Start Up Alternate Ending

Chapter Three

It has been three days since her meeting with Han Ji-pyeong. He had dropped her off in front of her workplace in his fancy Mercedes to spare her a bus ride back despite her adamantly declining. The short drive there could only be described as dreadfully silent, made even more awkward by her gawking, amazed co-workers who were coming back from their lunch break as well when they spotted her climbing out from the passenger side. By the end of the day, the news of Dal Mi's handsome, rich date had cycled around the rumor mill at work. "He came out the car looking like he could be Mr. Korea! Opening the door for you to get out, too! What a gentleman! Wow, Dal Mi, we're all so jealous!"

To make matters worse, when she got settled back at work, her boss told her that she should reapply after her part-time contract ends. She had mustered up the last of her energy that day to ask him for a full-time position only to be handed a gift voucher for a job well done at breaking yet another sales record. After thanking him for the gift voucher she subsequently quit, deciding she had spent enough wasted time there chasing a full-time position that was never guaranteed.

Now she sits on her bed on top of a small, lumpy pile of evening dresses with those old letters scattered around her that were opened to blatantly display their written lies, feeling thoroughly confused. The Nam Do San in these letters does not exist. Her world suddenly feels very lonesome.

The image of Mr. Han pops into her head. He did look quite apologetic by the time he had finished his drink, avoiding eye contact with her. Her grandmother has been quiet on the matter, not daring to approach the topic first.

She shakes her head side to side wanting to wake herself up from this sad spell. She needs to get it together. Tonight is the network party event where she will most likely run into In Jae. How will In Jae respond when Dal Mi comes in dateless without the infamous Nam Do San in tow?

-

She had settled with a smart looking business casual white suit and skirt, hair tied up in a neat bun. She stands on the sideline of the busy party, slumping over a tall bar table to hide from her sister and mother who are dressed to the nines, mingling with different groups of people who continuously float up to her sister like hypnotized moths to a bright lamp.

"Dal Mi? Is that you?" a familiar voice calls out her name and she straightens up to see her mother hesitantly walking up to her. "Dal Mi?"

Beside their mother, In Jae smirks knowingly in Dal Mi's direction before excusing herself from her conversation with a small group of Americans.

"Where's your date? Or should I say business partner? That's what you told me last time, right?" In Jae feigns her concern that her tell-tale smirk betrays.

Dal Mi chews on her bottom lip, an annoying habit she has started to develop during freshman year of college to cope with nervousness. Quick, quick! Think of something - "He's-"

"There you are," a masculine voice exclaims behind her. Before she realizes, she finds long fingers draping around her upper arm, pulling her slightly backwards. "You ran off on me."

"Oh, Mr. Han?" In Jae blurt out incredulously. "You know my sister?"

Dal Mi glances up to see the handsome Mr. Han grinning as he tightens his hold on her arm. "Yes, would you excuse us for a moment?"

In a blur, Mr. Han had escorted her to the other side of the room. She can still feel the curious stares of her mother and sister on Mr. Han and her. "What are you doing here?" Dal Mi squints her eyes at him full of suspicion.

"Don't get the wrong idea," he scoffs. "I am here as a representative for my company."

"A representative?"

"I work in investment, investing in promising start-ups and whatnot," he smirks with his eyes full of mirth and humor finding her befuddled look refreshing after a day of being hounded nonstop by people (especially his secretary), hoping to convince him to invest in different startups with financial needs. He briefly wonders if bringing up the fact that he was recently featured on the top cover of one of Seoul's biggest finance magazines would appear too egotistical.

"Why did you help me?" she asks, cautiously sounding out her words as she studies his face.

"Do you not want my help?" he retorts, fully grinning now, already knowing the answer.