MY R.O.D

CHAPTER 14 - OUTSIDE JOB

I received a call from Youngbae an hour after I arrived home.

"Chaerin-ah..."

"What?!" I asked, a little irritated. I'm not in the mood to talk to somone right now. Since he's one of the reasons why I'm in a bad mood.

"I'm really really sorry. Mom arrived home and told me to go with her. And I forgot my phone at home so I can't call you. I'm really really sorry. I know you're thinking that I should've just borrowed mom's phone so I can call you but I can't. I don't know your number. I'm very very sorry Chae. I really am." He apologized to me, not making me interrupt to his explanation.

I kept silent, still absorbing everything he said. I don't know if I'm going to believe him or not.

"Chae~"

"Chaerin-ah... please..."

"Talk to me... say something..." he pleaded. I know him too much when he's really sorry for what he have done. Plus, I can't stay mad at him. He's the only man I ever trusted, well, beside Seunghyun of course.

I heaved a deep sigh. "Alright. Alright. I understand."

"Really?!"

"Yeah..."

"Geokjeongma. I'll make it up to you. How 'bout dinner tomorrow? Or I'll drive you to work?"

"No need, Youngbae-ah... I'm fine. It's just... I'm kinda upset of you for doing that."

"I really am sorry, Chae. I didn't mean to do that. I swear."

"I know... well, I better go to sleep now. It's already late. Night."

"Good night, Chaerin-ah... sweet dreams."

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*the next morning*

"Chaerin-ssi?"

"Yes, Jinwoo-ssi?"

"Mr. Park wants to call you for an urgent meeting. It'll start in ten minutes."

"Arasseo. Thank you."

I went to the conference hall after Jinwoo left. I entered and sat to an empty seat, far away from a particular person I don't want to see right now.

"I'm so sorry for this urgent meeting because I know that you have a lot of things to do back at your workstations that do have their due dates. Okay... this won't take long so I better get to the point. Our branch abroad is kinda in a bad situation right now. I've been monitoring their monthly sales and unfortunately, its percentage is decreasing as I speak. I only called the both of you because you both are now my most valuable employees I have." He paused.

I think I know where this is going.

"I want the both of you to fly to France and be their temporary supervisors until things go back the way they used to be."

I knew it.

"Any questions?" He asked us.

I raised my hand like a student in class recitation. "Uhmmm... hoksi... can I switch place with someone?" I asked hesitantly.

"Why Ms. Lee? Is there something wrong?"

"Honestly, there's nothing wrong for sending me abroad. It's more like I'm grateful for you believing in my skills. But... it's just... my siblings..."

"What about them?"

"There's no adult to supervise them. Me and my siblings are the only people living in our house. Our parents are usually abroad, working so being the eldest, I have to take care of them."

I lied.

The truth is that....

I don't want to be with Jiyong alone for I don't know how long. Seunghyun and Harin won't mind if I'll be gone for days since they're grown ups now. It's just... Jiyong's my problem. Now that he's listed in blacklist, I don't want to get involved into something with him.

Mr. Park suddenly frowned. "Is that so?"

I nodded.

"But I think you're great to be the one to be there. I've read your curriculum vitae and I saw that you're great at speaking French. So I think you being there can make your works easier."

"Sajangnim's right. Besides, you can ask a favor to your boyfriend to take care of them while you're gone. They're not little kids anymore anyway."

Ugh!! The devil has spoken.

"You have a boyfriend?"

"Aniyo! Aniyo! He's not my boyfriend, sir. He's just my bestfriend."

"Ahhh... well... Jiyong's got a point. You won't be gone for that long, though. It'll be only a week or two. You're just gonna monitor the situation there."

I trapped now. I don't have any more excuses to say. Thanks to that devil, now I'm stuck with him for weeks.

"Uhhmmm... well... I'll ask my friend if he can."

"I know he can. He always goes to your house almost everyday." He butted in again. I want to shout at him right now for being such an asshole but Mr. Park is with us. I don't want him to know that there's something wrong with me and him.

"Well... your bestfriend won't mind that, right?"

"I think not. Uhmmmm... okay.... I'll go." I gave up. If it wasn't for that asshole I wouldn't be in this situation.

"Yes!!! Sorry for forcing you, Ms. Lee. It's just... this is important and you're the only one I can trust with this aside from Jiyong."

"No worries sir. I'll do my best."

"Thank you. I know you always do. You can get back to work now. It was nice talking to you."

With that, I quickly exited the room and went back to my table.

While walking there, I heard footsteps from behind me and I know exactly who it is from.

"I don't get why you keep on insisting sir for you not to go." He spoke. I ignored him and kept walking.

"Your bestfriend, as you say, can be there for them. If he really is your bestfriend, he won't let you down. Unlike what he did yesterday." He continued but I stayed quiet. He's bringing yesterday's situation back which I'm not fond of.

"By the way, did he already apologize to you?"

I didn't answer him. Instead, I fasten my pace so I won't hear his voice that irritates me.

"Yah. I'm talking to you."

"Yah!"

"Lee Chaerin!"

I reached my table and left him behind, still calling my name to answer him.