thank you."

Jisoo thought she has to steal Chaeyoung away from the rest of the circle. Thus, she tried to blend in with the conversation first and then opened a topic related to the forum earlier. Then, luckily she found a familiar businesswoman having a conversation in another circle. "Lalisa Manoban.." she called.

Lisa excused herself from her group and went to approach Jisoo. "Well, well, what do we have here? The King Jisoo," she teased. 'The King' was her infamous nickname since her early teen years. It was intended as a pun given that it rhymes with her surname. Lisa pretty much picked up the calling since she was a close high school friend of hers.

"Please, Lisa. Not with that nickname." she said.

"Why? Aren't you the King?" the woman teased back. "Don't you want the rest of the business world to know you are King?"

Jisoo ignored her retort and redirected, "Anyway Lisa, have you met the new CEO of Claire?"

"Chaeyoung, right?" Lisa smiled and extended her hand to Chaeyoung for a shake, "What a pleasant surprise? I am now totally feeling the female domination in this business conference. Oh. And I love your insights about innovation, by the way."

Chaeyoung returned a smile, "Thank you."

Jisoo then butted and introduced her friend to the rest of the circle. Yet, before her friend's attention will be brought back either to her or Chaeyoung, she opened another topic, "Lisa, Changmin right here is interested in extending his food chain stores in Jeonju. Didn't you tell me before you're about to expand your real estate business there too?"