Scarce Tenderness

5.

On his way to the company Sunoo noticed how the sky was a dismal grey mirroring the turmoil in his mind. The cold atmosphere, a metaphor to the heaviness in his chest that no one has a clue of. Two days passed by with him barely touching food and the pain behind his head hasn't subsided yet eventhough he took care of it afraid of a concussion. Both mentally and physically he was drained.

Time seemed to speed by, and with each passing hour, the harsh reality of what was to come loomed closer. During lunchtime Sunoo sat with his friends, guilt ridden, and was silently apologizing for dragging them into his mess. When enquired about his disappearance on Friday night, Sunoo lied, telling them a fabricated story about a college friend from the partner company at the party giving him a ride home just as instructed by Mr Lee.

Having two more hours to pass by, Sunoo decided to take a walk around the corner with his restless mind . He dragged his feet for a bit and settled on a bench near a little park . He watched as the kids happily jumped around , chirping like little birds with their parents carefully monitoring them. A mother and a father were always a distant emotion that was drilled deep into his heart, leaving a void in places that craved for their warmth. He was an abandoned kid after all but he never hated them as he believed they had their own reasons for it. To him his granny was the only family he had ever known but he had always wondered if they were even blood related . Sadly she passed away when he was in his late teens, way before he could find the answers. He looked up at the night sky and watched how the dark clouds swarmed, concealing the moon with his clenching heart and bit back a sob . A drop of water splashed across his forehead as if the nature reminisced with his emotions.

Although it wasn't raining yet scattered drops fell here and there as he retreated to the company for the second time on the same day. Sunoo didn't waste a second and proceeded to walk hastily knowing what he was getting involved into.

....................................................................................

The elevator dinged at the CEO's office floor which looked so unfamiliar and different from the rest of the floors he has visited so far. He approached the door, its sleek surface adorned with the letters C E O in bold, silver lettering that seemed to radiate an authority. Pressing the button, he waited for the beep and the ensuing "Come in" from the other side. With a deep breath, he slowly turned the knob and stepped into the unpleasant atmosphere of the CEO's office. For a few seconds, he stood there frozen, before managing to compose himself. Standing before the CEO, he fixed his gaze on the floor, struggling to form words and mumbled, "Good evening sir".

Lee Heeseung was fully content by watching this helpless serene beauty cowering in front of him, all scared and alone, looking like a lost little lamb . He couldn't wait to start with his plans once he get him to sign the deal. The fine line of patience made him want to jump on him right then and there.

" I prefer people like you Kim.... always on time. " Mr Lee spoke with a sloped smirk engraved on his face which Sunoo missed to notice as he was busy staring at the floor.

"Y-yes Sir " Sunoo said in a low voice.

"LOUDER"

"Yes S-sir"

"Come here "

Sunoo was startled by the command and complied to it. He padded his way to stand behind the chairs arranged at the front of the desk, his heart beating at a rapid pace with every step taken.

"Look at me"

Sunoo looked up wearily. Those eyes held all the uncertainties of the events unfolding right then. Fear-stricken his grip tightened on the straps of his side bag. Those scenes from that night started to rewind and replay in his head with the exchange of glances.