Loving The JEON

CHAPTER 10:-

The one good thing about being car-less is that on the bus on my way to work, I can plug my headphones into my iPad while it's safely in my purse and listen to all the wonderful tunes Jungkook has given me. By the time I arrive at the office, I have the most ludicrous grin on my face.

Jack glances up at me and does a double take.

"Good morning, Lisa. You look... radiant." His remark flusters me. How inappropriate! "I slept well, thank you, Jack. Good morning."

His brow crinkles.

"Can you read these for me and have reports on them by lunchtime, please?" He hands me four manuscripts. At my horrified expression, he adds, "Just first chapters."

"Sure," I smile with relief, and he gives me a broad smile in return.

I switch on the computer to start work, finishing my latte and eating a banana. There's an e-mail from Jungkook.

From: Jeon Jungkook
Subject: So Help Me...

I do hope you've had breakfast. I missed you last night.

Jeon Jungkook
CEO, Jeon Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Lalisa Manobal
Subject: Old Books...

I am eating a banana as I type. I have not had breakfast for several days, so it is a step forward. I love the British Library App - I started rereading Robinson Crusoe... and of course, I love you.

Now leave me alone - I am trying to work.

Lalisa Manobal
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP

From: Jeon Jungkook
Subject: Is that all you've eaten?

You can do better than that. You're going to need your energy for begging.

Jeon Jungkook
CEO, Jeon Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Lalisa Manobal
Subject: Pest

Mr. Jeon - I am trying to work for a living - and it's you that will be begging.

Lalisa Manobal
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP

From: Jeon Jungkook
Subject: Bring it On!

Why Miss Manobal, I love a challenge...

Jeon Jungkook
CEO, Jeon Enterprises Holdings Inc.

I sit grinning at the screen like an idiot. But I need to read these chapters for Jack and write reports on all of them. Placing the manuscripts on my desk, I begin.

At lunchtime I head to the deli for a pastrami sandwich and listen to the playlist on my iPad. First up there's Nitin Sawhney, some world music called "Homelands" - it's good.

Mr. Jeon has an eclectic taste in music. I wander back, listening to a classical piece, Fanta-sia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis by Vaughn Williams. Oh, Fifty has a sense of humor, and I love him for it. Will this stupid grin ever leave my face?

The afternoon drags. I decide, in an unguarded moment, to e-mail Jungkook.

From: Lalisa Manobal
Subject: Bored...

Twiddling my thumbs. How are you? What are you doing?

Lalisa Manobal
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, SIP

From: Jeon Jungkook
Subject: Your thumbs

You should have come to work for me. You wouldn't be twiddling your thumbs. I am sure I could put them to better use.

In fact I can think of a number of options... I am doing the usual humdrum mergers and acquisitions.

It's all very dry.
Your e-mails at SIP are monitored.

Jeon Jungkook
Distracted CEO, Jeon Enterprises Holdings Inc.

Oh shit. I had no idea. How the hell does he know? I scowl at the screen and quickly check the e-mails we've sent, deleting them as I do. Promptly at five thirty, Jack is at my desk. It is Dress-down Friday so he's wearing jeans and a black shirt. He looks very casual.

"Drink, Lisa? We usually like to go for a quick one at the bar across the street."

"We?" I ask, hopeful.

"Yeah, most of us go... you coming?"

For some unknown reason, which I don't want to examine too closely, relief floods through me.

"I'd love to. What's the bar called?"

"50s."

"You're kidding."

He looks at me oddly. "No. Some significance for you?"

"No, sorry. I'll join you over there."

"What would you like to drink?"

"A beer please."

"Cool."

I make my way to the powder room and e-mail Jungkook from the Blackberry.

From: Lalisa Manobal
Subject: You'll Fit Right In

We are going to a bar called Fifty's. The rich seam of humor that I could mine from this is endless.

I look forward to seeing you there, Mr. Jeon.

L x

From: Jeon Jungkook
Subject: Hazards

Mining is a very, very dangerous occupation.

Jeon Jungkook
CEO, Jeon Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Lalisa Manobal
Subject: Hazards?

And your point is?

From: Jeon Jungkook
Subject: Merely...

Making an observation, Miss Manobal. I'll see you shortly.

Sooners rather than laters, baby.

Jeon Jungkook
CEO, Jeon Enterprises Holdings Inc.

I check myself in the mirror. What a difference a day can make. I have more color in my cheeks, and my eyes are shining. It's the Jeon Jungkook effect. A little e-mail sparring with him will do that to a girl. I grin at the mirror and straighten my pale blue shirt - the one Taylor bought me. I am wearing my favorite jeans today, too. Most of the women in the office wear either jeans or floaty skirts. I will need to invest in a floaty skirt or two. Perhaps I'll do that this weekend and bank the check Jungkook gave me for Wanda, my Beetle. As I head out of the building, I hear my name called.

"Miss Manobal?"

I turn expectantly, and an ashen young woman approaches me cautiously. She looks like a ghost - so pale and strangely blank.

"Miss Lalisa Manobal?" she repeats, and her features stay static even though she's speaking.

"Yes?"

She stops, staring at me from about three feet away on the sidewalk, and I stare back, immobilized. Who is she? What does she want?

"Can I help you?" I ask. How does she know my name?

"No... I just wanted to look at you." Her voice is eerily soft. Like me, she has dark hair that starkly contrasts with her fair skin. Her eyes are brown, like bourbon, but flat.

There's no life in them at all. Her beautiful face is pale, and etched with sorrow.

"Sorry - you have me at a disadvantage," I say politely, trying to ignore the warning tingle up my spine. On closer inspection, she looks odd, disheveled and uncared for. Her clothes are two sizes too big, including her designer trench coat.

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Lonely by Justin beiber🥳