I frantically dialed Haerin's number, searching for my best friend as the minutes ticked away. "Hey, buddy, where the hell are you? Boss Ryujin will be here any minute. Your book presentation is about to start," I blurted out, feeling the pressure of the approaching meeting. It was a race against time, and I needed to find her before it was too late.
"Hey Min, please try to relax. I'm on my way and should be there in about 15 minutes. I've already sent you my presentation via email. Can you do me a big favor and help your wonderful best friend get everything ready? I really appreciate it. Love you!" Haerin's voice had that sweet, endearing tone that always melts my heart, and I just can't resist saying yes to anything she asks.
“Fine! Why is it hard to say no to you, Kang?” asked my best friend, knowing she's really hard to resist.
"Because you love me, Kim, I love you too, buddy," she replied, teasing me back.
"Alright, take care and be safe. I'll hang up now. Remember, it's not safe to talk on the phone while driving. See you soon," I said to her before ending the call.
============
"This is a good story, Ms. Kang. I'm impressed. It's a good thing Minji convinced you to write your own book rather than collaborating with another author here. You have a lot of potential, Haerin," our boss, Ms. Shin, said after presenting the first book solely written by my buddy.
“Thanks boss Shin. You were right. Without Minji, I wasn’t inspired to write the book of my own,” my best friend said as she gently grabbed my hand and winked at me. I was sitting on her right side.
Boss Ryujin leaned back in her chair and smiled warmly at both of us. "Now, since this is your first book to publish, we can start with an initial run of ten thousand copies," she said, her tone confident and encouraging..
My best friend's eyes widened in surprise. "Ten thousand copies? That's too few," she exclaimed. "I have millions of followers on X and Instagram. I'm sure more than half of them would purchase my book when they see my name as the author and when I promote it online. We could easily have hundreds of thousands of pre-orders." As she spoke, her enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn't help but see the merit in her argument.
"Don't be proud of yourself, Kang. This is a professional company, not the popularity stuff you're used to on social media. Do you think our company will risk having a spoiled brat like you? And you have the audacity to tell me that your inspiration for writing is my girlfriend?"
Yes, you heard it right. Karina is our office mate. She is the head of the finance department and approves all the finances and budgets needed within the company, as well as the projects or books that need to be published. Can you imagine how chaotic it is to work every day with your best friend and girlfriend who extremely hate each other?
Karina shot me a fierce look and forcibly directed my hand towards Haerin. Caught between the two of them, I felt a wave of awkwardness wash over me.
"Boss Shin, upon further reflection, I have some minor revisions for my book. Would it be possible for me to make them? We're still in the final editing stage and haven't started the printing process yet," Haerin said to boss Ryujin, casting a quick glance at Karina, who rolled her eyes, before returning her gaze to Ryujin with a smile.
"Certainly Haerin, no need to worry. We can accommodate your minor revisions. Just make sure they won't impact the timeline or the story, as I'm truly invested in your story and I enjoy it," our boss replied warmly.
"It's just a tiny, insignificant revision, boss," Haerin said with a confident smirk, glancing at Ryujin. "I simply want to alter the name of one of the victim characters."
"I don't think that's particularly pertinent, but you're the author, so if that's what you want," our boss responded to Haerin, while flipping through the printed sample copy of her book. "I'm fine with the name change, but we have five victims in the story. Which one are you suggesting we rename?"
"The one who was ruthlessly murdered, can we change her name to Karina instead?" Haerin asked Ryujin, still wearing the same self-assured smirk on her face.
The sound of laughter filled the conference room as my best friend's words landed with everyone, including myself. A smile formed on my lips, but I immediately sensed trouble as I noticed my girlfriend's expression turning stormy. It was like watching a dragon about to breathe fire. I knew that this would only lead to another minor argument, and I would inevitably find myself apologizing yet again, trying to soothe the tension without having done anything wrong.
"Enough with the bickering," Ryujin exclaimed in frustration, her hand rubbing her temples in exasperation. "Haerin, we will stick with the original names. There's no need to change it. God! I feel like I'm a guidance counselor reprimanding high school rebels."
"Okay, the presentation is done," she addressed the team, her voice tinged with irritation. "All of you can go back to your designated work. Thank you for your time." With that, she swiftly exited the conference room, her mind reeling as she made her way back to her office.
"Minji, we will talk later and then you will go with me to lunch," Karina said to me with a serious and scary glare.
"Sure, Baby," I replied as I went close to her and gave her a peck on her lips. Then she also left afterward.
"Minji! We need to talk, blah blah blah," my best friend teased, imitating my girlfriend's words from earlier.
"You shouldn't have said that," I remarked, lightly tapping her arm.
"Said what?" she retorted, feigning innocence.
“Changing the name of the victim to Karina,” I said to her
“Min, relax; it is a good story, though. Imagine the scene: Karina was running her life in the forest when someone grabbed her and stabbed her multiple times until all of her blood flowed like a river,” She spoke to me in a manner reminiscent of a mother captivating her children with a bedtime story."
"You're absolutely out of your mind, Haerin," I chuckled in response.
Her smile widened, and she retorted, "I know, Minji. That's why you love me—because I'm unpredictable and crazy."
Returning her smile, I acknowledged the truth in her words. I cherished every aspect of my best friend, even her occasional wild and impulsive behavior. After all, I believe we all have moments of craziness in different situations and moods.
"Don’t forget, we are going to celebrate later," she said as she started packing her things after the presentation.
"Do we have plans to go out later?" I asked, wondering if I had forgotten something we had agreed on.
"I just mentioned it now, and I know you can’t say no to me," she said, finished packing, and slung her bag over her shoulder. "And by the way, it's just going to be you and me, don’t bring Karina. " she added and said goodbye.
I simply responded with a smile and a nod, acknowledging that she was absolutely right – I couldn’t say no to her.
YOU ARE READING
another world
Fanfiction"Will you marry me?" I asked my girlfriend, feeling so much love for her. "Minji, I love you, but I'm sorry, I can't marry you. I can't compromise my future with you. I want to have a normal family, and that wouldn't happen with you."
