aeri did not enjoy her first week in seoul, obviously after what happened.
her job application was submitted, yet she had not received any call until yesterday afternoon.
she was told to meet the creative director by Monday's morning in the official building.
thus, her lovely caring brother was more than delighted to be her chauffeur for the day.
"you look nervous, ri." he told as soon as they arrived.
"do i?" aeri took a deep breath to calm her out-of-control-beating-heart. she's too focused that her brother's hand clutching hers, not getting any attention from her.
"you're going to do just fine." he meant it.
"you think so?"
the man nodded just immediately. "of course, i believe in you. the draft is impressive to me. director kang has the same taste as me, he's going to like it no matter what." he gave her hand an assuring squeeze. "relax, sis."
"okay." her brother has this strength power to make her feeling better despite being in the worst situation. even when he's not in good one himself. "how about you, yong?"
"hmm?" he was taken back. "me? what's with me?"
"you look so stressful lately. you didn't have enough sleep, nor enjoy eating much. you spent time in the studio, re-writing the draft over and over again."
taeyong looked down, and chuckled. "it's a bit stressful indeed, but i'll be fine."
in fact, this is most likely his last day as a producer here. the time's up. he couldn't find suitable replacement for the rhythm guitarist position. he could just stand and watch the plan falling apart.
aeri knew it was not that alright, but she had no idea what to help if he refused to disclose his problem to her.
the elevator arrived at the second highest floor of the building, where director kang's office located.
"off you go, ri." taeyong gave her one energize hug and pushed her out of the elevator playfully.
aeri let out a deep sigh, before she approached the assistant. "kim aeri. i was called yesterday to meet director kang personally."
.
"ms kim, please take a seat." the well-known creative director greeted her politely. to her surprise, there are too many people in the room for individual interview.
aeri settled down at the seat in front of the director himself, and two unknown people to her by his sides.
"oh, let me introduce you to our hiring director, mrs yoo." the female in her mid 40s nodded at aeri as she gave a light respectful bow. "and this is the head of production, sir lee." the elder man did the same to her.
"as you maybe wondering why the two decided to join, we're having a different plan set out for you, ms kim."
aeri's eyes widened. "yes?"
director kang smiled way too wide that she sensed it's not going to be good for her.
"my apology for taking too long to respond to your submission of your work, but i have to say, good thing comes last. it is very impressive."
at least, there's something exciting in this conversation-
"but,"
oh, here come the twist.
"we're seeing potential in you more than just being our hidden producer and song-writer."
now, aeri is completely clueless. "last time i checked, these are the only two skills i have-"
"can you play instrument, ms.kim? a rhythm guitar, specifically?" sir lee suddenly asked.
she nodded. "yes." in fact, that's how she manages to compose her own song, duh.
"you're fairly young and beautiful, as well." mrs yoo complimented, eyeing her appearance up and down, judging her every figures. she felt raw and naked under those critical eyes.
"though you're not the visual we're going for, you have that elegance, clean look." the lady added. "simple, but attractive."
aeri does not feel safe here. "uh.., i think you guys might get the wrong idea. i applied for a producer position-"
"of course, ms kim." director kang chuckled. "you'll be given plenty of opportunity working under us. composing, writing, singing, you name it. we'll make sure it happens the way you vision it to be."
gorgeous hopeful smile appears on her lips. "so, i pass?"
"as a producer? quite so."
she raised a brow in confusion. "you said-"
"we want you to join our pre-debut group as a new member."
silent engulfed the room. she's processing, replaying the words that had just left his mouth.
aeri chuckled. "you're kidding right?"
"i understand the thrill, ms-"
"no." the reject they're not expecting from her, or anyone.
the smiles on the directors' faces vanished. "you must be mishearing-"
"no, i heard it very clearly, mrs." she rose from the seat confidentially. "i had heard enough, understood enough. i may admit that's such flattering offer, but i don't think i'm suitable for the position." she grabbed her draft folder, and bowed farewell. "my apology for the disappointment."
she left the room with no regret.
the first person she rang was none other than her own brother. surprisingly, they met outside the meeting room as if he's also waiting for someone here.
"yong." she called. her brother was rather stunned to see her.
"aeri." he rubbed his hands on his pants, wiping the sweat off. she observed his nervous attitude, and stopped mid-way. "how's the interview going?"
she rolled her eyes. "these people are mental."
the latter frowned. "why? what happened? they don't like it?"
"shockingly they do."
"then what's the reason?"
she shook her head. "enough of my story. why are you here instead of your studio?" then, she noticed a letter of resignation in his hand which he tried to hide, but failed.
before she could ask, his name was called by director kang's assistant.
"producer lee, you can enter now."
"sure." he got up, giving aeri one last look before he entered the room.
her heart tightened.
so, his job is the reason why he's been so stressful.
but, he likes his job very much.
this must have something to do with this weird company. if that so, aeri wished he could just resign successfully.
let's just say the stars do not align for her.
-
director kang stared at the resignation letter provided by one of his most talented employee.
"a group not being able to debut has nothing to do with your job, taeyong." he clarified.
"i know, sir." he nodded. "but their failure is mine."
the older guy sighed. "what do you say if i'm willing to give them a second chance?"
taeyong looked up to meet the sincerity yet hesitation in his eyes.
"or i'd rather say, I've found a person suitable for the missing position. i want you to convince her to join us."
sparkle lit up, representing hopes in Taeyong's eyes. "who, sir?" if the boys are given a chance, then who's he to reject?
"one of the application today, kim aeri."
the smile immediately dropped, so did his jaw.
-
"no way i'm doing that." that's the respond taeyong expected from his sister.
a stubborn, independent girl would never want to be involved in a stressful, scary industry. she, among all people, had heard enough about the life in such perfect world.
those idols have to be pretty, overworked, and putting up a façade throughout their career. that's just one of thing she would not survive if she chose to sign a contract with them.
it's more painful to her when her brother, for the first time ever, tried to persuade her to submit into something she did not wish for.
"don't get me wrong, yong. i understand your situation, the band's future is at risk. but, what about mine?"
the guy paused in his seat, re-thinking deep. the brimming tears in her eyes which she held back from being a complete vulnerable disaster in front of him, ready to drop. so strong, yet so weak.
the guilt continued to pull him down. "i'm sorry, ri."
aeri turned to leave, but only to bump into the last person she'd want to see.
jeno was pushed harshly to the side, as she stomped away. "watch where youre going!"
the tension in the room gave signal right away. "hyung."
taeyong was snapped back to reality when jeno touched his shoulder. "oh jen, you're here-"
"the other guys will be here too."
the latter sensed where this is going. "i'm sorry-"
"actually, director kang contacted me. he told about a new member."
the older guy held his gaze at the closed door, "she just left."
it didn't take long for jeno to catch it.
"you're not kidding, are you?"
