Annyeongz One-shots

9. Mate

Wonyoung groaned as a voice pierced through her bedroom.

“JANG WONYOUNG! WAKE UP NOW! YOU ARE LATE!”

“No… just let me sleep for three more minutes, please,” she mumbled, burying her face in the pillow.

“Wake up now! Look at your phone! What time is it?”

“Yuri unnieee… jebal…”

“Nope! Open your damn eyes, Wony ah!”

Aaaaa, she was exhausted. Rolling over, she grabbed her phone and checked the time.

Okay… this was bad. She was late. OMG. She had an interview today.

In a panic, Wonyoung jumped out of bed, grabbed a towel, and took a quick shower. Dressing neatly, she bid her unnie goodbye. Coffee? There was no time for coffee. She ran to the bus station, hopping on the first bus she could find.

By the time she arrived at the office, she was already frazzled. Rushing through the entrance, she collided with someone, and warm liquid splashed across her chest.

No! Coffee!

Her eyes widened. White dress. Coffee. Disaster. Luckily, it hadn’t spilled on the person holding it.

“Uh… no! I-I’m sorry, sir! I-I need to go now…” she stammered.

She tried to run, but he held her arm. Her heart skipped a beat.

It was him…

She didn’t see his face clearly at first, but his attire was immaculate—black and white, with a tiny blue handkerchief in the pocket. She glimpsed the embroidered name: An…

She had no time.

“Hey, hey, where are you going?” he asked.

“Sir… I’m very late now… I’m sorry!”

She yanked her arm free and darted into the lift, hoping no one noticed the coffee stain. Today, she had to survive without spilling further disaster.

The lift opened into the office, and she walked toward the interview section. The staff asked her to wait four minutes. She tidied her dress as best as she could, even though she knew she was a mess.

“Miss Jang Wonyoung, you can come in now,” a staff member said.

She froze as she read the name on the door: CEO An Yujin.

Her heart skipped. She knew the name, knew the face… and now, seeing him in person, her breath caught. Handsome, sharp, and intimidating… yet familiar somehow.

She knocked twice, and a calm voice replied, “Come in.”

She stepped in. The employee gestured to a chair.

“Please, have a seat in front of the boss,” the employee said.

“Boss?!” Her stomach twisted.

Yujin looked up from a file, and for a moment, his stern expression softened into a warm smile.

“Have a seat, Miss Jang Wonyoung,” he said.

Wonyoung’s eyes widened. How did he know her full name? Oh… he was holding her file. Dumb Wonyoung.

She bowed slightly and introduced herself politely.

“How’s your dress? Okay? Should I get you a replacement?” he asked.

“No… I’m okay. I just had to wash it twice so that… the coffee would—”

“No, no, it’s okay. It’s my fault, so I have to be responsible,” he interrupted.

“I don’t want to burden you… I just came to apply for a job, so don’t worry about it. I’m just… worried I might not get this position.”

“Okay. Let’s get into the interview section, Miss Jang Wonyoung?” he said.

“Sure,” she replied.

After the interview ended, Yujin leaned back slightly.

“Alright. My employer will contact you via email if you get the job. Thank you for your time.”

“Thanks for the opportunity, sir,” Wonyoung said, bowing and walking out with a small smile.

“See you when I see you, Miss Jang Wonyoung,” Yujin called after her, and she smiled again before leaving.

---

Meanwhile, Yujin returned to his office, thoughtful.

Should he hire her? She had confidence, poise, and handled unexpected questions smoothly.

“Yuqi,” he called his assistant.

“Yes, sir?”

“Should I take her as my secretary?”

“She deserves it. Look at her. Even with unexpected questions, she handled them well. It’s up to you, Yujin. She would make a great secretary.”

“Accept her, Yuqi.”

“Alright, sir. I’ll send her an email.”

“Good. Now go do your work.”

Yujin sighed as his office settled into the usual rhythm of paperwork, phone calls, and strategy. Then his phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Yujin-ah!”

“Oh… hi, mom. Why did you call?”

“Will you come over today?”

“I can’t promise, but I’ll try.”

“Have you eaten?”

“Ah… not yet, mom.”

“You work too hard. Don’t ignore your health, Yujin-ah.”

“I know, mom. I knowww.”

“Okay, I’ll hang up. Don’t forget to eat!”

“I will. Bye, mom.”

He hung up, letting out a tired sigh. Work, work, work… that was his life lately.

He felt a pang of guilt toward his mother. Maybe he should surprise her tonight…

Yes, he would.