Stay Stay Stay ||Choi Yeonjun||

09

"Good morning, everyone! I hope y'all are well. So this next project that we are talking about.. "

Mr. Choi's firm voice rang through the conference room. I sat ready, my pen poised on the notepad.

"I hope you all know about Min Sinji, daughter of the famous actor couple, Min Lee hyung and Min Chanmi? "

Several heads nodded. After all who didn't know about the famous twelve year old. Daughter to the two most beautiful pair of humans, she bedazzled everyone and had the internet wrapped on her tiny pinkie.

"So Hylift Co. has accepted the project for designing and renovating her ensuite bedroom in their vacation villa in Hokkaido, Japan. You all will work on presenting me with a virtual design. The best ones will be selected and presented to the child herself. "

With that he dismissed us. So that's what Hueningkai meant, asking to give me a chance. Well, I'll surely deliver.

This deadline was much shorter, it was just a week. After work, I set off to visit some of the furniture houses we ordered pieces from, to get some inspiration. I had already breezed through the various clips, videos of interviews and articles on her.

Min Sinji was a little dreamer, to be precise. She loves reading and dressing up. She is proficient in singing and takes piano classes. But some articles showed she was slightly picky and very used to being pampered and getting whatever she wanted.

I had created a basic floor plan, with a plush bed, sage green walls with a print of lavender, a walk-in closet. I made sure to add in bookshelves and a beautiful mirror with a vanity.

But whatever I did, it didn't feel enough. It felt like I was not getting a crucial point. Hueningkai said, Min couple had previously approached the Japanese branch. But after several attempts, they gave up. The precocious child never liked any design she was shown.

As I walked among the different mirrors, I was surprised to see Hueningkai far off in the distance. I raised my hand to wave at him while calling out his name. But the sound died on the tip of my tongue, as I watched Cha Siwon prance up to him.

My feet carried me without me being aware, I walked near them hidden by some rather dawdy curtains. Hueningkai seemed absolutely irritated, but then again Cha Siwon always seemed to ruffle feathers.

"Can't you drop this Daddy's Princess Act for a few seconds and give me some peace?! "

"No! You took away my peace by mingling with that absolute—"

Hueningkai interrupted her by colliding his fist against the wall. This obviously shut her up, her eyes widened and turned glassy. The store was mostly empty so they didn't attract that much attention.

"Not. One. Word! Do you get me?! Stop involving that poor girl in your stupid games! "

"Oh right! Can't say a bad word about her. My bad! "

Siwon scoffed and Hueningkai looked like he might explode. But he looked away before taking a few breaths.

"Siwon, you gave us up! One word from Daddy dearest and you tore us up like we meant nothing, like we weren't talking of wedding rings and vows at the altar. I was ready to fight for us, to show your daddy I could be worthy for his princess. But YOU took that away from me. So now don't bother me! "

That revelation shocked me to my core. Hueningkai knew almost everything about me. He had a first row ticket to my shitty job. He knew about Jake and my fight with Hana. I had practically opened up my life to him. But now I realized he never told me anything about himself.

Especially when I told him repeatedly about Cha Siwon, ran around like a plucked headless chicken trying to figure out why she was like this to me. He knew I was almost loosing sleep over this. Siwon's voice had opted a sniffling, begging tone which I almost couldn't believe belonged to such a haughty person.

"What could I have done? He's my father. I'm his only child, of course he has certain expectations from me. "

"Stay by my side, tried to convince him... You could've done this. But nah! You left me. You stood by and watched him insult me. Now, you went and targeted Ahrin. Mark my words, next time you come for her I'll forget I had ever loved you. Don't make me do something you'll hate. "

"Are you threatening me... for her? "

"No, I'm warning you. Don't make things difficult for her. A spoilt princess like you will never understand what people like me and Ahrin go through. "

I watched Hueningkai storm out of the doors of the shop. Siwon shrieked his name, but he never looked back. I slowly got out too.

I couldn't understand the feelings in my chest. Hueningkai had hidden such a big fact from me, knowing he was indirectly the reason I was suffering. Did he think I would hate him..? But honestly, now I'm more mad as to why he hid it.

He must have been trying to protect her in some way. He could've asked Mr. Choi to stop Siwon.

"What are you glaring at Ms. Chae? "

Safe to say, I jumped out of my skin. My heart was lodged at my throat, going at the speed of a bullet train.

Mr. Choi's face remained impassive. Except, a small twitch on his upper lip, which I would've totally missed,... it was that miniscule. He was still in his work clothes, which was a navy blue shirt and beige trousers. He had rolled up his shirt cuffs and undone the first two buttons, showing a glimpse of his smooth skin.

"Sorry to startle you, but I couldn't help asking."

"That, me–, I was—, oh, don't mind me, please. "

I turned my head away. My cheeks felt hot after stammering for an era to get out a sentence, which wasn't even a freaking sentence. Thank god for the cool night air!

But today Fate had other plans, and that definitely included killing me with embarrassment. Because the next moment, my stomach made the loudest hungry noise, it had ever made.

I had already closed my eyes, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole, right about now.

"Would you like to join me for dinner? "

Choi Yeonjun was raking his fingers through his hair as he asked me the question. My first, natural and immediate response was to say no and make excuses.
But he read the intention in my eyes and was quick to shut it down.

"I won't take no for an answer. Especially when I know you don't really mean it. "

So I acquiesced. We walked side by side on the busy pavement, as he told me about his favorite cafe which served a cheesy, spicy Omurice which was to die for and a creamy triple choco cake.

Honestly, this was the most he ever talked with me. I couldn't imagine quiet and stern Mr. Choi like this. But this was the most pleasant surprise. It felt like he could be talking about paint drying on the wall, but he could make it interesting.

The sidewalk was full of people, people returning home from work or going out for the night. There was a whole lot of jostling and shoving.

Suddenly I am aware of a warm hand on my shoulder, steering me away. Yeonjun pulls me closer and a thousand sparks burst and flutter under my skin where he touches me. Once again, I'm reminded of the blissful warmth of his touch. The kind of warmth packed in a cup of tea on a rainy day, a cashmere sweater that smells like vanilla.

It feels nice and awkward as we both walk and stumble, keeping up with each other. Till we reached the cafe he was talking about.

Then I felt as I was doused in cold water...