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The girl stared blankly at the empty desk in front of her.
She tried her best to ignore the mounting pile that seemed to grow on her own desk, considering he was to blame for it, but she couldn't concentrate on the fact that without anyone near her in this office - she felt lonely.
"Jangmi," the voice of Vera dragged her from her daze. "This is Jacob. He's here for work experience. Give him a tour and Sangyeon's old desk."
The girl felt hopeful when she looked at the boys face. He just looked kind. "Hi, nice to meet you."
"You too," she smiled, ushering him to put his stuff on the now occupied desk. "Work experience, huh? You picked quite the place."
"Yeah, I'm taking a year out," he sighed of relief when his bags were now off his shoulders. "My best friend is high up here, so, he got me in."
"Oh, really? That's great," Jangmi nodded, placing her hands in her back pockets as she swayed side to side. "Who's your friend?"
"Lee Sangyeon," Jacob gushed as though he was the greatest man alive, causing Jangmi to groan. "Not a fan?"
She chuckled, shaking her head as she guided him towards the door. "I once was..."
"I can't think of much else to show you," Jangmi mumbled, her eyes trailing over the office space that she had just explored with the quiet, yet nice boy she had been introduced to. "So, yeah. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask me."
"Thank you," Jacob nodded politely, pursing his lips before he flashed a smile, his eyes now drifting to over her shoulder. "Hey man!"
"Hey," she could tell Sangyeon was gushing from behind her. "Glad you made it."
Rolling her eyes, Jangmi took a seat as she watched the two converse and embrace from beside her.
She didn't listen to their conversations because she simply didn't care about anything to do with the man who's shirt was just a tad more ivory than everyone else's in here.
"She's a tough one, it's a wonder you're here in one piece still."
"What?" That was the final straw.
Looking over to see his smug face, Jangmi sucked in a deep breath - reminding herself that he was her manager at the end of the day. "Just surprised you took it easy on Jacob today."
"Am I ever cruel?" She remarked sarcastically, tearing her eyes from Sangyeon.
Unknown to her, the man rolled his eyes as Jacob looked on with a somewhat amused smile. "Anything you need I'm sure she'll be happy to help and as will I, just find me in that room there or give me a text."
"Thought we weren't allowed phones at our desks..." the girl muttered, her head still buried in a sheet.
"Thought that maybe I'm the boss," Sangyeon retaliated, watching as the girl scrunched her face up. "You know better. Keep up the good work, Jangmi."
Ensuring his footsteps were now further and the closing off his office door echoed the room, the girl mumbled. "Rot in hell, Sangyeon."
Sangyeon stared out at the water as his friend sat beside him, a beer in their hands as they watched the tide.
"She really hates you, huh?" Jacob chuckled.
"Who?" Sangyeon quizzed, taking a sip.
"Jangmi, obviously," his best friend glanced over to see the boy not phased by his words.
Except for when he shrugged, his nose scrunching up. "She doesn't hate me. She just doesn't like that I'm her boss and we started on the same day."
Jacob nodded understandingly. He could see how that would be frustrating. "Well, what an achievement that is. A year at a company and you're already a senior."
"Yeah," Sangyeon smiled to himself. He was just glad that everything was working out for him now.
He spent countless nights awake with the anxiety eating him alive, the thought of failing enough to make him want to give up all together.
But he persevered. Now he was here with his best friend, sitting at the beach on a breezy autumn night with a refreshment in hand. "Shall we stay here or go to a bar?"
"Is my company that bad?" Jacob joked, standing up as he glanced at the water again, smiling ever so slightly to himself. "Maybe we should head out."
Offering his hand to the elder, the two were on their way.
The bar wasn't far, and Jacob would've felt self conscious if he walked into this place wearing a suit and tie if he was alone, but Sangyeon didn't care.
Instead he grinned and led his best friend to the bar, nudging past the bodies who crowded the bar.
That smile stayed on his face until Jacob greeted who he presumed to be his friend, Sangyeon's eyes drifting to who was with him. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Chanhee!" Jacob smiled as he embraced him, the two beginning to converse.
That left Jangmi with the person she didn't want to spend any time with, never mind tonight. "Don't worry, I'm not too thrilled about this either."
Sangyeon sighed, his eyes awkwardly drifting around the room in an attempt to not look at the girl who glared at him.
"You don't have to be so hostile, we're out of the office."
"You think I only dislike you in work?" Jangmi scoffed, shaking her head. "Wow, so self-"
"Hey, let's go get some shots," Chanhee smiles as he interrupts the two.
He watches as his best friends eyes widen ever so slightly at him, an annoyed look upon her face that she tries her best to hide. She didn't want to ruin the good night, but the appearance of him sought to do that.
She figured Jacob and Chanhee must have been friends, and she wondered why he didn't seem to know Sangyeon before now.
He wasn't easy to get along with these days, but he once was. "I'm gonna head home."
"No, don't!" Chanhee pleaded, her eyes drifting to see Jacob pouting ever so slightly too.
When they landed upon Sangyeon, she caught the tail end of him rolling his eyes, taking one last look at her before turning his back. "I'll text you when I'm home. Have fun, guys."
With that, she rushed to the door, opening it swiftly as though she was in a hurry.
Sangyeon looked over his shoulder, watching her go. Her long auburn hair contrasted against that blue dress she wore tonight - anyone could see her from a mile away.
With a sigh, he turned to see Jacob already looking at him. "I think she does hate you, man."
