The Temporary Girl | JJK Short Story [COMPLETED]

EIGHTEEN

Monday morning I smiled for no reason as I entered the Jeon's building, head so completely in the clouds.

The day before had been somewhat of a hazy dream, and I was still feeling the aftereffects.

After our little talk early in the morning, I was forced to admit that Jungkook was right, and there was no way to be sure we were gonna work. It was a risk, but we had agreed to make the effort.

Together.

So we had gone back to bed and had breakfast, talking about the most banal things. Favorite colors – his was black, mine was blue -, favorite foods – he enjoyed a good steak, I preferred a well prepared pasta -, favorite destination to travel to – he had loved his trip to Scotland, and convinced me it was the best place to go to.

We had gone out for a stroll and had a late lunch, still inside our private bubble of intimacy.

As if nothing else existed outside of it.

In one day, I got to know more about the man than in all the weeks I had worked for him.

He enjoyed rainy days, loved his family and, as he had hinted to me that day in the elevator, knew more about his employees' life than he let out. He worked his ass off to build and maintain his company and very rarely dallied in public about his personal business.

He was a very private man.

But just as private as he was, he took me out for lunch in a very nice restaurant. He laughed and joked with me, showing me the man that hid beneath the boss. Unveiling to me the real side of him that most people didn't get to see.

After lunch, he had taken me home and said he would like to stay, but had to visit his parents. We kissed goodbye and I waved as his driver drove off.

I took a bath and just stayed in bed doing nothing, hugging the pillow he had used that still had his scent in it.

I was acting like a teenager, I knew it, but couldn't care enough to do it differently.

So as I walked into the chromed building on Monday, I had promised to myself I would just go with it. I wouldn't fight it.

I would walk to my desk and leave my bag, and go brew some decent coffee for him. Then I would return with his cup and appreciate his satisfaction as he drank it. Then we could go about the day, where he yelled at everyone but I got the VIP treatment.

And maybe, I would steal a kiss every now and then.

It sounded like a good plan in my head.

- Good morning, Sora. – I said, smiling.

- Morning, Nari. – she said, a weird expression on her face. – Have you not ...

- Ms. Jung, do you have a folder for me? – asked a man on the main counter, drawing Sora's attention, as I kept walking, mouthing I would be back.

Turning the last corner and preparing to leave my bag on my desk, I halted, surprised.

There was someone on my chair, typing on my computer and feeling as if she owned the place.

- Excuse me. – I started, approaching the desk carefully. – What are you doing?

The woman looked up from her glasses, a don't waste my time face on as she arched an eyebrow at me.

- Who are you? – she asked, not really interested.

I waited to see if this was a joke.

Apparently, it wasn't.

- You're on my desk. – I said, blinking. – I'm Mr. Jeon's secretary.

She looked at me for a moment, then with the most condescending look she could manage, she proceeded.

- Oh, you must be the temporary girl. – she uttered, reaching into the drawer and retrieving a brown envelope. Extending it to me, along with a box where I could spy my personal objects that used to stay on the desk, she continued. – Everything you need will be there, just proceed to HR. Have a good day.

I stood there, envelope in hand, perplexed.

- Say what now? – I murmured to myself. – Lady, I think you're confused. I wasn't notified about any of this.

- My dear, you're the one confused. – she said, not wavering. – I'm Kang Young-Sook, Mr. Jeon's actual secretary. You were here replacing me, and now I'm back. We'll no longer require your services. – she recited in a melodic voice, turning back to her computer. – Like I said, everything you need is the folder, even a very nice recommendation letter signed by Mr. Jeon.

Looking at the closed door to his office, I noticed the light on.

- Could I speak to him for a moment?

- He's extremely busy right now. – she responded, not paying me much attention.

- I'll be quick, just need to confirm something with him.

- I have orders not to let anyone in. – she answered, impassive. – Have a good day.

And with that, Mrs. Kang dismissed me, going back to her work.

I turned around in a state of daze, holding the box to my chest as a protective shield, envelope inside it. I passed Sora on the way to the lifts, but had no intention of stopping to chat.

As the elevator descended, a strange weight installed itself in my chest, making it a little hard to breathe. As if something was trying to pull me down.

Walking to Ms. Song's office, I knocked and as she saw me, she looked at me with sympathetic eyes.

- Ms. Kim, do come in. I have your termination contract ready, just a moment.

I took a seat in silence, not sure of what I was supposed to say.

A minute later, she presented me the papers and pointed at the dotted line where I should sign.

- Sign here, please. Here's your check for the month. Mr. Jeon insisted to pay it full, and not only the days you worked. – she talked as I wrote something on the contract. I wasn't sure if I had signed it correctly. – I see you have your recommendation letter already, so you just need to stop at the reception downstairs and return your access card and badge.

I nodded a little lost, not saying anything. She then looked at me, noticing my lack of expression at the moment.

- Ms. Kim, I thought you understood this was a temporary position when you were hired.

- I did. – I rasped, voice thick. – It's not ... that ...

- Is there something you need to tell me?

I looked into her eyes and asked myself, Is there?

What would I tell her?

- No, Ms. Song. – I said, standing. – Thank you for the opportunity you gave me. I appreciate it.

- Thank you for the work you've done.

Nodding, I walked out and proceed to reception. There, I left my badge and access card. I wasn't going to need it anymore.

Walking out of the building not even forty minutes after I had arrived, and in such a different mood, would've made me laugh if I wasn't about to cry.

How was I going to survive when it was over?

That's what I had to figure out now.

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